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Hawaii works to identify 99 confirmed dead in Maui wildfires as teams intensify search

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

By CLAIRE RUSH, JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER and CHRISTOPHER WEBER (Associated Press)LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials worked painstakingly to identify the 99 people confirmed killed in wildfires that ravaged Maui and expected to release the first names Tuesday, even as teams intensified the search for more dead in neighborhoods reduced to ash.A week after a blaze tore through historic Lahaina, many who survived have started moving into hundreds of hotel rooms set aside for displaced locals while donations of food, ice, water and other essentials have poured in.Crews using cadaver dogs have scoured about 25% of the search area, the police chief said Monday. Gov. Josh Green asked for patience and space to search properly as authorities became overwhelmed with requests to visit the burn area. “For those people who have walked into Lahaina because they really wanted to see, know that they’re very likely walking on iwi,” he said at a news conference on Maui, usi...

What is the NBA In-Season Tournament? Here’s how the new format will affect the Chicago Bulls season.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

Chicago Bulls fans got a first glimpse at the road map of the 2023-24 NBA season Tuesday as the league announced the schedule for the first In-Season Tournament.The tournament will give fans and players a taste of single-elimination competition by raising the stakes of several early regular-season games. The Bulls will play four games in the group stage — two at home and two on the road — to vie for a place in the knockout round.Both pride and money will be on the line for players, who could earn up to $500,000 each for winning the tournament.The group stage commences Nov. 3, and the Bulls will play their first game that day against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center.Here’s what else to know about the new tournament.Bulls scheduleNov. 3 vs. Brooklyn NetsNov. 17 vs. Orlando MagicNov. 24 at Toronto RaptorsNov. 28 at Boston CelticsHow do the Bulls advance?The top team from each of the six five-team groups — three groups in each conference — will advanc...

Travel vs. savings: Many Americans are prioritizing wanderlust amid economic uncertainty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

Lane Gillespie | Bankrate (TNS)Trying to cut back on spending is never easy, and it becomes even more difficult if all you want to do this summer is go on a summer vacation. As travel has grown more expensive, ongoing economic uncertainty means some Americans may be reconsidering their priorities: spend their hard-earned money on a vacation or reserve it for emergency savings?Bankrate has found that Americans are typically choosing to spend money on travel, even when their emergency fund is low.Slightly less than half (44 percent) of U.S. adults who have traveled or anticipate taking a leisure trip this year have spent, or plan to spend, at least $1,000, according to a June 2023 Bankrate survey. Simultaneously, 52 percent of U.S. adults have less than three months’ expenses in emergency savings, according to a separate June 2023 Bankrate survey. That includes 22 percent of people who have no emergency savings at all.Spending money on a vacation isn’t inherently irresponsible, but sp...

Biden says he and first lady will survey Maui damage as soon as they can. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

By The Associated PressFollow live updates about wildfires that have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii, killing dozens of people and destroying the historic town of Lahaina. The wildfires are the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. The cause was under investigation. Even where the fires have retreated, authorities have warned that toxic byproducts may remain, including in drinking water, after the flames spewed poisonous fumes.President Joe Biden says he and first lady Jill Biden will visit Hawaii “as soon as we can” to survey the Maui wildfire damage.He said he doesn’t want his presence to interrupt recovery and cleanup efforts.“My wife Jill and I are going to travel to Hawaii as soon as we can,” Biden said Tuesday in Milwaukee at a White House event held to highlight his economic agenda.“I don’t want to get in the way,” the president said, adding that recovery work being carried about by emergency responders and search and...

California judge pleads not guilty to murder in wife’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

By AMY TAXIN (Associated Press)LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California judge charged with killing his wife during an argument while he was drunk pleaded not guilty to murder Tuesday, and his lawyer says it was an “accidental shooting.”Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ricardo Ocampo ordered Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who appeared in court in a suit and tie, to surrender his passport, submit to searches, and wear monitoring devices for blood alcohol content and GPS as part of new bail conditions sought by prosecutors. Ferguson, who is free on $1 million bail, also is barred from possessing firearms and alcohol and frequenting places such as bars and liquor stores. After the hearing, Ferguson’s lawyers told reporters the long-time judge and former prosecutor was confident a jury would agree with him that no crime was committed. “This was an unintentional, accidental shooting and not a crime,” attorney Paul Meyer said.The he...

What can we expect after voting closes in the District 4 special election?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Tuesday night is the last opportunity for residents in San Diego County's fourth supervisorial district to cast a ballot in the special primary election.Fourteen vote centers are open across the county until 8 p.m. for registered voters to participate in the election, as well as 29 ballot drop boxes that are available. Anyone who is in line at a vote center or drop box location before 8 p.m. will be able to cast their vote, according to Registrar of Voters officials. Meet the candidates in the special election for District 4 Supervisor With polls closing tonight, some District 4 voters might be wondering what to expect afterwards. Counting ballots, of course, takes time for all elections, including special elections. So, what will happen next?Unofficial results will start to roll in tonight after 8 p.m., according to the Registrar of Voters. These preliminary ballots counted will include mail ballots received before Election Day and vote center ballots case from early...

Rep. Adam Schiff hears issues of immigration, Imperial Beach sewage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Congressman Adam Schiff (D) took a tour of the U.S.-Mexico Border and Friendship Park Monday ahead of a roundtable discussion with leaders in the South Bay.Officials focused on issues surrounding immigration and environmental concerns, with the sewage contamination in Imperial Beach taking center stage.“Look, you can’t be a representative for the state unless you understand what are the challenges facing every part of the state," Rep. Adam Schiff said on why he was visiting the San Diego region.The democrat represents the state's 30th District, covering areas of Los Angeles County, but he is making a run for senate. South Bay city looks to its neighbor for reference on adoption of encampment ban Local advocates for immigration, human rights, water quality and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre all had a seat at the table, sharing this biggest concerns with the congressman and senate-candidate.The goal was a non-partisan conversation, hearing about infrastructure, im...

WATCH LIVE | Federal disaster declaration made for Cook County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — President Biden has declared a major disaster exists in Cook County due to recent severe storms and subsequent flooding.The declaration was made Tuesday specifically for those impacted by the weather events from June 29 to July 2. It will make Federal funding available to affected individuals in Cook County. Chicago publicist named in indictment against former President Trump According to the release from the White House, assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Funding will also be available for hazard mitigation measures.Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assi...

Annual Ducky Derby raises nearly $600K for Special Olympics Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

CHICAGO — The annual "Ducky Derby" raised nearly $600,000 for Special Olympics Illinois last week, which broke a record for the event.Crowds gathered along the Chicago River downtown Thursday to watch and see which rubber ducky made it to Michigan Avenue first. People paid $5 a duck to be part of the fun and 100,000 ducks were up for “adoption” this year. The derby is a signature event for Special Olympics Illinois and one of its largest fundraisers of the year.In 2022, the event raised over $431,000. This year broke the record with nearly $600,000 raised and donations are still processing.2023 Ducky Derby, courtesy Special Olympics Illinois“We are humbled by the outpouring response from the community,” says Dave Breen, President & CEO, Special Olympics Illinois. “The Chicago Ducky Derby is not possible without the unwavering support from the city of Chicago, our donors, the community, our sponsors, all the staff and volunteers, and participants. The success of this event is a t...

Zoning changes could make way for more music venues, creative spaces around Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:50:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – City of Austin is moving to make it easier for music venues and creative spaces to open in more parts of the city and not just confined to certain areas, like downtown. The initiative aims to help relieve some rent and displacement pressure by making relevant zoning changes. Currently, in many parts of the city, music venues are treated as bars or cocktail lounges, said Donald Jackson with the Economic Development Department. “We have kind of an older zoning code that makes it difficult to do a lot of creative spaces and venue-type operations in different parts of the city,” Jackson said. “One of the things we've been working on for a long time – and that [the City Council] has been pushing for a long time – is to try and revise some of those [zoning hurdles] to make it easier for music venues and creative spaces to operate in more parts of the city,” he continued. The main goal of the initiative as it relates to music venues is to expand the zones where mu...