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New York City hires first-ever 'rat czar,' a former teacher who beat out nearly 1,000 applicants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

HARLEM, N.Y. (WPIX) — New York City has hired its first-ever rat czar: a former teacher who hates rodents as much as Mayor Eric Adams. Kathleen Corradi beat out 900 applicants to become the citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation, Adams announced Wednesday. "I knew when my wife's grandma called from North Carolina to see if I would apply, it was meant to be," Corradi said at a press briefing in Harlem. NYC urges New Yorkers to call out ‘dog poopetrators’ in new clean-up effort Corradi previously worked on rodent reduction efforts at the Department of Education, where she focused on cutting off rats' food, water, and shelter supplies. She plans to do the same in her new role. Corradi said getting food and leftover waste into rat-proof compost bins is a start, but broader efforts are expected. "Rats are symptoms of systemic issues. You can't deal with one part of the problem," Corradi said. "This is going to take all of us."Adams said he interviewed Corradi and was impressed with ...

You can now stock your fridge with The Pink Drink and other Starbucks favorites

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Your favorite Starbucks beverages are now even easier to buyIf you’re a fan of Starbucks, there’s good news. Starting this week, you might not have to wait in line to get your favorite caffeinated beverage. In fact, you may not even have to go to Starbucks, because you can get a ready-to-drink canned or bottled beverages at your favorite grocery store. Better yet, you can have them shipped straight to your door.In this article: Starbucks Pink and Paradise Drink (Two Flavor Variety Pack), Starbucks Frappuccino Mini (Two Flavor Variety Pack) and Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee Drink.Introducing Starbucks’ new line of RTD beveragesIn a press release, Chanda Beppu, senior vice president and president, global channel development at Starbucks stated, “Starbucks Pink Drink began as a customer-created beverage in our Starbucks stores and quickly became a fan favorite and permanent bevera...

Winona woman remains missing; father of her children says he’s not responsible for disappearance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

WINONA, Minn. — The father of Madeline Kingsbury’s children said he wants her to return and is not responsible for her disappearance. Adam Fravel said he has cooperated with law enforcement since her disappearance on March 31.Authorities in southeastern Minnesota launched a wide-ranging search for her after saying they considered her disappearance “involuntary” and “suspicious.”Madeline Jane Kingsbury (Courtesy photo)Kingsbury, 26, dropped her children off at day care the day she went missing. The Winona woman did not report to work and didn’t pick up the kids. Police found her wallet, phone and jacket still in her home. They also reported that Fravel drove her van that morning, and later returned and reported she wasn’t home. Winona police said the van “has been taken and processed for evidence.”Fravel issued a statement about the matter on Wednesday through Rochester attorney Zachary Bauer, who is representing him. He said he has been the subject of “...

Manitou Fund announces plans to purchase Stillwater’s troubled Zephyr Theatre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

Calling the Zephyr Theatre an “essential and impactful community-driven arts collaborative,” officials from a foundation based in White Bear Lake announced Wednesday that they plan to purchase the theater property in downtown Stillwater.Manitou Fund officials have entered into a purchase agreement to purchase the theater property, located at 601 N. Main St., and plan to enter into a lease agreement with theater officials. A May closing is planned; a sale price was not disclosed.Theater officials will have the option to repurchase the theater property in the future, officials said in a statement released Wednesday. The move gives theater officials “time to reorganize educational and performance programming and plan for the future,” according to the statement.Things looked bleak for the Zephyr six months ago. The theater’s executive director, Calyssa Hall, resigned; most of the staff were furloughed; productions were canceled, and the popular Ice Maze had to find a new home.The news a...

Cottage Grove: Report of man with hatchet prompts school lockdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

Three South Washington County schools were placed in lockdown Wednesday afternoon after someone spotted a “suspicious, shirtless” man walking near Park High School with what appeared to be a hatchet.The man also reportedly had a knife on his belt, according to the Cottage Grove Police Department.The report was called in at 2:42 p.m. “Considering the timing of the day, area schools were advised to take measures to secure the buildings and students,” according to the police department.All on-duty officers responded to search the area and help with school dismissals; students were dismissed with police assistance by 3:30 p.m., police said.No crime was reported, police said, but officers were canvassing the area in search of the man. Anyone with information about the man is asked to call 911.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | A St. Paul Park refinery spilled 20K gallons of asphalt. Could legislation avert such incidents? Crime & Public Safety | ...

Fire crews battling blaze at recycling facility in SE Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

Denver fire is responding to a “heavy fire” that erupted Wednesday afternoon at a recycling center.Crews have been getting water on the fire, which broke out at the facility near Cherry Creek South Drive and Quebec Street, Denver fire said on Twitter.No injuries have been reported.@Denver_Fire is on scene of a fire at the recycling center near Cherry Creek South Dr. and Quebec. Heavy fire on the pile reported upon arrival. Crews are getting water on the fire. No injuries have been reported at this time. pic.twitter.com/OBMKTZgww2— Denver Fire Department (@Denver_Fire) April 12, 2023

Denver shatters record-high temperature Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

Denver hit 85 degrees Wednesday — shattering the city’s previous record-high temperature for April 12.Related ArticlesWeather | Rampart fire west of Colorado Springs 50% contained Weather | Denver weather: More record-breaking heat and rising fire risks Weather | Denver International Airport sweats out record temperatures Tuesday, breaking high set 41 years ago Weather | Denver weather: Record high temps expected, with first day this year above 80 degrees Weather | Denver weather: Near-record heat expected under sunny blue skies It marked the second day in a row for 85-degree temps in the Mile High City, and the second day in a row for record-breaking high temperatures. The summer-like weather broke the previous record of 79 degrees set in 2018 for this date, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.Just a week ago, Denver set a daily low record of 11 degrees.These types of drasti...

One injured in house fire in Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

One person was injured in a house fire in Aurora on Wednesday afternoon.The fire was reported at a house in the 18700 block of East Hawaii Drive, Aurora Fire Rescue said in a 4:32 p.m. tweet.One patient is being provided medical care for injuries that are not life threatening. The fire is now under control and investigators have arrived to conduct their work. pic.twitter.com/G7kdNDV4US— Aurora Fire Rescue (@AuroraFireDpt) April 12, 2023The department tweeted at 4:57 p.m. that the fire was under control. The person was being provided medical care for injuries that were not life-threatening, and investigators are looking into the fire.Firefighters also used a specialized device to administer oxygen to a pet cat found in the house, but it did not survive.Aurora firefighters had a busy Wednesday and also worked on four grass fires around the community.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora, Denver firefighters extinguish two brush fires near I-70 and Peña Boul...

House Democrats call for Feinstein to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

Two House Democrats called on Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign on Wednesday, a stunning move underscoring the rising concern over her prolonged absence from the Senate.Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was the first Democrat to publicly call for the 89-year-old Senate stalwart to step down, despite her plans to retire at the end of her term in 2024.“It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people,” Khanna wrote on Twitter.Shortly after Khanna said Feinstein should step aside, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) followed suit.“I agree with @RoKhanna. Senator Feinstein is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to re...

About $1.5 billion in tax returns remain unclaimed from the 2019 tax year, according to IRS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:45 GMT

The Internal Revenue Service announced on Wednesday that nearly 1.5 million people nationwide have left about $1.5 billion in tax refunds unclaimed. In California, the agency estimated that 144,700 people have a total of $141,780,000 in unclaimed refunds.Overall, the IRS estimates that the mid-point refund amount for the 2019 tax year is $893, meaning some refunds can be more or less than the estimated average amount.  Taxpayers have until July 17 to submit their tax returns for the 2019 tax year and claim their refunds. IRS announces 2023 tax season start date and deadline “The 2019 tax returns came due during the pandemic, and many people may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement.“We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out. People face a July 17 deadline to file their returns. We recommend taxpayers start soon to ensure they don’t miss out.”Under the law, taxpayers typically have three yea...