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Whistleblower tells Congress US is concealing UFO 'retrieval' program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is concealing a longstanding program that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects, a former Air Force intelligence officer testified Wednesday to Congress. The Pentagon has denied his claims.Retired Maj. David Grusch's highly anticipated testimony before a House Oversight subcommittee was Congress' latest foray into the world of UAPs — or “unidentified aerial phenomena," which is the official term the U.S. government uses instead of UFOs. While the study of mysterious aircraft or objects often evokes talk of aliens and “little green men,” Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter due to concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to U.S. adversaries. Lawmakers call for centralized reporting, more investigation on UFOs Grusch said he was asked in 2019 by the head of a government task force on UAPs to identify all highly classified programs relating to the task force...

Federal Reserve announces interest rate hike as inflation nears target

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – The Federal Reserve announced another small interest rate hike, saying that while inflation has dropped to almost the target rate, the hike is needed to finish the job.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced the quarter percent hike, explaining, “we understand the hardship that high inflation is causing, and we remain strongly committed to bringing inflation back down to our 2% goal.”Although the Federal Reserve has knocked inflation down to 3% as of June, Powell says that's still too high.“Without price stability, the economy doesn't work for anyone,” Powell said.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says with inflation well on its way to stabilizing, the U.S. economy is strong. He also credits the work of Democrats and the Biden administration.“As the new jobs are being created, wage growth continues to go up. It's now exceeding inflation,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said.Republicans like Senator Josh Hawley say Democrats are to blame for high inflation ...

Man, 57, fatally struck in Waukegan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in Waukegan over the weekend, police said Wednesday. Just before 9:30 p.m., July 22, officers were called to the area of North Lewis and Roger Edwards for a male pedestrian in the roadway. Police learned that moments prior, the driver of a white 2014 Cadillac XTS hit the male in the road while traveling northbound on Lewis. 18-year-old charged after 2 women found shot to death inside vehicle in Waukegan The driver involved pulled over and contacted police.Emergency personnel in Waukegan rushed the pedestrian to Vista East Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 53-year-old John D. Rutledge of Waukegan. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesNo charges are pending at this time.

Man possibly struck by lightning at Illinois cemetery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A man was rushed to the hospital after a suspected lightning strike while visiting a cemetery on Wednesday morning.According to witnesses, landscapers heard the man screaming for help after the strike at the Willwood Burial Park, at 7000 W. State Street around 10 a.m.The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and ambulances responded to the scene.Witnesses said the man was responsive at the time. His current condition is unknown.A thunderstorm moved through the Rockford area Wednesday, bringing heavy a downpour, high winds, and lightning. Rabid bats found in Chicago area; IDPH issues warning Lightning strikes often result in a condition known as keraunoparalysis, a temporary paralysis of the lower limbs, or damage to ear-drums or eyes. Injuries can range from a mild burn to damage to the brain or death.The National Weather Service says a typical lightning flash holds 300 million volts and 30,000 amps. In comparison, a typical household socket current holds 120 v...

Austin's 19-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 5th-longest in recorded history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing one of the longest stretches of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means, as of Wednesday, temperatures have reached the century mark for 19 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that ties as the fifth-longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak to 26 days, the second-longest of all time. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The record streak currently stands at 27 days, set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been above 1...

New Austin fencing ordinance aiming to protect children, wildlife going into effect soon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – After an Austin City Council approval last week, new fencing regulation designed to improve child and wildlife safety will go into effect July 31, according to the city's Development Services Department. Per the changed ordinance, newly constructed fences may not include “certain dangerous fence designs,” including spiked pickets, bars and other decorative features that extend above the top horizontal bar of the fence.“This is primarily a safety issue to help protect children; utility and construction workers; and pets and wildlife that may either fall on a fence or maybe attempt to climb or jump over a fence and are at risk of being entrapped or impaled on the spiked features on the fence,” said Daniel Word, an Assistant Director with the  Development Services Department. Word said there was also a tragic incident in 2018 in Georgetown where a child died after being entrapped on a rod-iron fence with spiked pickets above the top rail.  READ MOR...

"Coolest" highs in 2.5 weeks return to Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today's triple-digit high was our 35th of the year and our 19th consecutive day of a high at 100º or hotter in Austin, the 5th longest stretch ever.You probably noticed the hazier sky today thanks to Saharan dust. This will stay with us to wrap-up the work week, but will slowly fade during the weekend returning our sky to a brilliant blue by early next week. Generally air quality remains okay as this dust is suspended higher in the sky, but sunsets will look extra pretty tonight.Dust from Africa overhead for a few daysWe're forecasting a brief "cool-down" of sorts with high temperatures falling to 102º on Friday. The last time highs were as low as that was back on July 8th when we began this recent stretch of 100º+ heat. 2023 AUSTIN WEATHER DATA This cool-down will come with a further decrease in afternoon dew points making for a relatively dry afternoon heat on Friday, compared to what we've had.The high just won't leaveYou can thank high pressure moving a little...

Rutgers’ Greg Schiano can thank Gophers for his ‘best’ staff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days that his current coaching staff is the “best” of his whole career.Schiano, in part, has the Gophers to thank fpr that.Schiano hired away former U offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca to take the same role with the Scarlet Knights after last season. And Schiano promoted ex-Minnesota safeties coach Joe Harasymiak to be Rutgers’ defensive coordinator after the 2021 campaign.“Thank God we have (Ciarrocca), right?” Schiano said at Lucas Oil Stadium. “Because my job has changed so much in the last year.“A lot of my time now is spent on (Name, Image and Likeness) and those type of things that have very little to do with offense or defense,” Schiano continued. “If (these coaches) weren’t there, I don’t know what would give. So I’m very appreciative and fortunate and blessed to have them in our program.”Rutgers also nabbed Gophers’ top nickel back Michael Dixon in the tr...

PHOTOS: Muralgarten takes first steps in Glens Falls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Around the property of the Glens Falls Shirt Factory - a hub for local artists and craftspeople - things are even more artsy than usual. This week, six artists have been bringing new color and fresh ideas to a set of shipping containers. One sits by Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe, and two more on the other side of Curran Lane. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! It's all part of the Shirt Factory's Muralgarten project. Building owner Eric Unkauf is still in talks with the Glens Falls Planning Board over the full breadth of the project, which he and co-organizer Hannah Williams hope to one day involve 30 or more murals, as well as walking paths and development to better showcase them between Curran Lane and the Cooper Street parking lot. Some artists are new to public art, others not - but for all of them, the space offers something special.Artist: Lexi HannahArtist: Lexi HannahArtist: Lexi HannahArtist:...

ERAP funds help housing crisis in NY

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:39 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Housing continues to be an issue here in New York. This past session, the legislature couldn’t not agree on a housing plan. A report from the comptroller's office looked into funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. ERAP launched nationwide back in 2021 in response to economic effects from the pandemic. The program is federally and state funded. As of this past May, ERAP distributed $3.1 billion to 250,000 applicants across New York.  Bombers Burrito Bar in Albany appears to have closed 81% of that funding went to New York City residents. The program closed to new applications in January. Deputy Comptroller, Rahul Jain explained, who was eligible. "You have to make less than 80% of area median income. You also had to show that you had rent arrears which means that you had back rent, that you hadn’t paid yet, and in order to get what they call perspective funding, so some funding to pay for future rent you need to be able to show you were rent burde...