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Pedestrian fatalities are rising across the US: Where and why are they spiking?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The number of pedestrians killed by vehicles in the United States has surged over the last several years, with fatalities increasing at a faster rate than any other type of traffic-related death, recent data shows.In 2022 alone, “at least” 7,508 people were killed after being struck by drivers in the U.S., according to government data analyzed by the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), a nonprofit group representing highway safety departments across the country.The actual number is likely closer to 7,600, the GHSA said, noting that Oklahoma was unable to provide data for 2022 traffic fatalities.“GHSA has been doing this study for a number of years, about a decade or so,” Adam Snider, the director of communications at the GHSA, told Nexstar. “And the bottom line is, it’s getting more and more dangerous to be a pedestrian on America’s streets. What is a gag order — and what happens if the gag order is violated? Between 2010 and 2021, for instance, the number ...

Submarine lost in WWII found after 83 years

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

ROGALAND, Norway (WJW) — The wreck of a British submarine lost during World War II has been found after 83 years.The location is near Rogaland, Norway. Have you been tipping wrong at restaurants? What experts advise Details of the discovery were outlined in a media release from the Mareano program, which “maps depth and topography, sediment composition, biodiversity, habitats and biotopes, and pollution in the seabed in Norwegian offshore areas,” according to its website.The researchers initially spotted the wreck in the spring of 2023. Man’s body mistaken for Halloween prop; lawn mowed around him The Royal Navy confirmed it was the HMS Thistle in October.According to historical records, the Thistle was sunk by a German torpedo on April 10, 1940, as documented in Paul Akermann's book, "Encyclopedia of British Submarines 1901-1955."None of the 53 crew members aboard survived. Because it was sunk during war, it is considered a war grave, according to officials.

2 fatal crashes occur on SH 130, Gregg Manor Road within 24 hours

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS officials responded to two fatal crashes at the same intersection in Travis County within 24 hours, according to several social media posts.ATCEMS said both crashes occurred at the intersection on State Highway 130 frontage road and Gregg Manor Road — one crash at 3:24 p.m. Saturday and the other at 9:37 a.m. Sunday.Saturday’s crash was initiated as a vehicle rescue. ATCEMS and Travis County ESD 12 responded to the two-vehicle collision with three patients involved.Medics later obtained a “deceased on scene” pronouncement for an adult patient, and Travis County STAR Flight took one adult patient to the hospital with serious injuries, according to ATCEMS. Medics also took another adult patient to the hospital with potentially serious injuries.On Sunday, ATCEMS said medics received another “deceased on-scene” pronouncement for an adult patient. Officials said extended closures should be expected in the area.

Want to buy a house in Texas' metro areas? Here's how much you need to earn to afford one

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Buying a house in the U.S. isn't cheap, and according to a report from Redfin, it is now harder than ever to afford one — even in Texas.Sky-high mortgage rates and rising home prices have made it more difficult than ever, especially for first-time home buyers, Redfin said in the report, which was released Tuesday. ‘Texanisms’ that are unique to the Lone Star State The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.57% from 7.49% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said earlier this month. It's the highest level in more than two decades.To afford a median-priced U.S. home now, Redfin said buyers must earn $114,627, up 15% ($15,285) from a year ago and up more than 50% since the start of the pandemic. The real estate website said a typical household earns about $40,000 less than that.There's no real surprise about which Texas metro area lists the highest-priced median-priced homes ($462,748) — Austin is not only keeping weird but keeping expensive. Even thou...

Behind-the-scenes moments in Gophers’ emotional win over Hawkeyes

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

When P.J. Fleck did his customary crowd surfing atop players on Saturday night, the Gophers head coach didn’t have the highest elevation in pink-walled visiting locker room at Kinnick Stadium.Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi had climbed on all fours onto the lockers’ roofs and was banging their metal frames as the celebration hit higher decibel levels after the Gophers’ 12-10 win over Iowa.Rossi’s bird’s eye view was one of countless snippets that emanated from Minnesota’s first victory in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game since 2014 and the U’s first win in Iowa City since 1999.Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis let out a big scream as he entered the locker room. A trio of Gophers — Anthony Smith, Tyler Stolsky and Joey Gerlach — were needed to carry the 98-pound pig trophy into U’s confines. And one staffer talked about making a futile effort to find an makeshift ash tray to try to contain the victory cigars.Given the eight-year drought — including all six under Fleck —...

Biden walks a tightrope with his support for Israel as his party’s left urges restraint

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

By AAMER MADHANI and MATTHEW LEE (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told a crowd of Democratic donors over the weekend about a decades-old photo he took with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an aside that seemed intended to illustrate his long support of Israel and track record of speaking bluntly with the conservative Israeli leader.Biden said he’d written on the photo of himself as a young senator and Netanyahu as an embassy hand, “Bibi, I love you. I don’t agree with a damn thing you say.’” He told donors at a Friday night fundraiser that Netanyahu still keeps the photo on his desk and had brought it up during Biden’s lightning visit to Tel Aviv last week.As expectations grow that Israel will soon launch a ground offensive aimed at rooting out Hamas militants who rule the Gaza Strip, Biden finds himself facing anew the difficult balancing act of demonstrating full-throated support for America’s closest ally in...

Lafayette officers shoot suspect involved in alleged attempted murder

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

Two Lafayette police officers were placed on administrative leave Sunday after shooting a suspect allegedly involved in an attempted murder earlier that morning.Around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to reports of a disturbance involving a father and a son in the 2400 block of Waneka Lake Trail in Lafayette.When officers arrived on the scene, they found the adult, male son actively stabbing his father with a knife, according to a Sunday news release from the Lafayette Police Department.Lafayette officers attempted to stop the suspect but, when they were unable to, two officers shot the man, the release stated.Paramedics transported both the father and son to the hospital. The police officers were not injured in the incident.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Motorcycle rider killed in Aurora crash Friday night Crime and Public Safety | 3-year-old boy missing from Fountain Crime and Public Safety | Telluride man pleads guilty to ...

Stanford football: Cardinal falls hard to UCLA

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

STANFORD – There was no record-breaking comeback this time. Just another blowout loss to a ranked opponent.Stanford fell 42-7 to UCLA on Saturday night its last scheduled game against a team it has played every year since World War II.The 25th-ranked Bruins (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) led 21-0 at halftime. It was the second straight game that Stanford (2-5, 1-4) had been shut out in the first half, after the Cardinal trailed 29-0 at Colorado. But while Stanford engineered the biggest comeback in school history against the Buffaloes, it couldn’t close the gap this time.Instead, the results were similar to Stanford’s other games against ranked opponents this season – a 56-10 loss to No. 18 USC and a 42-6 loss to No. 9 Oregon.“Got off to another slow start,” coach Troy Taylor said. “Against a really good football team, you can’t get behind like that. Last week we were able to come back and this week we just didn’t start well in any of the three phases and didn’t do enough to ge...

Castro Valley man freed in controversial homicide case that was reduced from murder to involuntary manslaughter

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

OAKLAND — A Castro Valley man was freed from jail after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, the same day prosecutors moved to downgrade his charge from murder, court records show.James Vega, 28, was originally charged with murder in the 2020 shooting of 28-year-old Jarin Purvis in Castro Valley. The case remained unchanged until last June, when District Attorney Pamela Price released a public statement announcing the charge was being re-filed as an involuntary manslaughter after determining the shooting was unintentional.Vega entered a guilty plea on June 23, just seconds after prosecutors moved to re-file the case, and was released from jail by the end of the court’s hearing. On Sept. 18, he was formally sentenced to the maximum term of four years and eight months — a sentence that, with good behavior credits, Vega had already served in county jail. He remains out of jail.Annie Beles, a local defense attorney who represented Vega, called the shooting an &...

Woman fatally shot while driving in East Oakland

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:50:14 GMT

OAKLAND — A 30-year-old woman was fatally shot Saturday night as she drove a vehicle in East Oakland, authorities said.Her name has not yet been released. She is believed to be an Oakland resident.The woman was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds after her vehicle crashed in the 8200 block of International Boulevard about 8:50 p.m. Saturday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Investigators have not said if they believe she was shot by someone in another vehicle or by someone standing outside.A motive for the killing is under investigation. No arrests have been made.The killing is the 104th confirmed homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. Last year at this time police had investigated the same number of killings.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.Staff wr...