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As climate warms, that perfect Christmas tree may depend on growers’ ability to adapt

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Christmas tree breeder Jim Rockis knows what it looks like when one dies long before it can reach a buyer.Rockis farms trees in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, where he and other producers often grow their iconic evergreens outside their preferred habitat higher in the mountains. But that can mean planting in soil that’s warmer and wetter — places where a nasty fungal disease called Phytophthora root rot can take hold, sucking moisture away from saplings and causing needles to crisp to burnt orange.“After a while, it just gets to the core of it,” Rockis said. “They just wither away.”Christmas tree growers and breeders have long prepared for a future of hotter weather that will change soil conditions, too. People buying trees may not have noticed a difference in availability this year and may not even in the next couple; the average Christmas tree takes eight to 10 years to reach marketable size.But that means the trees being grown right now are the beloved holid...

Georgia man imprisoned for hiding death of Tara Grinstead pleads guilty in unrelated rape cases

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

PERRY, Ga. (AP) — A man imprisoned for concealing the death of Georgia teacher Tara Grinstead has pleaded guilty to reduced charges in two unrelated rape cases in a deal that lets him avoid additional prison time.Houston County Superior Court records show that Bo Dukes agreed to plea deals Nov. 13 to settle charges that he had raped women in 2017 and 2019 after threatening them with weapons. Prosecutors agreed to let Dukes plead guilty to aggravated assault with intent to rape in both cases. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, while more than a dozen other counts were dismissed.The sentences Dukes, 39, received won’t add to the 25-year prison term he is currently serving for his role in Grinstead’s death and disappearance, The plea deal was first reported by WALB-TV.A high school teacher and former beauty queen, Grinstead vanished in 2005 from her home in rural Irwin County. Her fate remained a mystery for more than a decade until Duke...

Putin claims Russia’s military has the momentum in Ukraine and is poised to meet Moscow’s goals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that his country’s military has seized the initiative in Ukraine after repelling a monthslong counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals.Putin’s spoke at a meeting with top military brass a day after he presented documents to Russia’s Central Election Commission to seek reelection in the March presidential vote that he’s all but certain to win.“Our troops are holding the initiative,” the Russian leader said. “We are effectively doing what we think is needed, doing what we want. Where our commanders consider it necessary to stick to active defenses they are doing so, and we are improving our positions where it’s needed.”The Russian leader praised Russia’s troops for beating back Ukrainian attacks during the counteroffensive that started in June. “The enemy has suffered heavy casualties and to a large extent wasted its reserves while trying to show at least some r...

Wisconsin man faces homicide charges after alleged drunken driving crash kills four siblings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

WAUPACA, Wis. (AP) — An eastern Wisconsin man has been charged in a wrong-way collision that killed four siblings last weekend, authorities said.Scott Farmer, of Neenah, is charged with four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle in Saturday’s crash in Weyauwega, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.Farmer, 47, appeared Monday via video from the Waupaca County jail for his initial court appearance. The judge set his bond at $750,000 after prosecutor Veronica Isherwood requested a $4 million cash bail, WLUK-TV reported.Farmer’s attorney, Alex Gelhar, did not seek a specific bond amount. He said Farmer has strong family and financial ties to the area “that could indicate to the court that he is not a flight risk.”Police said Farmer was driving the wrong way on Highway 10 when his truck crashed into an SUV Saturday night, killing driver Daniel Gonzalez, 25, his brother Fabian Gonzalez, 23, and their sisters, Lilian Gonzalez, 14, and Daniela Go...

Need a new car? How to save money car shopping before end of the year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio AutoTrader reporter Sean Tucker joins WTOP's Michelle Basch and John Aaron. $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); if( typeof gtag === "function" ){ gtag('event', 'post_audio', { 'play': audio_filename, 'permalink': window.location.href }); } }); }); Gas prices are easing, but inflation and high interest rates are still making it difficult to purchase a car. So, how can...

Mi hijo y yo corrimos la misma carrera de 5 km. Cuando no llegó a la meta, salí a buscarlo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

(CNN) — Un nuevo bebé llega a casa, esta frágil criatura de repente bajo tu cuidado, y junto con la alegría hay destellos de terror. Cada nuevo hito parece aumentar el riesgo de catástrofe. Tu hijo se mantiene sentado y luego de pie. Da un primer paso vacilante. Un día, con el mundo llamándole, se aleja de ti y empieza a correr.No hay temor como el de un padre que busca a su hijo perdido. Te dices a ti mismo que todo irá bien, pero tu mente va a los peores lugares.Ahora que este año llega a su fin, aún recuerdo el miedo que sentí una luminosa mañana de sábado de finales de septiembre, en una carrera de cinco kilómetros en Clarkston, Georgia, mientras esperaba a mi hijo de 11 años en la línea de meta.Sabía que podía correr 5 km en unos 30 minutos. Cuando no lo vi en la marca de 35 minutos, empecé a preguntarme qué había salido mal. Y cuando se acercaban los 40 minutos y seguía sin aparecer, salí a buscarlo.¿Se había perdido? ¿Habló con un desconocido? ¿Lo había atropellado un c...

Cientos de miles de personas se quedan sin electricidad en el noreste de EE.UU. y las temperaturas caerán en picada este martes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

(CNN) — Al menos cinco personas han muerto después de que una poderosa tormenta causó peligrosas inundaciones e interrupciones en los viajes a la costa este y dejó sin electricidad a cientos de miles de hogares y negocios en el noreste, que enfrenta temperaturas frías y nevadas concentradas el martes.El sistema de tormentas abrió un camino caótico a lo largo de la costa este y causó la muerte de un hombre en Pensilvania y una mujer en Carolina del Sur, ambos de unos 70 años, después de que sus vehículos quedaran sumergidos en la marea alta, informaron las autoridades.Una persona en el norte de Nueva York también falleció el lunes después de que ingresó a una carretera inundada y su automóvil fue arrastrado a un arroyo. El conductor fue encontrado muerto unas dos horas después, cuando los rescatistas pudieron llegar al vehículo.Se informaron otras dos muertes en Maine y Massachusetts.Cuando la tormenta azotó el noreste el lunes, desató de 50 a 125 mm de lluvia en toda la región...

Affirm Holdings, Enphase Energy rise; Bluebird Bio falls, Tuesday, 12/19/2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that are trading heavily or have substantial price changes on Tuesday:Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), up 67 cents to $136.48.Google’s parent company agreed to pay $700 million to settle allegations that it had been stifling competition against its Android app store.UBS Group AG (UBS), up $1.57 to $30.77.Cevian Capital reportedly took a $1.3 billion stake in the investment bank.Heico Corp. (HEI), up $2.08 to $185.71.The aerospace and electronics company beat Wall Street’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue forecasts.Bluebird Bio Inc. (BLUE), down 53 cents to $2.52.The biotechnology company announced a $150 million stock offering.Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM), up $6.91 to $50.61.The operator of digital commerce platforms said it expanded its services with Walmart for buy now, pay later options at self-checkout kiosks.Enphase Energy Inc. (ENPH), up $60.56 to $130.59.The solar technology company announced a restructuring plan that includes cutting 10% of ...

AP PHOTOS: Rivers and fountains of red-gold volcanic lava light up the dark skies in Icelandic town

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

Rivers of lava spewed from a fissure in the mountainside, snaking downwards and erupting in fountains of red and gold molten rock when the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted this week in a fishing town in southwestern Iceland. The fiery liquid illuminates the smoke-filled sky in Grindavik, a small fishing town just 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik.The eruption began Monday night, but it was no surprise: The area has been active for two years, with thousands of small earthquakes heralding the near-certain awakening of the volcano. Civil defense personnel are on high alert, blocking access to the road leading to the mountain, and flying in a helicopter over the lava floes to monitor volcanic activity. As Friday’s winter solstice nears — when Iceland sees just three hours of sunlight a day — residents gather, watching from a safe distance, to see the natural spectacle lighting up the long-dark sky. The lava is about 1,200 degrees Celsius (2,200 degrees Fahrenheit). The ...

New area code coming to Colorado in 2026

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is no longer known as the 303 state. In 2026, a new area code is coming for the Centennial State. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Public Utility Commission announced on Monday that starting in the first quarter of 2026 those living in northern and western Colorado could be assigned the new 748 area code. When did 303 arrive in Colorado? The new area code will be for customers in the 970-area code overlay region who request a new service, line or move their service.All current customers will keep their existing phone numbers and area codes.The PUC said the current 970 area code is projected to run out of phone numbers by the first quarter of 2026. That is when the 748 area code will be distributed.According to PUC, the 748 area code should last approximately 38 years.This will be Colorado's sixth area code. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Colorado's original area code was 303 and served the entire state...