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For small biz reliant on summer tourism, extreme weather is the new pandemic — for better or worse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For small businesses that rely on summer tourism to keep afloat, extreme weather is replacing the pandemic as the determining factor in how well a summer will go. The pandemic had its ups and downs for tourism, with a total shutdown followed by a rush of vacations due to pent-up demand. This year, small businesses say vacation cadences are returning to normal. But now, they have extreme weather to deal with — many say it’s hurting business, but more temperate spots are seeing a surge.Tourism-related businesses have always been at the mercy of the weather. But with heat waves, fires and storms becoming more frequent and intense, small businesses increasingly see extreme weather as their next long-term challenge. For Jared Meyers, owner of Legacy Vacation Resorts, with eight locations, including four in Florida, Hurricane Idalia’s landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm led to a loss in revenue as he temporarily closed one resort and and closed another to ...

Students transform their drab dorm rooms into comfy living spaces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — From $300 studded headboards and $100 coffee table books to custom-made cabinets to disguise your mini-fridge, students are spending big bucks to decorate their dorm rooms, adding yet another layer to the soaring costs of college.Some are even going so far as to hire interior designers to beautify their 12 feet by 20 feet of space. Lesley Lachman, 18, planned her furnishings for her dorm room with her roommate immediately after deciding to attend the University of Mississippi back in May. The Rye, New York resident scoured websites like Pinterest and designed her room herself — with hues of pink, purple and green culled from a mix of pricey brands like Essentials with Eden as well as less expensive items from Ikea and Facebook Marketplace. Total cost for the design? About $3,000, covered by her parents.“There’s so much work that had to be done because it felt lackluster. It didn’t feel homey,” said Lachman, who posted a “before” and “after” video of her r...

Sunday Forecast: Mostly sunny, mid 90s, breezy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

Sunday: Mostly sunny, hot & breezy. SW 10-15, G25 mph. High: 94Sunday Night: Mostly clear & warm. SW 5-10 mphMonday: Mostly sunny, hot & muggier. SW 5-15 mph. High 93, heat index near 100.Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for temps to stay hot and conditions quite muggy for Tue/Wed with a chance of isolated showers/t'storms. Cooler by the end of the week with temps closer to the normal of 80 for this time of year. 

What stores, restaurants are open on Labor Day?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — The unofficial end of summer is upon us: Labor Day weekend. If you're on the road or need an extra bag of chips for your barbecue, here's what is and isn't open on Labor Day. As you may have guessed, you won't be getting any mail on Monday — the U.S. Postal Service observes Labor Day and will have the day off. Most FedEx services, except FedEx Office and FedEx Office Custom Critical, will be closed for Labor Day. You likely won't receive any FedEx deliveries on the Sunday before Labor Day either, as only Home Delivery and Office will be available. Labor Day is also an observed holiday for Amazon and UPS.However, most retailers will be open for Labor Day. That includes: AlbertsonsBig LotsDollar GeneralKroger storesSproutsTargetTrader Joe'sWalmartWhole FoodsHours may vary by location; be sure to check your local store's hours online or call ahead. Aldi, for example, has already confirmed its stores will operate under limited hours on Labor Day, closing at 6 p.m. local time...

Burning Man: Death under investigation as flooding strands thousands at Nevada festival site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Authorities in Nevada were investigating a death at the site of the Burning Man festival where thousands of attendees remained stranded Saturday night as flooding from storms swept through the Nevada desert.Organizers closed vehicular access to the counterculture festival and attendees trudged through mud, many barefoot or wearing plastic bags on their feet. The revelers were urged to shelter in place and conserve food, water and other supplies.The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said the death happened during the event but offered few details as the investigation continued, including the identity of the deceased person or the suspected cause of death, KNSD-TV reported. Entrance to Burning Man in Nevada closed due to flooding, festivalgoers urged to shelter in place Vehicle gates will not open for the remainder of the event, which began on Aug. 27 and was scheduled to end Monday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the Black Rock Dese...

$3 million federal grant going to early childhood center at former Pease campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District said its board of trustees approved a partnership Thursday between the district and United Way for Greater Austin to open an early childhood education center at the former site of Pease Elementary School in downtown Austin.District leaders shared more information Friday morning about the expected federal funding allocation for the Pease campus saying the center would be responsive to the needs of the community.U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) took part in Friday's announcement along with AISD Interim Superintendent Matias Segura, AISD Trustee Lynn Boswell, United Way for Greater Austin CEO David Smith and AISD Director of Real Estate and Asset Management Jeremy Stiffler, according to the district.Doggett shared he secured initial approval for $3 million of federal funding toward the renovation of the facility.The project at the site on 1106 Rio Grande St. would "help strengthen childhood development and workforce par...

Over 4,000-acre fire near Houston 40% contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

WALKER COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to an over 4,000-acre fire blazing in Walker County near Houston, officials said in a social media post Saturday.Officials said the fire — dubbed the Game Preserve Fire — is 4,254 acres in size and 40% contained as of Sunday morning. The Forest Service noted the flanks and head of the fire remain active, with aircraft and engine crews helping to protect nearby structures from the blaze.Officials added a temporary flight restriction is now in place for the Game Preserve Fire, with people asked to avoid the area "to create a safe space for firefighting aircraft."

Man shot in Frogtown Sunday in St. Paul’s 24th homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

St. Paul police are investigating the death of a man who was found shot near Sherburne Avenue and Mackubin Street North early Sunday.Officers were called to the 400 block of Sherburne just before 2 a.m. on reports of shots fired. They found a man with multiple gunshots lying in the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The man’s death marks the city’s 24th homicide of the year.Police will release the victim’s name after the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office confirms his identity.Authorities ask anyone with information to call 651-266-5650.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Hastings man dies in car crash on Highway 55 Friday night Crime & Public Safety | St. Cloud police are latest agency to withdraw school resource officers over opposition to use-of-force limits Crime & Public Safety | St. Cloud lawmaker to plead guilty in July DWI case in Kanabec County Crime & Public Safety | ...

Bay Area high school football: Where to find our complete Week 2 coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

Serra made a statement with its 28-0 victory over De La Salle. Los Gatos overcame a big deficit on the road to stun Liberty.Luke Baker had another big night for San Ramon Valley. Mack dominated Bellarmine. Mitty improved to 2-0 with a win over Aptos.As always, the Bay Area News Group has you covered.If you have not already, please subscribe here for digital access all season long. Your contributions keep us going.Here is our complete Week 2 coverage.Enjoy.Roundup: Best of Week 2Results: Weekend scoreboard, how Top 25 faredPhotos: Our staff’s Week 2 imagesNo doubt: Serra shuts out De La Salle in a physical gameEmotional return: Mountain View plays in honor of mother who diedThriller: Los Gatos erases big deficit, edges LibertyOpening statement: Mack wins its season opener, routs BellarmineFast start: Luke Baker heats up early as SRV tops AcalanesRunning wild: AJ Cenizal leads Mitty over AptosAerial attack: Palo Alto hits Leland with big playsMountain View to honor family in wake of t...

Cupertino hosts Community Open House on housing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:57 GMT

Housing open houseStaff from Cupertino’s Housing Division will hold forth on future rezoning and housing development in the city on Saturday, Sept. 9, 1-3 p.m. The Community Open House: Focus on Rezoning of Housing Sites is taking place during the Silicon Valley Fall Fest at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road.The open house will focus on the Housing Element, part of the city’s General Plan that identifies where, how, and how much housing Cupertino is required by the state to plan for between 2023 and 2031.Climate change grantsSanta Clara County is awarding up to $80,000 in funding to support community-based climate change mitigation and adaptation activities focused on extreme heat and poor air quality. The funding will help communities that suffer disproportionately because of poorer air quality and extreme heat.Nonprofit organizations can apply for individual grants of up to $8,000, but only one application per organization is allowed. Applicants must...