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Lower heating costs expected after 'shockingly high' bills of last winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

It's finally starting to cool down in Southern California, and as people turn on their heaters, they can do so knowing that this year likely won't hurt their pocketbooks like gas bills did last winter.In January, a lengthy period of cold temperatures drove natural gas prices up, resulting in "shockingly high" gas bills for many. This year, however, gas bills are expected to be lower, "due, mainly, to lower natural gas prices," according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. ‘Shockingly high’ gas bill headed your way: SoCalGas In the West region, which includes California, average winter natural gas costs are expected to fall from $843 last year to $590 this year. Percentage-wise, it's the steepest decline of any area of the country."Our forecast of regional winter natural gas expenditures declines by 30% in the West, more than in any other U.S. region, because we forecast less winter natural gas consumption in that region and lower natural gas prices," the EIA said.The U....

3 California cities ranked among the 'most fun' in U.S.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

Fun isn’t something you can scientifically measure, but that hasn’t stopped researchers at WalletHub from trying.The personal finance website has released a list of the “Most Fun Cities in America,” and three California cities, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles made the top 20.WalletHub ranked more than 180 cities on 65 factors including the number of attractions, restaurant diversity, bars per capita, the number of amusement parks and sports venues and costs. Cities were then scored on a 100-point scale.Las Vegas ranked #1 with a score of 71.38 followed by Orlando (62.42), Miami (55.91) and Atlanta (55.73). San Francisco landed at number five with 53.35 points.“Sin City is known for partying, and it’s one of the only cities in our study where public drinking is allowed in most or all places – whether that’s a plus or not will depend on your personality, though,” WalletHub said in its report. “When it comes to activities, Vegas unsurprisingly has the largest number of casinos...

Bruce Olsen Dies in Pedestrian Collision on State Route 308 [Kitsap County, WA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

61-Year-Old Motorcyclist Fatally Struck in Deadly Accident near Vincent RoadKITSAP COUNTY, WA (December 4, 2023) – Bruce Olsen died Wednesday night in a pedestrian crash on eastbound State Route 308 near Vincent Road. The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m., on November 15th.Per reports, Olsen was involved in a motorcycle collision earlier in the day. Later, he returned to the scene to retrieve some of the debris when he was hit by a Honda CRV. The 35-year-old woman driving the Honda remained in the area and cooperated with the investigation. Police say impairment was not involved.Paramedics took 61-year-old Olsen to Harborview Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. Once available, more details will be provided.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family and friends of Bruce Olsen.If a family member has been killed in a pedestrian accident, please contact Sweet Jame...

Susan Rynas Fatally Struck in DUI Collision on West Charleston Boulevard [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

81-Year-Old Woman Pronounced Dead after DUI Accident near South Merialdo LaneLAS VEGAS, NV (December 4, 2023) – Susan Rynas lost her life in a collision Sunday afternoon caused by a driver under the influence on West Charleston Boulevard. The incident occurred shortly before 2:00 p.m. near South Merialdo Lane.According to reports, the 80-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla was traveling east on Charleston and attempted a left turn onto Merialdo Lane. Meanwhile, Fahid Amin, a 35-year-old driver, was speeding westward, leading to a collision between the two vehicles. Medics later pronounced the 81-year-old female passenger, Rynas, deceased at the scene.Emergency responders transported the Toyota driver to UMC Trauma with moderate injuries. During preliminary procedures, law enforcement officers observed signs of impairment in Amin. Consequently, he faced charges of suspicion of DUI. The LVMPD’s Collision Investigation Section is now overseeing the ongoing investigation.No words ...

Former US diplomat charged with spying for Cuba for decades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

By Joshua Goodman and Eric Tucker | Associated PressMIAMI — A former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia has been charged with serving as a secret agent for Cuba’s intelligence services dating back decades, the Justice Department said Monday.Newly unsealed court papers allege that Manuel Rocha engaged in “clandestine activity” on Cuba’s behalf since at least 1981, including by meeting with Cuban intelligence operatives and providing false information to U.S. government officials about his travels and contacts.The complaint, filed in federal court in Miami, charges Rocha with crimes including acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government and provides a vivid case study in what American officials say are long-standing efforts by Cuba and its notoriously sophisticated intelligence services to target government officials who can be flipped.The 73-year-old Rocha, who was arrested at his Miami home Friday, was due in court later Monday a...

Strong atmospheric rivers are expected to wallop the Northwest with heavy rain and snow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

By Allison Chinchar and Sara Tonks | CNNMultiple atmospheric rivers are expected to roll across the northwestern US over the next few days, bringing heavy rain, feet of snow and strong winds.In total, more than half a dozen western states are under some type of winter weather alert Sunday, as these atmospheric rivers spread from Washington and Oregon eastward into Colorado and Wyoming.An atmospheric river (AR) is a plume of moisture that helps carry saturated air from the tropics to higher latitudes, delivering unrelenting rain or snow.“The Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI) shows major Impacts are possible in the highest elevations of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, likely causing hazardous to even impossible travel conditions in these impacted areas,” the Weather Prediction Center cautioned.At least 5 to 10 inches of rainfall is forecast along the coastal areas of Oregon, Washington and northwestern California. For higher elevations, as much as 1 to 3 feet of snow is expect...

Agent for pro-Harry and Meghan author shared book draft naming ‘royal racists’: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

A new report says that the agent for author Omid Scobie sent a Dutch publisher an earlier draft of his controversial new book “Endgame,” which identified King Charles and Kate Middleton as the two royals who allegedly expressed concern about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie.The Times U.K. said that Scobie’s agent, United Talent Agency, also sent the Dutch publisher, Xander Uitgevers, a later, final version, which did not contain the names. Nonetheless, the Dutch translators apparently based the book’s Dutch-language interpretation on the earlier version, which contained the names of the king and the Princess of Wales, and that version was released in the Netherlands and Belgium last week.The Times report appears to answer some questions in the international mystery that erupted last week with the publication of Scobie’s book, whose Dutch-language version has once again thrust the British royal family into the center o...

Downtown San Jose stealth food hall work proceeds, may open in weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

SAN JOSE — A downtown San Jose food hall being developed in stealth mode by the Uber co-founder may open within weeks as fresh signs appear on the building and final touches are completed inside the hall site.The new signs show the food hall’s main entrance would be at 82 East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, while the food delivery entrance would be around the corner of the building on South Third Street.Signs for the main entrance to a Downtown San Jose Food Hall in a building at 82 East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. The food pickup entrance is around the corner on South Third Street. (George Avalos/Bay Area News Group)In recent days, people could be seen putting the finishing touches on sections of the food hall. Dining areas, seating sections, cooking stations and sinks were visible through uncovered windows of the building, a direct observation of the site by this news organization showed.Kalanick, former chief executive officer of ride-haili...

White House: US is running out of money for Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

By Zeke Miller | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Monday sent Congress an urgent warning about the need to approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Ukraine, saying Kyiv’s war effort to defend itself from Russia’s invasion may grind to a halt without it.In a letter to House and Senate leaders and released publicly, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year, saying that would “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield.She added that the U.S. already has run out of money that it has used to prop up Ukraine’s economy, and “if Ukraine’s economy collapses, they will not be able to keep fighting, full stop.”“We are out of money — and nearly out of time,” she wrote.President Joe Biden has sought a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other needs...

Biden’s border asylum app has migrants waiting months in danger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:00 GMT

Julia Love | Bloomberg News (TNS)Domiciano Estrada Cruz fled gang violence at his home in southern Mexico to seek asylum at the U.S. border crossing in Tijuana. He was prepared with a raft of papers documenting his family’s case. But Mexican officials explained that they would need to seek protection the digital way — using an app.He downloaded CBP One, the asylum solution rolled out by the U.S. government earlier this year, and made an account to request an appointment. At first, Estrada, 40, felt hopeful. Mexican officials told him he would likely receive a slot in two to four weeks. Nearly four months later, he is still waiting.“The days are long and full of faith — full of faith that it will be my turn, that they will give me an appointment,” said Estrada, staring down at a pair of dusty boots, a relic of the ranch he was forced to leave after he was violently attacked. “But they don’t.”The app displays the same message as the day he registered: “Please wait.”This is the slick, ...