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Texas State Police Purchased Israeli Phone-Tracking Software for “Border Emergency”

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

The Texas Department of Public Safety purchased access to powerful software capable of locating and following people through their phones as part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s “border security disaster” efforts, according to documents reviewed by The Intercept.In 2021, Abbott proclaimed that the “surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster” to the state and its residents. Among other effects, the disaster declaration opened a spigot of government money to a variety of private firms ostensibly paid to help patrol and blockade the state’s border with Mexico.One of the private companies that got in on the cash disbursements was Cobwebs Technologies, a little-known Israeli surveillance contractor. Cobwebs’s marquee product, the surveillance platform Tangles, offers its users a bounty of different tools for tracking people as they navigate both the internet and the real world, synthesizing social media posts, app ac...

Crowds watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 98th annual swim in Virginia

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — Thousands of people gathered Wednesday to watch the Chincoteague wild ponies make their annual trek across the Assateague Channel.The tradition in its 98th year includes Wednesday’s swim and an auction Thursday, the biggest annual fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which manages the wild pony herd. The horses were made famous in the 1947 classic children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry.A chestnut-colored filly, No. 70, was crowned Queen Neptune as the first pony to complete the swim, according to The Daily Times. “Saltwater cowboys” on horseback round up ponies, who swim the Assateague Channel and come ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. Foals are auctioned off to help control the size of the herd, although a few are designated to return to Assateague Island to remain and help replenish the herd.Source

Pirates reliever Angel Perdomo receives a 3-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Machado

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Angel Perdomo was suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at the San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado.Major League Baseball on Wednesday announced the disciplinary action against Perdomo, who hit Machado in the back with a 98-mph fastball after giving up a home run to Juan Soto in the seventh inning of the Padres’ 5-1 win Tuesday night in San Diego.Pirates manager Derek Shelton received a one-game suspension and a fine as a result of Perdomo’s actions.Perdomo’s suspension was to begin Wednesday when the Pirates and Padres finish their three-game series. Shelton also was to serve his suspension Wednesday.Perdomo joined the Pirates as a free agent this season and is 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 21 appearances.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

3 hurt, tanker truck overturns in I-395 crash in Arlington

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

Listen live to WTOP for traffic updates on the 8s and when it breaks.A crash involving an overturned tanker truck sent three people to the hospital and closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 395 in Arlington, Virginia, for a few hours Wednesday afternoon, leading to some backups.The crash happened about 1:15 p.m. in the southbound lanes of I-395 near Exit 5 in the Shirlington area, according to Virginia State Police.State police said the crash caused the tanker truck to catch fire. Arlington County Fire & EMS said the truck was carrying propane, triggering a HAZMAT response.The three people taken to the hospital have injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.The crash closed the southbound lanes of I-395 between Glebe Road and King Street for nearly 2 and 1/2 hours Wednesday, leading to big backups.The lanes reopened about 3:30 p.m.Source

Texans WR Metchie on field for 1st day of camp after missing last year following cancer diagnosis

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III returned to practice on Wednesday, the first day of training camp, after missing his entire rookie season following a leukemia diagnosis.Metchie was a full participant in the almost two-hour workout after being cleared to return a little more than a year after revealing he had acute promyelocytic leukemia.General manager Nick Caserio raved about the work Metchie put in to get back on the field after completing his cancer treatments.“It just speaks to John’s mental and physical toughness, the way he’s wired,” Caserio said. “He’s a pretty unique person. There’s not many people like John Metchie in this world, not many athletes that have had to endure some of the things that he’s had to go through. But it speaks to his perseverance … what he’s made of and the people around him.”Caserio credited the team’s medical staff for helping Metchie work his way back after his difficult year.Metchie didn’t speak to reporter...

2-month-old, parents in Amber Alert last seen in Aurora

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — An Amber Alert has been issued out of Pueblo County for a 2-month-old that was allegedly taken by her parents. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Elsy Ardolino was taken by her parents on Tuesday at around 6 p.m. from Pueblo West.Shortly after 2:15 p.m. CBI said they were last known to be in the area of Alameda Avenue and Havana Street in Aurora. SWAT arrests alleged kidnapper, victim taken to hospital Law enforcement believes Elsy is in danger. She may be with her mother, Ashley Ardolino, and father, Luis Novelo-Rojas.Elsy is described as:Female2 months oldHas black hair and brown eyesHispanicThe mother, Ashley, is described as:Female 39 years oldHas brown hair and brown eyesWhiteIs 5 feet, 4 inches tall Weighs 150 lbs.Ashley Ardolino is believed to have taken her 2-month-old daughter, Elsy, who is now the subject of an amber alert. (Credit: Colorado Bureau of Investigation)The father, Novelo-Rojas, is described as:Male35 years oldHas black hair a...

Is the 'Great Resignation' over in Colorado?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It wasn't long ago that Colorado was at the top of the nation for the rate of people leaving their jobs. Americans left their jobs in record numbers in 2021 and 2022 in a pandemic-era trend dubbed the "Great Resignation.” Wages climbed, particularly in low-paying industries, as employers struggled to attract and retain workers. But Colorado's "Great Resignation" is over, just like the rest of the U.S. Renters will have a few extra rights starting in August Labor management firm TimeForge analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data in each state to find job resignation rates, or quit rates, to keep an eye on the trend and found that Colorado had the sixth-highest quit rate among U.S. states in May 2023. A new study ranks the Centennial State lower on the list. Financial advisor site WalletHub analyzed the June resignation rates and the rate in the last 12 months for each state. To calculate the ranking, Wallethub counted June's rates as double the value of the ov...

Local dog Wilson saved from euthanasia, but what about the others?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver metro area was relieved once a local dog named Wilson was saved from euthanasia on Sunday. While Wilson is set to be rehomed, it's not uncommon for a dog to be euthanized at the Denver Animal Shelter.Colorado has the eighth-lowest kill rate in the country, but that doesn't mean Colorado is a no-kill state. For every eight dogs that come into the Denver Animal Shelter, one of them is euthanized, according to a state document provided by Tammy Vigil, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. Denver family fighting to save dog from being euthanized after biting child In 2022, the Denver Animal Shelter took in 3,500 dogs, most of which were adopted, transferred or returned to the owner. Out of those dogs, 455 were euthanized. In Wilson's case, he bit a 2-year-old in the face. After pleas from the family and the public, Denver Animal Shelter released Wilson. When it comes to euthanasia, the Denver Animal Shelter follows a protocol with violence aga...

WATCH: Family films trio of whales breaching in sync off of Cape Cod

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

A family on the water off the coast of the Cape captured an incredible sight when several whales breached at the same time.The video shows three whales against the horizon leaping out of the water and splashing back into the ocean in sync.The man who captured the video told 7NEWS that he was tuna fishing with his daughters when they saw the whales. Robert Addie said he’s seen many whales, but nothing compared to this scene off the coast.“I was stunned,” Addie said. “I’ve worked tuna and swordfish as a young man out of Gloucester, worked fishing in Alaska as a young man, literally have seen thousands of whales, never seen a triple synchronized breach ever.”Addie said he thinks the whales were likely teaching a younger whale how to hunt for fish.

New electric vehicle charging network being built by major automakers could lure more buyers to EVs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:56:42 GMT

By TOM KRISHER (AP Auto Writer)DETROIT (AP) — The announcement Wednesday that seven major automakers are joining to build a large North American electric vehicle charging network should pull people off the sidelines to at least consider shifting away from gas-powered vehicles.That’s how auto industry analysts see the move by General Motors, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes and Stellantis to build a network of fast-chargers that will rival Tesla’s and will nearly double the number of quick-charging plugs in the U.S. and Canada.“Anything that gets more — and especially more reliable chargers — out there will be a benefit to anybody considering EVs,” said Sam Abuelsamid, an e-mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights. “It should help sway some people who were on the fence about buying an EV.”The companies said they will share in a multibillion-dollar investment to build “high power” charging stations with at least 30,00...