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Commerce Department launches pilot program to bolster jobs, distressed economies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – The U.S. Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for a grant program to help communities create jobs and better economies.The new pilot program aims at investing hundreds of millions of dollars in communities with distressed economies and job markets.“There's a lot of communities that need to transition but they need investment to transition,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.Raimondo says the grants will create opportunities in people's hometowns.“Maybe a coal community or maybe a rural community where they're just stuck, and they need an investment,” Raimondo said. “We have $200 million in total.  We will be selecting somewhere between four and eight communities, so each community will receive tens of millions of dollars.”Secretary Raimondo says the flexible funds can be used for different types of programs like job training or opening up new office buildings.“The recompete pilot program is really exciting because this is meant to be a...

Arkansas judge modifies Hunter Biden’s child support terms, settling dispute

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK) – An order issued in Independence County on Thursday modifies the conditions of presidential son Hunter Biden’s child support.The order, signed by Circuit Judge Holley Meyer, changes the terms of Biden’s child support payments, the specific dollar amount being sealed by court order, and puts an end to a long-running legal struggle for both sides. Hunter Biden sits for deposition in Arkansas child support case Other than the monthly child support, the order also requires Biden to assign a number of his paintings to the child. The specific number, like the financial terms, are sealed, with the sale of the paintings going to Lunden Roberts, the mother of the child and the person who filed the original suit for child support.The order also has Biden paying a monthly fee to the Lancaster Law Firm, which represented Roberts in this case. The monthly payment amount is also sealed.Roberts had originally asked her child to be allowed to change his last name to Bide...

4th of July traffic: These should be the best and worst times to drive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Fourth of July weekend is always a popular time to travel, but AAA believes this will be a record-setting year, with more than 50 million Americans expected to drive at least 50 miles. On July 4, 2022, the national average for gas prices was $4.80 per gallon, according to AAA. Currently, the average is below $3.60 per gallon, which is a big reason why AAA predicts an additional 2 million people on the road relative to last year. Still, if you don't want to spend your gas money idling in traffic, you may want to time your drive to avoid sharing lanes with millions of other Americans. AAA projects these hours as the best and worst hours to jump behind the wheel:DateBest TimeWorst TimeThursday, June 29Before 12 p.m.4 p.m. – 6 p.m.Friday, June 30Before 10 a.m., After 6 p.m.10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Saturday, July 1Before 12 p.m.1 p.m.Sunday, July 2Minimal traffic expectedMinimal traffic expectedMonday, July 3Minimal traffic expectedMinimal traffic expectedTuesday, July 4...

Search underway for missing Hermosa man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 31-year-old man who has been missing for three weeks.Tony Tarasiuk, 31, was last seen on the 4600 block of West Palmer Street in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood on Friday, June 9. Search underway for missing River Grove teen Tarasiuk is described as 5-foot-8, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.Anyone with information regarding Tony Tarasiuk's whereabouts are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-746-6554.

WHO to declare aspartame a possible carcinogen: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The World Health Organization is planning to declare aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in diet sodas, soft drinks, and other reduced-sugar gums and condiments, to be a possible carcinogen, according to a report published by Reuters.WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will publicly announce its decision July 14, Reuters reported.Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin and sucralose, among others, were already declared to be ineffective at helping users with long-term weight control. In May, the health agency urged consumers to avoid sweeteners in order to “improve their health,” linking continued usage to “undesirable effects” such an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults.WHO’s expected announcement on July 14 could potentially put cancer into that category — for aspartame specifically — calling the sweetener "possibly carcinogenic to humans," according to sources cited by Reuters. Fortune ...

Deputy acquitted of all charges for failing to act during Parkland school shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida sheriff’s deputy was acquitted Thursday of felony child neglect and other charges for failing to act during the 2018 Parkland school massacre, concluding the first trial in U.S. history of a law enforcement officer for conduct during an on-campus shooting.Former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson wept as the verdicts were read. The jury had deliberated for 19 hours over four days.After court adjourned, Peterson, his family and friends rushed into a group hug as they whooped, hollered and cried. One of his supporters chased after lead prosecutor Chris Killoran and said something. Killoran turned and snapped at him, “Way to be a good winner” and slapped him on the shoulder. Members of the prosecution team then nudged Killoran out of the courtroom.The campus deputy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Peterson had been charged with failing to confront shooter Nikolas Cruz during his six-minute attack inside a three-story 1...

Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse is back on Airbnb — and Ken's hosting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Book a night at Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse on AirbnbMattel/AirbnbWe thought Barbie couldn’t get more popular, but she’s gaining even more traction with the upcoming “Barbie” movie slated to hit theaters this summer. Barbie dolls are a favorite among children, and while it’s certainly fun to play with them, especially considering the new line of Barbie dolls inspired by the film, how about a stay at a life-size version of Barbie’s DreamHouse? Barbies DreamHouse is available to book on Airbnb, and if you or your little one are fans, you won’t be disappointed.Booking Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse on AirbnbMattel/AirbnbTo celebrate the upcoming release of the “Barbie” film, directed by Greta Gerwig, everyone has a chance to visit a life-size version of Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse. Barbie has partnered with Airbnb to offer a stay to up to two guests for up to two nights. Anyone can boo...

2023 now has one of June's longest 100° streaks in Austin history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — This month now has one of the longest triple-digit streaks in June in Austin history.The streak started when Austin hit 103° on June 24. As of June 29, we've reached the triple digits six days in a row, which ties as the 6th-longest streak ever recorded in June.The First Warning Weather team is forecasting another triple-digit day on the last day of the month.The longest 100° streak in June was recorded last year. Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, hit the century mark 12 days in a row, from June 16 through June 27.The historic stretch was almost even longer. Had it not been for a 98° high on the 15th, Austin would have hit 100° for 22 days in a row. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The longest triple-digit streak of all time was in 2011. Austin hit 100° for 27 days in a row, from July 17 through August 12.

Why Texans might experience seasonal depression in the summer, not winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been several weeks of continuous extreme heat here in Central Texas. While some might find the earlier-than-normal heat spell a nuisance, others might experience adverse mental health complications as a result.Seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression, is a type of depression that happens cyclically. While those in colder climates typically experience symptoms in the wintertime, the opposite is often true in warmer parts of the country, including the Lone Star State. "When it coms down to seasonal affective disorder, it really is the feelings of depression, but it comes down to the circadian rhythm that is dysregulated in your body," said Anna Bunker, director of programs at NAMI Central Texas.In the summertime, the days are longer as the sun rises earlier in the mornings and sets later in the ev...

Wildfire smoke returns to New York State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--- For the second day in a row, an air quality health advisory has been issued for New York State as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continue to make its way to the United States."Air quality has been unhealthy in every corner of the state of New York," said Governor Kathy Hochul at a press conference in New York City.From Western New York, to Central New York, the North County, and Capital Region, the skies have been visibly hazy. The governor once again sending help to Canada."We deployed our third group yesterday to be part of a northeastern unit comprised of other individuals from Maine and New Hampshire. But the truth is, there is no end insight," said Hochul. With Fourth of July weekend celebrations approaching, the governor is urging New Yorkers to take precautions, especially those with heart disease or respiratory illnesses."Little children should not be out playing when the conditions are in hazardous numbers. Senior citizens, people with asthma we ...