Calling all volunteers: Minnesota DNR has a job for you

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Calling all volunteers: Minnesota DNR has a job for you The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses thousands of volunteers, and needs thousands more.Volunteers play a critical role in everything from monitoring lakes and streams to teaching firearms safety or managing invasive plants in natural areas.“Last year, we were at about 13,000. We could definitely use another 13,000,” said Renée Hartwig, director of volunteer programs. “We have really pretty limitless numbers (of volunteers) that we can have involved in programming.”DNR volunteer numbers peaked at about 35,000 in 2009 according to Hartwig, but like many organizations, the agency now struggles to fill openings.“We’re looking at what people are looking for in volunteer experiences,” she said. The focus will continue to be on natural resources.“But we also need to make them memorable experiences, fun experiences, help people gain skills, or share their skills,” she said, “Making it a win-win for natural resources and wildlife and for the volunteer.”Proximity to the work can...

WWAARC hosts winter tree competition

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

WWAARC hosts winter tree competition SLINGERLANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Warren Washington Albany ARC is hosting its annual holiday tree contest. For the second year, the WWAARC is showcasing decorated trees at their two locations in Slingerlands and Queensbury from now until Dec. 31. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "It’s so great and to see the joy on their faces when they got to come in to see their finished products and see people walking around and commenting about it and congratulating them about what kind of a job they did, there’s not a better feeling,” said Michelle Bielawa.The not-for-profit organization supports people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Each group that the ARC supports was given a twenty dollar gift card to decorate their tree. There are around fifty different trees on display at both locations.  WWAARC scarecrow contest empowering people of all abilities According to the ARC, competitions like these serve as a great te...

Denver weather: Rain turns to snow overnight as cold front hits

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Denver weather: Rain turns to snow overnight as cold front hits A cold front heading for Denver will turn rain into snow overnight into Sunday morning, with at least an inch of snow likely to accumulate before Christmas morning.Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder expected the rain to begin across most of the metro area to begin before 9 p.m., and the cold front likely will hit between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.The rain will switch to snow after that as temperatures drop to an expected 27-degree low.Denver has an 80% chance to see at least an inch of snow by Christmas morning, forecasters said on X, but only a 3% chance to see more than 4 inches by then.The foothills near Evergreen have a 76% chance to see more than 4 inches and could get the most snow by Christmas.Even though snow could stay on the low end elsewhere, forecasters warned strong winds developing overnight and into Sunday morning could produce poor visibility and slick roadways.The eastern plains and Palmer Divide, south of Denver, are likely to see the strongest winds, wi...

$30 million lawsuit filed against L.A. County Sheriff's Department for mother's death

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

$30 million lawsuit filed against L.A. County Sheriff's Department for mother's death The family of Naini Finlayson, 27, has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and L.A. County after she was killed during a domestic dispute in Lancaster.A vigil was held Saturday where loved ones honored Finlayson’s memory, saying she was a victim of domestic violence. They said she was shot and killed in front of her 9-year-old daughter while trying to protect them both.On Dec. 4, deputies received a call from Finlayson saying her boyfriend would not leave her alone. Authorities heard screaming and sounds of a struggle during the phone call.Deputies responded to an apartment in the 2100 block of East Avenue J-8 and could hear the sounds of an argument inside.As officers attempted to enter the residence, Finlayson opened the front door while “armed with a large kitchen knife,” said LASD.Finlayson allegedly told deputies she was “going to stab her boyfriend for pushing her daughter.”The family of Naini Finlayson, 27, has filed ...

Founding member of famed country group The Chicks dies in car crash

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Founding member of famed country group The Chicks dies in car crash Laura Lynch, who co-founded the immensely popular country band the Chicks — formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, died in a car crash on Friday.She was 65.Lynch was driving her truck in El Paso, Texas when she was struck head-on by another vehicle and “was pronounced deceased on the scene by a justice of the peace,” according to a report from NPR.The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the musician’s death via a statement to NPR, which also reported that the “other driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries..”The three current members of the Chicks — lead vocalist and guitarist Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and multi-instrumentalists Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer — posted a joint statement about Lynch’s passing on the band’s Instagram page.“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in ...

Pro-Palestine protestor climbs on Christmas tree in Union Square, SFPD responds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Pro-Palestine protestor climbs on Christmas tree in Union Square, SFPD responds SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A pro-Palestine protester was seen climbing a Christmas tree in San Francisco's Union Square on Saturday afternoon, video from the Citizen App shows. A Palestine flag was seen attached to the centerpiece Christmas tree in the city's downtown area.The protestor climbing on the tree was seen holding a "Free Palestine" sign. Video from the scene can be viewed in the media player above. At around 2 p.m., San Francisco Police Department officers were at the scene in response, the department told KRON4. SFPD said, "people began to commit crimes ranging from assault to felony vandalism causing property damage." Two Antioch minors killed in fatal hit-and-run   The public was asked to avoid the area due to police activity, according to a tweet sent at 4:09 p.m. by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. Several suspects were arrested. "The group appears to have cleared from Union Square," SFPD said. As of 5:30 p.m., the situation at Union Square has b...

Ducks rookie forward Leo Carlsson will be out 4-6 weeks with a sprained knee

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Ducks rookie forward Leo Carlsson will be out 4-6 weeks with a sprained knee ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anaheim Ducks rookie forward Leo Carlsson will be out for four to six weeks with a sprained right knee ligament.The Ducks announced the extent of the injury for the No. 2 overall pick in last summer’s draft before they hosted the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night.Carlsson, who turns 19 on Tuesday, was hurt during Anaheim’s home loss to Calgary on Thursday. Although the injury looked potentially severe, the Swedish playmaker apparently won’t need surgery on any torn ligaments in his knee.Carlsson is off to a solid start in his first NHL season with eight goals and seven assists in 23 games while playing as the Ducks’ first-line center.Anaheim defenseman Radko Gudas also was ruled out of the club’s game against Seattle with a lower-body injury. He will be re-evaluated after the NHL’s holiday break.Trevor Zegras is returning to face the Kraken after a 20-game absence with a lower-body injury. He is likely to take Carlsson’...

Emmanuel Michel, Air Force pound No. 24 James Madison on ground to win Armed Forces Bowl 31-21

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Emmanuel Michel, Air Force pound No. 24 James Madison on ground to win Armed Forces Bowl 31-21 FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Emmanuel Michel rushed for a career-best 203 yards and two 1-yard touchdowns and Zac Larrier passed for one TD and ran for another score, leading Air Force to a 31-21 win over No. 24 James Madison in the Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday.Air Force (9-4) posted its fifth consecutive bowl win after losing its last four games of the season.James Madison (11-2) lost in regulation for the first time this season while playing in the program’s first bowl game. The Dukes, who are completing their transition to the FBS level from FCS, earned the berth after there weren’t enough bowl-eligible teams to fill all the spots.Air Force’s triple-option offense got the better of the top run defense in the FBS. The Falcons entered second in rushing at 275.8 yards per game, and finished with 351 yards.James Madison gained 283 total yards — only 26 rushing. Jordan McCloud finished 20 for 33 for 257 yards with three TD passes and an interception for the Dukes.BIRMINGHAM BOWLDUKE 17, ...

Rudolph hits Pickens for 2 long touchdowns, Steelers end 3-game skid with 34-11 win over Bengals

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Rudolph hits Pickens for 2 long touchdowns, Steelers end 3-game skid with 34-11 win over Bengals PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mason Rudolph and embattled receiver George Pickens connected for two long touchdowns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their fading playoff hopes alive, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 on Saturday.Rudolph, making his first start in two years in place of the injured Kenny Pickett and the ineffective Mitch Trubisky, hit Pickens for an 86-yard catch-and-run score on Pittsburgh’s second offensive snap. He found a streaking Pickens with a 66-yard rainbow in the third quarter as the Steelers (8-7) snapped a three-game skid.Pickens caught four passes for 195 yards. Rudolph finished 17 of 27 for 290 yards as the Steelers put together their best offensive performance in years.Jake Browning threw for 335 yards and a touchdown but also tossed three picks the Steelers turned into points as Cincinnati (8-7) saw its three-game winning streak snapped. Pittsburgh raced to a 24-point halftime lead and cruised the rest of the way.Pittsburgh’s 34 points were its mos...

Marshall’s 19 help Santa Clara knock off Duquesne 81-73

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:33:28 GMT

Marshall’s 19 help Santa Clara knock off Duquesne 81-73 LAS VEGAS (AP) — Carlos Marshall Jr.’s 19 points helped Santa Clara defeat Duquesne 81-73 on Saturday night.Marshall added six rebounds for the Broncos (9-5). Adama Bal shot 5 of 8 from the field and 8 for 11 from the foul line to add 19 points. Brenton Knapper had 12 points and finished 5 of 9 from the field.Dae Dae Grant led the way for the Dukes (8-3) with 32 points. Jimmy Clark III added 14 points for Duquesne. In addition, Kareem Rozier finished with six points and two steals.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source