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WATCH: Baby seal climbs onto California surfers' boards

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) - A baby seal was spotted climbing from surfboard to surfboard near Pacific Beach in San Diego, riding the waves from above the water.The pup can be seen wiggling onto the boards of surfers in drone footage obtained by KSWB Saturday. SeaWorld, who was notified by the surfers after the seal first surfaced, sent a crew out to evaluate the pup. According to the theme park, the seal appeared healthy and was in the water when their team arrived.A seal climbing onto a surfer's board in Pacific Beach. (Courtesy of Edwin D. Hartel/@DroneDudeEd)A seal on a surfer's board in Pacific Beach. (Courtesy of Edwin D. Hartel/@DroneDudeEd)A seal climbing onto a surfer's board in Pacific Beach. (Courtesy of Edwin D. Hartel/@DroneDudeEd)"There was no need to intervene as the pup also appeared to be old enough to care for itself," SeaWorld said in a statement to KSWB. VIDEO: Wattled jacana chicks nestle under their father’s wing at San Diego Zoo The pup's mother was not found by SeaW...

IKEA Round Rock opens Juneteenth exhibit

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

ROUND ROCK (KXAN) -- IKEA is known for its unique approach to shopping and affordable, eclectic furniture and decor, but the Round Rock location is adding something new to its store. IKEA Round Rock on Monday unveiled a Juneteenth exhibit that focuses on the history of the holiday, the store said in a press release. The exhibit was curated by Carre Adams, the museum director and curator for the Washington Carver Museum. The exhibit is the first of what the store said will be a monthly rotation of installations focusing on diversity and inclusion, as well as "culturally relevant holiday celebrations and commemorations, local history, Swedish history and sustainability."IKEA Round Rock opens Juneteenth exhibit in its restaurant. It's the first of what the store says will be monthly installations focusing on diversity and inclusion (Photo courtesy: IKEA/Natasha Vaughan-Johnson)IKEA Round Rock opens Juneteenth exhibit in its restaurant. It's the first of what the store says will be mont...

Texas library commission awarded $8M for expanded broadband access

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury awarded a nearly $8 million grant to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to expand broadband access to community libraries.The $7.8 million in funds comes from the Library Infrastructure and Facility Access Improvement Grant and is designed to expand "high-quality modern infrastructure at Texas libraries," per a TSLAC release. TSLAC collaborated with the Texas Broadband Development Office throughout the funding proposal process. Lost your car keys? How an Austin library membership key tag can help The funding will specifically target libraries in rural communities, as well as those that fall under median national income levels, the release stated. The grant dollars can be used to "cover the costs of laying fiber, physical accommodation for broadband, and expanded and improved physical space for digital access projects," per the release.TSLAC said in the release it expects the funding to service one million Tex...

Metro Transit: A free ride on Rice Street, no late-night trains (yet) for Taylor Swift, the MVTA ‘Swiftie Bus,’ upcoming closures on I-94

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

When pop icon Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour takes over U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis next Friday and Saturday nights, some 70,000 fans will be there to greet her, as will festival-goers attending the city’s popular annual Pride celebration. What’s more up in the air is the status of public transportation.As of now, Metro Transit has no plans to deploy extra light rail trains downtown past the last regularly-scheduled departure at 11:30 p.m. each night.Strong public reaction — some might say “swift” outcry — has inspired the public transit authority to post a standing explanation on MetroTransit.org. The problem, according to the transit authority, isn’t budget or planning so much as labor, or lack thereof. There’s not enough light rail drivers.“While we would love to promise Swifties that we’ll be putting extra trains out later into the evening, we cannot confidently commit to doing so far in advance,&#...

A high-profile French nun sparks hope for Catholic women. Can she bring change?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

VATICAN CITY — In her years running Catholic youth programs in France, Sister Nathalie Becquart often invoked her own experience as a seasoned sailor in urging young people to weather the storms of their lives. “There’s nothing stronger than seeing the sunrise after a storm, the flat calm of the sea,” she says.That lesson is especially applicable to Becquart herself as she charts the global church through an unprecedented — and at times, tempestuous — period of reform as one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican.Pope Francis named the 54-year-old nun as the first female undersecretary in the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops office in 2021. Since then, she has been crisscrossing the globe as the public face of his hallmark call to listen to rank-and-file Catholics and empower them to have a greater say in the life of the church.That process, which comes to a head in October with a big assembly, reaches a crucial point Tuesday with the publication of the working document for the meeti...

Differing abortion laws in Minn., ND create confusion for patients

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

FARGO — Differing abortion laws in Minnesota and North Dakota are leading to confusion and fear for out-of-state patients seeking abortion care at the Red River Women’s Clinic, according to clinic director Tammi Kromenaker.In June 2022, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health that reversed the Roe v. Wade decision that established a woman’s right to an abortion. Since that decision, states have been deciding their own abortion laws.North Dakota has a pending abortion ban that’s held in limbo by a lawsuit. With that ban looming, last summer, the state’s only abortion clinic moved across the Red River into Moorhead, where the Red River Women’s Clinic continues to operate.Patients who come to the clinic from states with active abortion bans have genuine fears that legal action could be taken against them, Kromenaker said.The clinic staff spends a lot of time explaining to patients that it is safe to come to Minnesota for an abortion. Wom...

2023 Capital Region primary election guide

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Early voting, which runs until June 25, is underway for local primary elections. Primary Day in New York State is set for June 27. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In order to vote in the primaries, you had to be registered to vote by June 17. You must be enrolled as a member of a party to vote in that party's primary. The General Election is set for November 7, with early voting taking place from October 28 to November 5.To find out where to go for early voting or for voting on Primary Day, you can visit your county’s Board of Elections website. Here is the list of websites for the Capital Region counties:Albany County Board of ElectionsSchenectady County Board of ElectionsRensselaer County Board of ElectionsSaratoga County Board of ElectionsMontgomery County Board of ElectionsFulton County Board of ElectionsGreene County Board of ElectionsColumbia County Board of ElectionsWarren County Board of Ele...

Palace Theatre hosting Casting Crowns in September

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Palace Theatre has announced they will be hosting Christian rock band Casting Crowns. The performance is scheduled for September 28 at 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Grammy Award winning multi-platinum group was founded in 1999 by vocalist Mark Hall, who is a youth pastor. This upcoming tour celebrates the 20th-anniversary of their self-titled debut studio album, and the performance will feature a live orchestra. The Palace Theatre is located at 19 Clinton Avenue in Albany. You can purchase Casting Crowns tickets on the Palace's website starting at 10 a.m. on June 23.

Disco cruise to benefit Lake George Arts Project

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This month, Lake George's local arts organization is hosting a summer cruise set to bring disco fever out onto the water. The Queen of American Lakes becomes a soundstage this week at the Disco Fever Summer Cruise. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! From 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, DJ Absolute Sound will play audience-favorite hits aboard the Adirondac, a cruise boat operated by Waterfront Cruises at 2 Kurosaka Lane in the village of Lake George. Boarding starts at 6:30 p.m. and dressing up is encouraged. The evening of fun includes prizes for best dressed, as well as food and drink to keep the fun running.The cruise is a good time for a good cause, benefitting the Lake George Arts Project, which operates a gallery in the village and is heavily involved in the North Country's professional and student arts scenes. Tickets are priced at $35 ahead of the event, or $40 day-of. Music returning t...

Ancram firefighter dies in line of duty

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:16:50 GMT

ANCRAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Columbia County Fire Coordinator announced that firefighter Stewart Hunt of the Ancram Fire Department has died in the line of duty. He was 37. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hunt passed away after he suffered a medical event while performing his duties at the scene of an emergency. He received advanced care on the scene and at a nearby hospital, but was unable to be resuscitated. Several local fire departments have shared their condolences on Hunt's passing. Niverville Fire Department stated "Stew was a family man, hard worker, and like his father and his grandfather, served his community in the fire service. Our hearts ache." Driver charged in Duanesburg trooper-involved shooting Viewing hours for family and friends will be held on June 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Peck and Peck Funeral home, located at 8063 NY Route 22 in Copake. There will be a prayer service from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followe...