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Book Review: T.C. Boyle’s dark novel ‘Blue Skies’ explores world severely impacted by climate change

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

“Blue Skies” by T.C. Boyle (Liveright)There have been entire shelves of non-fiction books written about climate change. I’ve reviewed quite a few. They’re packed with truly frightening scenarios based on science. But somehow none of them are quite as devastating as T.C. Boyle’s latest novel, “Blue Skies.” Set in a not-too-distant future, “Blue Skies” is a work of fiction that begins with the premise: How will humans really react when their day-to-day lives are impacted by climate change? Boyle’s answer: They won’t. Much. Yes, if they live in almost-underwater Florida like Cat, the daughter in the book, they’ll fight back the ever-creeping mold in their house on stilts and pilot a boat to their kid’s pre-school. And if they’re an entomologist like Cat’s brother, Cooper, they’ll cover all their exposed skin and work outdoors in the dangerous California sun, trying to collect data on why all the insects are dying.But all that, argues Boyle, won’t stop horrible things from happeni...

1 dead, 59 injured in in crash between bus and truck in western Slovakia

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

A crash between a bus and truck on a major highway in western Slovakia killed one person and injured dozens, officials said on Monday. Firefighters reported that at least 59 people were injured. The accident closed the D2 highway that links the Slovak capital, Bratislava, with the neighboring Czech Republic, police said.Details about the nature of the injuries have not been been released, but rescuers said some people were seriously hurt.Slovak media said the bus was carrying Hungarian tourists.Police are investigating the cause of the crash.Bratislava,Slovakia, The Associated Press

Stock market today: Wall Street is mixed ahead of updates on U.S. shoppers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is drifting Monday ahead of reports showing how much a slowing economy is hurting what’s prevented a recession so far: solid spending by U.S. households.The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged in its first trading after closing out a second straight down week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 66 points, or 0.2%, at 33,234, as of 9:40 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher.Some of the sharper moves came from companies announcing takeovers of rivals, including an 8.7% drop for energy company Oneok after it said it’s buying Magellan Midstream Partners. Magellan jumped 14%. But the larger market was relatively quiet as several concerns continue to drag on Wall Street.Chief among them is the fear of a recession hitting later this year, in large part because of high interest rates meant to knock down inflation. But concerns are also rising about cracks in the U.S. banking system and the U.S. government’s inching toward a possible...

GM recalls nearly 1M SUVs for exploding airbag inflators

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

General Motors has recalled nearly one million three-row crossover SUVs for airbag inflators that could rupture unintentionally in a crash, the NHTSA disclosed Monday.The current recall escalates prior recalls from Oct. 7, 2021, and April 14, 2022. Those recalls encompassed only 555 and 2,787 vehicles, respectively. The expanded recall of 994,763 vehicles encompasses the following vehicles:2014-2017 Buick Enclave2014-2017 Chevrolet Traverse2014-2017 GMC AcadiaThough similar sounding in nature, the airbag recall is not related to the Takata airbag recall that was the largest recall in automotive history. The sweeping Takata airbag recall affecting about 67 million airbags in about 40 million vehicles made by most major automakers. Those airbag inflators could explode and shoot metal fragments into the cabin. The NHTSA attributes 24 deaths and more than 400 injuries in the U.S. to faulty airbags from Takata, which has since gone bankrupt. Many vehicle owners still have not had their ...

Most expensive home for sale in the Midwest found in Indiana

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. — The most expensive home currently for sale in the entire Midwest, and beyond, will set you back $47,900,000, but the sale includes more than just a single home.Big Tree Farm, near the southern border of Indiana, is a 550-acre, or 0.86 square mile estate featuring a main home, a guest quarters building, an entertainment facility a.k.a. honky-tonk roadhouse, a full 1950s style diner, and its own classic car museum, among numerous other amenities. Chicago suburbs’ most expensive home for sale In total, the property features 65,000 square feet of roof-covered space, 15 beds, 16 full-baths, three half-baths, eight lakes, and a 2,042 square foot pool. Its additional amenities include a shooting range, tennis facility, basketball court, miniature log cabin playground, horseshoe pit, multiple stone fire pits, and woodland nature trails.The main residence was inspired by the traditional mountain log cabin. Offering 8,786 square feet of living space, six bedrooms, and fi...

Still fixing up your clunker of a car instead of replacing it? You're not alone

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — With new and used cars still painfully expensive, Ryan Holdsworth says he plans to keep his 9-year-old Chevy Cruze for at least four more years. Limiting his car payments and his overall debt is a bigger priority for him than having a new vehicle.A 35-year-old grocery store worker from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Holdsworth would probably be in the market for a vehicle within a few years — if not for the high cost. For now, it's out of the question.“You’re not going to get one for a price you can afford,” he said.Holdsworth has plenty of company. Americans are keeping their cars longer than ever. The average age of a passenger vehicle on the road hit a record 12.5 years this year, according to data gathered by S&P Global Mobility. Sedans like Holdsworth's are even older, on average — 13.6 years.Mechanic Jon Guthrie inspects the underside of a 2014 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck at Japanese Auto Professional Service in Ann Arbor, Michigan. People are keeping the...

Another Mother’s Day: At 107, Myrtle Kemp has a lot to celebrate

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

Myrtle Klemp sits down at her piano and starts playing an old English folk tune:As she concentrates on “Country Garden” — ” …Roses, fox-gloves, snowdrops, forget-me-knots …” — her daughter sits next to her, filling in a note or two when needed. After the last note is played, Klemp’s two caregivers clap while her daughter gives her a hug.It is an impressive performance — especially at 107.For her three children, though, just having their mom here for another Mother’s Day is the best thing. After all, not everyone still has their mom when they are in their 60s and 70s. And she is still showing her kids (and her three grandchildren) the way.“I think it has been a wonderful blessing for us to watch her faith grow,” says Joy Klemp, her eldest daughter. “Her trust in the Lord has been the most important thing. She trusts God and she appreciates each day.”Not yet as old as Lillian, or Erna, or Maria &...

New ice cream stand, fun plex opening in Glenville

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Fat Boys Ice Cream and Family Fun Plex is coming to Glenville. Owners Dan Maggs and Brian Olesen are opening the business at the former Glenville Sportsplex property. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Maggs has owned Freeman's Bridge Wine & Liquor in Glenville for 20 years. Next door was Goldstock's Sporting Goods, which closed in 2019. Maggs said he and Olesen bought the property of both stores and Olesen is working to open a gun store in the former Goldstock's space.In addition to that property, Maggs and Olesen bought the six acres behind it where the Glenville Sportsplex used to be. "It had been on the market for about five years because nobody wanted it. Overgrown and forgotten. We bought it April of 2022," said Maggs. New ramen, bubble tea shop opens in Schenectady After a year of working on the property, the owners hope to open Fat Boys Ice Cream and mini-golf the first week of June. T...

Who's playing at South Glens Falls' free concerts this summer

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - South Glens Falls Historical Park is, as the name says, a gathering space for local history. This summer, local music will come together there, too. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! South Glens Falls' annual Concerts in the Park series kicks off again starting this July. Concerts are free, with help from the South Glens Falls Chamber of Commerce. Every concert is set for a Saturday. This summer's lineup includes:Broken Spurs BandJuly 1MarcabesJuly 8Noise of Summer - acapellaJuly 15Just Looking BandJuly 22Rustic SpiritJuly 29Super Mega UltraAug. 5Harmonic DuoAug. 12HeardAug 19 Beach Road to close for Americade in Lake George Each concert runs from 5-7 p.m. Food vendors are being sought to serve alongside the music. Those interested in vending can reach out to event sponsor John "JD" Donahue at (518) 744-4143, or [email protected] Glens Falls Historical Park is located along the Hu...

17-year-old dies due to injuries resulting from Albany crash

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:26:30 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 17-year-old has died due to injuries resulting from a car crash on Thursday. The crash took place around 2:08 p.m. in the area of the City of Albany line on State Route 85. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Bethlehem police say two people were involved in the crash and both were taken to area hospitals with injuries. Police say at this time the crash is still under investigation. Police did not release the name of the 17-year-old.