Denver could get a passenger train route to the mountains: CDOT

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Denver could get a passenger train route to the mountains: CDOT DENVER (KDVR) -- The Colorado Department of Transportation said Monday that a passenger train route to Steamboat Springs and Craig could be re-established thanks to a $5 million investment to study the rail line and other projects.According to CDOT, communities in the Yampa Valley brought attention to reestablishing a passenger rail line that previously operated across a 191-mile Union Pacific Railroad route until 1968.The route starts in Denver, runs through Winter Park and Steamboat Springs and ends in Craig.CDOT has been looking into the possibility of a mountain rail line for months, with recent developments making the idea a real possibility. Study: Colorado one of the least safe states in US Decreased coal traffic on Union Pacific rail lines has led officials from the company to be more open to increased passenger rail traffic, according to CDOT.Amtrak's California Zephyr and Winter Park Express already use a portion of the route, but CDOT said there's the capacity for more ...

Family seeking public’s help in finding their dog stolen in SWMD

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Family seeking public’s help in finding their dog stolen in SWMD A dog owner is desperate to get her pet back after someone scooped up the pup and drove off with him, not that far from his home.“No questions asked, we just want our Pepper back, that’s all,” said Keneishia Riley, owner of the stolen dog. Riley sent that message for the person caught on camera picking up and taking off, with Pepper, her family’s 12-year-old shih tzu. “She kidnapped him, stole him just like that it was just that quick,” said Riley. It happened just across the street from her home in Southwest Miami-Dade.“She finna get him, she finna grab him,” said on a surveillance tape that captured the incident. “Friday afternoon, my son let Pepper out to do his do, like he always do on a regular basis… Right across the street from where we live. It’s just one little street and that’s where all the dogs in the area go to do their do,” Riley continued. “A truck pulled up near the corner, a lady got...

House nears third week without speaker as eight Republicans vie for gavel

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

House nears third week without speaker as eight Republicans vie for gavel (CNN) — A crowded field of Republicans are vying to earn the support of their conference to wield the gavel, throwing the chamber into even more uncertainty after three weeks without a speaker.The conference is searching for a new speaker nominee after Rep. Jim Jordan on Friday became the latest to exit the race. The chamber has been without a speaker since House Republicans ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.Eight House Republicans are running for the position, including GOP Whip Tom Emmer, who is endorsed by McCarthy. Emmer has moved to lock in support across the ideological and geographic spectrum in the conference, giving him what many House Republicans believe is an advantage, according to GOP sources. He could face an uphill battle, however, against allies of former President Donald Trump who have been quick to criticize Emmer for voting to certify the 2020 election.The speaker hopefuls spent the weekend working the phones to win their confe...

Bishop Fenwick’s playoff status up to judge

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Bishop Fenwick’s playoff status up to judge The postseason fate of Bishop Fenwick’s student athletes is now up to Essex Superior Court Judge Janice Howe.On Monday, Howe presided over an emergency hearing as Bishop Fenwick pursues an injunction against the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s ruling that the school is barred from participating in any postseason activities for the 2023-24 academic year. The MIAA enforced the punishment due to what it deemed Bishop Fenwick’s negligence in allowing ineligible student-athletes to participate and ensuing lack of accountability.Bishop Fenwick allegedly used varsity baseball players whose fifth-year waiver applications contained misinformation and also used St. Mary’s middle school as a feeder system for its varsity teams.While as of Monday evening Howe was yet to pass judgment, one is expected in short order. The timing is crucial as the MIAA fall state tournament will be underway across all sports within two weeks. Until this time the MIAA ha...

Growing gang violence is devastating Haitians, with major crime at a new high, UN envoy says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Growing gang violence is devastating Haitians, with major crime at a new high, UN envoy says UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Growing gang violence in Haiti is devastating the lives of its people, with major crimes rising to a new high, the U.N. special envoy for the conflict-wracked Caribbean nations said Monday.Maria Isabel Salvador told the U.N. Security Council that every day sees gangs engaging in killings, sexual violence including collective rapes and mutilation, and kidnapping. She pointed to last week’s incident in which gang members dressed as police officers kidnapped the secretary general of the High Transitional Council, which is responsible for ensuring that long-delayed elections are held.Salvador said the security crisis is even more complex because vigilante groups that have taken to fighting the gangs are still active. Between April 24 and Sept. 30, she said, the U.N. political mission “registered the lynching of at least 395 alleged gang members across all 10 departments of Haiti by the so called `Bwa Kale’ vigilante movement.”Catherine Russell, head of the U....

Diamondbacks force Game 7 in NLCS by powering past Phillies 5-1

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Diamondbacks force Game 7 in NLCS by powering past Phillies 5-1 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit back-to-back homers and Merrill Kelly struck out eight to help the Arizona Diamondbacks force Game 7 of the National League Championship Series with a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.The winner of Tuesday night’s game advances to the World Series against Houston or Texas, who played Game 7 of the American League Championship later Monday night.“I’m expecting some fun. It’s going to be fun,” Kelly said. “Game 7, obviously, they talk about it, it’s the best words in sports. I think the fact that we’re here, I don’t think anybody thought we were going to take them to Game 6. I don’t think anybody thought we were even going to make it to Game 1.“I don’t think anybody thought we were going to make it past Milwaukee, to be honest with you.”The Diamondbacks came ready in Game 6 to back up the bold pre-game words from manager Torey Lovullo and tamed Phillies bats and the hostile home crowd.“Getting...

Next ‘Mission: Impossible’ delayed a year as actors strike drags on

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Next ‘Mission: Impossible’ delayed a year as actors strike drags on NEW YORK (AP) — The eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise has been postponed a year, signaling a new wave of release schedule juggling for Hollywood studios as the actors strike surpasses three months of work stoppage. Paramount Pictures on Monday shifted the release date of the next “Mission: Impossible” from June 28 to May 23, 2025. Production on the follow-up to Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” was paused in July while Tom Cruise and company embarked on an international promotion blitz for “Dead Reckoning.” (The sequel had been titled “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two” but is now simply listed currently as “Mission: Impossible.”)“Dead Reckoning” ultimately grossed $567.5 million worldwide, falling shy of 2018 installment “Fallout” ($791.7 million globally) and the heady highs of Cruise’s summer 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” ($1.5 billion). The 163-minute-long action thriller, drew som...

Alabama man gifted car after walking 2 hours to work every day

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Alabama man gifted car after walking 2 hours to work every day TRINITY, Ala. (WHNT) — A nonprofit in Alabama that gives to those in need has gifted a car to a man who's been walking to work for five years. Earnest Chandler has been walking 5.5 miles round-trip each day. It takes him two hours to get to work and two hours to return home. He said he had to give up his car to help his family."I live with my nephew and his family, and I help take care of them," Chandler said. "For the past couple of years, we haven't had a car because we had to sell it in order to stay afloat for the bills." Watch: Bear creeps up behind Virginia man as he tends his backyard The Jacob Bradley Dugger Foundation in Trinity, Alabama, decided to step in to help. The organization received a car donation and then donated that vehicle to Chandler and his family. Before Chandler could enjoy the new set of wheels, he had to get his driver's license. He said he wants his story to inspire others to pay it forward. "I hope that someday when someone sees this video they'll tak...

Corey Maggette previews the Bulls' 2023-2024 season on GN Sports

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Corey Maggette previews the Bulls' 2023-2024 season on GN Sports CHICAGO — A new season for the Chicago Bulls will feature a number of the same players with the hope for some different results over the next six months. The team's "big three" of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic are back while Lonzo Ball, still hobbled by a bad knee, will miss this season. Executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas once again chose to keep that core together with a few minor additions in hopes that continuity could lead to progress. It's up to Billy Donovan to see if he can find a way to get more out of the group over the course of 82 games in hopes of a return to the NBA Playoffs. If he shouldn't, then Karnisovas could have some big decisions to make around the trade deadline and perhaps have a new take on the team's core.Former NBA player Corey Maggette, who has been an analyst after his playing days for a few outlets, joined GN Sports on Monday night to give his thoughts on the Bulls as they get ready to start the new season. He also talked about ...

Texas moves to spend $1.5B on border wall expansion

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:18:52 GMT

Texas moves to spend $1.5B on border wall expansion AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers on the Texas House Appropriations Committee gave initial approval Monday to a $1.5 billion expenditure for border wall construction, expanding the governor's budget for Operation Lone Star. Texas has spent nearly $10 billion on border security efforts during Gov. Greg Abbott's tenure as the state moves to repel and detain migrants in tandem with the federal government. The governor's office argued Monday that additional border wall will help the Department of Public Safety free up resources and patrol the border with fewer troopers.The expansion targets the Rio Grande Valley region, though exact locations and specifications of the wall remain uncertain. Border enforcement personnel were weary to disclose exact details, citing concerns that drug cartels may abuse that information.Democrats expressed concern that the state should make this substantial investment without more information about the efficacy, locations, and vendors of the new wall sections.L...