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Houstonians worry new laws will deter voters who don’t recall the hard-won fight for voting rights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Sylvia Ann Miller-Scarborough remembers when people of color had to pay a poll tax to vote in Houston. She recalls her grandmother, undeterred by such obstacles, reminding her how important it was to be heard at the ballot box.Miller-Scarborough worries that much of the hard-won progress she’s seen in more than a half-century of voting in the largest county in Texas could be erased by Republican lawmakers. And she says it’s gotten harder to convince her own grandchildren that it matters.“They don’t believe in voting,” she said. “They are all in their thirties, but they don’t vote. They won’t go to a political rally with me. They say what’s the use? Nothing has changed, as far as they can see.”Harris County, a Democratic stronghold in a state long dominated by Republicans, is one of the most diverse places in Texas, where the minority population has been growing for decades. Democrats have long predicted the state would turn in their favor, but those dreams...

Man, 38, killed in Austin hit-and-run ID'd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man killed after a hit-and-run in the city's Austin neighborhood has been identified by the medical examiner's office. Police said they found the man struck by a vehicle in the 5200 block of West North Avenue around 12:55 a.m. He sustained trauma to the body and was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation revealed that the man was struck by a silver sedan travelling eastbound on North Avenue. String of 7-11 robberies within 30 minutes on North Side The car stopped momentarily after striking the man but proceeded to leave the scene. The man was not in the crosswalk.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Best colleges in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

(Stacker) -- Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on. While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Illinois using rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are factors considered in deciding these rankings. Location is also often a key factor in a school's appeal, whether it be a bea...

California store owner allegedly killed over Pride flag, suspect dead: sheriff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

(KTLA) — Authorities are investigating after a store owner was allegedly shot and killed for hanging a Pride flag outside her Southern California shop Friday night.San Bernardino County deputies responded to a shooting at the Mag Pi clothing store located in Cedar Glen around 5 p.m.Arriving deputies said they found the victim, 66-year-old Laura Ann Carleton suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. 3 arrested for $30,000 luxury handbag theft in Glendale The suspect, who was not identified, allegedly fled the area on foot but was soon found by deputies.While confronting the suspect, who was allegedly armed with a handgun, a “lethal force encounter occurred” and the suspect was killed, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. No deputies were injured, and no additional details were released about the shooting. Detectives say they determined the suspect had made “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the...

Study says this is Illinois' most popular state park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

ILLINOIS (WMBD) — Summertime is almost over, but it’s still a great time to enjoy the great outdoors. And for Illinoisans, one state park is their top choice to do so.Digital insurance comparison and marketplace website Insuranks calculated the most popular state or national park in each state based on searches over the past three years. Starved Rock State Park is the most popular Illinois state park, according to that study.It’s no surprise Starved Rock edged out other state parks in Illinois. After all, Stacker compiled data from TripAdvisor and ranked it among the highest-rated things to do in Illinois.Additionally, the park has more than 1,600 reviews on TripAdvisor, where it holds a 4.5-star rating. Some of the most recent reviews praise the location for its views and various trails, giving visitors a plethora of options for hiking.Along with hiking and horseback riding trails, the state park also allows fishing and boating on the Illinois River. It has gorgeous rock formations...

Hilary downgraded to tropical storm as it begins impacting Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP/KTLA/KSWB) — Hilary has been downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting Mexico's Baja California peninsula as a Category 1 hurricane early Sunday. Forecasters are still calling the storm "catastrophic and life-threatening."The National Hurricane Center in Miami said that as of 5 a.m. the storm was “very near” the Baja coast south of Ensenada, and 285 miles from San Diego, California. The maximum sustained wind speed dropped to 80 mph while spreading “heavy rains” northward over the peninsula.Maximum winds are expected to hit 70 mph as Hilary moves through Southern California, with gusts up to 85 mph.Light to moderate rain began falling in Southern California early Sunday morning. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has warned people to stay away from waterways and river channels due to swift-moving water. Real-time updates: Hilary treks north toward Southern California A tropical storm warning remains in effect for much of the southern portion of th...

Heavy police presence in Guilderland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- There is currently a heavy police presence in the area of Brandywine Parkway in Guilderland. State police and Guilderland Police are on the scene. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Motorists in the area are advised to use caution. No further information is available at this time. Stay with NEWS10 as this story continues to develop.

Hedge apples: Can we eat them?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – As autumn approaches, hedge apples make their presence known. But what exactly is the purpose of these intriguing fruits? Contrary to the belief that they repel all spiders or roaches, hedge apples have a different historical role. These peculiar fruits have endured through time, even during the ice age, when prehistoric animals consumed them.Hedge apples are most renowned for their role in creating decorative pieces and the use of their wood for crafting natural boundary fences. Familiarly known as horse apples, monkey balls, Bois d'Arc, and Osage orange, these fruits hold a rich array of names.Can we eat them?Osage Oranges (Maclura) Isolated on White Background. Hedge Apple close up"nWhile they have a rich array of names, the fruit does not taste so rich. They are actually bitter, and most people would consider them unpalatable, but you can eat them. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, the fleshy fruit is about 80 percent digestible.Also, b...

Two men shot to death and dumped in Aurora alley, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

Two men were shot to death and their bodies dumped in an alley in Aurora, police said in a news release Saturday.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Bodies of two men shot dead found in north Aurora alleyway Crime and Public Safety | Lawsuit alleges excessive force during traffic stop of Black man by Aurora police Crime and Public Safety | Teen shot in Aurora is taken to a hospital Crime and Public Safety | Aurora officials investigating homicide after Denver police discover body in dumpster Crime and Public Safety | Man shot in Aurora during verbal dispute dies at local hospital The men’s bodies were discovered at 6:55 a.m. Saturday in an alley between Fulton and Galena streets, just north of East 22nd Avenue in Aurora, according to the news release.Investigators believe the men, who were both in their 20s, were shot to death overnight on Friday and then left in the alley. Neither victim has...

Denver weather: Another hot day of summer with near record temps

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:26:52 GMT

Denver residents can expect a hot and sunny start to the week with near-record summer temperatures, according to the National Weather Service at Boulder.Temperatures in the city are forecasted to top out at 96 degrees Sunday — close to the record daily high of 99 degrees that was set in 2013. On Monday, the city could see temperatures as high as 98 degrees, which would break the long-standing daily high of 97 degrees, which the city last saw in 2007 1960 and 1903.The heat wave will continue throughout the week until Friday, said Bernie Meier, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service at Boulder.“A bigger cool-off will come Friday,” he said.That day, the city may see highs only in the 70s, he said, along with a decent chance of storms and showers.In the meantime, residents should take precautions to deal with the heat, he said.“Stay well-hydrated, take it easy out there, take frequent breaks and get cooled off if you are feeling the effects of the heat,&...