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What’s known — and not — about US-Russia military air crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When a Russian fighter jet collided with a large U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday, it was a rare but serious incident that triggered a U.S. diplomatic protest and raised concerns about the possibility Russia could recover sensitive technology.U.S. and Russian officials had conflicting accounts of the collision between the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the Russian Su-27 fighter jet — each blaming the other. But a Pentagon spokesman raised the possibility that the Defense Department could eventually declassify and release video it has of the collision.Defense officials said the drone has not been recovered. But the Pentagon declined to say whether any effort was underway to gather debris or pieces of the Reaper.Here’s what’s known — and uncertain — about the crash.WHAT THE US SAYS HAPPENEDThe Pentagon and U.S. European Command said that two Russian Su-27 aircraft dumped fuel on the MQ-9, which was conducting a routine surveillance mission ove...

FAA to investigate runway wrong turn at DC-area airport

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

Federal officials announced Tuesday that they’re investigating after a taxiing airplane took a wrong turn at a Washington-area airport and crossed a runway where another plane was preparing to take off.The Federal Aviation Administration said it happened on the morning of March 7 after air traffic control cleared a Republic Airways Embraer 175 to taxi across a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and a United Airbus A319 was cleared to take off from another runway, The Washington Post reported. The Republic pilots took the aircraft in a different direction and crossed the runway that the United flight was about to use, but a controller intervened, officials said.The United flight returned to the beginning of the runway at the airport in Arlington, Virginia, before taking off for Chicago, and the Republic flight continued to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The investigation will determine how close the planes were, the FAA said.United referred questions to ...

DC cherry blossoms expected to reach ‘peak bloom’ next week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

D.C.’s treasured cherry blossoms are expected to reveal themselves early this year, with some expected to reach peak bloom as soon as next week.The National Park Service said that, due to a milder-than-usual winter, many of the Yoshino trees had already begun to reveal their petals. The agency anticipates peak bloom to occur sometime between Wednesday, March 22, and Saturday, March 25.Easing toward warmer weather, the cherry blossoms will feel the effects. With many of the Yoshino trees beginning to reveal their petals, we’re expecting peak bloom to arrive at the early side of our prediction (March 22-25) or a few days before. #BloomWatch #cherryblossom pic.twitter.com/amvqwNCK5x— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 14, 2023More Cherry Blossom NewsMore DC NewsMore Local NewsSome local scientists have said that earlier peak blooms are an indicator of climate change in the area. Matthew Morrison, an NPS arborist, told WTOP that rising waters at the Tidal Basin are a...

March Madness and Michigan State synonymous under Tom Izzo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tom Izzo stepped up to a lectern with a microphone, as he has more than 1,000 times over the last three decades, and delivered a timely message when Michigan State University needed it most.The Basketball Hall of Fame coach was asked to address a huge, crestfallen crowd that gathered in the middle of campus two days after shootings less than a mile away killed three students and hospitalized five others.“Emotions are different for each and every person,” Izzo said. “I cry in front of my team. I cry on national TV. Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. We all process trauma in a very different way. I’m just glad we’re all here together.”Izzo had visited the victims in the hospital before practice earlier that day and had prepared what he wanted to say. He went off the script, though, when asking everyone in attendance to meet the 10 people around them before departing.Nearly a month later, Michigan State interim President Teresa K. Woodruff got emoti...

Michigan Senate votes to repeal 2012 law restricting unions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of union supporters filled the halls of the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday as Senate Democrats voted along party lines in support of repealing the decade-old “right-to-work” law in a state long considered a pillar of organized labor.Democrats have listed the repeal as one of their top legislative goals this session. The law, enacted in 2012 when Republicans fully controlled Michigan government, prohibits public and private unions from requiring that nonunion employees pay union dues even if the union bargains on their behalf. Senators approved the repeal on a 20-17 vote, sending it back to the House, which passed its own version last week but must approve the final language. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she’ll sign it. The Senate also followed the House’s actions last week in voting to restore the state’s prevailing wage law, which requires contractors hired for state projects to pay union-level wages. “It’s a new day here in Lans...

FOX31 viewers help Bailey the service dog

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

(KDVR) — FOX31 viewers are making a difference for an injured service dog. Bailey needed special surgery after tearing a ligament in her rear right leg. The 3-year-old rottweiler helps Taryn Cortez cope with multiple sclerosis and depression and can even sense when Cortez’s blood sugar is too high or low. Watch: Video shows pharmacy robbery near Denver Cortez couldn’t afford to pay for the surgery, which costs more than $3,000. FOX31 viewers donated enough money to cover Bailey’s surgery and therapy within 30 minutes after the story aired. “I was crying because I was just like, it’s amazing that so many people are willing to help and wanted to help Bailey," Cortez said. Service dog faces another medical hurdleBailey is receiving treatment at Animal Works Veterinary in Fort Collins. Dr. Don Kraft explained that large dogs face challenges when it comes to treatment for torn ligaments. "We're looking at, you know, implants, hardware and things like that, all of which have to go in, ...

Denver mayoral candidates to answer youth questions on drugs, violence, mental health

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- On Thursday, 5280 High School and Rise Above Colorado will host a youth-led mayoral forum to address issues that affect teens like mental health, fentanyl and school-based violence. Thirteen candidates running for Mayor of Denver are scheduled to participate.5280 High School is a school that helps students who are dealing with substance use or mental health issues.A student named Alichia says she had some issues with family members that affected her grades and mental health. "I wasn't doing good at all," she said. But now she is proud of the turnaround she's had at 5280. "Last quarter I actually passed with all A's," she said. Parents want teen who shares massive house party videos stopped Now she and other students want to know how Denver's mayoral candidates plan to address issues affecting young people. Melissa Mouton, the school's executive director, says the students are very concerned about a feeling of community and belonging."Another concern is access...

New bipartisan effort aims to help workforce shortage

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis joined a group of bipartisan lawmakers to announce proposed legislation to help fill the workforce shortage. The first part of the proposal would cover the cost of an associate's degree or industry certificate for up to two years in eligible fields. Those fields include elementary and early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, forest management construction trades and short-term nursing. Denver housing costs 37% more than the national average The governor's proposed budget requests $40 million for the zero-cost education and training. If passed, the investment is expected to help 20,000 Coloradans in the next two years. "This is important for the state, because right now we're not filling those jobs. If we can direct students into those jobs and make it cost-free for them to get those credentials, we know we'll increase the number of students, number of graduates available to fill those jobs. That's not just good for them, it's good...

Sun, Sand, and Model Volleyball

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

The hottest event on the beach returns to South Florida this weekend. Over 200 models from top agencies gather at a two-day event to play at the tournament.Saturday is a practice, but the real throwdown happens Sunday.The event has other activities such as rock climbing walls, dunk tanks and fun photo booths. The event will have DJs like Brody Jenner and amazing food, so bring your bestie and don’t miss out.FOR MORE INFORMATION:modelvolleyball.com

Miami Arts Charter School produces show at The Listening Room in Wynwood

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:48:53 GMT

When the school day ends, performance night begins for the students of Miami Arts Charter school.Students get a chance to experience what it’s like being in the entertainment business when they perform at The Listening Room.The students aren’t only in the show, they are also running it behind the scenes. Teachers get to see the students apply what they learned in class.The shows are open and free to the general public.