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Canadian wildfire smoke causing hazy skies, poor air quality in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – People around the Northeast are seeing (and smelling) the aftermath of the massive fires burning in Canada. As of Monday afternoon, more than 400 fires were burning around Canada, from British Columbia and Alberta in the west, to Nova Scotia and Quebec in the east. For much of May, smoke was billowing out from the wildfires primarily in Western Canada. Denver was hit especially hard by smoke, making the skies look apocalyptic. However, the main source of this week's smoke is from newer wildfires in the province of Quebec, just north of New York. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, jumped to 172 for Syracuse Tuesday afternoon, which is an unhealthy level for everyone regardless of overall health conditions. New York City ranked among the worst air quality in the world Tuesday, according to IQAir. El Niño’s arrival is imminent and there’s a 90% chance it lasts all year, forecasters say In addition to New York state, Connecticut was nearly entirely shrouded in u...

How inmates are using mail to get high at Cook County Jail as overdose incidents more than double

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

A rare look inside the Cook County Jail as crews search cells for drugs making their way inside through the mail system.  WGN Investigates first told you about the problem three months ago. Letters and books soaked in dangerous chemicals are being mailed to the jail, and later used by detainees to get high.Sheriff Tom Dart says, “We’ve got our radar up on a lot of these things but it’s wildly complicated.” More Coverage: WGN Investigates At the end of last year, the Cook County Jail saw an average of about 7 overdose incidents each month. This year the average number is up to 18 monthly overdose incidents.  A team is now tasked with searching cells each week, going through books and beds to find the contraband.According to Dr. Priscilla Ware, who oversees Cook County Correctional Health, “the pages are often soaked in roach spray, insecticides and pesticides.” It can cause a deadly high. Ware adds, “people are coming in unresponsive, wi...

‘Let’s just say it’s been done’: Will Texas lieutenant governor sign ‘dead suspect’ bill?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the mystery surrounding a missing transparency measure at the Texas Capitol remains, the attention it grabbed in recent days – from state lawmakers, frustrated families and open records advocates nationwide – ensured any movement to advance House Bill 30 would not go unnoticed.“That’s a whole long story,” Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters Tuesday afternoon during a press conference. “It will take care of itself before you know it.”As the Senate prepared to reconvene for its special session work that evening, those stakeholders were waiting to see if Patrick would sign the "dead suspect loophole" legislation overwhelmingly passed by both chambers in the final stretch of the regular session. His signature is required in the Texas Constitution, and his House counterpart – Republican Speaker Dade Phelan – had already signed off more than a week earlier. LISTEN: KXAN investigation into bill’s holdup featured on Texas Standard radio program Phelan’s co...

Developer expresses 'astonishment' over state hearing to consider park takeover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a meeting was scheduled to consider acquiring a state park through eminent domain, the developers purchasing the property have expressed their "astonishment" that the state would consider that option, in a letter sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners.Fairfield Lake State Park permanently closed to the public on Sunday. The park, about 70 miles east of Waco, has been leased to the state for decades by Vistra Energy, which formerly operated a power plant on Fairfield Lake. After the plant closed in 2018, the company gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notice that it would terminate its lease.Vistra said it encouraged TPWD to put in a bid to purchase the property, but it did not. The company then entered into a contract with developer Todd Interests in April 2022.While Todd Interests and Vistra have not disclosed the sale price, citing confidentiality provisions in their contract, the property was listed online for more than $110 millio...

Family of man killed by APD officer last year pushes for police to commend de-escalation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of a man shot and killed by an Austin police officer last year are now calling on the department to recognize efforts in the future that avoid the use of deadly force. The mother and brother of Rajan Moonesinghe held a news conference Tuesday morning outside Austin City Hall, where they pushed for the Austin Police Department and Chief Joseph Chacon to create a new award to give to officers. Mark Moonesinghe, Rajan's oldest brother, said police should "establish a preservation of life medal that commends those that employ de-escalation tactics to preserve a life"Mark said the foundation created by his family in memory of his brother would even fund such an effort. He also pointed the police departments in Philadelphia and Los Angeles already give out similar honors to their officers. "De-escalation and preservation of life need to be rewarded on the same stage with officers who receive medals for valor, for Purple Hearts, for community service and the 20 e...

It's official: Austin adopts Phase 1 of Project Connect light rail plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a joint meeting Tuesday afternoon, Austin City Council, the CapMetro board of directors and the Austin Transit Partnership board of directors officially adopted the first phase of Project Connect's light rail program, paving the way for expanded transit services in the Texas capital."These great, generational programs do not happen overnight, do not happen in the blink of an eye and it takes every single one of us to make them happen," said Veronica Castro de Barrera, chair of ATP's board of directors, adding: "This board, this vision, this program will be treated with respect because it's your hard-earned money."What will the first phase of light rail in Austin look like?The adoption followed ATP's announcement of its recommended Phase 1 light rail investment late last month, featuring an initial service route running from 38th Street to Oltorf Street in the south, as well as Yellow Jacket Lane in the southeast. The now-approved first phase of light rail service...

After announcing retirement, Minnesota native Ben Ellefson sticking around with Vikings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

Ben Ellefson’s playing career is over. His time with the Vikings is not.Less than a week after Ellefson, a native of Minnesota, announced his retirement, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that the 26-year-old former tight end will be sticking around with the team in a hybrid role.It sounds as if the Vikings are still in the process of ironing out an exact title for Ellefson as he transitions to the next chapter of his life. He is expected to start his new position around training camp, helping the coaching staff, as well as the scouting department.“We just want to continue to be a resource for these guys,” O’Connell said. “He came to a conclusion that he still wants to be a part of our organization, and I sure as heck want him to be here as well.”Though he noted that injuries were a big reason for his decision to hang up the cleats for good, Ellefson noted last week on social media that he feels fortunate he can walk away from the game...

NYSP: Rotterdam man arrested for grand larceny, identity theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Rotterdam man is in custody for allegedly making multiple unauthorized withdrawals from a business he formerly worked at. Justin T. Dennis, 30, was charged with Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Third Degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police were made aware of unauthorized withdrawals being made from a Schenectady County Business bank account. Investigations determined that Dennis made unauthorized withdrawals with bank account information that did not belong to him. Dennis withdrew over $1,000.Dennis was arrested on June 5. He was transported to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Proctors adds second show for comedian Matt Rife

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Amid a high demand for Matt Rife tickets, Proctors Theatre in Schenectady has added a second show. The show will be on January 31, 2024 at 10 p.m., right after the first show at 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Pre-sale tickets for the 7 p.m. show went on sale on Tuesday, causing Proctors to experience high call volumes to its box office. As of noon, the show was almost sold out. At 2 p.m., Proctors announced that they added the 10 p.m. show.Rife is a comedian, actor and TikTok star. He has over 13 million followers on TikTok with over 2 billion views globally. He made his television debut on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out,” and has been in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Fresh Off The Boat,” and “Bring The Funny.” Rife also has two self-released stand-up specials. Comedian Matt Rife to perform in Schenectady Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. There is a limit of four tick...

Missouri River Bridge crash closes WB I-70 for hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:04 GMT

ROCHEPORT, Mo. -- Emergency crews worked for hours to clear a crash on the Missouri River bridge west of Columbia.The crash involving a loaded cattle trailer, a pickup, and at least four other vehicles, forced emergency crews to close the westbound lanes of Interstate 70. Eastbound traffic was down to one lane because of emergency responders helping clear the the crash.Missouri River Bridge Crash Update:These are pictures of the crash scene provided by @BooneCountyFire. At least five vehicles are involved, including a loaded cattle trailer. More information will be provided as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/ey4KgSHUUY— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) June 6, 2023Traffic is being rerouted to Highway 40.The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash happened before 11 a.m. It is not known when I-70 will reopen.Emergency crews are focused on handling the situation and have not said yet if anyone was injured in the crash.