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Early return of warm weather responsible for increase in Boxelder bugs across GTA

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

Just like a croaking frog or a chirping bird is a sure sign of spring so is the return of the black and orange Boxelder bugs. And if it feels like there are more of them this year, it’s not just your imagination.“One of the few insects that actually overwinter, spends its winters as an adult. And so what happens is we see them in the fall when they’re getting together on the side of buildings and trees – warm places, getting ready to hibernate,” says Darryl Gwynne, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Toronto. “Then they go into crevices, trees and firewood and certainly into houses – they love to crawl under the siding of houses.”Gwynne adds the fairly mild winter may be responsible for the increased numbers we are seeing this spring.The bugs are attracted to sunny, heat-reflecting surfaces like windows, concrete, and homes with southern or western exposure. They also tend to keep close to their food sources such as boxe...

Resort famous for Elvis’ ‘Blue Hawaii’ movie will be rebuilt

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Demolition will soon begin on a resort once favored by both Hawaiian and Hollywood royalty before it was heavily damaged by a hurricane three decades ago.The Coco Palms Resort on the island of Kauai will be torn down for a new 350-room hotel, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.The resort is best known in movie lore as the location where Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman’s characters married in the 1961 movie “Blue Hawaii.” It’s also the site of other key scenes in the movie, including the last where Presley sings the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” and holds Blackman’s hand while they board a raft to cross a lagoon.In its heyday, it was famed for being frequented by other Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Bing Crosby.The 46-acre (19-hectare) grounds were once home to Kauai’s last queen, Deborah Kapule, who died in 1853.The resort opened in 1953 next to a historic coconut grove and an ancient Hawaiian fishpond. The property fell into disrepair after being...

Israeli protests of legal overhaul show no signs of slowing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli demonstrations against the government’s plan to overhaul the judiciary continued on Saturday, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause the contentious proposals.Tens of thousands of people participated in the main protest held in the central city of Tel Aviv, while smaller demonstrations took place across the country. Protest organizers, who have held these weekly protests for over three months, aim to maintain momentum and increase pressure on Netanyahu and his government until the proposed changes are scrapped.Bending to the mass protests, Netanyahu paused the overhaul plans in March, saying he wanted “to avoid civil war.”The plan would give Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his allies in Israel’s most hard-line government the final say in appointing the nation’s judges. It would also give parliament, which is controlled by his allies, authority to overturn Supreme Court decisions and limit the court’s ...

More than 100 arrested as activists delay Grand National

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

LIVERPOOL, England — The Grand National, one of the world’s most famous horse races, was delayed Saturday after animal rights activists scaled fences around the perimeter of Aintree racecourse and got onto the track.A total of 118 people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public nuisance offenses in a bid to disrupt the race, Merseyside Police said.Many activists from an estimated group of 300 climbed the high fences around the racecourse just outside Liverpool and got onto the track a few minutes before the race was scheduled to start. Some affixed themselves to the race fences using glue and lock-on devices, according to the Animal Rising organization, before being taken away by police and security officials.Police and security officials were seen stopping other activists by shaking the perimeter fences to prevent them being climbed. Local residents were seen helping security keep activists away from the courseThe race was delayed as a result and the 39 compet...

Trudeau’s cross-country town halls are back with a new format – and new skeptics

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

Every town hall begins the same way: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in a blue or white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, takes the microphone, waxes poetic about the state of the world and acknowledges the challenging years Canadians have recently faced.The people in the crowd who will have the chance to ask unvetted questions of the prime minister are no stranger to those struggles.There’s the Muslim mother who fears for the safety of her children. Immigrants who worry about their future in Canada. The blue-collar worker who can’t afford to eat. People who can’t find work or access mental-health supports. Young adults who lose sleep over climate change. Indigenous people who say they feel left behind.At the 14 hour-long town halls Trudeau has attended in the past 11 weeks, the prime minister has put himself in a position to hear their concerns during the question-and-answer sessions that follow his speeches.But though some attendees who participated in the even...

1 person pronounced dead after AFD crews pull body near Longhorn Dam

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A person died near Longhorn Dam on Saturday afternoon, according to the Austin Fire Department.ARD said a water rescue was initiated at the 70 block of Pleasant Valley Road, near Longhorn Dam. In a tweet, AFD said crews accessed the person in the water and obtained a dead-on-scene pronouncement at 1:37 p.m. PREVIOUS: City to focus on safety near Rainey Street after recent deaths This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more details.

Study: These cities are the allergy capitals of America, 2 Texas cities make list

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks the 100 largest cities when it comes to the worst seasonal allergies in the U.S.The study looks at how challenging it is for residents to manage seasonal pollen allergies. Researchers analyzed the cities' weed, grass and tree pollen scores, use of over-the-counter allergy medications and availability of immunologists and allergy specialists to determine their placement.Wichita, Kansas topped the list of cities based on its high pollen count and lack of board-certified allergists. Florida had the most cities in the top 20, with seven. Sixth-place Sarasota ranked highest in the state. Climate change is making seasonal allergies worse and warmer states like Florida have been feeling the effects for decades, AAFA researchers said. Rising global temperatures means more time for pollen producers to grow, which leads to higher concentration of the allergen.From 1990-2018, the plant growing season ext...

Trial begins for mom accused of throwing baby in dumpster

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

LEA COUNTY, New Mexico (KMID/KPEJ) — Jury selection began Tuesday in New Mexico as Alexis Avila, a young mother from Hobbs, headed to court; she stands accused of abandoning her newborn son in a dumpster in January of 2022. Avila was 18 at the time and investigators said she told them she had "no idea" she was pregnant and was worried about the consequences of having a baby at her age. Video released at the time of her arrest allegedly showed Avila drive into an alley behind a local business. She was then seen tossing a bag of what appeared to be trash into the dumpster. Her child, known as Saul, was found hours later while three people were "dumpster diving". The baby, found wrapped in trash bags, was taken to a local hospital and was later released.After Saul was found, business owner Joe Imbriage checked his surveillance cameras in hopes of finding a clue about who left the baby behind- that led police straight to Avila's door. She later told investigators she gave birth at ...

Remaining ARPA funds in Williamson County to be used for mental health, more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, the Williamson County Commissioners Court said it approved a comprehensive plan for the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.“The plan addressed critical needs that have been identified in communities, including an increase in homelessness, need for mental health and substance abuse services and domestic violence,” Williamson County said.According to a release, the county said it would be partnering with Mobile Loaves & Fishes to build micro-homes in Community First! Village. The program provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women experiencing chronic homelessness, according to the county.According to the commissioner’s court, allocated funds would also help allow the county to leverage funds and increase access to mental health, substance abuse detox and support services.“These services are especially important now as the county, the State of Texas and the country suffer from a dramatic inc...

For Varland brothers, now both in the majors at same time, a ‘dream come true’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:05:06 GMT

NEW YORK — Louie Varland tried to hint to some of those above him within the Twins’ organization this offseason that his older brother, Gus, was eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft.“He’s available,” he mentioned.But despite the younger Varland brother’s gentle suggestion, the Twins passed on Gus Varland in December. Five picks later, the Milwaukee Brewers snapped him up, the geographic next-best situation for the family.Louie and Gus Varland both went to North St. Paul High School and it was when they were there that Louie said they first started talking about one day being major-league pitchers at the same time.“Just like high school kids just talking,” Louie said.After playing college ball at Concordia-St. Pau University, both were drafted. Older brother Gus was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 14th round of the 2018 draft, and wound up with the Dodgers via trade before being nabbed in the Rule 5 draft by Milwaukee. Younger brother Louie went to the Twins in the 15...