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Millions of dead fish wash up amid heat wave in Australia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Millions of fish have washed up dead in southeastern Australia in what authorities and scientists say is caused by floods and hot weather.The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding.The deaths were likely caused by low oxygen levels as floods recede, a situation made worse by fish needing more oxygen because of the warmer weather, the department said. Residents of the Outback town of Menindee complained of a terrible smell from the dead fish. “We’ve just sort of started to clean up, and then this has happened, and that’s sort of you’re walking around in a dried-up mess and then you’re smelling this putrid smell. It’s a terrible smell and horrible to see all those dead fish,” said Jan Dening, a local. Nature photographer Geoff Looney found huge clusters of dead fish near the main weir in Menindee on T...

Why did it take so long to phase out a toxic pesticide?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide that has been shown to have potential dangers for years— yet it’s still being used in Canada right now.Marc Fawcett-Atkinson is a reporter and writer covering food, climate, plastics and the environment for Canada’s National Observer. He joins us to discuss why the government only banned chlorpyrifos recently, and why its use won’t stop entirely until the end of this year.“Our approach is we’re very permissive. We let stuff go on the market, we let stuff be used, and then if it’s proved to be an issue, we’ve put in risk mitigation measures or bans to reduce the harm, as opposed to even before the product goes out.”So what is chlorpyrifos and what’s the risk? What kind of foods is it used on? And why was Canada behind both Europe and the United States in getting rid of it?https://the-big-story-bb309f15.simplecast.com/episodes/why-did-it-take-so-long-to-phase-out-a-toxic-pesticideYou can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spoti...

Keanu Reeves shares statement on passing of 'John Wick' co-star Lance Reddick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Keanu Reeves, who shared the screen with late actor Lance Reddick in four installments of the “John Wick” film franchise, said he was “heartbroken” upon learning of Reddick’s passing on Friday, according to a statement obtained by Variety.Reeves, along with “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski, said they are dedicating the upcoming fourth film to Reddick, whom they will “miss dearly.”“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” Reeves and Stahelski wrote, in part, in a joint statement shared with Variety. “He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends.”Keanu Reeves and Lance Reddick are photographed after a 2014 screening of "John Wick" in Los Angeles. Reddick, who passed Friday, was perhaps best known for his roles in "The Wire" and the "John Wick" franchise. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) ‘Baffling beyond bel...

Ranch dressing wouldn't exist without plumbers, MSG and the Alaska Territory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Ranch dressing may have been popularized at a California ranch, but it was enjoyed by hungry Alaskan plumbers long before any “ranch” figured into the story.Steven Henson, the Nebraska native who created ranch dressing, invented the now-ubiquitous condiment after moving to Anchorage in 1949 and taking a job as a plumbing contractor in the Alaskan bush, according to a biography of Henson published in the Santa Barbara Independent. Henson concocted the recipe for what would later be dubbed “ranch” dressing somewhat out of necessity, the outlet reported, after taking on a secondary role in the kitchen while “trying to keep his hungry work crews happy.”"It's tough to feed men up in those bush jobs,” Henson once remarked in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, according to an archived article cited by Tedium. “If they don't like something, they're as likely to throw it at the cook as they are to walk out cursing. I had to come up with something to keep them happy," he add...

Will you see the solar eclipse? NASA map shows 'path of totality' across US in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(KRQE/NEXSTAR) – NASA has released a detailed map showing the paths for the 2023 annular eclipse and the 2024 total solar eclipse. It's not too early to start planning where you want to be for one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomenons the world has to offer.On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross western and southern regions of the U.S. During an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, creating a "ring of fire" effect. Planet Palooza: When 5 planets will be visible in the night sky The following year, some U.S. residents will be treated to a total eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, darkening one's surroundings into a dawn- or dusk-like state for several minutes.The total eclipse path, on Apr. 8, 2024, goes from Texas to Maine.(Using observations from different NASA missions, this map shows where the Moon’s shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipse. The map w...

Classic character to appear at Disneyland nearly 100 years after his cartoon debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(KTLA) – A Disney character older than Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Rabbit is making his debut at Disneyland.Pete, the cat-like cartoon character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1925, will be posing for photos and greeting guests when Mickey’s Toontown reopens at Disneyland Park on March 19. Pete’s debut at Disneyland marks the first time the character has appeared at any Disney theme park. For the first time at any Disney park, Pete makes appearances as he causes mischief around the neighborhood at Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park at Mickey’s Toontown. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)Pete has had several names and personalities throughout the years, but the costumed character debuting on Sunday is modeled after perhaps the most familiar version from Disney's animated "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" series.The character first appeared in the 1925 short film collection “Alice Comedies” before showing up in “Steamboat Wille” alongside Mickey Mouse in 1928. “Steamboat Willie,” me...

Can you buy a car without a license?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(iSeeCars) -- A valid driver’s license is required in order to drive a car, but do you need one to buy a car? The answer is no. However, it does make the car-buying process a little more difficult. Here’s how to buy a car without a license:Reasons for Buying a Car Without a LicenseIt may seem counterintuitive to purchase a car without a license, but there are many scenarios where someone may choose to purchase a car without a driver’s license. Some possible scenarios include:You are planning on getting your license, and you see your dream car before you become a licensed driver.You are gifting a car to a family member or a friend. In this case, you will have to put the car title in the person’s name to whom you are gifting the car.You are a business owner and need a vehicle for business purposes. You are unable to drive and purchase the vehicle for a caregiver or nanny.A caregiver will be driving the car because you are unable to drive because of a disability. You are a ca...

A gray cold last weekend of winter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The forecast of light snow for Gillespie County verified between 5 and 9 a.m. Saturday. There was no measured snow outside of what might have accumulated on the grass and higher elevations.Rain fell in the Hill Country and much of our southern viewing area. There was very little measured outside of .05" to .10" at reporting stations in Fredericksburg and Harper. The rain will end during the morning leaving a mainly overcast sky for the afternoon.Most lows this morning were below normal (53°). Minimums fell to mostly the low to mid 40s. Austin's airport recorded 46°. The low at Camp Mabry was 48°. Fredericksburg was among the coldest at 38°.This final weekend of winter will certainly fell like the season. Afternoon temperatures will be well below the normal of 74° both today and Sunday as highs won't get out of the 50s.Much colder than normal today and Sunday NEW BLOG: April showers: Here's the outlook for Central Texas Mornings will be colder tomorrow and Monday a...

$100K paychecks go furthest in these Texas cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — A yearly paycheck of $100,000 probably sounds like a lot of money to lots of people — and it is. But depending where you live, it might feel like less because of expenses and taxes.Alternatively, there are many U.S. cities where $100,000 will feel like it stretches further than others. Financial resource outlet SmartAsset recently compared after-tax income in the 76 largest U.S. cities and adjusted the amounts for cost of living. The legality of shooting dogs in Texas Adjusted for cost of living and taxes, here are how Texas cities ranked:El Paso — $100,000 feels like $84,966Corpus Christi — $100,000 feels like $83,443Lubbock — $100,000 feels like $83,350Houston — $100,000 feels like $81,350San Antonio, Fort Worth and Arlington — $100,000 feels like $80,124Austin — $100,000 feels like $73,777Dallas — $100,000 feels like $72,345Plano — $100,000 feels like $59,422Among these cities, all except Austin, Dallas and Plano were on the top 10 list of all cities studied. In gen...

Soucheray: Instead of a pothole tax, let’s sell naming rights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:00 GMT

We must admit, the worst pothole season in a generation, as it is being marketed by St. Paul City Hall for tax increase purposes, has produced some magnificent fissures, box canyons of no return, eruptions, explosive debris fields, jagged craters and eerie chambers so large they are marked with traffic cones.Why, you can see our streets from space!We’ve been here before, every winter and spring. Minnesotans know the science of the freeze-thaw cycle the way Californians know their atmospheric rivers — which have healed the drought — or Oklahomans know Tornado Alley. And we haven’t even seen the worst of it. Spring begins Monday, March 20. We have at least another month, maybe longer, before the longer-lasting warm weather treatments can be dumped into the holes and troweled smooth.Everybody seems to have their favorites. I am particularly fond of Fairview Avenue between Ford Parkway and Highland Parkway on the west side of the street. The destruction there is almost cinem...