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911 hold times: Staffing shortages cause callers to wait up to 20 min

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

(NewsNation) — In an emergency situation, a few seconds can be the difference between life and death but Americans around the nation say they're having to wait longer to get through to 911. NewsNation affiliates throughout the country have documented the ongoing problem of 911 callers being left on hold. From Little Rock to Las Vegas, residents are reporting delays — in some cases waiting 20 minutes to connect with an emergency operator. At the end of June, the average 911 hold time in Austin was roughly three minutes. Meanwhile, the mayor of Kansas City said his sister recently waited five minutes on the line while his mother was incapacitated.Nearly every city with delays reports the same problem: a shortage of workers at 911 centers. It's an issue industry experts say has grown worse since the pandemic. "What we're seeing, on average, is somewhere around a 30% staffing shortage for the 911 profession," said April Heinze, the 911 & PSAP Operations Director for the Nationa...

Nick Benedict, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘All My Children’ actor, dies at 77

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Nick Benedict, an actor who appeared on “Days of Our Lives” and also played one of Erica Kane’s many husbands on “All My Children,” died Friday on his 77th birthday, an online obituary confirmed.Benedict’s cause of death was reported as complications from spinal surgery, according to the obituary.Benedict, seen here in 1976, appeared on numerous daytime soap operas. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)Benedict, a veteran of daytime soaps, played Curtis Reed on “Days of Our Lives” between 1993 and 2001. But he might be best remembered for portraying Phil Brent, an ex-husband of Susan Lucci’s Erica Kane character, between 1973 and 1978, Soap Opera Digest reported.For his work, Benedict was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series at the 1979 Daytime Emmy Awards.Benedict (second from right) appears in an episode of "All My Children" during a dream sequence featuring Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and the men from her previous...

Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: July 21-23

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The weekend is almost here! From the Saratoga County Fair to GEMFest in Glens Falls, to the New York City Ballet at SPAC, there are quite a few things happening on July 21, July 22, and July 23. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Here are some of the events going on around the Capital Region this weekend.Friday, July 21Saratoga County Fair, 162 Prospect Street in Ballston SpaBlueberry Festival, Warrensburg Riverfront Farmers' Market on River Street, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.Swan Lake, Fancy Free & Firebird: New York City Ballet, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. You can buy tickets on the SPAC website.Tri-City ValleyCats vs. New York Boulders, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, 6:30 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Tri-City ValleyCats website.Honky Tonk Angels, Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on theREP website.GEMFest, The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, 7 p.m. You can ge...

Essity to close manufacturing sites in the Capital Region

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Essity, a Tork professional hygiene brand, is closing its tissue manufacturing sites in New York State to consolidate production in other states. The New York sites include the South Glens Falls paper mill, Greenwich converting facility and Saratoga Springs warehouse/distribution center. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “It is never easy to decide to close a manufacturing operation,” said Michael Olive, plant director for Essity’s sites in New York. “Our operations in upstate New York have had a long, productive history and have always benefited from the extraordinary commitment of our employees. This decision is in no way a reflection on the skills, capabilities or dedication of our employees here. We are grateful for their decades of service and the support we have always received from the surrounding community.”The South Glens Falls paper mill has already stopped papermaking operations,...

Crews fight fire on Stow Avenue in Troy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Crews are battled a fire on Stow Avenue in Troy. The fire started at 18 Stowe Avenue and spread to the neighboring two building. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! No deaths of injuries were reported. Eight people are affected by the damage. According to the fire chief, the third floor of two of the buildings collapsed onto the second floor.According to Troy police, Stow Avenue is closed in both directions. Morrison Avenue was closed in both directions. The fire is still under investigation and crews are still on scene.

Board of Aldermen pass bill that would ban openly carrying guns without a permit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Board of Aldermen pass two bills that address significant issues in the city in the Board’s last meeting before the summer break. The Board passed Board Bills 29 and 82 by wide margins Thursday morning.Board Bill 29 passed unanimously 14-0 while Board Bill 82 passed 11-2. Alderwoman Cara Spencer sponsored Board Bill 29. It bans people from openly carrying or displaying guns in the city without having a concealed-carry permit. Thieves target car washes, business owners band together to fight back The legislation came after multiple recent situations where young people were captured on video openly carrying firearms downtown during events like parties. Supporters say the bill will help get guns off the streets and will also disarm minors because most people have to be 19 years old to get a concealed carry permit in Missouri.'Stop and frisk' concerns about Board Bill 29 were raised by some including Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. That led Aldridge to craft Board...

Woman files lawsuit in St. Louis County sex tape scandal, four accused

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A woman has filed a lawsuit against four people over a former St. Louis County official's sex tape, seeking at least $25,000 in damages. The woman filing the lawsuit claims she was in a video recorded by Calvin Harris, the former chief of staff to the St. Louis County Executive, and never gave consent to recording or disseminating it. Harris abruptly resigned in June 2022, around the time the sex tape began circulating, per the lawsuit. The lawsuit contends the woman suffered "medically diagnosable and medically significant emotional distress," in addition to repeated humiliation and embarrassment. It also offers insight on a timeline and alleged motivations behind the video making rounds. Thieves target car washes, business owners band together to fight back Last week, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced charges against Rodney Leger of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, in connection with the scandal. A county grand jury indicted Leger on thre...

Crown Candy's sandwiches named among 'most legendary' in US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Crown Candy Kitchen, a popular St. Louis lunch spot, has earned new praise from food aficionados for its classic sandwiches. Yahoo recently repurposed a report from food specialists at Delish.com, titled "Where to find the most legendary sandwiches in the United States." The article highlights eight highly-acclaimed sandwich stops around the nation, including Crown Candy. Missouri & Illinois players win $1M in record Powerball jackpot According to the report, the BLT, the Reuben, and turkey and bacon melt are among the top choices and considered "some of [St. Louis] city's best sandwiches to this day." Crown Candy was founded in 1913 and is St. Louis' oldest-running soda fountain. A trip to the eatery is hard to complete without a handmade malt, shake or chocolate candy. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann will not seek re-election in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced Thursday she will not seek re-election in 2024 to a third term.“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to head up the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the amazing team of committed dedicated employees for the past several years,” McCann stated in a news release. “This was the most difficult decision I have made about my career and future, and it came with a great deal of thought, weighing of options and consideration for the future of the Denver District Attorney’s Office.”When McCann, a Democrat, was sworn into office Jan. 10, 2017, she became the first female district attorney in Denver’s history.Before being elected as district attorney, McCann served for four terms as a House representative for District 8 in the state legislature, worked in law for various firms, was Denver’s first female manager of safety, co-founded the Colorado Women’s Bar Association and more.“A consideratio...

Awash in pink, everyone wants a piece of the “Barbie” movie marketing mania

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail WriterNEW YORK — Pink sauce on that Burger King burger? What about “Barbie-fying” your pet with sweaters and beds with Barbie motifs? If that’s too low-brow, perhaps you’d be interested in hot pink Barbie monogrammed knit leggings by luxury designer Balmain instead, selling at Neiman Marcus for a cool $2,150.Welcome to the wonderful and weird world of “Barbie” movie marketing.Ahead of Friday’s U.S. release of the “Barbie” movie, parent company Mattel has created a product marketing blitz with more than 100 brands plastering pink everywhere.There are pink benches at bus stops and pink clothing displayed in store windows. Microsoft’s XBox has come up with a Barbie console series and HGTV is hosting a four-part Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge.And then there are all the unofficial collaborators trying to grab a piece of the Barbie craze. Restaurants across the country are offering special...