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Goats grazing to prevent wildfires could lose their jobs due to California labor law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of goats munch on long blades of yellow grass on a hillside next to a sprawling townhouse complex. They were hired to clear vegetation that could fuel wildfires as temperatures rise this summer.These voracious herbivores are in high demand to devour weeds and shrubs that have proliferated across California after a drought-busting winter of heavy rain and snow.“It’s a huge fuel source. If it was left untamed, it can grow very high. And then when the summer dries everything out, it’s perfect fuel for a fire,” said Jason Poupolo, parks superintendent for the city of West Sacramento, where goats grazed on a recent afternoon.Targeted grazing is part of California’s strategy to reduce wildfire risk because goats can eat a wide variety of vegetation and graze in steep, rocky terrain that’s hard to access. Backers say they’re an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides or weed-whacking machines that make noise and pollution.But new state labor ...

6@6: Talking pool etiquette as summer approaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

CHICAGO — This is the first week in 2023 that is going to feel like summer, even if the season doesn't officially begin for a few weeks.That means that the activity in pools in the Chicagoland area is about to ramp up as people look to cool off as the temperatures go up. But when it comes to taking a dip, there is some etiquette when it comes to using the facility of someone else. We covered one of those situations in the "6@6" on Tuesday morning's WGN Morning News as the hosts weighed in on what they would do.They also discussed rainbow sea slug, tulip vodka, balcony bars, and more during the segment.You can watch the entire "6@6" from the May 30 show in the video above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

'When you lose a child, that love has to go somewhere', says family of 4-year-old run over in Beloit parking lot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) — The parents of Jack Baumann are trying to move forward after the 4-year-old was run over by a car in the parking lot of his first soccer game last year."It was his first game, and he was super excited to play," said his mother, Valerie.Jack was known as the happiest goalie in his Pre-K soccer league, she said. "He jumped at being a goalie. People called him 'Smiling Jack.'"Jack Baumann. Photo: Valerie BaumannOne of the last photos of Jack was taken only minutes before he was accidentally run over in the parking lot of the Beloit Sports Center, on October 1st, 2022."It plays hundreds of times a day. It's an image that you'll never forget," Valerie said.The Beloit Police Department said Jack was wearing cleats and walking in the parking lot when he slipped and fell, out of the line of sight of the driver.Police said the driver was not speeding or distracted.Jack was taken to a nearby hospital but died. He was only days away from his fifth birthday."The anger com...

Now open in Eagan: Southern Social, with smoked meats, BBQ chicken and cocktails

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

Southern Social, a “modern Southern” inspired restaurant and cocktail bar, is now open in Eagan.Its menu includes classic appetizers like fried green tomatoes and crawfish hushpuppies ($10–$16); a selection of flatbreads, burgers and fried chicken sandwiches ($14–$17); and entrees like jambalaya and fried catfish ($15–$37). Brunch is also available Sundays.The restaurant also has an extensive cocktail list, including “social drinks” that can be ordered for up to eight people at a time.The restaurant — just off I-35E and Cliff Rd., in a building formerly home to Green Mill — is run by the same group that owns other suburban spots like Barley & Vine in Lakeville and Tamarack Tap Room in Woodbury.The restaurant is actually an outgrowth of Tamarack’s barbecue menu, said Ben Berry, the operations and business development director for Trellis Hospitality. After a research-slash-eating trip to the South, the team decided they wanted to dedicate a full menu to not just smoked meats but ...

Three arrested after warrant investigation in Queensbury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people were arrested on Thursday following a warrant investigation in Queensbury. James Barber Jr. (50, Queensbury), Cassandra Bentley (36, Queensbury), and Marquese Hill (40, Troy) each face multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday, around 10 p.m., police say they executed an active warrant for Barber Jr.'s arrest at his residence. Troopers say they found multiple controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in plain view. Barber Jr. Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSeventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree criminally using drug paraphernaliaBentley Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Second-degree criminally using drug...

Sam Page expected to veto pedestrian road ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - FOX 2 learned St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will announce Tuesday morning he is vetoing a controversial the St. Louis County Council just passed.Page's Chief Spokesperson Doug Moore confirmed to FOX 2 that Page will announce at a news conference later Tuesday morning at the main county building that he is vetoing Bill 86. the bill has been generating a lot of debate since it passed the council earlier this month.The legislation, which was sponsored by council member Ernie Trakas, prohibits pedestrians from walking, running, sitting, or simply standing in a roadway when a sidewalk is provided.If a sidewalk isn't nearby, then people would be allowed to move on the left side of a roadway or on a shoulder facing traffic coming in the opposite direction.The bill passed the council by a narrow four to three vote back on May 16. Council member Trakas said the bill is all about improving public safety. However, others have raised concerns that the bill targets ...

3-vehicle crash causes lane closures on I-270 WB

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Crews were at the scene of a three-vehicle crash that is still causing traffic Tuesday morning. Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter is flying over the area located on New Florissant and I-270 westbound, where a box truck and two sedans can be seen heavily damaged. St. Charles County mayors seek funding for regional homeless shelter One lane in the area is still seeing 3 to 4 miles of backup. Drivers are being urged to take an alternate route. The cause of the crashes are still unknown, and no injuries have been reported. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Editorial: This river could be Colorado’s next national monument

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

Running along Colorado’s western border with Utah is a secret ecosystem on the edge of a vast desert landscape. Red sandstone rocks give way to lush cottonwood valleys, endless plateaus are covered with ancient piñon pines and aspen groves that shelter elk and deer from bears and lions, and sagebrush flats provide the ecosystems for turkey, grouse and coyote.The time has come to protect the Dolores River and the incredible lands that surround it.For decades these lands have been the backyards of Western Coloradans — many of who let their cattle roam on grazing permits handed down from generation to generation. Families have secret campsites tucked into the public lands where unmaintained roads take them away from civilization.From time to time, an outsider has discovered the beauty of this landscape. Billionaire John Hendricks single-handedly built a resort in Gateway, Colorado, where Unaweep Canyon meets the Dolores Canyon at a confluence unlike any other in this state.It’s o...

Order off the secret menu at this highly underrated East Colfax noodle spot | Opinion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we will offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems). When you step inside Lucky Noodles for the first time, you’ll notice three things simultaneously: the plants that fill the small but welcoming space with verdant, cozy energy; the instantly sweet, friendly vibes coming from owner Ploy Limpapath, who will often greet you from behind the counter; and the intoxicating smell of fresh Thai street food.Lucky Noodles specializes in just a few dishes — using recipes handed down by Limpapath’s grandmother — and does them incredibly well. If you order strategically, you’ll be able to taste her whole menu after only a few visits. It will be hard to pick a favorite once you sample the indulgent crab cheese wontons ($9.75), juicy pork dumplings ($9.75) and comfortin...

Telluride Bluegrass Festival celebrates 50 years of music and magic this summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:54:34 GMT

When Zach Tucker reflects on the last five decades of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, he’s struck by the fact that the event’s ethos has largely remained the same. Granted, 27-year-old Tucker, who now serves as the director of operations for production company Planet Bluegrass, didn’t attend the festival in its early years. But he’s gleaned as much hearing the stories from old-timers who still work for and attend the event.Telluride Bluegrass Festival, which celebrates its 50th anniversary June 15-18, has always been about enjoying great music in one of the most distinct locations in Colorado.“I get chills every time I crest the hill and come into the valley and see the waterfall at the end,” Tucker said of Telluride, which inhabits a box canyon nestled among 14,000-foot mountain peaks. “It’s the same feeling that hasn’t changed for the last 11 years I’ve made that trek. The first time I rolled in I couldn’t believe that somewhere this beautiful existed in Colorado — o...