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Biden administration suspends satellite monitoring of Colombian coca crops as cocaine surges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The Biden administration has quietly ditched a key gauge used for decades to measure success in the war on drugs, suspending satellite monitoring of coca crops in Colombia as cocaine production surges in South America. A State Department spokesperson said the move was “temporary” but gave no timeframe for data collection to resume or explain why it was suspended in the first place. It was also unclear whether satellite surveys would continue in Peru and Bolivia, which together account for about half of coca production in the Andean region.The move, first reported by Colombia’s El Tiempo newspaper, has drawn outrage from Republicans in Congress from Florida, who have been calling for the president to decertify Colombia’s government for failing to cooperate in U.S. anti-narcotics efforts. But it tracks with leftist Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s efforts to refocus law enforcement efforts away from the rural backwaters where coca is grown to instead chase ...

Llano County brush fire grows, nearly 20 agencies responding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 400 acres and is 25% contained as of just before 9 p.m.Officials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were now threatened. Air support and dozers are expected to will keep working on building firelines overnight.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. Crews also have CR 307 shut down right now due to the ongoing response. By 6 p.m., there were nearly 20 agencies responding to the fire, including 13 volunteer fire departments. Initially, first responders told KXAN the fire began on a ranch property. As of 2 p.m., the growing fire caused no evacuations. Air support from the Texas Forest Service is currently assisting with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.At last check, there are no structures c...

Almost a year later, Austin Animal Center still not doing non-emergency intake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Right now, you can't drop off a stray animal at Austin's taxpayer funded animal center unless it's severely injured or dangerous to the public. That's largely been the case since September of 2022. Intake has "ebbed and flowed" since September of last year, Director Don Bland wrote. That was when the shelter had more than 60 dogs stuck in crates, conditions that went viral. "As space opens up, we’ve eased the restrictions but unfortunately we fill up again very quickly. Throughout all of this time, we have still taken in emergency situations, amounting to an average of 30 cats and dogs impounded every day," Bland said. For the better part of a year, animal advocates have been vocal about their displeasure and have questioned the city's operation. So much so, a new petition is asking the city to review shelter leadership and policy. "We were recently made aware of the petition and have no comment at this time," Bland responded.On Thursday, Bland discussed some of the ...

Celebrate Saratoga playing music rain or shine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -After a day at the track, it's time to run up the volume on some free local entertainment. The Downtown Business Association welcoming everyone with the following statement:“We are so excited to launch the official start to summer in Saratoga and the start of the racing season with Celebrate Saratoga! This is our third year of this fun event," stated Executive Assistant, Kim Leon. Gloversville band Flame returns from tour of Cambodia Opening the Broadway Main Stage in front of Spa City Motor Lodge is The Refrigerators. This isn’t the first time the band has rocked out the area.“Over the 30 years we’ve been together, Saratoga’s definitely been one of those prime spots. Always a lot of action," described Lead of The Refrigerators, Dave Cerrone. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Not everyone came out to the city for the track. One family drove all the way out from Westchester County just to spe...

Severe storms hit Capital Region communities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- More severe weather hit the Capital Region on Thursday with strong winds and heavy rain. There were also multiple tornado warnings.From thunderstorms and lightning to tornado watches, this round of storms had many in the Capital Region on high alert. Strong winds uprooted trees and broke limbs that came tumbling to the ground."Got up and threw my shoes on, and I basically flew down the stairs to come out here and I was in complete shock at the state of my car.” Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "The wind was whooshing around. You heard the crack, and this branch blew off and onto that tree that fell onto that lady's house."NEWS10 checked in with Long Lake Town Supervisor Clay Arsenault in the Adirondacks as they were hit pretty hard from last Sunday's storm, which caused a dam to break. They are still cleaning up after many roads were destroyed by the rushing waters. Arsenault said they had a little...

Dozens of cats at Johnstown home to be rescued

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Steps are being taken to help the kittens at a Johnstown home. Officials with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society said they will take in dozens of kittens from the home.More than 40 cats are on the property. The homeowner said he has been feeding the cats for decades, but they have now taken over his property. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I don’t mind a couple being around. The outside cats and the this and that," Ed Moore previously told NEWS10. "It gives you something to take care of. But, I mean, when it gets to be that many, I mean, it’s overwhelming."MHHS plans to remove the cats on Friday, July 14.

NIL deal brings new frozen pizza to Schnucks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

DES PERES, Mo. - St. Louis area Schnuck Markets in Missouri and Illinois have a new frozen pizza. The exclusive deal with Every True Tiger Brands features the image of three Mizzou football players on the label.The product is possible because of recent changes in college sports rules. Name, image, and likeness rules created a path for student-athletes to be compensated.“We look at it as a win-win for Mizzou, their athletes, and also Schnucks customers,” said Zach Collins, Schnuck Markets media and sponsorships brand manager. Federal charges in robbery, murder of St. Louis Kitchen owner Schnucks dubbed the debut creation “Pizza With the Mizzou Crew”. The mega-meat, thin-crust pizza features Mizzou football players Ty’Ron Hopper, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and Kris Abrams-Draine. The pizza features pepperoni, bacon, and sausage.“When you come and you buy a pizza at Schnucks, you’re helping not only Mizzou athletics, but you’re also helping the Mizzou athletes themselves,” Collins said.Fem...

Interim director of East St. Louis Housing Authority suspended

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – The interim executive director of the East St Louis Housing Authority has been suspended following a You Paid For It expose on horrendous conditions in an apartment in the Gompers Housing Project.Meanwhile, Serria Hall, the mother of three whose bug-ridden apartment was featured in the FOX 2 report, has been moved to new residence in the Gompers development.Interim Executive Director Angela Russell-Perry came under heavy fire after the story aired. The Housing Authority Board of Directors met Wednesday and decided to suspend her.FOX 2 could not get hold of any members of the board. However, KaKeesh Branigan, a spokeswoman for East St. Louis Mayor Charles Powell III, said Russell-Perry would remain “suspended until further notice.” Lawmaker to review law ‘in-depth’ after cars with expired tags towed from driveways The East St Louis City Council, which includes Mayor Powell, appoints the members of the Housing Authority board, but the board itself hires and fi...

$50,000 reward offered in armed robbery of U.S. Postal carrier in North Hollywood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered by the United States Postal Inspection Service for information leading to the arrest and conviction of several suspects involved in an armed holdup of a letter carrier in North Hollywood, officials announced Thursday.  The incident occurred on July 11 at around 10 a.m. near 5522 Vineland Avenue, across the street from East Valley High School, according to a USPS bulletin.  Surveillance images released by the postal inspection service show one of the suspects holding the letter carrier at gunpoint.  That suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 25-35 years old, standing between 5 foot 11 inches and 6 foot 2 inches tall, wearing a black hoodie, black jeans and dark sneakers.  The second suspect wore a white face mask, a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and white sneakers.  A third suspect, for which there is no description, was the driver of a black BMW, possibly a 2019 X6 SUV with black rims, officials said i...

Skimboard riders battling Laguna Beach officials over Aliso Beach sand berm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:44 GMT

A battle is brewing between the city of Laguna Beach, which recently took control of Aliso Beach from the county, and skimboard riders who claim the officials are unfairly considering a new law that would cut into some of their fun.  One of the biggest attractions at Aliso Beach for the wave riders is a naturally occurring sand berm that separates Aliso Creek from the ocean. When it’s breached under the right conditions, it’s an excellent wave for skimboarding.  “It does break naturally more often than not,” Greg Viviani told KTLA. “Also, the wave riders like to break it as well because it does create a standing wave and it creates sandbar out front, which creates better waves to ride as well.”  However, the city is looking at a new ordinance that would ban skimboard riders and others from digging out the berm over concerns about polluted water from upstream going into the ocean too often.  Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen spoke to KTLA last month about the issue.  “Firs...