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Skunk-squirrel? What is this odd critter seen in Ohio?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) — Some of the most often-spotted "rare" animals seen around Northeast Ohio are white or albino variations but recently an even more unusual variant was spotted.The picture of a black squirrel with a white-tipped tail was shared by Olmsted Township resident Larry Pecsok. A Google search reveals that people captivated by the unique combination of black and white have cleverly dubbed the animals "squnks." Shrek’s Swamp now an Airbnb stay in Scotland Although we are certain that is not a technical term, it does describe the unusually-colored squirrel pretty well. (WJW)While it's technically impossible for skunks and squirrels to breed since they are genetically so dissimilar (here's an easy explainer on how animal hybrids work), it hasn't stopped many online throughout the years from spotting creatures like the "squnk" seen above. Based on research, however, it's more likely the "squnk" seen here is actually an eastern gray squirrel that descends from a g...

Second-hottest September continues with mainly dry weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we continue to sweat in the second-hottest September to date, we are tracking signs of a weather pattern change in the long-range forecast that may bring cooler, stormier conditions.In the short-term forecast, a few isolated showers remain possible -- mainly south of Austin -- close to a stalled frontal boundary. Most areas remain dry, with slightly lower and more comfortable humidity than recent days.Rain chances drop to zero Thursday through the coming weekend with unseasonably hot days in the lower to middle 90s.A change in the weather pattern next work week may break down the persistent heat dome and allow a trough of low pressure to move into Texas. While details are fuzzy beyond the 7-day forecast, wetter conditions are expected later next week between Oct. 4th - 10th.Stay tuned for updates. PHOTOS: Large, damaging hail pummels parts of Central Texas BLOG: El Niño into 2024: What that means for winter and spring Austin Interactive Weather Stats (202...

How Austin Energy is expanding electric vehicle access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the City of Austin works toward reducing its carbon footprint, city officials are working to expand programs and infrastructure to help make electric vehicle technology more accessible citywide.Amy Atchley, senior lead with Austin Energy's EV equity program, spoke Tuesday at MOVE America 2023, a mobility conference held in downtown Austin. Atchley's presentation centered around providing EV access to underserved community members, particularly as the city moves toward a 2035 goal of net zero carbon emissions. With that goal in mind, she noted transportation is the leading emitter of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In order to achieve that benchmark, she said the city must have at least 40% of its vehicle miles traveled done via electric vehicle technology by 2035.Currently, there are more than 28,000 registered electric vehicles and more than 1,600 charging ports citywide. Among its program offerings, Austin Energy runs a home rebate program for charging infra...

Francis Wilkinson: Democrats have to solve their Bob Menendez problem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

Al Franken was an above-average senator from Minnesota who was driven from office in 2018 by his Democratic colleagues after several women accused him of touching them inappropriately or making them feel physically uncomfortable. Democrats opposing Donald Trump — then a confessed groper, later found liable for rape — did not want to have to defend the unseemly behavior of one of their own. Collectively, they applied sufficient pressure on Franken that he felt compelled to quit the Senate.Bob Menendez is a below-average senator from New Jersey who is now facing his second round of charges of public corruption. Democrats opposing Trump — whose corrupt practices in business and politics are fodder for Democratic campaigns — should not have to defend Menendez’s conduct. So his Democratic colleagues need to make him understand that the Senate would be better off without him.Menendez was indicted Friday in a 39-page howitzer from Damian Williams, the U.S. att...

New rules for Venezuelan asylum seekers seeking work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Last week the Federal Government gave emergency work access to Venezuelan asylum seekers. It will allow the asylee to work much sooner than the 180-day mandatory wait period. NEWS10 spoke with local community-based groups on the front lines and with a Venezuelan asylee in the Capital Region to find out how the changes are affecting the process, now. Hochul discusses migrant costs & impacts of govt shutdown The folks at Eden’s Rose Foundation in Albany say they have been working side by side with the asylum seekers that were brought up to the Capital Region from New York City on busses and in the middle of the night.  NEWS10 was able to catch up with the executive director, Gregory Sheldon, to check in and see how things were coming along.“That's the thing we've been asking for from the very beginning. Everyone we talk to, all of these individuals we talked to, say we just want to work,” said Sheldon. His foundation is ready to help get the proce...

Jacob Klein motions for mistrial over video evidence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Jacob Klein requested a mistrial twice over indicators in surveillance video pointing to persons and vehicles of interest and comparisons made by New York State Police. Both motions were denied, he attempted to argue those indicators could sway the jury and that the witness was giving his opinion. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Klein is accused of killing Philip Rabadi in April 2022. The court saw four videos from NYSP of Klein's alleged movements from April 10-13, 2022. Klein allegedly drove to St. Peter's Hospital, Miller Rd in New Scotland and back to his Airbnb multiple times, including on April 13, 2022 -- the day Rabadi was killed. Video from that day shows a man circling the St. Peter's Hospital parking garage for 15 minutes, looking at license plates, until a woman, driving a black SUV, arrives and enters the hospital. Then, the white Dodge Ram truck, rented by Klein, is allegedly seen driving...

Senators unveil bill to avoid shutdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

Senate negotiators on Tuesday unveiled a 79-page bill to fund the government until Nov. 17 in hopes of averting a shutdown when current funding expires this weekend.  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the measure as a “bridge” to avoid a shutdown and give lawmakers more time to negotiate a longer-term funding solution.  “Senate Democrats and Republicans, together, worked in good faith to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution that will keep the government open beyond Sept. 30,” the Democratic leader said on the floor.  He acknowledged the agreement “won’t have everything that both sides want” but argued it “will help us to achieve our immediate and necessary goal of avoiding a government shutdown.”The bill includes $4.5 billion from an Operations and Maintenance fund for the Defense Department “to remain available until Sept. 30, 2024 to respond to the situation in Ukraine,” according to the measure’s text.  The bill also includes ano...

Centene to cut 3% of workforce; St. Louis impact unknown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis-based Centene, the country's largest Medicaid managed-care company in the United States, is laying off thousands of employees.The Fortune 500 company made the announcement on Tuesday, calling the layoffs "rightsizing our cost structure." Approximately 2,000 employees will be terminated, accounting for just over 3% of the company's workforce.In contrast, Centene CEO Sarah London received $13.2 million in compensation in 2022, with a base salary of $1.35 million, according to Salary.com. Company president Kenneth Fasola was paid $997,519 last year, part of $9.98 million in compensation.Workers who lose their jobs will receive severance packages and "outplacement services," according to a company spokesperson.Centene is committed to improving the health and health care of the members we serve. We are investing to deliver value for our customers now and into the future, both by leveraging our size and scale and by rightsizing our cost structure. We routinely a...

Judge finds Donald Trump committed fraud with financial statements that exaggerated his wealth, value of his assets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

NEW YORK — A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House.Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.Engoron ordered that some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded as punishment, making it difficult or impossible for them to do business in New York, and said he would continue to have an independent monitor oversee the Trump Organization’s operations.A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. Trump has long insisted he did nothing wrong.The decision, days before the start of a non-jury trial in Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit, is the strongest repudiation yet of Trump’...

Legal action announced after Riverside County correctional deputy accused of sextortion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:55 GMT

Victims of serious allegations against the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are coming forward after they say they were sexually assaulted while on home detention.They say it was part of a scheme by correctional deputy assigned to the jail to engage in sex acts with female inmates.Christian Heidecker is seen in a photo released by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Christian Heidecker, 32, was arrested earlier this month and faces eighteen 18 felony charges for engaging in rape, bribery and sextortion. He was placed on administrative leave from the agency, though lawyers representing two alleged victims in the case referred to him as a former deputy.“We’re are here because we’d like other victims to come forward and not to be afraid,” one victim said during a news conference announcing legal action. “We just want justice because, as you see and hear, there’s crimes being done. Inside the jails is horrors being done to us,” another said. The victims were only identified ...