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New Commanders ownership has reignited the debate over the NFL team’s old name

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

A day after assuming control of the Washington Commanders, Josh Harris beamed about taking over the NFL team he and co-owner Mitch Rales rooted for as kids.“I grew up with Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, Joe Theismann, Mark Rypien, Doug Williams, Joe Gibbs, the Hogs, Darrell Green, John Riggins and the rest of these legends and three Super Bowl championships,” Harris said. “The then-Redskins were the team that everyone wanted to be a part of.”Rales talked about moving to the area and giving up the Pittsburgh Steelers for the “then-Redskins.” The team hasn’t been called that since 2020 when Dan Snyder, under pressure from sponsors during the national reckoning on racism following the death of George Floyd, dropped the name he insisted over two decades as owner he’d never abandon.With the group led by Harris that also includes Magic Johnson now referencing the former name, the debate is raging again over what the storied franchise is called today and should be moving ...

Reshaped Death Valley park could take months to reopen after damage from Hilary

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

DEATH VALLEY JUNCTION, Calif. (AP) — It’s unclear when Death Valley National Park will reopen to visitors after heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary forged new gullies and crumbled roadways at the site of one of the hottest places in the world, officials said.The storm dumped a furious 2.2 inches (6 centimeters) of rain Aug. 20, roughly the amount of rainfall the park usually receives in a year. This year’s rainfall broke its previous record of 1.7 inches (4 centimeters) in one day, set in August of last year. “Two inches of rain does not sound like a lot, but here, it really does stay on the surface,” Matthew Lamar, a park ranger, told the Los Angeles Times. “Two inches of rain here can have a dramatic impact.”The park, which straddles eastern California and Nevada, holds the record for the hottest temperature recorded on the planet — 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius), reached in 1913.Officials say it could be months before the park reopens. It has bee...

Biden will nominate longtime aide to become US ambassador to UNESCO

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A longtime aide to President Joe Biden who is a senior adviser in Vice President Kamala Harris’ office is Biden’s choice to represent the United States at the United Nations agency devoted to education, science and culture. The U.S. recently rejoined the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after a five-year hiatus initiated by Biden’s immediate predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump. The Democratic president’s choice to become the U.S. permanent representative to the Paris-based UNESCO, with the rank of ambassador, is longtime aide Courtney O’Donnell, according to a White House official, who spoke Monday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the nomination before a formal announcement.O’Donnell currently wears two hats: She’s a senior adviser in Harris’ office and acting chief of staff for Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and lends her expertise to a range of national an...

Day four of boil water advisory in Montreal suburb, lifted in St-Bruno-de-Montarville

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

MONTREAL — A boil water advisory affecting more than 40,000 residents of a Montreal suburb is now in its fourth day, despite being lifted in two neighbouring communities.The boil water advisory in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que. was lifted on Monday afternoon, but residents of the neighbouring community of Boucherville, Que., on Montreal’s south shore, are still being asked to boil water for at least one minute before drinking it.The advisory has been in place since Friday when E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply.Boucherville spokeswoman Julie Lavigne said test results received on Sunday showed no contamination of the city’s drinking water, but noted provincial regulations require two rounds of testing before a boil water advisory is lifted. “We’re waiting for the second series of samples, which were taken yesterday,” she said in an interview Monday, adding that it takes around 24 hours to get the test results. If all the samples taken Sunday a...

Chuck E. Cheese giving away free birthday parties

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

(WJW) — Chuck E. Cheese is giving away over 500 kids’ birthday parties.All you have to do to win is show up at a participating location on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 6–7:30 p.m. (don't worry — entry is free) to take part in a live giveaway drawing. According to the Chuck E. Cheese Big Day of Birthdays announcement, each Fun Center location will award one winner a free Ultimate Fun Birthday Party Package for up to 10 kids. Each state’s most popular grandparent nicknames Chuck E. Cheese says winners will receive:All-you-can-play games during the partyA live birthday show with Chuck E. Cheese himselfA ticket blaster experience for the Birthday StarTwo slices of pizza per childUnlimited soft drinksDippin' Dots ice creamComplete party setupA reserved table for 2 hours100 bonus E-ticketsGoody bagsPizza and drinks for adult attendeesEven if you don't win the ultimate birthday party package, organizers say, five additional winners at each location could win a coupon voucher for $50 off their...

Texas governor slams temporary block of drag performance law

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott slammed a federal judge's issuance of a temporary restraining order against Senate Bill 12, a Texas law that could criminalize drag performances statewide.In a statement on social media Monday, Abbott referred to the temporary restraining order as "absurd.""Federal judge in Texas blocks a law I signed that bans sexually explicit drag shows in front of children. This is absurd," the governor posted on his personal account on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We will fight to have this overturned & to protect our children from this indoctrination."The bill itself does not mention the word "drag" but specifies it is targeted at "sexually oriented performances."U.S. District Judge David Hittner issued the temporary restraining order against SB12 on Thursday, just before the law had been set to go into effect Friday. Hittner granted the request following a two-day hearing early last week over a lawsuit brought forward by five plaintiffs. Those plaintiffs...

Forecasting our hottest second week of September on record

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Record heat is expected day and night many days this work week as the dreaded heat dome builds back overhead. Combined with unusually high September humidity, heat alerts are likely later this week.Day and night temperatures are expected to average out to over 90° in Austin over the next 7 days -- by far the hottest second week of September on record. But some minor relief could be on the horizon. NEW BLOG: End in sight for consistent 100º days Forecast high temperatures in Austin next 7 daysThe heat dome is expected to migrate far west of our area next week, potentially opening the door to scattered showers and thunderstorms along with high temperatures below 100°. This could end Austin-Bergstrom's longest-ever streak of consecutive 100° days, currently at 38 days (old record: 23 days).Some wetter weather possible locally next weekWhile this won't be significant rainfall nor significantly cooler weather, any relief would be welcome at this point. 2023 was Austi...

Eyes on Alabama: Texas set for future SEC clash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

Austin (KXAN) - In their last year in the Big 12, Texas is 'Embracing the Hate,' according to head football coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns are set to join the SEC next fall and have a future conference foe on the docket this week.The Longhorns opened the season with a 37-10 win over Rice at home, but now travel to perennial power Alabama for a ranked battle. Texas went toe-to-toe with the Crimson Tide a season ago in Austin, falling in the final seconds 20-19."I'm not big on moral victories," said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on what his team learned from the 2022 game against Alabama. "But I do think for some of the guys on our team it was like okay, continue to believe what we're doing. It's going to work."Texas will enter Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday in Tuscaloosa as a 7.5 point underdog, according to DraftKings. Alabama is quite used to being the favorite, something Steve Sarkisian knows awfully well.The Longhorns head coach came to Austin after being the Alabama offe...

Great Escape coaster earns an Olympic farewell

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Monday was a day that doesn't come often at Six Flags Great Escape. As visitors closed out the summer with roller coaster rides and eager waiting for the water park to open as temperatures brushed 90 degrees, one ride was in for its final day of service. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Monday morning, a group of around 100 visitors were told it wasn't clear exactly when the ride would start operation for the day. Many Great Escape visitors and staff would tell you that such an occurrence was never uncommon for the Alpine Bobsled, a ride ending 25 years of service at The Great Escape this year. Even so, an eager crowd was happy to wait."We like to be there to say goodbye to a ride - especially a beloved ride," said Wade Abott, New York Regional Representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts. "It doesn't happen that often."Nearly 100 visitors from American Coaster Enthusiasts arrived at The Great Escape on...

Labor leaders, supporters celebrate Labor Day

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:54:31 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Labor leaders and supporters celebrated the holiday with a Labor Day picnic at Cook Park in the Village of Colonie. The annual event brought together union organizers and recognized those who are active in labor movements.Ibrahím Pedriñán is the President of the Albany County Central Federation of Labor and received the Union Leadership award. “We’re stronger together,” said Pedriñán. “As long as there have been workers there have been struggles for justice, for compensation for better wages for better working conditions.”He says the capital district is the most union dense county in the nation, with a 32.3 percent membership rate and its been growing in recent years.“Being the most union dense county in the nation, we realize we have a lot of power, and therefore we need to have a lot of responsibility,” said Doug Bullock of Albany County Central Federation of Labor says it’s been an active summer. “We have 911 strikes currently going on in t...