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July keeps sizzling as Phoenix hits another 110-degree day and wildfires spread in California

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix sizzled through its 31st consecutive day of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) and other parts of the country grappled Sunday with record temperatures after a week that saw significant portions of the U.S. population subject to extreme heat. The National Weather Service said Phoenix was expected to climb to 112 F (44.4 Celsius) before the day was through.July has been so steamy thus far that scientists calculate it will be the hottest month ever recorded and likely the warmest human civilization has seen. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service on Thursday proclaimed July beyond record-smashing.The historic heat began blasting the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, stretching from Texas across New Mexico and Arizona and into California’s desert. On Sunday, a massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters r...

2 shot — 1 critically — in road rage incident on Lake Shore Drive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is in critical condition after two people were shot in a road rage incident on Lake Shore Drive Sunday evening, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said a 37-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were driving northbound in the 2200 block of South Lake Shore Drive around 8:08 p.m. when a 2015 Nissan sedan cut them off in traffic.The victims beeped at the driver of the Nissan sedan, who then pulled up alongside the victim's vehicle and someone inside the Nissan opened fire.The 37-year-old woman was shot in the neck and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The 26-year-old man was grazed in the back by a bullet and refused medical attention on scene. Two teens in the hospital, one critical, after shooting in Austin neighborhood, CPD says Police have no in custody.If you or someone you know has information that could help police make a breakthrough in the investigation of this incident, anonymous tips can be filed online with CPD...

Hundreds of Loretto Hospital workers set to strike

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

CHICAGO — It's full steam ahead for Monday morning, when at least 200 workers at Loretto Hospital on the City's Southwest Side, will walk off the job."The strike will start tomorrow morning," said Erica Bland-Durosinmi, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare, the union representing the workers who are prepared to strike. "We've been at the table … proposals have gone back and forth, but we've been unable to reach an agreement at this time."Mental health workers, radiology technicians and housekeepers make up the bulk of the group. The workers claim they're underpaid and understaffed, which is reflected by the turnover rate at Loretto Hospital — a number that stands at nearly 60%."People don't stay because they're not investing in the staff in a real way," Bland-Durosinmi said. "It’s unfortunate that we’ve gotten here, where management is unwilling to bargain in good faith." More from Bronagh: Local Chicago leaders advocate for immigration, work permit reform Bland-Durosinmi t...

The origin story of Rosie the cow, a fixture in St. Paul’s Mac-Groveland neighborhood

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

As Pam Quirk Becker’s 50th birthday was approaching nearly 20 years ago, her husband and best friend from college were plotting a surprise.With Pam away from the house, a U-Haul pulled up to Randolph Avenue and Warwick Street, and her husband and two of their children carried into the backyard a 6-foot cow made from an oil drum and milk cans.“Everyone likes to give Pam fun gifts that they wouldn’t want in their own home,” said her husband, Dave Quirk Becker.When Pam returned home, she was led to the backyard to find the cow with birthday balloons on it. Pam was udderly delighted.She recalled her friend saying, “You know, Pam, not everyone would like a cow in their backyard.”“I was thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. Not everybody wants a big cow, but I love cows. And so this was the perfect gift,” she said. “It’s recycling in a very creative way.”Rosie, who arrived in 2004, now stands in the front yard.“It’s a ...

Gold medalist Sunisa Lee surprised by statue unveiling at Phalen Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

St. Paul’s gold-medal-winning gymnast Sunisa Lee made history with her win at the 2020 Olympic Games. On Sunday — the day after the two-year anniversary of her victory in Tokyo — she was honored with a permanent marker in her home city.Dozens turned out to celebrate and surprise Lee during the unveiling of a bronze bust at Phalen Regional Park that honors her contributions to gymnastics, culture and Hmong American history.Gov. Tim Walz declared Sunday to be Sunisa Lee Day in Minnesota, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter also designated it Sunisa Lee Day in the capital city.The unveiling was attended by Lee, her parents and siblings, as well as the artist and dozens of supporters, and it took place along the trail behind the Phalen Activity Center parking lot. Lee did not know that the piece was being created and had no idea what it looked like until Sunday.When the blue tarp covering the statue was lifted, Lee put her hand over her mouth in surprise and said, “It’s i...

Pagedale's change of heart for group that helps women leaving prison

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

PAGEDALE, Mo. – A north St. Louis County organization helping women just out of prison is breathing a sigh of relief after our story on some obstacles they faced from the city of Pagedale. After being told no regarding a new facility, city leaders have had a change of heart.The not-for-profit SoulFisher Ministries works with women while they’re still in prison and helps their transition back to civilian life, providing them resources toward housing, job training, counseling, and a variety of other services so they remain productive.Shawntelle Fisher, CEO of SoulFisher Ministries, said they wanted to renovate an abandoned building in Pagedale, but their requests were rebuffed.However, the city seems to have come around following a FOX 2 report earlier this month. Cardinals trade frenzy begins: Montgomery to Rangers, Hicks to Blue Jays “So, a lot has happened since we did the first reports. The mayor did actually reach out to me. We have had several conversations that kind of shifte...

Ameren's race to restore power following weekend storm

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS – On Sunday, Ameren Missouri crews were out working to restore power to the remaining 15,000 customers without power. Ameren said Saturday's storm knocked out power to approximately 95,000 customers across the area, and that 1,100 employees were working around the clock to restore power. The utility company believes everyone will have electricity back by Tuesday at the latest."Twenty-four hours we've been dealing with no electric," said Ronnie Ransom. His wife relies on a machine to help her breathe. But without power, he's been using oxygen tanks."The short ones last about 45 minutes. The big ones last about two hours, and I just put the last tank on. I had three tanks. One short one and two of the tall ones," he said. "My wife is on 100% oxygen. She is a cancer patient, and she's on the last tank." Cardinals trade frenzy begins: Montgomery to Rangers, Hicks to Blue Jays Ransom said he understands the storm is the reason for the outage, but said restoring power is criti...

Rockies trade C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk to Angels for pitching prospects

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

The Rockies have followed through on their pledge to add much-needed pitching depth.On Sunday they acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Madden and left-handed pitcher Mason Albright, the Los Angeles Angels’ No. 8 and No. 28 prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com, in exchange for first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk, along with cash considerations.Madden, 21, was selected by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Northwest Florida State College. In his first professional season, the 6-foot-6-inch right-hander is 2-6 with a 5.46 ERA through 14 starts for Single-A Inland Empire.Related ArticlesColorado Rockies | Ty Blach ends Rockies’ four-game skid with gem vs. A’s Colorado Rockies | Rockies’ Nolan Jones hits balls harder, farther than anyone in MLB. Now he’s just got to take the next step. Colorado Rockies | A’s beat Rockies again as Chris Flexen gets rocked in Colorado deb...

Cars spray painted with swastikas in Orange County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

Some residents in a Costa Mesa apartment complex woke up last week to find swastikas spray painted on their vehicles.  Police said the incident occurred at the Ava Apartment complex along Santa Ana Avenue and that vandals spray painted the cars sometime between 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.  “No, this isn’t 1939 Germany but Costa Mesa, CA. 2023,” the non-partisan U.S. based organization Stop AntiSemitism tweeted about the incident. On Saturday, the Costa Mesa Police Department said that it was aware of the photo circulating on social media of the swastika spray painted on a silver Mercedes Benz.  Some residents of a Costa Mesa apartment complex found swastikas painted on their cars last week. (StopAntisemism.org)Some residents in the Ava Apartment complex in Costa Mesa had swastikas spray painted on their cars earlier last week. (KTLA)“We condemn this act of vandalism and the use of this abhorrent and hurtful symbol,” the police department said in a statement.  An aud...

Long Beach Police locate missing 11-year-old boy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:11:55 GMT

The Long Beach Police Department has located a missing 11-year-old boy and reunited him with his family, authorities announced Sunday evening. According to LBPD, Antoine Wright had last been seen on Saturday at 7 p.m. near his residence in the 5500 block of Ackerfield Avenue.  Evacuations ordered as wildfire near Temecula grows to over 2,200 acres Wright was described as Black, standing 4 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing 75 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Antoine Wright as seen in an undated photo. (LBPD)He had last been seen wearing a black shirt with red shorts, red and dark gray shoes and a black hat. Wright suffers from medical conditions, LBPD said. No information on where Wright was located or his condition was provided.