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Almost 120M Americans exposed to air pollution that can shorten lives: research

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

(The Hill) -- More than a third of Americans are exposed to potentially life-shortening air pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s (ALA) 2023 State of the Air report.About 119.6 million Americans, or 36 percent of the population, live in areas the association assigned a failing grade to for particle or ozone pollution. This is a reduction of about 17.6 million people that were exposed to air pollution in 2022, with the ALA attributing the improvement primarily to success in reducing ozone pollution.Despite this, the report found a record-high number of people living in counties with failing particle-pollution ratings, at just under 64 million. There are major gaps in the data, predominantly for rural counties, as the majority of areas in the U.S. do not monitor data for the pollutants in question. About 264 million people, or around 79 percent of the U.S. population, live in the 922 counties covered by the data.As in previous reports, the 2023 edition found already-...

Elderly man dies following crash in north suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — An elderly man died Tuesday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash in the north suburbs.Just before 2 p.m., authorities responded to the area of Route 173 and Mill Creek Road, located in Wadsworth, on the report of a crash with "significant damage."Police believe a driver of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, a 45-year-old Milwaukee woman, was traveling north on Mill Creek Road. Police said the driver of the Hyundai failed to stop at a stop sign as she approached Route 173.As the Hyundai entered the intersection, it was struck by an eastbound Volkswagen GTI, driven by a 39-year-old Lake Villa man.A 76-year-old man, of Mexico, was a passenger in the back seat of the Elantra and died as a result of the crash. Two other passengers in the Elantra, a 23-year-old woman and a 18-year-old man, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Elantra also suffered minor injuries.The driver of the Volkswagen was not injured.

City warns of potential blue-green algae on Lady Bird Lake

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department said it saw a lot of green algae Monday on Lady Bird Lake, but warned there might be blue-green algae mixed in.While the department said it had not yet tested the algae, people should assume the algae might be toxic and avoid it.According to the city, a harmful algae bloom occurs when Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, produces toxins. PAST COVERAGE: Toxic blue-green algae: Is this the new normal for Austin dog owners? “Lady Bird Lake experienced a harmful algae bloom in 2019, which sickened and killed several dogs. There have been harmful algae blooms on Lady Bird Lake every year since then,” the city said.In addition to Lady Bird Lake, the city also advised avoiding algae on Lake Austin as well.Watershed Protection’s routine algae sampling has been focused on the traditional algae growth seasons of summer and fall and is paused during winter and spring to allow staff time to process data and adju...

UT Austin Launches pilot housing scholarship program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The University of Texas at Austin launched a pilot housing scholarship program to offset student housing costs up to $1,800 per academic year, with a priority on first-year students. Eligible students are those qualified for free or reduced tuition through Texas Advance Commitment (TAC) and elect to live in the university residence halls.“We have already made progress in reducing and, in some cases, eliminating the cost of tuition for our students who can least afford it, through programs such as the Texas Advance Commitment,” said UT Austin President Jay Hartzell. “Now we are actively working to identify new and more expansive solutions to mitigate the rising cost of Austin’s housing market, which has become a more acute financial barrier. This pilot program is the next step in our strategic effort to support our students in new ways.” The scholarship is available to offset housing costs for an estimated 3,500 eligible students. Scholarships will be awarded in order...

MDH: Test water from private wells for contamination if flooded

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Health is advising owners of private water wells to take precautions against floodwater contamination.If floodwater has reached a well, do not use the water for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth until the floodwater recedes and the well is disinfected and tested.If floodwater has come within 50 feet of a well, but did not reach the well, homeowners still might want to have well water tested for coliform bacteria as a precaution, health department officials advise.Once floodwaters recede from a well, homeowners should prepare to have it disinfected and tested.According to the National Weather Service, the St. Croix River is expected to crest at Stillwater at 7 a.m. Sunday about 2 1/2 feet above flood stage.The Mississippi River at St. Paul is expected to reach major flood stage on Thursday and crest about three feet above that by Sunday.For more information about flood precautions for private wells, go to https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/enviro...

Overnight Northway closure set in Warrensburg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A stretch of the Adirondack Northway north of the Lake George region is set to undergo overnight closures this week. All lanes will be closed northbound approaching Exit 24 of Interstate 87 from midnight to 6 a.m. on Thursday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The New York State Department of Transportation said on Wednesday that the closure would be necessary in order for an ongoing bridge project. Crews are working to replace the bridge that brings Bolton Landing-Riverbank Road over the Northway at Exit 24. During construction, drivers on both sides of the Northway should keep watch for additional lane reductions. Future closures are also possible. The bridge project was announced last month as a $4.1 million state effort. The resulting new bridge is expected to have a life expectancy of 75 years. What does it take to own wooded property? No matter where you're driving, special care is crucial to s...

Downtown Albany Earth Day cleanups Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two neighborhood Earth Day cleanups will be on Saturday, both hosted by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID). One will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park at 119 N Pearl Street, and the other from noon to 2 p.m. at the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region at 135 S Pearl Street. To sign up to volunteer, you can visit Downtown Albany's website, as registration is requested but not required. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Albany's Department of General Services will provide rakes, shovels, gloves, and leaf/garbage bags with help from event sponsor The Mailworks. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided to volunteers by Coulson's News and Deli, courtesy of the Albany Ismaili Youth Club. A rain date for Saturday, April 29 at the same time and same locations has been set.

Watch for railroad crossing closures in Albany County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Department of Public Works (DPW) is starting a railroad crossing reconstruction project. The project spans from Voorheesville to Duanesburg. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! DPW will be reconstructing railroad grade crossings and installing new tracks for Norfolk Southern Railroad starting Monday, April 24. All work is scheduled to be completed by Friday, May 19.Drivers should watch for road closures at these railroad crossings starting at 6 a.m. on the first day scheduled until construction is completed. Most sites are expected to be closed for three days. The roads will be open up to the constructions sites, said DPW. Signed detours will be in place. When do the Capital Region’s mini-golf courses open? ScheduleSchool Road/CR 208 in Voorheesville, crossing closed from April 24 to 26Hennessy Road in Guilderland, crossing closed from April 24 to 26Meadowdale Road/CR 202 in ...

Man charged with robbing woman at St. Louis County gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - A 19-year-old St. Louis man is facing charges for allegedly robbing a woman at a county gas station last week.According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Police Department, the robbery happened just after 5:35 p.m. on April 12, at a QuikTrip in the 2000 block of Union Road.Police met with the victim in the parking lot before she was taken to the hospital, Panus said.The victim told police she was pumping gas when a Dodge Charger pulled up alongside her vehicle. The driver of the Charger got out, went to the passenger side of the woman's car, and stole property from her vehicle. Top story: Trial date set in case to remove Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner The woman saw this and confronted the suspect as he entered the Charger. She placed her body on the hood of the Charger, but the driver went in reverse with the woman still on the hood. He then accelerated forward. The force of the car knocked the woman off the hood and to the pavement.Panus sai...

Where do Parson, Pritzker rank among most popular US governors?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A brand-new poll ranked American governors based on their approval ratings. The St. Louis region is represented by two governors of different parties, but research shows their popularity is about the same. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker were named the 32nd and 34th most popular U.S. governors, respectively, in a poll released from national research organization Morning Consult. Trending: Thieves targeting women at the gas pump According to Morning Consult, Parson and Pritzker both received a 52% approval rating from voters within their states. The poll adds that Parson has around a 36% disapproval rating and Prtizker around 44% in that regard. Others surveyed were indifferent or undecided on their views of their governors. Parson and Pritzker are both serving their second terms as their state's governors. Parson assumed the role of governor in June 2018 when Eric Greitens resigned and his current terms runs through early 2025. Pritzker was e...