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Questions remain about longterm health effects of Maui fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

By Rebecca Boone | Associated PressWhen Daniel Skousen scrubs at the ash and soot covering his Maui home, he worries about the smell.What chemicals created the burning-trash-barrel scent that has lingered since a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina in August? Should he believe government agencies’ assessment of when the air, land and water will be safe enough for his family to return?Or will political and economic pressures to rebuild and restore Maui’s robust tourism industry — where visitors normally spend $14 million per day — lead officials to look at any testing results through rose-colored glasses?“It appears very important to them to get that tourism tax revenue back,” said Skousen. “It makes you wonder if the testing will be biased.”The fire blew out Skousen’s windows and filled his home with ash, but the building is still standing, and he hopes someday to move back in. The home next door burned to the ground.Skousen wants a second ...

Russian consumers in a tight spot as inflation persists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

By Anna Frants | Associated PressMOSCOW — The shelves at Moscow supermarkets are full of fruit and vegetables, cheese and meat. But many of the shoppers look at the selection with dismay as inflation makes their wallets feel empty.Russia’s Central Bank has raised its key lending rate four times this year to try to get inflation under control and stabilize the ruble’s exchange rate as the economy weathers the effects of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and the Western sanctions imposed as a consequence.The last time it raised the rate — to 15%, doubled that from the beginning of the year — the bank said it was concerned about prices that were increasing at an annualized pace of about 12%. The bank now forecasts inflation for the full year, as well as next year, to be about 7.5%.Although that rate is high, it may be an understatement.“If we talk in percentage terms, then, probably, (prices) increased by 25%. This is meat, staple products — dairy produce, ...

Mother of San Jose toddler who died of fentanyl toxicity arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

(KRON) – Kelly Richardson, the mother of the 18-month-old girl who died due to fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, was arrested on a murder charge on Nov. 22, the San Jose Police Department announced Friday.  The toddler has been referred to as "Baby W."According to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office recorded a fentanyl blood concentration of 74 nanograms per milliliter in Baby W's autopsy, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.  According to court documents, Richardson and her child’s father, Derek Vaughn Rayo, had fentanyl and opioids in their system at the time of their daughter’s death on Aug. 12. The parents also waited over 12 hours before contacting police, where San Jose officers responded to the 1500 block of Huddersfield Court for a report of an infant female who was not conscious and not breathing. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.  Parents of San Jose toddler who died of fentanyl tox...

Forecasters warn of possible sneaker waves, coastal flooding along Bay Area coasts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

(BCN) -- High tides expected this weekend have prompted forecasters to issue a Beach Hazards Statement for Bay Area coasts, warning beach visitors of possible sneaker waves and coastal flooding.There will be increased risk of sneaker waves along the coastline from Sonoma County to Monterey County, from 10 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.(National Weather Service Bay Area)"Beachgoers and tide poolers should use caution and watch out for unexpected waves that can sweep you off your feet," the weather service said.In addition, chilly nighttime temperatures around the Bay Area are expected to persist into next week, with some areas dipping to the mid-30s, according to the weather service.(National Weather Service Bay Area)A freeze warning will take effect at 10 p.m. Friday for interior Monterey and San Benito counties and expire at 10 a.m. Saturday. North Bay valleys will have a frost advisory starting at 10 p.m. Friday and into Saturday morn...

No. 3 Colorado uses strong second half to rout Kentucky 96-53

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Aaronette Vonleh scored 19 points and No. 3 Colorado picked up another big win in the Paradise Jam tournament with a 96-53 rout of Kentucky on Friday.Jaylyn Sherrod added 15 points, Kindyll Wetta had 11 points, and Quay Miller and Tameiya Sadler each had 10 points for the Buffaloes (6-0), who shot a season-high 59.7% (37 of 62) in winning their sixth straight by double digits.Eniya Russell had 14 points, Maddie Scherr added 13 points and Ajae Petty scored 11 points for the Wildcats (2-4), who committed 27 turnovers.It was Kentucky – coming off a 29-point loss to No. 10 North Carolina State less than 24 hours earlier – that had the early momentum, leading 9-2 after 2½ minutes of the first quarter.Colorado rallied to tie the score three times in the quarter before closing the period with an 11-0 run to go up 25-14.The Wildcats got within three before Colorado ended the half up 45-34.That’s as close as Kentucky would get to the Buffaloes, who went...

NHL prevents Fleury from wearing a special mask for the Wild’s Native American Heritage night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was told by the NHL he could not wear a custom mask for the team’s Native American Heritage night, his agent said Friday.Allan Walsh confirmed his client was informed he couldn’t wear the mask, even for warmups. The league prohibits players from wearing specialty jerseys, masks, stickers, decals or tape for theme nights.The league initially banned players from using rainbow-colored tape on Pride nights before reversing that decision after receiving backlash from around the hockey community. Teams are not allowed to dress players in themed jerseys for warmups this season after a handful of players decided last season to opt out of Pride Night warmups that included specialty jerseys.With the Wild celebrating Native American Heritage night Friday against Colorado, Fleury wanted to honor his wife, Véronique, who is Native Canadian, with a specially designed mask. Walsh said Fleury offered to pay whatever fine he’d receive and the NHL threatene...

Marrakech kicks off film festival in the shadow of war in the Middle East

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — Film industry leaders in Marrakech attending one of the Arab world’s largest film festivals emphasized Friday the importance of elevating cinema and artistic expression amid a shadow cast by Israel’s war with Hamas and an earthquake that struck Morocco less than three months ago.“In the weeks leading up to the festival, we were not sure that we would even be able to be here. The world we share is shattered and devoured,” said American actor Jessica Chastain, serving as the president of the festival’s jury, in a speech on the festival’s opening night.“Throughout history, art has been used as an accessible tool for communication, raising awareness about social issues and affecting positive change,” she added.Surrounded by red carpet crowds and flashing camera lights, others agreed.“We know what’s happening and don’t forget it,” said Melita Toscan Du Plantier, director of the Marrakech International Film Festival. “But heart...

Paris Hilton anuncia la llegada de su hija London

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

(CNN) — La familia de Paris Hilton creció un poco.En Instagram y TikTok, la celebridad publicó sobre la llegada de su hija London. Hilton y su esposo, Carter Reum, también son padres de un niño pequeño, Phoenix.“Agradecida por mi pequeña bebé”, se lee en la leyenda de una foto publicada en Instagram que muestra un traje rosa con el nombre “London” en la camisa.Paris Hilton y Carter Reum anuncian la llegada de su primer hijoHilton también compartió un video en el que sostiene a su hijo Phoenix y dice: “Soy un hermano mayor” mientras su esposo los anima.“Celebrando a Phoenix, el ‘hermano mayor’ en #Thanksgiving”, se lee en la leyenda del video.En otro video de TikTok, se puede escuchar a Hilton preguntando a su sobrina y a su sobrino si están emocionados por su nueva prima y respondiendo afirmativamente cuando su sobrino le pregunta si tiene dos bebés.La pareja anunció el nacimiento de su hijo en enero. Hilton se casó con Reu...

No. 1 South Carolina, Cardoso win 45th straight at home, overwhelm Devilettes 101-19

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kamilla Cardoso had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as No. 1 South Carolina won its record-tying 45th straight home game, 101-19 over Mississippi Valley State on Friday. This one was never in doubt as the Gamecocks (5-0) led by double digits just five minutes in, by 40 at the half and held the Devilettes (1-5) to the fewest points allowed in coach Dawn Staley’s 16 seasons. Te-Hina Paopao, an Oregon transfer, returned from missing a game with an ankle injury and shored up South Carolina’s outside shooting with two early 3-pointers to finish with 10 points and eight rebounds. The Gamecocks finished with seven players in double figures. MiLaysia Fulwiley had a game-high 17 points while Ashlyn Watkins had 14. South Carolina matched its program best for consecutive home wins, first set between February 2013 and February 2016. The Devilettes (1-5) lone highlight came early when they took a 2-0 lead on Sh’Diamond McKnight’s bucket less t...

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy returns from back surgery to face Carolina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:44 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will return from back surgery and start Friday night’s game at the Carolina Hurricanes.Coach Jon Cooper announced the decision following the team’s morning skate.“He hasn’t played an NHL game since April so I know he is eager,” Cooper said. “There is a ton of work (that) has gone in to get him to this spot. He has worked his tail off and this was the date circled on the calendar months ago and we hit the target date.”Vasilevskiy missed 20 games after undergoing a microdiscectomy to address a lumbar disk herniation two months ago.The two-time Stanley Cup-winning Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy in 2019 as the league’s top goalie and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021 as playoff MVP.Vasilevskiy first experienced a problem with his back in August and received an injection.Treatment and a second injection failed to resolve the problem after Vasilevskiy experienced the issue again when he practiced for the first time in ...