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SMART awarded $32 million grant from the Biden administration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

(KRON) – The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) has been awarded a $32 million grant in Federal Railroad Administration, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement funds from the Biden Administration.  According to U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, he assisted in securing the funds from the Department of Transportation through the federal government’s annual spending legislation.“SMART is a vital artery in our communities, connecting people and commerce throughout the North Bay, said Rep. Huffman. “They have been a leader in innovative infrastructure improvements, like this project that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide a reliable public transportation alternative." President Biden visiting the Bay Area for campaign events This grant has two significant components: $28M for the implementation of Positive Train Control Systems for SMART's 5.5-mile passenger and freight rail line between Windsor and Healdsburg and $4M for the replacement o...

DC Water to tackle sewage flowing into Potomac River; Georgetown tunnel to begin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

Now that DC Water has completed the Northeast Boundary Tunnel, which is expected to divert 98% of combined sewer overflow away from the Anacostia River, it’s shifting its attention to the Potomac River.“Now, we’re turning to the Potomac,” said Moussa Wone, vice president of DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project — the long-term plan to deal with the antiquated sewer system that runs through older portions of the District, including Georgetown.The Potomac River Tunnel is the next major phase of the project to mitigate the District’s combined sewer overflow system — built before 1900 — which carries both sewage and stormwater in a single pipe.During dry conditions, the sewage diverts to the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant.However, during heavy rain, the overwhelmed pipes can’t carry all of the sewer water to Blue Plains, and a substantial amount flowed out of pipes into the Anacostia and Potomac rivers.The newly-completed Northeast Boundary Tunnel —...

Canada’s government calls on House speaker to resign over inviting a man who fought for a Nazi unit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘s government urged the speaker of the House of Commons to resign Tuesday for inviting a man who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II to attend a speech by the Ukrainian president. Just after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address in the House of Commons on Friday, Canadian lawmakers gave 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka a standing ovation when Speaker Anthony Rota drew attention to him. Rota introduced Hunka as a war hero who fought for the First Ukrainian Division.Rota is meeting with the House of Commons’ party leaders later Tuesday. Two opposition parties called for Rota to step down on Monday, and government House leader Karina Gould said Tuesday that she believes lawmakers have lost confidence in Rota. Gould said Rota invited and recognized Hunka without informing the government or the delegation from Ukraine. “It is time for him to do the honorable thing,” Gould said. Foreign Mini...

More money pledged from Michigan for a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant after Ford pauses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — More money is being pledged in Michigan for the development of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant after Ford Motor Co. said it would pause construction until it’s sure it can run the factory competitively.Ford announced the delay Monday and is in the midst of national contract talks with the United Auto Workers union, which wants to represent workers at battery factories and win them top wages.On Tuesday, a Michigan economic development board voted to send an additional $65 million to the megasite that will be used for “assistance for site readiness activities,” according to a board memo. “We fully expect that Ford will continue to develop the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan site and we need to allow the Ford Motor Company and UAW to continue their negotiations,” Quentin Messier, president of Michigan Economic Development Corp., said during Tuesday’s meeting.The UAW went on strike against Ford and the other two Detroit automakers, General Motors and St...

Lynn Whitfield reflects on career from ‘Eve’s Bayou’ to ‘Greenleaf’ ahead of Prince George’s Film Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

Hear our full chat on my podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley chats with Lynn Whitfield (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); The Prince George’s Film Festival returns this week with the star power of a true Hollywood legend as Lynn Whitfield headlines a Q&A with journalist Harriet Cole at Sunday’s closing ceremony at MGM National Harbor.Whitfield joined WTOP ...

Samoa shakes up back row and midfield for must-win Japan game at the Rugby World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Samoa shook up its back row and midfield for the must-win Rugby World Cup match against Japan on Thursday.Japan limited its changes to two backs after losing to England 34-12 last week in Nice.After falling to Argentina 19-10 last week, Samoa gave starts on Tuesday to New South Wales flanker Taleni Seu and Lyon No. 8 Jordan Taufua in place of Theo McFarland, who was moved to the second row, and Steven Luatua, who was dropped to the reserves.D’Angelo Leuila will partner Tumua Manu in midfield. The only other time they combined was in July last year against Tonga.Ed Fidow takes over from Nigel Ah-Wong on the right wing.Japan promoted outside center Dylan Riley and fullback Lomano Lemeki from the bench. They replaced Tomoki Osada, who dropped to the reserves, and Semisi Masirewa, who suffered a tournament-ending leg injury against England.The winner of the Japan-Samoa match will stay in contention for the quarterfinals while the loser’s chances of ad...

BWI Marshall Airport has busiest single day in 4 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

BWI Marshall Airport has been busy lately, and it recently hit a milestone for single-day passengers.TSA screened 34,745 passengers at BWI checkpoints on Friday, Sept. 22 — the highest daily count since late 2019, before the pandemic.By another measure, the airport is now actually much busier than pre-pandemic travel levels.BWI Marshall reports airline seat capacity for the fourth quarter of 2023 is up 17% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and is 3% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019.BWI Marshall is not only benefiting from an increase in air travel, but also from the addition of several new routes, including new international destinations.Copa Airlines recently began nonstop flights to Panama City, joining other international carriers that have added new service or resumed previous flights dropped during the pandemic. That includes PLAY Airlines, Icelandair, Avelo Airlines, Condor, Air Canada and British Airways.Southwest Airlines adds nonstop service from BWI to Belize starting ...

Aurora police warn of card-tapping scam

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Aurora Police Department's Economic Crimes Unit is warning the public about a scam involving contactless payment at gas stations.APD said scammers are drilling holes into the sensor where customers tap their debit and credit cards to pay. Damaging the tap-to-pay option forces customers to swipe their card for payment. Study: Colorado in top 10 for the most identity theft and scams The thieves are stealing card information with skimming devices placed where customers swipe cards.APD is reminding customers to check for a hole drilled in the contactless payment sensor and notify gas station employees if they notice one.

Ice Castles returning to Colorado with new location

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — After two long years without the frozen attraction, Ice Castles will return to Colorado this winter with construction beginning as soon as late October. 2023 Colorado ski resorts opening dates The Ice Castles closed for the 2021-2022 season due to renovations at Town Park in Dillon. Without being able to move locations, the castles have been out of commission.Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)Ice Castles. (Photo credit: AJ Mellor)The Ice Castles span across the U.S. as a chilly winter playground for all ages. They include ice slides, caverns, archways, fountains and crawl tunnels. They look like they're from the movie "Frozen." This year, they are finally reopening in Cripple Creek.Starting in late October to early November, 20 professional ice artisans will spend eight weeks building the icy wonderland for a la...

New ski area to open in Front Range

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A new ski hill is opening up in the Front Range in Windsor. Hoedown Hill is the highest point in Windsor and will be open to the public for sledding, tubing and skiing in the winter.The ski area is managed by RainDance National Golf Course. The course is located at 1775 RainDance Nat'l Dr.Once the snow settles in and the golf season ends, RainDance hopes to attract outdoor enthusiasts with a different kind of activity. In the winter, guests will be able to sled and ski down a portion of the hill that is nearly 1,100 feet long. $2 million for pickleball included in proposed Denver budget There is also a 120 feet elevation difference between the top and bottom of the hill.RainDance is hoping Hoedown Hill will be fully operational by Christmas 2023, but until then they are asking guests to refrain from accessing the hill.Aside from the winter season, the hill will be open in the summer where guests can mountain bike, hike and zipline. Hoedown Hill will also have conc...