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With wild ‘super pigs’ expanding their range, Minnesota readies for action

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

With wild “super pigs” just across the Manitoba border to the north and feral hogs slowly expanding their range in nearby states, the Minnesota Legislature has asked the Department of Natural Resources to make a plan to thwart any wild swine invasion.Lawmakers earlier this year ordered the DNR to review protocols, regulations and laws dealing with feral hogs as well as mink farms, and report back in 2024 on any changes that should be made to make sure the state is ready.The DNR on Tuesday held an online public meeting on the issue and is accepting public comments through Nov. 28. The state Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health and Department of Health also are part of the effort.“This is an opportunity to proactively identify any gaps in our management,” said Leslie McInenly, wildlife populations and regulations manager with the DNR. “A team of (pig and wildlife) experts from multiple state agencies has been meeting this fall to conduct this review.”Canadian researchers ...

Berkshire County man facing child porn charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

OTIS, Mass. (NEWS10) -- A Berkshire County man is under investigation after he was allegedly found to be in possession of child pornography. Slade Sohmer, of Otis, Mass., was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of dimensions of child pornography.The investigation began in June, and law enforcement seized Sohmer's phones and multiple electronic devices in October. The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said its Law Enforcement Task Force has found over 1,000 pornographic images and videos on Sohmer's devices, hundreds of which involve children. Officials said the 44-year old has produced at least one child pornographic video. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In addition, prosecutors said there are more images and videos on messaging apps. They said Sohmer sent messages to another person in 2021 to discuss the abuse of children as well as exchanging additional child pornography.Bail w...

As opioid overdose crisis continues, millions in settlement money arrives in Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - As Missouri continues to struggle with an epidemic of drug overdoses, the state is set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in opioid settlement payouts. More than 2,100 Missourians died of an overdose last year, and nearly 70% of those deaths involved opioids. As settlement money continues to flow into the state, this funding will provide Missouri with desperately needed drug treatment and prevention programs."It's absolutely fair to say that we are in a crisis," said Rachel Winograd, director of the University of Missouri St. Louis' Missouri Institute for Mental Health. "We are in a crisis of a preventable death."According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), it's the number one leading cause of death among adults ages 18 to 44 in Missouri. "It took years and years and tons of failed backward policies to get us into this, and it's going to take years and years and a lot of course corrections to get us out," Winograd said...

Some support, some pushback behind MoDOT's south county project

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - MoDOT officials met with south St. Louis County residents on Tuesday for the final open house meeting over an improvement project that's garnered support and pushback. The improvement project is along Route 231 in the Lemay area. The route follows Telegraph road from St. Louis to Jefferson counties. From River City Casino Boulevard down to Franru Lane, there is a three-mile stretch of road that sees 25 crashes a year. MoDOT wants to make changes. "They are just comfortable driving faster," said MoDOT engineer Ryan Pearcy. “We are trying to get people to slow down.” AG Bailey responds to new report on Kim Gardner, says her term had ‘radical consequences’ The project’s been in the works for six months. MODOT hosted its final open house for the project Tuesday night to explain developments. The project is expected to add ADA-compliant walkways, narrow driving lanes, repave sidewalks, and buffered bike lanes.The road was the scene of a fatal collision earlier t...

Illinois RiverWatch calls for volunteers to safeguard waterways from road salt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - Illinois RiverWatch is looking for volunteers to help study the impact of salt on roads and its effects on local waterways. Illinois RiverWatch is looking for volunteers to monitor the salt levels in local rivers, ponds, streams, and wetlands. When salt is put down on the roads during winter months,The RiverWatch monitors these harmful levels, a task that's essential in protecting habitats as well as keeping people and animals safe. AG Bailey responds to new report on Kim Gardner, says her term had ‘radical consequences’ We spoke with Danelle Haake about what led her to create this program."About three years ago, we added a component that we call the winter chloride watchers. That program was designed to allow volunteers to look for places in their local communities where road salt is potentially causing conditions that are dangerous for aquatic life." There are several virtual trainings being held, later this year: November 29th from 6-7 PM and December 6th from 7-...

No. 4 Marquette beats No. 23 Illinois 71-64

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

NOTE: Postgame on-air report from FOX 2's Martin Kilcoyne. Written recap via the Associated Press.CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Tyler Kolek shook off an ankle injury to score 24 points and No. 4 Marquette beat No. 23 Illinois 71-64 on Tuesday night.The reigning Big East player of the year, Kolek added six rebounds and four assists. Kam Jones scored 15 for the Golden Eagles (3-0), and Oso Ighodaro had 13 points and eight rebounds.Kolek turned his ankle in Friday night’s 95-65 win over Rider and left the court with just under eight minutes left. He did not return.Terrence Shannon Jr. had 21 points for Illinois (2-1). It was his 13th consecutive game in double figures, a streak that dates to Jan. 31.Marcus Domask added 18 points and Luke Goode had 13. Quincy Guerrier didn’t score, but grabbed 10 rebounds for the Fighting Illini.A 3-pointer by Sean Jones put Marquette ahead 57-52 with 8:27 left. Illinois climbed within four twice after that, but couldn’t get any closer.Marquette led 36-31 at h...

CU Buffs men’s basketball runs away from Milwaukee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

Cody Williams made Buff Nation slightly nervous when the highly touted freshman was forced to the sideline for the second game of his collegiate career.Then Williams showed what the hype is all about.Williams did a little bit of everything on Tuesday night, and so did more than a few of his teammates as the Colorado men’s basketball team routed visiting Milwaukee 106-79 at the CU Events Center.The Buffs (3-0) dominated from the opening tip, using an early 10-0 run to take control. CU jumped to a 19-6 lead and led by as many as 23 points in the first half.Williams, considered one of the top freshmen in the nation, put on a show, going 6-for-9 from the floor and 4-for-4 at the free throw line before finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists with only one turnover in 24 minutes.Williams did a little bit of everything in the first half, recording a 3-point play off a fast break dunk while also knocking down his only 3-point attempt. But he certainly had plenty of help.Aft...

Weld Food Bank hopes to collect 5,500 turkeys as more new people continue to turn to the food bank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

Overseeing outreach programs that feed more than 25,000 people each year, John Ellis knows there’s a lot of need in the Greeley and Weld County area.“People can’t afford to go out and spend $100 on a turkey and all the fixings and that kind of stuff,” he said. “So when we’re able to help them with that, some of those people are just smiling ear to ear, thanking you the entire time. …“It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life being able to help people when they’re in a rough spot and to see the happiness and joy when you help somebody out.”For about four years, Ellis has run Living Grace Baptist Church’s Lighthouse Community Center and Food Pantry, 4800 Hill N Park Drive. The center, which operates a food pantry three times per week including a hot meal once per week, is one of 42 agencies working with the Weld Food Bank to provide holiday meals to people in need.Weld Food Bank staff hope to collect more than ...

BVSD school board considers board member stipends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

The Boulder Valley school board at a Tuesday study session discussed a resolution that would allow members to request a stipend for their service.School board members in Colorado historically have been unpaid, but a 2021 state law allows school boards to vote on compensation of up to $150 per day, for up to five days per week, for performing “official board duties.” That equals a maximum of about $3,000 per month per board member.Since the law was passed, it appears only a small number of districts are paying board members. Those include Denver Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools — where pay goes into effect in July 2025 — and the Sheridan School District.Boulder Valley’s proposal is to pay board members $150 per day for up to five full days of service a month. That would add up to a maximum of $750 a month.Board members would only receive compensation for days when official board duties are performed, which is defined as attending regular or special board meetin...

UNC football not running from 0-10 record; final opponent Portland State “leans on the run”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:50 GMT

As a Division I program, Northern Colorado football hasn’t finished a season 0-11 since 2011.While this year’s Bears might not be aware of some of the specifics of the program’s past struggles, the coaches and players know where they are now: winless heading into the 11th and final game of the regular season later this week.UNC, 0-7 in the Big Sky Conference and 0-10 overall, hosts Portland State at noon Saturday at Nottingham Field. The game will be available on the streaming platform ESPN+ and on KFKA radio.The theme of the game is senior day and military appreciation day. The team and the program will honor six seniors: quarterback Jacob Sirmon, defensive back Tywonne Harris, defensive back Tizell Lewis, defensive back Cameron Murray, linebacker Jacob Stanton and offensive lineman Karson Oliver.The winless season won’t be a point of emphasis this week, first-year Bears head coach Ed Lamb said Tuesday. Lamb and his coaching staff are also looking for the first win since Lamb was h...