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Boots on the ground, eyes in the sky: satellites increasingly used to fight wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

Eyes in the sky are becoming an increasingly important tool for boots on the ground when it comes to fighting wildfires, experts say, as data from a growing number of satellites give firefighters new tools to predict fire behaviour and analyze its consequences.  “It’s being more and more adopted,” said wildfire expert Mike Flannigan of Thompson Rivers University. “In the old days, almost no one was using satellites. Now they’re being used more and more.”The last decade has seen a huge jump in the number Earth observation satellites, driven by cheaper technology and the entry of private industry. A count from the Union of Concerned Scientists says there were 192 such satellites in 2014. Now there are 971. That has given wildfire managers and scientists unprecedented ability to get the big picture, said Joshua Johnston, a Natural Resources Canada scientist working on WildfireSat, which will be the world’s first purpose-built satellite for moni...

Mobile carriers urged to improve accessible phone plans for deaf and blind Canadians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

There’s a sense of worry that creeps up on Lisa Anderson every time her phone alerts her she is near the end of her monthly data limit.For Anderson, who is deaf, each megabyte of data is more crucial than it would be for the average hearing person who doesn’t rely on video calling applications for every mobile conversation.But due to data throttling — a common traffic management practice used by mobile carriers that reduces internet speeds — Anderson said exhausting her data allowance leads to “detrimental barriers.”“The connection on my video is blurry. I’m faced with unclear video communication on one or both ends of the conversation. This impedes my sign language communication in emergencies, for example, when I’m outside of my home,” the Vancouver woman said in an email.“I have thoughts such as ‘I hope I don’t have an emergency until the next billing cycle.’ This is an added stress.”As a June 1 deadline looms for major ...

Man ‘pinned’ by subway train at TTC’s Greenwood Yard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

The Ministry of Labour has been called in to investigate following an accident Sunday morning at the TTC’s Greenwood Yard.Police say first responders were called to 400 Greenwood Avenue just after 8:30 a.m. for reports an employee had been injured after a train rolled back and pinned them. Fire officials say the man was trapped and had to be extricated after being pinned by a subway car. TFS crews were called to the Greenwood TTC Yard this morning for reports of a worker pinned by a subway car. TO firefighters successfully extricated the trapped patient. Patient transferred to care of TEMS. ^dv #Toronto— Toronto Fire Services (@Toronto_Fire) May 21, 2023Paramedics tell CityNews a man in his 70s had been taken to a trauma centre. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. The Greenwood subway yard is where all the trains that operate on the Bloor-Danforth subway are stored and it includes a maintenance facility where repairs are carried out.

Chicago gynecologist on breaking stigmas against women's health

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

CHICAGO — May is Women's Health Month and Dr. Sameena Rahman from the Center of Gynecology and Cosmetics joined WGN Weekend Morning News to break stigmas against menopause and bring awareness to the importance of women's sexual health.

Veterinarians warn dog owners of rise in deadly parvovirus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Parvovirus, which primarily targets puppies, is a growing problem this spring, veterinarians say.Parvovirus, or parvo, can infect any dog, but it can be especially dangerous – even fatal – for young or unvaccinated dogs. It's highly contagious, and can spread from dog to dog, or through contaminated feces or surfaces, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA). While humans can spread the virus on their hands or clothing, people are immune to parvo’s effects.Once infected, the virus attacks a dog's gastrointestinal system. “Parvo is something you can never tell if they’re going to make it or not,” Rachel Lunsford, an urgent care tech at Pet Resource Center of Kansas City, said. Nearly 220K Jeep Cherokee SUVs recalled worldwide due to fire risk Veterinarians say dogs often stop eating when they’re first infected, followed by lethargic behavior. Puppies usually show intestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. “If ...

Man sentenced to 20 years for mom's murder in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison earlier in May for the 2021 murder of his mother, according to court documents. Agustin "Agustine" Carapia Moreno pleaded guilty to murder and will serve 20 years in prison, including 697 days of jail credit. His sentence began May 9. In June 2021, Austin Police found a woman, later identified as Lidia Carapia-Hernandez, with multiple gunshot wounds in a north Austin apartment. She later died at a hospital. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Son accused of shooting, killing his mother in north Austin Police said Moreno was home and told them he had been in the bathroom when he heard shots, ran out and saw Carapia-Hernandez on the floor. Neighbors said they didn’t see anyone leave the apartment. A witness told police they saw Moreno holding a gun shortly after the shooting and hiding it under the couch.Police found a gun beneath the couch with six fired cartridges that matched it. Moreno was arrested and charged with murder.

Real World Economics: New state laws, old economic dilemmas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

Edward LottermanStoried late Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, “states are the laboratories of democracy.”In a federal system such as ours, new policies can be tested for citizens in one state even if our federal House and Senate are initially opposed for the nation as a whole.This session’s DFL majorities in the Minnesota Legislature have labored hard and fast in their lab and are pushing through many measures that are new to our state, the impact of which may influence in other states and, eventually, Congress. These include a broad ban on PFAS “forever chemicals,” a broad-reaching parental and family leave act, new policies detailing how medical providers must manage nurses and legalization of recreational marijuana.Most of these contain key nuggets of economic reasoning. Exploring these may help clarify one’s judgement as to whether these are good or bad for the state.But let’s just focus on a few for now.One economic problem with individual states maki...

Mayfield man accused of indecent communication with minor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

MAYFIELD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Mayfield man was arrested on Friday and is accused of inappropriately communicating with a child under 17. Matthew Belak, 34, faces multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Friday, May 12, around 2:25 p.m., troopers say they received information that an adult man was inappropriately communicating with a child. Police say an investigation found Belak allegedly communicated with a child under 17 via cell phone in April.Charges:Second-degree disseminating indecent material to a minorEndangering the welfare of a childBelak was arrested and processed by Mayfield State Police. He was issued an appearance ticket to return to the Mayfield Town Court on June 13 and was released.If anyone has more information regarding this alleged crime or believes you may also be a victim, you are asked to contact the Mayfield State Police at (518) 583-7000 or email [email protected].

Malta man accused of Lowes grand larceny

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

WILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Malta man was arrested following a theft investigation in Wilton and is accused of stealing multiple water heaters. Anthony Porcaro, 36, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, May 9, around 1:35 p.m., troopers were contacted by the Wilton Lowes reporting a past theft. Following an investigation, police say Porcaro entered the store several times and stole multiple water heaters valued at over $3,000.Porcaro was arrested Wednesday and was processed at Wilton State Police. He was arraigned at the Wilton Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.

5 charts that explain the California and Bay Area exodus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:30 GMT

Bay Area residents, fed up with high housing costs, crime and other quality-of-life concerns, have packed up and left the region in droves since the start of the pandemic in 2020.During that time, the Bay Area’s population dropped roughly 3% as more people, many liberated by remote work, fled to less expensive parts of the state and country.That phenomenon contributed to Austin, Texas, last week officially knocking off San Jose as the country’s 10th largest city. Still the Bay Area’s largest city, with a population of around 970,000, San Jose has shed some 50,000 residents since before the pandemic, dropping to 12th place nationally.While there are signs the exodus is slowing, a falling population is threatening to upend everything from school enrollment to tax revenue to business vitality – raising the prospect of a dreaded economic “doom loop.”Here are five charts that help explain the exodus out of the Bay Area and California  – who’s moving out, where they’re going and what neig...