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Were your holiday deliveries stolen? What to know about porch piracy and what you can do about it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

By HALELUYA HADERO (AP Business Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — You found the perfect holiday gift online. You ordered it. A notification arrived on your phone, showing the package had arrived. But when you open your doors, the parcel is nowhere to be found.If this has happened to you, then count yourself among the unlucky group of shoppers who fall victim to package thefts — or porch piracy, as it’s commonly known.Here’s what you should know about the issue, and what to do if it happens to you.How big of a problem is porch piracy?It’s hard to tell. Most police departments don’t track package theft in its own category, which means there’s a lack of national data.The FBI’s figures do show burglary offenses and larceny-theft — a category that includes shoplifting, pickpocketing, and instances of package theft — have decreased overall in the last 20-plus years. But since both categories are broad and the agency doesn’t keep tabs on specific incidents of package thefts, it’s challenging to know ...

A tip to combat seasonal depression amid the shorter days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The first official day of winter begins on Thursday, marking the start of the winter solstice, dictated by the position of the Earth relative to the sun, as we exit the shortest day of the year—9 hours and 28 minutes of daytime—and fall into the longest night of the year due to the sun being at its most southern position in the sky. The Earth’s tilt is what gives us our seasons.“So, that’s why we’re getting cooler weather, less sunlight. And we warm up in the spring and summer because we have more sunlight in the spring and summer,” Jon Carney, meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said.With more darkness in the sky than sunlight, this time of the year is not always happy for a lot of people. Especially those who fight seasonal depression.“Seasonal depression usually happens in the winter months when we get less light. The belief is that with less light, you have a lowered serotonin level, so that can impact your mood,” Dr. Paul Nims, a licensed professional cou...

Police investigate two thefts Thursday at Plaza Frontenac

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

FRONTENAC, Mo. - Authorities are investigating two separate thefts that unfolded Thursday afternoon at the Plaza Frontenac shopping center. The Frontenac Police Department tells FOX 2 that thieves targeted two different stores at Plaza Frontenac. Police say both thefts involved multiple people. Soulard bar owners question legitimacy of NYE bar crawl promoted online No injuries or arrests have been reported at this time. It's unclear how much in merchandise might have been stolen. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

St. Louis doctors note uptick in respiratory viruses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Medical officials in St. Louis are seeing a rise in seasonal respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19.“Watching the respiratory virus season unfold, we are seeing more cases of RSV, which is the respiratory syncytial virus,” Melissa Tepe, vice president and chief medical officer for Affinia Healthcare, said. “This is including more hospitalizations now, and also flu and COVID. So, really bringing the St. Louis Pandemic Task Force back to the table to review those numbers.”The St. Louis Pandemic Task Force has had a meeting to review data and get messaging out.The White House recognizes that seasonal RSV is on the rise nationwide. On Tuesday, senior administration officials met with the CEOs of the companies that make the RSV vaccine and requested that more vaccines be made available.“We think that families should have access to the RSV vaccine,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “It is important for families to have access to that. We’re goi...

Colorado elected leaders, community groups push for cease-fire as Gaza death toll grows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

More than 50 current and former elected officials, community leaders, religious leaders and representatives of nonprofit groups called Thursday for Colorado’s congressional delegation to push more forcefully for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to stop the killing of civilians.“We must demand a cease-fire,” State Rep. Iman Jodeh said on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol in Denver. “We cannot allow the word cease-fire to become taboo. We cannot allow the word cease-fire to be the word that they fear the most.”She added: “If we do, the next word that will be taboo is peace.”Jodeh, an Aurora Democrat and Palestinian-American, penned an open letter earlier this month that has been signed by more than 100 leaders and groups in the state. It appeals for Congress to seek a “bilateral ceasefire, the return of all hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinian prisoners in Israel, full restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and ensur...

Broncos OC Joe Lombardi’s advice for Russell Wilson after Sean Payton sideline dust-up: “What goes on on gameday stays on gameday”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

Joe Lombardi has worked for Sean Payton longer than almost anybody in football.The Broncos offensive coordinator is in his 13th season as an assistant in some capacity on a Payton coaching staff.He’s heard probably most or all of the stories. He’s seen the magic at work. He’s been a part of a Super Bowl team, some much leaner years, Payton’s year suspended by the NFL and much more.He’s undoubtedly been yelled at. A lot.Maybe it’s no surprise, then, that he laughed off the story this week that’s carried on after NFL Network cameras on Saturday night caught Payton reaming quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline after a second-half sequence in which Denver stalled out on the goal line.“I think early on, (you learn) gamedays are like Vegas,” Lombardi said Thursday. “What goes on on gameday stays on gameday. It’s an emotional time and you can’t take things personal. We’ve all been on the end of that and we’ve all been Sean as well, yelling at somebody. I don’t think it’s nearly ...

Gunman opens fire in a Prague university, killing 14 people in Czech Republic's worst mass shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting.The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He didn't explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise. Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun,...

Bearcloud, A Shamanic Visionary, Uncovers the Mysteries of Native Wisdom and Egyptian Connection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

Bearcloud, the extraordinary author and visionary behind “Native American Spiritual Secrets,” has taken the world on an unparalleled journey into the heart of ancient wisdom and mysticism. His work serves as a bridge between the Native American and Egyptian cultures, revealing profound insights about our spiritual journey on Earth.In his book, Bearcloud shares a series of visions that have led him to uncover hidden secrets and symbols within the Egyptian pyramids. These enigmatic discoveries parallel the Native American way of connecting with Spirit and the Earth. As a seer and spiritual artist, Bearcloud offers an unprecedented perspective on the unity of these two ancient traditions.One of the most intriguing aspects of his work is the belief that the ancient mystics not only created a source of power within the pyramids but that these teachings came from the stars and the natural world. This revelation aligns with Native prophecies about the return of the White Buffal...

Enhancing Your Driving Experience with NeoTires: A Comprehensive Guide to Tire Sizes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

IntroductionWhen it comes to optimizing your vehicle’s performance and ensuring a smooth driving experience, choosing the right tires is paramount. In the world of tire options, NeoTires has emerged as a reliable and innovative brand, dedicated to providing drivers with top-notch quality. In this article, we will delve into the unique features of NeoTires and explore the importance of understanding tire sizes using their comprehensive Tire Size Chart.NeoTires: Driving Innovation and PerformanceNeoTires has carved a niche for itself in the competitive tire market by focusing on innovation, durability, and performance. As an avid driver, you may wonder what sets NeoTires apart from other brands. One key aspect is their commitment to using advanced technology and high-quality materials to create tires that excel in various driving conditions.NeoTires places a strong emphasis on safety and efficiency, making their tires suitable for a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to S...

Artist/Writer Remedy Da Franchise on How ALIBI Music Took Her Back to ‘Old School Rap’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:58:50 GMT

During a recent interview with ALIBI Music founder/executive producer Jonathan Parks, he told me that one of the coolest parts of running his production music library is getting the opportunity to work with so many talented composers, producers and artists from around the world, each with their own indelible impact on the art we all love. The music resulting from these collaborations is used in an array of film and TV projects, from movie trailers, promos and commercials to documentaries, video games and streaming series.“It’s pretty awesome to have such talent at our fingertips and to see (and hear) that validated onscreen,” he said. “But once in a while, someone’s fresh energy will stand out, and we’ll know we’re catching them at the start of something big. ‘This one’s the real deal,’ we’ll say.”ALIBI recently had that experience while creating its Old School Rap album. Parks and his team had tapped an up-and-coming artist/writer for two of the tracks, and the level of authenticit...