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Asian elephant Rani dies at Saint Louis Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo confirmed Tuesday that one of its Asian elephants, Rani, has died.Rani (pronounced "Ronnie") died Friday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. She was 27.According to Michael Macek, director of the Saint Louis Zoo, an animal autopsy revealed Rani had preexisting changes in her heart, but more testing is needed to determine if those changes contributed to the elephant's death. Just before 3:40 p.m. that Friday, a small, unleashed dog was seen running near the Elephant Barn. This was an area closed to the public, Macek said.Only one elephant was outside at the time, and the pachyderm became agitated. Rani was already inside her sleeping area, having dinner. She did not see or hear the dog.The zoo's elephant care team was quick to move the outdoor elephant inside.At one point, zoo staffers noticed Rani grew agitated in reaction to vocalizations from the rest of the herd. Rani circled her pen and vocalized for a brief period, then collapsed. Close Tha...

Man wanted on warrant since 1997 among Missouri's 'profiled fugitives'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Marshals Service says seven "profiled fugitives" are wanted in eastern Missouri. One has an outstanding federal warrant out for his arrest dating back to the 20th century. Marshals say a warrant was issued against David K. Harris on Aug. 21, 1997 ""for violations of bond after a federal fraud conviction." A "WANTED" memo from Marshals lists Harris as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 260 pounds with hazel eyes and gray or partially gray hair. Authorities say Harris was born in 1945. He also has aliases of David Kay Harris, David Hess and David Kols, per Marshals. When should Missouri expect the first snow? Additional details on Harris or his previous violations is limited. If you have any information, contact U.S. Marshals at 314-810-2087. Also among Missouri's "profiled fugitives" are six other men, including five wanted for less than a year out of Farmington, Missouri, for various crimes. Marshals are also looking for these six men:Aaron Wade SebastianDakota PaceJu...

Officers issue 49 speeding tickets over 4 hours on Highway 364

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Officers are asking drivers to slow down. They caught one person going 135 mph on the Page Avenue Extension Monday. The posted speed limit is 60 mph.Officers conducted a speed enforcement campaign Monday on Highway 364. The road runs from St. Louis County to St. Charles County. Over four hours, officers issued 49 speeding tickets. They say that the majority of drivers were going between 80 and 87 mph. Pickleball noise level exceeds ordinance; country club remains unable to play The Maryland Heights Police Department says that they periodically conduct speed enforcement to prevent traffic crashes and deaths. Similar campaigns have been happening over the spring and summer in Madison County, Illinois, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, and the city of St. Louis. Some of those stops involve state highway troopers.

Grain Belt Express, multistate wind-powered transmission line, approved in Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

MOBERLY, Mo. - The Missouri Public Service Commission approved plans for the state's involvement in a four-state, wind-powered transmission line project known as the Grain Belt Express. Plans call for the transmission to run through many communities north of Interstate 70, including around Moberly and St. Joseph. The Grain Belt Express would carry wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana that serves other states. It would stretch roughly 800 miles.MAP OF PLANSInvenergy Transmission, the Chicago-based company attempting to build the Grain Belt Express, last year proposed expanding the high-voltage power line's capacity after years of setbacks. Grain Belt Express spokespeople say the project should pave the way for lower bills and more reliable energy sources. “We thank the state leaders in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois who have thoughtfully considered the tremendous benefits of Grain Belt Express," said Shashank Sane, executive ...

Family devastated after KC-area mom, 2-year-old killed in crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's an unimaginable grief. A Kansas City-area family is planning funeral services for a 26-year-old and her 2-year-old daughter. Prosecutors are accusing the toddler's father, 25-year-old Derrius L. Tolson, of driving 94 mph before crashing, leaving his girlfriend and child dead. “There are no words to explain what this is. No parent should ever have to bury their kids, much less their grandkids all in one swoop," Virginia Perkins, who lost her daughter and granddaughter, told FOX4. Tolson, who was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee when it crashed, now faces two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Jackson County issues counteroffer in Royals stadium negotiations Virginia Perkins said the hardest thing to do is explain to her 5-year-old granddaughter, who just started kindergarten, that she will never see her mom Deja Perkins or her little sister Amora again.Now, not only is this family grieving, they're also trying to make sense of a sudden...

Broncos coach Sean Payton says run game must be part of offense’s DNA. So what’s happened so far this season?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

Sean Payton felt frustrated with himself as soon as the Broncos’ loss to the Jets in Week 5 finished.One driving reason? Early success running the ball and a halftime lead couldn’t convince the Broncos coach — in his first year here but with decades of NFL experience — to stick with pounding the ball against a defense that hadn’t shown it could stop it.“I know better,” he said then. “I have to be more patient relative to how we run the ball, and it was that type of game.”Early on Thursday night against Kansas City, Payton and the Broncos showed signs of that patience as they ran it on 12 of their first 18 snaps.They picked up all four of their first-quarter first downs on the ground and had the ball for 9 minutes, 18 seconds.They used three running backs on the opening drive alone. Rookie Jaleel McLaughlin first, then Samaje Perine, then Javonte Williams. Fullback Mike Burton picked up a first down on a dive play.Once again, though, the plan went awry. This time it wasn’t all on Pay...

Destruction at Gaza hospital increases stakes for Biden’s trip to Israel and Jordan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

By COLLEEN LONG, AAMER MADHANI and CHRIS MEGERIAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s efforts to tamp down tensions in the escalating war between Israel and Hamas faced a bloody setback Tuesday when, shortly before his expected departure for the Middle East, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas withdrew from scheduled meetings to protest an explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds.The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza blamed the blast on an Israeli airstrike but the Israeli military said it had no involvement and pinned the blame on a misfired Palestinian rocket.Abbas’ cancellation, disclosed by a senior Palestinian official, reflects an increasingly volatile situation that will test the limits of American influence in the region as Biden visits Israel and Jordan on Wednesday. Biden’s decision to put himself in a conflict zone — the same year he made a surprise visit to Ukraine — demonstrates his willingness to take...

Trump is appealing a narrow gag order imposed on him in his 2020 election interference case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER (Associated Press)Former President Donald Trump is appealing a narrow gag order that bars him from making statements attacking prosecutors, potential witnesses and court staff in his election interference case in Washington, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Trump’s lawyers said in court papers that they will challenge an order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan that restricts Trump’s public statements about the case accusing him of scheming to subvert the results of the 2020 election. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team sought the order against the Republican 2024 presidential front-runner over a litany of verbal attacks from him on likely witnesses and others. Prosecutors say Trump’s incendiary rhetoric is designed to undermine the public’s confidence in the judicial process and taint the jury pool. During a court hearing on Monday, Chutkan said Trump can criticize the Justice Department generally and assert his bel...

Neighborhood security guard shot multiple times in Laguna Hills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

A security guard was shot in Laguna Hills Tuesday morning.The attack was reported at about 11 a.m. in a residential area called Nellie Gail Ranch, located near the intersection of Saddle Rock Place and Bridlewood Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.The man was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition, and authorities are searching for the shooter.Residents of the area told KTLA that the man is a security guard who patrols on a golf cart and that he was shot three times.They added that they believe the shooter was a man.

L.A. Zoo to celebrate Halloween with 'Boo at the Zoo' event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:54 GMT

Ghosts, goblins and ghouls of all ages are invited to visit the Los Angeles Zoo’s Halloween event, "Boo at the Zoo." The event will take place the last two weekends of October. Los Angeles Zoo celebrates birth of first southern tamandua "Boo at the Zoo" will include:Trick or treating throughout the ZooHalloween-themed feedings for select animalsSpooky story time reading of “Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared” with author Suzanne Lang and illustrator Max LangSpooky stories readings with L.A. Public Library Children’s LibrariansExtinct Animal Graveyard, where guests learn about extinct species and ways to protect vulnerable animal populationsA self-guided tour filled with “wacky, creepy, and funny animal facts.”A trip inside the Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles exhibitMore details about the event can be found here.All Halloween activities are free with paid admission to the Zoo and for members of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.