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‘Dr. Beach’ names the top 10 US beaches for 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

(CNN) — Half of the top 10 beaches in the United States for 2023 are in Florida and Hawaii.That’s according to the 2023 list of best US beaches released in May by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman.Florida’s St. George Island State Park earns the top slot. The barrier island park offers nine miles of pristine beaches along the Gulf Coast. With nature trails for biking and hiking, plus birding, fishing, boating and camping, St. George offers more than just excellent swimming and sunbathing. It’s also a prime spot for stargazing with limited light pollution and an observation platform for night sky exploration.The beach has “some of the whitest, finest sand in the world,” said Leatherman, who is a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University. “The water is crystal clear and clean, far from any sources of pollution on this offshore barrier island.”Leatherman has been ranking America’s best beaches since 1991.He uses&...

‘Crunch’ time in debt ceiling talks, as McCarthy and Biden reach for a deal with deadline looming

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

By LISA MASCARO, SEUNG MIN KIM, KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his Republican debt negotiators hit “crunch” time Friday at the Capitol, straining to wrap up an agreement with President Joe Biden to curb federal spending and lift the nation’s borrowing limit ahead of a fast-coming deadline. They hope to end weeks of frustrating talks and strike a deal by this weekend. Treasury says the government could start running out of money as soon as next Thursday, sending the U.S. into a potentially catastrophic default with economic spillover around the world.Anxious retirees and social service groups are among those already making default contingency plans. The next batch of Social Security checks are due to go out next week.“We made progress last night, we’ve got to make more progress now,” McCarthy said. “We know it’s a crunch.”Democrat Biden and the Republican...

Chicago Bears get OK to begin teardowns inside Arlington racetrack structures in preparation for new stadium

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

The Chicago Bears took another step toward a potential new stadium at the Arlington International Racecourse site when the village of Arlington Heights on Friday issued for interior demolition of the grandstand, office and jockey building at the racetrack.Arlington Heights spokesperson Avis Meade confirmed that the village had approved plans for the first phase of demolition at the old racetrack, marking another move toward a $5 billion NFL stadium and accompanying mixed-use residential, commercial and entertainment district the team has proposed to build on the 326-acre racetrack in Arlington Heights.“Increased truck traffic due to the interior demolition is possible in the area and the property will continue to be monitored by security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Meade wrote in an email to Pioneer Press.A Bears representative confirmed the team had been permitted to begin work and said they expected to start the process Tuesday. The team will not use explosives or ...

Debt ceiling explained: What to know about the showdown in Washington as default looms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans still do not have a deal with President Joe Biden to raise the nation’s debt ceiling less than a week away from a potentially catastrophic default.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Friday that negotiators were working to “finish the job” and seal a deal before the United States runs out of cash to pay its bills. Republicans worked through the night with the White House to find agreement on spending cuts that GOP lawmakers have demanded in exchange for raising the debt limit.McCarthy said he did not know whether they would finalize the details in the next 24 hours. “I thought we made progress yesterday,” he said. “I want to make progress again today. And I want to be able to solve this problem.” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the country could run out of cash by June 1. A default would potentially devastate t...

Man wanted for a 2002 New York City murder arrested in Mansfield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

A man indicted for a murder in New York City 21 years ago has been arrested in Mansfield.Terris Oliver, 41, who also goes by the street name “T-Bird,” according to a very short affidavit supporting his arrest filed by Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Hughes, was arrested just before noon on Thursday in Mansfield, according to the Massachusetts State Police.Oliver and another man, Ricardo “Richie” Ayala were indicted in July of last year for the murder of Atari Felton on March 27, 2002, in the 1600-block of Topping Avenue in the Bronx.The federal grand jury sitting in the Southern District of New York leveled two charges against the men: murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy and murder through the use of a firearm.Ayala was already arrested on July 19, 2022, according to federal court records.As for Oliver’s own arrest here in the Bay State, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section was told by the NYC Police Department that Oliver might have been stayi...

How to get discounted San Diego County Fair tickets, parking and other deals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- For those planning a visit to the San Diego County Fair this summer, don't miss out on what the Del Mar Fairgrounds has called "the best deal in town."County Fair organizers are offering discounts on admission, parking, public transportation, rides, games and more for eager fairgoers in the region. Instead of breaking the bank, check out your options when it comes to saving a few bucks. 3 artists added to San Diego County Fair Concert Series lineup The following deals are meant to keep the annual event accessible and affordable to all San Diegans, said the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Parking dealsFair attendees who want to park close to the event with entry at the Main Gate and the Solana Gate can save $5 by purchasing general parking online ahead of time. Remember, pre-paid parking is only valid for the date selected at the point of purchase.For those who aren't in a hurry, free parking is available at Torrey Pines High School. Fairgoers who choose to take advantage of this...

Poland’s lawmakers approve contentious law targeting opposition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish lawmakers on Friday approved a contentious draft law on Russia’s alleged influence in Poland that is targeting the opposition and may affect the outcome of fall parliamentary elections.The new law would establish a state commission for investigating Russian influences in Poland. It is generally seen as targeting former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, now the main opposition Civic Coalition leader, at a time when early campaigning for the fall elections is underway.The lower house, or Sejm, voted 234-219 with one abstention to approve the law proposed by the right-wing ruling party. It still needs approval from President Andrzej Duda to take effect. Tusk, who is not a parliament member, was present in the chamber during the vote. Critics say that the draft law violates Poland’s constitution and a citizen’s right to face an independent court, and that it is a clear example of how the ruling party, Law and Justice, has been using the law for its own ends ...

See the moment when a passenger opened a plane door during flight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A passenger opened an emergency exit door during a plane flight in South Korea on Friday, causing air to blast inside the cabin and slightly injure 12 people, officials said. The plane landed safely.Some people aboard the Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 aircraft tried to stop the person, who was able to partially open the door, the Transport Ministry said.The person was detained by airport police on suspicion of violating the aviation security law, a ministry statement said. The person’s identity and motive weren’t immediately released.The law bars passengers from handling exit doors and other equipment on board and provides for penalties of up to 10 years in prison, the ministry said.The plane with 194 people aboard was heading to the southeastern city of Daegu from the southern island of Jeju. The flight is normally about an hour, and the incident occurred when the plane was reaching the Daegu airport at an altitude of 700 feet (213 meters).A vide...

Pro-government rally held in Serbia amid growing discontent after mass shootings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands of people converged on the Serbian capital on Friday for a major rally in support of President Aleksandar Vucic, who is facing an unprecedented revolt against his autocratic rule amid the crisis triggered by two mass shootings that stunned the nation.The event was somewhat overshadowed by a new crisis in Serbia’s former province of Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs clashed with Kosovo police on Friday and Vucic ordered Serbian troops to be put on a “higher state of alert.” Vucic also said that he ordered an “urgent” movement of Serbian troops to the border with Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.Answering Vucic’s call for what he called “the largest rally in the history of Serbia,” his supporters, many wearing identical T-shirts with his portrait, were bused to Belgrade from all over the Balkan country as well as neighboring Kosovo and Bosnia. The organizers said that “hundreds of thousands” of participants attended the gathering in ...

A look at the 20 articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:25 GMT

Texas’ Republican-controlled House issued 20 articles of impeachment against GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton, ranging from bribery to abuse of public trust, and a vote that could remove him from office could happen as soon as Friday.The allegations include attempts to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits, improperly issuing legal opinions to benefit real estate developer Nate Paul, and firing, harassing and interfering with whistleblower staffers. Bribery charges stem from Paul allegedly employing a woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and Paul allegedly paying for renovations to Paxton’s home. Other charges date back to Paxton’s pending 2015 felony securities fraud case, including lying to state investigators.Paxton has said the charges are based on “hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims.” Here’s look at the 20 articles of impeachment:DISREGARD OF OFFICIAL DUTYARTICLE 1 – Protection of charitable organizationPaxton is accused of fai...