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Canadians highlight national diversity, freedoms at Canada Day celebrations

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

OTTAWA — The sounds of Indigenous drumming rang out alongside songs and cheers in honour of Canada Day on Saturday as Canadians from coast to coast gathered to celebrate the diversity and freedom they say make the country special.Municipalities across the country marked a return to the kinds of celebrations seen before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted years worth of cancellations, though for some the return to normalcy was marred by air quality and weather conditions that forced them to nix marquee events like fireworks shows. But at the parades, concerts and tributes that did proceed, Canadians and dignitaries alike took time to highlight traditions from Indigenous peoples and cultures around the world.“People are coming to Canada to proudly call it their home and build their lives and our communities and our country, all together,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a cheering crowd at a Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa. He said the country has withstood challenges, like wi...

Trump returns to campaign rallies, draws thousands to small South Carolina city ahead of July 4

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

PICKENS, S.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Saturday marked a return to the large-scale rallies of his previous presidential campaigns, speaking to thousands gathered in the streets of a small South Carolina city on a blazing day ahead of the July 4 holiday.“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be to kick off the Fourth of July weekend than right here on Main St., with thousands of hardworking South Carolina patriots who believe in God, family and country,” Trump said to a roaring crowd standing on asphalt as temperatures climbed into the 90s.It wasn’t immediately clear how many people had gathered in the streets of downtown Pickens, a small city in South Carolina’s conservative Upstate of around 3,400 residents. Law enforcement officials told some media outlets that around 15,000 people had gathered by 11 a.m., two hours before Trump’s remarks.The heavily Republican area is a popular one for GOP hopefuls as they aim to attract support for South Ca...

NASCAR halts Chicago Street Race due to inclement weather

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

CHICAGO - Thunderstorms and lightning in the downtown Chicago area have brought the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 street race to a screeching halt. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management is asking spectators to find shelter and take any necessary precautions as the race is temporarily suspended. What happens if bad weather hits the NASCAR Chicago Street Races? Severe weather was a cause of concern as the city of Chicago was set to hold the inaugural Chicago Street Race weekend. WGN meteorologist Mike Jansen says that while thunderstorms might not have drenched the course (inside the circled area) just yet, the ongoing lightning is too close for comfort, as additional rain develops just west of the course and will travel east.There is a 50 percent chance of storms for Saturday, Janssen added, when the Xfinity Race was scheduled to start at 4 p.m.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

AM radios in new vehicles at risk?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A farmer or resident in a rural area can listen to AM radio in their vehicles for now — but an apparent trend with automakers could silence such radios in the future.Some automakers appear to be moving away from installing AM radios in new vehicles, particularly electric models. Ford had originally proposed removing AM radios from some new vehicle models starting in 2024 but reversed after hearing from federal lawmakers and officials Tesla, BMW, Porsche, Audi and Volvo have all dropped AM radio from some models citing that electric models interfere with the reception of AM radio. The electric cars create buzzing and other noises in the reception of AM radio, some automakers have said.A bipartisan front has emerged to to push for the retention of AM radio in all new vehicles at no additional charge. The legislation is called the AM for Every Vehicle Act. Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is one of multiple sponsors. A release from the South Dakota ...

Chicago appeals ruling to vacate permit denial for Southside Recycling

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

CHICAGO — The city of Chicago is appealing a judge's decision to vacate a permit denial for a controversial metal shredding plant. The case centers around Southside Recycling, which applied to move its metal scrapping operations from the city's North Side to Burley Avenue on the Southeast Side. SEE ALSO: Protestors rally against judge’s decision to allow operation at General Iron metal recycling plantIn February of last year, the city's public health department denied the company's permit application. The company appealed and in May, a judge overturned the denial. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe city is now appealing the decision.

Pflugerville Fire Chief: July 4th one of busiest days for firefighters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As the sun set over Travis County on July 4, 2022, Austin Fire Department's incidents webpage rapidly added new incidents across the city and county: grass fires, structure fires and more.Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said that the night of July 4th is routinely one of the busiest nights for firefighters. What to know about fireworks use in Travis County this 4th of July "I think it's a combination of it being a holiday weekend — there's a lot of people out celebrating," Perkins said. "Obviously, there's a fire danger because people are lighting fireworks. So, we see a dramatic increase in our number of fires. Last year, we had almost almost 30 fires in a shift, and that's a lot. That's everything from a small grass fire in the yard, all the way to structure fires. All of which had some involvement with fireworks."Perkins said that in 2022 his department saw a 142% increase in call volume, which prompted extra staffing this year. Specifically,...

Spotty storms for parts of the long holiday weekend

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We managed another triple digit day to begin the month. Our high on Saturday at Austin's Camp Mabry of 102º was our 16th triple digit day of the year.Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms have developed and will continue to linger through the evening, mostly in the Hill Country. We can't rule out a spotty storm closer to I-35, but generally the wet weather will stay farther west. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS Late tonight rain chances drop off and low clouds thicken back up.Spotty showers and storms should return to parts of the area again on Sunday, but the best rain chances will stay west of I-35 again.Almost daily rain chances are in the forecast for the week ahead. The main threat for any isolated thunderstorms will generally begin in the Hill Country and majority of the storms should fizzle out by dark everyday if any occur. Our highest rain chances for the week ahead seem focused on Thursday (40%), but even then not everyone gets much-needed rain.Our be...

Bailey Ober fantastic in 1-0 victory as Twins take series in Baltimore

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

BALTIMORE — Sometimes, one run is enough. It was for Twins pitcher Bailey Ober on Saturday, at least.After an offensive breakthrough a day earlier, Twins hitters were only able to push across one run Saturday, but with Ober at his best, that was all they needed. Ober threw seven scoreless innings, and got some support from Joey Gallo, who hit his second home run in as many days, to help lift the Twins to a 1-0 victory over the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.The starter worked efficiently all day, only falling into one three-ball count. He was ahead for almost all of the game, working his way quickly through the Orioles lineup. The Orioles had just three baserunners on against him — he hit a batter in the fourth inning — and mounted no serious threats against Ober.Ober leaned heavily on his changeup, racking up five of his eight strikeouts on that pitch and throwing it as often on Saturday as he threw his four-seam fastball.Baltimore did not have a runner reach second base un...

St. Louis area under thunderstorm watch through 9 p.m.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Residents in the St. Louis metro area should be ready for another round of storms today, although the exact location of impact remains somewhat uncertain. The entire St. Louis region is under a thunderstorm watch through 9 p.m. Saturday. Some counties west of St. Louis (like Texas, Dent, Phelps, Pulaski, Shannon) had thunderstorm warnings issued as early as 2 p.m. The storm system has moved east in recent hours, bringing some warning to the Metro East. Under a thunderstorm watch, which can take effect for several hours, weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. A thunderstorm warning means the current storm conditions can turn worse. In that case, lightning, heavy rain and strong winds have been indicated in your area. Those under the area of a thunderstorm warning should seek shelter immediatelty. The National Weather Service reports that the highest threat of severe weather is expected to be along and south of I-70. St. Louis radar: See a...

I-170 closed in Olivette as crews respond to storm damage

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:09 GMT

OLIVETTE, Mo. - Interstate 170 is closed in both directions near Olive Boulevard as crews respond to storm damage Saturday afternoon. Witnesses tell FOX 2 that there is a downed powerline near the area leading to major traffic backups. Drivers planning to head on I-170 should consider alternate routes. The highway has been closed since at least 4:30 p.m. and it could be shut down several hours. Stay updated with FOX 2's traffic map. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here A round of thunderstorms and gusty winds is moving to the east of the St. Louis metro through Saturday evening, though a thunderstorm watch remains in effect through 9 p.m. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.