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AP Interview: Jennifer Granholm says US aims to create nuclear fusion facility within 10 years

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Monday that nuclear fusion is a pioneering technology and the Biden administration wants to harness it as part of the transition to clean energy.As part of its energy agenda, the Biden administration wants to create a commercial nuclear fusion facility within 10 years, Granholm said in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press in Vienna.Fusion works by pressing hydrogen atoms into each other with such force that they combine into helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy and heat. Unlike other nuclear reactions, it doesn’t create radioactive waste. Proponents of nuclear fusion hope it could one day displace fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources. But producing carbon-free energy that powers homes and businesses from fusion is still decades away.“It’s not out of the realm of possibility” that the U.S. could achieve Biden’s “decadal vision of commercial fusion,” Granholm said. A successful nuclear ...

Manslaughter charges thrown out in Michigan prisoner’s death

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

MUNISING, Mich. (AP) — A judge dismissed charges Monday against six people in the death of a Michigan prisoner who lost 50 pounds over two weeks and died of dehydration while being restrained in 2019.There was evidence of a lack of proper care for Jonathan Lancaster but not enough to send two former prison officials and four nurses to trial for involuntary manslaughter, Alger County Judge Charles Nebel said.Lancaster’s life already was in peril when he was moved to an observation cell at the Alger prison and died three days later, the judge said.“This is not the end for us,” Lancaster’s sister, Danielle Dunn, said. “We will fight for an appeal and continue to advocate for other families like ours as well as current incarcerated citizens.”Lancaster, 38, was in prison for robbery and gun crimes in the Detroit area. He had a history of mental illness and showed symptoms while at Alger, including paranoia, anxiety, loss of appetite and insomnia, his family said.N...

Free COVID-19 tests are now available for order from the US government

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

Covid-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home Covid-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. Covid-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home Covid-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. (CNN) — Covid-19 tests are now available to be ordered for free from the US government.St...

Protecting quarterback Sam Howell is a major issue moving forward for the Washington Commanders

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) Sam Howell on Sunday became just the sixth quarterback since the Super Bowl era began and the first since Warren Moon in 1995 to get sacked nine times and throw four interceptions.The interceptions are on Howell, and the second-year pro could probably get rid of the ball quicker. But the Washington Commanders’ biggest i...

Fatal Florida train crash highlights dangers of private, unguarded crossings that exist across US

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The weekend crash between a train and an SUV that killed six people in Florida happened at a private road crossing where little more than a sign or two is required — no crossing gates, no flashing lights, no warning sound.The Federal Railroad Administration reports there are more than 80,000 such crossings in the U.S. and has recommended installation of uniform, easy-to-understand warning signs, though officials often have no jurisdiction over the private crossings. Over a 10-year period ending in 2017 there were 3,427 accidents at private crossings, about 14% of the national total during that span, according to the agency.Another one happened Saturday night at a crossing near Plant City, Florida, east of Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that just before 7 p.m., a Cadillac Escalade driven by Jose G. Hernandez, 52, crossed the tracks into the path of a CSX train going 55 mph (88 kph).Hernandez died Sunday at a hospit...

Emergency meeting held with Miami city officials after slab of building falls on street during demolition in Brickell 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

City leaders in Miami are searching for answers after a building demolition caused chaos on the street. According to the City of Miami Fire Rescue, a slab of a building that was being demolished tumbled to the ground in the area of Brickell Avenue and Seventh Street, at around 2:40 p.m., Saturday.The work within the site was paused pending a meeting between city officials and those responding, Monday morningAs of Monday afternoon, there has been no word on what occurred during the meeting with city officials. 7News reached out to Pompano Beach-based construction company Alpha Wrecking, who are handling the building’s demolition. The company has not responded to 7News. The developers of the project, Swire Properties, released the following statement that reads as follows, “The incident is under investigation. We’re grateful that there were no injuries or significant property damage. Safety is our absolute top priority. The site has been secured and work is stopped ...

2 people face charges in connection with alleged illegal dental operation out of Milford convenience store

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

Two people are facing charges after Milford police said they uncovered an illegal dentist office operating out of the back of a local convenience store. Milford police announced charges in the case on Saturday following what police described as an “extensive investigation” involving both the Milford Police Department and the Milford Board of Health. Milford’s police chief later discussed the case on Monday, asking anyone who visited the dentist office to come forward to get checked out.“My big concern is sepsis (and) infection,” said Police Chief Robbie Tusino.Milford police said the dentist office in question was located at the Alternativa Convenience Store on Main Street. One man, Juan Hermida Munoz, allegedly operated the dentist office within the store without a license, providing services including examinations, tooth extractions, anesthetics and cleanings, according to police. Munoz was subsequently summonsed to court charges including unauthorized practice of m...

Woman with local ties launches into space to work on the International Space Station

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

A woman with local ties recently launched into space to do work on the International Space Station. Astronaut Loral O’Hara formerly worked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution before signing up to go into space. Speaking with 7NEWS, one of her former coworkers discussed seeing O’Hara shoot for the stars. “Loral is just a shining, shining star,” said Dennis McGillicuddy, a senior scientist at Woods Hole. O’Hara once worked as an engineer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Now, she is making her first spaceflight with a Russian crew to the ISS. “She is an incredibly gifted and talented mechanical engineer which is what brought her to us originally but that drive to explore was clearly present from the get-go,” McGillicuddy said. McGillicuddy continued, saying space exploration isn’t that different from exploring the oceans.“Like space, the deep ocean is a very harsh environment with very, very high pressures, ...

Write stuff: Scribes make tentative deal on strike

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

LOS ANGELES — The union representing screenwriters reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios to end a historic strike after nearly five months, raising hopes that a crippling shutdown of movie and television filming could be near an end.The governing boards of the two branches of the Writers Guild of America are likely to vote on the contract Tuesday. With their approval, writers will then vote on the deal, and the strike can officially end. Network shows including NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could return to the air within days.Details of the agreement have not yet been made public or even shared with the writers themselves because the contract language is being finalized. But the WGA said in an email to members that the deal was “exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”The pact “was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary su...

Bruins announce roster for Sabres game on Tuesday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:25:24 GMT

The Bruins announced the roster the roster for Tuesday’s preseason game in Buffalo and it will be Milan Lucic’s first time in uniform since re-signing with the B’s in the summer.John Beecher, who had a strong game in the B’s 3-0 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday in the preseason opener, will be back in the lineup as he vies for the fourth line center slot. Mason Lohrei, the B’s top defense prospect will make his preseason debut. Danton Heinen and Alex Chiasson, two veterans in camp on tryout agreements, will get their first chance to push for a roster spot.BRUINS ROSTER AT BUFFALO ON TUESDAY (7 pm)Forwards: John Beecher, Jesper Boqvist, Alex Chiasson, John Farinacci, Danton Heinen, Trevor Kuntar, Jakub Lauko, Milan Lucic, Marc McLaughlin, Jayson Megna, Georgii Merkulov, Oskar Steen, Luke ToporowskiDefensemen: Frederic Brunet, Brandon Carlo, Jackson Edward, Matt Grzelcyk, Mason Lohrei, Ryan Mast, Ian MitchellGoaltenders: Michael DiPietro, Kyle Keyser