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Chicago falls from top 10 park systems among U.S. cities, report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

CHICAGO — An annual ranking of public park systems across the U.S. has dropped Chicago from #6 to #12 after knocking the city for a reduction in its average spending on parks and available amenities.The Trust for Public Land (TPL) scores and ranks the park systems of the 100 most populous U.S. cities each year by comparing five park categories: acreage, access, equity, investment, and amenities. All five categories are scored on a 100 point scale and weighted equally into the final average, which becomes TPL's ParkScore® for that city. Bears say Arlington Park no longer ‘singular focus’ for new stadium Chicago's 2022 ParkScore was 76.8 out of 100 while its 2023 ParkScore is 72.6.Of the 3.6 overall points lost, 2.2 came from a reduction in the amount of money spent on parks per resident, which dropped from $182 in 2022 to $178, according to TPL's data. The other 1.6 lost points primarily came from a reduction in available park amenities per capita; namely restrooms and basketball h...

US adds 339k jobs in May, but recession may follow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The White House is taking a victory lap after yet another robust jobs report, although outside economists are more cautious.In May, the U.S. added another 339,000 jobs to the economy, defying expectations."Folks have been underestimating the number of jobs for like 10 months at this point," said Bharat Ramamurti, White House economist. "We're in the middle of a really great economic recovery."Ramamurti said the American people should be confident about the economy's direction."Jobs are becoming better-paying, and that for 10 or 11 straight months now, inflation is moving downwards," Ramamurti said.But outside economists, like Ethan Harris with Bank of America, warned the winning streak won't last.Harris said robust job gains only add pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep raising interest rates, something that could force American families and businesses to cut back."I'd be surprised if there aren't more layoffs," Harris said.This could trigger a mild recessi...

Bat in south Austin tests positive for rabies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bat removed from Town Lake Park in south Austin tested positive for rabies, the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department said.According to officials, the bat was found Tuesday at Michael Butler Shores on a steppingstone near the front of the walk area for dogs.Texas Department of State Health Services provided the lab results, according to Austin Parks & Rec.Most recently, a bat found in Zilker Park in April tested positive for rabies.Anyone bitten by a wild animal should contact Animal Protection immediately by calling 311 or (512) 974-2000, as well as contact a physician.Symptoms of rabies include a change in personality, fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation (foaming), weakness, paralysis and death.

Exclusive: Hays County Tax employee arrested and accused of selling license plates, registrations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles are investigating after a Hays County employee was arrested, accused of illegally selling license plates and vehicle registrations for months, along with a state-licensed inspector who is accused of illegally selling vehicle registrations, according to several law enforcement sources who shared the information exclusively with KXAN.The Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office is now being audited, and law enforcement officers said this could just be the beginning. TxDMV officials said they are "aware of concerns" with the now former employee but declined an interview, citing the ongoing investigation."Department staff have been cooperating with both county office leadership and law enforcement investigating the issue," TxDMV spokesperson Adam Shaivitz said in a statement. "Department staff are conducting compliance reviews of all office operations to ensure the actions were limited to a single county em...

Municipal utility district approved for 14K-home community north of Jarrell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The Arizona-based developers that aims to transform more than 7,000 acres straddling Williamson and Bell counties, near Jarrell, into what they call a "new town" with up to 14,000 homes secured approval for a municipal utility district during this year's Texas Legislature.The Texas House of Representatives and Senate last month passed House Bill 5367 to create Solana Municipal Utility District No. 1 — which, if signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, could be used to finance infrastructure and facilities on the land."We’re truly grateful for all the support we’ve received, including from the Texas Legislature, the leadership of Bell County and Williamson County, and the cities and towns in the neighboring areas. We’ll make sure they can look back with pride at being early supporters of this grand-scale new community at Solana Ranch," DMB Development LLC CEO Brent Herrington said this week in an email.

High school basketball: Daniel Freitag, the state’s top 2024 recruit, commits to Wisconsin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

Badgers basketball coach Greg Gard continues to capitalize on the pipeline from Minnesota to Wisconsin.Wisconsin’s latest get came Friday, when Bloomington Jefferson point guard Daniel Freitag committed to the Badgers. The 6-foot-2, four-start point guard is the 90th-ranked prospect in the nation in the Class of 2024, per 247 Sports.Freitag, who is heading west in the fall to play his senior year of high school at Southern California Academy, made his announcement via 247 Sports’ YouTube feed. He entered the day with five finalists: Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Baylor, Virginia and Minnesota.But the Gophers ended their recruitment of Freitag in March after landing a commitment from fellow in-state point guard Isaac Asuma, a top-150 recruit in the Class of 2024 out of Iron, Minn.On his commitment livestream, Freitag said he committed to the Badgers because his bond with Gard and associate head coach Joe Krabbenhoft was “unmatched.”“I think they did a really go...

Artist Christopher Marley debuts ‘Exquisite Creatures’ at the Science Museum on Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

As an artist and naturalist, Christopher Marley has found a colorful but unusual calling.His exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul features preserved animal specimens and other natural objects arranged in mosaic-like geometric patterns. Beetles, seashell-like ammonites, crystals, lizards and more form a three-dimensional kaleidoscope of the natural world.Marley was scheduled to be on hand in February for the opening of the temporary exhibit, dubbed “Exquisite Creatures,” but his initial appearance was stymied by bad weather.He’ll be at the Science Museum in person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to help kick off its summer programming, which include a series of activity-centered “STEM Adventure Saturdays.”About 2% of the specimens in the exhibit are North American. Much comes from the tropics, especially Southeast Asia, as well as Africa and Europe. Among his favorite collection spots, Marley is affiliated with an entomology an...

Lynx rookie Diamond Miller has sprained ankle, to be re-evaluated in ‘following weeks’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

At 0-6 and with any hopes of overachieving versus preseason expectations quickly dwindling, the 2023 Lynx season is shaping up to be a year judged on development.But even that may be difficult to gauge, particularly in the coming weeks. Rookie star Diamond Miller, Minnesota’s No. 2 overall draft pick and a key pillar of the Lynx’s future, will miss weeks with the sprained ankle suffered in Tuesday’s loss to Dallas, the team announced Friday.The 22-year-old wing’s growth was set to be a major storyline this season for the Lynx as the franchise shifted with a mindset toward the future. It appeared as though Miller was indeed progressing.After a slow start to the season, the rookie was off to a brilliant start against Dallas. Through 12 minutes of playing time, Miller had eight points, five rebounds and four assists. In those 12 minutes, Minnesota outscored Dallas by 10 points.Perhaps, Miller was starting to find her stride. Then came the unfortunate injury, whi...

DEC announces return of Invasive Species Awareness Week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets announced that the state's 10th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week will take place from June 5 through June 11. Free events and challenges will be offered throughout the state as well as online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The DEC describes invasive species as plants, animals, insects, and pathogens not native to an area that cause damage to the environment, agriculture, economy, and public health. New York is susceptible to such pests due to being so integral to international trade and travel. Events will include guided hikes and paddles, screenings of the program "Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species", and more. Daily informational webinars will also be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saratoga County Fair announces early-bird ticket sale "Invasive Species Awareness Week is an ...

Critically endangered red wolf cubs born in captivity in South Dakota

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:50 GMT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The population of an endangered species is growing at the Great Plains Zoo after two of its red wolves became first-time parents to six pups. The litter includes two females and four males. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Photo from the Great Plains Zoo. Photo from the Great Plains Zoo. The Great Plains Zoo said Red Wolves are the most endangered canid species in the world and there’s only about two dozen living in the wild. Officials at the zoo are closely monitoring the puppies via camera and regular checkups. The zoo is asking people to use low voices around the Red Wolf exhibit.  Beloved swan from NY pond killed, eaten; 3 teens charged in her death The parents, Camelia and Uyosi, came to Sioux Falls in October from Washington and Texas, respectively. They “are amazing parents. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them,” said Joel Locke, the zoo's animal care director. “We are fortunate to ha...