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Roger Payne, scientist who discovered whales can sing, dies at 88

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

Roger Payne, the scientist who spurred a worldwide environmental conservation movement with his discovery that whales could sing, has died. He was 88.Payne made the discovery in 1967 during a research trip to Bermuda in which a Navy engineer provided him with a recording of curious underwater sounds documented while listening for Russian submarines. Payne identified the haunting tones as songs whales sing to one another.He saw the discovery of whale song as a chance to spur interest in saving the giant animals, who were disappearing from the planet. Payne would produce the album “Songs of the Humpback Whale” in 1970. A surprise hit, the record galvanized a global movement to end the practice of commercial whale hunting and save the whales from extinction.Payne was cognizant from the start that whale song represented a chance to get the public interested in protecting an animal previously considered little more than a resource, curiosity or nuisance. He told Nautilus Quarterly in a 2...

Inflation cools off in latest report, lowest in more than two years

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Tuesday, the Labor Department reported inflation cooled to 4% in May, the lowest rate in more than two years."That's good news for American families," Council of Economic Advisers member Heather Boushey said.Boushey says lower inflation helps working-class Americans."Families are both seeing, you know slightly lower prices," Boushey said. "Prices are still too high. They're coming down now, and in real wage gains."The smaller-than-expected rise in the consumer price index was driven by a decrease in the cost of products and services like energy and groceries."They're going to the pump, they're seeing a lower price…the egg prices are down nearly 30% since January," Boushey said.Economists and experts say the slowdown may give the federal reserve reason to skip an interest rate hike."We're seeing kind of confirmation that April wasn't just a one-off at least, with the May data," Bank of America senior economist Stephen Juneau said.Juneau says despite the positi...

Renting? Ways to lower your AC bill in this heat

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Central Texas bakes in unusually hot weather for mid-June, you may already be worried about what the heat will cost you when your electric bill arrives. Homeowners have the liberty to make big adjustments in efficiency, but renters aren't without options.Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with CEO of SmartRent, Lucas Haldeman, about devices that even renters can take advantage of to keep the cost of cooling down.Meteorologist Nick Bannin: Lucas Haldeman joins us today from SmartRent. Lucas, what smart devices can we buy to keep our electric bills lower, but also our homes more comfortable at the same time?Lucas Haldeman, SmartRent CEO: Great. Hey, Nick. Yeah, the best thing you can do is look to buy a smart thermostat. That's the number one way we can control our utilities and not cool empty spaces, especially in the summertime. I would also look to upgrade your lighting so you can control your lighting, so you can have your lights come on and go off when you want t...

Tracking the Tropics: Could rising ocean temperatures mean more hurricanes despite El Niño?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — For the first time in three years, El Niño is back, and it's arrival is earlier than expected. Its formation usually means quieter hurricane seasons in the Atlantic basin.That’s because El Niño’s warming in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean typically causes more wind shear to flow into the Caribbean and Gulf, inhibiting storm formation. Over the last three decades, El Niño years have produced about half the number of hurricanes that La Niña years have produced in the Atlantic Basin. Spike in ocean heat stuns scientists: Have we breached a climate tipping point? But this year could be different. A sudden spike in ocean temperatures across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans has far surpassed record levels for June. The extra energy could cancel out El Niño’s calming effects.(WFLA)Scientists all around the world are struggling to explain the phenomenon. The question remains: Which feature will steer the 2023 hurricane season?WFLA Meteorologists Amanda Holly and Reb...

Glens Falls police respond to swatting incident

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Over the weekend, Glens Falls Police responded to a reported hostage situation that was ultimately found to be a swatting incident. The incident included an alleged shooting and bomb threat at the apartments at 19 Elm St. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, June 10, police responded to an anonymous call with unknown credibility reporting a shooting and hostage situation at 19 Elm St. The caller told police that explosives had been set up at the property, and would be detonated remotely if police arrived on the scene. The caller also claimed that officers would be shot upon arrival.Police blocked off the area around the Elm Street apartment building, located adjacent to Downtown City Tavern and the Mill apartments. Police entered the building in order to perform evacuation, and were able to determine that the call was unsubstantiated. The specific apartment was found to not be the home o...

American Girl Live! In Concert coming to Proctors

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Fans of American Girl can see their favorite dolls come to life on stage in Schenectady. American Girl Live! In Concert is making a stop at Proctors Theatre on November 4 at 4 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The interactive concert will feature fan-favorite tunes, live cast musical performances, dancing, and other surprises. The show includes an original storyline with Claudie from the 1920s, Melody from the 1960s, Julie from the 1970s, Courtney from the 1980s, and Nicki from the late 1990s.“We’re thrilled to debut American Girl Live! In Concert as the ultimate fan experience filled with non-stop music and dancing for all ages to enjoy," said Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel. “The premium production celebrates the power of girlhood with fun, inspiring songs that embody the spirit of American Girl’s popular characters and stories that have ins...

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport opens $31M expanded terminal

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

MASCOUTAH, Ill. - The MidAmerica St. Louis Airport celebrated the grand opening of a $31 million terminal Tuesday. The terminal was expanded to support trends of passenger growth. It adds 41,000-plus square feet to the already existing 53,500 square-foot terminal.“Here in Illinois, we are proud to boast one of the best and largest aviation systems in the nation. And in my mission to advance the economic development of this region, a crucial component is the modernization and maintenance of our airports and support for the people that keep them up and running,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.  Family of St. Louis soldier mourns loss after hit-and-run in Texas "This multi-million project is yet another example of the historic investments our state is making, and our commitment to create good and sustainable jobs and facilities while uplifting Illinois working families," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.At MidAmerica St. Louis, there is also regular usage for corporate, military, air c...

Benches clear, Cardinals now 14 under .500 after 11-3 loss to Giants

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Keaton Winn’s first trip to a major league ballpark also became the site of his first big league save.Winn worked four solid innings of relief Tuesday night to help the San Francisco Giants to an 11-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.Mike Yastrzemski and Patrick Bailey homered and Michael Conforto added four hits and three RBIs to pace a balanced attack.The Giants have won five straight road games and six of their last eight games overall. San Francisco won the first two games of the three-game set and claimed just their third series in St. Louis in 10 tries since 2013.Winn allowed one run on one hit in a 55-pitch effort and was doused with a combination of hot sauce and toothpaste by his teammates after the contest.“It was crazy, it was awesome, I don't even know how to describe it,” Winn said. “So awesome.”The 25-year-old right-hander from tiny Ollie, Iowa, which has a population of about 200, had approximately 30 relatives, friends and fans in attendance.“I still...

63-year-old man missing since Tuesday night found

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

PERRYVILLE, Mo. - A 63-year-old man who was missing since Tuesday night has been found.The man was last seen at Lake Drive in Perryville, Missouri at 11:15 p.m wearing blue jeans and a black graphic t-shirt. Family of St. Louis soldier mourns loss after hit-and-run in Texas The man went to his parent's home after escaping from his nursing home window. After being told he would have to go back to the nursing home, he said, "I'm not going back," then left the location.He has since been found safe.

Attorneys from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri holding free clinics Thursday night

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:43:02 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Attorneys from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri are holding free clinics Thursday night.Three different legal service programs will be available. Children's Legal Alliance assists families with getting educational rights for their kids, such as out of school learning, special education, or enrollment. Violent twist follows parents’ intervention on daughter’s Snapchat sessions Legal Advocacy for Adults with Mental Illness helps people with housing issues, marital issues, guardianship, and criminal record expungement. Youth and Family Advocacy provides assistance to families that are homeless, dealing with credit problems, or applying for public benefits.The legal clinic is Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Central Library. If you can't make it Wednesday, there's one every third Thursday of the month.