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Dry states taking Mississippi River water isn't a new idea. But some mayors want to kill it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Community leaders along the Mississippi River worried that dry southwestern states will someday try to take the river's water may soon take their first step toward blocking such a diversion.Mayors from cities along the river are expected to vote on whether to support a new compact among the river’s 10 states at this week's annual meeting of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, according to its executive director Colin Wellenkamp. Supporters of a compact hope it will strengthen the region’s collective power around shared goals like stopping water from leaving the corridor.“It is the most important working river on earth,” said Wellenkamp. “It’s a matter of national security that the Mississippi River corridor remain intact, remain sustainable and remain ecologically and hydrologically healthy.”The Southwest has long struggled to find enough water for its growing population in a region prone to drought that climate change is making worse. Transporting wa...

RTD light-rail barricade stuck on Auraria campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

The red-and-white striped arm that blocks traffic when a light-rail passes by is stuck in the down position on Fifth Street at the Auraria campus.The crossing barricade has been stuck and blocking traffic on Fifth Street since yesterday, said Regional Transportation District spokesperson Marta Sipeki.Related ArticlesTransportation | New school start times, bus driver shortages contribute to metro Denver districts’ transportation woes Transportation | Rail crossing gates fixed after being stuck in down position on Alameda in Aurora Transportation | Maintenance at Union Station Saturday to affect several RTD commuter lines Transportation | Aurora homicide suspect arrested; allegedly beat man to death at RTD station Transportation | Denver International Airport flights briefly grounded due to “security issue” “Crews are out there trying to figure out what the problem is and once we know wh...

Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

By MIKE SCHNEIDER (Associated Press)Child poverty in the United States more than doubled and median household income declined last year when coronavirus pandemic-era government benefits expired and inflation kept rising, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.At the same time, the official poverty rate for Black Americans dropped to its lowest level on record, and income inequality declined for the first time since 2007, when looking at pre-tax income, due to income declines in the middle and top income brackets.However, income inequality increased when using after-tax income, another result of the end of pandemic-era tax credits, according to Census Bureau reports on income, poverty and health insurance.The reports reflected the sometimes-conflicting factors last year buffeting U.S. households. Workers faced a robust jobs market, with the number of full-time employees increasing year over year, the share of women working full time year-round reaching an all...

Putin's terrorist state must be defeated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

As a result of the latest attack on Kyiv, during which the Russians used Shahed 136/131 attack drones, 26 out of 33 UAVs were destroyed in Ukrainian airspace. Over 20 drones were defused by air defence systems over the Kyiv region alone. Russia is predicted to increase such attacks with the onset of cold weather, and drones are becoming a cheaper alternative to missiles. The supply of air defence equipment and anti-drone guns to the Ukrainian Armed Forces are becoming particularly important, Dispatches, IFBG.Putin does not have sufficient military resources for an offensive against Kyiv, the key Russian objective in launching a full-scale invasion. But they also lack resources for defence along the battle line, which the Ukrainian military is consistently destroying. So the Kremlin is making systematic attacks on the housing infrastructure of Ukrainian cities as a tool of revenge against the Ukrainians he hates and seeks to enslave.In its turn, Iran directly contributes to...

Fire engulfs downtown Los Angeles masonry construction building

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

A massive fire has completely engulfed a building in downtown Los Angeles.According to preliminary information from the Los Angeles Fire Department, firefighters responded to the 300 block of East 4th Street just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon for a "heavy fire involving dense storage" on the third floor of a 5,000-square foot building.The three-story commercial building houses a masonry construction business, LAFD said.This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for updates.Anisha Banerjee contributed to this report.

Bill to legalize 'cannabis cafés' heading to Newsom's desk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

A bill that would clear the way for cannabis businesses to open recreational "cafés" to enjoy their product in public with others has advanced out of the California legislature and is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.Assembly Bill 374 was drafted by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) and would allow local California governments to license the "Amersterdam-style" cafés to allow recreational cannabis users to get high in a designated business where they can also enjoy coffee, food and live entertainment.“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” Haney said. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music. There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal." Haney said he drafted the bill to help out struggling cannabis businesses that were struggling due to "over-saturation, high taxes, and the thriving black market."The Assembly me...

Police ID missing mother of toddler found abandoned in stroller

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for the mother of a child left in a stroller in Larchmont Village early Tuesday morning.A few minutes before 3 a.m., a person found the child, a girl believed to be 2 or 3 years old, in a stroller while walking in the 100 block of North Larchmont Boulevard, located in the Windsor Square neighborhood, according to the LAPD.The child, who appeared to be in good health, was taken to a local hospital to be examined.Inside the child's stroller, police found an ID for the child's mother, Targie Alexandre. Toddler found inside abandoned stroller in L.A. "Officers have located the child’s father, but the whereabouts of Targie are still unknown," police said in a news release.Alexandre, 25, is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Targie Alexandre is asked to contact the LAPD Wilshire Division front desk at 213-473-0476.During non-business hours ...

4 Injured after Traffic Crash on Van Nuys Boulevard [Pacoima, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

Ambulance/Pickup Truck Collision near San Fernando Road Left Two Men in Critical ConditionPACOIMA, CA (September 12, 2023) – A traffic crash involving a rescue ambulance on Van Nuys Boulevard early Sunday morning left at least four people injured.The collision happened around 12:35 a.m. at the intersection of Van Nuys Blvd. and San Fernando Road.According to the report, a full-size pickup truck broadsided an LAFD Paramedic Rescue ambulance responding to a medical emergency.The impact of the crash sent the pickup to a nearby utility pole and trapped two male occupants inside.Eventually, emergency personnel arrived and extricated the two patients before transporting them to a regional trauma center. The two men remained at the hospital in critical condition.Meanwhile, the two LAFD paramedics managed to exit the ambulance and were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.Additionally, a large portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and prelimin...

Donald Berg Jr. Fatally Struck in Hit-and-Run on 15 Freeway [Lake Elsinore, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

Auto-Motorcycle Collision Near Railroad Canyon Road Left 63-Year-Old Man DeadLAKE ELSINORE, CA (September 12, 2023) – A hit-and-run crash on 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore early Saturday morning left Donald Berg Jr. fatally injured.Reports of the incident arrived around 2:30 a.m. along Interstate 15, just north of Railroad Canyon Road.According to CHP, a northbound vehicle collided with the back of a 2007 Yamaha V-Star traveling in the same direction.However, the driver of the vehicle did not render aid to the motorcyclist and fled the scene before the authorities arrived.Tragically, paramedics from the Riverside County Fire Department declared the rider dead at the scene. Authorities later identified the deceased motorcyclist as 63-year-old Donald Berg Jr. of Menifee.Moreover, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.Currently, the CHP investigators are working to identify the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle. Those w...

California Fast-Food Workers Move Closer To $20 Minimum Wage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:04 GMT

California fast-food workers may soon earn $20 per hour as local unions and restaurants came to a tentative agreement.A new California bill will reflect the wage increase, while at the same time eliminating Assembly Bill 257, which would have asked Californians to vote on a $22 per hour minimum wage for fast food workers on the November 2024 ballot.The negotiations and agreements were made by representatives within the the Save Local Restaurants group, which is made up of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Restaurant Association and the International Franchise Association (IFA).“Fast food workers are on the cusp of winning a seat at the table + $20/hr,” SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said Monday. “This is what it looks like when workers rise up and demand elected leaders stand with them to unrig the rules and hold corporations accountable. I’m honored to be in this fight.”The previous bill was approved by California Gov. Gavin...