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America is using up its groundwater like there’s no tomorrow

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Global warming has focused concern on land and sky as soaring temperatures intensify hurricanes, droughts and wildfires. But another climate crisis is unfolding, underfoot and out of view.Many of the aquifers that supply 90% of the nation’s water systems, and which have transformed vast stretches of America into some of the world’s most bountiful farmland, are being severely depleted. These declines are threatening irreversible harm to the American economy and society as a whole.The New York Times conducted one of the most comprehensive examinations of groundwater depletion nationwide and found that America’s life-giving resource is being exhausted in much of the country, and in many cases it won’t come back. Huge industrial farms and sprawling cities are draining aquifers that could take centuries or millenniums to replenish themselves, if they recover at all.States and communities are already paying the price.Groundwater loss is hurting breadbasket states like Kansas, where the ma...

For travelers who want to avoid babies and kids, one airline will test an adults-only section

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)DALLAS (AP) — One airline plans to find out if solitude-seeking travelers will pay a hefty extra charge to avoid sitting near babies and little kids.Corendon Airlines says that it will sell an adults-only zone — no one under 16 — on flights between Amsterdam and Curacao starting in November. The Turkish carrier says people traveling without children will get quiet surroundings, and parents won’t have to worry that their crying or fidgeting kids will annoy fellow passengers.Corendon announced last week that it will set aside 93 regular seats and nine extra-legroom seats in the adult zone in the front of its Airbus A350 jets, which have 432 seats in all. A wall or curtain will separate the section from the wailing masses farther back.The airline said on its website that it will charge passengers an extra reservation fee of 45 euros ($49) for the no-kids zone, rising to 100 euros ($109) for one of the extra-legroom seats.To an...

$4 movie ticket mayhem leads to security changes at Moreno Valley Mall

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Over the past few years, brawls at malls and shopping centers have become a somewhat regular occurrence. But at Moreno Valley Mall, the three fights that happened on Sunday were beyond the pale, requiring the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to be called, and management is cracking down on unaccompanied teens.The youths, who were drawn by $4 movie tickets, may now face additional stipulations if they visit the shopping center at 22500 Town Circle after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends, according to a report in the Inland Empire's Press-Enterprise.Moreno Valley Mall patrons are seen fighting in a security video. Aug. 27, 2023. (Moreno Valley Mall)Specifically, the mall plans to require minors to wear lanyards that feature their names and contact information that can be used to report misbehavior to their parents, according to the Press-Enterprise.The announcement came a day after the brawls, which forced Moreno Valley Mall management to "go back to the drawing board wit...

Did the LAPD mistakenly release its illegal drugs value list?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

A Los Angeles Police Department document that has been marked as "sensitive" may have been sent mistakenly to an independent news operation in Los Angeles.The document appears to show a breakdown of the wholesale and street value of illegal drugs in the Los Angeles area and was sent to L.A. Taco, an online news site that reports on the community and culture of the City of Angels.How the document got into the hands of the independent journalists can apparently be explained by a simple email snafu. According to L.A. Taco, a reporter reached out to the Police Department regarding a story about the price of street drugs and whether or not the LAPD accurately represented the value of illegal narcotics when announcing major busts. California transportation infrastructure no longer considered ‘high-risk’ Police departments across the country have long faced accusations that they artificially inflate the street value of drugs to make big busts seem more impressive. A 2012 article from Off...

Kobe Bryant's daughter to throw out first pitch at Dodger Stadium to celebrate 'Lakers Night'

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Natalia Bryant, the oldest daughter of Vanessa and Kobe Bryant, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium this Friday as the team celebrates "Lakers Night."The 20-year-old model and the Lakers legend's firstborn, will honor her dad and sister, Gianna, during the annual celebration of L.A.'s beloved Lakers.Kobe and Gianna died in January 2020 when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into a hillside in Calabasas. Seven others, including the pilot, also perished. Since their passing, the Los Angeles community and their surviving family members have rallied to ensure that their memories and legacies are never forgotten. Just days ago, the sports world celebrated Kobe Bryant's birthday. Natalia shared a heartwarming photo of her father at a Dodgers game with the caption: Happy Birthday Daddy.Kobe Bryant poses with his wife, Vanessa, and daughters, Natalia and Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 17, 201...

Knott's Berry Farm offering 'scare immunity' necklace for Halloween event

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Knott’s Berry Farm is offering a new merchandise item for guests who may not want to be directly scared by actors at the upcoming Knott’s Scary Farm event.The item, known as the “No Boo” necklace, will give guests “scare immunity” when attending the Halloween event. Knott’s Berry Farms celebrates Snoopy’s birthday with 2024 season pass launch Knott’s Berry Farm is offering a new merchandise item for guests who may not want to be directly scared by actors at the upcoming Knott’s Scary Farm event. ( Knott's Berry Farm) Actors portraying monsters and other scary creatures throughout the park won’t be allowed to directly scare guests wearing the necklace while it's illuminated and visible, a news release said.However, the "scare immunity" the necklace offers won't be in effect in scare mazes throughout the park. Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion to get an expanded outdoor queue and new store “The program provides families and groups with the flexibility in how they want to experience Sc...

How to view the 'biggest, brightest' rare blue supermoon this week

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

People will get a glimpse of an extremely rare blue "supermoon" this week, with outlets reporting it is set to be the "biggest and brightest moon" this year.This blue supermoon can be seen the night of Wednesday, Aug. 30.InTheSky.org predicts the supermoon will rise at 4:10 p.m. PT (2310 GMT) and set at 3:46 a.m. ET (1146 GMT) on Aug. 31. Observers on the ground may notice a slightly larger moon at this time, but only by about 7%, Space.com writes. Saturn will also be especially bright that night, as the gas giant will be at the point where it lies directly opposite the sun as it is seen from Earth. Skygazers across the U.S. can see Saturn in the constellation Aquarius, which is above and to the right of the moon, while those in the Southern Hemisphere can see the planet right below the moon."Warm summer nights are the ideal time to watch the full moon rise in the eastern sky within minutes of sunset," retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak told KTLA sister station WPIX.According ...

This is how much California workers spend on their work commutes, study says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

A new study from the Chamber of Commerce, a website aimed at helping small business owners and entrepreneurs, sheds light on why employees nationwide may not be too keen on commuting to and from the office, especially for those who live in California.Researchers found that multiple California cities have the costliest commute in the country. San Francisco, for example, had the most expensive commute, with drivers spending $12,650.66 annually, or under $50 a day, to get to and from work. Why have traffic fatalities increased in California when more people are leaving the state? Fremont, Santa Clarita, Sunnyvale and Huntington Beach all ranked in the top 10.Los Angeles was placed in the 32nd position, with the annual commute cost costing drivers $6,877.72, or under $30 a day.Researchers looked at various factors, including the cost of living and the amount of time spent on the road, to represent the areas where drivers lose the most time and money while driving to work.The high cost...

Juvelyn Arroyo, Veronica Amezola, Kimberly Izquierdo Killed in Uber Crash on Vermont Avenue [South Los Angeles, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Two-Vehicle Collision near Century Boulevard Kills 3 Uber Passengers; Two Others in Critical ConditionSOUTH LOS ANGELES, CA (August 29, 2023) – Early Saturday morning, a traffic collision on Vermont Avenue claimed the lives of Juvelyn Arroyo, Veronica Amezola, and Kimberly Izquierdo.The fatal collision happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. near the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Century Boulevard in Westmont.According to reports, a Mercedes-Benz sedan was speeding on Vermont Avenue and was attempting to beat a red light. As a result, the Mercedes collided head-on with a black Honda sedan, driven by an Uber driver.The impact of the collision caused the Honda to spin on the road, ejecting one of its passengers across the street.Following the crash, first responders declared the three passengers inside the Uber dead at the scene. The LA County Coroner’s Office later identified the deceased women as 23-year-old Juvelyn Arroyo, 23-year-old Veronica Amezola, and 27-year-old Kimberly...

Russian mercenary boss Prigozhin buried in private

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:59:43 GMT

Associated PressST. PETERSBURG, Russia — A private burial was held for Yevgeny Prigozhin, ending a tumultuous journey from St. Petersburg street thug to Kremlin-financed mercenary leader, following a suspicious plane crash two months after his brief mutiny that challenged the authority of President Vladimir Putin.His spokespeople said Tuesday a service took place behind closed doors, and directed “those who wish to bid their farewell” to the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor to go to the Porokhovskoye cemetery in his hometown. Their statement ended media speculation on where and when Prigozhin would be laid to rest, with his funeral shrouded in secrecy.A wooden cross towered over his flower-covered grave. Nearby stood a Russian tricolor and a black Wagner flag. Russian media cited unidentified sources as saying Prigozhin was laid to rest Tuesday without any publicity, per his family’s wishes.Members of the Russian National Guard were statio...