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Biden’s moves on Alaska drilling, TikTok test young voters

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s largely been in his corner.Youth turnout surged in the three elections since Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, helping Biden eke out victories in swing states in 2020, pick up a Democratic Senate seat in the 2022 election and stem potential losses in the House.But the 80-year-old president has never been the favorite candidate of young liberals itching for a new generation of American leadership. As Biden gears up for an expected reelection campaign, a potential TikTok ban and the Alaska drilling could weigh him down. Meanwhile, his plan to wipe out billions of dollars in student loan debt is in jeopardy at the Supreme Court. The effort, announced shortly before last year’s midterms, was an attempt by Biden to keep a promise he made after defeating progressive Sen...

SIU clears York police officers in early morning shootout that left 1 dead

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

Two undercover police officers will not face charges following an early morning shootout with suspects wanted in a string of home invasions in Markham last fall.The incident began just after 7 a.m. on November 25, 2022, outside a residence on Eyer Drive, near Rodick and Macrill roads.York region police were investigating a series of armed robberies in Markham and plainclothes officers were tracking multiple suspects in a white vehicle on the morning of the shooting. In its report, the province’s Special Investigations Unit says two men in a BMW X6 approached a black Ford F150 pickup truck which was parked in the driveway of a home on Eyer Drive. Two undercover police officers were inside the truck. One of the suspects, who was armed with a knife, began pounding on the driver’s side window and demanded why they were being followed. The second suspect then emerged from the SUV with a shotgun and began firing at the driver’s side window. The two officers inside the tr...

Suburban city makes top US cities to live in in 2023

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – As people continue to shift back to pre-pandemic social and recreational activities — even if they are still working remotely — a new study has broken down the best U.S. cities in which to work, learn, hang out and generally enjoy oneself in 2023.Niche, a data analysis company, used Census data, surveys and other info sources to break down the best cities in the U.S., taking into account the cost of living, safety, school quality, nightlife, walkability, outdoor activities and more.See the top five for 2023 below:Weeks Bridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (File: Getty)Topping the list is Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to roughly 117,000. The city, which is also home to Harvard, "offers residents an urban feel" with numerous bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks. The public schools are also excellent, according to Niche.Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia, USA city skyline on the Potomac River. (File: Getty)In second place is Arlington, Virginia, which jumped up from fourth i...

The astronomical alignment you can see in the night sky this weekend

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – Venus has been very bright in the western sky, the brightest of every star or planet during the first part of the night. And over the upcoming weekend, it will be part of an astronomical alignment with the moon and another planet.The two-night event will begin Saturday, March 25, with the crescent moon appearing above Venus and topped off by Mars high in the western sky.On the evening of Sunday, March 26, the moon will "split" the two planets. Planet Palooza! When 5 planets will be visible in the night sky The famous constellation Orion will also appear in the western sky just to the left of Mars, the moon, and Venus. You should be able to see it with a telescope.Orion, however, can be seen in the night sky for around half of the year. Its shape is easy to pick out because of its many bright stars and its signature belt: three stars close together in a nearly straight line.

Beware of ads promoting Employee Retention Credit offers, IRS warns

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – There is a widely-circulating tax scam for 2023 that involves Employee Retention Credits (ERC), the Internal Revenue Service warns, and you may have recently noticed the advertisements on TV or radio.The refundable tax credit was created to help businesses that kept paying employees despite being shuttered by the COVID pandemic, or who suffered serious declines in business income.While the credit itself is completely legitimate, the promises being made by some shady promoters are not, according to the IRS. As March Madness looms, so do sports betting taxes "While many eligible employers claimed and have already received the ERC, some third parties continue to widely advertise their services targeting taxpayers who may not be eligible for the ERC," the IRS says. "Unfortunately, these advertisements, along with the increased prevalence of websites touting how easy it is to qualify for the ERC, lend an air of legitimacy to abusive claims for refund."One key fact many of ...

WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss reveals skin cancer diagnosis: 'Don't worry'

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

(WKBN) – A former WWE women's champion has revealed on social media that she was recently treated for a form of skin cancer. Alexa Bliss, whose real name is Lexi Cabrera, had first revealed the diagnosis in an Instagram story earlier this week."Dear younger me, you should have stayed out of tanning beds," she wrote in a message posted alongside a photo of her bandaged face, according to screengrabs of the now-expired post shared to Twitter and published by TMZ.She also added that she was "all clear now," and thanked a dermatology group for "taking great care of me!"The following day on Twitter, Bliss confirmed that she had undergone surgery for basal cell carcinoma.“There was a spot on my face yes — that had gotten worse,” she wrote. “So went to get biopsy. Was basal cell carcinoma. During my procedure doc also found other squamous cells. Was a quick and easy procedure. Glad I always get my skin checked.” Wrestling’s Bella Twins are changing their name, leaving WWE According to th...

Explosion at Pennsylvania chocolate plant kills 5, leaves 6 missing

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania on Friday killed five people and left six people missing, authorities said.The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency confirmed the increase in the number of fatalities Saturday morning after the blast just before 5 p.m. Friday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in the borough of West Reading. 2 Illinois teens die in Colorado sledding accident Chief of Police Wayne Holben said the blast destroyed one building and damaged a neighboring building.“It’s pretty leveled,” Mayor Samantha Kaag said of the explosion site. “The building in the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward."The cause of the blast in the community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia was under investigation, Holden told reporters. Authorities are investigating the possibility that a gas leak may have been responsible, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvan...

Tornadoes ravage Mississippi, Alabama overnight

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — During our morning newscast Friday, we told you about the severe weather threat facing western Mississippi (along with northeast Louisiana and east/southeast Arkansas). That part of the Magnolia State was given a moderate risk of severe weather with a good probability of not only hail and strong winds but also tornadoes. A moderate risk is a Category 4 out of 5.That moderate risk was verified as 24 tornadoes were reported Friday night in Mississippi and Alabama. Mississippi had 14 of those tornadoes, and Alabama had ten. The worst of these affected the communities of Rolling Fork and Silver City, both northwest of Jackson. Reports Saturday morning indicate 23 people have died, four are reported missing and dozens are injured in Mississippi. Twelve of those who perished were in Rolling Fork, according to the town's mayor. Search and rescue teams are working with state and local agencies to find those who are trapped in the rubble. The 23 fatalities, with more expected...

Gophers add Canadian receiver Dallas Sims to 2024 recruiting class

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

The Gophers football program picked up a commitment Saturday from Canadian prep receiver Dallas Sims.Sims visited Minnesota this weekend and pledged to the U over offers from Purdue, Indiana, Iowa State and many others.“After a great unofficial visit at @GopherFootball I’m extremely excited to announce that I’m 110% committed to the University of Minnesota!” he wrote on social media.Sims is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, but has played at Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International. The U has had success with Canadians, including former cornerback Benjamin St-Juste now with the Washington Commanders and through Clearwater with current offensive lineman Tyrell Lawrence.Listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Sims has a reported 40-yard dash of 4.5 seconds, via Rivals, and he posted 24 receptions, 429 yards and four touchdowns in eight games a season ago, per Max Preps.Sims is the seventh commitment for the 2024 class and is one of four in March.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Gophers de...

Saunders: Will Rockies’ revamped 2023 lineup hit better than ’22 version?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:11:52 GMT

Last season, the Rockies’ offense was — how should I put this? — terrible.That’s not hyperbole when you consider that the Rockies:• Hit .254, the second-lowest in franchise history behind the 2021 team (.249).• Slugged .398, the first time in franchise history they finished with a slugging percentage below .400.• Hit 149 home runs, the second-fewest for an entire season behind only the inaugural 1993 club (142).• Hit 51 homers on the road, the second-fewest in a full season, trailing only the 2000 Rockies (49).But that was then, and this is now. Will the Rockies hit better in 2023? Yes, because they can’t be worse. But make no mistake, these are not your father’s Blake Street Bombers.How much better will they hit? That’s one of the key questions for a team I predict will go 71-91.Let’s go through what I believe will be Colorado’s starting lineup when it opens the season against the Padres on Thursday at Petco Park.1. Jurickson Profar, left f...