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Get it while it’s hot: New Mexico boosts chile production

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico produced more than 53,000 tons of its most famous crop during the last growing season, meaning more chile peppers found their way into salsas and onto dinner plates than the previous year. State and federal agriculture officials rolled out the latest numbers this week as New Mexico’s governor signed legislation that established the sweet smell of green chile roasting in the fall as the state’s official aroma. New Mexico’s love affair with the hot peppers runs deep. Chile is one of the official state vegetables, it’s on license plates and it forms the basis of the state’s official question: “Red or Green?”The state in 2014 even adopted its own trademark and certification program to protect the reputation and integrity of its signature crop, much like Idaho has capitalized on potatoes, Maine has its lobsters and Florida has its fresh fruits and juices.The numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Department of A...

New Tennessee law allows police officers in private schools

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday signed a law allowing private schools to contract with local law enforcement so they can hire school resource officers, days after a Nashville shooting at a private Christian school left six dead, including three children. The Republican governor quietly approved the law without issuing a statement. A spokesperson for Lee did not immediately return a request seeking comment. The law goes into effect immediately. Supporters said the bill was needed to clarify statutes that had kept private schools from working with local governments to hire school resource officers. The law now clears the path for them to do so, but does not make it a requirement.Lee is expected to unveil his own proposals in response to The Covenant School shooting in the coming days. However, he has remained largely out of the public eye this week after announcing that his wife, Maria, was close friends with Katherine Koonce — who was among the six who were ...

John Brockington, All-Pro fullback with Packers, dies at 74

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Brockington, a former All-Pro fullback who ranks fourth on the Green Bay Packers’ career rushing list, has died. He was 74.The Packers announced Brockington died Friday in San Diego.Brockington played for the Packers from 1971-77 and rushed for 5,024 yards during that stretch. The only players to gain more yards rushing with the Packers are Ahman Green (8,322 from 2000-09), Jim Taylor (8,207 from 1958-66) and Aaron Jones (5,284 from 2017-present).He was the first running back in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.Brockington also spent part of the 1977 season with the Kansas City Chiefs and finished his career with 5,185 yards rushing. He had 30 touchdown runs and four touchdown catches.The Packers selected Brockington, a native of Brooklyn, New York, out of Ohio State with the ninth overall pick in the 1971 draft.Brockington rushed for 1,105 yards his first season in Green Bay, which at the time was an NFL rookie record...

Cleanup begins after fiery Minnesota ethanol derailment

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

Crews have started removing contaminated soil and damaged railcars left behind by Thursday’s fiery derailment in southwest Minnesota.Authorities said Friday afternoon the ethanol fire that burned for hours had been extinguished and that local firefighters were allowed to leave after remaining on site overnight. But large water tanks and railroad firefighting equipment remained at the site to handle any flare-ups as damaged tank cars are removed.The entire town of Raymond, which is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Minneapolis, had to be evacuated after 22 cars, including 10 carrying ethanol, left the tracks. Four of the tank cars ruptured and caught fire. But the several hundred residents were allowed to return home by midday Thursday, and no injuries were reported.This latest derailment only adds to concerns nationally about railroad safety. Lawmakers and regulators want freight railroads to make changes after last month’s derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, th...

GOP donor convicted in Minnesota sex trafficking trial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A formerly well-connected GOP donor was convicted Friday of enticing teenage girls with gifts, cash and money in exchange for sex.A federal jury found Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, 32, guilty of seven counts involving “commercial sex acts” with five girls ages 15 and 16 in 2020, when he was 30 years old. The charges carry mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years with a maximum of life in prison.The jury will return to court Monday to determine what property the government can seize based on each conviction, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Lazzaro, who has said the charges against him were politically motivated, plans to appeal, his attorney said. His indictment led to the downfall of Jennifer Carnahan as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota.His co-defendant, 21-year-old Gisela Castro Medina, who formerly led the College Republicans chapter at the University of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to two counts last year. She testified against Lazzaro. Prosecutors argued...

All female officials in women’s Final Four for 1st time ever

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — The NCAA has an entirely female crew working the national semifinals and championship game at the women’s Final Four this weekend.It’s the first time that’s ever happened, according to the organization. The NCAA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX this year, which makes it fitting that there’s all-female crews.“We celebrate this accomplishment with all of those who paved a way and broken barriers as we play our role in growing this great game,” NCAA coordinator of officials Penny Davis said.Dee Kantner will be officiating her 26th Final Four while Lisa Jones will be doing her 11th. It’s the first Final Four for Katie Lukanich and Tiara Cruse.The officiating crew has a combined 293 seasons of Division I experience that includes 48 Final Four and national championship assignments. Nine of the 11 women have played college basketball, including seven former Division I players.“I hope that the student-athletes and fans see these women as ...

Wind gusts reach 90 mph near Denver: See list of Friday's top speeds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- On a day when the Denver metro area and southeast Colorado were under a red flag warning for fire danger, wind gusts topped 80 mph along the Front Range.Parts of Jefferson, Boulder and Larimer counties saw the highest wind gusts Friday. The Rocky Flats area recorded a 90 mph gust just after 3 p.m., the highest recorded in the National Weather Service's local storm reports in Colorado.Wildfires were burning Friday afternoon in Jefferson County, as well as in Aurora. The high winds tossed semitrucks off of highways, shutting down some roads. Why is Colorado so windy in the spring? The hurricane-force wind gusts were most frequent in the late morning and early afternoon Friday. A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds of at least 74 mph.Friday's top wind gusts in ColoradoThis list includes top wind gusts as of 5:15 p.m. at locations in local storm reports through the National Weather Service.Wind GustLocation (miles)CountyTime90 mph3 SW Rocky FlatsJefferson County3...

Red Rocks concert postponed because of wildfire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — Extreme winds and a nearby wildfire upended concertgoers' plans for a night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Friday.A wildfire sparked along the hogback south of Interstate 70 in Jefferson County, near the concert venue. Pre-evacuations were issued throughout the area, with smoke visible along the highway and several acres on fire. Wildfire burning off I-70 in Jeffco, pre-evacuations issued Dabin was scheduled to headline, with supporting acts Ray Volpe, JVNA, Grabbitz and MYRNE on the bill."Morrison is under pre-evacuation fire warning so please get to safety. we tried everything we could to keep it going tonight. I'm so sorry guys," Dabin posted on Twitter.Red Rocks first closed the park to visitors and delayed the start time for Friday night's show before postponing it all together. The artist said they're working to reschedule, with refunds available for attendees."i’m so sorry i know a lot of you spent a lot of money to be here and my guilt and sadness ri...

Lakewood's new police chief starts work on Monday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — Lakewood's new police chief begins work on Monday, according to the city.Philip Smith has been the police chief in Roswell, New Mexico, for the last nine years, according to a release from Lakewood. He's also taught at the university level on cultural diversity, law enforcement ethics and police administration."I am honored to have been selected as Lakewood's police chief and look forward to working with the community and the Police Department to build a safer, stronger and more connected community," Smith said in a statement.The city said Smith has more than 37 years of law enforcement experience and described him as "dedicated to transparent policing" and improving police-community safety and relationships. They say he created "an innovative program" that enhanced public trust and safety in Roswell. Over a dozen SROs bound for Denver high schools, including East City Manager Kathy Hodgson hired Smith, as the city charter requires. Smith made the cut thro...

Rock musician who suffered heart attack thanks 911 dispatcher, surgeon who helped save his life

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:29 GMT

A South Florida musician expressed his gratitude toward the 911 dispatcher and Broward Health surgeon who helped save his life after he suffered a heart attack.Rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Sal Italiano jams his bass on stage. His musical career has taken him around the world. But on Friday, there was a much quieter moment at Broward Health Medical Center.Italiano and his wife Christine thanked the people who kept his heavy metal heart beating after his medical emergency back in December.“I woke up and my husband wasn’t breathing, and I grabbed my phone and I called 911,” Christine said.Dispatcher Jason Savitt would answer that call, and what he did over the next several minutes saved Italiano’s life.“When she said he wasn’t breathing, I knew I had to get right into the CPR and help him out,” Savitt said.A new Florida law mandates that dispatchers are able to walk callers through CPR.Italiano’s surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Herskowitz, said it was the difference...