Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
The Best and Worst Roads in the United States
The Best , and Worst Roads , in the United States.
Lifehacker recently offered readers
a handy list of the best and the worst
roads in the United States.
The list ranks every state's public roads by the total
miles against the percentage of "acceptable" miles
and comes up with a rating between zero and ten.
The info was taken from the Bureau of Transportation's 2020 data and compared to existing data from 2015.
These are the top five states with
the worst roads in the country: .
Close to 1,000 US Flights Already Canceled , As Winter Storms Roll In.
CNN reports that as an ice storm continues to strike the central U.S., nearly 1,000 flights were canceled and hundreds were delayed on Jan. 31.
By 8 a.m. ET, 982 cancellations and over
700 delays had been reported from Texas to West Virginia by airplane tracker FlightAware. .
Three airports in Texas are experiencing
disruptions, with Dallas Fort-Worth International (DFW) bearing the brunt of the issues.
CNN reports that as of 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 31, 550 DFW flights had been canceled. .
In Tennessee, Nashville International Airport had about 150 cancellations. .
The most-affected airlines have been Southwest, American and SkyWest.
The most-affected airlines have been Southwest, American and SkyWest.
The most-affected airlines have been Southwest, American and SkyWest.
More winter storms are expected throughout portions of Texas on Jan. 31.
Oklahoma, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville are forecast to be hit later in the day. .
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders took to Twitter to issue caution.
I encourage Arkansans who are experiencing winter weather to avoid travel if possible and heed the warnings of local officials, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, via Twitter.
CNN reports that a large portion of Texas is under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. CT on Feb. 2
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How to Tell If , Foundation Cracks , Are Minor or Major Problems.
Lifehacker recently offered readers some tips for
identifying if cracks in a foundation are harmless
or something that impacts structural integrity.
Here are some of the
warning signs that experts
recommended looking out for.
Non-threatening cracks are generally small,
not larger than an eighth of an inch,
and don't allow moisture through.
Another sign of a harmless crack
is that it doesn't grow up
or down or to either side.
Many harmless cracks can be caused
by flaws in the curing process
and don't require maintenance. .
Cracks to be concerned about can appear damp,
will be wider than an eighth of an inch or show
some type of movement or change in size.
Similarly, diagonal cracks, cracks that travel from one
corner of a wall to another corner, or any vertical cracks
that appear below the soil line should be addressed.
Similarly, diagonal cracks, cracks that travel from one
corner of a wall to another corner, or any vertical cracks
that appear below the soil line should be addressed.
Other warning signs of a foundation issue include doors
or door frames that are out of alignment, a tilt in the slope
of a floor or dampness in a basement or crawlspace.
Other warning signs of a foundation issue include doors
or door frames that are out of alignment, a tilt in the slope
of a floor or dampness in a basement or crawlspace.
If in doubt, it's always best
to have a professional inspect
any cracks you find in your foundation.
Paying for an inspection is much cheaper
than the potential repairs associated with
letting a leaky foundation go unaddressed
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California Holds Out on Agreement , to Cut Colorado River Water Use.
'The Guardian' reports that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation previously called on states that rely on water from the Colorado River to come up with ideas to conserve 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water.
The mid-August deadline proposed by the bureau lapsed, but some of those states have since reconvened and reached a consensus. .
'The Guardian' reports that six western states have agreed on a plan to dramatically cut use of Colorado River water.
However, California, which has the largest allocation of Colorado River water, is holding out.
State officials say they'll devise their own plan.
California remains focused on practical solutions that can be implemented now to protect volumes of water in storage without driving conflict and litigation, JB Hamby, chair of the Colorado River Board of California, via statement.
But Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming have decided to work together.
The states wish to raise water levels where reductions
would occur at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, effectively
creating a protective buffer for the reservoirs.
The model would also focus on water accounting
to ensure that water stored in Lake Mead by the
Lower Basin states is available for future use. .
The actions would reportedly result in
2 million acre-feet reductions in the
Lower Basin and smaller cuts in the Upper Basin.
'The Guardian' reports that an acre-foot of water is enough to supply two to three American households each year
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Prosecutors announced Thursday that actor Alec Baldwin and a weapons specialist will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer who was killed in 2021 on a New Mexico movie set.
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Alec Baldwin Charged , With Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting , of Halyna Hutchins.
Alec Baldwin Charged , With Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting , of Halyna Hutchins.
The charges were announced on Jan. 19.
NBC reports that both Baldwin and
armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will face
two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
NBC reports that both Baldwin and
armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will face
two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
According to New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, 'Rust' first assistant director David Hall has
agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew, Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico First
Judicial District Attorney, via NBC.
After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew, Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico First
Judicial District Attorney, via NBC.
On my watch, no one
is above the law, and
everyone deserves justice, Mary Carmack-Altwies, New Mexico First
Judicial District Attorney, via NBC.
On Oct. 21, 2021, Hutchins was fatally shot
during the filming of 'Rust' at the
Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.
At the time of the incident, Baldwin was rehearsing
with a pistol when the gun went off, killing
Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza.
At the time of the incident, Baldwin was rehearsing
with a pistol when the gun went off, killing
Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza.
NBC reports that the charges come
three months after the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office submitted
the results of its investigation to prosecutors.
NBC reports that the charges come
three months after the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office submitted
the results of its investigation to prosecutors.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza
said he found a "degree of neglect" on
the set of 'Rust' while conducting his investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza
said he found a "degree of neglect" on
the set of 'Rust' while conducting his investigation.
Upon completing the investigation,
Mendoza left the decision of bringing
criminal charges in the hands of prosecutors
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This Day in History: , The Southern US
Border Is Established.
December 30, 1853.
The treaty, known as the Gadsden Purchase, was signed in Mexico City.
Named after the U.S. Minister to Mexico,
James Gadsden, the treaty settled
the dispute over the location of the
Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas.
For the price of $15 million —
later reduced to $10 million —
it established the final boundaries
of the southern United States.
30,000 square miles of what is
now New Mexico and Arizona
was included in the purchase.
The land was deemed to be a highly strategic
location for the construction of the southern
transcontinental railroad.
Eight years later, in 1861,
the Southern Pacific branch
of the Central Pacific Railroad
was established
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Lawsuit Seeks to Stop , San Francisco From Destroying , Homeless Camps.
In San Francisco, homeless people and their advocates
are asking a federal judge to issue an emergency
order to stop the city from destroying tent encampments. .
In San Francisco, homeless people and their advocates
are asking a federal judge to issue an emergency
order to stop the city from destroying tent encampments. .
'The Independent' reports that the lawsuit is also
seeking an injunction to stop the city from seizing tents,
clothing and other belongings of homeless people.
'The Independent' reports that the lawsuit is also
seeking an injunction to stop the city from seizing tents,
clothing and other belongings of homeless people.
The lawsuit, assisted by the American Civil Liberties Union
Foundation of Northern California, will also ask the court
for a special master to oversee San Francisco.
According to attorneys for the city,
homeless people are asked to leave an encampment
only after being offered and declining shelter.
According to attorneys for the city,
homeless people are asked to leave an encampment
only after being offered and declining shelter.
We look forward to discussing with
the court the city’s services-first approach
and the significant investments the city has
made to address our homelessness crisis, Jen Kwart, spokeswoman for the office
of City Attorney David Chiu, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that similar
legal battles over the rights of homeless people
are playing out in states across the country. .
Last week, a federal judge issued an emergency
injunction against the city of Phoenix in response
to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Arizona. .
Last week, a federal judge issued an emergency
injunction against the city of Phoenix in response
to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Arizona. .
This week, in New Mexico, the ACLU and others filed a lawsuit
against the city of Albuquerque that accuses officials of , destroying encampments and criminalizing homelessness. .
This week, in New Mexico, the ACLU and others filed a lawsuit
against the city of Albuquerque that accuses officials of , destroying encampments and criminalizing homelessness. .
Clearing tents just
means throwing someone’s
entire life into a garbage can, Zal K. Shroff, senior attorney with the Lawyers’ Committee for
Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, via 'The Independent'.
That is not solving homelessness. , Zal K. Shroff, senior attorney with the Lawyers’ Committee for
Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, via 'The Independent'
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With Travis and Jason Kelce facing off in the Super Bowl, fans are petitioning to get their mom, Donna, to do the coin toss before the big game in Arizona ..... TMZ.com
Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles , to Compete in Super Bowl LVII.
Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles , to Compete in Super Bowl LVII.
CNN reports that the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 29.
CNN reports that the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 29.
Earlier that day, the Philadelphia Eagles
beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-7
in the NFC Championship game.
Earlier that day, the Philadelphia Eagles
beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-7
in the NFC Championship game.
Now, the Chiefs and Eagles will go head
to head in the Super Bowl on Feb. 12.
It's the first time the Eagles have made it to the Super Bowl since the 2017-2018 season.
CNN reports that this year marks the first time ever that both teams competing in the
Super Bowl will start Black quarterbacks.
CNN reports that this year marks the first time ever that both teams competing in the
Super Bowl will start Black quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes seeks to become the first-ever Black quarterback to take home multiple Super Bowl titles.
The Chiefs won against the 49ers in 2020.
Super Bowl LVII will take place on Feb. 12
at 6:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium
in Glendale, Arizona.
Chris Stapleton will sing the national anthem, Babyface will perform "American the Beautiful,".
Chris Stapleton will sing the national anthem, Babyface will perform "American the Beautiful,".
Sheryl Lee Ralph will perform
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," and
Rihanna will headline the halftime show, .
Sheryl Lee Ralph will perform
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," and
Rihanna will headline the halftime show,
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Predictions Remain Grim , For Lake Mead , Despite Heavy Rains .
'Newsweek' reports that water levels at Lake Mead
have continued to rise over the past week,
however, the predictions for 2023 remain dire.
At the beginning of January,
the reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam
on the Colorado River was at 1,044.69 feet.
As of January 24, following weeks of heavy
rainfall across California and Nevada, water levels
rose just over a foot, reaching 1,045.99 feet. .
The heavy rains came amid
one of the most severe droughts
the region has ever experienced. .
'Newsweek' reports that these
droughts have been impacting
the region since 2000.
States that include Nevada, Arizona,
California and Utah are all using water resources
faster than they can be replenished.
States that include Nevada, Arizona,
California and Utah are all using water resources
faster than they can be replenished.
Consequently, water levels, at Lake Mead, are rapidly decreasing.
Over 25 million people , rely upon the reservoir , to supply water to the region.
'Newsweek' reports that the Hoover Dam, which supplies
power for surrounding communities, will be unable
to operate once the reservoir falls to around 895 feet.
Lake Mead's water levels reached an all-time low
of 1,040 feet in July 2022, and projections suggest
that 2023 could see water levels continue to fall.
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US Sets Aside , $490 Million For , Wildfire Mitigation Efforts.
NBC reports that the United States government
is boosting its efforts to protect vulnerable
areas of the country from devastating wildfires.
On January 19, the Agriculture Department
announced that $490 million will be earmarked
for projects aimed at reducing fire risks. .
The funding will be used for wildfire
mitigation efforts in Arizona, California,
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Last year, $440 million in funds from
Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure law was
set aside for wildfire mitigation projects.
Last year, $440 million in funds from
Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure law was
set aside for wildfire mitigation projects.
According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,
the additional resources will help protect up
to 45 million acres of land in the western U.S.
According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,
the additional resources will help protect up
to 45 million acres of land in the western U.S.
This expanse includes 134 high-risk
areas where wildfires pose a significant
risk to communities and infrastructure.
According to the USDA's Wildfire Crisis
Strategy, 250 of these high-risk "firesheds"
exist across the western U.S.
We expect and anticipate
that around 200 communities
in the western U.S. will see
a mitigated wildfire risk as a result, Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary, via NBC.
NBC reports that ongoing "megadrought"
conditions have left states vulnerable to
the year-round threat of wildfires. .
NBC reports that ongoing "megadrought"
conditions have left states vulnerable to
the year-round threat of wildfires. .
We also factored into this determination
the most current predictive science and
research that will allow us to determine
where risks are highest. It’s not a matter
of whether or not a forest will burn.
It’s just a matter of when and where, Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary, via NBC
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Here Are Some of the , Best Restaurant Dishes of 2022.
'The New York Times' compiled a list of its writers' and editors' favorite dishes across the country. Here are some of the highlights.
1. Oxtails at Sambou's
African Kitchen in Jackson, Mississippi.
2. Fried Whole Huachinango at Tet a Tet
in Los Angeles, California.
3. Crab Claws at Mosquito Supper Club
in New Orleans, Louisiana. .
4. Fried Green Tomato BLT at the
Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
5. Celeriac Schnitzel at Apteka
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
6. Breakfast Tacos at Maria's Cafe
in San Antonio, Texas.
7. Grilled Oysters at HaiSous
in Chicago, Illinois.
8. Palacsinta at Agi's Counter
in New York City, New York. .
9. Pizza Bianca at Pizzeria Sei
in Los Angeles, California.
10. Khichdi at Vrindavan in Frisco, Texas
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A camera on top of Hawaii’s tallest mountain has captured a mysterious flying spiral above the island’s night sky. This ghostly blue spiral spotted in the sky over Hawaii could be related to a SpaceX satellite launch.
#SpaceX #Hawaii #MysteriousFlyingSpiral
On Thursday, the US Geological Survey said that Hawaii’s Kilauea began erupting inside its summit crater, less than one month after the volcano and its larger neighbour Mauna Loa stopped releasing lava. The agency said that the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in webcam images indicating Kilauea had begun erupting inside Halemaumau crater at the volcano’s summit caldera.
#Kilauea #Hawaii #MaunaLoa
A 19-year-old has been arrested and booked in Iowa for what cops say was a phony charity scam that raked in tens of thousands ... all from people who believed.. TMZ.com
Massive Winter Storm , Disrupts Delivery and Travel , Services in the US.
CNN reports that people waiting
for last-minute holiday gifts to
arrive on time may be out of luck.
A massive winter storm hitting large swaths
of the United States is disrupting Amazon, the U.S.
Post Office, UPS and FedEx's delivery services.
FedEx Express experienced
substantial disruptions at our Memphis
and Indianapolis hubs last night due
to severe winter weather that has
been moving across the United States, FedEx statement, via CNN.
FedEx is committed
to provide service
to the best of our ability, FedEx statement, via CNN.
FedEx said that packages scheduled
to be delivered on December 23
or 24 may be delayed. .
According to the U.S. Postal Service,
89 post offices have been
temporarily closed due to the storm. .
53 post offices were closed in South Dakota,
20 in North Dakota, six in Nebraska
and five in Minnesota and Iowa. .
Amazon also announced that it would be
closing certain facilities due to the storm , "out of an abundance of caution.".
We’ll continue monitoring
weather patterns and will reopen
sites and resume operations
when it’s safe to do so, Amazon statement, via CNN.
Amid the busy holiday travel week,
the storm has also impacted passenger flights
and other forms of transportation.
According to tracking service FlightAware,
over 3,000 passenger flights scheduled for
December 23 have already been canceled.
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Sen. Amy Klobuchar says Ticketmaster's stranglehold on the concert tickets and venues is a longstanding problem -- but she gives full credit to Taylor Swift fans.. TMZ.com
Biden Administration Reveals Plans , to Fight ‘Organic Fraud’.
Biden Administration Reveals Plans , to Fight ‘Organic Fraud’.
Fox News reports that on Jan. 19, the USDA updated its organic food label regulations.
This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products, USDA, via statement.
The new rules mark the "biggest update
to organic regulations" since 1990.
The USDA said it hopes to offer , "a significant increase in oversight and enforcement authority to reinforce the trust of consumers, farmers
and those transitioning to organic production.".
Protecting and growing the organic sector and the trusted USDA organic seal is a key part of the USDA Food Systems Transformation initiative, Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for
Marketing and Regulatory Programs, via statement.
Fox News reports that the Organic Trade Association was happy to see the new rules put in place.
[The policy] will have significant and far-reaching impacts on the organic sector and will do much to deter and detect organic fraud and protect organic integrity throughout the supply chain, Organic Trade Association, via statement.
Fox News reports that recently, two farmers in Minnesota were charged with , allegedly selling over $46 million worth of "organic" crops that were actually chemically-treated between 2014 and 2021.
This rule includes more robust traceability and verification practices that would have helped identify and stop this type of fraud earlier, preventing further sale of the fraudulent products and reducing
the impact of the fraud, USDA, via notice
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Another Massive Storm System , Threatens to Strike Parts of the US.
'Newsweek' reports that Louisiana may be hit by late-
season tornadoes for the second time this month as
another "monstrous" storm threatens the United States.
'Newsweek' reports that Louisiana may be hit by late-
season tornadoes for the second time this month as
another "monstrous" storm threatens the United States.
Late in November, a string of tornadoes hit the south-central U.S. as massive thunderstorms raged from the northwestern Gulf Coast into the Midwest.
According to AccuWeather, another massive
storm system could strike as early as next week,
threatening parts of the same areas.
'Newsweek' reports that the extreme weather pattern
is predicted to include blizzards, tornadoes, severe
storms and wind speeds as high as 80 miles per hour.
'Newsweek' reports that the extreme weather pattern
is predicted to include blizzards, tornadoes, severe
storms and wind speeds as high as 80 miles per hour.
Meteorologists say the storm will hit
in several stages beginning with snow on
the Pacific coast as soon as this weekend.
Building strength, the storm is then
expected to hit south-central states with thunderstorms by December 12 and 13. .
According to AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist
Bernie Rayno, the storm could build into another wave
of tornadoes similar to the recent late-November storms.
Parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and
eastern Texas are at the highest risk
according to the latest forecasts.
Parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and
eastern Texas are at the highest risk
according to the latest forecasts.
What makes this storm system so exceptional is that
December is regarded as the lowest-risk month for
tornadoes, with peak season falling in May and June. .
Along with the tornadoes, a blizzard is forecast to hit
Colorado, the Dakotas and Minnesota from December 13
to 14, with as much as a foot of snow falling in some areas.
Along with the tornadoes, a blizzard is forecast to hit
Colorado, the Dakotas and Minnesota from December 13
to 14, with as much as a foot of snow falling in some areas
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published