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Austin's first Muslim city council member celebrates Ramadan, talks about challenges, rewards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holy month of Ramadan is officially underway, as Muslims from all over the world fast from dawn to dusk for an entire month.In Austin, district 9 council member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri — the first Muslim elected to Austin City Council — has been fasting for over two weeks."Fasting means no food intake, no water intake, I can't even chew gum,” he said. “So, it's absolutely nothingness for about 12-13 hours each day."While it’s been tough at times to abstain from food and drink during the daylight hours, the Indian American believes it’s all worth inspiring others."My hope is that my time in office shows the younger generations that this could be them too," Qadri said.Along with his daily duties as a local leader, Qadri prays five times a day.He says this month is all about getting closer to God and reminding himself of the suffering of those less fortunate."I started fasting when I was 12 years old,” Qadri said. “It brings me closer to God, brings me closer to my family...

This little-known rule causes speed limits to go up in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When the signs changed on State Highway 130 in 2012, and the posted speed limit rose to 85 mph, the 90-mile stretch of road officially earned the title of fastest highway in the nation. But Highway 130 is far from the only Texas route where cars have been going faster over time — and are doing so legally. Texas, like many other states around the country, sets speed limits on state roadways using the "85% rule." Basically, the Department of Transportation comes out to a highway, monitors how fast everyone is going in a speed survey, and sets the new speed limit at the 85th percentile. If you think about it a different way, the speed limit is essentially being set by the top 15% of fastest drivers. Once DOT engineers determine the speed of the 85th percentile, they'll round the number to the nearest 0 or 5, and make that the new speed limit. Is it illegal to skip using your blinker in Texas? “The method by which speed limits were set meant that the fastest drivers ...

Glen twin drive-in sets opening date for 2023 season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — North Country families will once again be able to enjoy a movie night under the stars when the Glen Twin Drive-In opens May 5. Located at 983 Route 9 in Queensbury, the outdoor theater—known to many as "the Glen"—has been around since 1958. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Organizers have not yet announced which movies will be playing on opening weekend. They will be posted on the venue's website in the coming weeks. The drive-in is always double feature, with the first film screening at dusk. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for children. ‘Paint,’ Owen Wilson film shot in Saratoga, now in theaters There will be a job fair at the venue's snack bar on April 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested applicants must be 17 years old.

Albany gas prices spike amid oil producers' cuts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia recently said they'd be cutting supplies of crude, and the Capital Region is already feeling the pain at the pump. In Albany, a gallon of gas set most people back $3.48 on Friday—nearly five cents more than it would have a week ago. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "While demand has been somewhat soft this spring, the move to cut oil production ahead of the busiest months for consumption certainly sends a message that OPEC+ countries are aligned in their desire for consumers to pay more," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "While the initial impact to consumers could be 10 to 20 cents at the pump, there could be further developments in the days or weeks ahead that enhance the impact, especially as motorists prepare for the summer driving season."Despite the recent increase, Albany gas prices are still below the national aver...

Denver weather: Warm, blue skies through the weekend — with highs in the 80s next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

A few clouds may float across warm blue skies Friday with a light breeze and high temperatures above 60 degrees through Easter Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.The wind probably will not blow at speeds exceeding 10 miles per hour, and the high temperature Friday in metro Denver will be 65 degrees, weather service forecasters said.A shift toward warmer weather with high temperatures reaching 68 degrees on Sunday is expected to continue, bringing temperatures exceeding 80 degrees by Tuesday and Wednesday under sunny blue skies with few if any clouds, forecasters said.Colorado residents may see rain showers here and there Saturday afternoon, most likely in the mountains. But overall the weather is expected to remain dry.A weak system may bring an isolated light shower Saturday afternoon, mainly for the higher terrain. After that, clearing up and warming significantly through the middle of the work week. Expect temperatures to climb into the low 80's Tue/Wed for muc...

In its 10th season, The Rooftop has become a trademark area of Coors Field: “It’s the best bar in all of baseball.”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

When The Rooftop debuted at the 2014 home opener, Rockies owner Dick Monfort said the club’s decision to turn 3,500 right-field seats into a $10 million party deck would add “another dimension” to Coors Field.As The Rooftop opened its 10th season on Thursday, the multi-level primarily standing-room only bar is now a trademark section of the stadium.“Ultimately you’re trying to keep fans engaged for as long as possible, and one way to do that is to provide a better environment for them to watch a game from a different vantage point,” former Rockies outfielder and current TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs said. “That’s what they accomplished with The Rooftop.”Other teams offer experiences similar to The Rooftop, such as the seats on top of the Green Monster at Fenway Park (you need a ticket for those sections to enter), the Coors Light Chop House Deck at Atlanta’s Truist Park (a private area) and the Hoffmann Brothers Rooftop in the...

Judy Blume is entertaining, relevant at Denver’s Women + Film Fest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

Author Judy Blume isn’t just a culture changer. Effervescent and wise, the 85-year-old writer of YA lit (before it was a hot genre) is the star of “Judy Blume Forever.” Entertaining and revealing, the documentary by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok is the fitting and fun (and occasionally infuriating)  opening night offering of the Women + Film Fest, which runs April 13-16.A lit star of the YA genre before it had that designation, Judy Blume shines in the documentary “Judy Blume Forever.” Courtesy Amazon Studios.It’s also timely: Earlier this week, the writer, who lives in Key West, Fla., pointedly criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his stance on the banning of some books in public schools.The 14th installment of one of Denver Film’s most successful and enduring branded festivals features notable films (Sundance documentary winner “The Eternal Memory”); filmmakers (Kelly Reichardt and Maite Alberdi); and compelling subjects (sex researcher Shere Hite, Black Barbie and...

What is Roman pizza? Find out at new spot on the Sixteenth Street Mall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

The restaurant: Sofia’s Roman Pizza, 1530 16th Street MallAbout: The fast-casual restaurant serves square, bready “Roman-style” pizza slices, along with salads and Italian-inspired cocktails, beer and wine. Sophia’s is part of a small Denver-based restaurant concept company called Work + Shop, which has a few other food and beverage businesses, including a coffee shop and a barbecue restaurant, in Seattle and Colorado.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | La Fillette Bakery reopens in larger space, adds brunch and booze Restaurants, Food and Drink | Comal Heritage Food Incubator will move to RiNo ArtPark Restaurants, Food and Drink | Denver Biscuit. Co, Fat Sully’s and Atomic Cowboy opening in Golden Restaurants, Food and Drink | Domo Japanese restaurant will reopen, despite closure last year Restaurants, Food and Drink | Kings of Wings reopens this weekend, more than a year af...

XXXTentacion's convicted killers sentenced to life in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Three men were given life sentences on Thursday for the 2018 killing of star rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop while being robbed of $50,000.Michael Boatwright, 28, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24, were each convicted last month of first-degree murder and armed robbery by a jury following eight days of deliberations. Prosecutors had not sought the death penalty, so life in prison was the only sentence that Broward County Circuit Judge Michael Usan could impose for the first-degree murder convictions.During the month-long trial, prosecutors linked Boatwright, Williams and Newsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store, plus cellphone videos the men took showing themselves flashing fistfuls of $100 bills hours after the slaying. Prosecutors also had the testimony of a fourth man, Robert A...

Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week: Jasmine Whorley, Alameda softball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:28 GMT

Alameda softball player Jasmine Whorley is the Bay Area News Group’s high school girls athlete of the week for March 27-April 1 after she received 46.04% of the vote at the 5 p.m. deadline Wednesday.Saratoga softball player Lily Guzman (31.78%) placed second and Willow Glen softball player Alanna Clincy was third.Congratulations to all the candidates for this week’s recognition.Whorley, a junior pitcher, led Alameda to two victories last week, striking out 16 in 12 innings against Arroyo and Encinal. Whorley also had four hits and scored a run for the 6-3 Hornets.To nominate an athlete for next week’s poll, email [email protected] by Monday, April 10, at 11 a.m. Please include stats and team results.We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps.com by coaches/team statisticians for consideration.Winners are announced each Friday on the Mercury News & East Bay Times websites and, starting Sept. 30, in the print edition of the Mercury News and EB Times sports sec...