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Surf's up! Florida beach named nation's best in annual ranking

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A 9-mile stretch of Florida sugar-white sand in an unspoiled natural setting alongside the Gulf of Mexico is the nation's best beach for 2023, according to the annual ranking released Thursday by the university professor known as “Dr. Beach.”The state park on St. George Island just off the Florida Panhandle drew the top honor from Stephen Leatherman, professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University. This year's top 10 list marks the 33rd year Leatherman has rated the best of America's 650 public beaches around Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer.Miles of empty beach and billions of sea shells await a lone beachcomber at St. George Island State Park near Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle, Feb. 5, 2007. The nine-mile (14-kilometer) stretch of Florida sugar-white sand in an unspoiled natural setting alongside the Gulf of Mexico is the nation's best beach for 2023, according to the annual ranking release...

Could a WNBA team land in Austin? Commissioner says city is among "20 or so" on expansion list

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Could Austin soon be the home of a Women's National Basketball Association team? It's at least on the short list of expansion candidates, according to the league's commissioner.Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed during a May 5 forum with the Sports Business Journal, ahead of the start of the WNBA's 27th season, that the league would like to add two more teams in the foreseeable future.While she didn't give a specific timeline on when those teams could be announced, she said they've narrowed a list of a hundred potential cities "down to 20 or so" based on research into things like demographics and potential corporate sponsorships.Austin was one of the cities she mentioned, along with markets that have long-been viewed as frontrunners for expansion – the Bay Area, Toronto and Portland – and other fast-growing cities like Denver and Nashville. She said they've already visited Portland, while the league held a sold-out preseason game in Toron...

Air quality alert from wildfires expanded to all of Minnesota until Friday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has now expanded an air-quality alert to encompass all of Minnesota until 6 a.m. Friday.A map showing an expanded air quality alert for Minnesota due to Canadian wildfire smoke. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)Most of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, is under a “red” air quality index category — the most severe of the alert classifications.“In the red area,” MPCA states, “everyone should avoid prolonged time outdoors.”In its updated alert on Thursday, the MPCA gave details of the smoky situation:“A band of very heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan is currently moving along a cold front in northwestern Minnesota. The smoke will continue to move south and east and eventually impact the entire state of Minnesota. The smoke should clear rapidly overnight into Friday morning.”Initally, the agency had issued an alert for parts of nor...

Pickleball world record chaser stopping in Albany

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- 48 pickleball matches, in 48 states, in less than 48 days. That is what self-described pickleball addict Dean Matt is trying to accomplish to break a world record. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Matt, also known as the "pickleball pilot" will be flying his plane, a six-passenger aircraft to break the world record of "fastest time to play a game of pickleball in all 48 contiguous states," making 48 stops during his journey. One of those stops will be at the Ciccotti Center in Colonie, where Matt will play a friendly game of pickleball hosted by CDPHP on May 20 at 5:30 p.m. He's broken the trip up into six different sections, with the last stop being in Greater Tampa, Florida.

Stewart's opens rebuilt Scotia store, no gas pumps yet

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Stewart's Shops has unveiled its newly rebuilt store at 204 Mohawk Avenue in Scotia. The shop officially opened on May 17. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The new store was built right new to the old one, but construction was paused due to delays in the approval process. Due to space issues, the old shop had to close for eight days before it was demolished.The new shop is now open, but without any gas pumps. Stewart's said they are starting construction on the expanded gas pumps and they should be ready and open in mid-June. New Stewart’s proposed for Loudon Road in Latham Stewart's said the new shop is larger, so there are more to-go food options including chili, mac and cheese, soups, meatballs and pizza. The site also includes expanded parking, grocery selection, beer cave, and the gas pumps will have diesel.Stewart's will soon be holding a grand opening celebration for the new store. The proje...

Three arrested following Milton hammer disturbance

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people were arrested following a disturbance involving a hammer in Milton, according to the New York State Police. Michael Tranka (56, Greenfield), Douglas Macwhinnie (36, Lake Luzerne), and Richard Macwhinnie (32, Lake Luzerne) each face charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Monday, around 5:22 p.m., troopers responded to the area of North Milton Road in Milton for reports of a dispute involving someone brandishing a hammer. Police say an investigation found Tranka, Douglas Macwhinnie, and Richard Macwhinnie went to a car in the location occupied by three adults and two children under 12. Police say all three were yelling and "acting in a manner" that alarmed the car's occupants. D. Macwhinnie allegedly brandished a hammer during the incident but did not strike anyone or the car with it. Police say Tranka also allegedly exposed himself during the dispute. Police say the parties involve...

Man charged with murder, DUI and street racing in deadly Illinois crash

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

SALEM, Ill. - One man faces a murder charge, DUI and other felonies in a deadly crash earlier this month in south-central Illinois. Prosecutors have charged Justin Bullard, 21, with first-degree murder, aggravated DUI, reckless homicide and aggravated street racing in the case. Top Story: Flock camera leads to DUI hit-and-run arrest in Eureka The crash happened around 9 p.m. on May 4 bear Salem, Illinois, at the intersection of US Route 50 and Hotze Road. Investigators say the victim was driving westbound on Route 50 and had entered the intersection with a green light. Illinois State Police report Bullard was heading eastbound on Route 50 and had a red light, but he ran through it. As a result, he struck a driver turning left onto Hotze Road. That driver died from injuries at the scene of the crash. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Crews respond to fire at Sparta, Illinois metals factory

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

SPARTA, Ill - A fire started at spartan light metals in Sparta, Illinois.A machine that works with magnesium caught fire and flames spread to the roof. 12 fire departments responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Top Story: Flock camera leads to DUI hit-and-run arrest in Eureka All employees were evacuated safely and there were no injuries.

Dodgers face blowback after uninviting LGBTQ group from Pride Night

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

A night meant to highlight inclusion has become one of controversy after one group was uninvited from participating in the Los Angles Dodgers' 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night next month.The Los Angeles chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who were going to be honored with the team's Community Hero Award, have been removed from the lineup of this year's event.The Sisters are a self-described "leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns" who use "humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit."They are known for their activism on behalf of LGBTQ rights and their support for those living with HIV and other causes.Despite their intentions, the Sisters' use of Roman Catholic imagery in particular rankled some, including Catholic organizations and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who wrote a letter of complaint to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.“Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being ‘inc...

Seal Beach sees flooding amid large surf, high tide

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:24 GMT

True to predictions from the National Weather Service, large surf and high tide combined to bring coastal flooding to Orange County Wednesday night.The flooding was not severe, only about a foot or foot-and-a-half of water, but it did affect a parking lot, bikeways and some structures.The flooding near Seal Beach Pier may have been just a prelude.The tide is expected to be highest at about 9 p.m. Thursday night, according to the Orange County Register, meaning more flooding could be on the way.Warnings have been issued for south-facing beaches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.At high tide, “beach erosion along with water over walkways & parking lots could occur,” the NWS said on Twitter.“Stay off rock walls & jetties,” the agency added.