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Japan’s Nissan slashing EV costs, cuts rare materials use

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automaker Nissan is revving up its electrification shift and slashing costs by using the same components across models and reducing use of expensive rare materials. Nissan Motor Co. presented its “X-in-1” development strategy Thursday, in which the X stands for various powertrain parts such as an electric motor and inverter that can be used across models. The company said development and manufacturing costs will be reduced by 30% in 2026 compared to 2019 levels. The Yokohama-based automaker was a pioneer in electric vehicles but rivals like Tesla and BYD of China have overtaken it. As the move toward ecological models gains momentum around the world, driven by worries over climate change, Nissan has been eager to showcase its prowess. Its senior vice president, Toshihiro Hirai, acknowledged that prices of rare earths and other materials needed to make electric vehicle batteries and other parts are expected to rise in coming years. That means automakers must hav...

‘100% preventable,’ say families calling for change after deadly B.C. tug sinking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

VANCOUVER — Family members of two men who died when a tugboat sank off British Columbia’s northern coast are pushing for federal government action after the Transportation Safety Board concluded the accident highlighted “major systemic issues in the transportation industry.”Troy Pearson, the 58-year-old pilot, and 25-year-old crew member Charley Cragg died in the water after the tug Ingenika sank in February 2021. A third crewman made it to the life raft and was rescued hours later.In a report released Wednesday, the safety board issued four recommendations, including that Transport Canada begin regular inspections of tugs of 15 gross tonnesor less and require risk assessments on the smaller boats.It also called for improvements to the waiver system required to pilot a tug.  The Pacific Pilot Authority, the Crown corporation that maintains safe pilot service in B.C.’s coastal waters, had implemented a process where some vessels, mostly tugs and barges, could obtain...

Chicago police: 15-year-old boy shot in the chest in Auburn Gresham

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was shot in the chest Wednesday evening in Auburn Gresham, according to Chicago police.Around 6:25 p.m., Chicago police said the boy was walking with someone else when shots were fired. Police haven't specified who fired shots or what may have led to the shooting. 3 children, woman critically injured in fire at home of Chicago firefighter: sources The boy was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition, according to the Chicago Police Department. Candlelight vigil honors victims killed in Bolingbrook home invasion No one has been arrested yet in connection with the incident. Area Two detectives are still investigating.

Rodents shut down food sales at CA Walgreens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KRON) — Food, candy and beverage sales at a Walgreens location in Mill Valley, California, were suspended due to a rodent problem. A store employee told a KRON4 reporter who visited on Tuesday night that they were told not to sell food items from their store, but were not informed why or how long the stoppage would last. Video and photos from the Walgreens, which is located on Shoreline Drive, shows shelves stocked full of food with signs taped to the front. The printed signs read "All food, candy, beverage sales are temporarily suspended."(Noelle Bellow/KRON)(Noelle Bellow/KRON)(Noelle Bellow/KRON)KRON4 reached out to another Bay Area Walgreens location, which said it was selling food items as normal. KRON4 also reached out to Marin County Health and Human Services to see if they were aware of sales being suspended at the location and are awaiting a response.The Mill Valley location suspending food sales comes on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom announ...

Texas city named among the south's best small towns in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Everyone has their opinions about the best places to live in America, but there's something about small towns throughout the southern US that bring more charm, better food, and peace & quiet than anywhere else.Southern Living has released its winners of 2023 South's Best Awards looking at the top small towns, best BBQ, and more!"In a year when more people than ever are traveling and moving to the South, we wanted to put a spotlight on small towns in this year's South's Best Awards," said Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living. "These are the hidden gems our readers picked for their character, charm, and unmistakable Southernness. We're also thrilled to have Hoda Kotb sharing her longtime connection to New Orleans as a cover story. This whole issue is about the places we love, and in Hoda's case, the city clearly loves her back."Here's a look at their rankings of the south's best small towns:1. St. Augustine, FL2. Beaufort...

St. Paul man sentenced in elaborate Minneapolis phone theft ring that targeted intoxicated bar patrons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

A St. Paul man was sentenced Tuesday to nearly eight years in prison for his role in an elaborate phone theft ring that targeted downtown Minneapolis bar patrons.Aaron Tracey Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty last week to one count of racketeering in the scheme, which cost its dozens of victims hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to documents filed in Hennepin County District Court.In exchange for a 94-month sentence, Johnson admitted to his role in the theft ring and “implicated several other top members,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office said in a news release.“People have to feel and be safe in our county,” Moriarty said in the release. “This sophisticated operation targeted unsuspecting victims enjoying a night out and contributed to instilling a culture of fear that threatens the vibrancy of our community. I am grateful for the groundbreaking and extensive investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal ...

Inver Grove Heights firefighters battle blaze at Mississippi River marina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

Officials in Inver Grove Heights say fire damaged two boats docked at a Mississippi River marina Tuesday night — and a firefighter had to be pulled out of the river after falling into the icy water.Firefighters were called about 7 p.m. to a private marina in the 6100 block of Doffing Avenue, on the west bank of the Mississippi River about a mile and a half south of Interstate 494.They found a 50-foot boat engulfed in flames at a slip in the marina. The flames also spread to another adjacent boat. One firefighter fell into the 38-degree water at the scene and had to be rescued but was unhurt.Fire crews were on the scene for more than two hours and reported that both boats remained floating but were badly damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Inver Grove Heights addresses elevated radium levels in drinking water Crime & Public Safety | Lois Glewwe, South St. Paul historian with ‘a never-ending c...

Albany woman arrested in abandoned cat investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An arrest has been made after a cat was found abandoned on Sherman Street in the city of Albany. Lisa Lindo, 30, was charged with one count of Abandonment of Animals and one count of Animal Cruelty. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On January 27, police said Lindo left the cat in a carrier without food, water or shelter near garbage cans on Sherman Street near Henry Johnson Boulevard. Animal Control officers took the cat to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society where she was evaluated and later adopted.Lindo is scheduled to appear in Albany City Court on March 15.

Police: 61-year-old killed in hit-and-run collision in Ferguson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. - Authorities have identified a woman who was struck and killed Wednesday morning near a Ferguson intersection.A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the incident occurred at 6:05 a.m. on South Florissant Road (Route N), just south of Brotherton Lane and Woodstock Road.Troopers said Willetter Anderson-Watson was crossing South Florissant when she was struck by a Volkswagen turning from Woodstock onto South Florissant.The driver of the Volkswagen went to check on Anderson-Watson, and that's when another vehicle hit her. The second driver left the scene.State police are handling the investigation. Suspected Schnucks shooter appeared to be targeting suburbs According to residents, this is the latest of accidents that happen too often on South Florissant. Since Regina Davidson opened her business, Juanita’s Shaved Ice & Cream, eight months ago along South Florissant, she said fire trucks and ambulances keep going back and forth down the street. “P...

Rockies spring training report: Hensley Meulens, Justin Lawrence start strong in WBC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:59 GMT

Two Rockies participating in the World Baseball Classic got off to good starts.In the opening game of the WBC on Tuesday, new hitting coach Hensley Meulens managed Team Netherlands to a 4-2 win over Cuba in Taiwan. Also in Taiwan, right-hander Justin Lawrence closed out Panama’s 12-5 victory over Chinese Taipei on Wednesday. Lawrence did not allow a baserunner and struck out one over one inning of work.Here are the other Rockies playing in the WBC: Left-hander Kyle Freeland and right-hander Daniel Bard (USA); catcher Elias Diaz (Columbia), right-hander Michael Peterson (Great Britain); and infielder Alan Trejo (Mexico).Right-handers Jake Bird (Israel) and German Marquez (Venezuela) were originally scheduled to represent their countries but were removed because of injuries.Injury updates: Versatile outfielder Sean Bouchard, who has a good shot to make the 26-man roster, departed Wednesday’s game against the Angels in the first inning with a left biceps injury he suffered on a s...