Many millions die without clean water or sanitation, UN says
March 23, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — A lack of drinking water and healthy sanitation infrastructure is dire around the world and getting worse, United Nations experts warned in a report issued Thursday.
Winter storm damage leads to disaster declaration in Maine
March 23, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for several counties for damage sustained in a wild December storm that left tens of thousands of people in the dark on Christmas Day, officials said Thursday.
Former Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly ‘put others first’
March 23, 2023 GMTFormer Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, who pushed ambitious projects that included purchasing a coal mine, building an aerial tram into the Grand Canyon and reaching a water rights settlement with Arizona, has died.
Climate solution: Downsize laundry jugs to cut emissions
March 22, 2023 GMTLaundry detergent is looking a little different these days. A growing number of companies are making bulky plastic jugs smaller and concentrating the detergent or soap.
Without all that water, less fossil fuels are required for transport, because the products are lighter and more can be shipped in a single trip.
Paul Newman’s camp for sick kids rises from the ashes
March 21, 2023 GMTASHFORD, Conn. (AP) — Amarey Brookshire was devastated when she heard about the fire at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for seriously ill children — her camp.
The February 2021 blaze destroyed much of the retreat in the woods of eastern Connecticut, which was founded by the late actor Paul Newman in 1988 to give children with devastating medical conditions a place to, as he said, “raise a little hell.”
California buildings still in peril from tumbling cliff
March 17, 2023 GMTSAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) — About two dozen people forced to flee Southern California apartment buildings endangered by a tumbling oceanside hill may be evacuated indefinitely.
Three clifftop apartment buildings and one nearby building in coastal Orange County's San Clemente were red-tagged and evacuated Wednesday when the land began to shift and slide away from their backyards down a hillside following torrential rains.
Feds want justices to end Navajo fight for Colo. River water
March 17, 2023 GMTStates that rely on water from the over-tapped Colorado River want the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lawsuit from the Navajo Nation that could upend how water is shared in the Western U.S.
Stalock’s 35 saves lead Blackhawks over Predators 2-1
March 17, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Alex Stalock made 35 saves to lead the Chicago Blackhawks over the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Thursday night.
Lukas Reichel and Joey Anderson scored for Chicago, which has won two straight.
UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine
March 16, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions, amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity, according to a report from a U.N.-backed inquiry released Thursday.
Storms end Southern California water restrictions for 7M
March 16, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s 11th atmospheric river left the storm-soaked state with a bang Wednesday, bringing flooded roadways, landslides and toppled trees to the southern part of the state as well as drought-busting rainfall that meant the end of water restrictions for nearly 7 million people.
Cyclone Freddy wanes after battering Malawi, Mozambique
March 16, 2023 GMTBLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after killing hundreds of people and displacing thousands in Mozambique and Malawi since late last week, although flooding remains a threat in both countries, a regional monitoring center said late Wednesday.
Northeast digs out from winter storm, faces power outages
March 16, 2023 GMTPITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Parts of New England and New York were digging out of a nor'easter Wednesday that caused tens of thousands of power outages, numerous school cancellations and whiteout conditions on the roads.
F1: Ferrari’s Leclerc set for Saudi Arabian GP grid penalty
March 15, 2023 GMTJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Charles Leclerc will start this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with a grid penalty after Ferrari used a third electronics control unit on the car's engine, the Formula One team said Wednesday.
Late-winter storm pummels Northeast with heavy, wet snow
March 15, 2023 GMTPITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A winter storm dumped heavy, wet snow in parts of the Northeast on Tuesday, causing tens of thousands of power outages, widespread school closings, dangerous driving conditions and a plane to slide off a taxiway.
N. Carolina Senate OKs harsher penalties for utility damage
March 14, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed legislation Tuesday that would increase punishments for intentionally damaging utility equipment after substation shootings in Moore County cut power to 45,000 homes and small business for several days last year.
New Orleans mayor fights lowered recall signature threshold
March 14, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A court settlement that significantly lowered the number of petition signatures New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's opponents need to force a recall election was challenged in two state courts Tuesday by Cantrell and one of her supporters.
Teen hikers rescued after days stuck in California snowstorm
March 5, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — When his 17-year-old son and friend headed off for a 10-day trek in the Southern California mountains, Cesar Ramirez said he wasn’t too worried. The teens were avid hikers with ample foods in their backpacks, a tent and snowshoes, plus extensive training and aspirations to join the military.
Snow blankets Northeast as cleanup begins from deadly storm
March 4, 2023 GMTCleanup began in battered parts of the South and Midwest after a sprawling storm system produced ferocious winds and heavy snow that caused widespread damage and multiple deaths before racing through the Northeast on Saturday.
Storms roll east after slamming South; 10 deaths reported
March 4, 2023 GMTA large storm system took aim at the Northeast on Friday, threatening heavy snow and coastal flooding after heavy winds and possible tornadoes damaged homes and buildings, left thousands without power and caused 10 deaths in a wide swath of the South and Midwest.
Maricopa County rejects city plan restore community’s water
March 3, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Maricopa County has flatly rejected a proposal from Scottsdale to temporarily restore water to an unincorporated community near the posh Phoenix suburb.
AZFamily.com reports the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors concluded during a meeting Friday afternoon that there were too many issues that were cause for concern.
California’s snow-stranded residents need food, plows, help
March 2, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivia Duke said she’s been trapped in her home in the snow-plastered mountains east of Los Angeles for so long that by Thursday the only food she had left was oatmeal.
Snow plows have created a wall of ice between her driveway and the road in the San Bernardino Mountains, and there are at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow weighing on her roof.
Oil leak from sunken Philippine tanker prompts swimming bans
March 2, 2023 GMTOil leaking from a Philippine tanker that sank southwest of the capital has prompted at least seven coastal towns to ban fishing and swimming as authorities scramble to contain the spill, officials said Thursday.
Wisconsin lawmakers debate parole board transparency bill
March 1, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's embattled parole commission would be forced to open up meetings and post its decisions online under a plan two Republican legislators laid out Wednesday.
Republicans have heaped criticism on the commission after it decided to parole convicted murderer Douglas Balsewicz last May.
DTE Energy, Consumers Energy face power-outage challenges
March 1, 2023 GMTThe power in Leah Thomas' Beverly Hills, Michigan, home went out about 9 p.m. on Feb. 22.
It was back on four days later, on Sunday evening, but was lost again the next day. And like thousands of Michigan residents left in the dark following back-to-back ice storms, Thomas wonders when the lights will come on — and stay on.
Bill upping utility damage penalties advances in N. Carolina
February 28, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nearly three months after attacks on electrical substations caused a dayslong power outage in central North Carolina, a state Senate committee advanced legislation Tuesday that would stiffen penalties for intentionally damaging utility equipment.
5 days later, some in Michigan still lack power
February 27, 2023 GMTA new storm teeming with freezing rain and strong winds socked Michigan on Monday, presenting a fresh challenge for crews that have been trying to restore electricity to thousands of customers who have been in the dark since ice snapped lines days ago.
Hundreds blocked on Croatia roads as snowstorm spurs chaos
February 27, 2023 GMTZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Hundreds of people in Croatia spent the night in their cars or at gas stations and reception centers Monday after a snowstorm over the weekend caused traffic to grind to a halt and left parts of the country cut off.
After Michigan storm, customers wait - and wait - for power
February 25, 2023 GMTBLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Frustration and anger are mounting among some Michigan utility customers who still were waiting for power to be restored after a massive ice storm this week damaged electricity lines, and the governor called Friday for more accountability on repair efforts by the state's two largest utilities.
German energy boss warns: Don’t let guard down on gas supply
February 23, 2023 GMTBONN, Germany (AP) — The temperature outside Klaus Mueller's office almost resembles spring, exactly the kind of mild weather that helped Germany get through the winter without Russian natural gas.
Gov. Scott seeks disaster declaration for December storm
February 22, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Republican Gov. Phil Scott has requested a federal disaster declaration for the December storm that left tens of thousands without power in Vermont during the Christmas holiday week.
Montembeault makes 37 saves as Canadiens stun Devils 5-2
February 22, 2023 GMTNEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The way Sam Montembeault was playing in goal against the red-hot New Jersey Devils, the Montreal Canadiens certainly didn't look like one of the NHL's weaker teams.
Montembeault stopped three breakaways and made 37 saves as the Canadiens stunned the Devils 5-2 on Tuesday night, snapping New Jersey's six-game home winning streak.
Kentucky Senate panel advances bill to track relief funds
February 15, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers took an initial step Wednesday toward giving themselves oversight of relief funds like the ones the governor created to help people recover from tornadoes and flooding.
Irving debuts in Dallas not wanting to talk about future
February 14, 2023 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving isn’t interested in talking about what his long-term future could be with the Dallas Mavericks, and he doesn’t understand why people don’t think he can play well off the ball.
Pence subpoena could set up fight over executive privilege
February 11, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The subpoena to former Vice President Mike Pence is a milestone moment in an ongoing Justice Department special counsel investigation.
Danielle Deadwyler cites racism, misogynoir in Oscar snub
February 10, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Danielle Deadwyler says racism and misogynoir played a role in this year's Academy Awards nominations, where she and Viola Davis were overlooked in the best actress category.
Fears grow for untold numbers buried by Turkey earthquake
February 8, 2023 GMTWreckage, rescue and hope in Turkey’s earthquake epicenter
February 7, 2023 GMTNURDAGI, Turkey (AP) — Zeliha Hisir tried to speak, but could barely move after her hourslong rescue Tuesday near the epicenter of a powerful earthquake that has devastated parts of Turkey and Syria.
Survivors scream as desperate rescuers work in Turkey, Syria
February 6, 2023 GMTADANA, Turkey (AP) — Rescuers called out, “Slowly, slowly,” as they lifted a man inch by inch from between slabs of collapsed concrete Monday in the Turkish province that was the epicenter of a devastating earthquake.
Hurricane deaths at nursing home: accident or manslaughter?
February 6, 2023 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (AP) — A Florida nursing home administrator charged with causing the overheating deaths of nine patients after Hurricane Irma in 2017 went on trial Monday, with a prosecutor calling him a “captain who abandoned ship” while his attorney said he's a “scapegoat” for failures of the electric company to restore power.
Frustrated south Austin residents powerless, want answers
February 4, 2023 GMTSome residents in Austin, Texas who are still without power Saturday days after a winter storm struck say they are frustrated that no answers are being offered as to when their electricity will return.
Austin mayor apologizes as city struggles to restore power
February 4, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Widespread power outages in the Texas capital stretched into a third day Friday for thousands of residents following a winter storm that was spiraling into a management crisis as city leaders remained unable to say when all the lights would come back on.
Frustrated Texans endure winter storm with no power, heat
February 3, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Thousands of frustrated Texans shivered in homes without power for a second day Thursday, most of them around booming Austin, and fading hopes of a quick fix stirred grim memories of a deadly 2021 blackout after an icy winter storm across the southern U.S.
Power outage blacks out terminals at Los Angeles airport
February 2, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Power was briefly knocked out at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, leaving many passengers at one of the world's busiest airports in the dark and halting security checks, authorities said.
N. Carolina senators want tougher utility attack penalties
February 1, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Punishments would get tougher in North Carolina for intentionally damaging utility equipment — like what authorities say happened two months ago when tens of thousands of Moore County residents lost electricity for days — in legislation filed Wednesday by Senate Republicans.
Thousands in Santa Cruz County without power after outage
February 1, 2023 GMTNOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Crews were working to restore electricity Wednesday to thousands of customers in western Santa Cruz County.
Officials with UniSource Energy said an estimated 20,000 customers lost power around 3 a.m.
Shiffrin wins slalom, moves within 1 win of World Cup record
January 28, 2023 GMTSPINDLERUV MLYN, Czech Republic (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated with a shoulder wiggle and a bright smile Saturday after dominating a slalom and moving within one victory of the 34-year-old World Cup record of 86 wins.
Pettersson scores twice, Canucks beat Blue Jackets 5-2
January 28, 2023 GMTVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elias Pettersson scored twice, Bo Horvat had a career-high four assists and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 on Friday night for their second victory in three games under Rick Tocchet.
Water system in Mississippi’s Capital could get new owners
January 25, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jackson's troubled water system could get a new set of owners under legislation advanced Tuesday by Republican lawmakers in Mississippi.
The bill would transfer ownership to a new public entity overseen by a nine-member board, the majority of which would be appointed by state leaders.
Lights out in Pakistan as energy-saving move backfires
January 23, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Most of Pakistan was left without power Monday as an energy-saving measure by the government backfired. The outage spread panic and raised questions about the cash-strapped government’s handling of the country's economic crisis.
Anderson-Dolan scores 2, Kings beat Blackhawks 2-1
January 23, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jaret Anderson-Dolan scored twice and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Sunday night.
Kevin Fiala had two assists and Pheonix Copley stopped 18 shots to help the Kings snap a four-game losing streak.
Police: Gas leak blast kills family of six in SW Pakistan
January 15, 2023 GMTQUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A gas explosion in southwest Pakistan killed a family of six, including four children, police said Sunday.
The husband, wife and their four children died at their home late Saturday night in Quetta’s Satellite Town area.
California deluge forces mass evacuations, boy swept away
January 10, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — As another powerful storm walloped California, a 5-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters Monday on the state’s central coast and an entire seaside community that is home to Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities was ordered to evacuate on the fifth anniversary of deadly mudslides there.
1 killed by falling tree, 20K lose power in Wash. high winds
January 9, 2023 GMTFALL CITY, Wash. (AP) — A woman was killed on Monday by a falling tree amid strong winds in western Washington, officials said.
Authorities were called to a street east of Seattle in Fall City around 8:30 a.m.
2 arrested in power substation vandalism in Washington state
January 4, 2023 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Two men have been arrested and charged with vandalizing electrical substations in Washington state, attacks that left thousands without power over the holidays, and one suspect told authorities they did it so they could break into a business and steal money, U.S.
At least 20 apartments damaged in latest California quake
January 2, 2023 GMTRIO DELL, Calif. (AP) — At least 20 apartments were damaged by the latest earthquake to rattle the region of Northern California where a stronger quake nearly two weeks ago killed two people and knocked homes off their foundations, authorities said Monday.
Floods in Philippines leave 51 dead, over a dozen missing
January 2, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Thousands of people in the Philippines remained in emergency shelters in the wake of devastating Christmas flooding, as the death toll climbed to 51 with 19 missing, authorities said Monday.
Evacuation warnings amid flooding after California storm
January 2, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Residents of a Northern California community were ordered to evacuate ahead of imminent flooding, and evacuation warnings were in place elsewhere in rural parts of the region on New Year's Day after a powerful storm brought drenching rain or heavy snowfall to much of the state, breaching levees, snarling traffic and closing major highways.
Japanese emperor greets crowd at palace after COVID hiatus
January 2, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers from the balcony at the Imperial Palace on Monday in the return of a celebration halted for the past two years by the pandemic.
Thousands in northern Nevada still without power amid storm
January 1, 2023 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — Over 33,000 customers, a majority of them in northern Nevada, were still without power as of Sunday afternoon thanks to a powerful snowstorm.
NV Energy's website indicates the bulk of the outages are in the Reno-Sparks area.
Time zone by time zone, another new year sweeps into view
January 1, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — New Year's celebrations swept across the globe, ushering in 2023 with countdowns and fireworks — and marking an end to a year that brought war in Europe, a new chapter in the British monarchy and global worries over inflation.
Efforts to restore water continue in western North Carolina
December 31, 2022 GMTASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Officials in the western North Carolina city of Asheville said Saturday that they're continuing to restore public water to swaths of the region after frigid temperatures curtailed the utility days ago.
Pilot, passenger crawl out after plane crashes behind home
December 30, 2022 GMTATHENS, Ga. (AP) — A pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries after their small plane crashed behind a home in Athens, according to fire officials.
The pilot was able to call for help on a cellphone after the Piper PA-24-260 Comanche went down, Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services said in a news release.
Even Mississippi lawmaker feels strain of Jackson water woes
December 30, 2022 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — In Mississippi's capital city, where intermittent periods without running water have become a fact of life for residents, a new disruption to the long-troubled water system persists just days before lawmakers are set to arrive for the state's 2023 legislative session.
Bucs’ Gabbert, brothers rescue people in Tampa chopper crash
December 30, 2022 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert became an unexpected hero Thursday when a helicopter crashed into Hillsborough Bay in Tampa.
He and his two brothers were cruising nearby on jet skis, checking out from afar some of the sail boats at a yacht club, when they heard a “faint noise” south of Davis Island and rushed toward it.
Amid surge at UNM Hospital, feds send relief for staff
December 30, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The federal government is dispatching a medical team to assist the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital, which has been overwhelmed with patients.
The Albuquerque hospital announced a 14-member disaster response team from the U.S.
Asheville: Water restoration won’t be complete Friday night
December 30, 2022 GMTASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A western North Carolina city that faced water outages in recent days says that it won’t be able to meet its goal of restoring service to all customers by Friday night.
Asheville's Water Resources Director David Melton said the city is making progress in restoring water service, but the system is complex and they must work carefully to avoid causing more problems.
Biden signs $1.7 trillion bill funding government operations
December 30, 2022 GMTKINGSHILL, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill that will keep the federal government operating through the end of the federal budget year in September 2023, and provide tens of billions of dollars in new aid to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian military.
Sabres, Bills send support to city devastated by blizzard
December 29, 2022 GMTBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The wallop of a two-day blizzard that struck Buffalo over the weekend and the sense of desperation that came with it hit home for Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams on Christmas Eve, when he trudged through the storm to check on his mother-in-law.
Sarajevo’s agony echoes as Ukraine braces for a dark winter
December 29, 2022 GMTSARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Vildana Mutevelić huddled in her apartment with her two young children and elderly cousins. They had no heat, electricity or running water as artillery shells tore the roof off their building and almost took their lives.
Russia hits key infrastructure with missiles across Ukraine
December 29, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles hit Ukraine Thursday in the biggest wave of strikes in weeks, damaging power stations and other critical infrastructure during freezing winter weather.
Russia fired 69 missiles at energy facilities and Ukrainian forces shot down 54, Ukrainian military chief Gen.
Teen dies after falling through ice on frozen Georgia lake
December 29, 2022 GMTKENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — A teenager died after playing with friends on the frozen surface of a Georgia lake and falling through the ice into frigid water, authorities said Thursday.
Residents of Kennesaw north of Atlanta called 911 Wednesday evening after seeing several young people playing on a sheet of ice that covered a portion of the small lake's surface.
Asheville: Water restoration to be complete by end of Friday
December 29, 2022 GMTASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A western North Carolina city that faced water outages in recent days says that all customers should have service restored by Friday night.
Asheville city officials announced Thursday morning that every customer should have water again within 36 hours.
Police: Death of 3-year-old Maine girl ruled a homicide
December 29, 2022 GMTEDGECOMB, Maine (AP) — The death of a 3-year-old Edgecomb girl on Christmas Day has been ruled a homicide, Maine State Police said.
The Lincoln County sheriff's department and rescue crews responded to a residence on Sunday morning after receiving a 911 call that a child was not breathing.
National Guard checks homes in Buffalo for blizzard victims
December 29, 2022 GMTBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The National Guard went door to door in parts of Buffalo on Wednesday to check on people who lost power during the area’s deadliest winter storm in decades, and authorities faced the tragic possibility of finding more victims amid melting snow.
Rain, floods in Philippines leave 32 dead, others missing
December 29, 2022 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Heavy rains and floods that devastated parts of the Philippines over the Christmas weekend have left at least 32 dead and 24 missing, the national disaster response agency said Thursday.
Atlanta jail without water or heat, detainees’ relatives say
December 29, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A county jail in Atlanta has been without running water or heat for days, relatives of the people incarcerated there say, raising concerns about what the families call “inhumane” living conditions.