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Union Pacific railroad to renew push for 1-person crews by testing conductors in trucks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific will renew its push for one-person train crews later this summer when the railroad tests out the idea of having a conductor in a truck respond to problems on trains in Nebraska and Colorado.The railroad will continue using two crew members on its trains during the test, but officials say this could bolster their case in future negotiations for cutting crew size if it is successful. UP’s Jason Pinder confirmed the pilot program Monday when he testified against a proposed Kansas rule that would require two-person crews. The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad has long been a leading proponent in the industry’s push to go down to one-person crews.This plan had to be shelved earlier this year after the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors opposed it. But that union later agreed to let Union Pacific test out ground-based conductors as long as i...

Deaths of four Oregon women over three months are linked, authorities say, reversing earlier call

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The bodies of four women began appearing in wooded areas in northwest Oregon in February, though police initially said the cases appeared to be unconnected. But on Monday, prosecutors dropped a bombshell, saying they are linked and “at least one person of interest” has been identified.The state medical examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death for any of the women, prosecutors said in a statement. Officials did not use the words “serial killer” in announcing the connection between the deaths.But, in an about-face from a June 4 Portland Police Bureau statement saying six deaths did not appear to be connected, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office in Portland announced that four of them are.“Investigators and prosecutors from multiple law enforcement agencies have been working collaboratively, … and they have determined that there are links between four cases: Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Real,” the prosecu...

PrairieSky Royalty earns $48 million in second quarter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

CALGARY — PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. says its net earnings for the second quarter were $48 million, down from $110.1 million a year earlier.The Calgary-based company says it saw record quarterly average oil royalty production of 12,607 barrels per day.PrairieSky’s revenues for the quarter ended June 30 were $117.4 million, down almost 41 per centfrom $198.1 million during the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were 20 cents, down from 46 cents a year ago.President and CEO Andrew Phillips says it has been a strong first half of the year for the company. While funds from operations were up from the previous quarter, they were down 43 per cent from a year ago due in part to lower benchmark pricing.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:PSK)The Canadian Press

Multiple injuries after car crashes into Hinsdale sub shop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

HINSDALE, Ill. -- Police are investigating after a car crashed into a Hinsdale sandwich shop Monday afternoon.According to reports, a car crashed into Fontano's Subs near the intersection of Chicago Ave and Lincoln Street in Hinsdale around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Plane debris falls into backyard of Far Northwest Side home The owner of Fontano's Subs told WGN-TV that a man was driving a jeep out of Fuller's Car Wash across the street and somehow lost control before slamming into the sandwich shop.Several patrons were inside and injuries are being reported, but Hinsdale PD have yet to release details at this time.According to Fontano's Subs' owner, a child was in front of the vehicle before being hit and dragged by the Jeep. Also, the sandwich shop owner said a couple was pinned by the Jeep and an elderly man was hit by debris.No further information has been made available at this time.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

Strikes could lead to 'absolute collapse' in Hollywood, Diller says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

(The Hill) – IAC and Expedia Group Chair Barry Diller says the dual Hollywood strikes of writers and actors could lead to an “absolute collapse” of the entire industry, if the issues are not resolved soon. “These conditions will potentially produce an absolute collapse of an entire industry,” the former chief executive of Paramount Pictures said in a Sunday interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing many actors in Hollywood, joined the Writers Guild of America on strike Friday after contract negotiations with film studios failed to be resolved. It's the first time the two labor groups have both been on strike in decades.  Philippines considers banning ‘Barbie’ movie Diller warned that timing is a key issue in settling this strike. If it doesn’t get resolved until Christmas, for example, there will not be as many programs produced next year, and subscriptions will get pulled. That would result in less money for the movie and t...

Lindsay Lohan gives birth to her first child

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

(AP) - Lindsay Lohan has given birth to her first child.The “Parent Trap” star and her husband, financier Bader Shammas, are the parents of a “beautiful, healthy son” named Luai, her rep told The Associated Press in a statement Monday.“The family is over the moon in love,” the statement said.Lohan, 37, gave birth in Dubai, where the couple lives, according to Page Six. Her son's exact birth date was not released. Grand Canyon ‘packrafting’ conviction brings $2,500 fine, ban from national parks Luai is an Arabic name that means “shield” or “protector.” Lohan announced her pregnancy in March in a photo posted to Instagram of a white onesie emblazoned with “coming soon.”She has lived overseas for several years and has been married to Shammas since last year.Lohan was once a tabloid mainstay but now keeps a lower public profile. She has returned to acting, starring last year in Netflix’s “Falling for Christmas," and on the streaming service’s upcoming rom...

Deadly weekend in Austin after multiple homicides: What we know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is busy investigating four deadly shootings that left five people dead over the July 15-16 weekend. Austin police tell KXAN there have now been 39 homicides so far this year. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? "It is a very busy night [Sunday] here in Austin," said Cpl. Jose Mendez with APD. APD has 16 detectives on the homicide unit, but there are shortages and that means some detectives also have to do patrol duty, which isn't normal for this position. "I know that the detectives are somewhat overwhelmed due to having a shortage of them," Mendez said.KXAN asked APD how many positions they needed to fill in the homicide division. This story will be updated if we receive a response.However, APD said they could use more detectives, which will allow officers to devote more time to each case."The number of police officers on the force isn't always a deterrent to homicides," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. Police identif...

Hottest mid-July stretch on record underway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin smashed a record high temperature Monday, topping out at 108°. This was the second consecutive day featuring record heat, and it does not stop there.Austin set a record high by a wide three-degree margin Monday, beating the previous record of 105° set in 1984. Tuesday's record high is 107° set in 1918 -- another record that will likely fall.One of the strongest heat domes ever observed over the desert southwest is moving toward Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially leading to high temperatures as hot as 109-110° in some areas -- 10-15 degrees hotter than July averages.Record-setting heat dome is coming our wayThe first 17 days of this month have produced an average temperature of 90.4°. This is the second hottest start to any July, topped by 90.5° the first 16 days of last year.Camp Mabry's high temperatures the last eight consecutive days have made it to 105° or hotter. We will likely extend the streak to 12 consecutive days, beating the 1923 all-time rec...

AFD: Firefighter sent to hospital after fourplex fire in east Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said a two-alarm fire in east Austin that sent two people, including an AFD firefighter, to the hospital is now under control. AFD initially said the trash fire on Wentworth Drive was "reportedly" ignited by fireworks Monday afternoon and spread to the exterior of a large two-story fourplex, but later walked back the original report and said it was "unfounded." Investigators are at the scene trying to determine for sure what caused the fire, AFD said.AFD Division Chief Thayer Smith said a civilian and firefighter went to the hospital due to smoke inhalation. Smith also said firefighters rescued a dog from the blaze.Fire off Wentworth Drive in east Austin July 17, 2023 (Courtesy Cody Bowens)A fire that sent an AFD firefighter to the hospital burned the attic and badly damaged a fourplex in east Austin on Monday. 35 residents were displaced as a result of the fire. The cause is under investigation. (KXAN photo/Andy Way)A fire that sent an AF...

Written driver’s tests for new Minnesota residents going away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:06 GMT

Starting Aug. 1, people moving to Minnesota will no longer have to take a written test to get a Minnesota driver’s license if they have a valid license from another state.Bill author Sen. John Jasinski, R-Faribault, said the new law is intended to alleviate backlogs at testing centers for the driver’s license exam, or the class D knowledge test, for people who have an out-of-state license. Gov. Tim Walz signed the law in May.While new Minnesota residents didn’t have to take a road test before the policy change, they did have to wait in line to take the knowledge test.“We just thought it made sense with some of the backlogs we’re seeing both with the driver’s test and written test,” Jasinski said.The backlogs date back to the pandemic, but are still on the rise, according to the bill’s authors. And they say demand is about to get stronger.“Now with the passage of driver’s licenses for undocumented people as well, there are going to be a lot more people applying for it,” said House bi...