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Ukraine moves date of Christmas Day to distance itself from Russian tradition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it.The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7, and cited Ukrainians' “relentless, successful struggle for their identity” and “the desire of all Ukrainians to live their lives with their own traditions, holidays,” fueled by Russia's 17-month-old aggression against the country.Last year, some Ukrainians already observed Christmas on Dec. 25, in a gesture that represented separation from Russia, its culture and religious traditions.The law also moves the Day of Ukrainian Statehood to July 15 from July 28, and the Day of Defenders of Ukraine to Oct. 1 from Oct. 14. ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ author pulls book over ‘enormous’ pushback to Russian setting The Russian Orthodox Church,...

'Dream car': Man's stolen Mustang found 21 years later

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A North Carolina man's long-lost 1967 Mustang coupe was found after being stolen 21 years ago.Detectives in Guilford County, and the owner of the car, were also surprised to find the vehicle was still in decent shape."Twenty-one years. That is unbelievable," David Tucker said. Your car may be collecting your data — Here’s what you can do The blue Mustang was Tucker's dream car. He and his son even formed a bond during the boy's childhood, riding together in the coupe."Riding in it with my son … he was in a car seat in the back," Tucker said. "He finally got out of the car seat and was able to sit up front with me. Just riding around with him, and seeing the look on his face. That's the best."In 2002, Tucker decided to sell the car. He left it sitting at a friend's house in Oak Ridge, where it might have more visibility for potential buyers. But somebody decided to just take it."I can't even describe the sadness," Tucker said. "That was like my b...

The busiest days to fly around Labor Day 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer in the U.S. — but it’s hardly the end of airport crowds. In fact, given record-breaking crowds already this year, there’s a good chance this Labor Day weekend could be busier than any prior Labor Day weekend.Already this summer, U.S. airports have set fresh passenger records. June 30, the Friday before July 4, marked a new record high of passengers on a single day when more than 2.884 million people passed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.That figure topped the previous record of 2.882 million people from the Sunday after 2019’s Thanksgiving, according to a NerdWallet analysis of TSA data showing the number of passengers screened at U.S. TSA checkpoints over the last four years.Roughly 12% more people passed through U.S. airports in June 2023 versus June 2022, which is perhaps unsurprising given the lingering effects of the pandemic through 2022.The more impressive feat, though, is that 20...

Austin's 22-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 2nd-longest in recorded history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing one of the longest stretches of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means, as of Saturday, temperatures have reached the century mark for 22 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that ranks as the second-longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak to 29 days. That would surpass 2011 as the longest of all time. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The record streak currently stands at 27 days, set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Air...

After large fraudulent donation, Sun Radio aims to recoup funds through a 'Radiothon'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sun Radio, a popular radio network with stations around Central Texas, held a fundraiser Thursday through Saturday to recoup financials after a sizable fraudulent donation in late 2022 and equipment damages from the 2023 ice storm. Solar Radio started over ten years ago and focuses on showcasing Texas musical talents. The network is solar-powered, and its mission is to “preserve the culture of Texas music with minimal impact on the environment,” according to its website. “We've never done a ‘radiothon’ to ask for donations before. But we are kind of hit with some hard times over the past year. So we're here celebrating our listeners, celebrating local music and supporting the Sun Radio Foundation,” Gabe Raynolds, Sun Radio’s Director of programming, told KXAN. The Texas station has financial targets it hopes to hit by the end of each calendar year. Towards the end of 2022, station staff weren’t sure if they’d make 2022’s when, just before midnight New Year'...

DPS identify man killed during hit-and-run in Bastrop County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) —  Officials identified a man who was struck and killed during a hit-and-run Sunday near FM 672 in Bastrop County.The man who died was identified as 23-year-old Cesar Bosco Mendoza, of Lockhart, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. PAST COVERAGE: DPS investigating after man dies in Bastrop County DPS said troopers responded to a call regarding a deceased pedestrian and said a preliminary investigation indicated a Bastrop County sheriff’s deputy discovered the body of a man, later identified as Mendoza, in the roadway.Officials said Mendoza appeared to have possibly been struck by a hit-and-run vehicle.According to DPS, the investigation was ongoing, and no more details were available at the time.

7/29/2023: Storms possible, then a big cool down

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from meteorologist Matt Mackie:Warm & muggy this morning, with temperatures climbing into the low 80's. Showers and thunderstorms develop by early afternoon, however.Some of them could be on the stronger side, with heavy rain and frequent thunder and lightning. Isolated instances of gusty winds or small hail are possible. And while the tornado threat is low, it is not zero. Those south of Albany are more at risk for severe weather.Storms should be out of here by 6 or 7 pm, and immediately we'll see the winds shift and bring in cooler, drier, refreshing air. Lows in the 50's for much of the upcoming week!Sunday highs should be right around 80, but with lower humidity it will be a much more comfortable summertime feel. Then - three days straight with highs only in the 70's! Fans of the cool weather, it's your time to shine!

Execution of Johnny Johnson will proceed on Aug. 1, stay lifted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Johnny Johnson, a Missouri inmate who was recently granted a stay of execution in the 2002 murder of a St. Louis County girl, will be executed as originally planned next week. FOX 2 has learned, as of Saturday, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals entered an order to vacate the stay of execution of Johnny Johnson. The order will reverse course from a stay of execution previously issued for Johnson earlier this week, and he will be executed as the state initially planned on Aug. 1. She says an Uber stranded her, then things really got weird Many years ago, a St. Louis-based jury found Johnson guilty of first-degree murder and other criminal charges in the July 2002 death of seven-year-old Cassandra “Casey” Williamson.According to FOX 2’s recent in-depth report on the case, Casey and her family were staying at a friend’s house on Thursday, July 25, 2002, located across the street from their own home. Johnson, described as a family acquaintance, also spent the n...

St. Louis music icon 'Beatle Bob' dies at 70

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Robert Matonis, a St. Louis icon who danced his way into the fabric of local lore as “Beatle Bob," has died at the age of 70. Matonis died Thursday after a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, according to our partners at the St. Louis Post Dispatch. She says an Uber stranded her, then things really got weird Dedicating his life to the local music scene, Matonis attended a concert. mainly around St. Louis, every day for more than a quarter of a century. His streak of attending live concerts began on Christmas Day 1996 and continued for more than 9,400 days, though does not include 85 days during the pandemic when concerts were not happening in town. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

Rockies Journal: Assessing big-money players for a team in transition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:12 GMT

The Rockies are facing an extreme makeover.Regardless of whether general manager Bill Schmidt and the front office can swing any more deals before Tuesday’s trade deadline, the team will look much different in 2024.Starting outfielders Randal Grichuk and Jurickson Profar, and first baseman C.J. Cron won’t be back. Franchise icon Charlie Blackmon’s six-year, $108 million contract comes to an end after this season, too. The 37-year-old designated hitter/outfielder has been tight-lipped about his future.Veteran relievers Brent Suter and Brad Hand are likely gone, too. The Rockies have explored a contract extension with Suter, but there are no guarantees the two sides will come together. The Rockies hold a $7 million club option for Hand next season, so he’ll also be gone.The starting rotation, decimated by injuries, will have to be reconfigured. Veteran right-handers German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela, both of whom have undergone Tommy John surgery, might not ...