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‘The voice of a couple of generations’: Why so many people want to see Taylor Swift

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

The headline-grabbing frenzy to secure tickets to Taylor Swift’s Toronto shows is a culmination of the pop star’s “unique” status in music history and her brilliant marketing skills, says a professor who taught a course on the subject.Jamie Gillies, a communications and public policy professor who led the “Communications and Taylor Swift” course at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, says it’s no surprise that many Swifties were left on waitlists — or shut out altogether — in their attempts so far to buy coveted tickets for the only Canadian stop of the global Eras Tour.“I think the challenge with Toronto is it’s six shows for 40 million people (across Canada), right? So they’re probably the most in-demand tickets, even more than the ones that have happened in U.S. and Europe, simply because there are so many people trying to go to these six shows,” Gillies said in an interview.The first day of Ticketm...

Stock market today: Asian stocks decline after US inflation edges higher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets declined Friday after U.S. inflation edged higher, fueling unease about the outlook for the biggest global economy.Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney declined. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday. Oil prices edged lower.Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index gained less than 0.1% on Thursday after government data showed consumer prices rose 3.2% in July. That was higher than the previous month but below forecasts.Traders hope the data will persuade the Federal Reserve that inflation that peaked above 9% last year is under control and no more interest rate hikes are needed.“As benign as the inflation report was initially interpreted, investors quickly shifted concerns to factors that could disrupt the narrative, such as scorchingly high energy and food prices,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management in a report.The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.7% to 3,231.05 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.6% to 19,131.11. The Kospi in Seoul...

Tropical storm weakens after leaving scattered damage in South Korea, which turns to Scout concert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Flights and trains resumed and power was mostly restored Friday after a tropical storm blew through South Korea, which was preparing a pop concert for 40,000 Scouts whose global Jamboree was disrupted by the weather.Much of Khanun’s damage was concentrated in the country’s southern and eastern regions, where several cities and towns saw 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches) of rain. Dozens of houses and buildings were damaged, roads were closed and at least one death was reported.Khanun had weakened by the time it arrived in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area Thursday night, and it blew into North Korea early Friday as a tropical depression.South Korean officials lifted a nationwide alert over the storm and were channeling much of their administrative resources into throwing a K-pop concert at a Seoul soccer stadium Friday evening as the closing event of the World Scout Jamboree.The event had been held at a coastal campsite before Khanun forced ...

Why South Llano River landowner wants to build a private dam

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

ROCKSPRINGS (KXAN) -- Fiery testimony came from Hill Country residents at a public comment meeting held Thursday night by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as the organization decides the fate of a proposed private dam on a crucial Lake Travis tributary.Houston-based oil executive Gregory Garland applied to build the dam in 2018 for 'recreational' purposes. Garland was at the meeting Thursday night. Dried Up: The impact the proposed dam would have on Lake Travis inflows Garland said the proposed private reservoir near the headwaters of the only river currently providing water flow into the Highland Lakes is to increase water capacity for wildlife and fish. It would not be used for commercial purposes, Garland said, and he will not use motorized watercraft on it.Garland, flanked by his attorney, was on stage alongside TCEQ staff in a large auditorium to answer public comment from a long line of concerned residents. There were an estimated 187 people in attendance...

Weekend Shooting at Amsterdam park disrupts basketball tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A basketball tournament held in Montgomery County over the weekend in an effort to raise awareness for youth and gun violence was ironically disrupted by gunfire. Event founders say they were honoring Dominique Eley, a young woman killed by gunfire on Albany streets, last year. News10 was able to speak with event planners and city officials and has more on developments there. Capital Region asylum seekers told not to talk to media Kids from across the state were in Amsterdam, New York for a basketball tournament that was abruptly ended after someone at Veteran’s Park was shot. Police say an Amsterdam woman came to the event and shot someone she knew in the while the tournament was taking place just feet away on the basketball courts.Summertime Love Foundation helps teens to stay on the right track and keep guns out of their hands. The mentorship program was developed by Robert McDonald an Albany man who now lives down in the city.“Guns are too prevalent ...

The first Cannabis Growers Showcase sprouts in New York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Cannabis is budding out across the state, now taking root in New Paltz. This comes as growers are meeting up to have an accessible way to sell without a local dispensary.Organized by High Falls Canna, Director of Cannabis Operations, Matt Brewer, describes the Cannabis Growers Showcase as a partnership between those in the industry. “We’re excited to invite other farmers and friends and processors to this first annual event.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This is the first time New Paltz has had local, legal access to marijuana outside of the legacy, or illegal market. The sellers also took this time to make connections with their customers. “They can take a look, they can meet the farmer, they can talk about the products and now they can purchase the products," described Brewer.Just like those buying cannabis, this is the first time some growers have been able to sell their goods. “Now we have an av...

Sale closed in Danville: $2.4 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

842 El Quanito Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 800 block of El Quanito Drive in Danville has new owners. The 2,322-square-foot property, built in 1974, was sold on July 28, 2023, for $2,400,000, or $1,034 per square foot. This single-story house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property is equipped with central A/C. In addition, the house features an attached two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 0.3-acre, and boasts a pool for relaxation and recreation.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:A 2,065-square-foot home on the 800 block of El Cerro Boulevard in Danville sold in June 2022, for $1,850,000, a price per square foot of $896. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Ackerman Drive, Danville, in June 2023, a 2,226-square-foot home was sold for $2,295,000, a price per square foot of $1,031. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,4...

Mountain lions seen eating deer outside Peninsula home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

(KRON) -- Several mountain lions have been seen in the Peninsula town of Hillsborough in recent days, the Hillsborough Police Department reported on Facebook. A resident on the 1400 block of Marlborough Road claimed they saw two mountain lions eating a deer on their property.Mountain lion cubs were also spotted in a den by another resident of the area. Local gymnast sets eyes on 2024 Olympics "Mountain lions are known to live and roam in the green belts that surround Hillsborough. Mountain lions’ primary prey is deer, although they have also been known to attack many of the animals captured on our trail cameras as well as pets," police said. Police advise Hillsborough residents to keep domesticated pets indoors during dawn, dusk and the evenings. In addition, doors should be closed and locked at night. Police also say to avoid feeding deer, as it is illegal in California and could attract mountain lions. People are also told not to jog or hike through the woods when it is dark o...

SF affordable housing bill introduced by State Sen. Wiener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- State Sen. Scott Wiener has introduced a new bill to the California legislature that will create more affordable housing in San Francisco. The bill is intended to right a wrong from 75 years ago when the term “urban renewal” was used to describe the demolishing of homes and businesses of Black people.One San Francisco woman remembers when it happened to her family in the Fillmore District.On August 10, 1948, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency was formed. For 28 years, thousands of homes were demolished in the city. The agency at the time said it was addressing urban blight, but those impacted see it differently. This California county has the most gun deaths, and it may surprise you “Very traumatic it was devastating,” said SF resident Mattie Scott.Black and white photos of that time may be decades old, but the pain is very real for those who experienced the work of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.Scott remembers what it was like watching homes a...

Schnitzer Steel in Oakland has history of fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:52 GMT

(KRON) -- An air quality advisory has been issued in the Bay Area due to the potential health hazards in the wake of the fire. A history of environmental violations at Schnitzer Steel is receiving scrutiny in the wake of the incident.Flames from Wednesday's large debris pile fire at Schnitzer Steel in West Oakland may have been contained to the site, but concerns regarding the hazardous smoke from the fire still linger. Fire near Port of Oakland still impacting Bay Area air quality "If you smell smoke, it's best to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed," Bay Area Air Quality Management District spokesperson Tina Landis said. An air quality advisory has been extended through Thursday."We are still seeing some smoke impacts localized around the fire. Oakland, Berkeley area," Landis said. "Smoke went all the way to the South Bay. We're watching it very closely. We have inspectors on the scene"The air district inspectors will help determine whether or not any violations were ...