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It’s very windy and dry in Hawaii. Strong gusts complicate wildfires and prompt evacuations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Several Hawaii communities were forced to evacuate from wildfires that destroyed at least two homes as of Tuesday as a dry season mixed with strong wind gusts made for dangerous fire conditions. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing to the south of the island chain at a safe distance of 500 miles (805 kilometers), was only partly to blame for gusts above 60 mph that toppled power lines, rattled homes and grounded firefighting helicopters. “It’s kind of because of Hurricane Dora, but it’s not a direct result,” said Jeff Powell, a meteorologist in Honolulu. “It’s just a peripheral result.” Hawaii was sandwiched between high pressure to the north and a low pressure associated with Dora, he said, noting how it was sunny and very dry.The dryness and the gusts “make a dangerous fire situation so that fires that do exist can spread out of control very rapidly,” Powell said. Maui and the Big Island were contending with wildfire...

Australian police investigate how 3 died after apparently eating wild mushrooms at family meal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police on Wednesday were trying to figure out how three people died and a fourth became critically ill after apparently eating wild mushrooms at a family lunch.Homicide detectives have been investigating the case. Police have interviewed the woman who they say cooked the meal at her home on July 29 but didn’t become ill herself. Police released her without filing any charges but say she remains a suspect.The woman told media outside her home in the town of Leongatha, in Victoria state, that she didn’t know what had happened.“I didn’t do anything,” she told Network Nine on Monday. “I loved them and I’m devastated they’re gone.”The woman declined to answer questions about what meals were served to which guests or the origin of the mushrooms.Victoria Police Det. Inspector Dean Thomas said it wasn’t clear what type of mushrooms the guests had eaten, but their symptoms were consistent with those from a death cap, a particularly deadly variety. He said...

From upsets to record attendances, these are the trends that have emerged at the Women’s World Cup

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — The traditional elite have been cut down to size at the Women’s World Cup. That has been the standout theme as a tournament that has already set records for attendance and goals scored enters the quarterfinals stage, and it has made for high drama. “It’s been absolutely incredible and a great testament to some of the work that is happening around the world,” FIFA’s head of women’s football, Sarai Bareman, told The Associated Press. “To see the results of this World Cup brings so much meaning to the work that we do. “It’s really special, not only for the players and the teams, but for those of us who are working on the game day in and day out.”Soccer’s world governing body FIFA is trying to grow the women’s game at pace, and it seems to be having an impact.Established nations have fallen one by one over the past two weeks, with the back-to-back defending champion U.S. team joining No. 2-ranked Germany, Brazil and Olympic gold medalist...

Ailing and baby hummingbirds nursed to health at woman’s apartment-turned-clinic in Mexico City

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Gently holding a baby hummingbird between her hands, Catia Lattouf says, “Hello, cute little guy. Are you very hungry?” It’s the newest patient at her apartment in a toney section of Mexico City where she has nursed hundreds of the tiny birds back to health over the past decade.Under Lattouf’s caress, the bird relaxes little by little, allowing her to evaluate it. A young man who rescued it after it fell from a nest onto his patio watched attentively.“It is a broad-billed hummingbird,” the 73-year-old Lattouf said, as she moved an eyedropper to its beak. “Oh, mama, you want to eat!”This is often how Lattouf’s days have gone since she turned her apartment in Mexico City’s Polanco neighborhood into a clinic for sick, injured or infant hummingbirds, about 60 of which currently flit around.Lattouf, who studied French literature, has become a reference source for bird lovers, amateur and professional alike, across Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Her improvised...

Wilmette Village board votes to adopt resolution objecting to concerts being held at Ryan Field

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

WILMETTE, Ill. — The president and village trustee of Wilmette voted to adopt a resolution during a village board meeting Tuesday that objected to Evanston's zoning changes that would allow for outdoor concerts at Ryan Field.The vote revolves around an $800 million renovation project for Ryan Field that was first proposed in Sept. 2022. The project is currently in the early planning stages, but it has come under fire after hazing allegations came to light surrounding Northwestern's football program in recent months.If the proposal that includes rezoning changes to Ryan Field is approved, it would allow the stadium to host as many as ten concerts a year once renovations are finished."Through this resolution we are sending a clear message to Northwestern University," said Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett. "That commercializing education and athletic facilities … to drive profits is wholly unacceptable."The vote is a culmination of nine months of feedback from Wilmette residen...

Village of Oswego to fly flag designed by 9-year-old

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 9-year-old boy hoped to spark some change to the Oswego flag after he pitched a new design to the village board.In March, Caden Stagl discovered a passion for the world’s flags on a family trip to Minnesota while reading a knowledge encyclopedia."(Caden was) quizzing us the whole way there whole way back and started memorizing them falling in love with flags," Caden's mother Jody Stagl said. "We’re trying to figure out who he belongs to because of neither of us really likes flags or know any of them but he knows all of them – he does."But a few months back, Caden decided his hometown flag of Oswego needed an update."It just says Village of Oswego and when it was founded," Caden Stagl said. "You’re looking at this flag and you’re thinking I can do better? So what do you decide to do? Hmmmm – make a new one!"So that’s what he did while putting some careful thought into the new design."The blue and orange is the high schools…the fox river…just wanted it that way…freedom fo...

Burger King launching new chicken wraps

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Burger King announced it will be launching new chicken wraps next week.The new "Royal Crispy Wraps" will be available beginning Monday, August 14, at participating restaurants nationwide, according to a news release.The wraps will come in three flavors — classic, spicy, and honey mustard. The wraps are made with white meat chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and a soft-shell tortilla. "We first introduced the BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich last August, and our Guests have loved it so much that we've turned it into a snack-sized wrap version," Chief Marketing Officer Pat O'Toole said in a statement. Are you being fooled by food delivery ghost kitchens? The wraps are expected to cost $2.99 each, excluding tax, but the company notes pricing may vary.Burger King is the latest fast-food chain restaurant to launch snack wraps. Wendy's launched their own chicken wraps in the spring, and unlike Burger King's announcement, Wendy's took direct aim at McDonald's, saying "We'...

Jay-Z's Made In America fest featuring Lizzo, more canceled due to 'severe circumstances'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

(AP) - Jay-Z 's annual Made in America festival, scheduled for next month in Philadelphia, has been canceled.“Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made in America festival will no longer be taking place,” the festival shared in a statement on social media. Made in America had been scheduled for Sept. 2-3 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with Lizzo and SZA as the headliners."This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation. Made in America has a legacy of delivering exceptional experiences for music fans and concert goers, and it is our commitment to always deliver a top-tier festival experience.”A specific reason for the cancellation was not made immediately clear. Promoter Live Nation referred questions back to the Made in America statement.The statement also included language about looking forward to returning next year, and that refunds will be available to ticket holders. Liz...

One building destroyed, some residents displaced after brush fire near Cedar Park apartment complex

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — One building was declared a total loss, and some residents will be displaced after a brush fire in Cedar Park, Williamson County officials said during a news conference Tuesday evening.The Cedar Park Police said crews responded to the four-alarm fire near 12820 West Parmer Lane, which is close to East Whitestone Boulevard. That address is connected with the Bexley at Silverado apartment complex.City officials gave an update Tuesday evening, saying at least 20 agencies and 200 first responders assisted in the fire, which originally began as a structure fire and then moved to the grass.At least 15 acres of grass were burned, but first responders were able to contain the adjacent brush fires.According to officials, the fire went around the Bexley apartment complex, a condo complex and then jumped FM 1431.Officials said the community should continue to avoid the area so that first responders can continue to focus on putting the fire out.Anyone who was displace...

South Hays Fire trying to staff all stations amid extreme fire danger in area

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:35:27 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Fire crews in Hays County are keeping busy this summer. There was a fire in Kyle on Tuesday near Interstate 35. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Evacuations lifted after small wildfire near I-35 in Kyle Just over the weekend, a fire burned through 400 acres near San Marcos. Aftermath of the Oak Grove Fire in Hays County on Aug. 7, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Jala Washington)Burned land from the Oak Grove Fire (KXAN Photo).Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as the Oak Grove Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | Jake Sykes/KXAN NewsCommunity members share their gratitude with local firefighters and other agencies responding to the Oak Grove Fire in Hays County. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Community members gather supplies for those impacted by the Oak Grove Fire Sunday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘We’re not in control’: 75-year-old vet with stage 4 cancer loses home in wildfire Not too far away from where that happened, there is a stati...