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Clergy dish up meatball sundaes, pickle ice pops and a little faith at the Minnesota State Fair

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — As the sun rose on an unusually steamy opening day of the Minnesota State Fair, Jeff Knott and his two daughters joined the already long breakfast line outside the Hamline Church Dining Hall.The Lutheran family, at the fair to show the teen girls’ pigs Billy and Lil’ Red, favor this Methodist all-volunteer diner for its early opening, variety of foods including the signature “hamloaf” sandwich, and religious mission. “They use their proceeds for mission work, which I think is important,” Knott said before the family bowed their heads to say grace at the hall’s bustling tables. “Can’t get deep fried Oreos, though,” quipped Elsie Knott, 13. Faith offerings are plentiful and deep-rooted at the late-summer agricultural fairs that, nationwide, bring together 4-H children parading their prize animals and political candidates unleashing their ambitions.Here in the middle of the Twin Cities, in addition to two church dining halls that have served up hot meals fo...

McConnell’s frozen moment renews questions about America’s aged leaders

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

(CNN) — It was an excruciating moment of powerlessness for one of Washington’s most powerful men.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s words dried up and he froze, standing silent and staring straight ahead for around 30 painful seconds in the middle of a press conference Wednesday – the second time he had endured such an uncomfortable on-camera ordeal since July. It is not clear whether it has happened more times away from the public’s gaze. But for a proud senator who has dominated the chamber for many years, the momentary loss of lucidity is embarrassing at the very least, and could become an increasing political problem.The 81-year-old Kentucky Republican was able to resume his remarks, haltingly answering a question on the commonwealth’s gubernatorial race, and later attended a fundraiser for a Senate candidate. But his misfortune immediately revived questions about his health and age – especially since he suffered a concussion in a fall earlier this year. His office insiste...

Labor Day weekend gas prices are near all-time highs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

New York (CNN) — Drivers hitting the roads this Labor Day weekend will be greeted by historically high gas prices for this time of the year.The record-high for gas prices during the week leading up to Labor Day was set in 2012 at $3.84 a gallon, according to a CNN review of federal data that goes back to 1990.Current prices are just shy of that. The national average for regular gas ticked up to $3.83 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA.Normally, prices at the pump cool off as the summer winds down. Not this summer.For a variety of reasons — including OPEC holding back supply and extreme heat that has messed with refineries — gas prices have steadily increased this summer. The national average price for regular gas stood at $3.58 a gallon on Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer.“This is abnormal. Prices normally fade towards the end of the summer,” said John LaForge, head of real asset strategy at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.Eleven states across the country avera...

Claire Coutinho, new UK energy secretary, has distinct shades of green

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

LONDON — Claire Coutinho is in a hurry.Less than four years after being elected MP for East Surrey, the U.K.’s new secretary of state for energy security and net zero finds herself in charge of keeping the lights on in the U.K — and delivering on the country’s legal commitment to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050.It’s a big promotion for the 38-year-old, who has previously held two junior ministerial posts, most recently as minister for children, families and wellbeing. She is the first of the Conservatives’ 2019 election in-take to join the Cabinet. Her rapid ascent sees the U.K.’s six-month old Department for Energy Security and Net Zero switching Grant Shapps, a pugnacious media performer and one of the government’s most experienced figures, for a Tory rising star who some hope will restore the party’s green credentials, at a time when many Tory MPs are questioning the wisdom of the net zero project.A close ally of the prime minister, Coutinho work...

Police: Man crashes car into Hudson, N.H. church, sets fire at entrance

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

HUDSON, N.H. — Police say a Salem, N.H. man crashed his car into the First Baptist Church in Hudson, started a fire at the church’s entrance, and attempted to break into a 7-Eleven located next door, all during the early morning hours Saturday.The Hudson Police said the destructive incident was brought to their attention at around 2:30 a.m. when they were flagged down by a man standing in the roadway, near the intersection of Central and Greeley streets.Police said the man, later identified as 29-year-old Matthew Jackson, alerted officers to a fire at the First Baptist Church, located at 236 Central St.Based on an on-scene investigation, police said they developed probable cause to believe Jackson intentionally started the fire at the entrance of the church, “causing extensive fire damage.”With Jackson in custody, an additional investigation was conducted, at which point police said they discovered Jackson had crashed his car — a Nissan Versa — into the side of the church. The crash...

Healey, Fiandaca shed no new light on Secretary’s departure 

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey and outgoing Transportation secretary Gina Finadaca appeared together during Wednesday’s tour of the Sumner Tunnel but did not answer multiple questions surrounding Fiandaca’s exit from office after just seven months on the job.In a surprise announcement Monday, the Healey administration said Fiandaca, who served four years as transportation commissioner under former Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, will depart from her post on Sept. 11 and stay in an advisory role for the rest of the year.Related Articles Battenfeld: First major shake-up of Healey administration shrouded in mystery Sumner Tunnel reopens Friday; some weekend shutdowns will persist Top legislative Democrats confident in Healey’s MassDOT as Gina Fiandaca departs Healey’s Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca out after less than a year As an advisor, Fiandaca will continue to collect her $181,722 salary, according to MassDOT.She was appoi...

Man ran over by delivery truck dies

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was killed Wednesday after being ran over by a delivery truck in Miramar, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, a 31-year-old man entered his parked Chevrolet delivery truck around 2 a.m. and began to drive eastbound through the parking lot of 9750 Distribution Ave. 5 things to do Labor Day weekend in San Diego Unbeknownst to the driver, a 28-year-old man was laying down underneath the delivery truck at the time, police explained. Ultimately, the delivery truck ran over the man who was laying underneath it. The injured man was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.SDPD's Traffic Division responded and is handling the investigation. During the investigation, police say it was determined the man underneath the vehicle had been consuming alcoholic beverages prior to the incident.Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

5 things to do Labor Day weekend in San Diego

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Labor Day weekend is upon us! For those who have yet to make plans for the long holiday, there are plenty of ways to kick back and relax right here in San Diego County.With an Excessive Heat Warning making most of the region sweat in the days ahead of the three-day weekend, many residents may be looking for ways to cool off as they spend their time leisurely. Here are five things to do to kick-off the month of September as we honor all the work and contributions of laborers across the country: Brazilian Day Festival coming to San Diego -- Go paddle boarding: What better way to spend the holiday than out on the water? San Diego County has several ideal spots for paddle boarding such as Mission Bay, La Jolla Shores, Carlsbad Lagoon, or one of the county's many reservoirs. Check ahead to ensure bookings are available.-- Post up at the beach: Sink your toes into the sand at one of San Diego's pristine beaches. This option is for those who don't mind crowds as Labor Day we...

At least 73 are dead, many of them homeless, as fire rips through a rundown building in South Africa

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A nighttime fire ripped through a rundown apartment building mainly occupied by homeless people and squatters in Johannesburg, forcing some to throw babies out of third-story windows in a desperate attempt to save them and leaving at least 73 people dead early Thursday, witnesses and emergency services in South Africa’s biggest city said.At least seven of the victims were children, the youngest a 1-year-old, according to an emergency services spokesperson. A South African television station reported that the number had climbed to 12 children dead, although emergency services didn’t immediately confirm that.More than 50 people were injured and emergency services officials warned that the death toll could still rise as they continued to search the scene more than 12 hours after the blaze broke out at around 1 a.m.Dozens of bodies recovered by firefighters lay on a side road outside the apartment block, some in body bags but others covered in silver shee...

Stock market today: Wall Street opens modestly higher but still headed for a loss in August

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:26:25 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening modestly higher on Wall Street, on track to end a mostly miserable August on an up note. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% in early Thursday. It’s still on track for its first monthly loss since February. The Dow rose 165 points, or 0.5%. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.2%. Treasury yields were holding relatively steady. The government reported that the measure of inflation that’s closely tracked by the Federal Reserve remained low last month. That’s the latest sign that price increases are cooling. Investors are hoping the Fed may be close to done raising interest rates. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street pushed higher Thursday ahead of new inflation and jobs data that could influence the Federal Reserve and its policy decisions regarding benchmark interest rates. Futures for the Dow Jones industrials rose 0.5% and the S&P 500 advanced 0.2% as more corporate earnings reports trickled in after the bell Wednesda...