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Hot summer for Illinois ahead: Weather predictions heat up in new NOAA forecast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – An already sweltering summer forecast just got even steamier. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a new long-range weather outlook Thursday that favors above-average temperatures for basically the entire United States.Between July and September, all but a few states have between a 33% and 70% chance of a hotter-than-normal summer.The highest chance for heat is in Arizona — which is already hot on even a normal summer day. The average high in Phoenix in July is 106 degrees. El Niño officially arrives early: What it means for 2023 weather The entire East Coast, from Maine down to Florida, the Gulf Coast, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest is “likely” to see an above-normal summer, according to the forecast. NOAA gives about half of U.S. states a 50% to 60% chance of extra-hot weather over the next three months.Things are a bit better in California and the Midwest, but those regions are also still more likely to see a hot summer than a...

'That's the way to go,' Senate plan aims to give Texans $18B in property tax relief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) - Texas leaders are still at odds over plans to lower your property taxes. On Tuesday, the Texas Senate unanimously approved its largest property tax relief plan yet. "The senate plan is a record $18 billion of tax relief going straight to school taxpayers across the state," said State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) the author of the legislation. His bill would require voter approval in a constitutional amendment election.But it's not clear if the $18 billion dollar plan will break the stalemate between the state's top leaders over how to provide tax relief.The new proposal preserves the Senate's top priority of raising the homestead exemption to $100,000, the most direct benefit to homeowners and the major sticking point between the upper chamber and Gov. Greg Abbott. It also dedicates $400 million more towards buying down school district property tax rates, the strategy Abbott prefers exclusively.Bettencourt said he believes combining an increased homestead ...

Woman found fatally shot in Aurora; homicide investigation underway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

A woman was fatally shot in Aurora Saturday morning, and police are looking for a suspect.#APDAlert Officers are investigating a death in the 3000 Blk of N. Peoria Street.The call came in around 6:45 am and when officers arrived, they found an adult woman that appeared to have succumbed to a gunshot wound. The person who called in the incident was gone along with… pic.twitter.com/a4z9zMuGo5— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) June 24, 2023About 6:45 a.m. Saturday, police were called to the 3000 block of North Peoria Street, the Aurora Police Department said.Officers found a woman who was shot, police said. Police were unable to locate the person who called about the incident, a news release said.The Adams County coroner’s office will identity the woman after her family is notified. The coroner also will determine the cause of death. A homicide investigation is ongoing.

Fire breaks out on roof of Target in Northridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

An array of solar panels on the roof of a Target store in Northridge were damaged after they caught fire on Saturday. Los Angeles Fire Department units were dispatched to the Target located at 8999 Balboa Boulevard around 11:45 a.m. and found that the building and the attic were clear. Fire crews on the roof located a surface fire involving an array of solar panels. They conducted a drop bag operation to bring the hose line up to the roof and extinguished the blaze in 21 minutes. According to LAFD, the fire does not appear to have penetrated through the roof into the attic or main structure. No injuries were reported. 

Authorities investigating after two women found dead in Diamond Bar, foul play suspected 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

Homicide investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are continuing their investigation after two women were found dead in Diamond Bar on Saturday morning. According to a release from LASD, authorities responded to the 23800 block of Sapphire Canyon Road around 8 a.m. and found two female adults deceased at the scene. A person of interest has been detained, police said, and foul play is suspected. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org 

Scooter, a Bald Chinese Crested, is crowned World’s Ugliest Dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

Scooter’s fluffy ashen mohawk, long ears, wrinkly belly, slack pink tongue and backward hind legs stole the spotlight Friday night as he was named champion of the annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.After the hairless Chinese Crested pup emerged at the front of a pack chock full of grotesque challengers, he was proudly hoisted into the air by his owner, Linda Celeste Elmquist, and awarded a $1,500 grand prize.Scooter, who enjoys walks in the park and a stranger’s outstretched hand, was rescued by Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) shortly after being born with two deformed hind legs in Tucson, Arizona, according to his biography.While he can wobble along on his front two paws — often using his butt as a tripod — he was fitted for a new cart about two months ago and attends therapy to aid his mobility. Scooter’s journey from death’s doorstep to global stardom via the Sonoma-Marin Fair affirms his owner’s claims that he is “not only surviving but thriving.”“His handicap ...

Kerman women believed to be victims of a homicide are ID’d by Fresno County coroner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

Two women who were found dead under suspicious circumstances two days earlier in Kerman were identified Saturday afternoon by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.Spokesman Tony Botti reported they were Linda Thrash, 74, and her niece Kandi Pombo, 57, both of Kerman.The bodies of the women were discovered about 6:30 a.m. Thursday when Kerman police went to a condominium at Kearney Boulevard and Del Norte Avenue for a welfare check.No one answered the door, and officers entered the home to find the two roommates dead, Botti reported. Their injuries were consistent with a homicide, and Fresno County sheriff’s detectives were asked to take over the investigation, said Botti, who added that the women were not killed in a random act but it did not appear that they were specifically targeted.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Bay Area man convicted of killing two cops wants you to know he’s not a snitch Crime and Public Safety | Goat herder discovers ...

Concord: Shooting at motel leaves one person injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

One person was shot at a motel in Concord early Saturday morning, police said.The shooting happened around 12:20 a.m. in the 1500 block of Concord Avenue.The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. No one else was injured, police said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | 2 killed, 15 hurt after fight at large Michigan street party leads to gunshots Crime and Public Safety | 2 tons of illegal fireworks found in Southern California, with 2 arrested Crime and Public Safety | Tourist panics upon seeing signs to Mexican border and kills her Uber driver, police say Crime and Public Safety | Monterey County man convicted of child sexual assault sentenced to 240 years in prison Crime and Public Safety | 769,000 retired California workers and beneficiaries affected by pension fund hack No arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, and an investigation is ongoing. ...

Jon Singleton signs minor league deal with Astros after release by Brewers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Houston Astros have signed first baseman Jon Singleton to a minor league contract, three days after he was cut loose by the Milwaukee Brewers.He was assigned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.“He’s a potential bat that can help us,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “Hopefully, he can unmask that talent that he has and at some point in time help us.”The 31-year-old was regarded as one of the top infield prospects while with the Astros organization form 2011-17 after being acquired in a trade with Philadelphia.Singleton played in 114 big-league games with Houston during 2014-15. He appeared in 11 games with the Brewers this season, but has spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Nashville. After being designated for assignment on Wednesday, he chose to become a free agent.Singleton has hit .252 with 169 home runs, 645 RBIs and an .828 OPS in 1,064 minor league games.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Blue Jays put RHP Cimber on 15-day IL with shoulder impingement, recall RHP Francis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:38 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays put right-hander Adam Cimber on the 15-day injured list Saturday because of a right shoulder impingement and recalled right-hander Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo.Cimber is 0-2 with a 7.40 ERA and one save in two chances in 22 games this season. The six-year veteran also has pitched for San Diego, Cleveland, and Miami.Cimber missed 26 games in April and May because of a strained right rhomboid. He has a 10.12 ERA in 11 games since returning May 23.Francis debuted with Toronto last season and has no record and a 3.68 ERA in three appearances this season. He went 0-2 with a 3.45 ERA in four starts at Triple-A.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource