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Consumer Reports: Electric vehicles less reliable, on average, than conventional cars and trucks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Electric vehicles have proved far less reliable, on average, than gasoline-powered cars, trucks and SUVs, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports, which found that EVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than did vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines. Consumer Reports said EV owners most frequently reported troubles with battery and charging systems as well as flaws in how the vehicles’ body panels and interior parts fit together. The magazine and website noted that EV manufacturers are still learning to construct completely new power systems, and it suggested that as they do, the overall reliability of electric vehicles should improve.Still, Consumer Reports noted that lingering concerns about reliability will likely add to the issues that give many buyers pause when considering a switch to the new technology, joining concerns about higher costs, too few charging stations and long charging times.“This sto...

City notified after water pipe bursts, flooding roadway in Toronto’s east-end

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

Toronto police are advising residents to avoid an east-end neighbourhood after a water pipe burst, flooding the roadway.In a post on X on Wednesday morning, police say drivers may encounter delays in the area of Logan and Simpson avenues, near Carlaw Avenue and Gerrard Street East.The City of Toronto has been notified.So far, the area has not been closed off to traffic.Flooding on Simpson Avenue in Toronto due to a burst water pipe on Nov. 298, 2023. CITYNEWS/Karim IslamHAZARD:Logan Ave & Simpson Ave8:31am– reports of a burst water pipe in the area– area is flooded with water– the City of Toronto has been made aware– delays in the area– consider alternate routes #GO2750527^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 29, 2023

Canadian navy in critical state, could fail to meet readiness commitments: commander

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

The commander of Canada’s navy says the force is in a “critical state,” with many occupations at or below 80 per cent of their normal staffing.In a video posted to the navy’s YouTube page, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says that could mean the navy does not meet its readiness commitments next year and beyond.Topshee says the West Coast fleet is suffering because there’s a lack of qualified people to maintain and operate the ships, and the navy can sail only one of its new Arctic and offshore patrol vessels at a time.He also says the air force and army are in similar situations because the Armed Forces recruitment wing has failed to meet its targets for over 10 years.As a result, Topshee says, the navy may not maintain its force strength this year and will not be able to hold it steady next year.Another significant challenge for the navy, he says, is to extend the life of its Halifax class ships for another 15 years until the new surface combatants are read...

Can Southern Ontario expect a white Christmas? Weather Network unveils winter weather forecast

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

With December just around the corner, the Weather Network (TWN) is out with its winter weather preview and says El Niño will be a major factor in how the season plays out this year.Forecasters are predicting a mild start to winter, but say a wintry pattern could develop around the holidays, and then it’s expected to be cold to kick off the new year.“El Niño has a reputation for bringing mild winters to much of Canada and it appears that this winter will feature one of the strongest El Niño events on record,” reads the TWN preview. “The core of winter will begin mildly, with most Canadians not experiencing consistently cold temperatures until later in the season.”The Weather Network is out with its Winter Weather Preview Forecasters predict a mild start to Dec. – but to not rule out a white Christmas ????????Looking ahead to 2024 – despite El Niño – we could be in for a cold January and February. https://t.co/WoziGwC4ky— Laura Ca...

Lawmakers move to force a vote this week on expelling Rep. George Santos from the House

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers from both parties moved Tuesday to force a vote this week on the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York who was the subject of a scathing ethics investigation released earlier this month and is facing nearly two dozen charges in federal court.Santos responded to the competing expulsion resolutions by taking to the House floor and asking colleagues to understand what kind of precedent it would set for him to be removed before federal charges against him are resolved. He made clear he would not be resigning beforehand.“This expulsion vote simply undermines and underscores the precedent that we've had in this chamber,” Santos said. “It starts and puts us in a new direction, a dangerous one.”Santos has survived two prior expulsion votes. But a report released by the House Ethics Committee following a monthslong investigation has prompted new outrage. The report released Nov. 16 was unsparing in its criticism, concludi...

Tribute service held to honor Rosalynn Carter

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A tribute service was held in Atlanta on Tuesday for former first lady Rosalynn Carter with all five living first ladies as well as former President Bill Clinton and President Joe Biden in attendance."Her memory will be a blessing. Her influence on the world will be her monument," said PBS anchor Judy Woodruff.Former President Jimmy Carter, who entered hospice care earlier this year, made a rare public appearance in a wheelchair. Daughter shares heartwarming letter Jimmy Carter sent Rosalynn 75 years ago The service featured remembrances from their children and grandchildren."She was born just a few years after women got the right to vote, but she was made for these long journeys and she was made to summit these mountains," said her grandson, Jason Carter.Husband and wife country stars, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed a duet during the service.A love letter written from her husband 75 years ago was recited by the Carters' daughter, Amy Carter, d...

Dean’s Home Video: Candy Cane Lane, The Family Switch, Genie and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards has this week's home video picks.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

'Enhanced' severe risk east of I-35 on Thursday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds increase today ahead of a western storm that will bring rain, isolated thunderstorms, and a low-end tornado risk to parts of Central Texas on Thursday.Today, gray skies will keep temperatures down. We'll be lucky if we clip 60º this afternoon. As clouds lower and thicken late in the day and the atmosphere moistens, drizzle, mist and light fog develop this evening, but generally we should stay dry during the daylight hours today.On Thursday, we are expecting a low risk of severe thunderstorms in our eastern communities, including the possibility of a brief, weak tornado.Scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday morning through early afternoon may begin to rotate, mainly east of I-35, potentially leading to an isolated, weak tornado similar to what Caldwell County saw in late October. NEW this morning, the severe weather risk has increased to a 2 out of 5 for areas just east of Austin and now an "Enhanced" risk (3 out of 5) for some of our eastern counties w...

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson in Washington, D.C. Wednesday advocating for Texas rail service

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is in Washington, D.C. Wednesday advocating for significant federal dollars to be invested into Texas' transportation infrastructure. Watson wants projects coming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (otherwise called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal) to come to Texas. Specifically, the tens of billions of dollars in funding set aside for new Amtrak rail service. "Amtrak was given a great deal of money, $66 billion over the next few years, which is frankly, more money than Amtrak has received since it was created back in 1972," Watsons said. More than $20 billion of that will go toward fixing and upgrading current infrastructure, he added. Mayor Watson will speak about Texas' need for new rail service during the "Getting on the Right Track: Navigating the Future of Intercity Passenger Rail in America" hearing Wednesday afternoon. That hearing is happening in the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materia...

Kyle Fire Department adds 3 new engines, breaks ground on new station

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:15 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- The Kyle Fire Department marked a month of milestones in November. The department welcomed three new engines. Along with that, KFD broke ground on Station 4 at 110 High Road."This 2-acre lot will now be home to our newest station serving the northeast side of Kyle," KFD said in a Facebook post. The Kyle Fire Department said it added three new engines and broke ground on a new station all in the month of November. (Photo: Kyle Fire Department)The Kyle Fire Department said it added three new engines and broke ground on a new station all in the month of November. (Photo: Kyle Fire Department)The fire department said this station will be a collaborative effort with TXST CIEDAR, a new research and development marketplace for Texas State University. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kyle Fire reducing response times, adding positions as city continues to grow KFD said it will focus on research to address challenges like flooding, extreme weather and firefighter health. "As a d...