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Revelers across the US brave heat and rain to celebrate Fourth of July, but some events delayed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Revelers across the U.S. braved heat and heavy rain to take part in Fourth of July activities Tuesday — celebrating the nation’s founding with parades, fireworks and hot dog eating contests at a time of lingering political divisions and concerns about the country’s future.In Boston, people dodged raindrops to nab a coveted space on the grassy oval in front of the Hatch Shell along the Charles River ahead of the traditional Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Hundreds of thousands of partygoers typically line both sides of the river for the fireworks spectacular that follows a concert.At another longstanding celebration, fans of competitive eating crowded to watch Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest held in the Coney Island section of New York City.Heavy downpours interrupted the contest, but after the pause, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut swallowed 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes.“What a roller coaster, emotionally,” Chestnut said. The 39-year-old f...

Alberta minister calls for back-to-work legislation to end B.C. port strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

VANCOUVER — Alberta’s transport minister wants the federal government to recall Parliament to consider back-to-work legislation that would end a strike at British Columbia ports.Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said he’s frustrated the strike has continued since Saturday, particularly because Ottawa used legislation in 2021 to end a walkout by Port of Montreal dock workers after one day.“They used Parliament to resolve it. And that same amount of urgency is something that we’re hoping that the federal government has in this case as well,” he said.Dreeshen said Tuesday that Alberta has asked federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan for daily updates on negotiations between the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada.“It’s vitally important that the supply chain, this being a main critical component of it, remains open,” he said.More than 7,000 worke...

Possible shark attacks prompt heightened patrols at New York’s Long Island beaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Two swimmers were apparently attacked by sharks off the shores of Long Island on Tuesday, a day after two others reported being attacked while enjoying the water at popular New York beaches.At least one beach delayed opening to holiday revelers Tuesday, after officials said drones spotted some 50 sand sharks that morning near a popular beach park. When the beach reopened, swimmers were advised to stay close to shore.“We want to make sure swimmers are safe,” Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman told Newsday.The beach was closed once more after a possible shark sighting, but officials determined it was a dolphin.After a spate of attacks last year, state parks officials have increased patrols and deployed more drones to scout the waters for possible danger.“We did have a season last year where we had six swimmers bitten from sharks, so this has turned into a bit of a concern,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told WABC.Tuesday’...

N.W.T. reports suspected anthrax outbreak in Slave River Lowlands bison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population.The Department of Environment and Climate Change says 15 bison carcasses were found in the area between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution over the weekend, and test results on the carcasses are pending.The department says an incident management team is working to rapidly detect and dispose of the infected bison and keep people away from the area.The team will also incinerate or chemically treat the bison and surrounding grass to prevent the spread of anthrax spores.Anthrax rarely spreads to humans and is almost never transmitted from person to person. About 95 per cent of all human cases of anthrax result from skin contact with infected animals and, while it can be treated with antibiotics, can be fatal if left untreated.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2023.The Canadian Press

Man dies after Winnetka water rescue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

WINNETKA, Ill. -- A man has died Tuesday after attempting to save a group of children swimming at Elder Beach in Winnetka.According to authorities, Winnetka's police and fire departments responded to a call at Elder Beach before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Man in critical condition after pulled from Lincoln Park lagoon First responders report an adult male, who was part of a boating group on the lakefront, had jumped into the water to assist some kids that were tubing, struggled to swim, and drowned.He was pulled back onto the boat and CPR was started immediately. The boat made its way back to shore, at which point Winnetka medics took over CPR and provided advanced life support as the individual was transported to Northshore Evanston Hospital.The man was later pronounced dead.Stay with WGN as this story develops.

Bulls add a forward to their 2023 free agent class

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

CHICAGO — The Bulls' 2023 free agent class now includes a forward after a reported signing in the first week of July.Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the team has an agreement with Torrey Craig on a two-year deal with a player option. He'll add some frontcourt depth to the team after completing his best NBA season with the Suns this past year, including a strong playoff series against the Clippers.The veteran forward joins returning center Nikola Vucevic (3 years, $60 million) and guard Coby White (3 year, $33 million) along with newcomer Jevon Carter (3 year, $20 million) as the team's free agent class so far in 2023. Craig is a six-year veteran of the NBA who has played for the Nuggets, Bucks, Suns, and Pacers. After three years playing professionally in Australia and New Zealand after a standout career at USC Upstate, he signed a two-way contract with Denver in 2017.After three seasons with the Nuggets, he signed with the Bucks, where he played 18 games before being traded to the ...

How the Cubs got an eventful Fourth of July win in Milwaukee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

MILWAUKEE — Once again, the Cubs saw a big lead fade away late, but this time they were able to collect themselves and give their fans a Fourth of July victory. How that got done over the course of extra innings was quite entertaining. After losing a four-run lead in the final two innings, the Cubs used two major defensive plays and an infield hit RBI to beat the Brewers 7-6 in 11 innings at America Family Field on Tuesday. The holiday victory comes a day after the team coughed up a six-run lead in an 8-6 defeat. It evens the four-game series as the Cubs improve to 39-45 on the season. Behind a strong start from Kyle Hendricks (6 1/3 innings, 1 earned run allowed) and a productive offense, the visitors led for the majority of the contest. Miguel Amaya's RBI double in the eighth inning put the Cubs up 6-2, but the Brewers rallied again with two runs in the bottom half of the inning and the ninth to tie it at six.After the Cubs failed to score in the top of the tenth, their defense h...

PHOTOS: Austin neighborhoods throw Fourth of July celebrations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Neighborhoods across Austin gathered together Tuesday to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday.Patriotic parades took over the streets, complete with decorated vehicles and bikes. "It brings everyone together, and it helps us to understand our community and that we get to know our neighbors and celebrate being Americans," Allandale parade volunteer Amanda Cagle said. Neighborhoods like Allandale, Northwest Hills, Shady Hollow and Tarrytown each organized their own events for the holiday. "On this day, it's a day when we're all together. It's fun," Northwest Hills parade volunteer Bruce McCraken said. Shady Hollow HOA Shady Hollow HOA Fourth of July celebration (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)Shady Hollow HOA Fourth of July celebration (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)Shady Hollow HOA Fourth of July celebration (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)Shady Hollow HOA Fourth of July celebration (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)Shady Hollow HOA Fourth of July celebration (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)Northwest Hills No...

Fireworks forecast looks great, but searing heat returns soon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Happy 4th of July from the First Warning Weather Team! The heat wasn't too excessive with readings remaining below 100° thanks to significant cloud cover. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms developed, but Austin remained dry and favorable weather was forecast for all area fireworks displays.4th of July evening forecastThe location of high pressure to our west means we can't completely rule out a spotty storm or or rain shower again Wednesday, but the probabilities are running about 20% at most.Our "best" chance of rain for the next week comes Wednesday and Thursday, but again, those rain chances only rise to 20%.Friday and beyond sees a return of triple digit heat, more sunshine and an end to our limited rain chances.Highs next weekWe are tracking another heatwave brewing late this week into next week. High temperatures rise above 100° this weekend in many areas, and hotter than normal weather is likely in 8-14 day outlooks.Week two outlooks showing another he...

Irondale lineman Emerson Mandell commits to Wisconsin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:02 GMT

Irondale High School offensive lineman Emerson Mandell gave some extra pop to the Wisconsin Badgers’ 2024 recruiting class on the Fourth of July.“I am very happy to announce that I have committed to the University of Wisconsin,” the 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle tweeted Tuesday.And while the Gophers have picked up seven in-state commitments for their next class, the U has missed out on two of the top three, including Rogers defensive end Wyatt Gilmore who picked Oklahoma in late June.Minnesota, whose top in-state pickup is Esko’s Koi Perich, did nab the top-rated recruit from Wisconsin in Nathan Roy of Mukwonago in mid-June.So the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe is also waged with four-star linemen in mid-summer. With the addition of Mandell, the Badgers’ class is ranked 26th in the nation, while the Gophers are 21st, according to 247 sports.