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Ticker: Jerome Powell hints at a pause in rate hikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the Federal Reserve will likely forgo an increase in its benchmark interest rate when it meets in June for the first time since it began raising its key rate 14 months ago to fight high inflation.In signaling so, Powell provided some clarity about the Fed’s likely next policy move after a cacophony of speeches this week by central bank officials had clouded the picture.“Having come this far, we can afford to look at the data and the evolving outlook and make careful assessments,” Powell said, referring to the Fed’s 10 straight rate hikes.Uvalde families dig in for new test of gun industry protectionsAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Families in Uvalde, Texas, are digging in for a new test of legal protections for the gun industry as they mark one year since the Robb Elementary School shooting. Both the U.S. government and gun manufacturers in recent years have reached large settlements following some of the nation’s worst mass shootings.“Mainl...

Volleyball notebook: Lowell soaring above talented MVC crowd

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

The mentality is as cliché as it gets, but no less important toward what any championship-caliber team aspires for. “No days off,” rings loud and clear from the Lowell boys volleyball program.It echoes within a 100 percent effort each game. It echoes within the bevy of practices that pack a six-day schedule, as head coach Paul McCarthy only gives Sundays for rest.Even then, it still echoes.“One of my bench players (Kaeon Phon) sent me a picture of him at the laundromat and he said, ‘No days off, coach,’ ” McCarthy said. “It was very humorous. It was very light. … Everyone, we keep it light, and we just do what we do. That’s our motto this year, we just do what we do.”Part of the Red Raiders’ all-gas, no brakes mentality comes in hopes of succeeding even more than they did last year – making their first Div. 1 state semifinal appearance before falling to Westford Academy. So far, it’s worked wonders, orchestrating a 17-1 record with a loaded junior class that helps Lowell stand tall ...

3.6-magnitude earthquake recorded northwest of Palomar Observatory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

SAN DIEGO — An earthquake shook part of San Diego County on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.A 3.6-magnitude quake struck near the Palomar Observatory at 1:18 a.m., USGS data shows. This area is part of the Palomar Mountain range. What series of San Diego-area earthquakes mean for ‘big one’ likelihood The quake occurred at a depth of about 8 miles, sending light shockwaves that could be felt for miles, according to USGS. The USGS intensity map shows areas as south as Lemon Grove and as as north as San Bernardino County felt the quake.This quake follows a series of small earthquakes that rattled the eastern San Diego region on the last weekend of April. These earthquakes are part of what scientists call a “swarm,” which is a series of dozens of smaller earthquakes within a span of a couple days up to several weeks.There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

South Carolina Republicans hear pitches from 2024 candidates, reelect state party chairman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Republicans on Saturday selected Drew McKissick as their chairman for a fourth term at a convention where some of the party’s 2024 presidential hopefuls made pitches to voters in the first-in-the-South primary state.McKissick has led the party since 2017 in a state where the GOP holds all statewide-elected positions, all but one U.S. House seat and control of both legislative chambers. He defeated three challengers. Party officials said in a release that under McKissick’s leadership, “more Republicans than ever before” had won election.Neither of South Carolina’s presidential contenders, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, attended the gathering in Lexington, a suburb of Columbia, the capital. Scott, who entered the race on Friday, sent a video that was played for delegates, and a political action committee that backs him sponsored a breakfast for them.“The GOP, the great opportunity party, is in f...

Oklahoma prisons locked down following inmate stabbing in northeastern Oklahoma

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

HOMINY, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has locked down all prisons statewide and canceled all visitations following a stabbing at a medium security prison in northeastern Oklahoma.“It was inmate on inmate,” department spokesperson Kay Thompson said Saturday. “We’re still trying to sort everything out and we’re going to be on statewide lockdown until at least Monday.”Thompson said she could not release further information about the stabbing because of the ongoing investigation into the incident at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Tulsa.The Dick Conner Correctional Center also has a minimum security prison on its grounds and houses about 1,200 inmates, according to the Department of Corrections website.In September 2021, prisons statewide were locked down following what authorities said were gang-related attacks that injured several inmates at six of the department’s 21 prisons, including ...

Talks moving forward on key Canada-U.S. treaty on Columbia River management

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

Canadian and U.S. officials have wrapped up the latest round in a five-year negotiation to modernize a major treaty on flood control and power generation on the Columbia River.Global Affairs Canada says negotiators from both countries in the Columbia River Treaty met in Kelowna on May 16 and 17, and the next round of talks is scheduled for Aug. 10 and 11 in Seattle.The original treaty was signed in 1964 after catastrophic flooding of the Columbia River destroyed Vanport, Oregon, in 1948.The treaty facilitated the construction of four dams — three in British Columbia and one in the United States — to manage river waters while generating power for the region’s growing power demand.But the province also says on its website that the treaty flooded 1,100 square kilometres of land and displaces more than 2,000 people, including several First Nations communities where consultation was considered “inadequate to non-existent by today’s standards.”Global Affairs Canada...

Ontario police investigate fatal shooting as search for suspect underway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a homicide in the Town of Renfrew after a person was fatally shot at a home on Friday night.Police say they were called to the residence on Vimy Boulevard shortly before 10:30 p.m., where they found a victim with gunshot wounds.The victim, who police have not identified, was transported to hospital and pronounced dead.OPP say the suspect fled the scene before their arrival and believes the victim was targeted in an isolated incident.They say Renfrew residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation remains in its early stages.Police are also urging the public to report suspicious activity.

Police: Man in custody after attempted abduction in Evanston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston police said a man is in custody after he attempted to push a woman into his car Saturday morning.Around 9:45 a.m., an Evanston Police Department officer was flagged down by the woman in the 600 block of University Place. The woman told police a man just tried to push her into his car, police said. Friends create allergen-free food company in Chicago According to a news release from police, the woman is an Evanston resident and isn't affiliated with Northwestern University.The woman said she was walking when the man tried to push her into his car and she was able to get away, police said in the release. The man was eventually taken into custody after a "low-speed chase." Evanston hosts first farmer’s market of the spring The man, 28, of Chicago, is the only person police were looking for, according to the release.Police said there is no connection between the woman and the man.Charges are pending in the ongoing investigation, police said.The identities o...

Thief steals $15K worth of 'Magic: The Gathering' cards from Indiana shop: 'The loss is tremendous'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WXIN) – A thief was caught on camera breaking into an Indiana game shop and stealing more than 1,600 highly prized "Magic: The Gathering" playing cards.The estimated value of the stolen cards is $15,000, according to the Brownsburg Police Department.Valkyrie's Vault, located in Brownsburg, said the thief used tools to dismantle the locking mechanism in a side door before making entry into the store just before 4 a.m. on Friday. What does this old photo have to do with 'The Legend of Zelda'? The thief went straight to the counter, where he stole at least 1,600 of the store's highest-valued "Magic: The Gathering" playing cards. In the surveillance footage, the burglar can be seen shoving the cards into what appears to be a pizza delivery bag. "Everyone is safe, but the loss is tremendous," one of the shop's owners wrote in a Facebook post announcing the theft. The disabled locking mechanism (Courtesy of Valkyrie's Vault)A still from security video showing the susp...

Teenage brains are drawn to popular social media challenges – here’s how parents can get their kids to think twice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:06 GMT

(The Conversation) - Viral social media trends started innocently enough.In the early 2010s there was planking, the “Harlem Shake” dance and lip syncing to Carly Rae Jepsen’s summer anthem “Call Me Maybe.”Then came the ice bucket challenge, which raised an estimated $115 million for ALS research.In recent years, social media challenges have grown more popular – and more dangerous, leading to serious injuries and even deaths. It’s not hard to see why. The milk crate challenge dares people to walk or run across a loosely stacked pyramid of milk crates, the Tide pod challenge involves eating laundry detergent pods, and the Benadryl challenge encourages taking six or more doses of over-the-counter allergy medication all at once.As clinical psychology researchers, we study why social media challenges are so appealing to teens despite the dangers they pose, and steps parents can take to protect their kids.Appeal of viral stuntsAlmost all American teens today ...