How to visit these countries for free (or with incentives) in 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

How to visit these countries for free (or with incentives) in 2023 (WJW/NEXSTAR) – Looking for a free getaway, or maybe even one that you could earn money while taking? Several countries across the globe are dishing out incentives to bring in new tourism in 2023. Right now, the people of Finland (or rather, their legendary happiness) have inspired a promotion that would allow 10 lucky Americans to visit the country for free. In celebration of Finns being named the happiest people on the planet in the 2023 World Happiness Report for a sixth consecutive year, Visit Finland is inviting 10 foreigners to visit for free this June. Offering a four-day masterclass in how to find your inner-Finn, the organization is paying for travel to the all-inclusive Kuru Resort.There are only a few stipulations, too: You must be willing to come with an open mind, you must be OK being filmed during the event, and must be able to speak some English, according to Visit Finland. Are we dating the same guy? Facebook group lets you know "Finnish happiness is a skill. A ski...

New UT Austin exhibit honors first Black undergraduate students

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

New UT Austin exhibit honors first Black undergraduate students AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new outdoor exhibit at the Univeristy of Texas at Austin aims to share the stories of the university's first Black students in the 1950s.The exhibit, called "Precursors — We Are Texas East Mall," honors and tells the story of UT's first black undergraduate students. The university's Contextualization and Commemoration Initiative created the project, located on the East Mall near the Martin Luther King Jr. statue. The first Black undergraduates began at UT in the fall of 1954, but the first official cohort started classes in the fall of 1956. This group is knowns as "precursors," according to the project. "The East Mall project will commemorate these precursors’ experiences as well as those of the other Black students in the early days of campus integration," the project website said.UT began admitting Black graduate and professional students in 1950 but didn't allow Black undergraduate students until the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education court decision, according to...

Courts warn about scammers threatening jail time for missing jury duty

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Courts warn about scammers threatening jail time for missing jury duty Scammers are calling Minnesotans and threatening jail time for missed jury duty unless they pay up, according to a warning sent out on behalf of Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea.The state’s judicial branch never contacts people by email or phone, the release said.The scammers typically ask for a credit card number or other personal information in order to avoid incarceration, according to the alert. That information is then used for identity theft.“Counties and district courts are hearing, again, that scammers are preying on Minnesotans with fake jury duty phone calls,” said Chief Justice Gildea. “Jury duty is an important civic duty. I commend citizens who report for jury service, and urge Minnesotans to learn about and protect themselves from the potentially devastating consequences of these scams.”Recently, scammers have pretended to be Minnesota courts officials. In some cases, they have engaged in phone “spoofing” so it appears their...

Driver accused of possessing meth, heroin, and pills

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Driver accused of possessing meth, heroin, and pills AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man was arrested on Friday and is accused of possessing methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription pills. James Yawn, 27, faces multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Friday around 8:45 a.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office got a call reporting a traffic complaint near Morrow Road in Amsterdam, claiming someone was driving erratically. Deputies found the car in the Village of Hagaman. Following an interview, deputies say an investigation revealed Yawn had methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription pills. He was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office where he was processed.Charges:Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree aggravated unlicensed operationOperator out of ignition interlock restrictionYawn was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Amsterdam Court at a later date.

Bowl for Kids' Sake raises funds for mentorship programs

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Bowl for Kids' Sake raises funds for mentorship programs SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks serves Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. Right now, there are 182 kids who are waiting for a mentor.“So, we’re hoping to get some awareness out there and find some people who are looking to give back some of their time and to make a difference in a young person’s life,” Bill Moon, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Adirondacks, said. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The goal of the Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser is to help spread awareness about the importance of mentoring kids.Marie Busse has been working for the last five years for the organization as the Development Coordinator, but she also volunteers as a big sister.“Signing up, you think you’re going to help this little, but in reality, they also help you and give back to you more than what I was expecting,” Busse said.Being a Big Sister is just a one-year commitment,...

Englewood resident suspected of killing spouse, adult child, police say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Englewood resident suspected of killing spouse, adult child, police say An Englewood resident is suspected of killing their spouse and adult child Saturday night, police said.The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of murder, police said. The killings happened at the family’s home near West Floyd Avenue and South Inca Street in Englewood, according to police.Englewood police did not release any additional details about the slaying Sunday and it was unclear how the attack unfolded.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Englewood police officers shoot, kill man who allegedly threatened armed robbery Crime and Public Safety | Denver man visited by Englewood police conducting welfare check jailed on child porn charges A police spokesman would not say the gender of the suspect or victims because authorities were still working to notify the victims’ family members about their deaths by midday Sunday. None of the family members have been publicly identified.Police said...

Driver dies after going off 5 Freeway bridge near Boyle Heights

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Driver dies after going off 5 Freeway bridge near Boyle Heights A man was pronounced dead early Sunday morning after his vehicle went off a bridge and landed on its roof on a roadway below near Boyle Heights.The crash happened around 1:20 a.m. on the southbound 5 Freeway at Whittier Blvd., according to the California Highway Patrol.A collision involving two vehicles happened on the roadway above the 5 Freeway; one of the vehicles was sent off the bridge and down onto the freeway below where it landed on its roof.A man died after his vehicle went off a bridge and landed below on the 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights on March 26, 2023The driver of that vehicle, a dark-colored BMW coupe, was trapped in the overturned vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.It's unclear if there were any additional injuries, according to officials.The southbound side of the 5 Freeway was shut down briefly Sunday morning as part of the crash investigation and for cleanup operations. The crash remains under investigation.

Huntington Beach crash kills driver, hospitalizes passengers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

Huntington Beach crash kills driver, hospitalizes passengers A car crash in Huntington Beach claimed the life of a 22-year-old man and hospitalized two others Sunday morning. Officers responded to a single vehicle collision involving a 2014 Ford Focus on Main Street north of 13th Street around 2:30 a.m., according to a release from the Huntington Beach Police Department.The 22-year-old driver from Huntington Beach was pronounced dead at the scene. The two passengers were transported to a local hospital; their condition is unclear. It's unclear at this time if impairment played a role in the accident. “Based on the preliminary investigation, the Focus was traveling southbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed just prior to the collision,” the Huntington Beach Police Department said in a statement. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or events leading up to it is urged to contact HBPD Traffic Investigator D. Demetre at 714-536-5670. 

More rain and high winds coming for Bay Area, Tahoe to get more snow

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:22:13 GMT

More rain and high winds coming for Bay Area, Tahoe to get more snow A dry spell for storm-weary Bay Area residents will end Tuesday as a system coming north from Alaska heads toward the region, bringing with it rain, high winds, possible lightning strikes and a couple of feet of snow in Tahoe.The storm will begin late Monday night over the North Bay and in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with precipitation expected for the San Jose area early Tuesday morning after sunrise, National Weather Service Meteorologist Roger Gass said.Mountainous areas are expected to receive up to an inch of rain, while lower-lying regions could get up to three-quarters of an inch. Strong winds will accompany the wet weather, with gusts likely to range between 30 and 60 miles per hour. There’s also a 15 to 20 %chance of thunderstorms, Gass said.Temperatures will remain cold throughout Monday — and the storm will bring with it slightly warmer weather, with overnight lows expected to be in the low 40s and highs in the 50s.The worst of the system will pass over the regi...