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Oregon extends crab fishing restrictions to protect whales from getting caught in trap ropes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon has extended rules restricting the state’s lucrative Dungeness crab fishery in order to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in ropes attached to crab traps, the state’s fish and wildlife department has announced.Humpbacks, which migrate off Oregon’s coast, and other whales can get caught in the vertical ropes connected to the heavy traps and drag them around for months, leaving the mammals injured, starved or so exhausted that they can drown. Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery is one of the backbones of the Pacific Northwest’s fishing industry, but crabbers fear that overregulation will harm the industry. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted late Friday to extend, with no sunset date, measures that were originally supposed to end after this season, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement. The measures include limiting the number of crab traps in the water and how deep they can be placed in the months when...

Eagles reserve lineman Sills acquitted of rape, kidnapping charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (AP) — Josh Sills, a reserve offensive lineman for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, has been acquitted of felony rape and kidnapping charges in Ohio and will be returning to the team’s active roster.Jurors in Guernsey County reached not-guilty verdicts on both counts Friday after deliberating for about three hours. Sills, 25, showed no reaction as the verdicts were read but immediately stood and thanked the panel when the judge offered him an opportunity to address them.“I’d like to thank my family who have supported me from day one,” he said. “I have done nothing wrong, and I’m glad that was proven today.” Defense attorney Michael Connick said the verdict “ends a nearly four-year nightmare for the Sills family, and particularly Josh.”The Sarahsville, Ohio, native was indicted Jan. 31 by a county grand jury, accused of having engaged in sexual activity that was not consensual and holding a woman against her will Dec. 5, 2019. Ohio Attorne...

Man arrested, victims sought in west end assaults

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

Toronto police have a man in custody following a number of assaults in the west end Friday morning. Police say a man was running into traffic and harassing motorists in the area of Jane Street and Wilson Avenue around 9 a.m. He also allegedly assaulted several pedestrians who were in the area at the same time. Police located and arrested the man a short while later. Kevin Ogbogu, 28, of no fixed address has been charged with failing to comply with a probation order. Police are asking anyone who was assaulted by this man to come forward as victims of the alleged attacks had left the area prior to police arriving.

5.4-magnitude earthquake hits northeast China

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck northeast China early Sunday morning.The moderate quake occurred about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Jinan, a city of roughly 9 million people.Shaking occurred at a shallow depth, according to Rafael Abreu Paris, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Earthquake Information Center.“The closer to the surface the earthquake is, the stronger you are going to feel it,” said Abreu Paris.Federal officials have not confirmed any deaths.__The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environmentThe Associated Press

Pence heckled by Trump supporters as 'sell out' after third indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

(The Hill) — Former Vice President Pence on Friday faced heckling from supporters of former President Donald Trump outside a campaign stop in Londonderry, N.H.“Why did you sell out the people?” one heckler can be heard saying in a video taken outside of the event and shared across social media. Map: Does your drinking water contain ‘forever chemicals’? Other Trump supporters can also be seen in the video, with one holding a sign with Trump’s name and his infamous “Make America Great Again,” slogan and another wearing a shirt that says “Ultra MAGA.” At one point, Pence responds to a heckler who asks him why he didn’t “uphold the Constitution.”“I upheld the Constitution,” Pence appeared to retort. “Read it!”Other media outlets reported the crowd also calling out that "there’s the sellout! There’s the traitor!” as Pence exited his vehicle.The parking lot confrontation comes in the same week Trump was indicted and arraigned in Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s investigat...

Officials responding to wildfire in Hays County, estimated at 70 acres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials responded to a wildfire in Hays County Saturday, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services (HCOES) website.The wildfire, known as the Oak Grove fire, was reported in the 200 block of Oak Grove Road in San Marcos. It is estimated at 70 acres and 0% contained as of 4:22 p.m., according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Forest Service.The Hays County Wildland task force responded to the fire. Air assets are also being deployed to drop water on the fire.Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as Fox Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | David Yeomans/KXAN NewsOfficials responded to a large outside fire, known as Fox Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | KXAN viewer photoOfficials responded to a large outside fire, known as Fox Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | David Yeomans/KXAN NewsThe National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio said on Twitter it could see the smoke plum...

Austin's 29-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the longest in recorded history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing the longest stretch of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means temperatures have reached the century mark for 29 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that's the longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak well past 30 days. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The previous record of 27 days was set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's streak of triple-digit days came to an end Thursday, July 27, with temperatures only reach...

Charley Walters: How Nick Bosa’s impending deal could make Justin Jefferson richer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

Now that Danielle Hunter has his $20 million, one-year contract, next for the Minnesota Vikings is a new mega deal for Justin Jefferson.That could be tricky.Whether it’s important to Jefferson, the reigning offensive player of the year, to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL is unclear. But if it is, it’s worth watching the Nick Bosa saga.Bosa, 25, the reigning defensive player of the year, is holding out, apparently because he also wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB.Jefferson, 23, who isn’t holding out, may want to see Bosa’s new contract before he signs his new deal, which could be worth at least $25 million a year.— Bosa is going into his fifth season, so he’s one year ahead of Jefferson in extension eligibility from his rookie contract. A new contract could be worth more than $30 million a season.The Vikings might be willing to do an extension with Jefferson this summer, but he’s been in the NFL for just three seasons, so if he wants a new deal now, he might ha...

N.D. regulators deny siting permit for Midwest carbon dioxide pipeline; company will reapply

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota regulators denied a siting permit Friday for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would cross five states.The decision complicates an already complex process for Summit Carbon Solutions, which is seeking similar authorization in the other states and is facing opposition from landowners and environmental groups. It wasn’t immediately clear how the permit denial would affect Summit’s carbon dioxide storage plans in North Dakota.The North Dakota Public Service Commission denied the permit for Summit’s Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, which planned a 320-mile route through North Dakota. Summit proposed the $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile pipeline network to capture carbon dioxide from more than 30 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and to store it deep underground in North Dakota.In a statement, Summit said it “respects the decision by the North Dakota Public Service Commission, and we will revisit our ...

EF-2 tornado confirmed in Baring, Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:34 GMT

KNOX COUNTY, Mo. - National Weather Service officials confirmed that an EF-2 tornado ripped through northeastern Missouri on Friday evening, wrecking havoc on the small city of Baring, Missouri. No significant injuries or deaths have been reported, but 14 people were rescued from damaged homes, according to the Edina Sentinel. Per their report, the tornado arrived without any warnings issued in the area. The Missouri State Highway Patrol shared photos of widespread damage from Friday evening. The tornado posed concerns for Knox County between 11 p.m. and midnight.Photos from Baring, MO in Knox County. All have been accounted for. While clean up from the storm continues - please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/qQR7uWzfgC— MSHP Troop B (@MSHPTrooperB) August 5, 2023For much of Friday, FOX 2 kept track of severe storms coming in from the west that presented possible chances of severe thunderstorms and possible winds up to 70 mph. The storm proved sporadic in its path an...