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Pair of critically endangered Amur leopard cubs born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Colorado Springs’s Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed a pair of Amur leopard cubs last Wednesday, adding to the population of one of the most endangered species in the world.Amur leopards have been on the list of critically endangered animals since 1996 and are the rarest of big cat species, with only 100 or so estimated to be still alive, primarily in eastern Russia and western China, according to the World Wildlife Fund.The births are the first in nearly 20 years of the leopards at the zoo, which is a participant in the Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan, according to a press release. The Denver Zoo also saw an Amur cub named Sochi born in 2013.Cubs are born blind and are extremely fragile in the first weeks and months of their lives, but the two Colorado natives came out at an average weight of two pounds and showed a quick instinct to nurse from their mother, Anya, said Rebecca Zwicker, animal care manager in Asian Highlands at the CMZoo.Related ArticlesColorado News | ...

Carmelo Anthony retires from NBA, after 19-year career, NCAA title, 3 Olympic gold medals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Carmelo Anthony, the star forward who led Syracuse to an NCAA championship in his lone college season and went on to spend 19 years in the NBA, announced his retirement on Monday.Anthony, who was not in the NBA this season, retires as the No. 9 scorer in league history.Only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal scored more than Anthony — who finishes his career with 28,289 points.“Now the time has come for me to say good-bye … to the game that gave me purpose and pride,” Anthony said in a videotaped message announcing his decision — one he called “bittersweet.”Anthony’s legacy has long been secure: He ends his playing days after being selected as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history, a 10-time All-Star, a past scoring champion and a six-time All-NBA selection.And while he never got to the NBA Finals — he only played in the conference finals once, with De...

Colorado’s farm students might get less college aid due to FAFSA changes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Colorado students whose families own farms or small businesses might not be able to qualify for federal aid for college under revisions that are meant to simplify the complicated form.The updates to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, are the result of a yearslong effort to make the form easier for families to fill out. Over the long term, financial aid experts believe the streamlined form will benefit families. But some of the changes expected to be rolled out this year might have unintended consequences, especially in the way families tally farm and small business assets.Without a fix, experts worry that fewer rural students will go to college. Already, they are less likely than urban and suburban counterparts to go. A bipartisan group of congressmen, including Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, is hoping to amend the new rules. Read the full story from our partners at Chalkbeat Colorado.Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organizatio...

Flights from Burbank to Glacier National Park now taking off

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Angelenos can finally travel aboard a direct flight from Los Angeles County to one of America's most beautiful places, as Avelo officially launched service between Burbank and Kalispell, Montana.The Burbank-to-Kalispell flights give Californians the closest direct flight to Glacier National Park, one of the oldest and most-visited parks in the National Park Service.Avelo announced its planned service to Kalispell in late March, promising affordable fares on these bucket list trips.The budget airline will operate twice-weekly flights from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Glacier Park International Airport. Flights will take off Mondays and Fridays aboard a Boeing Next-Generation 737.The Kalispell airport is just a short drive from the west entrance to Glacier National Park, which was established in 1910 and is home to 700 miles of hiking trails and other attractions. The National Park Service describes Glacier as a "paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human hi...

Jason Missakian Dies in Motorcycle Collision on Maple Avenue [Fresno, CA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

44-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Accident near Washington BoulevardFRESNO, CA (May 22, 2023) – Saturday afternoon, 44-year-old Jason Missakian was killed in a motorcycle collision on Maple Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 3:50 p.m., near Washington Boulevard on May 6th.Per reports, a motorcyclist was traveling at high speeds when the driver of a dark-colored SUV turned onto Maple Street and struck the rider. Upon impact, the SUV driver fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim.Despite life-saving efforts, medics pronounced 44-year-old Missakian, of Fresno dead at the scene.Emergency crews closed off the surrounding area for a brief time during cleanup and preliminary duties.At this time, CHP continues to ask anyone with information about the suspect driver to call the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000. Once available, further details will be provided.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the frie...

Sip, Sip, Hooray! Uncovering the fascinating history and surprising fun facts about beer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Beer has been a beloved beverage for centuries, enjoyed by people all around the world. From ancient civilizations to modern day microbreweries, the evolution of beer has been a fascinating journey. Did you know that beer was once considered a meal replacement and was even used as currency in some cultures? Or that the world’s oldest known recipe is for beer? Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just curious about its origins, exploring the history and fun facts behind this popular drink is sure to quench your thirst for knowledge. So grab a cold one and join us on a journey through time as we delve into the fascinating world of beer.Read the full article on our sister site, the Laker Lutz News, here. Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.The post Sip, Sip, Hooray! Uncovering the fascinating history and surprising fun facts about beer appeared first on LA Weekly.

Judge enters not guilty pleas on behalf of Idaho murder suspect

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

By Rebecca Boone | Associated PressBOISE, Idaho — A judge entered not guilty pleas Monday for a man charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, setting the stage for a trial in which he could potentially face the death penalty.The Nov. 13, 2022, killings stunned the rural community of Moscow, Idaho, and prompted many students to leave campus early, switching to remote learning for the remainder of the semester.Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested late last year and charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with with the slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus.Kohberger declined to enter pleas in Latah County District Court, with his defense attorney Anne Taylor telling the judge that they were going to “stand silent” at this time. In response, 2nd District Judge John Judge entered not guilty pleas on Kohberger’s behalf.Kohb...

Haley and Scott, once allies, now rivals for president

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

By Meg Kinnard | Associated PressNORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — As she introduced South Carolina’s next senator, then-Gov. Nikki Haley said her decision to appoint Tim Scott was “pretty simple.”“This man loves South Carolina,” Haley said of Scott, a congressman at the time. “He is very aware that what he does and every vote he makes affects South Carolina and affects our country. And so it was with that, that I knew he was the right person.”Scott was just as effusive, praising Haley as someone who governed with “conviction” and “integrity.” He pledged to “get on the team with Nikki Haley to make sure that all of America continues to hear the great things about South Carolina.”Haley and Scott are forever linked by that announcement at the South Carolina Statehouse on a winter day in 2012, cementing their status as rising stars in a Republican Party frustrated by Barack Obama’s reelection just a month earlie...

California school teacher, 38, arrested on suspicion of sex with 16-year-old boy

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

A Yucaipa High School teacher was arrested this week on suspicion of sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old boy, authorities said.Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, was arrested Thursday around 11 p.m., hours after detectives began investigating allegations against a teacher, San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said.Detectives identified Vanderhulst as the suspect, but officials did not specify how she was identified.Tracy Vanderhulst, 38, of Yucaipa. (Courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Vanderhulst is listed as a math teacher at Yucaipa High School, according to its website. She was selected as the school’s 2017 Teacher of the Year by the Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District board, according to the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror.Vanderhulst was booked into jail, but was released after posting $30,000 bond Friday afternoon, inmate records show.Detectives believe there may be additional victims and asked anyone with information to contact Detective Rachel Yo...

Man who drove Corvette 138 mph gets 30 years to life for drunken California crash that killed 2 women

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

A 27-year-old Irvine man who drunkenly crashed his convertible Corvette while driving at least 138 mph on a surface street, killing his two passengers, was sentenced Friday to 30 years to life in prison.An Orange County Superior Court jury more than a year and a half ago convicted Norman David Martin of two counts of second-degree murder for the July 27 crash at Jamboree Road in Irvine that claimed the lives of Jamie Lopez and Nancy Ortiz, both 26.During a night out drinking with friends, Martin met Lopez and Ortiz outside a club in Costa Mesa. An Uber arrived to pick up Martin’s group, but when the driver determined there were too many people to fit into one car, Martin told his friends that he and the two women would meet them later at an Irvine apartment.A short time later, Martin called a friend to tell him that he had picked up his car and was on his way, with the friend responding “I hope you aren’t driving.”Martin was indeed driving the two-seat convertible, according to test...