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Hurricane Idalia chases Florida residents from the Gulf Coast as forecasters warn of storm surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

By DANIEL KOZIN (Associated Press)CEDAR KEY, Fla. (AP) — Idalia strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday and barreled toward Florida’s Gulf Coast as authorities warned residents of vulnerable areas to pack up and leave to escape the twin threats of high winds and devastating flooding.Idalia was churning in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm, but it was projected to come ashore early Wednesday as a Category 3 system with sustained winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph) in the lightly populated Big Bend region, where the Florida Panhandle curves into the peninsula. The result could be a big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.The National Weather Service in Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay abutting the Big Bend region.On the island of Cedar Key, Commissioner Sue Colson joined other city officials in packing up documents and el...

University of North Carolina graduate student charged in killing of faculty advisor denied bond

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, GARY D. ROBERTSON and SARAH RANKIN (Associated Press)CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Authorities charged a University of North Carolina graduate student Tuesday with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his faculty advisor, in an attack that caused a campus lockdown while police searched for the gunman.During a brief hearing, Orange County Superior Court Judge Sherri Murrell ordered 34-year-old Tailei Qi to remain jailed without bond as an interpreter explained to Qi in Mandarin what was happening in the courtroom. She scheduled his next court date for Sept. 18.Dana Graves, a public defender who represented Qi during the hearing, left the courtroom without talking to reporters.Qi is charged with first-degree murder and having a 9mm handgun on educational property in the the Monday killing of Zijie Yan inside of a science building on UNC’s flagship campus in Chapel Hill. The attack led to a roughly three-hour lockdown of the campus, a week after students return...

Life in a rural ‘ambulance desert’ means sometimes help isn’t on the way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

Taylor Sisk | (TNS) KFF Health NewsCARROLLTON, Ala. — Annie Jackson can’t know whether her sister Grena Prude might have survived had an ambulance been more readily available when she went into cardiac arrest on May 10. But Jackson is convinced her sister would have at least had a chance.Prude, 55, died at the steps of Carrollton City Hall, less than a half-mile from her county’s only ambulance station. When someone called 911 to get her help, two ambulances were on duty: One was transporting a patient to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 45 minutes away, and the other a patient to Columbus, Mississippi, a 30-minute drive.“It was a horrible situation,” said Vicky McCrory, supervisor of the nonprofit Pickens County Ambulance Service, but not an isolated one. There have been multiple similar tragedies.That single ambulance station in Carrollton serves all of Pickens County, dispatching one and sometimes two ambulances to serve just under 20,000 residents spread across 900 square miles. The farthes...

U.S. takes down rogue robot network that infected 200,000 computers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

By Nathaniel Percy, Southern California News GroupFederal law enforcement officials have disrupted a malware known as Qakbot — a computer code used by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud and other cyber crimes leading to massive losses worldwide, they announced on Tuesday, Aug. 29.The Qakbot malware infected more than 700,000 victim computers, federal authorities said, before it’s infrastructure was taken down. The malware was being deleted from those computers, preventing it from doing more harm.The Department of Justice said authorities had seized more than $8.6 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits.It’s the largest United States-led financial and technical disruption of a botnet infrastructure used by cybercriminals, according to the Department of Justice. The operation also involved actions in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Romania and Latvia.“An international partnership led by the Justice Department and the FBI has resulted in the...

Which veterans could be nearing the end of their Yankees tenure?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

With the Yankees all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the team has been focusing on its younger players.With Anthony Volpe already starting at shortstop all season, Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza joined the fray when they were promoted on Aug. 22. Oswaldo Cabrera is also expected to play more regularly than he has, and the Yankees have spent a great deal of time talking about other prospects in recent days.But what about the team’s veterans? How do they play into the rest of this season and the team’s 2024 plans?Let’s take a look at a handful of notable, seasoned players and what their futures may hold.LUIS SEVERINOStatus: Impending free agentA former Cy Young finalist, Severino has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball this year with a 6.64 ERA through 81.1 innings. But the righty has shown flashes of his old self over his last two starts, something he’d like to do more of as he heads for the open market.Either way, the 29-year-...

Recipe: While plums are still available, use them in this couscous salad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

Every year when the season for stone fruit draws to an end, I am eager to use it in as many dishes as possible. Plums are generally available through most of September and one of my favorite ways to show them off is in an irresistible couscous salad.It’s delicious as a side dish served with grilled pork or lamb. To make it a meaty entrée, toss in some cubed cooked chicken (boned and skinned) at the beginning of step number three.The recipe yields about 12 servings, making it perfect for a potluck or party. If you want a smaller amount, reduce the ingredients by half.Couscous with Plums and Fresh MintYield: About 13 cups, amounts can be halved if desiredINGREDIENTS4 1/2 cups water1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon ground cumin2 teaspoons salt2 (10-ounce) packages couscous (3 1/3 cups uncooked)1/2 cup dried currants or golden raisins1/2 cup chopped dried apricots4 small shallots, or 2 large shallots, minced (about 4 tablespoons)1/2 cup rice vinegar1/3 cup honey1/2 cup extra-virg...

Patriots practice attendance hints at potential roster cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots saw two major returns and seven absences from Tuesday’s practice at Gillette Stadium.The good news: Cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned to practice after missing Sunday’s session. Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson also was practicing for the first time this summer after being activated off of the non-football illness list. The team was in shells and shorts rather than full pads.Guard Cole Strange and wide receiver Demario Douglas also appeared to be increasing their participation in practice.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots trade K Nick Folk to Titans for draft pick, rookie K Chad Ryland starting New England Patriots | Patriots activating offseason free-agent signing off NFI list before cuts New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots’ trades for OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Vederian Lowe New England Patriots | Sources: Patriots release QB Trace McSorley,...

Patriots trade K Nick Folk to Titans for draft pick, rookie K Chad Ryland starting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

The Patriots traded veteran kicker Nick Folk to the Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick Tuesday, a source told the Herald.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots practice attendance hints at potential roster cuts New England Patriots | Patriots activating offseason free-agent signing off NFI list before cuts New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots’ trades for OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Vederian Lowe New England Patriots | Sources: Patriots release QB Trace McSorley, P Corliss Waitman New England Patriots | Will Patriots O-line starters be ready for Week 1? Bill Belichick answers Folk, 38, had been locked in a position battle with fourth-round rookie Chad Ryland during training camp. Both kickers cleared 80% on their field goal percentage during practices and didn’t attempt any kicks during the preseason. Ryland won out with his stronger leg and the investment the Patriot...

Suspect shot, killed mom and 2 dogs before standoff in Encanto house: SDPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The suspect killed after exchanging gunfire with San Diego police while barricaded in an Encanto home Monday night had shot his mother and two dogs, authorities said.Officers were dispatched to the scene around 8:45 p.m. after receiving reports for a shooting at a residence on the 500 block of Iona Drive near the intersection of Market Street and Akins Avenue.Upon arrival, SDPD said the responding officers saw an elderly woman and a dog down in the driveway in front of the home, each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Church choir leader suspected of sexually assaulting teen As they tried to approach the victim and the dog, the suspect, identified as a 43-year-old man, began firing at the officers from inside the home. One officer returned fire at the suspect in response, SDPD said. It is unknown if the suspect was struck by the rounds fired at that time.After the initial shooting with police, officers utilized a patrol vehicle to perform an emergency rescue oper...

More questions for father of man killed with six others in Old Montreal fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:52 GMT

MONTREAL — A lawyer representing the father of a man killed in a fire in Old Montreal says the fact police are now investigating the fire as arson raises new questions.Melissa Lonn is representing Randy Sears, whose son, Nathan, was among seven people killed when a heritage building hosting illegal short-term rentals caught fire March 16.Lonn is suing the building’s owner, short-term rental platform Airbnb and a man who was operating rentals out of the building.On Monday, Montreal police Insp. David Shane said investigators found traces of accelerant at the building site and that their probe could lead to a wide range of charges, from arson to murder.Lonn says the news that police have ruled out accidental causes is shocking and difficult for her client to absorb.She says Sears and other family members of victims have been waiting months for answers about the cause of the fire and are now wondering about the motive and the suspect.This report by The Canadian Press was first pu...