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Why no living people appear on US postage stamps

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

(The Conversation) - With the ascension of King Charles III to the British throne, some commentators have made much of the fact that the new stamp bearing his image features the king without a crown.This is a major break with a tradition that began in 1840 with the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black, which featured the reigning monarch, Queen Victoria, wearing her crown.The 1847 George Washington 10-cent stamp. Bettmann via Getty ImagesLess discussed is the fact that the living monarch’s image must appear on all British stamps because the monarch embodies the nation itself. This is true even for commemorative stamps that honor historically important persons and events. Whether sharing equal billing with another person or relegated to a corner, the living monarch’s image will always be found on British stamps.As we discuss in our recent book, “The American Stamp,” when the United States was ready to release its first stamps in 1847, the Post Office retur...

What's being done to save the Texas pimpleback, fawnsfoot, fatmucket and Balcones spike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put together a new proposal with the Lower Colorado River Authority to protect freshwater mussels in Texas' lower Colorado River basin.The proposal, which is called a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances, is an agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and landowners to help conserve habitats for at-risk species, the release states. LIST: The most mispronounced places across Central Texas The 20-year agreement would protect four types of Texas mussels: the Texas fawnsfoot, Texas pimpleback, Texas fatmucket and Balcones spike. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public comment on the proposal, according to the release.Freshwater mussels are threatened by declines in "water quality, loss of stream flow, riparian and instream habitat fragmentation, and degradation of instream habitats," the release states.This new agreement will help address water quality and invasive species that impact the e...

The Texas law that dictates adult toys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — The state of Texas has more than a few of oddball laws on its books — it's still illegal to milk to someone else's cow, for instance — but for the most part, they're not ultra-enforceable. But did you know there's a Texas penal code dictating how many sex toys a Texan can own?What's more, it's been enforced relatively recently. Real or myth? We fact-checked 16 strange Texas ‘laws’ It's all part of Texas Penal Code Title 9 (Offenses Against Public Order and Decency), Chapter 43 (Public Indecency), which outlines laws regarding prostitution, pornography and more. Section 43.23 in particular outlines rules around what are known as "obscene devices," which are defined as "a dildo or artificial vagina, designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs."Beyond the restrictions around the number of adult toys a Texan can legally own or sell, Texas Penal Code also dictates how adult toys can be marketed for sale. As Reuters reported back in 2...

Dispute leads to shooting death of woman in Long Beach 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

A woman was shot dead after an argument escalated early Saturday morning in Long Beach. Officers with the Long Beach Police Department responded to the 600 block of Roycroft Avenue around 1 a.m. Saturday morning on calls of a dispute and shooting, police said. Preliminary investigation indicates that some type of argument broke out and the woman, who remains unidentified, was struck by gunfire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if any arrests have been made.   Part of Roycroft Avenue remains blocked off while police conduct their investigation.

4 dead in fiery crash on 5 Freeway in Downey 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

A crash on the 5 Freeway in Downey claimed the lives of four people early Saturday morning. According to CHP, the solo vehicle crash happened around 2:30 a.m. on the 5 Freeway west of the 605 Freeway. CHP confirmed that the vehicle was on fire when they arrived and that all four occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. All lanes of the 5 Freeway have since reopened. Alexis Lewis contributed to this report.

The Hemp Live Resin Revolution — What’s The Big Deal With CBD Live Resin?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

As the legal hemp market expands, more manufacturers are developing ways to extract the max cannabinoids and terpenes from this fascinating plant. CBD-rich concentrates like shatter, diamonds, and budder have become top sellers in many dispensaries. However, only live resin has earned high praise as the “champagne” of hemp concentrates.Unlike many other hemp concentrates, live resin isn’t best known for its high cannabinoid concentrations. While the CBD levels in live resin are high, they aren’t the reason this extract has gained such significant attention. Anyone interested in the latest innovations in the CBD concentrate space must learn what CBD live resin is all about.What Makes CBD Live Resin So Special?Live resin is a relatively new hemp extract best known for its exceptionally high concentrations of aromatic terpenes. The reason live resin has such a strong flavor profile is due to a special “flash-freezing” technique. First developed in Colorado, this extraction process invo...

Stolen vehicle found in Saratoga full of stolen items

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

JUNE 9Grand theft, vehicle tampering: Between 4 a.m. and 4:05 a.m., someone stole a catalytic converter from a parked vehicle on the 18000 block of Devon Avenue for a total loss of approximately $1,000.JUNE 12Petty theft: Someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked in the 18000 block of Westview Drive overnight and stole a garage door remote for a loss of about $9.Shoplifting: At 8:17 a.m., deputies responded to a disturbance at CVS in the Argonaut Shopping Center on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. An investigation revealed the suspect stole merchandise valued at approximately $100. The suspect was cited and released.Possession of a stolen vehicle, misappropriated property, shoplifting: At 9:22 a.m., deputies responded to the area of Saratoga Avenue and Highway 85 for an automated license plate reader notification for a vehicle reported stolen out of San Jose. The vehicle was located in the CVS parking lot at Quito Road and Saratoga Avenue, and the driver was found exiting the store after s...

What’s next in A’s-to-Las Vegas saga and how did we get here? Four experts weigh in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

So what’s next for the Athletics?They intend to move to Las Vegas and have approval from the Nevada Legislature and the governor on a $1.5 billion stadium deal. Owner John Fisher does not speak to the media. But hurdles remain and questions are unanswered.To get some answers, four people came to mind immediately:— Dave Newhouse, a former Oakland Tribune sports columnist and author of 19 books. The latest, “Goodbye to Oakland”, details the exodus of the Raiders and Warriors while setting the table for the departure of the A’s.— Andy Dolich, co-author of “Goodbye to Oakland” and a former A’s executive specializing in marketing from 1980 through 1994. Currently a sports consultant.— Casey Pratt, an ABC7 reporter who has been at the forefront of coverage through the A’s stadium saga and a go-to on social media when it comes to information on the proposed move.— Brodie Brazil of NBC Sports California, who hosts A’s pre- and post-game shows and who like Pratt has b...

Over 30 displaced, dog dead in massive San Jose fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

(KRON) – The San Jose Fire Department battled a four-alarm fire late Friday night, leaving over two dozen people displaced. Just before midnight, a fire broke out in a townhouse complex located in the 2100 block of Luz Avenue. The fire took over five of the seven units within the complex, SJFD said. Photo: SJFDPhoto: SJFDPhoto: SJFDA dog is deceased and over 30 residents are now displaced as a result of the four-alarm fire. No other injuries were reported.The fire was eventually contained with the cause currently under investigation. Red Cross is assisting those displaced.

The governor of Russia’s Lipetsk province says the Wagner mercenary group has entered the region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:38 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The governor of Russia’s Lipetsk province says the Wagner mercenary group has entered the region.Source