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1st ocean fish farm proposed for East Coast off New England

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire group wants to be the first to bring offshore fish farming to the waters off New England by raising salmon and trout in open-ocean pens miles from land, but critics fear the plan could harm the environment.The vast majority of U.S. aquaculture, the practice of raising and harvesting fish in controlled settings, takes place in coastal waters or on land, in tanks and ponds. But New Hampshire-based Blue Water Fisheries wants to place 40 submersible fish pens in water about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) off Newburyport, Massachusetts, on two sites that total nearly a square mile, according to federal documents reviewed by The Associated Press.The farm would grow millions of pounds of Atlantic salmon and steelhead trout, two popular seafood species, documents state. The proposal needs a battery of approvals, and would be the first of its kind off the East Coast.Hawaii was the first U.S. state to allow operation of commercial open ocean aquaculture. Sup...

Going, going, gone: Study says climate change juicing homers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

Climate change is making major league sluggers into even hotter hitters, sending an extra 50 or so home runs a year over the fences, a new study found.Hotter, thinner air that allows balls to fly farther contributed a tiny bit to a surge in home runs since 2010, according to a statistical analysis by Dartmouth College scientists published in Friday’s Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. They analyzed 100,000 major league games and more than 200,000 balls put into play in the last few years along with weather conditions, stadiums and other factors.“Global warming is juicing home runs in Major League Baseball,” said study co-author Justin Mankin, a Dartmouth climate scientist.It’s basic physics.When air heats up, molecules move faster and away from each other, making the air less dense. Baseballs launched off a bat go farther through thinner air because there’s less resistance to slow the ball. Just a little bit farther can mean the difference between a homer and a flyout,...

5-year-old boy dies after shooting in Calumet City residence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — A five-year-old boy died in Calumet City Thursday night after shooting inside a residence.At around 9 p.m., authorities responded to the 200 block of Paxton on the report of a child shot.Officers at the scene located a 5-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that a gun discharged within the home. Specific details surrounding the shooting are not available at this time."Regardless of the circumstances concerning this tragic death, our hearts are broken as this family must now deal with the loss of this young child. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal" said Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones.Calumet City police are holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m.

1 dead after commercial building catches fire on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

CHICAGO — One person is dead after a commercial building caught fire on the city's West Side overnight. The fire took place in the 111 block of North Kedzie Avenue ad in Garfield Park. 5-year-old boy dies after shooting in Calumet City residence Police are currently investigating the incident and WGN is actively following the situation.

Mayor-elect Johnson to meet Gov. Pritzker Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson continues his tour to meet local leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker. The meeting is expected to take place Friday at the State building. Johnson met with former mayor Lori Lightfoot Thursday for more than an hour in a closed-door meeting. Johnson shared that Lightfoot gave him advice to seize the moment and enjoy the opportunity to lead the city. Mayor-elect Johnson meets Mayor Lightfoot ahead of inauguration Lightfoot also promised Johnson a smooth transition of power. Pritzker and Johnson are expected to meet at 1 p.m. Friday with Johnson's inauguration next month.

Dean's Reviews: Air, The Mario Bros. Movie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

Check out WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards’ reviews for the latest new films released this week.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Unemployment declines to 3.5 percent as labor market shows strength

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

The U.S. economy added 236,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate declined to 3.5 percent, as labor markets stayed tight despite interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.Analysts were expecting the economy to add 238,000 jobs and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 3.6 percent.The U.S. labor market has remained strong in the face of nine consecutive rate hikes by the Fed but the central bank is still projecting the unemployment rate to hit 4.5 percent this year, according to its latest summary of economic projections.Developing.

Goner! Climate change helping batters hit more home runs: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

(AP) -- Climate change is making major league sluggers into even hotter hitters, sending an extra 50 or so home runs a year over the fences, a new study found.Hotter, thinner air that allows balls to fly farther contributed a tiny bit to a surge in home runs since 2010, according to a statistical analysis by Dartmouth College scientists published in Friday’s Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. They analyzed 100,000 major league games and more than 200,000 balls put into play in the last few years along with weather conditions, stadiums and other factors.“Global warming is juicing home runs in Major League Baseball,” said study co-author Justin Mankin, a Dartmouth climate scientist.It’s basic physics.When air heats up, molecules move faster and away from each other, making the air less dense. Baseballs launched off a bat go farther through thinner air because there’s less resistance to slow the ball. Just a little bit farther can mean the difference between a h...

Austin's first Muslim city council member celebrates Ramadan, talks about challenges, rewards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holy month of Ramadan is officially underway, as Muslims from all over the world fast from dawn to dusk for an entire month.In Austin, district 9 council member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri — the first Muslim elected to Austin City Council — has been fasting for over two weeks."Fasting means no food intake, no water intake, I can't even chew gum,” he said. “So, it's absolutely nothingness for about 12-13 hours each day."While it’s been tough at times to abstain from food and drink during the daylight hours, the Indian American believes it’s all worth inspiring others."My hope is that my time in office shows the younger generations that this could be them too," Qadri said.Along with his daily duties as a local leader, Qadri prays five times a day.He says this month is all about getting closer to God and reminding himself of the suffering of those less fortunate."I started fasting when I was 12 years old,” Qadri said. “It brings me closer to God, brings me closer to my family...

This little-known rule causes speed limits to go up in Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:20:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When the signs changed on State Highway 130 in 2012, and the posted speed limit rose to 85 mph, the 90-mile stretch of road officially earned the title of fastest highway in the nation. But Highway 130 is far from the only Texas route where cars have been going faster over time — and are doing so legally. Texas, like many other states around the country, sets speed limits on state roadways using the "85% rule." Basically, the Department of Transportation comes out to a highway, monitors how fast everyone is going in a speed survey, and sets the new speed limit at the 85th percentile. If you think about it a different way, the speed limit is essentially being set by the top 15% of fastest drivers. Once DOT engineers determine the speed of the 85th percentile, they'll round the number to the nearest 0 or 5, and make that the new speed limit. Is it illegal to skip using your blinker in Texas? “The method by which speed limits were set meant that the fastest drivers ...