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James Webb telescope stumbles onto signs of possible life on Earth-like planet

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

(WTAJ) -- Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope say they have stumbled onto possible signs of life coming from a massive Earth-like exoplanet, NASA confirmed in a release. K2-18 b is an exoplanet -- a planet outside our solar system -- that's 8.6 times as massive as Earth. A new investigation with the JWST revealed the presence of "carbon-bearing molecules" that include methane and carbon dioxide. The findings add to recent studies that suggest that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet, meaning it has the potential to hold a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a water-covered surface, NASA reported. Astronomers first studied K2-18 b's atmosphere with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in 2019. The results prompted further studies of the massive exoplanet that have changed experts understanding of the system. "Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere," explained Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at the Universi...

CapMetro moves closer to OKing $753M fixed-route contractor agreement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Sept. 13, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro is one step closer toward approving a new contractor to oversee the transit authority's fixed-route services, including its MetroBus and MetroRapid lines.CapMetro's operations, planning and safety committee unanimously voted to recommend CapMetro's board of directors approve a nearly $753.7 million contract with Keolis Transit Services, LLC. If the board of directors votes to approve the contract at its Sept. 25 meeting, Keolis would be responsible for overseeing CapMetro's fixed-route bus operations and maintenance services.If approved, Keolis would manage CapMetro's current 1,212 bargaining employees as well as its 36 operations, safety and general management personnel. Austin's transit authority received two additional proposals alongside Keolis':MTM Transit, LLC, which currently oversees CapMetro's MetroAccess and paratransit servicesMV Transportation, Inc., which is ...

New improvements to be unveiled at Waterfront Park

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday morning, the Mayor's Office is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of improvements to Waterfront Park. The public is welcome to attend the celebration at 11:30 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! Mayor Kim states, “Waterfront Park was made possible by preservation and land acquisitions in 2001 by the Open Space Advisory Committee. It remains to this day one of the only points of public access to Saratoga Lake. I want to thank the Department of Public Works and the Recreation Department for their hard work in making this project to update the park possible.”Improvements to Waterfront Park include handicap-accessible ramps and renovations to the bathrooms and gazebo. A new playground will also be installed next month. The public is welcome to attend the celebration that begins at 11:30 a.m. at 622-630 Crescent Avenue.

Albany murder suspect sentenced to 23 years to life

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, Nicholas Higgins, 30, of Albany, was sentenced to 23 years to life in state prison. Higgins was convicted of murder in the second degree for the death of Uizaie Brigman on January 11, 2021. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! Brigman was located inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound. He was treated by emergency medical personnel but was pronounced deceased at the scene. Higgins was also accused of possessing a loaded, illegal firearm during the incident. Assistant District Attorneys Collin D’Arcy and Emily Schultz handled the prosecution of thiscase.

Missouri AG sues Dollar General over 'unfair and deceptive pricing'

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Dollar General, claiming that hundreds of its retail stores in the state are offering "unfair and deceptive pricing." Bailey's lawsuit contends that Dollar General has violated Missouri’s consumer protection laws by advertising one price on the shelves and charging a higher price at the register upon checkout.The lawsuit states, “Dollar General is routinely overcharging Missouri consumers for every day staples and the necessities of life. Worse still, consumers are being deceived as to the prices they are actually paying for these items." Father of teen killed in crash wants more transparency from police Bailey says items such as candles, toilet paper, lip balm, lemonade, tire foam and drink coolers all frequently cost more at the point of sale than the prices listed on the shelf.  Bailey claims this is a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. He is seeking an injunction...

Man threatens woman with a knife during U-City home break-ins

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. -- A man is accused of breaking into several University City homes and threatening a homeowner with a knife. Kaleb Shillington is being charged with trespassing and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond.Officers were called to the 8100 block of Stanford at around 7:40 a.m. on September 7 for a burglary in progress. They witnessed Shillington break into a home on Cornell. The homeowner chased him away and said she was going to call the police. Father of teen killed in crash wants more transparency from police Police say that Shillington pulled out a pocketknife and told her not to make the call. He then ran into another person's home. The officers were then able to place Shillington under arrest. There are no injuries to report in this incident.

Opinion: Boebert’s “outrageous” behavior at “Beetlejuice” shows, again, her astounding sense of entitlement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert will probably try to spin her latest embarrassing incident as a culture-war victory against the “elitist” liberals.The framing is easy: Those snobby stiffs in Denver don’t know how to cut loose and have a good time if they can’t tolerate someone having a little fun at a live performance described as a “lusty riot” in The Denver Post. Oh, and clearly Boebert was targeted for being a Republican by patrons who complained about her behavior, right?But the true arc running through the many Boebert scandals — whether they are performative or genuine – is her astounding sense of entitlement. The tired trope of politicians throwing their titles around to excuse bad behavior is ironically true of Boebert, who took office claiming to be an outsider who was just an everyday Coloradan trying to raise her family in God’s Country.Boebert didn’t care if she ruined the musical “Beetlejuice” playing at the Buell Theatre for anyone else, and she certainly di...

Denver metro might get another In-N-Out

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

In-N-Out Burger is looking to expand its Colorado hamburger empire with a new location in Brighton, according to city development records.The California fast-food chain filed a site plan with Brighton’s community development department to build a restaurant at 2088 Prairie Center Parkway, according to a map of current projects on the city’s website and first reported by BizWest. The site plan is listed as under review.There are currently eight In-N-Out locations across the Front Range, according to the company’s website.This is a developing story and may be updated.Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

Colorado bear euthanized after eating trash that blocked its stomach, causing it to starve

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

Colorado wildlife officials euthanized a sick black bear that had eaten so much trash that the wad of garbage blocked its intestines, causing the bear to starve.Colorado Parks and WildlifeA photo shows wipes removed from the stomach of a black bear that was euthanized Sept. 9, 2023, in Telluride, Colorado. (Photo provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife)Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers killed the bear Saturday in Telluride after receiving reports of a sick bear near the trail along the San Miguel River, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the agency. The officers determined the bear was ill because it had discharge coming from its puffy eyes, walked in a humped position and seemed reluctant to move.The bear’s stomach was plugged with a wad of paper towels, disinfectant wipes, plastic sacks and wax paper food wrappers, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The plug of trash was keeping the bear from digesting food. Its intestines were empty, except for decomp...

Boy arrested in fatal hit-and-run spree targeting bicyclists in Huntington Beach

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:36:21 GMT

A Huntington Beach minor was arrested Tuesday night in connection with a string of three hit-and-runs that apparently targeted bicyclists, killing one of them.The unidentified child was arrested at about 9 p.m. and booked into Orange County Juvenile Hall on one count of homicide and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, the Huntington Beach Police Department said in a news release.Sunday night, three cyclists were struck, and one of them, 70-year-old Steven Gonzales of Huntington Beach, was killed.The three collisions occurred within a 45-minute timeframe and less than a mile apart.“I would like to commend the detectives who investigated these terrible crimes for their tireless work in apprehending a dangerous suspect,” said Huntington Beach Chief of Police Eric Parra. “I would also like to thank the public for their tips and support as we searched for the perpetrator. The safety of our City is our top priority, and I want to reassure the community that they are safe.The inves...