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A wildfire on Maui kills at least 6 as it sweeps through historic town, forcing some into the ocean [+gallery]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

By AUDREY MCAVOY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER (Associated Press)KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in total darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died and dozens were wounded.Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke said the flames “wiped out communities,” and urged travelers to stay away.“This is not a safe place to be,” she said.The wind-driven conflagration swept into coastal Lahaina with alarming speed and ferocity, blazing through intersections and leaping across wooden buildings in the town center that dates to the 1700s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.Aerial video revealed entire blocks of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, a popular shopping and dining area. Other images portray a scene of near-complete devastation. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront and gray smoke hove...

2 killed in collision identified as husband, wife

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An elderly man and woman killed in a crash in the Bay Terraces neighborhood last week have been identified as husband and wife, local medical officials said.The husband, 76-year-old Ernest Martinez Acuna, was announced as one of the deceased, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said on its website. The medical staff determined the other victim as Acuna's 74-year-old wife, but her family has yet to confirm her identify.The two-vehicle collision occurred on Aug. 1 around 9:24 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Woodman Street, per the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). ‘Bunnie Fire’ prompts evacuations in Ramona Authorities say a vehicle carrying four occupants crashed into another car while making a left turn onto Jaime Avenue.Acuna was reportedly unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle, per law enforcement. When first responders arrived, he was performed dead at the scene.The 74-year-old woman was removed from the vehicle and taken to a hospital, where s...

Maui wildfire kills at least 6 as it sweeps through historic town, forcing some into the ocean

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

A wildfire tore through the heart of the Hawaiian island of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died, and dozens were wounded.The fires continued to burn Wednesday afternoon, fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora as it passed well south of the Hawaiian islands. Officials feared the death toll could rise.As winds diminished somewhat, some aircraft resumed flights, enabling pilots to view the full scope of the devastation. Aerial video from coastal Lahaina showed dozens of homes and businesses flattened, including on Front Street, where tourists gathered to shop and dine. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront, boats in the harbour were scorched, and gray smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.“It’s horrifying. I’ve flown here 52 years, and I’ve never seen anything come close to that,” said Richa...

Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans and a crackdown on password sharing expected to extend through next year.The increases will raise the monthly cost of ad-free Disney+ by $3, or roughly 27%, to almost $14. The cost of ad-free Hulu will likewise rise $3 to almost $18 — a 20% hike that will make it more expensive than the most popular ad-free tier at Netflix.Iger spoke following Disney’s release of mixed earnings for its fiscal third quarter ended July 1. The company reported a substantial net loss while shedding customers in both domestic and international markets. Overall, Disney reported a 4% increase in revenue for the quarter but swung to a net loss of $460 million from a year-earlier profit of $1.4 billion. Disney shares, which closed at $87.49, rose roughly 2.2% to $89.45 in after-hours trading.While Disney reported narrower losses on Disney+ in the quarter, the ser...

Michael Lorenzen throws 14th no-hitter in Phillies history in 7-0 victory over Nationals

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Lorenzen threw the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history, a dazzling performance in only his second start with his new team, which beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 on Wednesday night.The 31-year-old Lorenzen (7-7) struck out five, walked four and improved to 2-0 since he was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline for a minor leaguer.Lorenzen retired Lane Thomas on a grounder to open the ninth and struck out Joey Meneses looking. The crowd of 30,406 erupted when Lorenzen retired Dominic Smith on a flyball on his career-high 124th pitch to end his first career complete game in 2 hours, 9 minutes. Lorenzen flipped his cap backward and was mobbed by his teammates in a rowdy celebration near the plate.“I didn’t strike out the world in this game. When you are pitching, balls can land in different places. I just had God’s grace today,” Lorenzen said.Lorenzen’s mother, Cheryl, and wife, Cassi, wept in the stands during the final out, with Cassi ho...

Presidential candidate in Ecuador shot, killed at campaign event

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed Wednesday by an unidentified gunman while at a political rally in the country’s capital of Quito, President Guillermo Lasso said.The killing comes amid a startling wave of violence in the South American nation, with drug trafficking and violent killings on the rise.“I assure you that this crime will not go unpunished,” Lasso said in a statement. “Organized crime has gone too far, but they will feel the full weight of the law.”Videos on social media appear to show the candidate walking out of the event surrounded by guards. The video then shows Villavicencio entering a white truck, followed by gunfire.The politician, 59, was the candidate for the Build Ecuador Movement. He was one of eight presidential candidates for the late August election.He was one of the most critical voices against corruption, especially during the government of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017. He filed many judi...

When will the $1.58B Mega Millions jackpot winner be revealed?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — If you are wondering who won the largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game's history, you will likely have to wait a few months.So far, all we know is that the winning ticket worth $1.602 billion — this is the finalized total; the prize was advertised as $1.58 billion before the drawing — was sold at a Publix on Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach, Florida. The winning numbers in Tuesday's drawing were 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, and Mega Ball 14. That Publix location will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, according to the Florida Lottery. 3 things to do immediately if you won the Mega Millions jackpot We also know the jackpot is the state’s fourth and largest Mega Millions jackpot, and the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. After officials adjusted the final prize to be $1.602 billion, the jackpot surpassed a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot split by three tickets — one each in California, Florida, and Tennessee — in 2016, but it...

APD investigating reported explosion in St. David's Medical Center parking garage

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police responded to a bomb hotshot call Wednesday at a central Austin hospital due to a reported explosion in the parking garage.APD said the call came in at 5:23 p.m. at St. David's Medical Center on East 32nd Street. Police said there have been no injuries reported, and they haven't found damage to the hospital. APD is still investigating the nature of the explosion.The parking garage is closed temporarily Wednesday evening and APD said to expect delays around the hospital. Police are expected to provide an update when the scene is secure.A hotshot call is defined by APD as "incidents which are in progress and are an immediate threat to life and/or public safety."KXAN has reached out to the Austin Fire Department for additional details. This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more information.

Quinn Ewers named to Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch list

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers was named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award.Announced on Tuesday by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, Ewers was included with 34 other returning quarterbacks from across the country, including 2022 winner Caleb Williams from Southern California. Longhorns 5th-year linebacker David Gbenda’s UT journey is one of patience, commitment Ewers completed 58% of his passes and threw for 2,177 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions last season as a freshman. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he's been impressed with the amount of work Ewers put in during the offseason, saying Ewers is in the best shape he's ever seen him in."I think Quinn has worked at that over the last 7 or 8 months and he’s starting to see the value in that," Sarkisian said after the first day of training camp Aug. 2. "Quinn is a great guy — super coachable, a really good teammate, humble and hard-working and he cares about th...

'Looked like the apocalypse': The aftermath of the Cedar Park fire

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:45:59 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Cedar Park allowed people to go back home Wednesday after a Tuesday evening fire burned through dozens of acres. But some people had nothing left to return to.The fire destroyed a 24-unit apartment building and damaged two other buildings at the Bexley at Silverado complex. According to the city, approximately 300 apartment units, 95 townhomes and multiple businesses in the area were evacuated. Progress made in 50-acre Cedar Park brush fire; apartment building destroyed Rob Solis and Steven Edwa were included in those evacuations."Yards were on fire, there was fire everywhere," Solis said. He used the hose at his house to put out hot spots he saw. "It was inches away from the fence, inches away from the back of the house."A 24-unit apartment building was destroyed in Tuesday's Cedar Park Fire. The Parmer Lane fire burned through dozens of acres. The Parmer Lane fire burned through dozens of acres. Lan Vo owns Silverado Hair Salon, which is i...