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Victim vignettes: Hawaii wildfires lead to indescribable grief as families learn fate of loved ones

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

Wildfires have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation, decimating a historic town. While many wait in agony for news on whether their friends and family are safe, the fires have already claimed the lives of more than 90 people — making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years. Here are the stories of those who died. —-A FAMILY’S LOSSA family of four — Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, Salote Takafua, and her son, Tony Takafua — died while attempting to flee from the flames. Their remains were found Thursday in a burned car near their home.“The magnitude of our grief is indescribable,” read a statement from family members.Lylas Kanemoto, who knew the Tone family, confirmed the devastating news Sunday.“At least we have closure for them, but the loss and heartbreak is unbearable for many. We as a community has to just embrace each other and support our families, friends, and our community to our best of our abilities,” ...

CPD: Group commits nearly 3 dozen business burglaries from June to August

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent out a community alert Sunday evening letting South Side businesses know of a group who has committed 33 business burglaries from June to August.Police said in each incident, burglars gained entry into the business by throwing an object through a glass door before taking property from inside.Incident times and locations· 2100 Block of South China Place on June 09, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.· 2100 Block of South China Place on June 09, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.· 900 Block of West 35th Street on June 09, 2023 at 5:15 a.m.· 900 Block of West 31th Street on June 09, 2023 at 5:30 a.m.· 4200 Block of West 55th Street on June 09, 2023 at 5:53 a.m.· 4700 Block of West 63rd Street on June 15, 2023 at 5:16 a.m.· 5200 Block of South Archer Avenue on June 17, 2023 at 4:30 a.m.· 7100 Block of West Archer Avenue on June 17, 2023 at 4:56 a.m.· 4300 Block of West 51st Street on June 17, 2023 at 4:20 a.m.· 7000 Block of South Pulaski Avenue on June 17, 2023 at 4:30 a.m.· 7...

NOAA finishes major upgrade to improve forecasting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

(KXAN) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) announced a major upgrade that should improve weather forecasts for the next few years and beyond.The Department of Commerce expanded the capacity of the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System known as WCOSS by 20%, they announced on Thursday.The WCOSS provides computing power that should improve weather forecast models and other weather analysis tools, many of which are used by the members of the KXAN First Warning Weather Team to make our forecasts every day.The 20% capacity improvements should allow for more complicated computer models which will take in more data with the goal of improving accuracy.The US Global Forecast System model (GFS) will become a higher resolution model capable of 9km resolution (13km currently). Improving model resolution helps identify smaller scale weather features that can be missed with lower resolution computing. Other upgrades to the GFS will help with fog, wildfire sm...

A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

If the A’s didn’t hit rock bottom on Sunday afternoon, it’s hard to fathom what’s worse than blowing a five-run, ninth-inning lead for the first time in their 55 years in Oakland.Jeter Downs capped a six-run ninth with an RBI single, and the Washington Nationals rallied past the A’s 8-7 on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of the majors-worst Athletics.It marked the first time the A’s have ever blown a lead of five or more runs in the ninth inning or later since moving to Oakland in 1968.“You have to let this one go,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. “It’s frustrating, obviously, on every level.”WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 13: Zack Gelof #20 of the Oakland Athletics rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) Rookie Zack Gelof homered twice for Oakland, which fell 52 games under .500 (33-85) for the first time since going 54-108 in...

Flying Tails: Bald Eagle Rescue

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

(KRON) -- We have an inspiring story about the rescue of an injured bald eagle. A team of wildlife specialists came together to get the eagle back to health and return it to the wild.That's where I come in. In this edition of Flying Tails, I get the rare opportunity to fly an eagle home.Watch the full story in the video player above.

US Steel rejects a $7.3 billion offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs; considers alternatives

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — United States Steel Corp. said Sunday that it rejected a $7.3 billion buyout proposal from rival Cleveland Cliffs and was reviewing “strategic alternatives” after receiving several unsolicited offers.Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel said it rejected the offer because Cleveland-Cliffs was pushing it to accept the terms without being allowed to conduct proper due diligence. “At this juncture, we cannot determine whether your unsolicited proposal properly reflects the full and fair value of the Company. For all of the above reasons, the Board has no choice but to reject your unreasonable proposal,” U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt said in a letter, released Sunday, to Cleveland Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves.Cleveland-Cliffs announced earlier Sunday that it had made an offer valuing the U.S. Steel at $7.3 billion, based on $17.50 a share in cash and 1.023 shares of Cliffs stock. Cleveland-Cliffs said the value of the offer was $35 a share, a premium over U.S. Steel’s ...

Auburn grad student Megan Schofill wins US Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Megan Schofill won the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Sunday at Bel-Air Country Club, beating Latanna Stone 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final.The 22-year-old Schofill, from Monticello, Florida, is a graduate student entering her fifth season at Auburn University. The 21-year-old Stone, from Riverview, Florida, is entering her fifth year at LSU.Schofill had a 3-up lead after the first 18 holes, winning Nos. 15-17. After Stone won the par-4 24th with a birdie, Schofill took the par-4 25th and par-5 26th with birdies for a 4-up advantage.They halved the next five holes with pars, Stone won the par-5 32nd and the match ended on the par-4 33rd when Stone’s 5-foot par putt lipped out.The finalists earned spots in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, with Stone needing to remain an amateur to be eligible.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfSource

Breanna Stewart sets WNBA record as Liberty beat Fever 100-89

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 30 of her 42 points in the first half to help the New York Liberty beat the Indiana Fever 100-89 on Sunday and set a franchise record for wins in a season. Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to score at least 40 points three times in the same season. Jonquel Jones had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Liberty, Betnijah Laney scored 12 and Sabrina Ionescu 10. Courtney Vandersloot scored just four points on 1-of-7 shooting but finished with 14 assists. Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points and Erica Wheeler 21 to lead Indiana. Aliyah Boston added 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and NaLyssa Smith scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. MYSTICS 83, SKY 76WASHINGTON (AP) — Brittney Sykes scored a season-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting to help Washington snap a three-game skid.Sykes added six assists and five steals. Queen Egbo made 7 of 7 from the field and scored 16 points for the Mystics, and Tianna Hawkins added 13 ...

Jewell Loyd scores 24 and Ezi Magbegor adds 17 to help Storm beat Mercury 81-71

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Jewell Loyd scored 24 points, Ezi Magbegor added 17 points and the Seattle Storm nearly blew a 16-point halftime lead before they pulled away for an 81-71 win Sunday over the Phoenix Mercury. Magbegor made 8 of 13 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Kia Nurse scored 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including two 3-pointers, and Mercedes Russell added 10 rebounds and eight points for the Storm. Seattle (9-21) has won back-to-back games for just the second time this season, and three of its last four — beginning with a 97-91 win over Phoenix on Aug. 5. The Storm and Mercury are three games out of a playoff spot with a month left in the regular season. Phoenix (9-21), which was coming off back-to-back wins, has lost eight of its last 11. Seattle led by 16 at halftime and Magbegor made it 57-44 with 5:59 left in the third quarter but Sug Sutton answered with a 3-pointer, Sophie Cunningham also hit a 3 and Moriah Jefferson made a layup before her p...

Summit in Southeast DC calls on young people to help remedy juvenile crime

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:53:13 GMT

Coach Charles Holton runs Play4Life, a youth football outfit that aims to keep kids on the field—and out of trouble. (WTOP / Matt Kaufax) Coach Charles Holton runs Play4Life, a youth football outfit that aims to keep kids on the field—and out of trouble. (WTOP / Matt Kaufax) As juvenile crime in the District continues to rise, the Ward 8 community in Southeast held the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Violence Summit Sunday afternoon to engage young people for possible solutions.Held at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) on Mississippi Avenue, community leaders at the event spoke directly to young people about the importance of positive decision-making, being leaders, setting examples for their peers and enco...