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More than 150,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2022 and the problem may be underreported, data suggests

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

(KTLA) - The rise in catalytic converter thefts in America has been a nuisance for law enforcement agencies and car owners for the past several years. Now new data from Carfax shows just how bad the problem has gotten.The vehicle data company, known for tracking repairs and accidents on vehicles across the country, looked at catalytic converter replacements from millions of service records to come up with an estimated number of thefts in 2022: 153,000 — a 2% increase from the year prior.The number is pretty alarming, and Carfax suggests the problem has been underreported in the past.Whereas most reports regarding the total number of catalytic converters look at only insurance claims, Carfax says its data scientists looked at all replacements, taking into account ones that were replaced due to deterioration, defectivity or recalls, and came up with the 153,000 figure. Thieves steal Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’s catalytic converter in Las Vegas Carfax said it believes theft numbers rep...

Santos refuses to quit, brazenly says 'truth still matters'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Besieged Republican Rep. George Santos arrives on the House floor most days to deliver short speeches — celebrating women-owned small businesses, a special high school in his district or raising concern about various countries in crises.At other times he can be seen dashing through the halls of the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers do, from one meeting to the next. He once passed out doughnuts to the press corps staking out his office. Santos denies organizing alleged credit card scam, claims he did nothing ‘of criminal activity’ Far from being chastened by the widespread criticism, mockery and rejection that Santos has received after having admitted to fabricating many aspects of his life story, the newly elected congressman is breezily carrying on in Congress. He is refusing calls for his resignation all while rewriting the narrative in real time.For Santos, it’s an unusual up-is-down approach that would have been almost unthinkable in an earlier generation b...

Unseasonably cold through the weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A wet and windy start to our St. Patrick's Day with scattered rain lingering in parts of the area this morning.Winds will gradually relax through the day as rain clears late morning. Our Friday afternoon will favor mostly to partly cloudy skies and chilly temperatures in the 50s.A Wind Advisory continues until12PM today as wind gusts near 45 mph will be possible, ushering in winter-like air.Wind Advisory in effect until 12PM today (Friday)Freezing temperatures are possible in the Hill Country Saturday morning, and as light rain showers return to Austin and eastern areas, wet snow could bring a light accumulation on grass and elevated surfaces in Fredericksburg and Blanco. Read the full details below: FIRST WARNING: Snow accumulation possible in the Hill Country Spring officially begins Monday, March 20 at 4:24 p.m. Central time.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters Stay u...

Austin doctor raising awareness for multiple sclerosis on 150-mile bike ride

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin doctor is riding her bike on a 150-mile trek through Texas to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects thousands of Texans, including the doctor herself. Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system, impacts nearly 30,000 people in the state and one million people nationwide, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A surprise diagnosisDr. Lisa Doggett lived a healthy lifestyle, provided patient care as a doctor, and was the mother of two young children when she was surprised by an MS diagnosis in 2009. "I didn't know if I'd be able to work, if I'd be able to raise my kids. If I'd be able to continue exercising. I'm a runner, a cyclist," Dr. Doggett explained. MS did not run in her family's medical history. Dr. Doggett lives with a certain type of the disease known as relapsing-remitting MS. This form of the disease has periods in which it attacks the nervous system, but also periods where the person is in ...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Are you a hoarder if you keep old cassette tapes and HS trophies?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Tim and it's about holding onto stuff. Here's his email. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I wanted to ask for your opinion on something. My wife called me a hoarder this week because I refused to throw away my old cassette tapes. Some are mixes I made myself, others are tapes of my favorite bands. It's true, I don't have a cassette player anymore, but, I'm trying to find one so I can listen to them again. Do you think I'm a hoarder or just sentimental? Also, my wife wants me to throw away my old high school trophies, but I don't want to do that either. What do you think? Thanks for the help! Tim 03/17/2023: Wee bit of rain for St. Patrick’s Day I think Tim is a little bit of both, though I admit, even I have gotten rid of my cassette tapes. Albums, I still have, but no cassettes. And I have no idea where anything from high school is, except my dip...

Duo cited after dead pets found in Vermont home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

POWNAL, Vt. (NEWS10) — Two people are due in court on Monday, March 27, after police say they found several dead pets in a Pownal home. According to a press release from Vermont State Police, Juan M. Garcia, 22, of Pownal, and Cassaundra M. Halsey, 32, of Hoosic Falls, New York, were responsible for six guinea pigs and two dogs at the home. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! When troopers checked on the animals on February 17, they found four of the guinea pigs dead in their cages, the release stated. There were two other guinea pigs at the home, living in their own feces and urine, along with two dogs. A member of animal control rescued the four living animals. Troopers then tracked down Garcia and Halsey and ordered them to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division. Each will face eight counts of animal cruelty on March 27.

Ask Amy: Old friends only connect over kids

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

Dear Amy: I’m part of a group of women friends who met in college, 50 years ago.We got back in touch 20 years ago, and now meet a few times a year.At first, conversation was varied, with personal updates, talk about current events, shared book recommendations, etc.Very quickly, this changed to conversation that is nearly 100 percent about children.I’m an independent gal with no children.It’s not what I anticipated, but I’m happy with my life, especially with my fulfilling career.The other women have little interest in my profession, and have even poo-pooed what I do.I’ve tried to add different and relevant topics to conversations.The responses are either “I let (inject husband’s name) handle that,” or simply blank stares.They are all nice women, but these get-togethers with hours of conversation limited to children, children’s spouses, in-laws, relocations, etc., are unsatisfying and somewhat hurtful.I need a way to politely decl...

France accused of 'delaying' EU shells for Ukraine

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

France was accused by the European Union of slowing down a €2 billion euro ($2.12 billion), package to purchase weapons for Ukraine. The Telegraph reported that France demanded that the munitions are made within the bloc.According to European sources, Paris wanted assurances that a deal to jointly procure arms would only benefit firms located in the EU.

Jury finds accused ringleader of brazen 2016 California jailbreak guilty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

An Orange County Superior Court jury has determined that the accused mastermind of a daring 2016 jailbreak in Santa Ana that grabbed national headlines was guilty of the escape and stealing a van but not of kidnapping a taxi driver while on the lam.Hossein Nayeri, 44, already had publicly admitted to taking part in the brazen break-out from the Central Jail Complex and even recorded the escape on a smuggled-in cellphone. An intense week-long manhunt ended with Nayeri and his two accused fellow escapees back in custody.Nayeri, however, had denied abducting the taxi driver, instead alleging that the driver agreed to help Nayeri and his fellow escapees elude the massive law enforcement dragnet in return for a $10,000 payout.The jury deliberated for less than four hours before reaching its verdict on Thursday afternoon. Nayeri appeared to tear up as the verdict was read, and wiped his eyes as he watched the jurors leave the courtroom.Nayeri now faces up to an additional two years and ei...

Newport Beach house red-tagged after landslide is demolished as soil continues to move

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:57 GMT

A cliffside home in Newport Beach’s Dover Shores neighborhood was torn down Thursday, March 16, two weeks after being red-tagged when the land it was built on became unstable, causing its patio to slide down the hillside over Back Bay.In just a few hours Thursday afternoon, work crews had at least half the home demolished, Councilmember Erik Weigand said. “I was right there, and it was heartbreaking.A home along the 1900 block of Galaxy Drive is demolished in Newport Beach, CA, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The Dover Shores house was red-tagged after its back patio, along with some of the bluff it overlooked, collapsed and slid down the hill near the Back Bay on March 3. It was red tagged by officials and the homeowner pulled a demolition permit with the city. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)A home along the 1900 block of Galaxy Drive is demolished in Newport Beach, CA, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The Dover Shores house was red-tagged after its back patio, along...