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UK inflation fell unexpectedly in August. That makes it unclear what the Bank of England will do

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Inflation across the U.K. fell unexpectedly in August to its lowest level since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, a development that has reined in expectations of a 15th straight interest rate increase from the Bank of England on Thursday.The Office for National Statistics said Wednesday that price rises, as measured by the consumer prices index, moderated to 6.7% in the year to August, down from 6.8% in July. The decline took inflation to its lowest level since February 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to soaring energy and food prices.The ONS credited the fall to lower hotel and airfare costs and a moderation in food price rises. These helped offset an increase in energy costs on the back of higher crude oil prices.The decline was unexpected. Most analysts had expected inflation to increase to around 7% in light of the bump in prices at the pump.Though inflation is way above the Bank of England’s target of 2% and higher than any other Gr...

Alabama school band director says he was 'just doing my job' before police arrested him

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama high school band director said Wednesday that he was just “doing my job” when police officers arrested him and shocked him with a stun gun after he refused to immediately stop the band as it played in the bleachers following a football game.Johnny Mims, the band director at Minor High School, told The Associated Press he was confused when officers pulled him from the director's podium to arrest him following last Thursday's game between Minor and Jackson-Olin high schools. "I was in shock. Just totally confused because I was pretty much doing my job, and I hadn't done anything wrong. I definitely did not deserve to be Tased," said Mims, who noted that he was shocked with the stun gun three times.Police body camera footage released Monday shows Mims being arrested and repeatedly shocked in a chaotic scene that included students screaming. Police charged him with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest.In the body camera footage, officers...

SNAP benefits are increasing Oct. 1: Here's how much

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

(WHNT) — The millions of people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help cover the cost of groceries and other necessities are about to get a bump in their benefits starting on Oct. 1. SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be called the Food Stamp Program. Next month, the benefits will automatically rise to reflect the recent changes in the cost of living due to high inflation. Benefit changes will be based on the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for June 2022. 5 states’ residents got richer, but 17 states’ got poorer, new Census data shows According to a report from Forbes Advisor, SNAP benefits will increase by 12.5% for 12 months starting in October, compared to the year prior.Below you can see the breakdowns of new maximum benefit amounts in the 48 contiguous U.S. states and D.C., according to the USDA:Household size 1 - $291Household size 2 - $535Household size 3 - $766Household size 4 - ...

Watch: Video of Missouri politicians using flamethrowers goes viral

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. (KTVI) – A video showing two Republican state senators in Missouri using flamethrowers at a fundraiser is drawing fire around the world.Social media posts claim they are burning books, though those posts are false.Still, Democrats are using the claims and the video to boost fundraising.The senators, Nick Schroer and Bill Eigel, were using the flamethrowers at the Freedom Fest fundraiser on Friday at the Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance, Missouri. They were asked to do so, they said, because a flamethrower was being offered as a prize at the event's raffle. Florida principal resigns after parents complain about ‘pornographic’ Michelangelo statue Schroer and Eigel — the latter of whom is a candidate for Missouri governor — told Nexstar's KTVI they were demonstrating the flamethrowers on a stack of cardboard boxes to boost interest in the raffle.But a post on X (formerly Twitter) had claimed the senators were setting fire to a stack of books. The post had drawn ...

Is opioid crisis a security issue or health issue? Some say both

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

DALLAS (NewsNation) — While most Americans want tighter control of opioids, a recent survey showed they differ on the best approach to tackling the drug crisis. Concerns continue to grow over the fentanyl crisis in America, and the research group "Morning Consult Pro" found that Americans tend to fall along political party lines when it comes to finding solutions, whether it includes more surveillance at the southern border or more addiction treatment and harm reduction options. The survey showed Republican voters tend to think of the fentanyl crisis as a border security issue, while Democrat voters consider it as more of a health issue. And then there are the select few who believe to really solve this crisis, both solutions are needed. Fentanyl continues to steal the lives of Americans across the nation. Around 1,500 Americans die every week at the hands of such opioids as fentanyl, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. One of those victims was Hasan Williams, wh...

Kyle PD arrests five people in human smuggling operation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- The Kyle Police Department arrested five people in a human smuggling case, according to a press release. The city said smugglers were trying to ransom victims for more money from families."On Sunday, Sept. 17, the Kyle Police Department dispatch received a call at approximately 6:30 p.m. from a person saying a relative was being held by human smugglers for ransom," the release said. Officers then responded to a home on Voyager Cove to monitor while more information was gathered, according to the city's release. A vehicle leaving the home was stopped, which led to the detainment of four people inside. According to the city, further investigation found there was at least one more suspect in the home that police were monitoring. SWAT was activated and a fifth person was arrested. Inside the home, Kyle Police found five people who were smuggled across the US border. "But once they had arrived in the US, t...

Eanes ISD considering Teslas for district police force

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Eanes ISD board decided to put its proposal on hold that would have added Tesla vehicles to its district police car fleet.The district said it would meet with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) next week to review state law.Eanes ISD said it was considering buying nine Model Y cars for its 11 officers, but the district said it wanted to go over a new law with TCOLE that states not every officer needs a patrol car.The school board said vehicles would cost more than $444,000, but a potential federal rebate could bring the cost down to nearly $377,000.Eanes ISD said 50 law enforcement agencies nationwide are using Tesla vehicles because of the return investment, including no fuel and very little maintenance.

St. Paul house fire claims life of 1 person, 2 pets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

A person died after a fire at a St. Paul home, the first fire fatality of the year in the city, the fire department said Wednesday.Fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1000 block of North Western Avenue in the North End at 12:37 p.m. Tuesday. Someone walking by saw smoke coming from a window of a home and called 911.Firefighters quickly found a person inside the home. They brought the person outside and started resuscitation efforts in the front yard. Paramedics brought the victim to a hospital and the patient was later pronounced dead, the fire department said.Two pets died in the home and one escaped when firefighters forced entry inside.Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, though they were on the scene for more than three hours.The fire is under investigation.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Apple Valley, White Bear Lake pull school resource officers. Republicans call for hearings. Crime & Public Safety | Woo...

Dakota County plans for permanent homeless shelter stall after emotional meeting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

Dakota County officials wanted to bring a permanent homeless shelter to Eagan, but after lengthy community testimony on Tuesday have decided not to pursue a potential route to funding.The Dakota County Board of Commissioners didn’t make it to a scheduled vote that would have decided whether to submit a proposal to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for a $10 million grant to renovate the Norwood Inn & Suites to serve as a permanent homeless shelter.Community members who attended the meeting voiced concerns regarding the impact the shelter would have on the area, fearing drinking and drug use. Attendees also cited the project’s high price tag as a reason for concern and asked if the funds would be better spent on existing social services programs.The plan to renovate the 118-room hotel at 1950 Rahncliff Drive was estimated to cost almost $24 million in total and would have been the county’s first permanent homeless shelter.Evan Henspeter, social services director for the ...

Restaurant lineup for inaugural Taste of Toga festival

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The inaugural Taste of Toga festival is set for Saturday, September 23 at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. The festival will be serving up food from Saratoga County restaurants with live music throughout the evening. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The festival is headlined by Ja Rule and Ashanti, with additional performances from Travis Denning and Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos. The event also includes a Kids Zone with activities from the Children's Museum, 5 Wits, Saratoga Rowing Association and more.Participating restaurantsBailey's SaratogaBARE BlendsThe Basin GrillBen & Jerry'sBookmakers Restaurant and LoungeBurgers Around the WorldComfort KitchenThe Country Corner CafeThe DistrictDotty Lou's BBQEsperantoThe Galley Bar and GrillIndulgence BakeryLa Fiesta Clifton ParkThe Little Market at Five PointsNanolaNashville of SaratogaNeighborhood Kitchen Ja Rule, Ashanti to perform at in...