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Polls now open in Virginia as voters cast ballots in pivotal state election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

Visit WTOP’s Virginia Election 2023 page for our comprehensive coverage. It’s Election Day in Virginia.The polls opened at 6 a.m. and voters are casting ballots that will decide which party controls the Virginia Legislature — as well as a slew of local races for school and county boards.The outcome in Virginia — among just four states with legislative elections this year — will be closely scrutinized nationwide for hints of what may come in the 2024 presidential cycle.Here’s what you need to know.How to votePolls are open until 7 p.m. You can look up your closest polling place online.Virginia now also has same-day voter registration, which allows voters to cast a provisional ballot if they are not registered before Election Day but can prove they are eligible to vote. You can find more information on the Virginia Department of Elections website.If you requested a mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at your local registrar’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day or to another ...

Transportation panel eyes toll increases and fees on electric, hybrid vehicles in Maryland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

Paying Highway Toll. Men in the Car Paying the Toll. Highway Systems.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/welcomia) Paying Highway Toll. Men in the Car Paying the Toll. Highway Systems.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/welcomia) A blue ribbon transportation panel is poised to recommend new fees for electric vehicles and increased tolls as part of an effort to solve a revenue shortage plaguing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.The Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs Commission was briefed on both possibilities Monday. An interim report due to the General Assembly by the end of the year could include both recommendations to lawmakers and the Maryland Department of Transportation.Frank Principe, chair of the panel somet...

Blinken seeks G7 unity on Israel-Hamas war among items on crisis-heavy global agenda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Fresh from a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shifted his intense diplomacy on the Israel-Hamas war to Asia on Tuesday with an appeal for the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies to forge consensus on how to deal with the crisis. As he and his G7 counterparts began two days of talks in Japan, Blinken said it was critically important for the group to show unity as it has over Russia’s war in Ukraine and other major issues and prevent existing differences on Gaza from deepening. “This is a very important moment as well for the G7 to come together in the face of this crisis and to speak, as we do, with one clear voice,” Blinken told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, shortly after talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.The devastating monthlong conflict in Gaza and efforts to ease the dire humanitarian impacts of Israel’s response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack will be a major focus of the meeting. Yet...

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan out of Cricket World Cup with fractured finger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured left-index finger, the International Cricket Council said in a news release on Tuesday.The all-rounder was injured while batting in the controversial three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Delhi on Monday.Wicketkeeper-batter Anamul Haque has been named as his replacement and vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will take over as skipper.Bangladesh cannot reach the semifinals. It is seventh in the standings with four points from eight matches. Its other win came against Afghanistan, with a final game against Australia in Pune remaining on Nov. 11.Shakib was the focal point of an acrimonious game on Monday. Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the first batter to be timed out in international cricket after taking more than two minutes to receive his first ball.The 36-year-old Shakib was named player of the match for scoring 82 off 65 balls. He was caught off Mathews in what could be his last World Cup appea...

Sports on TV for Wednesday, November 8

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

(All times Eastern)Schedule subject to change and/or blackoutsWednesday, November 8COLLEGE FOOTBALL7 p.m.CBSSN — Bowling Green at Kent St.ESPNU — Akron at Miami (Ohio)7:30 p.m.ESPN2 — E. Michigan at ToledoCOLLEGE SOCCER (MEN’S)6 p.m.ACCN — Atlantic Coast Tournament: North Carolina at Syracuse, Semifinal8 p.m.ACCN — Atlantic Coast Tournament: Louisville at Clemson, SemifinalCOLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)8 p.m.SECN — South Carolina at Mississippi St.GOLF4 a.m. (Thursday)GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge, First Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South AfricaHORSE RACING12 a.m. (Thursday)FS2 — Oaks Day: From Flemington Racecourse, Flemington, AustraliaIIHF HOCKEY (WOMEN’S)9:30 p.m.NHLN — Rivalry Series: U.S. vs. Canada, Tempe, Ariz.NBA BASKETBALL7:30 p.m.ESPN — San Antonio at New York10 p.m.ESPN — Golden State at DenverNHL HOCKEY7:30 p.m.TNT — Florida at Washington10 p.m.TNT — Los Angeles at VegasSOCCER (MEN’S)2:55 p.m.CBSSN — UEFA Champions League Group Stage: Inter Milan at...

Diana Taurasi in new role as she chases history and 6th Olympic gold medal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Diana Taurasi is settling into a new role with USA Basketball.She is trying to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games, which would be her sixth. But this one feels like her first.Ignore that she turns 42 before the Paris Games even start next July. Or that the veteran guard is chasing a chance at Olympic history, seeking to become the first to win six straight gold medals in basketball.“I’m in a different position where you know in the last couple of them I did it with my peers, and now I’m doing it with B (Betnijah Laney) and you know, players that I’m not that familiar with,” Taurasi said Sunday night after a 95-59 exhibition win over No. 11 Tennessee.This time around, there’s no Sue Bird as they made history at the 2021 Tokyo Games winning a fifth straight gold. Yes, Taurasi won gold with Brittney Griner in 2021 and 2016. Her WNBA teammate with the Phoenix Mercury is in the group starting training camp Tuesday in Atlanta.Taurasi is...

List: Christmas light displays around Denver metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — It's never too early to get in the holiday spirit. With the winter season just around the corner, places across the Denver metro are starting to light up their most dazzling Christmas tree displays.The ceremonies start as early as this Saturday. If you're looking to jump into the holiday spirit, check out these displays.Outlets at Castle RockSaturday, Nov. 11 from 4-7 p.m.The Outlets at Castle Rock is holding a tree lighting ceremony that includes an appearance from Santa Claus, live music, food, holiday shopping and fireworks. The tree is 55 feet tall with 8,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments. A 55-foot Christmas tree will be displayed in Castle Rock The tree can be viewed throughout the season, but this is the grand reveal.Winter WanderlandThursday, Nov. 16 from 4:30-7 p.m.Cherry Creek North is plugging in one million lights to feature a display wrapping around 600 Christmas trees throughout the neighborhood.The lights will be turned on until Dec. 24.Camp ChristmasTh...

Rocky Mountain, other national parks are free to visit for one day this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — For one day only this week, national parks that usually charge an entrance fee will be free to visit. Nov. 11, Veterans Day, marks the last of the five days the National Park Service is waiving admission fees for this year.We already saw free admission on Jan. 16, which is Martin Luther King Day; April 22, the first day of National Park Week; Aug. 4, to mark the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; and Sept. 23, for National Public Lands Day. Why do some national parks charge an entrance fee? That means Colorado's national parks (Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain, and Mesa Verde), national monuments (Colorado, Dinosaur, Florissant Fossil Beds, and Hovenweep), and national historic site (Bent's Old Fort), as well as the 100 other U.S. sites that charge an entrance fee, will be free to visit on Saturday. Fees are still required for overnight camping, cabin rentals, transportation, group day use, and use of special areas. Last...

Thieves take off with heavy, historic Soulard church bell valued at nearly $30,000

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (KMOV) — A historic Soulard church is asking for the community’s help tracking down the thieves who were caught on camera stealing a heavy, bronze bell displayed outside the church.“Tell the ding dong to bring the bell back!” parishioner Todd Long says.Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on South 7th Street was established in 1849. Father Bruce Forman says the bell dates back to that very year; it’s from the first building the congregation gathered at.“You just can’t replace something like that,” Fr. Forman told First Alert 4.An incident report from St. Louis Metropolitan Police details how the crime took place overnight last Tuesday into early Wednesday. Fr. Forman says it was Monday that the bell had been knocked down from its yoke and brackets and left behind. He believes the heist was carried out in two parts.“I think it was so heavy that [the thieves] probably thought they were going to steal it the first time when they knocked it off the structure b...

National Geographic announces 2024 ‘cool list’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

(CNN) — National Geographic Traveller has published a roster of 30 places and experiences comprising its 2024 ‘cool list.’About half the list is in Europe, including areas as diverse as the ruins of Pompeii and the mountains of Albania, which the magazine dubs “Europe’s rising star.”But whether you prefer exploring a major world city, traveling for a sporting event or getting away from it all in a remote paradise, there’s a nice mix here for just about every kind of explorer.City breaksFor great food, museums and nightlife, head to some of the cities featured on National Geographic’s list.Among those getting recognition are Xi’an, China, which is best known for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Terracotta Warriors and Lima, Peru, which has become one of the world’s most acclaimed food destinations.Meanwhile, Tainan, Taiwan’s original capital, will be marking its 400th anniversary in 2024, which provides a good excuse to check out its eel noodles, turkey rice, tofu pudding a...