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Drug trafficking blamed as homicides soar in Costa Rica

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

LIMON, Costa Rica (AP) — In this colorful Caribbean port, where cruise ship passengers are whisked to jungle adventures in Costa Rica’s interior, locals try to be home by dark and police patrol with high-caliber guns in the face of soaring drug violence.Costa Rica logged a record 657 homicides last year and Limon – with a homicide rate five times the national average — was the epicenter. The bloodshed in a country better known for its laid-back, “it’s all good” outlook and its lack of a standing army has stirred a public outcry as the administration of President Rodrigo Chaves scrambles for answers. Where Costa Rica had previously been just a pass-through for northbound cocaine from Colombian and Mexican cartels, authorities say it is now a warehousing and transshipment point for drugs sent to Europe by homegrown Costa Rican gangs.In Limon, that shifting criminal dynamic has mixed with swelling ranks of young unemployed men who make up the majority of the casualties in fierce ...

2 Tornados touchdown in Chicago area, NWS confirms

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

CHICAGO — NWS Chicago has confirmed two tornadoes in the Chicago area -- neither is one in Belvidere where the theatre roof and marquee collapsed. Updates will show up here under the tab that says "tornado". 57 tornadoes and even more funnel clouds reported across 7 states in the Midwest and South. National Weather Service investigators will be looking into each one of these twisters in the next few days to track the speed and strength. Almost 300 reports of wind damage and wind gusts in the Chicago area reached more than 70 mph. 164 reports of large hail, 26 reports of hail 2" or greater in size which is the size of a chicken egg. 

1 dead, 2 critical, dozens injured as roof of Belvidere's Apollo Theater collapses in storm

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — One person was killed and dozens more injured at the Apollo Theater on Friday after a roof collapsed on concertgoers as a powerful storm and high winds swept through the area. The heavy metal band Morbid Angel was scheduled to perform. Authorities said the victim was a 50-year-old man. Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said two victims are said to have suffered life-threatening injuries.Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said in addition, ambulances transported two people who suffered severe injuries, 18 with moderate injuries, and 5 with minor injuries.Mercyhealth Dr. Matt Smetana said more than 40 people arrived at local hospitals for treatment. Event coordinators said approximately 260 people were in the venue at the time of the collapse. Authorities said everyone has been accounted for.Friday night, Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker tweeted: "My administration is closely monitoring the roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre in Belv...

The Texas ObamaCare ruling: 5 things to know

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

(The Hill) – An ObamaCare requirement that health insurance must cover preventive services for free is at risk of ending, after a federal judge in Texas — who previously held that the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional — invalidated it. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor wasn't entirely unexpected, but his decision to impose a nationwide injunction still sent shockwaves through the health system. The preventive services mandate is extremely popular and ending it could impact more than 100 million Americans.  Here are five things to know about the ruling.The immediate impacts are unclear The ruling is effective immediately, but it’s not likely to have an immediate impact.“I think this will play out over time. I don't think it will result in precipitous changes in coverage in most cases,” said Larry Levitt, vice president of health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.Health insurers price their plans on a yearly basis and are required to notify bene...

'Wheel of Fortune': What's the most (and least) a contestant can win?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A couple of contestants on “Wheel of Fortune” have made headlines for their astonishing gameplay in recent weeks, including the Iowa man who won $86,165 in cash and prizes and the wrestling enthusiast who solved every single puzzle (including the bonus round) to achieve a “perfect game.”Both of these contestants displayed an admirable ability to identify the many “Things” or “Food & Drink” answers in each day’s puzzles. But they’re far from the most successful contestants the show has ever seen.In fact, they’re about $1 million short. Pat Sajak briefly stunned by ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant’s ‘leak’ remark Throughout the broadcast history of “Wheel of Fortune,” only four contestants (including one celebrity) have managed to win million-dollar prizes during the game’s bonus rounds. Each of these instances occurred after the show added a $1 million “wedge” to the wheel, which needs to be earned during previous gameplay and allows contestants the possibility of winn...

Toronto, Are You Ready for Another Mayoral Candidate Circus?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

Family still searching for answers in 2020 murder of a 51-year-old woman

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Pflugerville Police department is still searching for answers in a 2020 murder of a 51-year-old woman. Sharon Selman was found with multiple gunshot wounds at the Century Stone Hill South Apartments near Stone Hill Town Center on March 31, 2020. She was pronounced dead on the scene. MORE: Pflugerville police identify woman killed in deadly March shooting Friday marked the third anniversary of the incident, but PPD and Selman’s family remain steadfast in finding the person responsible. PPD is requesting that anyone who recognizes the sketch or has any information related to the case call Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS (8477) or email [email protected]. PPD said all tips will be kept confidential.  MORE: 3 months after Pflugerville woman’s murder, police still search for leads Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to a suspect’s arrest, and Selman's family has also put together a $25,000 reward.Crime Stopper...

367 acres of 'vital' land donated for conservancy in Hill Country

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Central Texas nonprofit announced Thursday it received a 367-acre land donation in Hill Country to be saved and protected from development. Scott Shannon of Scott Shannon Ranch donated a conservation easement, roughly the size of Zilker Park, along U.S. Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, which will be permanently protected, the Hill Country Conservancy said. "This is an important milestone for the Hill Country region, where unincorporated growth is rapidly encroaching upon open spaces and sensitive natural areas," Carolyn Stephens, Marketing & Outreach Manager for HCC, said.   Scott Shannon Ranch contains 1.4 miles of Towhead Creek, which drains into Flat Creek nearly a mile above its confluence with the Pedernales River. The City of Austin gets approximately 23% of its water from the Pedernales River, so the area is in vital need of conservation, according to the HCC.  The Conservancy also said the Scott Shannon Ranch contains ...

White Bear Lake: Ice is still thick, but ice-out contest is underway

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

It’s been a long winter.But there is one sure sign of spring: The White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake Ice-Out Contest for 2023 is open for entries.Rules are simple: one entry per person. Entries must include date of prediction for one or both lakes. Entries must be submitted by midnight April 7.This year’s prize pool includes more than $3,000 in gifts and gift certificates from 35 different White Bear Lake businesses; the prizes will be divided among those who guess either correct date, said Alan Haskins, the organizer of the contest.The earliest ice-out date officially recorded for White Bear Lake was April 2, 1928; the latest is May 4 in both 2018 and 1950. For Bald Eagle Lake, the earliest ice-out date recorded was March 16, 2016; the latest was May 2, 2018.Haskins, the owner of Nimble Impressions, a marketing agency in White Bear Lake, recommends guessing a date toward the end of April this year.“The ice is still really thick,” he said. “It’s the equivalent of mid-January right ...

How do the Cardinals decide on their bobblehead giveaways?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:48:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Tens of thousands of St. Louis Cardinals fans will take home a one-of-a-kind mystery bobblehead Saturday, either of Albert Pujols or Yadier Molina from their unexpected pitching appearances last season.The Pujols-Molina mystery collectible is the first of eight bobblehead giveaways at Busch Stadium this year. Bobbleheads are among the top promotions each year for baseball fans in St. Louis and beyond. Some fans will wait several hours at the gate to score the special item. Others hope to build upon their collections of tens, hundreds, or maybe even thousands. Or maybe there are a select few who just want one of their favorite present or past player. Top Stories: Courts connect four St. Louis infant exposure deaths to one woman How do the bobbleheads get decided each season? It's part of a long-term process that begins throughout the preceding baseball campaign. "We've studied the bobbleheads all year long," said Megan Eberhart, director of promotions for the St. Louis...