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Freddie Mercury’s eclectic collection of ‘clutter’ for sale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — He was the king of Queen and his crown could be yours — for the right price.Freddie Mercury’s extensive collection of costumes, fine art, and even handwritten working lyrics for “We Are the Champions” and “Killer Queen” will be auctioned in September.Queen’s frontman had said he wanted to live a Victorian life surrounded by “exquisite clutter,” and he left it all to his close friend, Mary Austin, when he died, at 45, of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991.Austin, who has kept most of it the way Mercury left it in his home in the upscale Kensington neighborhood of London, said she had reached the “difficult decision” that it was time to sell it all, Sotheby’s said.Artwork includes prints or works on paper by Picasso and Matisse. “Type of Beauty,” a painting by 19th century French artist James Tissot of his Irish muse and lover Kathleen Newton, is estimated to sell for 400,000 to 600,000 pounds ($500,000-750,000) — the highest of any item listed in press mat...

McCarthy struggles for debt bill votes, makes late changes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans made post-midnight changes to their sweeping debt ceiling package to win over holdouts, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy pushed ahead Wednesday with plans to launch debate and round up support from his slim majority for a vote this week.Facing a revolt from Midwestern Republicans over doing away with biofuel tax credits that were just passed into law last year by President Joe Biden, Republicans relented and allowed the tax credits to stay on the books. Republicans also agreed to more quickly launch the bolstered work requirements for recipients of government aid, starting in 2024 as proposed by another holdout, Freedom Caucus’ Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who has led previous challenges to McCarthy.The changes were approved at a 2 a.m. session of the House Rules Committee despite earlier repeated insistence by McCarthy and his leadership team that there would be no changes. The floor debate is expected to launch at noon Wednesday, a final vote on the ...

Pirates' move puts White Sox in the salary spotlight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

CHICAGO — There was a transaction by the Pirates on Tuesday that might have caught the attention of White Sox fans before another disappointment on the field. Ahead of the team's 7-0 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto, Pittsburgh signed outfielder Bryan Reynolds to an eight-year, $106.75 million deal. It's the Pirates' first contract over $100 million in their team's history as they've gotten off to a surprising 16-8 start to the season. By doing that, it put the White Sox in a more unique category in Major League Baseball, one that would come off more negative than positive for fans. The club is now just one of three in the league to never have signed a player to a $100 million contract, per MLB.com. As of early in the 2023 season, the club's biggest free agent contract was given to outfielder Andrew Benintendi, who got a five-year, $75 million deal this past offseason.As far as a contract extension goes, Yoan Moncada has the White Sox record at $70 million for five years, which he w...

Man climbs California radio tower holding 'Free Billie Eilish' sign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A man who scaled the KTLA news tower in Hollywood on Tuesday safely came down on his own after an hours-long standoff.Crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department received reports of the incident around 6:32 p.m. The man was seen sitting about 30 feet up the tower and straddling the KTLA marquee while holding a sign that read, "Free Billie Eilish."A man was seen climbing the KTLA 5 radio tower in Hollywood while holding a sign that read, “Free Billie Eilish” as authorities worked to remove him on April 25, 2023. (KTLA)A man was seen climbing the KTLA 5 radio tower in Hollywood while holding a sign that read, “Free Billie Eilish” as authorities worked to remove him on April 25, 2023. (KTLA)A man was seen climbing the KTLA 5 radio tower in Hollywood while holding a sign that read, “Free Billie Eilish” as authorities worked to remove him on April 25, 2023. (KTLA)A man was seen climbing the KTLA 5 radio tower in Hollywood while holding a sign that read, “Free Bill...

'A real love story': Florida couple celebrates 80 years of marriage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) - A lifetime of golf, dancing and love began on a New Jersey beach."I asked for her phone number and I remembered the number,” said Vic Gerard, 101.Gerard rode buses and trains to see the new lady in his life, Marge. During wartime, they sent letters.On April 25, 1943, they became husband and wife, becoming the Gerards.(WFLA)Over eight decades, as the world changed around them, they had each other."We did everything together. We played golf together. We danced together. We played cards together and we watched TV together,” said Marge Gerard, 98.The couple have six children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Ginnie Newhart, wife of comedy legend Bob Newhart, dies “It’s a real love story. Love at first sight,” said their daughter, Tery Michaud. "I'm a marriage counselor. They have been my inspiration for believing in marriage.”To their daughters, their lifelong love story is one of gratefulness and being content."They could have lived a more ext...

West Austin church installs over 550 solar panels

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A church in West Austin could soon be saving hundreds of thousands of dollars with a switch to solar panels.On the roof of Riverbend Church, there are now more than 550 SunPower solar panels.Throughout its Sunday services, this efficient energy is being used in full force.Senior pastor Dave Haney says some of the extra energy being produced is pushed onto the electric grid."It's like, we have a farm and we grow food,” he said. “We use the food and what we have left over to give back to the City of Austin."The power produced on-site at Riverbend Church will offset 60% of the usage within the 2,600-seat main auditorium."This is the kind of building that doesn't have daily use,” Haney said.  “So, we're producing electricity when we're not using electricity."The church partnered with Austin-based company Freedom Solar Power, to install solar panels to power their 50+ acre campus.According to Freedom Solar Power commercial sales director Kyle Frazier, this installati...

I-787 northbound crash near exit 2 closes right shoulder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511NY, a crash on I-787 northbound near Exit 2; NY 32; South Pearl Street near the Port of Albany has left the right shoulder closed. Drivers in the area should expect delays.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Information regarding this crash is slim at this time. Stick with News10 as more information becomes available.

I-787 southbound crash near exit 4B closes right shoulder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511NY, a crash on I-787 southbound near Exit 4B southbound; Clinton Avenue; US 9 On-Ramp in Albany has closed the right shoulder. Drivers should be aware of this when entering the area. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Details on this crash are limited at this time. Stick with News10 as more information becomes available.

Where to go fishing in the Capital Region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With nice weather sweeping through the Capital Region, you might be thinking of going fishing. Before you go, make sure you're following all fishing rules and regulations, and have a spot in mind where you want to go. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In New York State, you generally need a fishing license, which you can get at a license issuing agent location or on the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website. There are also catch limits for certain fish and other regulations, all of which you can find on the DEC website.Where it comes to choosing a place to fish, you might want a place nearby or based on which type of fish you want to catch. Here's a breakdown of freshwater fishing spots by county, according to the DEC. Disc golf courses around the Capital Region Albany CountyAnn Lee Pond, off Heritage Lane in Colonie. Shore fishing.Basic Creek Reservoir, off Route 404/Bear Swamp Roa...

Veterans blood drive taking place today in Godfrey, Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:28 GMT

GODFREY, Ill. - Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois is hosting a blood drive.It's Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Commons, located at 820 Elm Street. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. This St. Louis restaurant has the best soul food in Missouri, food writers say To do so, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code 'LEWISCLARK1.'