Smithsonian’s ‘Solstice Saturday’ kicks off summer in style

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Smithsonian’s ‘Solstice Saturday’ kicks off summer in style The Smithsonian and its many museums stayed open till midnight to commemorate the first weekend of summer on Solstice Saturday.“There are events all over the place,” said museum enthusiast Santiago Gomez. “You’ve got the Hirshhorn, the African American Art museum, the Asian Art museum — everyone’s doing something.”For D.C. residents like Gomez, Solstice Saturday is a dream come true.“It’s certainly a day to enjoy the culture, to enjoy everything D.C. has to offer,” he told WTOP.We caught up with Santiago and members of his family, who were visiting all the way from Colombia, at the Museum of the American Indian, where guests were treated to a live performance from Apache dancers — which was just one of many special live events across the Smithsonian Saturday evening.“Looking at different cultures, how they experience the world, how they see the world, is unique and it’s important,” Gomez reflected. “It enriches everyone’s life and reminds us: we’re not ...

Family speaks out after reward increased for Denver restaurant double homicide

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Family speaks out after reward increased for Denver restaurant double homicide DENVER (KDVR) – It’s been two months since two employees were shot and killed inside a Denver restaurant. On April 24, Emerall Vaughn-Dahler and Ignacio Gutierrez Morales were found dead inside the eatery near North Raleigh Street and West 38th Street. The Denver Police Department is still trying to track down the killer and is now turning to the community for help.  On Thursday, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers announced a significant reward increase, now offering up to $25,000, for anyone with information.  Reward increased in American Elm double homicide Andrew Dahler, Emerall’s husband, said he's holding onto hope. “All you have is hope. There’s nothing physical for myself or my son to hold on to anymore,” Dahler said. “We’re just hoping that something can happen that will help us through our grief process and accepting what has happened.”  Danica Woolard, Emerall’s sister, spoke out at the press conference for the reward increase on Thursday.&nbs...

Survivors, victims’ families and local leaders mark 2-year anniversary of Surfside condo collapse in somber ceremonies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Survivors, victims’ families and local leaders mark 2-year anniversary of Surfside condo collapse in somber ceremonies At 1:22 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, 98 lives were abruptly taken when the Champlain Towers South condominium collapsed. Two years later, a community still in mourning gathered in Surfside to mark the two-year anniversary.Families who lost loved ones came together with local officials at the site of the collapse on Saturday afternoon to remember and honor those lives lost and hold up those impacted by the tragedy.The event was preceded by a late-night vigil held on the sand near the site. As lanterns were lit and the names of the victims were read aloud, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Raied Jadallah spoke about the lives lost.“We’re here to commemorate, to remember the 98 souls that were lost,” said Jadallah. “May their souls find peace, and may their families continue to find peace.”Hours later, local leaders addressed the large crowd at the afternoon ceremony.“I want to thank the family members of victims and survivors for facing the...

Police investigating after pedestrian fatally struck in Newburyport

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Police investigating after pedestrian fatally struck in Newburyport Police are investigating a crash in Newburyport late Saturday night that left a pedestrian dead.Officers responded to a reported crash involving a pedestrian on Low Street around 9 p.m., according to City Marshal Mark Murray.The injured person was taken to Anna Jaques Hospital and later pronounced dead.The driver involved remained at the scene.The incident is being investigated by the Newburyport Police Department and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.Residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area of Low Street, which has been closed between Williamson Avenue and Port Plaza.https://twitter.com/NewburyportPD/status/1672800319116394498https://twitter.com/NewburyportPD/status/1672777612974759943No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

The quality of life conditions that worsened in San Diego last year: study

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

The quality of life conditions that worsened in San Diego last year: study SAN DIEGO -- San Diego is widely considered as an ideal place to live, given its generally ideal weather and numerous beaches. But how is the quality of life for residents here?Researchers at The Nonprofit Institute, housed in the University of San Diego, took to answering that question, measuring several benchmarks that contribute to a high quality of life."High quality of life means the region boasts a thriving economy, a healthy environment, and is an equitable place for all San Diegans to grow and prosper," The Nonprofit Institute wrote on its website.The findings of the study, released on the center's "Equinox Quality of Life" dashboard earlier this week, tracked some improvement in 2022 across a handful of important measures, including civic engagement, residential energy use, entrepreneurship, renewable energy and storage, transportation choices, and average waste disposal.However, three key conditions -- air quality, housing affordability, and beach and costal health -- wors...

Saturday Night Forecast: Showers, T-Storms overnight

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Saturday Night Forecast: Showers, T-Storms overnight Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms move in overnight likely close to midnight and into the very early morning hours on Sunday. Much of the area is under a marginal risk of strong to severe storms with wind and hail as the main threats.Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Sunday will start with a mix of sun and clouds and humid conditions. Winds will be strong with gusts up to 30 mph at times.  We'll see another chance of some thunderstorms mid-morning into the early afternoon on Sunday with showers lingering into the  evening. Highs will be into the mid 80s.

June likely to end as top 5 warmest in Austin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

June likely to end as top 5 warmest in Austin AUSTIN (KXAN) -- June 2022 was the hottest June on record in Austin, but this June isn't far behind.Looking at the June mean temperatures from the beginning of the month through June 24, we're currently experiencing the ninth hottest June to date. Hottest Junes to date (through June 24) First Warning Weather Forecast for Central Texas With triple digit highs and potentially record-breaking warm low temperatures for the remainder of the month, this June should enter the top-5 warmest category by the time we wrap it up. Based on our latest forecast, we're predicting this June makes it to the fifth hottest spot with a mean temperature (factoring highs and lows each day) of 86.5º.Hottest Junes ever (+2023 projections)The hottest Junes have all come since 2008 with last June being the hottest ever with a mean temperature of 87.7º.The 30-year average mean temperature for June is 83.0º meaning we're expecting this June will be a full 3.5º warmer than normal!What about the triple digit co...

Abortion rights activists reflect on anniversary of SCOTUS' Dobbs decision, overturn of Roe v. Wade

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

Abortion rights activists reflect on anniversary of SCOTUS' Dobbs decision, overturn of Roe v. Wade SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Activists around Central Texas used the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the court's previous Roe v. Wade and led to restrictions in abortion access, to raise money and promote information on how to get the procedure.In San Marcos, student-led organizers hosted vendors and abortion rights volunteers in a fundraiser for abortion funds. Texas-based abortion funds resume funding for out-of-state abortions, travel expenses Tais, with San Marcos Abortion Activists, says the organization was started in response to last year's ruling. She says promoting access to abortions is crucial for the city she calls home."San Marcos is sort of a rural town, I would say because it's right in the middle of two major cities," Tais said, "But along I-35, we're kind of in a resource desert. A lot of people have to travel either to Austin or San Antonio and now we can't even go to those places for access." 5 Texas women ...

APD searching for homicide suspect for deadly shooting in March

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

APD searching for homicide suspect for deadly shooting in March AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department earlier this week took to social media to request the public's help in finding a homicide suspect wanted for a deadly shooting that occurred in March in north Austin, according to APD.On March 18, officers found a man, later identified as 20-year-old Barry Dockery, lying in the backyard of a home in the 300 block of Deen Avenue with a gunshot wound. ATCEMS attempted life-saving measures, but Dockery was later pronounced dead. Police identify victim in north Austin homicide Brittany Curry, 32 at the time, was arrested in connection with the homicide, according to APD. Additionally, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force assisted in arresting a second suspect, Kendra Johnson, 33, at the time of the arrest.Police also named Steve Gregory Bryant, 36, as a third suspect. According to police, Bryant has an outstanding warrant for homicide, and anyone with any information on his whereabouts are asked to submit a tip anonymously via the Capital Area...

SPAC hosts the 46th Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:22 GMT

SPAC hosts the 46th Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is hosting the 46th Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival from June 24 to 25. Two days of non-stop music has been set to go, no matter rain or shine. From jazz to roots, funk, blues and beyond, 21 bands are set to rock the area.Producer of the festival, Danny Melnick, says since 1978 the event kicks off summer for the arts center. “We have amazing groups on two different stages. Tons of people and even though it’s been raining a little bit throughout the day [Saturday], people have been buying tickets at the gate," stated Melnick. Local musician defended and praised online by Metallica Over 6,000 people are estimated to come out to SPAC each day of the festival. Melnick says Saratoga becomes a tourist destination during their busy season. “In all of our data analysis, draws over 45 percent from outside of Saratoga and the Capital District. They spend money on hotels, at the restaurants, at the shops," said Melnick.T...