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Hilary moves "very near" to Mexico's Baja coast as Category 1 hurricane

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Hilary neared landfall on Mexico's Baja California peninsula as a still-dangerous Category 1 hurricane carrying so much rain that forecasters said “catastrophic and life-threatening” flooding is likely across a broad region of the southwestern U.S.The National Weather Center in Miami said that as of 5 a.m. the storm was “very near” the Baja coast south of Ensenada, and 285 miles (460 kilometers) from San Diego, California. The maximum sustained wind speed dropped to 80 mph (130 kph) while spreading “heavy rains” northward over the peninsula.Meteorologists warned that despite weakening, the storm remained treacherous.One person drowned Saturday in the Mexican town of Santa Rosalia, on the peninsula’s eastern coast, when a vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream. Rescue workers managed to save four other people, said Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, the mayor of Mulege township. How serious is Hurricane Hilary for those in Southern Ca...

How to survive a strike

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Screenwriters have been on strike for more than 100 days. In a country where the majority of people live paycheck to paycheck, voluntarily going so long without a steady income requires conviction — and planning.Similar to a layoff, a worker on strike has to grapple with a loss of income and benefits for an indefinite period. Unlike a layoff, most striking workers can't collect unemployment. The risk of strikers depleting their savings or getting behind on bills has made long strikes, such as the one by the Writers Guild of America, rare.» MORE: How long do strikes usually last?But strikes have a long history of securing higher wages and better conditions for workers because of their financial impact on the employer. That makes striking a valuable tool for today's workforce, which faces high inflation and concerns over new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).If it's possible you'd be part of a strike, start treating it as inevitable. The more savings you c...

Police: 2 found dead in Manor after possible murder-suicide

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.MANOR, Texas (KXAN) —  Two people were found dead after officers with the Manor Police Department responded to a shots-fired call overnight at a home in the 12000 block of Riparian Road.MPD said officers responded to the call at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.Police said when officers arrived, a woman was found outside with “obvious trauma to her body.” MPD said she was later pronounced dead.Officials said officers at the scene worked to evacuate the home due to a potentially armed suspect inside. With the assistance of deputies with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, officers entered the home.Inside, MPD said a man was found with an apparent gunshot wound, and he was later pronounced dead. Officials said no one else inside the home was injured.MPD said the department's initial findings lead officials to believe the incident ...

Texas pilot program focuses on treating opioid, other substance use in pregnancy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) — As Meagan Shealy settles in at home after an overnight shift, her baby can be heard cooing in the background. "He's going to be 10 months old," Shealy said proudly to KXAN during a Zoom interview. Meagan Shealy enjoying time with her baby. (Courtesy: Meagan Shealy)She's a mom to seven but explained this is the first time she's been able to truly experience those early milestones. "I've gotten to be a mother to my son for the first time," she said. "I had a lot of pain and guilt and shame around losing my other kids to the system." Shealy has been in long-term recovery for substance use and opiates. She recently shared her story with maternal health leaders in Houston at a summit focused on treating substance use during pregnancy. She recalled the moments leading up to her first child's birth. "My first experience was going into the hospital and having the doctors and nurses look at me like I was a monster — them calling CPS on me —...

'Offering common sense,' Texan makes case to GOP presidential primary voters who want an option to Trump

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Wednesday, Republican candidates for president are scheduled to meet on stage in Milwaukee for the first debate leading up to the 2024 primary. The only Texan in the race, former Congressman Will Hurd, is still trying to earn a spot on the stage.Candidates have to meet requirements for polling and campaign contributions to participate in the debate. Candidates must register at least 1% support in three national polls or a mix of national and early-primary state polls. They also must have campaign contributions from at least 40,000 donors.Hurd recently passed the donor threshold. On Wednesday, he hit the 1% in a poll released by Quinnipiac University, putting him closer to the polling requirement."I feel good that folks are going to be able to see me on the debate stage," Hurd told KXAN's Jennifer Sanders during an interview Wednesday afternoon.But there's one other requirement that could keep Hurd off the debate stage. Debate participants have to sign a pledge ...

The strangest Texas town names: How to say them, and how they got there

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

Between different languages, traditions, events, notable people, and sometimes just a distinct sense of humor, Texas has a long history of towns winding up with names ranging from the unique to the downright silly. Because of that, it isn't uncommon for newcomers and locals alike in the Lone Star State to have a couple of questions: How do you even say that, anyway? How did they come up with that?How do you say that?In much the same way that the 1940s saw the publication of the first complete mile-by-mile guide to Route 66, highlighting otherwise unknown communities and details in the Texas Panhandle and much of the rural expanses of the United States, Paducah (“Puh-doo-kuh”) native George Mitchel Stokes of Baylor University compiled a list of pronunciations of more than 2,300 place names across Texas. The Texas Almanac crafted a list based on Stokes' work to recognize and record the communities of the Lone Star State, which is now available online to guide travelers on how to talk ...

Leonard Greene: ‘I Have a Dream’ was the most important speech at the March. This was a close second.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

At the age of 92, attorney and activist Clarence Jones reminds us of the life Martin Luther King Jr. might have enjoyed if he had been a simple church pastor or a seminary professor.Jones, a top King lieutenant and a trusted friend of the slain civil rights leader, has been blessed with longevity and a perch from which to reflect on a great man and an even greater movement.“I thought Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest geniuses of our time,” said Jones, a lawyer and adviser who helped craft many of King’s soul stirring speeches. “An imperfect person and a perfect calling.”Sixty years ago, Jones helped King craft his signature sermon, the “I Have a Dream” speech that is almost synonymous with King himself.Jones remembers the days of preparation and exasperation at Washington D.C.’s Willard Hotel, where he and King and other advisers pored over the language of the speech, chasing away labor leaders and elected officials who al...

Letters: Rain or shine, Golden Thyme owners pulled off amazing JazzFests

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

Amazing JazzFestsI do not know Mychael Wright and his wife Stephanie personally, but do know that, rain or shine, they pulled off amazing JazzFests.I recall that at noon sharp, an upbeat New Orleans style group would kick things off near the Golden Thyme coffee shop. This was followed by days of performances by talented musicians, both national and local.I always felt that area’s sense of community during this Fest, where people greeted each other and stopped and had conversations. Also, a mecca for Jazz-, food- and fashion lovers. Kudos to this dedicated couple for carrying this on for so many years. I have no doubt that whatever their next venture, it will prove “golden.”Ursula Krawczyk, St. Paul Whose duty it is“Decades of excessive spending, paid with debt” and “the federal government needs to get its fiscal house in order” are the first seven and last 11 words in the Orange County Register’s opinion in this paper on Aug.13.Th...

Infant rescued following Amber Alert; search continues for suspect

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A two-month-old baby girl has been located unharmed after an Amber Alert was issued. Many individuals likely received notifications on their phones about the alert yesterday morning.Law enforcement successfully tracked down both the baby and the Ford Escape vehicle mentioned in the Amber Alert. However, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported that the suspect implicated in the case remains evasive at this time.James Stephen Richardson Jr., a 28-year-old man, allegedly took the child. He is alleged to have assaulted the child's mother.The investigators have revealed that the suspect made threats to harm the child and absconded with the mother's SUV. A deputy sheriff shared that numerous citizens actively participated in the search efforts, which resulted in the safe discovery of the baby approximately four hours after the issuance of the Amber Alert.

Make a difference by recycling scrap, proceeds donated

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:49:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- They have been at it for about 14 years. Volunteer members from the Mary Mother of the Church Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul have been recycling scrap metal since 2009. To date, their recycling efforts have raised about $194,000.And the group has almost achieved a goal they could never have imagined at the start; they hope to reach their $200,000 goal by the end of the year. One hundred percent of the funds earned go directly to helping the poor.Currently, our recycling earns about $1,500 a month, providing funds to aid those in need. “Summertime is busier for recycling,” says Dick Drury, a long-time Vincentian volunteer.The recyclers had humble beginnings, according to Drury. A fellow Mary Mother of the Church parishioner, Dan Schoenekase, used his own truck to pick up old appliances, lawn mowers, heaters, patio tables, cabinets, and anything made of metal that was to be discarded. “Dan is handy, and he carefully stripped metals from the items, saving all the meta...