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Meta takes aim at Twitter, launches rival app Threads

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Meta unveiled an app to rival Twitter on Thursday, appearing to target users looking for an alternative to the social media platform owned — and frequently changed — by Elon Musk.Called Threads, the new offering is billed as a text-based version of Meta's photo-sharing app Instagram that the company says provides “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations.”The app went live just after midnight Wednesday in the U.K. in Apple and Google Android app stores in more than 100 countries including the U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan.Users will get a Twitter-like microblogging experience, according to screenshots provided to media, suggesting that Meta Platforms has been gearing up to directly challenge the platform after Musk's tumultuous ownership has resulted in a series of unpopular changes that have turned off users and advertisers.There are buttons to like, repost or quote a “thread,” and counters showing...

Toby Keith performs for the first time since revealing cancer diagnosis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Country music star Toby Keith was back on stage over the Fourth of July weekend with his first shows since revealing last summer that he had been fighting stomach cancer.Hundreds attended the native Oklahoman's pop-up concerts Friday and Saturday night in Norman, where he lives, The Oklahoman reports. He performed at Hollywood Corners, a 1920s roadhouse and service station that he bought and converted into a deli, bar and music venue.Norman resident Joanna Hall, who attended Friday’s show, told the newspaper that Keith put on a great performance and was “very thankful for everybody who showed up.” 6-year-old Florida boy dies after being bit by family dog: police “He seemed a little taken aback that that many people were there," Hall said. “He was like, ‘This was supposed to be a secret. ... This was a bigger secret than what I intended.' ”Keith’s publicist confirmed that Keith and his Easy Money Band played for about two and a half hours both nights....

JFK grandson goes viral for anti-restaurant rant

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Jack Schlossberg, an American attorney and the sole grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is getting some newfound love from the internet after a comedic Instagram rant of his went viral on July 4. In the much-circulated Instagram Stories, the 30-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy (who's believed to have filmed the videos) comes out with the mildest hot take imaginable: he hates eating in restaurants."We have to wait there to eat something that we don't get to choose, really, what it is," says Schlossberg to the camera. "We only get a few choices and you don't know what any of them are gonna taste like or what's good... and we're gonna sit there and wait for some guy to ask us a question. And we're gonna have to talk to some guy about what we wanna eat." Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee dies by suicide at age 48, her siblings say In the light-hearted video, Schlossberg, a graduate of both Yale and Harvard universities, explains that he finds eating in restaurants to be a ...

Drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals, study finds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday.The synthetic compounds known collectively as PFAS are contaminating drinking water to varying extents in large cities and small towns — and in private wells and public systems, the U.S. Geological Survey said.Researchers described the study as the first nationwide effort to test for PFAS in tap water from private sources in addition to regulated ones. It builds on previous scientific findings that the chemicals are widespread, showing up in consumer products as diverse as nonstick pans, food packaging and water-resistant clothing and making their way into water supplies.Because the USGS is a scientific research agency, the report makes no policy recommendations. But the information “can be used to evaluate risk of exposure and inform decisions about whether or not you want ...

Dancing police officer brings new meaning to term cop 'on the beat'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — After a day of solemn remembrances for the victims of last year’s shooting in Highland Park, the evening carried a tone of celebration.Gary Sinise, the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his role in Forrest Gump, brought his “Lt. Dan Band” to his hometown for a concert.The band was just a few songs into its two-hour concert Tuesday, when, off to the side of the stage, an unlikely couple started dancing – a police officer, and a 8-year-old girl, bopping, shuffling, and twisting to the band’s cover of the Bruno Mars hit, “Uptown Funk.”  “It’s been a long year and I love to dance,” said April Prete, a Highland Park Police Dept. patrol officer. “I think we should be out there and engaging and having a good time. Sometimes I see officers engaging and playing basketball.  I’m not a big basketball player because I’m short. But I love to dance.” Gary Sinise makes a few stops in Chicagoland on 4th of July With the smiling approval of police chief Louis ...

New York Times: 5 Central Texas barbecue joints named to 'best in Texas' list

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The New York Times said Texas barbeque is in a “golden age,” with emerging pitmasters bringing dynamic flavors from different cultures, thus reinvigorating the classic cuisine. NYT made a list of 20 Texas barbeque restaurants that best reflect the new generation of pitmasters and chefs, which included three Austin joints. One of the authors, Brett Anderson, traveled to Texas seven times to seek out the best barbeque haunts across the state, and the second author, Priya Krishna, is a Dallas native, according to NYT. “A renaissance in Texas barbecue has transformed what was once a hidebound tradition into one of the country’s most dynamic vernacular cuisines, changing the landscape of American barbecue in the process — and turning Texas into the country’s ultimate barbecue destination,” the authors wrote. Barbs-B-QBarbs has only been operating for a couple of months, but the Times reported its arrival was hotly anticipated. The restaurant is owned by two...

Twins right fielder Max Kepler heats up at the plate

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

The month of June was largely a forgettable one on the field for Max Kepler.The Twins’ right fielder came back on May 29, following a trip to the injured list for a hamstring strain. He forwent a rehab assignment and struggled mightily at the plate upon his return to action.From May 29 through June 28, Kepler hit .178 with a .573 OPS, his batting average on the season falling below .190. But in recent days, Kepler has had a much-needed resurgence for a Twins’ lineup that has desperately needed its veterans to step up.“As long as he stays positive and stays within himself, that’s the Kep we know,” designated hitter Byron Buxton said. “I know he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing and we’re here to keep him positive. That’s what we expect to see.”It’s a small sample size, but in the five games heading into Wednesday, Kepler sure seems to be heating up. The right fielder had gone 8 for 17 (.471) with seven runs driven in and a pair of home runs.In the Twins’ 9-3 win...

Timberwolves knew they needed to push every button to keep Naz Reid because of who he is, and what he can become

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

Frankly, it didn’t make much sense for the Timberwolves to re-sign center Naz Reid. Not positionally, anyway. So much of the NBA franchise’s future finances are already committed to two other big men, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.Allocating another $42 million over the next three years to another big wouldn’t make good roster sense.But Reid isn’t just another big.He’s a 23-year-old rising star who has shined in every role and opportunity, and is beloved by teammates and the fan base alike. Had Timberwolves basketball boss Tim Connelly allowed Reid to walk away to another organization, it likely would have haunted the decision-maker for years to come.“The best basketball is in front of him. I think he’s been scratching the surface of who he is as a player. He’s one of the more unique, I think, players that I’ve been around,” Connelly said at the press conference for Reid’s contract extension Wednesday. “Probably has as good ...

St. Paul driver charged with injuring two in hit-and-run after Hudson fireworks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

A St. Paul man has been charged in a hit-and-run case that left two women injured after a post-fireworks traffic altercation Sunday in Hudson, Wis.One of the injured women was a bicyclist who was not involved in the altercation and suffered broken bones and collapsed lungs, according to a criminal complaint.Thaddeus John Smith, 34, was charged on nine counts, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing injury, a hit-and-run causing great bodily harm and first-degree recklessly endangering safety.According to reports from Hudson police, Smith, his female partner and two children, ages 6 and 1, had traveled to the St. Croix River waterfront for fireworks on Sunday evening.Smith and his partner shared drinks with friends, and then got into their 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee to drive home.While waiting in line to leave the Hudson dike, Smith’s vehicle came into contact with a 2022 Kia Sorento operated by Travis Lee Heffron of Hudson. It is not clear which vehicle was at faul...

Lifeguard shortage impacts Adirondack, Catskill campgrounds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Summertime often means cooling off in a pool or lake, but experts say that could spell trouble this year with more areas having limited to no lifeguard supervision.According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, there’s been a change in policy that will allow unsupervised swimming at the Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Campground Program Supervisor, Jessica McBride, says it’s about enhancing the customer experience. The old policy required lifeguards on duty to supervise swimming at the campgrounds and that has been in place since the campgrounds first opened.McBride believes many families won’t even notice the difference. “We really feel as though people on our campgrounds were already swimming a lot of times when lifeguards weren’t on duty, and so for most people it’s really not gonna change their experience, so we feel good about the transition,...