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What’s happening with Twitter blue check marks?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

Elon Musk had promised to take away all of Twitter’s blue check marks doled out to Hollywood stars, professional athletes, business leaders, authors and journalists unless they start buying a monthly subscription to the social media service.Musk’s goal was to shove the advertising-dependent platform he bought for $44 billion last year into a pay-to-play model — and maybe antagonize some enemies and fellow elites in the process.But the Saturday deadline passed and the blue checks are still there, many with a new disclaimer explaining they might have been paid for or they might not have been paid for — nobody but Twitter really knows. The company didn’t return a request to clarify its changing policies Monday.DOES A BLUE CHECK MATTER?Matt Darling has been on Twitter for about 15 years and never cared about not having a blue check, though he’d get a kick out of whenever a verified account of “some real-world importance” started following him. “People on Tw...

Sex abuse trial delayed for ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge postponed on Monday the trial for a former “Dances With Wolves” actor indicted in state court on charges that he sexually abused Indigenous women and girls for a decade in the Las Vegas area.Clark County District Judge Carli Kierny said the trial in the case of Nathan Chasing Horse will begin May 1 in Las Vegas to give prosecutors and Chasing Horse’s public defenders more time to iron out pending motions in the case. His trial had previously been scheduled for April 17.A Clark County grand jury indicted Chasing Horse, 46, in late February on 19 counts that include charges of sexual assault of a child younger than 16, kidnapping, lewdness and child abuse. Chasing Horse, who is widely known for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s 1990 Oscar-winning film, has pleaded not guilty and invoked his right to a trial within 60 days of his indictment.The former actor, who has been in custody since his Jan. 31 arrest, is due back in court...

Giants' power sends White Sox to home opener loss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

CHICAGO — While their first overall game of the 2023 Major League Baseball season was a success, the same could not be said for their first home game of the campaign. Their opponent's power made sure of that at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday.Powered by seven home runs, including four in one inning, the Giants blasted their way past the White Sox 12-3 in the home opener. It snaps a two-game winning streak that the club had in their first game at Guaranteed Rate Field, having won Game 1 on the south side in 2021 and 2022. Per the television broadcast, it tied the record for most home runs by an opponent in a game at Guaranteed Rate Field since the ballpark opened in 1991. Both teams have the day off before resuming their three-game series on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. with another matinee on Thursday.White Sox starter Michael Kopech had problems keeping the ball in the ballpark in his outing of 2023, surrendering five of the seven San Francisco homers on the day. Joc Pederson had the fir...

Energy Dept. to ban sale of some light bulbs: Here's why

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Starting in August, Americans will only be able to purchase LED lights from retailers across the nation as an official ban on incandescent lightbulbs will be in full effect.Incandescent lightbulbs have been providing light in American homes since the 1800s, when Thomas Edison patented the bulbs. But now, the nation has evolved into a more energy-efficient society and LED lights have become the new norm.Rules finalized by the Energy Department last year require manufacturers to sell energy-efficient light bulbs, accelerating a longtime industry practice to use compact fluorescent and LED bulbs that last 25 to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The Trump administration had slowed an earlier phaseout of incandescents, saying it was targeting rules that burden businesses.Officials say the move will help Americans save money and benefit the environment.The DOE claims that discontinuing inefficient incandescent lights will save Americans nearly $3 b...

Zach LaVine breaks a Bulls single-season record Sunday - and it was his own

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

CHICAGO — No matter what happens in the final games of the regular season or how long the team remains in the postseason, at least one player will make history in 2022-2023.That's guard Zach LaVine, who has set a new Bulls record in one category over the course of this seasonThe two-time All-Star has hit 201 three-pointers this season after knocking down three of them against the Grizzlies in a win Sunday at the United Center. That is the new record for the franchise - and he beat his own record to do it. LaVine currently holds the top four totals in a season in Bulls history in that category, with his previous high coming in the 72-game, pandemic-shortened 2020-2021 season when he had 200. In that year, the guard was elected to his first NBA All-Star Game. In 2021-2022, LaVine hit 185 three-pointers, which is third in Bulls' history, with his 184 in the 2019-2020 season ranking fourth.Ben Gordon is the other player in the Top 5 as he hit 173 three-pointers during the 2008-2009 seas...

NHTSA: Distraction, speeding, alcohol drive up 2021 traffic deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Nearly 43,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, the highest number in 16 years with deaths due to speeding and impaired or distracted driving on the rise.The 2021 final numbers, released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, confirmed earlier estimates by the agency showing a 10.5% increase in deaths over 2020. That’s the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.Data shows a 12% rise in fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver, with 3,522 people killed. That prompted the agency to kick off a $5 million advertising campaign in an effort to keep drivers focused on the road. Agency officials said such cases likely are under-reported by police. North DuSable Lake Shore Drive resurfacing project to begin in April The number of pedestrians killed rose 13%, and cyclist fatalities were up 2% for the year. The number of unbelted passengers killed rose 8.1%, while fatalities involving alcohol-imp...

New federal rules make fewer EVs eligible for tax credit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Drivers considering an electric car may need to put the pedal to the metal to get to the dealership. The Biden administration just announced new rules likely to slash the number of electric vehicles eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit."The list (of eligible cars) … may be shorter but it's going to be worth it,” said Bharat Ramamurti, deputy director of the National Economic Council.He said the new rules, which mandate eligible cars include more American-made parts, are part of a long-term strategy."Over time, we're going to develop this industry domestically, increase jobs and at the end of the day, there will be more cars eligible for that tax credit,” said Ramamurti.The administration insists it will only be a matter of years before U.S. automakers can bridge the supply chain gap. It claims the delay will not hinder the U.S.'s ability to drastically slash carbon emissions by 2050."I think the targets are very achievable,” said Albert Gore, son of...

Nutria spotted in Lady Bird Lake — what is it?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — What started as a mysterious animal swimming in Lady Bird Lake has been identified by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Kayakers find alligator near Longhorn Dam in Lady Bird Lake KXAN viewer Tracy Barden sent us this video of a creature gliding with its head just above the water. The video was taken Friday morning just before sunrise near the boardwalk in the 1500 block of Riverside Drive. KXAN sent the video to TPWD and its experts believe the animal is a nutria.Nutria are common in Central Texas. They can also be found in East Texas and along the Texas coast. The rodent is often compared to a beaver, according to TPWD. The rodent isn't always a great neighbor.In a post titled "Texas' most unwanted plants and animals," TPWD said nutria eat aquatic vegetation and burrow, "which can lead to erosion and damage roads."This video was sent to us through ReportIt. You can send photos, videos or tips to KXAN at [email protected].

Legislation to itemize medical bills meets opposition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – State lawmakers and a representative of the Texas Hospital Association expressed concern Monday about legislation that would require health care providers to send patients an itemized bill when billing for medical services, according to testimony at a House Public Health Committee meeting.House Bill 1973, by State Rep. Caroline Harris, R-Round Rock, said a health care provider would not be allowed to pursue debt collection against a patient without providing an itemized bill.Currently patients can request an itemized bill, but they don’t get it automatically, Harris said.“The lack of an itemized bill continues to hide actual prices from patients – even after they're being told what they owe – and doesn't allow patients a chance to check and make sure that the correct services were billed for,” Harris testified Monday at the Capitol. “I think we can all agree that transparency in health care is critical, especially when it comes to costs. Research shows that six out o...

Record hot Monday afternoon with an isolated strong thunderstorm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:18:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot, humid weather is in place across the area this afternoon. Austin has eclipsed its record high for Apr. 3, which stood previously at 90° set most recently in 2017.A few isolated strong to severe storms are possible this evening in the Hill Country with large hail, wind damage, and a low tornado threat.The Storm Prediction Center has the area under a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms.1 out of 5 risk for severe weather late this afternoon/early evening UPDATED April forecast increases chances for rain Tuesday will be dry albeit with a mostly cloudy sky. The next round of showers and thunderstorms arrives late Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. A brief break from the rain happens for most of the area Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning.Then we get into excellent chance for showers and thunderstorms Thursday to Saturday with the precipitation beginning to wind down on Easter Sunday. By the time we get to the end of Easter Sunday some rain totals averagin...