First significant snowstorm of the season targets northwestern US, Northern Plains in an early sign of winter

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

First significant snowstorm of the season targets northwestern US, Northern Plains in an early sign of winter (CNN) — The first significant snowfall of the season is on the way for the northwestern US and parts of the Northern Plains, and by the time the last flake falls, many high elevation areas will be buried in more than a foot of fresh snow.A surge of cold air and deep moisture will spread from Washington and Oregon through much of Montana on Tuesday before a potent storm drops into the Northwest on Tuesday night.Flakes will begin to fly as early as Monday night or Tuesday morning as moisture from this storm moves across the Cascades in Washington. The higher the elevation, the greater the chance for disruptive snow and tricky travel. Several key high-elevation mountain passes located in this part of the Cascades, including Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass and Stampede Pass, could all be impacted.Snow will kick off for the rest of the northwestern US Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening. Accumulating snowfall will begin to cover portions of Idaho and Montana as well as the Cascades...

Jeremy Renner reveals how his life has changed since his near-fatal accident

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

Jeremy Renner reveals how his life has changed since his near-fatal accident (CNN) — Jeremy Renner has physically recovered from the near-fatal accident he suffered last January, but the experience has stayed with him.The “Avengers” star was crushed near his Nevada home while trying to stop his snow-removal tractor from sliding and hitting his nephew. He broke several bones including eight ribs, an eye socket, a knee and a shoulder.Renner recently spoke with CNN about his recovery from the accident and how his life has changed in the past nine months.“I just feel very blessed and very lucky to be upright and walk around and to live life,” Renner said. “I’m very, very clear. My life is really lean, if that makes sense. There’s no fat in my life anymore. I don’t have time for that. So, there’s something really beautiful about having that superpower.”Renner added that his time feels “more valuable” now. He had chosen to travel to Charleston, S.C., where he has partnered with local spirits company Sweet Grass Vodka, who he had been working wi...

An off-duty pilot tried to take control of Alaska Airlines flight before being subdued, source and airline say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

An off-duty pilot tried to take control of Alaska Airlines flight before being subdued, source and airline say (CNN) — An off-duty pilot riding as a passenger in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight Sunday tried to seize control of the plane headed from Seattle to San Francisco, forcing the flight to divert to Portland, Oregon, according to the airline and a source familiar with the matter.A pilot assigned to the flight told air traffic controllers a person riding in the cockpit of flight 2059 attempted to turn off the aircraft’s engines in flight. Pilots will occasionally ride a cockpit “jump seat” when traveling in an official capacity or commuting to another airport.Joseph Emerson, 44, has been arrested by the Port of Portland Police Department and charged with 83 felony counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft, online booking records show.Emerson is the off-duty pilot who is accused of trying to seize control of the flight, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. The airline Emerson works for wasn’t imm...

Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza as US advises delaying ground war to allow talks on captives

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza as US advises delaying ground war to allow talks on captives By NAJIB JOBAIN, SAMY MAGDY and JOSEPH KRAUSS (Associated Press)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel ramped up its airstrikes Monday in Gaza, where the death toll was rising rapidly, and the United States advised Israel to delay an expected ground invasion to allow more time to negotiate the release of hostages taken by Hamas terrorists.A third small aid convoy from Egypt entered Gaza, where the population of 2.3 million has been running out of food, water and medicine under Israel’s two-week seal. With Israel still barring entry of fuel, the U.N. said its distribution of aid would grind to a halt within days when it can no longer fuel its trucks. Gaza hospitals are struggling to keep generators running to power life-saving medical equipment and incubators for premature babies.Heavy airstrikes demolished buildings across Gaza, including in areas where Palestinians were told to seek refuge, killing hundreds and sending new waves of wounded into already packed hospitals, according to Pales...

Massachusetts State Police searching for Gardner murder suspect Aaron Pennington: ‘Armed and dangerous’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

Massachusetts State Police searching for Gardner murder suspect Aaron Pennington: ‘Armed and dangerous’ Massachusetts State Police were continuing to search on Monday for an “armed and dangerous” Gardner murder suspect, as authorities asked for the public’s help in the investigation.Police were looking for 33-year-old Aaron Pennington, who is wanted in connection with Sunday’s homicide of 30-year-old Breanne Pennington, of 42 Cherry St. in Gardner.According to State Police, the 6’2″ tall white man weighing about 175 pounds is believed to be driving a white BMW 320, Massachusetts Veterans plate 8A30.Pennington may have attached one of the following registrations to the white 2013 BMW 320 sedan: Texas plate: DTZ3103; or California plate: 6CWN728.The 33-year-old man, with blond hair and blue eyes, might have a gun on him.“He should be considered armed and dangerous,” State Police said in a statement. “Any member of the public who sees PENNINGTON or the vehicle is directed to not approach him but rather, to call 911 immediately.”...

It’s Day 20 with no House speaker, and lower-level names are starting to reach for the gavel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

It’s Day 20 with no House speaker, and lower-level names are starting to reach for the gavel By LISA MASCARO (AP Congressional Correspondent)WASHINGTON (AP) — Day 20 without a House speaker, and Republicans found themselves starting over on Monday — bumbling ahead with few ideas about who will lead, what they are fighting over and when they will get Congress working again.Nine lower-level Republican lawmakers are now running to be speaker, leader of the House and second in line to the presidency — none with any clear shot for the gavel. Senior-most is Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the former campaign chief who is now the GOP whip. The gruff former hockey coach is disliked by Donald Trump, but the two apparently spoke over the weekend.Late Monday, House Republicans are retreating behind closed doors, as they have most days since the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, to hear from the candidates ahead of internal party voting.McCarthy himself calls the whole spectacle “embarrassing” for the House Republicans whose majority is being wasted away and for the ...

World’s oldest dog ever dies in Portugal, aged 31

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

World’s oldest dog ever dies in Portugal, aged 31 LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A 31-year-old dog in Portugal that had been ranked as the world’s oldest dog ever has died, his owner said Monday. The guard dog, called Bobi, died over the weekend in a veterinary hospital, Leonel Costa told The Associated Press.Bobi lived on a farm in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal with Costa and four cats. He was born on May 11, 1992, when his owner was just 8 years old. In an interview earlier this year, Costa told the Associated Press that Bobi’s secret to a long life was good food, fresh air and lots of love.“Bobi eats what we eat,” said Costa. What’s more, Bobi had never been put on a leash.Bobi claimed the Guinness World Record from Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, who died in 1939 aged 29 and had held the record for almost a century.Officials at the Guinness World Records on Monday said they were “saddened to learn of the death of Bobi, the world’s oldest dog ever.” In a statement on their ...

Chevron buys Hess for $53 billion, 2nd megadeal in the oil patch this month as energy prices soar

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

Chevron buys Hess for $53 billion, 2nd megadeal in the oil patch this month as energy prices soar By MICHELLE CHAPMAN (AP Business Writer)Chevron is buying Hess Corp. for $53 billion and it’s not even the biggest acquisition in the energy sector this month as major producers seize the initiative while oil prices surge.Crude prices rose sharply in early 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and are hovering around $90 per barrel after ticking another 9% higher this year. That has made big drillers cash rich and they are looking for places to invest. The Chevron-Hess deal comes less than two weeks after Exxon Mobil said that it would acquire Pioneer Natural Resources for about $60 billion. Upward pressure on oil prices are being applied from a number of fronts including the war in Ukraine. Oil markets are being stretched by cutbacks in oil production from Saudi Arabia and Russia, and now, a war between Israel and Hamas runs the risk of igniting a broader conflict in the Middle East. While attacks on Israel do not disrupt global oil supply, according to an analysis by ...

Brooklyn Org’s rebrand ditches ‘foundation’ from its name for being ‘old’ and ‘controlling’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

Brooklyn Org’s rebrand ditches ‘foundation’ from its name for being ‘old’ and ‘controlling’ NEW YORK (AP) — To appeal to a new generation of philanthropists, the Brooklyn Community Foundation is ditching the word “foundation” and establishing itself with a new name: Brooklyn Org.Jocelynne Rainey, who took over as president of the 14-year-old grantmaker two years ago, said the name change is meant to convey that the foundation serves the residents of Brooklyn and highlights the expertise of its people, instead of suggesting a “top-down” approach sometimes taken by grantmakers.“There is nothing wrong with the word ‘foundation,’” she said. “But there’s a perception that we’re hearing from the next generation of givers that ‘foundation’ feels a little old and a little controlling.”Rainey’s goal is to attract new donors and make the grantmaker — which awards about $12 million each year to a range of causes, including justice reform, housing, and health — as recognizable as the Brooklyn Museum or the Brooklyn Academy of Music.To complete the name change, Brooklyn Org purchased t...

What to know about the St. Lawrence Seaway strike

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:51 GMT

What to know about the St. Lawrence Seaway strike MONTREAL — The St. Lawrence Seaway has shut down as hundreds of workers walked off the job Sunday. Here are answers to a few key questions about what’s going on: What is the St. Lawrence Seaway? The St. Lawrence Seaway is a marine shipping route that links the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes through a system of 15 locks between Lake Erie and Montreal. The seaway is co-managed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., a not-for-profit established by the Canadian government, and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., a U.S. federal agency. When combined with the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. — managed separately by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — the transit system stretches about 3,700 kilometres from Lake Superior to the Atlantic.What is the importance of the route? The full Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system, also known as “Highway H2O,” serves over 100 ports and commercial docks and helps Canada’s Prairie provinces and th...