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US auto sales up 7.5% in 1Q; interest rates hit 15-year high

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. new-vehicle sales rose 7.5% in the first quarter as supplies improved and sky-high prices eased a bit while the global shortage of computer chips started to wane.But the average auto-loan rate hit 7% during the quarter, leaving open the question of whether automakers will offer reduced rates to keep buyers interested through the rest of the year.Automakers sold 3.59 million vehicles during the first three months of the year, compared with 3.34 million a year earlier. Results from companies were mixed. Some thrived with better chip supplies, while others continued to struggle. General Motors’ sales jumped 17.6% over a weak first quarter last year as Buick brand deliveries doubled. The company said it picked up 1.5 points of market share. GM’s dealer inventory rose 50% in the quarter to more than 412,000 as production increased.Nissan sales leaped 17.3%, and Honda, which struggled to get chips last year, posted an 11.7% increase.Affiliated South Korean ...

Svitolina loses at Charleston Open in 1st match as a mom

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Elina Svitolina played a WTA match for the first time as a mother on Monday, losing to Yulia Putintseva 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-4 at the Charleston Open.Svitolina has been ranked as high as No. 3 and is currently No. 1,081, because she was off the professional tennis tour for a little more than a year. She and her husband, fellow player Gael Monfils, became parents in October, when their daughter, Skaï, was born.The first-round match in the main stadium of a tournament played on green clay lasted 2 hours, 46 minutes on a cloudy, breezy day and was filled with momentum swings.Putintseva led 5-4 in the opening set and was a point from taking it. But Svitolina held steady and forced a tiebreaker. Putintseva grabbed a 3-1 edge there, before Svitolina reeled off the next six points to claim the set, shaking a clenched fist and yelling, “Let’s go!”After Putintseva dominated the second set, the third was even at 4-all before she pulled...

Concerned parents demand safety dialogue with Denver Public Schools

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Parents and students at Denver’s East High School say they have fears and concerns as classes are set to resume in just a couple of days.A group of parents has now formed to demand the school board and district be more transparent about their safety plan. This new effort is taking place after two administrators were shot there just before spring break. 2 gun bills await the governor’s signature The new organization is called the "Parents - Safety Advocacy Group," which says it wants more transparency from the district. They want to know what the district will do to keep their kids safe.East High parent: 'We've been told nothing'Shortly after the shooting at Denver East almost two weeks ago, Denver Public Schools said it would place armed school resource officers on campus to help protect students.“In the 10 days since the most recent shooting. We’ve been told nothing from the DPS board. Nothing about safety improvements at our school except for the return of school...

2 gun bills await the governor's signature

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — State senators approved amendments to two gun violence prevention measures at the Capitol on Monday, sending the legislation to the governor's desk for final approval.Senators approved changes that statehouse representatives made to bills expanding who can file for an extreme risk protection order under the state's red flag law and increasing the minimum purchasing age to buy any firearm in the state to 21. 2 street racers sentenced in death of 21-year-old and her dog Both of these measures will now head to Gov. Jared Polis for his consideration to be signed into law. Senators also went over amendments to a third gun proposal. This bill looks to make it easier for gun violence victims to sue gun manufacturers. Senate sponsors rejected changes representatives made to that measure and asked for a conference committee meeting to explore compromises on that bill before sending it to the governor.

'She was killing the demons in her life': Sanity the focus in Stauch murder trial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Opening statements were heard Monday in the trial of a woman accused of killing her 11-year-old stepson at their Colorado home and disposing of his body in Florida.Letecia Stauch, now 39, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of her stepson, Gannon. She faces multiple counts, including first-degree murder, child abuse and tampering with evidence.Stauch appeared in court on Monday wearing a white shirt with floral designs. Her hair covered her face. Gannon Stauch's mother overcome with emotionThe prosecution opened by presenting a picture of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch. The photo and the first words of the prosecution’s case immediately sent Gannon’s biological mother, Landen, running out of the courtroom, overcome with emotion. Colorado is poised to raise the gun-buying age to 21, expand the red flag law Both the prosecution and defense brought the details of Gannon’s death: how he was stabbed 18 times and then shot three t...

It's prom season, and school leaders want students safe behind the wheel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) --  It is Safe Driving Week at Legend High School in Parker. Centura's Trauma Services team joined the school Monday with some unique demonstrations.Students could put on drunk goggles that distorted their vision and try to maneuver a pedal cart through an obstacle course. Or they could put on the goggles and try to walk a straight line."I think drunk driving is a really big thing that we are hitting on," said Millie Walkenhorst, a student leader.She believes it's important to raise awareness with prom and graduation right around the corner. Colorado cities rank highest for DUI arrests per capita According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occurred during the prom season, from April to June."We just felt like this was a good time of year to show that we really do need to be staying safe, even when things get a little more hectic and more fun," she said.Seatbelts can save lives, advoca...

Star-Studded Cast at the Super Mario Bros. Movie premiere in Los Angeles

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

Game on. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is ready to reach the boss level at the box office this weekend. But before that, they had to suit up for action at the film’s world premiere.Mama mia! Here we go!Your favorite plumber-turned-hero and his pals are leveling up in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Mario is used to saving princess peach. But this time, he’s teaming up with her to save his brother Luigi and stop the evil Bowser.Forget ruling the world. The film’s all-star voice cast wants to rule the box office. They rocked the red carpet for the movie’s big premiere in Los Angeles on Saturday and that’s no April fool’s joke.Chris Pratt: “Thankfully the pressure’s off cause I’ve seen the film and we didn’t screw it up. It’s freaking awesome.” Chris Pratt voices the iconic Mario and he says working on this project was a real thrill ride. Chris Pratt: “It’s like catching a great wave. I don’t surf, but...

North Miami PD join 25 other police departments unveiling cruisers wrapped for autism awareness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

The North Miami Police Department held an annual event on Monday to raise awareness about autism.North Miami PD unveiled several cruisers wrapped in puzzle pieces as a show of support for individuals on the autism spectrum.The event is hosted to educate the general public about the importance of understanding what it means for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.“This year we have over 26 different agencies from Miami-Dade and Broward, also the fire department. Everyone is here showing support. It feels amazing. It feels like everyone is really starting to understand how important this is,” said North Miami Police Sgt. Rocio Torres. Officers went on a cruiser caravan throughout Miami-Dade County and stopped at several schools along the way.

Ben Affleck appears in new Dunkin’ commercial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

It was take two for Ben Affleck recently as the Cambridge native and Hollywood star again showed his love for Dunkin’, appearing in an ad for the brand a matter of months after he and his wife Jennifer Lopez both appeared in separate a Dunkin’ Super Bowl ad. Affleck and Lopez’ Super Bowl ad showed him working a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Medford.This time, Affleck was a customer, walking into a Dunkin’ location, ordering a meal and poking fun at his co-star and close friend Matt Damon after workers confused the two. The two actors have been friends for years, making movies and winning awards together. Damon has also recently been in the Boston area alongside Affleck’s brother, Casey, filming scenes for their movie “The Instigators.” 

Column: As Chicago White Sox try to put 2022 in the past, Pedro Grifol’s home debut as manager is one to forget

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:16:56 GMT

The Chicago White Sox returned home Monday for the first time since October, hoping to put last season’s agonies behind them for good.Sox fans understand the concept of forgive and forget, even though they tend to neglect the latter, so the players and new manager Pedro Grifol were greeted warmly while driving in from center field in gas-guzzling vehicles during pregame introductions at Sox Park.New year, new attitude?Let’s not get carried away.By the fifth inning of the home opener against the San Francisco Giants, when Sox starter Michael Kopech surrendered his fourth home run of the inning and fifth in a 21-batter span, the boos rained down on the field like the last game of 2022, in which the Minnesota Twins scored six first-inning runs to end the season with a thud.The Sox wound up surrendering seven home runs in a 12-3 loss to the Giants, and Grifol resorted to using infielder Hanser Alberto on the mound to finish the ninth.“It’s tough to take a hit lik...