Whistleblower says utility should repay $382 million in federal aid given to failed clean coal plant

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Whistleblower says utility should repay $382 million in federal aid given to failed clean coal plant ATLANTA (AP) — A former employee is suing to force a Mississippi utility to repay $382 million that the federal government gave to build a failed coal-fueled power plant.Kelli Williams, a former construction manager for Atlanta-based Southern Co., filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the company and its subsidiary Mississippi Power Co. in 2018. That lawsuit, unsealed Monday, alleges that the two firms defrauded the U.S. Department of Energy and state regulators in a failed quest to build a $7.5 billion power plant. Williams says the company lied repeatedly about the plant’s cost overruns and spiraling delays, enticing the U.S. Department of Energy to keep delivering subsidy payments and persuading the Mississippi Public Service Commission to not revoke its permission for construction.“If DOE had known that defendants were intentionally deceiving the agency about the state of the Kemper project and were intentionally withholding accurate data about the project’s progress...

Anti-racism group says two Black Montreal firefighters faced years of racial abuse

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Anti-racism group says two Black Montreal firefighters faced years of racial abuse MONTREAL — Two Black Montreal firefighters say they have for years been subject to racist abuse from their colleagues and that their managers didn’t do anything about it.A Montreal anti-racism group told reporters today it filed a complaint with Quebec’s human rights commission on behalf of the two firefighters.The Red Coalition says one of the firefighters, on his first day at work, was called the N-word by a colleague and that he faced more insults after he told his team he didn’t eat pork because he was Muslim.Alain Babineau with the Red Coalition says that in the most recent alleged racist incident, a supervisor told one of the firefighters that a colleague’s use of the N-word was an example of freedom of speech. The coalition is asking the human rights commission to investigate the allegations and to order the Montreal Fire Department to pay each of the men $40,000 in damages.The City of Montreal didn’t immediately return a request for comment. Thi...

APD looking for leads in May Manor Road homicide

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

APD looking for leads in May Manor Road homicide AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help finding new leads in a homicide that happened nearly six months ago in east Austin. The victim in the homicide was identified as Davante Reece, 19. PREVIOUS: Man who died in east Austin homicide identified Davante Reece, 19, was identified as the victim of a May 9, 2023 homicide in east Austin. (Austin Police Department photo)Davante Reece, 19, was identified as the victim of a May 9, 2023 homicide in east Austin. (Austin Police Department photo)On Tuesday, May 9, around 11:29 p.m., APD officers responded to several calls reporting gunshots in the area of Manor Road and Rogge Lane. Officers at the scene checked that location but could not locate any victims. APD said a short time later, a woman called 911 and said her boyfriend had been shot. Officers responded to the call location, which was a few blocks away, in the 6200 block of Breeze Way.Officers found Reece in the area with “apparent gunshot w...

Greenport man arrested for drugs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Greenport man arrested for drugs GREENPORT, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Columbia County Sheriff's Office said they arrested Dave Christian, Jr., 26, of Greenport after he allegedly took off from a traffic stop and was found with drugs. The incident happened on Wednesday, October 26 around 11:30 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Deputies said they tried to pull over a Green Dodge charger for not having a front license plate on Joslen Blvd. When a deputy tried to stop Christian, he allegedly sped off at a high rate of speed. The chase was called off on Fairview Ave. due to a risk to the public.Another deputy found Christian's Charger parked in the Columbia Plaza. He was found and arrested a short time later. The Sheriff's Office said he had 40 Ecstasy pills and 49 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills in his possession. BPD: Duo forcibly steals car, flees police on thruway Charges:Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree (felony)Criminal Possession of a C...

BPD: Duo forcibly steals car, flees police on thruway

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

BPD: Duo forcibly steals car, flees police on thruway DELMAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Delanson woman was arrested after she and an accomplice forcibly stole a car from someone at the CVS in Delmar. Betsy Jablonski, 39, faces a slew of charges, as police continue to pursue her accomplice. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday, October 25, police were called to the CVS at 260 Delaware Avenue in Delmar for reports of a larceny in progress. Police say the larceny escalated to a robbery when Jablonski and her accomplice forcibly stole a car from someone at the store.Police tried to stop the car but the car refused. Eventually, the car pulled over near Exit 24 on the Thruway and both Jablonski and the passenger fled on foot. Police found Jablonski in a wooded area and took her into custody. She was taken to Albany Medical Center for minor injuries. Rite Aid hosting after-work immunization event Charges:Second-degree robberyThird-degree grand larcenyFourth-degree conspiracyThird-deg...

Prominent Capital Region chef looking for a kidney

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Prominent Capital Region chef looking for a kidney ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Chef Yono Purnomo, the founder of Yono's in Albany, has been in the Capital Region for almost five decades and has won numerous culinary accolades over the years. Now, Purnomo is looking for help from the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Purnomo has End Stage Renal Failure. In April, his kidney function rapidly declined and he now requires at-home dialysis every day. His wife, Donna Purnomo, said the at-home treatment allows Purnomo to go out to events, but still disrupts his way of life.The average wait time for people on the National Transplant Waiting List (for organs of those who are deceased) is between five and seven years. With Purnomo being 72, that makes the wait unrealistic, said Donna. That's why they are looking for a living donor. Common Roots now a two-building brewery in South Glens Falls His family took to social media by creating the Facebook page, Yono Needs a Kidney, which...

Softball raising money for South High Marathon Dance

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Softball raising money for South High Marathon Dance SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The 2024 South High Marathon Dance is still a few months off, but time moves fast. The annual dance raises funds for families fighting debilitating illnesses, as well as nonprofits and other organizations doing the same. In the months leading up to the spring tradition, South Glens Falls Central School District needs all the support it can get to ensure that the dance plays the role it strives to - and this weekend, it gets a boost of support through sport. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, Nov. 4, South Glens Falls Girls Recreational Softball hosts its annual Fall Foliage Softball Fundraiser. Four games will take to the field at once, with 8U and 10U categories starting at noon, followed by 12U and 14U at 2 p.m. Registration for the first two categories starts at 10:30 a.m., and the latter two at 12:30 p.m.The games all take place at the quads at Moreau Recreation Center, with $50...

This Alton mansion dubbed among 'creepiest places' in US

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

This Alton mansion dubbed among 'creepiest places' in US ALTON, Ill. - If you're craving a spooky experience this Halloween, look no further than Alton, Illinois. The Metro East city not only carries a rich history as one of America's most haunted towns, but one of its biggest tourist draws also ranks among the "creepiest places" in the United States. McPike Mansion, a three-story brick building situated on one of the highest point's of Alton, takes the title as the "creepiest place" of Illinois, per HGTV's new report via CNN. Built in the late 19th century, McPike Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s. It was once the home of Alton mayor Henry Guest McPike. ‘Got a joke?’ Why St. Louis trick-or-treaters might be asked this on Halloween According to tourism bureau Enjoy Illinois, thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators have visited the mansion throughout the years, attesting to its eerie presence and wandering spirits. HGTV offers the following insight on McPike Mansion: "McPike Mansion is...

Illinois horse stuck in mud saved by first responders

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Illinois horse stuck in mud saved by first responders MADISON COUNTY, Ill. -- First responders were busy Saturday rescuing a horse that got stuck in the mud. It looked like the saddest scene in the Never Ending Story movie before the horse was pulled to safety.Someone called the Madison County Technical Rescue Team from Troy, Illinois, Saturday afternoon to help save the horse. The animal was freed a short time after the team's arrival. A veterinarian helped to sedate the horse so that it could be safely moved to recover in another location. Surveillance cameras capture dramatic images of Central West End attack Several area fire departments helped with the rescue in addition to MERS Large Animal Rescue. They were able to save the animal's life without it being hurt.

Belt and Road Initiative: A Road of Green Development for the New Era

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:22 GMT

Belt and Road Initiative: A Road of Green Development for the New Era Along Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, animals as tall as giraffes cross the railroad bridges easily through the large passages built for them. At solar farms in Pakistan’s Punjab province, plants and fruits are grown under the solar panels. These scenes not only showcase the tangible outcomes delivered under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but also highlight how the Belt and Road cooperation is turning the inspiring vision of green development into reality with concrete actions.Ancient Chinese wisdom makes new contributionA sound ecosystem is essential for the prosperity of civilization. For thousands of years, the Chinese civilization has set great store by the idea that humanity must seek harmony with Nature. Into the new era, China is committed to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and pursuing modernization that features harmony between humanity and Nature. Thanks to persistent efforts, incredible progress has been accom...