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Scientists say Florida Keys coral reefs are already bleaching as water temperatures hit record highs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

By TERRY SPENCER and PATRICK WHITTLE (Associated Press)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Some Florida Keys coral reefs are losing their color weeks earlier than normal this summer because of record-high water temperatures, meaning they are under stress and their health is potentially endangered, federal scientists said. The corals should be vibrant and colorful this time of year, but are swiftly going white, said Katey Lesneski, research and monitoring coordinator for Mission: Iconic Reefs, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched to protect Florida coral reefs.“The corals are pale, it looks like the color’s draining out,” said Lesneski, who has spent several days on the reefs over the last two weeks. “And some individuals are stark white. And we still have more to come.”Scientists with NOAA this week raised their coral bleaching warning system to Alert Level 2 for the Keys, their highest heat stress level out of five. That le...

East County motel fire prompts bomb/arson unit to investigate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

LEMON GROVE, Calif. -- Authorities are investigating a motel fire that occurred Friday in the Lemon Grove area.The blaze took place around 12 p.m. in the 8000 block of Broadway, when a deputy on patrol noticed smoking coming from the nearby motel, Sgt. Anthony Portillo with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) said in a news release.Upon arrival, law enforcement found one of the units fully engulfed in flames, according to SDSO. Firefighters evacuated several units as a precaution while they put out the fire. 2,000-gallon sewage spill forces East Mission Bay closure Portillo says witnesses reported hearing a loud banging sound coming from the unit that was on fire, then seeing the occupant leave minutes before the fire.No injuries were reported.The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit were called to the scene to investigate the fire.

Lionel Messi makes his Inter Miami debut, checks in during 2nd half against Cruz Azul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is now, officially, an Inter Miami player.The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s best player checked in for his new Major League Soccer club for the first time on Friday night, coming in early in the second half of Inter Miami’s game against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup tournament.He hugged the player he was replacing, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, then trotted onto the field as the estimated crowd of 21,000 all seemed to be standing, almost all of them with phones out to chronicle the moment.It took Inter Miami four years of planning and two years of actual pursuing to bring Messi to the club.“Worth it,” co-owner David Beckham said earlier in the week.Messi wasn’t in the starting lineup, and came on with his team leading 1-0. Nobody even left their seats when the halftime whistle blew. The reason: Messi was on the field. He warmed up for about 5 minutes during intermission with the other reserves before th...

While North Korea fires cruise missiles, it stays mum on US soldier who crossed into the country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired several cruise missiles toward its western sea Saturday, South Korea’s military said, marking the second launch event this week apparently in protest of the docking of a nuclear-armed U.S. submarine in South Korea.While adding to its barrage of missile launches in recent months, North Korea remained publicly silent for a fifth day on the fate of an American soldier who bolted into the North across the heavily armed Korean border this week.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches were detected beginning around 4 a.m. but did not immediately report how many missiles were fired or how far they flew. It said the United States and South Korean militaries were closely analyzing the launches.North Korea in recent years has been testing newly developed cruise missiles it describes as “strategic,” implying an intent to arm them with nuclear weapons. Experts say the main mission of those weapons would include striking naval assets and p...

He came face to face with an alleged serial killer. 12 years later, his tip helped crack the case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — In the winter of 2010, shortly after police discovered the remains of his roommate and three other women buried on a remote stretch of Long Island shoreline, Dave Schaller provided detectives with a description of the person he believed to be the killer.More crucially, Schaller told them about his truck.The man they were looking for was a towering, Frankenstein-like figure with an “empty gaze” who drove a first-generation Chrysler Avalanche, Schaller recalled telling investigators. The man’s size stuck out, as did his unusual pick-up truck, which he’d used to flee the house Schaller shared with Amber Costello.On that night, Schaller said he came home to find the stranger threatening Costello, an occasional sex worker, who had locked herself in the bathroom. The two men came to blows, with the hulking intruder eventually leaving in the truck.Prosecutors say Costello was last seen alive on Sept. 2, 2010, as she left her home to meet that same client. A witness saw a da...

Body of girl found in river believed to be that of 2-year-old lost in Pennsylvania flash flooding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP) — The body of a young girl was recovered Friday in the Delaware River and was believed to be a 2-year-old who was one of two children swept away from their family’s vehicle by a flash flood, authorities said.The body was found in the early evening near a Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from where Matilda Sheils was carried away Saturday, authorities said in a nighttime news conference. By physical description, authorities believe the body to be Matilda’s. The Philadelphia coroner will conduct an autopsy Saturday. The search continues for Matilda’s 9-month-old brother, Conrad.The Charleston, South Carolina, family was visiting relatives and friends when they got hit by a “wall of water,” according to Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer.Their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley, was also killed in the flood, authorities said. The children’s father, Jim Sheils, grabbed the couple’s 4-year-old son, while Sele...

Concerns raised by residents over Regent Park redevelopment plans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

The distinct red brick three-storey walk-ups that have been part of the fabric of Regent Park since the 1950s are soon going to be replaced by brand new buildings as part of redevelopment plans south of Gerrard Street that were approved by City Hall this past week. While more affordable housing will be in the mix, those who currently call the area home are worried what’s to come doesn’t fulfill their needs. “I’m wondering who they’re building housing for,” asks Walied Khogali of the Regent Park Neighbourhood Association. “Are they building it for those that are the 80,000 on the waiting list for Toronto community housing or are they building it for folks who have a lot more disposable income and are trying to enter the housing market or trying to get more affordable rentals?”Over the last 15 years, Regent Park has seen plenty of change with taller residential towers being built with a mix of condos and social housing. The latest plan i...

1 soldier killed, 5 injured in non-combat crash at Fort Bliss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

FORT BLISS, Texas — A soldier is dead and five others are injured after a tactical vehicle crash at Fort Bliss, Texas, according to the U.S. Army.According to a news release, the non-combat crash was reported around 9:30 a.m. MST in the Fort Bliss training area. ‘Help me’ sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in California The conditions of those who were injured haven't been released.The name of the soldier who was killed hasn't been released. The Army said their name will be released 24 hours after the next-of-kin is notified.Details surrounding the crash weren't released by the Army.

CPD: North Side teen missing since June 25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help locating a missing teenager who was last seen on June 25.Milka Carmona, 16, was last seen on the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue on Sunday, June 25. Chicago police search for 29-year-old man last seen in May Carmona is described as 5-foot, weighing 100 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes. She reportedly has a lightning bolt tattoo under her right ear.Anyone with information regarding Milka Carmona's whereabouts are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-744-8266.

Trader Joe's recalls two cookie products because they may contain rocks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:25 GMT

(KRON) -- Trader Joe's is recalling two cookie products, the grocery chain announced Friday. The recall comes after the two products with a certain sell-by date may contain rocks. The products being recalled are listed below.Almond Windmill Cookies (SKU #99744)Sell-By Date: 10/19/23-10/21/23Dark Chocolate Chunk Almond Cookies (#82752)Sell-By Date: 10/17/23-10/21/23All potentially affected products have been removed from sale and destroyed, Trader Joe's said. The company is asking anyone who has purchased or received any donations of either of these products to not eat them.Trader Joe's is urging customers to throw the product away or return it to any Trader Joe's location for a full refund. There have been two other Trader Joe's recalls this year: a coffee product and a fruit product. Customers with questions about the recall can ask Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at 626-599-3817 (Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. PT) or send the company an email.