DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Traffic Engineer John Davis has a vision to make Des Moines' streets safer. His plan would be to check the current speed limit on city streets to see if it's appropriate for the conditions. "We get requests for speeding traffic, or people are speeding in my neighborhood," said Davis. "We're looking to try to make sure that the speed limits are appropriate for the conditions. The land uses, the amount of traffic, the pedestrian movements." The idea is a concept at this point. The City does not have the budget to tackle this project yet. Davis said the City isn't even talking about hiring consulting help until they have the funds. He would look at lowering the speed limits on some streets to decrease the amount of bad crashes. "Speed is the element of a crash that causes the most severity, so the higher the speeds, the more severe the crash," said Davis. "So, what we're trying to do is, bottom line, is save peoples' lives." One of Iowa's oldest public libraries is seeing record checkout numbers Davis said the speed limit is not the main factor in determining how long it takes to get to your destination. "Most people will find that the delay that they might have in their way is not necessarily how fast that they go to the speed limit or above the speed limit, it's the delay they might incur at a traffic signal or a railroad crossing," he said. The bottom line is he's looking for roads where the speed is too high, and maybe unsafe. "I think the biggest thing we're trying to do is to save peoples' lives," said Davis. "Slowing people down is the first thing really, regardless of whether we change speed limits or not, is to drive what the speed limit is now." Latest Metro News:</h2> Speed limits in Des Moines could change to make streets safer </li> MercyOne launches statewide Maternal Transport Team to combat OB shortage </li> Investigation underway after Ankeny Chamber of Commerce audit shows financial irregularities </li> Des Moines Airport announces 2 new non-stop destinations on East Coast </li> DMACC students turn surgical wraps into sleeping mats for homeless community </li>

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Traffic Engineer John Davis has a vision to make Des Moines’ streets safer. His plan would be to check the current speed limit on city streets to see if it’s appropriate for the conditions. “We get requests for speeding traffic, or people are speeding in my neighborhood,” […]

Speed limits in Des Moines could change to make streets safer

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) – In North Augusta Tuesday, city leaders held a community engagement meeting to discuss plans for debris pickup in North Augusta after Hurricane Helene. Mayor Briton Williams and City Administrator Jim Clifford hosted the meeting and presented the plan for the City of North Augusta. According to Mayor Williams, North Augusta was the hardest hit city by Helene in the state of South Carolina. When asked about some of the details of the plan, Mayor Williams said, "North Augusta's unique we have three different ownership of roads. 70-75% of roads are owned by SCDOT. So, we can stress to them what to do, where to go, these are the areas we're concerned about. Because we don't own them we can't mandate that they go there." Administrator Clifford presented a map that gives a street by street jurisdiction for residents to know if their street is eligible for debris pick up. Standards for debris pickup are as follows: Only vegetative debris will be picked up</li> No trash bags or paper yard bags</li> Debris should be visible and not in a container</li> No construction debris</li> No wood other than vegetative</li> Mayor Williams says the plan is for the First Pass of City-Controlled roads to be completed by January 25, 2025. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. STORY: :: Volunteer divers collect bags of trash from the ocean floor off a Croatian island as the nautical season closes:: November 16, 2024:: Brac, Croatia:: Anamarija Paradinovic, Diving instructor and biologist"All the divers who came today participated as volunteers, mostly because of their love for the sea, the underwater world, and all the beauty we get to witness. In a way, they wanted to give something back to the sea.The variety of objects collected from the sea bed always amazes the volunteers. During just one dive they retrieved 4,5 cubic meters of waste."Marking the fourth such initiative this year, the project aimed to address the growing environmental toll of tourism as the busy nautical season drew to a close in one of the country's most popular marinas.The Adriatic Sea is facing mounting challenges, with rising temperatures, increased invasive species, shifting currents, and growing amounts of underwater waste compounding the problem. Efforts like these aim to address the urgent need for action to protect the fragile marine ecosystem.

In North Augusta Tuesday, city leaders held a community engagement meeting to discuss plans for debris pickup in North Augusta after Hurricane Helene.

North Augusta city leaders host meeting about debris pickup plan

We all know we need a coat, hat, and gloves when temperatures drop, but combined with wind, frostbite and hypothermia become real threats. Let's talk about what temperatures and winds create these risks and how to protect yourself.<h4>?</h4>Technically...you can get frostbite with temperatures at or below freezing if you wait for a long enough period of time. But for most of us, we care about times under 30 minutes. For that...you generally need temperatures of around 5 degrees or lower, and wind. A wind chill below negative 18 produces frostbite in under 30 minutes on exposed skin. For example, at zero degrees with winds of 10 to 15 mph, frostbite can set in in under 30 minutes. Similarly, at 5°F with winds above 25 mph, it can happen in just over thirty minutes.Looking at Wednesday's wind chill futurecast, the best chance for negative windchills is above 8,000 feet. In places like Cripple Creek and upper parts of Woodland Park, frostbite could occur in less than an hour early Wednesday. If you're working outside, cover exposed skin until at least a couple hours after sunrise when we should warm to the 20s.Now let's talk about hypothermia, which is a dangerously low core body temperature. You can get it without getting frostbite. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, exhaustion, and slurred speech.The key to prevention is layering, with a focus on moisture management. Your inner layers should be breathable and moisture-wicking. Wool or synthetic materials are best to keep sweat away and help retain body heat.Remember that dogs and cats are not more immune to cold weather due to their fur. If you're taking your dog for a walk Wednesday morning, check their paws frequently for signs of cold damage, like cracking or bleeding.

With single digit to negative wind chills on tap Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, here's how cold it has to get for you to get frostbite within 30 minutes and how to prevent hypothermia

How windchill affects frostbite and hypothermia risk

ST. LOUIS – A beautiful fall sight in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood creates unease for many residents. "It happens every day," Bob Jackson said. "The tree limbs are falling. It doesn't have to be windy; it doesn't have to be stormy." A fallen branch that totaled a car a few houses down is just the beginning of the damage he's seeing. "Just from here," he said, "the houses you can see immediately around us; there are three homes that have been damaged." Some of those trees damaging homes have been chopped down, but other old and dying trees remain a risk, according to resident Gary Carter. "We're pretty concerned. We're thinking, 'Should we move before the trees destroy our home?'" Carter said. In a view from above, you can see a limb that residents are concerned is about to drop right on someone walking by. "People's lives are in jeopardy, man," Jackson said. Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now</h1> The St. Louis Forestry Division knows about it and agreed to look at residents' concerns when FOX 2 asked. Forestry Commissioner Alan Jankowski came out to the neighborhood personally. "I don't think you can pinpoint one thing that's killing them," he said. From lightning strikes to disease, Jankowski said sometimes it's just the trees' age, like one where he counted the rings, confirming it was over a century old. "We've done a lot of work in this neighborhood," the commissioner said, explaining how nearly 30 trees have been cut down recently in this neighborhood alone. Others of concern, he says, will go on a six-month waiting list. "Our crews are out there, and also, we have a contractor out there working to remove trees as quickly as we can," Jankowski said. He said they have 80,000 street trees to maintain, like in the nearby Christy Park neighborhood where his crew was headed next. That's where Jon Overmann says he's been dodging treelimbs. "We're worried about our families; we're worried about our vehicles," Overmann said. "Really this has been a problem for years. Departments have been shorthanded. We need the people." Forestry says they're hiring because they are down about a dozen tree trimmers. Here's what you can do. In St. Louis, there's a special office set up to help solve problems. It's called the Citizen's Service Bureau (CSB). You can submit a tip online, message, or call them at 314-622-4800. If you're interested in applying for one of the dozen open tree trimming positions, visit the city's web page and click on "Work for the City." Meanwhile, Alderman Tom Oldenburg, whose ward includes St. Louis Hills, said he's also on board with helping, as he called the matter "more than a quality-of-life issue for many neighbors and residents. It is a safety issue. "We all know the city's Forestry Department is short on manpower, which is why we need more funding dedicated to hiring third-party tree removal companies and partners. This will be a priority of mine in the coming fiscal budget for the city. Also, the city needs an operational plan that prioritizes neighborhoods (for tree removal and trimming) that have an abundance of street-lined trees reaching the end of their life expectancy."

A beautiful fall sight in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood creates unease for many residents.

Residents fear ‘attack of the trees’ as aging giants wreak havoc

HILLSBORO, Texas (KXXV) — Owner of Juice Light Martha Padilla said she was forced to close her shop, Juice Light, on Monday after losing water service in downtown Hillsboro."We can't operate without water," Padilla said.She said closing down for any reason - especially for water issues - impacts her significantly."It's the fact that we're open, and we missed those few that wanted to come and get something from our shop," Padilla said. The city of Hillsboro took to social media to explain the outage.The city explained that a power outage in Aquilla resulted in some Hillsboro residents losing water service."The downtown tower was the only one that ran out of water," City manager Megan Henderson said. "The downtown area would be affected by a water boil notice. The boil water notice does not indicate a problem with the water."Henderson said residents in the three other pressure plains were asked to limit water use.The city manager said people living downtown lost water for about two hours. Padilla, a business owner, said every hour and every dollar counts."In a small town, especially like this, it's very hard for us to make it sometimes. That money that we could have been making yesterday here during those hours, it's like a chain effect," Padilla said.

Downtown Hillsboro residents experienced a water outage due to a power outage with Aquila Water. One business owner said closing her business isn't good business.

Water outage in Hillsboro affects residents following power failure in Aquilla

<h4></h4>Crews are out to clean up whats left of Temple's Monday morning storm. <li>Wind speeds pushed 60 miles per hour</li><li>Trees, fences and other stuff was knocked over</li>"It wasn't just any normal storm or any normal rain," said Pete Smith, a Temple resident. Marc Monroy was actually out in your neighborhood when he drove past this toppled tree. "And all of a sudden, it was just boom,"Temple resident James Gonzalez said. "I thought it was thunder at first, and the house kept shuttering, and I go, what the heck, and I looked outside, and the winds kept blowing."Gonzalez was putting Christmas decorations up when winds started to pick up speed."This Christmas tree that I had just set up here was blown away, and it disappeared on me, but yeah, it was loud like a thunderclap," Gonzalez said.Other areas in our community are also feeling the effects."It was pretty bad. I'm not going to lie. Our apartment flooded a little bit," Smith said.But it seems everyone I talked to had one observation: the winds came fast and disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived."It was definitely an event, to say the least, and I messaged my wife, who was in round rock, and said, holy smokes, a storm just hit, and she messaged me a few hours later saying what storm," Gonzalez said.The National Weather Service in Fort Worth used radar to track the winds down in Bell County, which were vital in some parts.Although the NWS said it doesn't need to come to our community to investigate, our Chief Meteorologist, Matt Hines, said there were likely 60-plus mile-per-hour winds in some isolated locations along the line of storms.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth used radar to track the winds down in Bell County, which were vital in some parts.

Crews in Temple begin clean up after storm strikes community

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis resident Gerald Burse is in a difficult place. He purchased a home on Lee Avenue for his family of nine, but an electrical fire left the home condemned. "It hurts because I love the schools my kids go to," he said. "I bought this house from the city for my kids to have a stable home." After hearing about Burse's situation, St. Louis firefighter Cherrie Merchant joined fellow firefighters in delivering boxes of clothes and other supplies to him. "I appreciate everything that the fire department did," he said. "There have been times when I've gone to a fire and you want to do more for the family," Merchant said. Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now</h1> She said her passion for helping others now fuels her efforts to help connect displaced residents with neighborhood resources. Merchant also created baskets of essential items she calls "rescue care kits" to provide immediate help for displaced families. "Our goal is to help the families with some of their immediate needs and also to connect them with resources in the neighborhood," Merchant said. Merchant and the fire department are seeking community support from agencies or individuals wanting to bolster their efforts. Anyone interested in helping can call Merchant at 314-941-9079 or by sending a message to . St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said with colder weather approaching, helping displaced residents following fire calls is critical. "We just can't just leave them out in the cold," he said. "We're dedicated to the public and what we do is provide for public safety." For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. STORY: :: Russia's Lavrov says Ukraine's use of U.S.-made ATACMS shows the West wants to 'escalate':: November 19, 2024:: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:: Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister"The fact that ATACMS was used repeatedly in the Bryansk region tonight - of course, it is a signal that they want to escalate the conflict and it is impossible to use these high-tech missiles without the Americans, Putin has said this many times.""And he warned about how our position would change if this range capability, which they are talking about now - up to 300 kilometers, is approved."Putin said on Sept. 12 that Western approval for such Ukrainian strikes would mean "the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine" because NATO military infrastructure and personnel would have to be involved in the targeting and firing the missiles.Russia said on Tuesday that Ukraine had fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles into its western Bryansk region.Lavrov said he hoped Moscow's new nuclear doctrine, in which President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike, would be attentively read.The Russian foreign minister also said Germany's decision not to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine is "a responsible position."

St. Louis resident Gerald Burse is in a difficult place. He purchased a home on Lee Avenue for his family of nine, but an electrical fire left the home condemned.

St. Louis firefighter leads effort to help after the flames are out

DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Nearly all of Massachusetts is in a critical drought after months of consistently dry weather and almost no rain. The owner of Atlas Farms in Deerfield, Gideon Porth says his biggest difficulty is seeding crops for the winter. He says these crops aren't germinating without any moisture and has seen other crops dying off. He is hoping for some rainfall to help get things back on track. "The recent dry weather hasn't impacted production yet. But, you know, we're not too far away from the next growing season and we generally prefer dry weather. It's better when we can add water. We can't take it away," said Porth. Over the last month, most of the state received less than an inch of rain which is 3 to 4.5 inches below normal. Local News Headlines</h2> UMass Amherst celebrates local farmers for providing fresh produce to its students </h2> Massachusetts farmers bracing for revenue losses due to cuts in fresh produce SNAP benefits </h2> Local farmers impacted by severe drought </h2> Eversource warning customers of utility schemes </h2> WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Nearly all of Massachusetts is in a critical drought after months of consistently dry weather and almost no rain.

Local farmers impacted by severe drought

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Seven residents have been displaced on Tuesday night after an apartment fire in Hamden, according to the fire chief. Connecticut residents may notice 'strong' smoke smell due to Massachusetts fire Hamden Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples said that a heavy fire started on the second floor and exposed up to the third floor of the building on Park Road. Firefighters encountered high heat and heavy smoke but were able to get water on the fire quickly. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The cause of a second-alarm house fire in Hamden is under investigation, according to fire officials. According to fire officials, on Sunday, at around 3:28 p.m., crews were dispatched to the area of Country Hills Road for a fire at a single-family home. Rescue 2 and Engine 2 arrived at the [...] ANDOVER, Conn. (WTNH) — An estimated 26-acre brush fire is under control at Nathan Hale State Forest in Andover Monday morning, according to fire officials. Fire officials received the call of the fire at around 4:30 a.m. Around 10 fire trucks worked to put out the fire, which did not threaten any homes in the [...]

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Seven residents have been displaced on Tuesday night after an apartment fire in Hamden, according to the fire chief. Hamden Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples said that a heavy fire started on the second floor and exposed up to the third floor of the building on Park Road. Firefighters encountered high heat […]

7 displaced after apartment fire in Hamden

Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain during a February 2024 climate change news conference with Gov. Wes Moore (D). File photo by Bryan P. Sears. A state commission is moving closer to suggesting that Maryland adopt aggressive revenue-generating measures to fund programs that confront climate change — but put off a decision Tuesday until next month, so members can evaluate the impact of the presidential election on state policymaking. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) late last year estimated that the state needs about $10 billion to meet its climate mandates. But as the Maryland Commission on Climate Change worked through several items during a three-hour meeting Tuesday, MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain, who chairs the panel, moved to table the debate on the revenue measures until next month's meeting. "I think it's important to give us time to think through these really big items some more, especially when you think about what just happened in the election," she said. The commission is putting the finishing touches on its annual list of recommendations for Gov. Wes Moore (D) and state lawmakers to consider for the state's ongoing attempts to meet aggressive climate mandates. The document — which is merely advisory, though often influential — is scheduled to be finalized on Dec. 12. A working draft of the 16-page report includes recommendations that the state adopt three complicated and potentially controversial measures to pay for climate programs: Authorizing a cap-and-invest scheme to make the transportation and building sectors pay for carbon emissions, similar to a 15-year-old program that generates revenues from the power sector through the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative ;</li> Establishing a fossil fuel transport fee and mitigation fund;</li> and making 40 large fossil fuel companies compensate the state for historic climate emissions and associated environmental degradation.</li> Moore administration hires consultant to help state brace for Trump administration Although the governor and legislature aren't obligated to follow the recommendations advanced in the commission's annual report, McIlwain's move Tuesday suggests the Moore administration may be reluctant to embrace the most aggressive revenue-generating measures, even as the governor and administration officials tout their commitment to combating climate change. "Climate action is not just a talking point for us," Moore said in a LinkedIn post this week. "Since Day One, we've invested in making Maryland cleaner and greener for generations to come, including the implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act and Maryland Department of the Environment's Climate Plan." McIlwain just returned from the United Nations' international climate conference in Azerbaijan, and said American officials were frequently asked about the U.S. commitment to reducing carbon emissions now that former President Donald Trump is heading back to the White House. McIlwain told her fellow climate commissioners that Maryland is among several states that have vowed to continue their climate work, in partnership with businesses, nonprofits, scholars and advocates, even if the federal government becomes an impediment. "In Maryland we're continuing the fight against climate change ... together as one," she said. A study released last week found that Maryland cut carbon emissions by 36% between 2005 and 2022 and by 42% per capita, making it the leader when it came to states reducing greenhouse gas emissions over that 17-year period. The Climate Solutions Now Act, passed by Maryland in 2022, mandates that the state reduce its carbon emissions by 60% by 2031 and be carbon-neutral by 2040. Before the vote Tuesday to table the debate on revenue generators, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, a climate commission member representing philanthropies, urged action, calling the measures "the most important three items we can move this year." "Without these items, we can't have any action plan without the money," she said. Earlier in the meeting, Dallas Burtraw, a senior fellow at the group Resources for the Future, urged the commission to recommend the cap-and-invest plan, saying it would generate proceeds for clean-energy investments and compensation to communities that have been battered by climate change "at the least cost." Cap-and-invest, which has been adopted in California, Washington state and New York, auctions off pollution credits in many sectors of the economy. It creates carbon limits which are reduced over time, sets a price on carbon emissions and provides income for the state. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the 10-state consortium that includes Maryland, only targets greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Maryland has received about $1.3 billion in proceeds from these auctions dating back to 2009. Some good climate news, for once: Md. leads in carbon emissions reductions The climate commission draft proposal envisions using 20% of the cap-and-invest proceeds on home energy, efficiency and electrification efforts; 20% on electric vehicles and transit, 20% on making commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings more climate-friendly and energy efficient; 20% on programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in infrastructure; 10% to support tree plantings, forest management, wetland management, soil management, and other projects that store carbon; 9% on program administration for state agencies that run climate programs; and 1% on public awareness campaigns. The proposal to create a fossil fuel transport fee and mitigation fund was included in legislation that was introduced during the 2024 General Assembly session but ran aground in a House committee. The bill would have imposed a fee on companies that transport fossil fuels through Maryland, especially targeting companies that transport coal by train. The climate commission estimated that the measure would generate about $300 million a year for a mitigation fund, with the money distributed this way: 23% for home energy efficiency and electrification; 23% for carbon reduction measures in commercial, multifamily and institutional buildings; 23% for electric vehicles, charging equipment and electric school buses; 20% for mass transit; 2% for asthma treatment for communities affected by coal dust; 9% for program administration; and 1% for public awareness. The final revenue proposal from the climate commission would be to adopt a measure that requires the 40 largest international fossil fuel companies to pay a one-time fee for historical climate damage, based on the pollution their facilities have emitted over the years. Similar legislation , called the Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act, was introduced in this year's session, but never advanced out of House and Senate committees. Vermont became the first state to enact this so-called climate Superfund bill into law this year, and a similar measure has passed in the New York legislature, though Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has yet to sign it. A national bill has been introduced by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

A state commission is moving closer to suggesting aggressive revenue-generating measures to fund an ambitious climate change program — but put off a decision so members can assess the presidential election's impact on state policymaking.

Climate commission tables debate on revenue-generating measures

VANCOUVER—Hurricane-force winds of more than 120 km/h are hitting parts of the British Columbia coast and more than 150,000 BC Hydro customers are without power as a "bomb cyclone" develops off Vancouver Island.Environment Canada has issued more than 50 warnings, advisories and alerts related to the storm, covering most of Vancouver Island and other coastal areas and stretching deep into the Interior.The weather agency says the worst of the storm is expected overnight when winds in the central and north coast could peak at 120 km/h, though the remote Sartine Island was already seeing winds exceeding 130 km/h Tuesday afternoon.But it says risks, including coastal flooding, power outages and fallen trees, could continue long into Wednesday.Meteorologist Cindy Day says there's nothing alarmist about Environment Canada calling the system a "bomb cyclone," which is a non-tropical storm caused by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure at its centre.Day says that when used appropriately, such scientific language is necessary and can help people better prepare for the impact of extreme weather events.She said the term "bomb cyclone" had been used by scientists for decades to describe "a low-pressure system that is undergoing explosive cyclogenesis," or the creation of cyclonic air circulation.Day said terms like "bomb cyclone" and "atmospheric river" could help paint a picture that allowed people to better understand and prepare for various weather systems.In British Columbia, an atmospheric river originating near Hawaii has long been known as a "pineapple express.""So, an atmospheric river — right away, people start to think, 'OK, it's a narrow band of moving water,'" Day said."It does give you the sense that this is going to be a steady event and that there's not going to be time for the ground to absorb the rain. It'll continue to rain and eventually cause flooding because of that concentrated rainfall."In British Columbia, the government called for the creation of a scale to rank the power of atmospheric river events in 2021, in the wake of a devastating system that brought widespread flooding and shut down the Trans-Canada Highway and other key roads.But Environment Canada said the next year that implementing such a scale for public warnings was premature.Day noted that she had received "a lot of grief" for using the term "bomb" in relation to meteorological phenomena, with some accusing her of trying to sensationalize weather events."I really believe that if they're used in the proper context, that they're not alarmist," she said."As long as the people know that they're getting their information from a qualified source, and that source (or) that person is using the terms correctly and not shouting out 'bomb' every time there's an area of rain coming in, I think it's really important to understand those words and to take them seriously and to know that they're based in meteorological fact, in science."Environment Canada said Tuesday that the bomb cyclone 400 km off Vancouver Island coast would remain offshore, but its effects would be widespread."Strong easterly winds have developed over North Vancouver Island this afternoon. These winds will intensify through the night," it said, bringing powerful winds through mainland inlets and valleys of the central and north coasts.It said winds would gradually weaken Wednesday night as the system drifted further offshore.Heavily populated areas including Victoria and the Sunshine Coast were forecast to be hit by winds of up to 100 km/h.The province said in a statement Tuesday that the Ministry of Emergency Management would work closely with communities to ensure preparedness and that the River Forecast Centre was monitoring weather patterns and river conditions.It said the transportation ministry would also have maintenance contractors watching conditions so crews can respond quickly to flooding or debris buildup.BC Ferries cancelled numerous sailings for later Tuesday between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, including ships leaving from Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay, Swartz Bay and Nanaimo, citing a "deteriorating weather forecast for high winds in the Strait of Georgia."Sailings for the late afternoon or evening service on Tuesday have also been cancelled between Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island and the northern Gulf Island.The agency said in a statement that those changes were done "out of an abundance of caution," adding there is also a "strong risk" of cancellations on major routes on Wednesday."As things can change quickly in the event of severe weather, we encourage all passengers to check for updates before travelling, and to remain flexible with travel plans today and tomorrow, as the weather conditions can change rapidly," it said Tuesday.The warnings about the bomb cyclone came after much of Metro Vancouver saw its first snowfall of the season Monday night.

‘Bomb Cyclone’ Hitting BC Sounds Scary, but Meteorologist Says Name Isn’t Alarmist

Earth's surface temperature is heating up</h2> "The era of global boiling has arrived" is what the UN chief, António Guterres , presciently declared last year. In 2024, he has continued to be proven right; a report by the EU's space programme has found it is "virtually certain" that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. The scientists found global temperatures for the past 12 months were 1.62C greater than the 1850-1900 average, when humanity started to burn vast volumes of coal, oil and gas. The chart below shows just how quickly global surface temperatures have climbed, and this year is on track to be the first to hit 1.5C above preindustrial temperatures. ... which we experienced as extreme heat</h2> And for some, it felt even hotter. Southern Europe is facing more and more heat stress days, defined as days that feel hotter than 32C, as the chart below shows. This data is from a report by Copernicus , which found that large parts of the area had two full months with "strong heat stress", reaching 60 days in total over the season. A few areas in Greece and western Turkey experienced "strong heat stress" on every day of the summer, and about two months of "very strong heat stress". Though some have the luxury of air conditioning to escape the rocketing temperatures, our reporting this year found groups including migrant workers and prisoners faced stifling, dangerous heat with no respite. The oceans are heating, too</h2> Last year's marine heatwaves shocked scientists, as waters warmed to previously unthinkable levels. And it appears this was not an anomaly: in the first half of 2024, ocean surface heat levels soared above the heights they reached the previous year. ... which we experienced as extreme rainfall</h2> Warmer waters have a higher rate of evaporation, which supercharges rain clouds and intensifies rainfall. It makes the devastating hurricanes such as those seen in the US this year far more likely . The chart below, based on Lancet data , shows that 61% of all global land during the period of 1994-2023 had an increase in extreme rainfall compared with the period between 1961 and 1990. ... and drought</h2> While some parts of the world faced extremely heavy rain, others that rely on thriving rivers had their waterways dry up. The Amazon in particular suffered this year , with drought putting inhabitants at risk. The chart below shows almost half of global land area was affected by drought for at least one month this year, and it also displays how drought is increasing as the planet heats. We continue to emit planet-heating greenhouse gases</h2> We've known about the problems coming our way for decades, yet humanity continues to burn fossil fuels, causing gases such as carbon dioxide and methane to build up in the atmosphere and boil the planet. This chart shows how the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is building; the concentration of CO2 reached 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, which is 51% greater than before the industrial revolution. Methane concentrations hit 1,934 parts per billion (ppb), a rise of 165% from preindustrial levels, and nitrous oxide hit 336.9 ppb, a rise of 25%. There is no sign of us stopping</h2> Despite countries having signed up to the Paris Agreement – pledging to reach "net zero" in coming decades, which would mean not emitting more carbon than is absorbed into the land and sea – there is no sign of this happening. This year is on track to set another new record for global carbon emissions. Data indicates planet-heating emissions from coal, oil and gas will rise by 0.8% in 2024. Emissions have to fall by 43% by 2030 for the world to have any chance of keeping to the 1.5C temperature rise target. Sea levels are rising as ice shrinks</h2> The heating planet is causing ice to melt , and in turn this water goes into the sea, causing levels to rise. Not only that, but it causes a vicious circle. As heating melts the sea ice, it reveals darker water that absorbs more of the sun's heat, causing more heating. Scientists think the changes in the Arctic may be responsible for worsened heatwaves and floods in Eurasia and North America. Sea levels are inexorably rising as ice on land melts and hotter oceans expand. Sea levels are slow to respond to global heating, so even if the temperature rise is restricted to 2C above preindustrial levels, one in five people in the world will eventually experience their cities being submerged, from New York to London to Shanghai. But we are building more renewables</h2> A glimmer of hope is that the green economy is finally taking off, with record renewables being built around the world. The Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024 report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) shows that 2023 set a new record in renewables deployment in the power sector by reaching a total capacity of 3,870GW globally. Countries such as China are driving this trend, producing dizzying amounts of renewable energy, but developing nations are lagging behind despite massive economic and development needs. While China's capacity increased by 63%,and Asia's as a whole by 69%, Africa's increased by only 4.6%. ... and driving more electric cars</h2> These charts show how electric cars are taking off across the globe, though their popularity is not evenly distributed. In 2023, just under 60% of new electric car registrations were in China, just under 25% in Europe, and 10% in the US – together making up nearly 95% of global electric car sales combined.

Data tracks how Earth’s heating has led to rising sea levels and extreme weather – yet there is no sign of emissions slowing

The climate crisis in charts: how 2024 has set unwanted new records

The Save Our Springs Alliance is suing the West Travis County Public Utility Agency and its board members following the approval of the Mirasol Springs water line.Mirasol Springs is a 1,000-acre development in western Travis County and will get access to water from Lake Travis.The Save Our Springs lawsuit is challenging what they call the "condemnation of a portion of the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve to build a water main to serve new development along Highway 290 West in Travis and Hays counties."CBS Austin has reached out to Mirasol Springs for a statement on the lawsuit. We have not heard back.

The Save Our Springs Alliance is suing the West Travis County Public Utility Agency and its board members following the approval of the Mirasol Springs water li

Save Our Springs Alliance files lawsuit over Mirasol Springs water line approval

Nov. 19—At the entrance of a luxury resort nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Cathie Sullivan, a resident of Tesuque since 1966, waved a banner reading: "Bishop's Lodge, Keep Your Polluted Water Out of Tesuque's Groundwater!" She and other concerned Tesuque residents are speaking out against plans by Bishop's Lodge to discharge treated wastewater into an on-site leach field, maintaining the drain field for the effluent would be "immediately adjacent" to Little Tesuque Creek. This comes several months after the resort changed course in response to community outcry about its previous proposal to dispose of its effluent from a new wastewater treatment plant — by discharging the treated water directly into Little Tesuque Creek. Bishop's Lodge representatives argue the new plans are environmentally sound and will follow state and federal environmental standards. They also say some Tesuque residents who were concerned about the resort's former wastewater proposal had asked for a leach field. But Protect Tesuque, an organization formed in response to the initial water treatment plan, says the location of the proposed new leach field — so close to Little Tesuque Creek — would threaten "hundreds" of downstream domestic water wells. "From our perspective, this is no different from, and perhaps worse than, putting it into the creek because it's going to go right into the aquifer, and that aquifer supplies the drinking water for hundreds, if not thousands, of people immediately downstream," Tesuque resident Rusty Day said. The New Mexico Environment Department disagrees. Agency spokesperson Jorge Armando Estrada wrote in an email "effluent seeping into the aquifer is expected and if operated properly the wastewater being discharged [by] Bishop's Lodge is not a concern to NMED or downstream water wells." So the monthslong saga marches on. Some of the resort's neighbors routinely protest near its entrance on weekends, videos on social media show. Resort pivots Bishop's Lodge submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposing to send treated wastewater from a new plant into the creek, spurring opposition in the summer. In a statement issued in August, the lodge announced it would pursue an on-site leach field instead, in response to neighbors' concerns. It has since requested a permit modification and renewal from the state Environment Department to discharge 30,000 gallons of effluent per day into a leach field. Eric Sirotkin, a member of the Protect Tesuque steering committee who said he lives "three doors down" from the resort, told The New Mexican in August he was celebrating its decision to change course. "The community organized, and they listened to the community," Sirotkin said. "They backed off a plan to dump in their neighbor's yard — and that is being a good neighbor." He sounded less celebratory this week. The new plan is problematic because of the leach field's proximity to the creek, he said "They pivoted, which is great. But you can't pivot and contaminate my well," Sirotkin said. "I live on the Little Tesuque Creek." Meredith Sestito of California-based communications firm Murphy O'Brien, which represents Bishop's Lodge, did not answer several questions about the issue. Instead, she said, in a statement, "Bishop's Lodge and Bishop's Lodge Hills & Villas Community have replaced its old wastewater treatment system, which dates back to the mid-1970s, by installing a new, advanced wastewater treatment facility designed to meet or exceed water quality standards of state regulatory agencies including the New Mexico Environment Department and Water Quality Control Commission." She added, "Further, based on the requests of the local community, Bishop's Lodge has taken the additional step of adding an onsite leach field." Neither Armando Estrada nor representatives of the resort provided information about the exact location of the leach field. "The location of the disposal field is also not concerning to NMED and complies with the same permitting regulations which were written to protect ground water for present and future use as domestic or agricultural water supply," Armando Estrada wrote in an email. The new system The resort's old treatment plant, built in the mid-1970s, hasn't functioned properly for years, leading the owners to pump wastewater into trucks that haul it to the Santa Fe wastewater treatment plant; the method has been describe as inefficient and costly. Bishop's Lodge's newly constructed wastewater treatment plant, a membrane bioreactor, can treat wastewater to produce a "much better" quality of effluent than the current and outdated system, according to a document prepared by the Environment Department. The new plant will treat wastewater for the resort, which has about 100 rooms, as well as the roughly 80 homes at the nearby Bishop's Lodge Hills and Villas. Bishop's Lodge will need approval from the Environment Department to build a leach field but not an EPA permit. If the state agency approves its permit renewal and modification request, the resort plans to withdraw its EPA permit application, according to a news release it issued in August. The resort's current discharge permit, issued in 2019, allows it to send up to 14,760 gallons per day of effluent into two underground disposal fields. The Environment Department provided renderings for the new leach field showing it would be 5,000 square feet with a trench length of 1,093 feet. A public hearing on the permit change, including the leach field, is planned but not yet scheduled. Armando Estrada wrote in an email it "will include multiple opportunities for members of the public to provide public comment verbally or in writing." He noted disposal into a leach field or subsurface disposal field has been included in every discharge permit since 1979 for Bishop's Lodge, when permitting at the resort began. Santa Fe County spokesperson Olivia Romo wrote in an email the county approved a permit for site development and excavation for the leach field in August. Late last year, the county approved a plan for the wastewater treatment facility. "The County's scope of development review is limited to ensuring that the construction and excavation comply with the standards set forth in the Sustainable Land Development Code," Romo wrote. Lingering concerns Day contends the resort should "do the appropriate thing" and "find a sane and safe place to build a leach field somewhere on their property that isn't going to impact the stream and the aquifer." He also suggested the resort could send its wastewater to a municipal plant through a pipe, though he acknowledged that could be expensive. Viviette Hunt, who produces a weekly newsletter for Protect Tesuque, said about 400 people have signed up to receive it, indicating the concern is widespread in the community of about 1,000 north of Santa Fe. Susan Waldman, who lives on Bishops Lodge Road, also expressed concern. She has lived in the area for about a year and a half — the first time she has not been on a municipal water system. "It's kind of horrifying that someone down the road who has very different interests than ours can do kind of [what they] want when it will have such a large impact on all the people in the community," she said. Bernadette Romero-Jaramillo, whose family has called the community home since the 1800s, also is opposed to the resort's plan. "We've been here for many years," she said. "So this is very dear to my family, and the rest of the community on the importance of trying to protect our water."

Nov. 19—At the entrance of a luxury resort nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Cathie Sullivan, a resident of Tesuque since 1966, waved a banner reading: "Bishop's Lodge, Keep Your Polluted Water Out of Tesuque's Groundwater!" She and other concerned Tesuque residents are speaking out against plans by Bishop's Lodge to discharge treated wastewater into an on-site leach ...

Despite pivot from Bishop's Lodge, wastewater concern runs high in Tesuque

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — More than 10,000 people in the Portland area are without power Tuesday night as a bomb cyclone continues to impact the region. As of 6:30 p.m., Portland General Electric is reporting that a total of 8,540 customers are without power. 'We're prepared:' Oregon Coast hit with 60 mph winds, heavy rain from bomb cyclone Additionally, Pacific Power says 2,322 are affected by the outages. "Our meteorologists have been working round the clock, keeping an eye on all the weather that's coming our way," said PGE spokesperson John Farmer. "We have daily operations meetings where they let everyone know what's going on. And that enables the planning to happen to be able to prepare and respond to whatever Mother Nature throws at us." "We're monitoring rainfall and the evolving forecasts. We're ready to respond to closed storm drains as needed. Rain so far has been a half inch, which is well within what we can handle in 24 hours. The public should clear storm drains and monitor them during and after the rains this week," added Dylan Rivera with the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Neighbors in Southeast Portland affected by the power outage told KOIN 6 News they were shocked to find a power pole catch fire earlier in the day. One neighbor, Brett, told KOIN 6 he was jostled out of sleep by the sound of "an explosion." "I was laying down and taking a nap, and and, the house just rocked" he said. Neighbors saw flames sparking on the top of the power pole at the intersection of Southeast 60th Avenue and Southeast Flavel Street. "I guess the cops had already been out here for a bit and, looked and there was lights and saw the power out down the street and everybody being diverted around," Brett said. "We'll get through it. Not too much of a problem." James and Amy Walters, a young couple who was also affected by the power outage, were prepared with a safety kit that included a flashlight, first aid and other essential items. They said keeping the little ones occupied is also a top priority during the power outage. There is no current timetable for when power will be restored. Officials said in addition to flashlights, extra batteries, and a first aid kid, it's also wise to have extra food, water and medicine in the house in case of a power outage. PGE's website Pacific Power's website for the latest power outage information.

More than 10,000 people in the Portland area are without power Tuesday night as a bomb cyclone continues to impact the region.

Over 10,000 impacted by Portland power outages

Some schools have reported delays due to a Dense Fog Advisory in the Miami Valley.>>RELATED:Dense Fog Advisory issued for parts of the Miami Valley Piqua 7th Day Adventist School in Miami County will be delayed 2 hours. News Center 7 will continue to track any closings or delays and update this story.<< Access closings, delays, anytime, anywhere, on any device, 5 different ways: In the free WHIO Weather App in the "Closing" tab</li>whio.com on your mobile device</li>whio.com on your desktop</li>WHIO-TV, Channel 7 , scrolling on the bottom of the screen</li> during your commute</li> For information on how to enroll your school, church, or business in the free School Watch Program,. (FOX40.COM) — Much of Northern California has been placed under a flood watch as an atmospheric river prepares to make landfall across the northern state. Starting at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, the Sacramento Valley from central Sutter County to northern Shasta County and the entire north coast from Marin County to the Oregon border are [...] The northbound 170 Freeway was closed in Los Angeles' Sun Valley area after a fire broke out at a homeless encampment located under an overpass early Tuesday. The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. under the Sheldon Street overpass. Video showed firefighters dousing chairs, tables and other items that were burning near an area [...] BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A fire that occurred around noon Monday caused an estimated total of $1,050,000 in damage to an apartment building in Buffalo, a city official announced. Fire crews responded to a reported fire at the Pine Harbor Apartments located at 10 Seventh St. Officials said the fire started in an apartment on [...]

Some schools have reported delays due to a Dense Fog Advisory in the Miami Valley.

STAY INFORMED: Dense Fog Advisory delays schools across Miami Valley

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — With the colder weather creeping across Central New York, and temperatures continuing to drop, that means being prepared for driving on the road. Onondaga County Legislature welcomes the public to discuss redrawn maps of new district boundaries </li> Trump nominates WWE co-founder Linda McMahon to lead Department of Education </li> Snow tires for CNY winter weather </li> New: Shovels needed for some by Friday </li> Big Lots plans to shutter 19 more stores as additional locations stop closing process </li> Roger Forehand, owner for Big 4 Tire, recommended that everyone switch out their tires for winter threads. "Now...until it snows," Forehand said. Every year, Forehand said the cold weather seems to creep up on drivers. "The sooner the better because when it snows, you'll have an immediate rush of hundreds of customers who want to get their tires on yesterday," he said. The makeup of tires has changed over the years. Now, drivers can invest in two different kinds of tires for winter weather. Both create tractions where there is snow, ice or rain on the road. Forehand said an all-season tire has a summer-type tread on the outside and a winter-type tread on the inside. Drivers can also invest in a snow tire, that has thick tread on the entirety of the tire. He added that everyone should invest in winter tires because there is no dollar amount that can be put into safety.

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — With the colder weather creeping across Central New York, and temperatures continuing to drop, that means being prepared for driving on the road. Roger Forehand, owner for Big 4 Tire, recommended that everyone switch out their tires for winter threads. “Now…until it snows,” Forehand said. Every year, Forehand said the […]

Snow tires for CNY winter weather

SAN ANTONIO — Sandra said she usually likes to get out of her office and walk along the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, but not lately."I don't know what death smells like, but it's pretty close. It's very, like, dead fish," Sandra said of the smell that's been lingering in the area near North Santa Rosa and West Martin for days.Sandra added "It's very beautiful to walk down here however the smell is so bad that I just don't want to come down here. The water just has a bad stench." Meanwhile Sandy Eisenmann, who is visiting San Antonio from Illinois found the area to be a delight as she walked from Cesar Chavez to the north end of the creek."It's a beautiful, clean, calm environment, a really, really nice place to just take a stroll," Sandy said, adding "We're in downtown San Antonio and yet it seems so calm and some of it's because of the flowers and the vegetation and the water features. It just is a really, really serene place in the middle of a downtown."A spokesman for the San Antonio Water System confirmed some of the lingering smell might be due to a recent private property sewage problem at a nearby apartment complex.Although the spill on private property was cleaned up, they were able to verify that the issue had been taken care of and the discharge has been stopped before it reached the creek.Marveling at the Plaza de Fundacion which includes water features and the "Rain from the Heavens" public art installment, Eisenmann said she absolutely would recommend the site to friends. "Yes, absolutely. Anybody that's going to visit here should take a stroll down this way."While the reach is naturally beautiful, managing the resource as a natural creekway has its challenges.A San Antonio River Authority (SARA) spokesman said water recirculates through a flood control tunnel so they have to balance moving water during times of drought and always being prepared to deal with stormwater events.Because it is a natural creek, algae growth can be a factor. The spokesman said "Given times of drought the water may be green due to a higher concentration of nutrients in the water column," adding that "Staff periodically clean the wading area just south of the tunnel inlet (Rain of Heavens), and they are scheduled to be cleaned this week again, but during summer months there will be times when we see algae growth and a greener water tint."While designed for human interaction, signs posted in the area clearly state visitors should wade in the water at their own risk because the water has not been chlorinated. Swimming is not permitted by city code and signage indicates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that some people and animals might be impacted by strains of E. coli in the water.Eisenmann also said she noticed the north reach of the creek seemed to be somewhat barren when compared to reaches farther south.The SARA spokesman said they are constantly learning what landscaping works best in the urban environment. " We have had several species that have declined over the years since installation, primarily Silver Ponyfoot and Straggler Daisy. Both species are scheduled to be replaced in the early spring with other species that have done well in this area," and they added "we have added numerous aquatic plants to help the water quality and nutrient uptake for these areas."

San Antonio Water System says the lingering smell might be due to a recent private property sewage problem at a nearby apartment complex.

'I don't know what death smells like, but it's pretty close' | Recent visitors say San Pedro Creek Culture Park is in stinky phase

CINCINNATI — Nick Hartley turns on his golf cart and drives down a bumpy road. It's time to move the cows.Hartley does this once a week. And when the cows see him, some start running. They're excited."They associate this vehicle and myself with fresh grass," Hartley says.But the reason he's doing this might surprise you."I don't think farming and environmental issues have to be separate," Hartley said. "You can do both."Hartley runs Bahr Farm , and that's the reason he opens the gate and claps. The cows here have six different pastures, moving frequently. The idea is to keep them from overgrazing and let the environment recover. More than that, Hartley and his team are experimenting with pollinator-friendly plants and grass. These bee and bird-friendly plants act as their own fertilizer — enriching soil for cows, while also safeguarding the land from both dry and rainy weather. It's something he thinks other farms can copy."Farming is tough. And if you've been doing it the same way for three generations — without proof, you aren't going to change your practices," he said.But Bahr Farm is proof. The cows are gaining weight, even with the new plants. An average of 150 pounds over a four-month period, Hartley said. His favorite, Patty, weighs 1,600 pounds."Once it's established, it'll grow in some really bad soils," Hartley said of white clover, one of the pollinator-friendly plants. "So that's a great example of a plant that is helping the soil, helping the cows — and helping the pollinators." Cardinal Land Conservancy took over Bahr Farm a few years ago, because the owners wanted to make sure it continued to operate as a farm."This will never be a subdivision," said Andy Dickerson, executive director of the conservancy. "It will always be a farm."Because even though they have cows, their business isn't beef production. Their business is helping others. And this is an example of something others are taking notice of."These grasses, their roots are 10-feet deep," Dickerson said. "They aren't drought tolerant. They're drought-proof."Hartley ruffles Patty the cow's fur. She quickly puts her head back down into the grass. "I think sometimes you need someone to show you that it works," Hartley said. "Thankfully, it worked."<h2>Want help?</h2>Hartley said a good first step is dividing part of your farm into four sections, moving cows from one section to the other as often as possible.

A Cincinnati farm is using bee-friendly plants to beef up their cows, and they say it could be a solution for farmers everywhere. Especially as our environment continues to change.

‘Drought proof’ | Inside how a local conservation group is changing farming in Cincinnati

Land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes has slowed by 76% since September, and city leaders say it is primarily thanks to their dewatering efforts. City Manager Ara Mihranian tells KNX News' Nataly Tavidian that they're pumping out more than a million gallons of water per day from their ten wells and have managed to extract 40 million gallons since the dewatering began two months ago. "It's given everybody a glimmer of hope that we are turning the page," said Mihranian. "The dewatering efforts combined with a dry summer... it's starting to show some positive results, and we're seeing movement go from where we were reporting almost a year ago, 12 inches a week, we're now in some areas, 3 inches a week; other areas are 5 inches a week." The city is also filling up fissures to stop more water from seeping in, but city leadership is saying that they don't know what the rainy season will bring, so they're bracing for it. Applications for the voluntary home buyout program have been closed due to limited funds. For now, the city is offering buyouts for red-tagged homes and then moving on to yellow-tagged homes if the city receives more federal funds. Since the buyout was announced in late October, more people have asked for voluntary inspection, increasing the number of red-tagged properties from two to 20 and nearly 40 yellow-tagged homes.

Land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes has significantly slowed, and the city is making considerable headway toward winterproofing the areas. However, with major damage already done and the rainy season looming, the community is still uneasy.

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