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2 journalists are detained in Belarus as part of a crackdown on dissent

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Two journalists were detained in Belarus on Friday, a Belarusian journalist association reported, the latest step in a crackdown against dissent in recent years. Chief editor of the Ranak television channel, Yulia Dauletava, and correspondent Lyudmila Andenka were detained in the city of Svetlahorsk in southeastern Belarus and accused of contributing to extremist activities, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported. Both have covered protests in Belarus and local authorities. They each face up to seven years in prison if convicted. A wave of protests rocked Belarus in 2020, following a disputed presidential election in August that year, in which Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner, securing a sixth consecutive term in office.The protests lasted for months, the largest and most prolonged show of dissent since Lukashenko came to power in 1994 and began repressing independent news media and opposition.Lukashenko unleashed harsh measures agains...

Time to spend: Offseason roadmap to get the Cubs back in the postseason

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

CHICAGO — With millions coming off the books, an elite new manager and heavy expectations to get back on top of the NL Central — now is the time for the Cubs to have their best offseason since landing Jon Lester.It's also not every offseason where one of the greatest athletes ever is available along with former all-stars on teams looking to dump salary.If you're also an obsessed Cubs fan constantly refreshing social media for Shohei Ohtani rumors, you've probably seen several reports casting doubt on the North Siders as true finalists. MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Friday that Ohtani's decision is "imminent."While potentially not getting a generational talent like Shohei hurts badly, Jed and company likely will be very aggressive this offseason to give new manager Craig Counsell a playoff-contending roster as top prospects will start to be on the cusp.The holes the club may hope to fill will be adding a left-handed bat, everyday corner infielders, a starting pitcher and bullpen ...

Transportation Department announces billions in funding for new passenger rail projects

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – New passenger rail projects across the country are getting a major funding boost from the Transportation Department. On Friday the agency announced $8.2 billion in funding for 10 rail projects across the U.S., including the country's first high-speed rail systems. Also, millions more will be allocated to jumpstart future rail projects. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hopes the new investments gets U.S. rail on the right track. "The U.S. should have the best in everything, passenger rails should not be an exception," Buttigieg said. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. "With these $8 billion dollars we can make a major difference in places from Maine to Montana to California," Buttigieg said. $6 billion is going to two new high-speed rail projects. One will connect Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area and the other will connect Southern and Northern California. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is celebrati...

Saturday cold front brings gusty winds and cold air

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Afternoon sun and a warm wind will push most areas well into the 70s today. Some spots away from I-35 may actually reach the low 80s briefly.Low clouds, fog and spotty drizzle will increase after midnight tonight with lows staying mild again in the low 60s and upper 50s.A strong and (mostly) dry cold front is still expected to blow through Central Texas on Saturday.Weekend cold frontWHAT: Strong Pacific cold frontWHEN: Hill Country - 8AM-11AM / Austin-metro - 10AM-2PM / Eastern counties - 1PM-4PM IMPACTS: Gusty north winds, spotty shower and much cooler temperaturesSpotty rain showers are possible along and ahead of the cold front, mainly over the I-35 corridor eastward Saturday morning and early afternoon. Rain chances have dropped to just 10% with most of us only getting a few drops or no rain at all. While we won't rule out a thunderstorm, the higher chances of storms and even severe storms should stay well to our east.Isolated shower possible along and ahead of ...

These Airbnb horror stories can teach you what to watch for

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

By Sam Kemmis | NerdWalletMany frequent travelers carry tales of delayed flights and disappointing hotel rooms. Yet Airbnb “horror stories” are a genre all their own.Videos with the tag #AirbnbHorrorStory have more than 63 million views on TikTok, featuring guests venting about unclean properties and last-minute cancellations leaving them stranded. The website Airbnbhell features hundreds of similar accounts, where things do not go as expected for short-term renters.While many of these stories offer little more than schadenfreude, others can act as instructive lessons for travelers looking to avoid similar pitfalls. While there’s no way to avoid short-term rental surprises outright, many guests who have experienced them say there were warning signs they wished they had watched out for.Look for reviewsJack Epner, a marketing consultant and digital nomad, has lived out of Airbnbs for more than four years. Of the many difficult stays in that time, one rental — a house in Ecuador — stan...

State Police locate stolen vehicle, arrest Hudson Falls woman

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

MOREAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Hudson Falls woman is facing charges after State Police located a stolen, unoccupied vehicle in the area of State Route 9 on December 2. The vehicle was reported stolen from South Glens Falls on the evening of December 1. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Police determined Amy M. Purner, 40, drove and possessed the vehicle at the location. Purner was located in Moreau and taken into custody. Purner was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. She was arraigned at the Moreau Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Ranking: Silver Dollar City has the best theme park holiday event

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

BRANSON, Mo. -- Silver Dollar City has won the top spot in the USA Today 10 Best rankings for the Best Theme Park Holiday Event. The annual holiday celebration, known as "An Old Time Christmas," transforms Branson's Silver Dollar City with a dazzling display of 6.5 million colorful, twinkling lights. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the amusement park has claimed the title.The festivities revolve around a special effects Christmas tree, two Broadway-style holiday productions, an illuminated parade featuring Rudolph and his friends, 50-foot light tunnels, and a selection of festive meals and treats. A highlight of the event is "Christmas in Midtown," the city’s most concentrated light display, spanning 70,000 square feet and adorned with an astonishing 145 miles of lights. Missouri’s top educator warns of ‘domino effect’ with four-day school weeks The additional entertainment lineup includes a sing-along steam train, a 12-foot talking tree, a "Living Nativity," and an op...

USA Today ranks the Saint Louis Zoo's holiday lights among the best

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo has earned a spot in the top five of the USA Today Reader's Choice Zoo Lights Event List. A USA Today panel nominated the zoos, and readers cast their votes to determine which had the best holiday lights.The U.S. Bank Wild Lights are open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. until December 30, featuring new displays, themed areas, and winter treats. Attendees can enjoy roasting their own s'mores and indulging in specialty hot chocolates, available for purchase. The zoo has also planned activities for kids, such as the Woodland Workshop for holiday crafts and writing letters to Santa. Visitors can expect to see animals at the Insectarium, Penguin and Puffin Coasts. Among the holiday displays are Celebration City and Snowy Savanna, twinkling tunnels, and a 40-foot lighted tree. The event offers a festive and enchanting experience for all. 

Inmate in Jefferson County work release program found dead of suspected overdose

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

A woman who was an inmate in a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office work release program was found dead Wednesday of a suspected overdose, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.The 35-year-old woman turned herself in for a charge of driving while ability impaired on Nov. 6 and was transferred to an off-site work release facility Nov. 15. She had a release date of Dec. 23, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a Wednesday news release.There were no indications of foul play, according to the news release.The Lakewood Police Department is investigating, and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man dies in Larimer County Jail after being medically cleared at hospital twice Crime and Public Safety | Inmate at Weld County jail dies after “medical emergency” while in custody

Broncos Journal: Why Denver is relying on a tight end with zero NFL catches to boost its passing-game production

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:47:22 GMT

It’s not exactly breaking news that the Broncos have struggled to generate receiving production from the tight end position this year.There’s a logical explanation, too. The team hoped second-year man Greg Dulcich would build on his promising but injury-plagued rookie season and take the next step into being a dynamic down-the-field threat.Instead, the injuries got worse. Dulcich has played only parts of two games so far this year and remains on injured reserve, where he’s been since Week 6.Two striking developments:• Dulcich is still No. 2 among Broncos tight ends in receiving yards at 25, behind Adam Trautman’s 131 but ahead of Nate Adkins (22) and Chris Manhertz (16).• The Broncos have decided that their best hope of juicing the production through the air is practice squad-er Lucas Krull, a second-year player who has zero NFL catches to his name.Perhaps Krull will end up just serving as a bridge while the Broncos try to get Dulcich back into game action. Dulcich has been doing co...