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Local newspaper started by Ralph Nader saved from closure by national media company

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

WINSTED, Conn. (AP) — A small Connecticut newspaper that began publishing in February with the help of Ralph Nader has been saved from a planned shutdown after a national media company swooped in to buy it.American Business Media said Wednesday that it has acquired the Winsted Citizen, whose oversight board had decided only two days earlier that it could no longer operate because of financial woes. Terms were not disclosed.Vincent Valvo, chief executive, publisher and editor in chief of American Business Media, said the company made its offer to buy the Citizen on Monday after he heard about its possible demise. He said he wanted the newspaper to be successful.Valvo has longtime ties to Connecticut, having worked at the Hartford Business Journal and Connecticut Law Tribune and led the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. He also has a home near Winsted, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Hartford.“I look at it and I think I know what folks in this region would lik...

The top cheeseburger joint in Chicago, according to Yelp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – It’s been estimated that the average American eats approximately 60 burgers per year. And if that sounds high, it’s likely because most of those burgers weren’t so memorable.To rectify this issue, Yelp’s analysts recently set out to determine the “top” cheeseburger restaurant in every state using data obtained from Yelp’s community of online reviewers. The final list features something for folks in all corners of the country, from the meaty shores of Myrtle Beach to the cheesy plains of Wichita and beyond. The top-rated steakhouse in every state, according to Yelp The “top” places for a cheeseburger in every state, as determined by Yelp, can be found below:Alaska – Alaskan Burger & Brew, in AnchorageAlabama – Our Place Diner, in Ozark Arkansas – Table on 6th, in BentonvilleArizona – Happy’s Hamburgers, in ScottsdaleCalifornia – For The Win, in Los AngelesColorado – Burgers & Gyros, in Estes ParkConnecticut – Shady Glen Dairy Stores, in Manchester...

Train derails near phosphate plant in Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

FORT MEADE, Fla. (WFLA) — A train derailed near the Mosaic phosphate plant in Fort Meade early Tuesday.Eagle 8 HD flew over the area, where at least 12 train cars derailed. A roadway near the entrance of the facility appeared to be blocked.(WFLA)(WFLA)(WFLA)(WFLA)Mosaic told News Channel 8 that the railcars were carrying phosphate rocks. Officials said the derailment poses no environmental concerns. No one was hurt in the incident.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Which performers, balloons can viewers expect to see?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) – Balloons, floats, music icons, and celebrities will flood New York City's streets for the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday. The rain-or-shine event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. — half an hour earlier than usual — near Central Park West and West 77th, and ends at the Macy's flagship store on 34th Street. Here's what to know about the parade before tuning in:Who is performing?The lineup at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade always includes a number of national musical acts in addition to marching bands and dancers. But perhaps the biggest name on the list is Cher, who just released a Christmas album. She'll make her appearance just before the parade's end, signaled by the arrival of Santa’s sleigh, parade organizers said.Grammy-winner Jon Batiste is scheduled to kick off the event, with performances to follow by Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James De...

Retailers keeping a close eye on inflation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- As retailers are gearing up for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, they are keeping a close eye on inflation.Experts say shoppers are expected to return to their pre-pandemic habits this holiday season.Long before Black Friday, retailers have been cranking out deep discounts and sales. “It was basically Black Friday in October, and that is going to keep rolling through the holidays,” Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst at Bankrate.com said.Rossman says the state of the economy has many retailers and shoppers concerned.“Our survey found that about a third of holiday shoppers specifically say that inflation is affecting their buying decisions.” Currently, the inflation rate is 3.2%. Still, Rossman says retailers are preparing for record sales.“It's the best discounting season since the pandemic. The inventory situation is better.”The National Retail Federation says an estimated 182 million people will shop either online or in person this Thank...

Police investigating southeast Austin homicide Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide in southeast Austin Wednesday afternoon, officials said in a social media post. The homicide happened near the intersection of Deer Run Drive and Blue Dawn Trail, police said. That's located near East William Cannon Drive and Bluff Springs Road.Police said the department will host a media briefing at a yet-to-be-determined time on Wednesday.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

STAR Flight responding to crash involving motorcycle in southwest Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

Editor's Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — STAR Flight is responding to the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle in southwest Austin Wednesday afternoon.Medics from Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the crash around 1:20 p.m. on W. U.S. Highway 290 at Circle Drive. That's west of the Y at Oak Hill.One adult was taken to Dell Seton with potentially serious injuries, ATCEMS said.ATCEMS says to expect road closures in the area.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Austin Energy rate increasing 5% in December

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Changes are coming to Austin Energy's power supply adjustment rate, with a 5% increase slated to take effect on Dec. 1.Officials said the increase is "due to a lack of adequate progress toward making up for the existing PSA under-recovery," according to a Tuesday memo. AE added the typical residential customer will see a financial impact of less than $2 each month tacked onto their AE bill. PAST COVERAGE: Austin Energy rate to rise for the third time in a year The PSA is described as a pass-through cost to electric utility customers "for the recovery and crediting of ERCOT settlements, fuel costs, and net purchased power costs," per the release. Both the weather and ERCOT-established market prices can impact the amount of revenue collected, in turn affecting the collection and return of any under/over balances, the memo added.Under Austin City Council's direction, Austin Energy's administrative team was permitted to increase the PSA in increments, "not to exceed pl...

Austin creating standalone homeless strategy office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin announced Tuesday plans to relocate its homeless strategy division from the purview of Austin Public Health and into its own, standalone office.After historically operating under APH's umbrella, the new office will report directly to the city manager's office. Back in June, Interim City Manager Jesús Garza spearheaded a homeless strategy special assignment to incorporate "the broad spectrum of programs, policies, and funding the City utilizes in support of addressing homelessness in the Austin community," per a city release.One of the central findings from that assignment determined the homeless strategy division's current operations under APH do "not effectively respond to this critical priority." AUSTIN NEWS: Austin City Council to vote on additional funding for two hotels meant to house the homeless “While the Homeless Strategy Division was embedded within one department, the initiatives to address homelessness span multiple departments and re...

City of Austin rolls out new telework policy, helping city meet climate goals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Starting in 2024, many City of Austin employees will have the option to work from home 50% of the time, according to a new telework policy. As COVID-19 cases waned and employees from various industries started to leave their working-from-home arrangements, Interim City Manager Jesus Garza announced it was also time for city employees to prepare to return to the office. PREVIOUS: City of Austin employees to return to the office, union not on board Garza said in May that all workers would return to the office by the end of 2023, which caused some employees to protest, citing a better work-life balance when getting to work partially from home. “I know when I announced a Citywide standard, employees were concerned about changing their schedules. Some felt they were losing what many viewed as a new benefit the city had been able to offer. But at the heart of our organization is our ability to serve the public and be available for those city needs. It is through tha...