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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo names 10-week-old Amur leopard cubs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KXRM) — The critically endangered Amur leopard cubs born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in May finally have names. Meet Basha and Mango!The zoo said the names were picked by generous donors of the zoo. Basha's name is inspired by the name of the lead animal keeper in the Asian Highlands, Basia. Basia and Anya, the cubs' mother, have worked closely together since Anya arrived at CMZoo in 2015, and Basia is a passionate leopard conservationist. CMZoo announces the gender of Amur leopard cubs Mango was named in honor of a beloved domestic cat who inspired the donors' dedication to wildlife. Mango has slightly darker features, a distinct "M" spot pattern across his forehead and more defined lines instead of individual spots on his face. Basha currently has a lighter face than Mango and is slightly bigger than his brother. Basha's keepers have also seen a heart-shaped spot above his right eye. Their size comparisons and spot patterns could change as the boys con...

Brooklyn man who was vogueing at a gas station fatally stabbed in possible anti-gay hate crime, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

(CNN) — Police are searching for a 17-year-old they believe is responsible for the stabbing death of a Brooklyn man, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.The 28-year-old man was fatally stabbed at a Brooklyn gas station Saturday night in what police are investigating as a possible anti-gay hate crime, an NYPD spokesperson told CNN.O’Shae Sibley was dancing – vogueing – to a Beyoncé song with friends at the gas station when a group of men approached them and started to shout gay slurs at them, Sibley’s friend Otis Pena said on Facebook Live. The anti-gay slurs eventually led to a dispute, the NYPD spokesperson said.Pena, who witnessed the incident, said the argument escalated and one man stabbed Sibley. Pena said he went to Sibley’s aid and put pressure on his wound. Police said Sibley was stabbed in the torso. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.Sibley was a professional dancer who was featured in several musi...

Summer Steam & Storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

Another muggy and rainy day expected across South Florida with the highest chance for rain in the afternoon/evening for interior portions of the region. Flooding is the primary threat. However, the Summer steam and storm chance is set to continue through the upcoming weekend. Today in the Tropics Showers and storms remain disorganized with an area of low pressure Southeast of Bermuda. Conditions are becoming less favorable for development. It has a low chance to form during the next few days.Have a wonderful day South Florida and make it a safe one! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

Château Breton! French commissioner has bought a castle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

Thierry Breton, the internal market commissioner, has bought a castle in the French countryside, his team told POLITICO on Wednesday, confirming local media reports.Located in the verdant central French village of Gargilesse-Dampierre — ranked among the prettiest places in France — along the Creuse river, Gargilesse Castle was built by the Counts of Gargilesse in the 8th century.Breton purchased the building from a local painter, Annick Thévenin, who had bought the castle in 1998 to use as an art gallery. Breton is not planning to live there, his team said, and intends to keep it as a cultural space.According to local daily Le Berry Républicain, the French commissioner discreetly carried out the purchase several months ago for an undisclosed amount.“I continue to manage the château, to receive the public, to host exhibitions, that’s Mr. Breton’s wish,” Thévenin told the local outlet.Contacted by POLITICO, Breton’s Cabinet confirmed he had inde...

Toyota unveils the retro-styled return of the Land Cruiser

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

New York (CNN) — Just three years after being discontinued in North America, the Toyota Land Cruiser is coming back — with an all-new, retro-styled design. Besides the classic looks, the new Land Cruiser will also have a more accessible price than before.It follows a trend toward more off-road capability in new vehicles and a major upsurge in interest in classic truck-like SUVs. In 2021, Ford brought back its Bronco off-road SUV to capitalize on interest in that classic brand. The Toyota Land Cruiser has its own similarly passionate fan base.The new Land Cruiser is slightly smaller than the previous version, last sold in the United States in the 2021 model year. That version was closely related to the Lexus LX luxury SUV and was fairly opulent for a Toyota, with a starting price of over $80,000. Prices for the new Land Cruiser will start at around $55,000, further underscoring the model’s roots as a rugged off-roader rather than a comfortable errand-runner. ...

USDA Makes Federal Help Available to Mass. Farmers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

Bay State farmers whose crops were destroyed in recent floods can now apply for low-interest loans and refinance existing loans, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated parts of the state primary natural disaster areas on Tuesday. The disaster declaration allows farms affected by excessive rain from July 9 through July 16 to get federal loan support, and to tap into the Emergency Conservation Program, a cost-sharing program for debris and clean-up costs related to natural disasters, according to a release from Gov. Maura Healey’s office. The seven Massachusetts counties designated as primary natural disaster areas are Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk and Worcester. Contiguous counties are also eligible, including Dukes, Middlesex, Plymouth and Suffolk. The state’s Department of Agricultural Resources estimated that about 2,000 acres of crops worth at least $15 million were lost due to the mid-July flooding, affecting at least 75 Massa...

Mansfield PD seek driver responsible for hit-and-run crash that injured bicyclist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

Police in Mansfield are asking for the public’s assistance as they work to identify a driver who struck a bicyclist and did not stop.The Mansfield Police Department said it was around 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday when officers were called to the area of 900 Maple Street for a 911 call stating a bicyclist had been hit.Police and the Mansfield Fire Department responded and located the bike rider, who had what officials considered non-life-threatening injuries.Additional officers and police detectives were then called in after authorities determined the driver responsible never stopped after the crash.A witness told police the vehicle in question was a white pickup truck that was heading westbound while towing a “landscape-style trailer” when it hit the cyclist.“The witness, who approached the area traveling eastbound, noticed the trailer because it was swaying from side to side in such a way that it appeared to not be properly attached,” the department stated on...

Vermont man cited for negligence in crash that killed actor Treat Williams, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

(CNN) — A Vermont man has been cited for negligence in the June vehicle crash that killed actor Treat Williams, state police said.Ryan Koss, 35, was issued a citation on a charge of “grossly negligent operation with death,” at the request of the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, Vermont State Police said in a news release Monday.Koss was driving a Honda Element SUV that turned into the path of Williams’ motorcycle on Vermont Route 30 in Dorset, police said.The 71-year-old actor was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered critical injuries. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead, officials previously said.The medical examiner determined Williams’ cause of death was severe trauma and blood loss as a result of the crash, state police said.Koss voluntarily met with troopers Tuesday and was processed and released, officials said. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 25. It is unknown if he has an attorney...

Hillary Clinton presents Hazel Dukes highest NAACP award to close out convention

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

The NAACP closed out its 114th National Convention with an award presentation presided over by none other than former Secretary of State and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.The former U.S. Senator from New York was in town Tuesday evening to catch the end of the week-long gathering, held this year in Boston for the first time in more than four decades. Clinton was asked to present the NAACP’s highest distinction, the Spingarn Medal, to lifelong civil rights advocate Hazel Dukes.“I am delighted to have been asked to present tonight’s Spingarn Medal,” Clinton said, calling 91-year-old Dukes her “long-time friend.”“Hazel has spent her entire life lifting up others in the pursuit of justice and equality. What a joy it is to celebrate her long history of public service and activism,” she said.According to Clinton, Dukes has been a “trusted advisor” throughout her career, someone who she could count on to tell her the truth whether she wanted to hear it or not.“We have made and...

Mega Millions winner could net $1.25 billion as top lottery prize is still up for grabs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:28 GMT

By The Associated PressThe Mega Millions jackpot increased to an estimated $1.25 billion after no one beat the odds Tuesday night and won the massive lottery prize.The winning numbers drawn were: 8, 24, 30, 45, 61 and the yellow ball: 12.No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18, allowing it to grow larger and larger. The $1.25 billion prize for Friday’s drawing is one of the largest in U.S. history. Tuesday night’s drawing for $1.1 billion was the 30th straight without a winner.The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better.The new $1.25 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to collect through an annuity, with annual payments over 30 years. A sole winner who opts for a lump sum payment would receive an estimated $625.3 million.Winners also would be subject to federa...