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A heat wave has baked parts of the Southwest for weeks. Forecasters warn it’s not cooling soon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Millions of people across the Southwest are living through a historic heat wave, with even the heat-experienced desert city of Phoenix being tested since temperatures have hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) for more than a dozen consecutive days.More than 111 million people across the United States were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings, The National Weather Service reported Wednesday. Huge swaths of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California were experiencing temperatures above 90 degrees F (32 C).“To underscore just how expansive this heat is, based off the current forecast approximately 27 million people across the Lower 48 (states) will experience an air temperature or heat index above 110 (degrees F) over the next 7 days,” the National Weather Service said in a separate bulletin. “It is imperative users take action to limit their exposure to the oppressive hot weather as it looks to stick around for the time being.”Forecast...

Messi mania engulfs Miami ahead of Argentine soccer superstar’s arrival

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — A hamburger and drink combination called the Lionel Messi. A huge sketch of the soccer star’s smiling face on a restaurant wall beside a viral meme from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A beer with a pink label matching the color of the Inter Miami jersey he will wear.Wherever you turn in Miami these days something reminds you of the imminent arrival of the Argentine soccer legend.There is no hiding the euphoria generated by Messi in Miami as he begins the new Major League Soccer phase of his career in one of the most Latino cities in the United States. But his arrival is also bringing a note of sadness as fans know that at age 36 he is nearing the end of his career.Messi announced on June 7 that he will play for Inter Miami in a move that is expected to revitalize soccer in the United States and South Florida with one of the sporting world’s best-known figures. More than 100,000 Argentines live in Miami, which will host World Cup matches in 2026.The seven-time winner of th...

North Korea’s Kim vows to boost his nuke capability after observing new ICBM launch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his country’s nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the country’s second test-flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland U.S., state media reported Thursday.Kim’s statement suggests North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenals in response to recent U.S. steps to enhance its security commitment to ally South Korea.“The present unstable situation in which the security environment on the Korean peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment,” Kim said, according to state media. “(That) requires more intense efforts to implement the line of bolstering nuclear war deterrent.”The Korean Central News Agency disclosed Kim’s comments, after confirming the North conducted a successful launch of the Hwasong-18 ICBM on Wednesday. The launch was first reported by its neighbors soon after its liftoff.The Hwas...

Solar storm on Thursday expected to make Northern Lights visible in limited U.S. states

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

A solar storm forecast for Thursday is expected to give skygazers in some states along the U.S.-Canada border a faint glimpse of the Northern Lights which — at their peak — produce a colorful sky show when solar wind hits the atmosphere. Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most often seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that’s expected to peak in 2024 has the potential to make the lights visible in places farther to the south. Three months ago, the light displays were visible in Arizona, marking the third severe geomagnetic storm since the current solar cycle began in 2019.The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has forecast auroral activity on Thursday, based on long-term outlook.Auroral activity also has been forecast for Canada.Those in small slices of the contiguous U.S. — including parts of Wisconsin, Michigan and Montana — could also get a peek. But for them, the aurora will probably be a “faint glow on the ...

Trump lashes out after Justice Department no longer says presidency shields him from defamation suit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump lashed out on social media against the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday after it stopped supporting his claim that the presidency shields him from liability against a defamation lawsuit brought by a woman who says he sexually attacked her in the mid-1990s. Trump said in a post on his social media platform that the department’s reversal a day earlier in the lawsuit brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll was part of the “political Witch Hunt” he faces while campaigning for the presidency as a Republican.The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Carroll, 79, sued Trump, 77, for defamation months after he vehemently denied her claims first made publicly in a 2019 memoir that a chance encounter between the pair at a Bergdorf Goodman store began with flirtations but ended in a violent encounter inside a dressing room in a desolate section of the store.The progression of the lawsuit, filed in 202...

Tornado Warning issued for Cook & DuPage County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

UPDATE: The National Weather Services in Chicago has issued Tornado Warning for Cook and DuPage County until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.Latest warnings and watches from the National Weather Service.CHICAGO — A Tornado Watch is in effect for the Chicago area as heavy rain and storms move through the region Wednesday.A Tornado Watch has been issued for Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, La Salle, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois until 10 p.m. In Northwest Indiana, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties are under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m.A Flood Watch is in place until 7 p.m. for Cook County, DuPage County, Will County and some parts of Northwest Indiana. There is a slight risk of severe weather. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy conditions with heavy rain showers expected throughout the day. High temperature of 76 degrees and 73 degrees lakeside. Low of 66 degrees tonight.Thunderstorms will push eastward and waves of storms racin...

Severe weather leaves damage around Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

The National Weather Services in Chicago has issued Tornado Warning for Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry County until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.Latest warnings and watches from the National Weather Service.Severe weather rolled through Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana for a few hours Wednesday.According to the National Weather Service, Tornado Warnings were issued for most of Northern Illinois, including Cook County, and Northwest Indiana on Wednesday. Also, Tornado Watches and Flood Advisories were also issued Wednesday evening.Below are pictures submitted by viewers in Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana:Mcdonald Road just west of Randall Rd in Elgin (Photo Courtesy of Pete Potempa)In South Elgin in Kane County, emergency management officials reported several large trees down and damages to homes.Near Huntley, there are reports of trees down and damages to home near Algonquin and Reed Roads. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Trained weather spotters have reported...

Chopped salad kits recalled from Whole Foods due to undeclared allergen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Braga Fresh is recalling some of its chopped salad kits due to undeclared allergens, according to a news release by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The news release says Braga Fresh is voluntarily recalling a single production run of 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Asian-inspired Chopped Salad Kit 12 oz.:Product UPC Code: 9948246932 Lot Code: BFFS179A2  Best If Used By Date: 7/16/23  Pack Size: 12 oz.              Dates Purchased: 6/28/23 – 7/10/23 The FDA says the product is being recalled because the ingredients listed on the package don't mention milk or eggs.People who have an allergy or sensitivity to milk or eggs run the risk of serious allergic reactions if they unknowingly eat them. The salad kits were sold in bags from refrigerated display cases in the produce department of Whole Foods Market stores across the United States. ‘Unfathomably special’: Tay...

DeSantis on whether Trump should debate: 'He needs to step up and do it'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is putting pressure on former President Trump to participate in the first GOP presidential debate next month, saying in an interview Wednesday that "he needs to step up and do it.""Nobody is entitled to this nomination. You have got to earn the nomination and doing things like The Family Leader event in Iowa, doing things like these debates — they're important parts of the process," DeSantis said on "The Howie Carr Show" Wednesday."Every candidate needs to be put to the test, and I think he needs to step up and do it," he added later.DeSantis is among a number of GOP candidates who will join a forum in Iowa this week hosted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The Trump campaign cited a scheduling conflict. DeSantis also took a jab at Trump during his interview Wednesday over what he called the former president's failure to deliver on his promises during his first term in office, such as "draining the swamp" and "building the wall.""So he should deba...

How will Texas' property tax relief plan affect school budgets?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:02 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate unanimously approved key components of the $18 billion dollar property tax relief package on Wednesday, making the anticipated deal one step closer to hitting the governor's desk, as it is expected to pass in the House Thursday.Senators stood and cheered after unanimously passing Senate Bill 2, the property tax relief piece, and Senate Bill 3, a franchise tax cut piece. CATCH-UP: $18 billion deal reached: Texans to get biggest property tax cut in state’s history The upper chamber's property tax aficionado — Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston — lauded the bill as a win for taxpayers. "That's what we do in Texas, is come up with Texas-sized solutions to Texas challenges," he said on the Senate floor. "And there's nothing better to be able to say, for every taxpayer in the state, their property tax rate is coming down substantially for every home state and the state."Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, also had high praise for the historic package, but ra...