Environmental groups say they’ll sue to block Virginia from leaving greenhouse gas compact

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Environmental groups say they’ll sue to block Virginia from leaving greenhouse gas compact RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A coalition of environmental groups announced plans Monday to file a lawsuit to try to block Virginia from withdrawing from a multistate compact designed to reduce greenhouse gases. The Southern Environmental Law Center filed notice with state regulators indicating the coalition’s intention to sue in Fairfax County Circuit Court to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin made withdrawal from the compact a priority, citing its impact on the cost of electricity. The State Corporation Commission has estimated the typical monthly bill could increase by $2.00 to $2.50 for the years 2027 to 2030.Last month, the state’s Air Pollution Control Board voted 4-3 to repeal Virginia’s participation in the initiative. The initiative is an effort by mid-Atlantic and Northeast states to reduce power plants’ carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade system. In 2021, Virginia became the first Southern state to join th...

Virginia Republicans offer concession on tax plan as budget stalemate drags on

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Virginia Republicans offer concession on tax plan as budget stalemate drags on Virginia Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, listens to the proceedings on the floor of the House at the Capitol Tuesday Feb. 22, 2022, in Richmond, Va. Knight is a sponsor of a bill intended to lure the Washington Commanders to the state. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)(AP/Steve Helber) Virginia Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, listens to the proceedings on the floor of the House at the Capitol Tuesday Feb. 22, 2022, in Richmond, Va. Knight is a sponsor of a bill intended to lure the Washington Commanders to the state. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)(AP/Steve Helber) The top budget negotiator for Virginia House Republicans said Monday he offered a major compromise nearly two weeks ago that would end his party’s push this ye...

Broncos' Tim Patrick injures left Achilles tendon after missing last year with torn right ACL

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Broncos' Tim Patrick injures left Achilles tendon after missing last year with torn right ACL ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos braced themselves for a second straight season without their steadiest wide receiver and locker room leader after Tim Patrick was carted off the field with a left Achilles tendon injury Monday — almost a year after tearing his right ACL at training camp.“It's a tough break for us as a team when you see something like that, a great player, a great leader,” cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “We wish him the best and just go on from there.”With an energized crowd of 3,000 looking on as the Broncos practiced in full pads for the first time, Patrick hit the ground in pain just as he came out of his cut on a short route during a seven-on-seven passing drill. He threw his helmet as teammates including Courtland Sutton and Russell Wilson rushed to his side.The injury happened right in front of head coach Sean Payton, who was watching Patrick make an adjustment from a previous route.“It's always difficult, especially a guy like that's a leader who...

Man surrenders after fleeing from BSO and climbing up tree in Dania Beach cemetery

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Man surrenders after fleeing from BSO and climbing up tree in Dania Beach cemetery A man is in custody after running from Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and climbing a large tree at a Dania Beach cemetery, eventually coming down at his own volition. 7News’ Skyforce hovered over the scene on Monday afternoon where BSO deputies attempted to capture the man up in the tree at the West Lawn Cemetery on 1251 Southeast 12th Street, since 3 p.m. Several paramedics, officers and firefighters were at the scene.The suspect was wanted for a felony and fled from officers. People crowded behind the fence as the situation went on — One witness said the wanted man was at a nearby corner store where police approached him to talk about an incident and he then ran and jumped the fence of the cemetery and scaled the tree.Authorities brought out ladder trucks, but the suspect refused to come down for almost three hours. Another witness claimed to have heard the man yelling out some things he wanted from the police. “That he wanted water, to get his mom, his daught...

Alligator recovering at Everglades Outpost sanctuary after being hit by car in Homestead

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Alligator recovering at Everglades Outpost sanctuary after being hit by car in Homestead Another reptile was rescued after being hit by a car.A driver struck an alligator in Homestead, Friday.A wildlife rehab worker scooped the injured animal off of the road.It suffered injuries to its face and tail.“We examined the rest of the body, it had some minor abrasions,” said Martha Frassica-Rivera, owner of the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Sanctuary. “It looks like a pretty healthy alligator.”The alligator was taken to the Everglades Outpost where it’s on antibiotics and is said to be recovering well.Officials said it will remain there because it’s too big to be released back into the wild.

3 suspects arraigned in connection with smash and grab at watch shop in Boston

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

3 suspects arraigned in connection with smash and grab at watch shop in Boston Three suspects were arraigned in court Monday afternoon after their arrest in connection with a smash-and-grab at a high-end watch shop on Boylston Street in Boston last week. Boston police said officers first responded around 5:50 p.m. on Friday to the watch shop after a report of an armed robbery in progress. In court, prosecutors said the suspects wore masks and used hammers to smash cases. Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly stole eight watches worth a total of $200,000. Police announced the arrests of Akari Cummings, Jaydrian Diaz and Isiah McPherson on Saturday. In court, Diaz used his jumpsuit to cover his face and head, holding his handcuffed wrists in front of him. Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly fled the scene in a car with a fourth suspect, who was still on the loose as of Monday afternoon. Officers later surrounded the getaway car, at which point prosecutor Christian Pasciak said the car’s driver held up a semi-automatic gun. Pas...

Muggy, Wet July in the Books

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Muggy, Wet July in the Books Editor’s Note: This blog was written by 7Weather intern Tyler Hughes.We’ve almost made it through July here in New England. As we wrap up and head into August, it’s worth a look back at our July, an anything-but-beachy month full of rain and humidity. It’s been one of the muggiest Julys in the last 6 or so years – in Boston, there have been 17 days this month with dewpoints over 70 degrees. That’s a baseline for what I’d consider to be tropical, even oppressive humidity. The frizz factor was out in full force… not exactly comfortable for many of us. It’s also been an extremely wet July – ranking as the 2nd wettest July on record in both Boston and Worcester. In Boston, we picked up over 10 inches of rainfall this month, while in Worcester, we accumulated more than 12″ of rainfall. These numbers could sneak up a little bit before July is officially over as a few showers move through this evening, but nothing ...

Pipeline operators to pay $12.5M after crude oil spills in Montana, North Dakota

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Pipeline operators to pay $12.5M after crude oil spills in Montana, North Dakota By JACK DURA (Associated Press)BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the settlement in a 2022 federal court lawsuit. Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC will pay the $12.5 million to resolve the claims made under the Clean Water Act and Pipeline Safety Laws, the EPA said. The affiliated companies own and operate oil pipelines in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.In 2015, Bridger’s Poplar Pipeline broke and spilled more than 50,000 gallons (about 190,000 liters) of crude into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Montana. Bridger has completed cleanup of the site, and in 2021 settled a lawsuit with federal and Montana authorities for $2 million. Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality previously fined Bridger $1 million in the case.In 2016, Belle Fourche’s Bicentenn...

Boston Mayor Wu bans fossil fuels in new city-owned building construction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

Boston Mayor Wu bans fossil fuels in new city-owned building construction In the latest push for her Green New Deal, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed an executive order that prohibits city-owned buildings from being constructed or renovated in a way that allows for the use of fossil fuels.The order, which went into effect after it was signed on Monday afternoon, is part of the mayor’s larger effort to implement a similar ban on new residential buildings, her office said, a plan that has drawn the ire of certain real-estate groups.“This executive order is a long time coming,” Wu said at a City Hall press conference. “It is dealing with what is fully within the city’s control in terms of public buildings that will be newly built or undergoing a major reconstruction and renovation, and committing that they will be fossil-fuel free.”Boston’s Green New Deal Director Oliver Sellers-Garcia said these municipal buildings will be constructed or renovated in a way that doesn’t allow for the use of fossil fuels like coal, oil or natural gas in heating and cooling, ho...

San Francisco prosecutors lay out case against consultant in killing of Cash App’s Bob Lee

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:56:34 GMT

San Francisco prosecutors lay out case against consultant in killing of Cash App’s Bob Lee By JANIE HAR (Associated Press)SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — DNA from a bloody knife and video footage are crucial pieces of evidence against a tech consultant charged with murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, who was found bleeding on a deserted San Francisco street in April, prosecutors argued Monday.The San Francisco prosecutor’s office began laying out its case against Nima Momeni, 38, at a preliminary hearing in which a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to go to trial.Prosecutors say Momeni planned the attack, drove Lee to a secluded spot and stabbed him three times after a dispute related to Momeni’s younger sister.They have not spelled out a motive, but previously offered a timeline in a case that has drawn outsized media attention, partly due to Lee’s status in the tech world. Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin. Momeni, who has been in jail sin...