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Passport processing times drop to normal levels just in time for 2024 travel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Just in time for your 2024 travel plans, the State Department says passport processing times are back to normal. This comes after months of stressful delays that ruined international trips for tons of summer travelers.A surge of post-pandemic travel led to record requests for passports this year and the U.S. State Department struggled to handle the demand. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) says his office was overwhelmed with complaints from frustrated travelers whose plans were snarled by costly passport delays. Some wait times for passports were as long as three months. "It was chaos," Warner said. But now, the State Department says it's back on schedule and routing passport processing takes just 6 to 8 weeks. "The State Department has really worked diligently. They worked a lot of overtime hours to catch up. They processed over like 24 million passports," AAA Senior VP of travel Paula Twidale said. Twidale says that's significant as inter...

Kaitlin Armstrong claims pregnancy 'during or near' time of murder arrest

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Kaitlin Armstrong, the woman found guilty of first-degree murder this year in the death of star professional cyclist Moriah Wilson, claims she was pregnant at or near the time she was arrested for the killing, according to a recent court filing.The admission of Armstrong’s pregnancy is included in a lengthy motion for a new trial filed in Travis County on Dec. 15. Armstrong was sentenced to 90 years in prison on Nov. 17.Armstrong says there is new evidence that was not available at the time of trial, according to the motion. She also alleges she received ineffective assistance of counsel in the punishment phase of the trial by not conducting a “proper mitigation (or sentencing) investigation” and not contacting “favorable witnesses who were available and willing to testify in support of Armstrong,” according to the motion. RELATED | Slain cyclist Moriah Wilson, 25, ‘exceptional in every way’ The motion includes favorable affidavits for Armstrong by relatives and p...

How culture has helped Kevin O’Connell lead the Vikings through the storm

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

It’s a buzzword that has become synonymous with the Vikings since head coach Kevin O’Connell was hired on Feb. 16, 2022. He talked at length about “culture” in his introductory press conference, and fittingly, everything the Vikings have done since then has been rooted in that abstract concept.It was undeniable when O’Connell took over and the Vikings transformed from a joyless group under former head coach Mike Zimmer into a joyful group that played for each other and finished last season 13-4 in the process. The postgame speeches in the locker room routinely went viral on social media. You started to feel a tangible shift as the results started to pour in on a weekly basis.Then came the hard part.As important as last season was for the Vikings as they adjusted to change, this season has provided a true test of the values O’Connell worked so hard to instill from the top down. It’s easy to preach “culture” dirng the good times. I...

Troopers rescue an elderly couple from burning RV

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday afternoon, New York State Troopers rescued an elderly couple from a 2005 Allegro Motorhome fully engulfed in flames on I-87. Raymond J. Hanas, 82, and Patricia A. Grabley, 81, both of Lake George, sustained minor injuries and suffered from smoke inhalation. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Troopers say the motor home was towing a 2018 Jeep when it experienced a mechanical failure. A fire broke out, with flames rising to 20 feet. The couple could not exit the vehicle due to its proximity to the guide rail.Responding officers broke the window from the door using a baton. The couple and their pets were pulled through the window. They were treated on scene and declined further medical treatment.

SLU Hospital nurse strike ends, SSM Health addresses concerns

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A group of SLU Hospital nurses went on strike for two days just after Christmas, and the strike ended early Friday morning. Nurses went back to work at 7 a.m. on Friday. The hospital brought in nurses from other staffing agencies to fill in during the strike or order to avoid setbacks in patient care. It was the second strike involving SLU hospital nurses in recent months, organized on behald of the National Nurses Organizing Committee. The union is concerned about patient care, staffing and workplace violence. Police: St. Louis woman Marquisha Williams found deceased in Illinois SLU Hospital nurses have also reportedly been in negotiations for a new contract with SSM since May 2023.SSM Health released this statement, in part, to FOX 2 as the strike ended Friday: "The exceptional care and services to SLU-H patients and the community we serve continued without interruption during the two-day NNOC job action.SLU-H is proud that a majority of scheduled nurses rejected th...

Here’s who will be on Colorado’s presidential primary ballots — and where Donald Trump stands

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

Colorado’s March 5 presidential primaries — the state’s first formal foray into the 2024 election — are firming up, and the competition isn’t as simple as incumbent-versus-challenger.As it stood Friday, voters who mark Democratic ballots will have their pick of eight candidates and a no-preference option. The Republican ballot will have at least six listed candidates — and likely seven — plus a write-in option.But it’s a more fluid situation than in elections past, thanks to the recent uncertainty surrounding former President Donald Trump.The undisputed Republican frontrunner was barred by the Colorado Supreme Court from appearing on the ballot in its 4-3 ruling on Dec. 19 — the first time a state found him ineligible because of his conduct surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. (Maine’s secretary of state followed suit this week.)But in Colorado’s case, the court put a stay in place pending any appeals file...

Two lanes of westbound I-70 near Morrison closed for emergency roadwork

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

The right two lanes on westbound Interstate 70 are closed for emergency road work, officials announced Friday afternoon.The interstate lanes are closed between Colorado 470 and Morrison Road as crews work to repair a deep pothole, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation on X.Motorists should expect delays in the area, and there is no estimated time for the lanes’ reopening, according to a CDOT alert.Alternate routes are advised.Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.Related ArticlesTransportation | RTD’s reduced fares and monthly pass prices take effect in the new year. Here is what’s changing. Transportation | Don’t fall for the Facebook scam claiming to sell Denver airport luggage for $10 Transportation | Ring in 2024 in metro Denver with a free ride home on New Year’s Eve Transportation | RTD’s downtown loop rail stations cl...

Will Donald Trump stay on California's presidential primary ballot? Here's what a state official says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

Maine and Colorado have decided to remove former President Donald Trump from its presidential primary ballots. Is California next?California’s Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, a Democrat who oversees elections in the Golden State, announced that Trump will remain on the state’s March 5 presidential primary ballot despite other state officials calling for his removal mainly due to the Jan.6 insurrection.Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat who is running for governor in 2026, previously called on Weber to “explore every legal option” to remove Trump from the ballot. Female LAPD officer sues city after husband sends nude photos of her to co-workers In September, a group of state lawmakers wrote a letter to Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, asking his office to ask the court if Trump could appear on the primary ballot.Weber’s announcement comes after Shenna Bellows, a Democrat serving as Maine’s secretary of state, and the Colorado Supreme Court decided to remove the former president from t...

'Las Vegas Countdown to 2024' to feature 98 Degrees, Berlin, Bowling for Soup, Foghat, and more

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

L.A.’s Very Own KTLA 5 is your home for the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in the West.Ring in 2024 with “Las Vegas Countdown to 2024” live on KTLA 5 and other CW Network stations with musical acts including 98 Degrees, Berlin, Bowling for Soup, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, Foghat, and many others.The live broadcast starts at 9 p.m. from Treasure Island on the Vegas Strip.“Countdown to 2024” Hosts Nikki Novak and Michael Yo joined KTLA 5 Morning News on Friday for a preview of the music acts and fun viewers can expect.

Navigating 2024’s Digital Landscape: 8 Strategic Trends for SMBs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:02:19 GMT

Sponsored ContentDigital marketing is fast-evolving, and staying on top of consumer trends can be intimidating for many small businesses with limited budgets. The good news is that new tools are making it easier to implement strategies that were only accessible to big brands with deep pockets just a few years ago. Embrace these top strategic trends to win in 2024’s digital landscape:1. Contextual AdvertisingContextual advertising prioritizes relevance, user experience, and personalization by targeting ads to specific user segments. It analyzes the context of digital content to ensure the ad displayed to each viewer is relevant to the content and their interest. Dynamic ad placement and real-time optimization can help boost engagement and click-through rates (CTRs) to increase your marketing ROI.2. Social Media MarketingCombine organic reach with social media advertising to engage the right audience, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. Tailor your campaigns to fit your busi...