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MnDOT says it spent record $174 million to battle record snowfall during winter of 2022-23

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation spent a record $174 million to keep state highways clear of snow and ice for the brutal winter of 2022-23, the most severe winter in the past decade, according to a new report.And that total doesn’t include cities, counties or townships costs to clear their roads and streets.MnDOT officials said it was not only the most money ever spent to keep state roads clear of ice and snow, but was fully 25% above the most recent five-year average.Statewide, an average of 90.2 inches of snow fell last winter. The Twin Cities recorded 90.3 inches, making it the third snowiest winter on record. Duluth and St. Cloud broke all-time seasonal snowfall records.“This was an extremely challenging winter season, but our crews worked tirelessly to conquer each storm and keep travelers safe and moving in Minnesota,” Nancy Daubenberger, state transportation commissioner, said in a statement released with the report. “MnDOT has more than 1,600 snowplow operators tha...

Nicholas Kristof: The real college admissions scandal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

YAMHILL, Oregon — Before I make an argument about affirmative action, let me tell you how I was a beneficiary of it.I wasn’t a student of color, but I grew up on a farm and attended a small, rural high school where there wasn’t much math and nobody had ever applied to an Ivy League college. My grades and scores were strong but not extraordinary.But I did have one thing going for me. Elite colleges were looking for farm kids from low-income areas to provide diversity. So a school that I had never visited, Harvard, took an enormous risk and accepted me, and I became a token country bumpkin to round out a class of polished overachievers. In time, Harvard gave me a wonderful education, transformed my life and set me on a path to becoming a columnist — which is why you’re stuck reading this. Yes, indeed: Providing paths to a better education can be life-changing.So how do we do that for others? I wish the Supreme Court had ruled differently on affirmative action for race, but unfortunate...

Victory Church continues gun buyback program in Albany for safer streets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - For over 10 years, Pastor Charles Muller of Victory Christian Church has advocated against gun violence, especially as the violence has only increased over the last few years.“I’m not against legal guns,” Pastor Muller said. “I am against illegal guns in the wrong hands.”Last year, the church received 17 guns, and now Pastor Muller says he wants those who are carrying a firearm illegally to see this as an opportunity to choose life over violence. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We’re just calling on young people,” he said. “Those involved in gang life that’s hanging with the wrong crew. Just cease-fire. Think about how precious life is.”He agrees with the District Attorney about the pending Raise the Age legislation introduced this week at the Capital, which will have offenders between the ages of 16 and 17 years old not to be charged as adults.“We got a 17-year-old who just murdered a young man,” he sa...

Police investigating shots fired in Troy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Troy Police Department announced they are investigating a shots fired incident that occurred on the morning of July 29. Police say that no injuries have been reported. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police responded to the area of North 1st Street following a report of the incident. No details about the suspect are available at this time.The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Troy police at (518)270-4421.

Two St. Louis spots named among Missouri's best summer 'weekend getaways'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS - As July nears a close, you might be hoping to plan a few more weekend trips this summer. Travel enthusiasts say you're never too from a nice weekend getaway in Missouri, especially if you live near St. Louis. Traveling Lifestyle recently published a list of "9 Great Weekend Getaways" to enjoy in the Show Me State this summer. These destinations are scattered all around Missouri and include options with lakeside retreats, fancy lodging and historical value. Staffing ‘crisis’ creating new risks for St. Louis police officers The two best summer weekend getaways in St. Louis, according to Traveling Lifestyle, include...The Fleur-de-Lys MansionThe Missouri Botanical GardenThe Fleur-de-Lys Mansion is a bed-and-breakfast concept in the Compton Heights neighborhood. The mansion is a luxurious lodging point, consisting of four guest rooms, hand-painted murals, in-room whirlpools and impressive horticulture. It's within walking distance to Reservoir Park and perhaps even Tower ...

Reporter Kalista Mitrisin's recipe for adventure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Kalista Mitrisin is a journalist with a knack for the unexpected. When she's not reporting from the scene of breaking news or finding interesting stories, Mitrisin can be found walking with her trusty friend, a Great Dane lab mix named Clark, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.  Mitrisin has been a reporter for Fox 2 and KPLR 11 for several months and finds joy in covering a wide range of topics.  “I think just being out in the field and seeing something, so real happening makes me feel good that I can get the information out there, be on scene, show people what's going on,” said Mitrisin.  Why did you want to become a journalist? Terron Armstead, NFL player, with Mitrisin.“I think I knew that from a pretty young age,” said Mitrisin. “I'd say high school was when I realized it was the one outlet where I could combine all my passions, getting to meet new people and learn new things every day.” Mitrisin grew up in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, a...

Denver weather: Mostly sunny early, with chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

Weather on Saturday will be partly cloudy in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms early in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms early.Highs in the mid 90s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.Neat satellite view this AM showing varying cloud motions (low clouds E –> W, high clouds W –> E)!This is an example of "wind shear", a change in either wind direction or speed with height. Wind shear characteristics are critical in evaluating severe weather threats. #COwx pic.twitter.com/Q5wzgQmlVC— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 29, 2023Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening, becoming light. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.Sunday: Mostly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance...

Evacuations ordered as wildfire near Temecula grows to over 2,000 acres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

A brush fire burning near Temecula has charred more than 2,000 acres with very little containment as of Saturday morning, authorities said.The Bonny Fire was first reported around 2:45 p.m. Thursday near the 44000 block of Bonny Lane in Aguanga, a city about 20 miles east of Temecula. The blaze initially burned about five acres of dry brush on a hillside but grew rapidly amid the dry weather and triple-digit heat.The Bonny Fire burns near Temecula, California on July 28, 2023. (OnScene.tv)"We anticipate the number of acres is going to increase dramatically due to the way the fire is moving," CalFire spokesman Richard Cordova said Friday afternoon. "There's lots of open land for this fire to consume."An evacuation order was issued for all residents of the Terwilliger Valley Community.The evacuation area includes north of the San Diego County border, West of Anza Borrego State Park, south of Bowers, Bailey and Ramsey, and east of Bonny.Old Mitchell Camp Road between Chihuahua Valley R...

Goats helping Glendale Fire Department prevent brush fires 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

The Glendale Fire Department is getting creative with their brush fire prevention strategy. According to a release from Glendale FD, more than 300 goats will work through a designated area eating invasive grass and dried brush on Saturday in an effort to stop wildfires before they start.  Evacuations ordered as wildfire near Temecula grows to over 2,000 acres “For the third year, the Department is investing in unconventional fire prevention methods by contracting out Fire Grazers to keep the goats grazing on city parcels,” Glendale FD said in a release. Fire officials have identified a 491,793.44 square foot patch of land surrounding Idlewood Canyon as a High Fire Hazard Area. (Glendale Fire Department)Fire officials have identified a 491,793.44 square foot patch of land surrounding Idlewood Canyon as a High Fire Hazard Area. Brush fire season, according to the Glendale Fire Department, runs from October through December. 

Oakland man gets 19 years for 2020 fatal shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:59 GMT

OAKLAND — A 29-year-old Oakland man was sentenced to 19 years in state prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter, court records show.Melvin Hines III was sentenced July 14, after accepting a plea deal that resulted in murder and attempted murder charges being dropped, court records show. Hines was charged in November 2020, eight months after police say he fatally shot Eric Chavis-Reshard Jr., 32, and wounded another man during the same incident.Police say Chavis-Reshard was shot and killed around 5 p.m. on March 3, 2020, on the 1800 block of 88th Avenue in East Oakland. Surveillance footage showed a green Pontiac leaving the scene, investigators wrote in court records. Hines’ girlfriend, the owner of the Pontiac, was later arrested and told police he had driven her car on the day in question, according to court records.Police say the same gun used to kill Chavis-Reshard and wound his friend was also used in a shooting that occurred three hours later and ...