Families in Central America and Mexico mourn workers missing in Baltimore bridge collapse
AZACHALPA, Honduras (AP) – The workers missing in the Baltimore bridge collapse were all originally from Mexico or Central America before settling in the Maryland area. Police managed to shut down the bridge to traffic seconds before a cargo ship crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. The bridge fell into the frigid Patapsco River. There was no time for maintenance workers to fill the hole between the bridges and evacuate to safety. At least eight people fell into the water and two were rescued. Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday. Four people remain missing and are presumed dead. The governments of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras confirmed that their nationals were among the missing.
Lou Whitaker, America's most famous mountaineer, dies at age 95
SEATTLE (AP) — Legendary American mountaineer Lou Whitaker has died at the age of 95. Mr. Whittaker is known for helping climb Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, and for mentoring generations of mountaineers on more than 250 trips to Mount Rainier. Whittaker's guiding company, RMI Expeditions, said he died peacefully at his home on Sunday. Whitaker and his twin brother Jim Whitaker grew up in Seattle and began climbing with his Boy Scouts in the 1940s. Jim Whitaker became the first American to successfully climb Mount Everest in 1963. Although Lou Whitaker did not summit Everest himself, in 1984 he led an expedition that became the first American to reach the summit from the cold north.
$865 million Powerball jackpot numbers drawn
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An $865 million Powerball jackpot number has been drawn. The numbers chosen Wednesday night were 37, 46, 57, 60, 66, and Powerball 8. The Powerball drawing comes a day after a New Jersey player won his mega-$1.13 billion Millions prize. The Powerball jackpot has continued to grow in the months since the last winner on New Year's Day. This is 36 consecutive draws without anyone winning the top prize. The game's odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate large jackpots that attract attention and increase sales. The $865 million prize will be awarded to the sole winner, paid over 30 years through an annuity. Winners typically choose to pay out cash, with an estimated $416.1 million in Wednesday night's drawing.
Bob Uecker, 90, scheduled to broadcast the Brewers' home opener, but his workload for the rest of the season is unclear
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker will be back behind the microphone when the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Minnesota Twins in their home opener on Tuesday. It's still unclear how much of the broadcasting load the 90-year-old Uecker will shoulder for the rest of the season. “We will take it one day at a time” after the home opener, Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger said in a statement. Uecker became the voice of the Brewers in 1971 and has been part of the broadcast team ever since. He has limited himself to his home radio work in recent years.
Robotic police dog shot multiple times, credited with averting potential bloodshed
BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) – Massachusetts State Police say a robotic dog was deployed to a Barnstable home where police were responding to an armed individual barricaded inside the home, helping avert tragedy. . The dog, named Roscoe, was part of the state bomb squad and was shot several times and incapacitated during the March 6 incident. An unidentified suspect had been sent into a residence after firing shots at officers. Two other robots commonly used for bomb disposal were also sent in. State police say the use of Roscoe may have prevented officers from getting caught in the crossfire.
NHL's Capitals and NBA's Wizards remain in Washington after Virginia Arena deal collapses
WASHINGTON (AP) — The NBA's Washington Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals are staying in the District of Columbia. Owner Ted Leonsis and Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the $515 million deal at a press conference Wednesday. Monumental Sports & Entertainment's agreement with the city comes as Alexandria officials announced they have concluded negotiations for a new arena that would move the team to Virginia. The development was a blow to Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. He wanted to move the team across the river as part of the $2 billion offer he announced with Leonsis in December.
TikTok is under FTC investigation over data practices and could face lawsuit
NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices, according to people familiar with the matter. The FTC found that TikTok did not violate a section of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying individuals in China access to U.S. user data, the people said. They say they are investigating whether that is the case. The agency is also scrutinizing the company for possible violations of child privacy laws. The investigation is the latest battle in Washington over TikTok. The social media company is already fighting a federal bill that could ban the platform in the United States unless it sever ties with Beijing-based parent company ByteDance.
My Pillow, owned by election denier Mike Lindell, officially evicted from Minnesota warehouse
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A court has ordered MyPillow to vacate a warehouse it previously used in a Minneapolis suburb. But Mike Lindell, the company's founder and a prominent election denier, said Wednesday that this is just a formality because the landlord wants the property back. In an interview with The Associated Press, Lindell denied the eviction was another sign of his financial woes. After last year's credit crunch disrupted MyPillow's cash flow, he says its financial position is actually improving. The company lost one of its major advertising platforms and pulled out of several national retailers.
Ukraine's soccer victory provides a distraction from the tragedy of war
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainians expressed their gratitude to the men's soccer team for qualifying for the European Championship. This is rare good news and a welcome distraction from the war with Russia. Celebrations after Ukraine's 2-1 win over Iceland were muted as Russian missiles rained down, but the team's success will be felt by Ukrainians when the tournament opens in Germany this summer. It gave me a lot of cheer. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Tuesday night's victory was emotional and proved that “whenever Ukrainians do not give up and continue to fight in the face of difficulties, they will always win.” Ukraine will face Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in the group stage of Euro 2024, which begins in June.
A $15 toll was approved for cars to enter parts of Manhattan.This is the first time this has happened in a U.S. city.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York is on track to become the first U.S. city to impose congestion fees on drivers entering the central business district. Transportation officials approved the toll plan Wednesday, allowing most motorists entering Manhattan's Central Park south zone to pay a $15 toll during the day. Supporters of tolls argue that tolls would encourage more people to use public transit, reduce congestion and make public buses and emergency vehicles faster. It is expected to raise $1 billion a year to fund improvements to the public subway and bus systems. The state Legislature approved the toll in 2019, but the pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project.
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