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Congressional delegation tours blood-stained halls where Parkland school massacre happened

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Nine members of Congress began a tour of the blood-stained and bullet-pocked halls at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Friday, shortly before ballistics technicians reenact the massacre that left 14 students and three staff members dead.Few have been inside the three-story building since the Valentine’s Day 2018 shooting. The structure looms over the campus, locked behind a chain-link fence for use as evidence in last year’s penalty trial for the shooter.There is broken glass on the floor, along with wilted roses, deflated balloons and discarded gifts. Opened textbooks and laptop computers remain on students’ desks — at least those that weren’t toppled during the chaos. In one classroom, there is an unfinished chess game one of the slain students had been playing, the pieces unmoved. The Associated Press was one of five media outlets allowed to tour the building after shooter Nikolas Cruz’s jury went through. The House members were led ...

What happens behind the scenes when storms knock power out?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

After Saturday’s storm in our region left homes cut in half and roads closed for days, many were left in the dark for hours — even days in some areas — and wondering when the power would come back on.At the Pepco Mobile Command operations center, currently stationed in Rockville, Maryland, crews are able to go out on the field and help people when their power goes out during storms. In our area, the mobile center has been deployed for the past two weeks.The 33-foot mobile vehicle is about the size of a camper Winnebago — but with a few cool additions. It has high-visibility lights, its own generating and satellite communication system and is completely self-sustained.“I don’t think we expected the level we saw, but we expected to be impacted,” said Pete Pedersen, manager of emergency preparedness for Pepco Holdings, of Saturday’s burst of weather.One of the biggest challenges the company said it sees is fallen trees that can down power lines. New techno...

Xabi Alonso signs a contract extension as coach of Bayer Leverkusen after a strong first season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Xabi Alonso extended his contract as coach of German club Bayer Leverkusen through to 2026 on Friday after a strong first season led to speculation linking him with some of Europe’s top teams.Alonso, who won the Champions League as a player with Liverpool and Real Madrid and the World Cup with Spain, took over Leverkusen in October when it was second-to-last in the Bundesliga. The team finished the season in sixth and reached the semifinals of the Europa League.“I see last season as a positive. But I want more, exactly as the club does. We are now working on that with ambition,” Alonso said in a statement.His contract had previously been due to run out at the end of the 2023-24 season. The Leverkusen job is Alonso’s first as coach of a senior team after stints in Spain with Real Sociedad’s B-team and as a Real Madrid youth coach.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/SoccerSource

Bark beetles are eating through Germany’s Harz forest. Climate change is making matters worse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

CLAUSTHAL-ZELLERFELD, Germany (AP) — Nestled in the spruce trees in the Harz mountains of northern Germany is a bark-eating pest not much bigger than a sesame seed.Known as “book printers” for the lines they eat into the bark that fan out from a single spine resembling words on a page, these eight-toothed beetles have always been part of the local forest. Officials expect the bugs to typically kill a few spruces each summer as they find suitable trees to lay their eggs — they burrow into the tree’s cambium, or growing layer, hampering it from getting the nutrients it needs to survive.But the tiny insects have been causing outsized devastation to the forests in recent years, with officials grappling to get the pests under control before the spruce population is entirely decimated. Two-thirds of the spruce in the region have already been destroyed, said Alexander Ahrenhold from the Lower Saxony state forestry office, and as human-caused climate change makes the region drier and the tr...

US slowed hiring but still added a solid 187,000 jobs in July in sign of a durable labor market despite Fed rate hikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — US slowed hiring but still added a solid 187,000 jobs in July in sign of a durable labor market despite Fed rate hikes.Source

Aug. 4-6: Things to do in Denver this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Early August is a particularly busy weekend because it's during the celebration of Colorado's 147th anniversary, known as Colorado Day. The festivities from Colorado Day are going into the weekend along with first Friday pop-ups and summer events. The summer isn't over yet. Here are some of the top events going on this weekend:Friday, Aug. 4:August First Friday Art WalkStarting at 5:30 p.m., Sante Fe Drive hosts hundreds of artists to feature their work in alleyways, galleries, studios and co-ops. Along with the art-covered street, there will also be food trucks and live music. Stop by if you're an art junkie or just looking to get out of the house. A single’s summer guide to dating in Denver Wicket and Stick It croquet tournamentThe Denver Croquet Club brings a competitive croquet tournament to Washington Park. There will be three croquet games where you can battle for the Wicket and Stick It Silver Cup. You don't need to be a croquet expert, you can either watch ...

Denver family pleads for answers in loved one's 2021 death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Investigators are still searching for answers after the remains of 19-year-old Emriel Krantz were found on the side of Highway 72 in Gilpin County on June 18, 2021. According to Gilpin County investigators, her body was found at the bottom of a steep hill, about 20 to 30 feet down from the highway. They believe she had been there about a week. "As parents, I'm traumatized. I can't believe someone would just have no respect for human life. She was just a kid," said her mom Candace Krantz, who is desperate to find out more information about her daughter's death. Investigators told FOX31 they started their investigation near 55th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Denver where Emriel spent a lot of time. They tracked down several leads, but each one came up empty-handed. Human remains found in Saguache County "Someone knows something, someone or people were definitely a part of what happened and what took place to her," Krantz said.The family hopes by speaking out, it b...

Investigation underway after viral video shows 7-Eleven workers foiling robbery in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

STOCKTON, Calif. (WSVN) — An incident at a 7-Eleven store in Stockton, California, has gained widespread attention after video footage surfaced online, capturing the moment when two store clerks took swift action to thwart a robbery attempt.In the video, which has since gone viral, a masked man is seen emptying shelves of cigarettes into a trash can while a bystander records the tense scene. The store clerks, determined to protect their workplace, intervene as the suspect attempts to leave the scene.The bystander, who captured the altercation, described his experience. He said he stopped at the store for gas and a drink when he witnessed the unfolding events.“I’m trying to feel it out,” said the man who did not want to give his name. “My job is to make it home.” According to his account, the suspect attempted to bypass one employee behind the counter, but another worker grabbed him, and a scuffle ensued. The video showed the suspect being hit more than ...

Miami-Dade County, Florida Keys introduce 645 area code

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

Following the sequence of change, where “305” made way for “786,” a new area code emerges in South Florida — the “6-4-5.” Residents of Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys will wake up to the presence of this fresh addition as it officially takes effect Friday. This new area code, recognized as an “overlay,” is set to serve the same geographic areas currently covered by the 305 and 786 area codes.The introduction of the 645 area code comes as the burgeoning population and the proliferation of communication devices have led to an increased demand for phone numbers. Local authorities and telecommunications regulatory bodies have worked collaboratively to ensure a seamless transition for residents and businesses. This means that individuals who currently possess a 305 or 786 area code will retain their existing numbers, while any new numbers issued may receive the 645 code.

Trump could face a 4th indictment as Georgia DA probes allegations of election interference

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:04 GMT

Former President Donald Trump might be facing yet another indictment, this time in Georgia stemming from an investigation into allegations of election interference.A district attorney in Georgia has launched a probe to determine whether Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. If charges are filed, this would mark his fourth indictment.The decision on whether to proceed with an indictment is anticipated to be reached before the first of September.Security measures have been significantly heightened at the Atlanta courthouse after recent death threats. In preparation for potential arraignments, teams of experts have been dispatched to both New York and Miami to study and adapt advanced security protocols. The goal is to maintain order and safety during any legal proceedings that may arise from the ongoing investigations.Furthermore, local authorities have announced a temporary road closure scheduled to commence on Monday and continue for a span...