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A classic El Niño winter is expected this year, forecasters say. Here’s what that means for snow and cold

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

By Mary Gilbert | CNN MeteorologistEl Niño will drive what could be a warmer or wetter winter in parts of the US this year, according to an outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday.But don’t worry, snow lovers. El Niño – a natural ocean and weather pattern in the tropical Pacific – could also mean higher snow chances in some atypical spots and fuel more potent northeast snowstorms, forecasters say.El Niño is forecast to be strong this winter and reach the most significant level since a very strong El Niño fostered the warmest winter on record across the US mainland during 2015-2016, according to NOAA.While no two El Niño winters are the same, this shift typically brings wetter and cooler weather to the South while the north becomes drier and warmer.And that’s exactly what’s expected this winter. Above-average temperatures are likely across much of the northern US, according to NOAA’s outlook.Parts of the Northwest, Great Lakes and Northeast...

A ‘last hurrah’ for the Bay Area heat hits on Thursday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

In the perfect melting pot of peak-California weather in October, what’s likely to be the most scorching day for the rest of the calendar year could be followed by weekend rain showers, according to the National Weather Service.The two-day heat wave that left pumpkin-patch attendees clinging to blotches of shade on Wednesday only ramped up on Thursday with triple-digit potential in the forecasts.NWS meteorologist Crystal Oudit said more records could fall on Thursday. San Francisco International Airport tied its record temperature with a high of 86 on Wednesday.Several forecast highs on Thursday threatened records, including Santa Rosa’s prediction of 95 (against a record of 95 in 1921), San Jose’s 95 (91 in 1913), Half Moon Bay’s 88 (82 in 1998), Downtown San Francisco’s 90 (90 in 1992) and SFO at 92 (86 in 2022).“Some of the forecasts are predicted to either tie (the records) or break them,” Oudit said.Other Bay Area forecast highs include...

United Airlines will now make passengers in aisle seats board last

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN and DAVID KOENIG | AP Business WritersUnited Airlines will institute a new boarding procedure for economy class, with passengers in aisle seats boarding last.The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26 for domestic flights and some international flights. It was tested at several locations and deemed to shave up to two minutes off boarding time.“It spreads people out along the aisle of the airplane so that more people can put their luggage away at the same time. That’s the main thing that speeds up the boarding process,” said Jason Steffen, an associate professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who designed his own boarding model a decade ago.The change will not affect those with priority boarding privileges. The new boarding sequence is this:Preboarding: Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, families with children under 2, active-duty military, Global Services members, Premier 1K membersGro...

‘America does not deserve me.’ Why Black people are leaving the United States

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

Kate Linthicum | (TNS) Los Angeles TimesPUERTO VIEJO, Costa Rica — Filmmaker Jameelah Nuriddin was locked down in Los Angeles during the pandemic, watching as the nation convulsed in protest over the murder of George Floyd, when she had an epiphany: “America does not deserve me.”As a Black woman, Nuriddin always tried to work twice as hard as those around her, thinking: “If I’m smart enough, pretty enough, successful enough … then finally people will treat me as a human being.”But as she grieved yet another unarmed Black man killed by police, she decided she was done trying to prove herself to a society that she felt would never really love her back.So Nuriddin, 39, packed her bags and left.She ended up in Costa Rica, in an idyllic beach town on the Caribbean coast that has become a hub for hundreds of Black expatriates fed up with life in the United States.She now spends her days working for U.S. clients from chic cafes, leading healing ceremonies at a local waterfall and try...

Petaluma fatal crash caused by driving at 'unsafe speed,' according to CHP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

(KRON) – One person died as a result of a fatal crash on Bodega Avenue in Petaluma, according to police.The Santa Rosa California Highway Patrol officers and the Petaluma Fire Department responded to a crash on Bodega Avenue near King Road at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 17.  Alleged copper thieves arrested in Milpitas According to police, a male driver of a Nissan Versa was pronounced deceased at the scene at the officer’s arrival. The driver was the only person in the car. Police investigation indicates the Nissan was traveling eastbound on Bodega Avenue, west of King Road, at an unsafe speed. According to the police investigation, the driver lost control of the Nissan, which veered off the right side of the roadway and then collided with a tree. The Nissan overturned and continued down an embankment before landing on its roof, police said.Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Santa Rosa CHP Office at (707)-588-1400.

Newsom traveling to Israel ahead of trip to China

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

California Governor Gavin Newsom will visit Israel just ahead of a trip to China that had already been planned for some time. "I’m on my way to Israel. I’ll be meeting with those impacted by the horrific terrorist attacks and offering California’s support," the governor posted on social media Thursday morning. IRS postpones tax filing deadline one month for California storm victims Newsom is making the trip as Israel nears two weeks of war against Gaza-based Hamas, which overran the Israeli border on Oct. 7 in a surprise attack, killing hundreds and taking dozens of hostages. The governor's press secretary said, “The Governor adjusted his planned international trip and will briefly visit Israel ahead of going to China. While in Israel, the Governor will meet with those impacted by the violence.”Newsom's office also said that California will send medical supplies and other aid to the region, including to Gaza. ‘Partnership is everything’: Jennifer Siebel Newsom says the words ‘F...

San Jose greenlights hotel conversion for student housing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

(BCN) -- San Jose leaders have reluctantly agreed to a plan to convert hundreds of hotel rooms into student housing amid concerns it will harm tourism.The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a deal yesterday between San Jose State University and the owner of the former Fairmont Hotel, rebranded as Signia by Hilton last year, to sell off the south tower -- about a third of the hotel's 705 guest rooms for student housing. The Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill set for today City officials say the deal is a double-edged sword: with hotel occupancy rates down, the move can potentially save the hotel from bankruptcy and bring students to support surrounding businesses. But fewer rooms may limit the city's hotel tax revenue from hosting conventions.Charlie Faas, vice president of administration and finance at San Jose State, said the only two events capable of filling up the "struggling hotel" are the World Cup and Super Bowl, both scheduled to come to San Jose in the com...

Bad Bunny 'Most Wanted' Tour coming to Chase Center in March

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Bad Bunny has announced a new tour for 2024 that will see the global recording artist play multiple nights at San Francisco's Chase Center. The 47-show tour will see Bad Bunny play in 31 cities across North American.In addition to San Francisco, Bad Bunny will play in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta, Orlando and other cities before wrapping up with three nights in Miami, according to a news release from Chase Center. Registration for the tour, which is being promoted by Live Nation, opens Thursday and will remain open until Sunday, Oct. 22. Silicon Valley tech executive sentenced to prison for COVID testing fraud The "Most Wanted Tour," will be a "rollercoaster of explicit lyrics that hones in on the star's trap roots, so parental discretion is advised," according to the news release. Bad Bunny, a three-time Grammy Award winner, took a break from touring in 2023.The upcoming tour promises to bring fans "an unparalleled spectacle," providing attendees "a...

Prince William Co. supervisors to reconsider rejected home gun business in Potomac Shores

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

This article was written by WTOP’s news partner, InsideNoVa.com, and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will reconsider an application for a home gun business in Potomac Shores, which was rejected in September, after the applicant pushed for another hearing.The board in closed session on Oct. 10 discussed the application that failed Sept. 26. The disapproval came despite a nearly identical home gun store proposal near Manassas being approved during the same meeting.The board will reconsider the Potomac Shores application on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The business, proposed to be located at the Cockspur Lane home of Robert and Michelle Dawson, asked to be permitted to sell guns online and provide in-person background checks, with walk-in customers by appointment only.The application was rejected when Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who backed the Manassas store, opposed Dawson̵...

GOP’s Jordan backs a temporary House speaker plan and calls off 3rd vote for now, lawmakers say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, talks with members as the House convenes for a second day of balloting to elect a speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Former Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., looks on at right. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, talks with members as the House convenes for a second day of balloting to elect a speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Former Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., looks on at right. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP/J. Scott Applewhite) WASHINGTON (AP) — Refusing to drop out, Republican Re...