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Hudson River swimmer completes 315-mile trek, conquering fatigue, choppy water, rocks and pollution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

By MICHAEL HILL and TED SHAFFREY (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — The Hudson River snakes through forests and rushes over boulders in the Adirondack Mountains before settling into a wide, slow flow closer to New York City. It stretches 315 miles (507 kilometers) from source to end.Lewis Pugh finished swimming all of it on Wednesday morning.The 53-year-old endurance swimmer emerged from the water off the lower tip of Manhattan after a month-long journey, clad in a Speedo, cap and goggles. He smiled and raised his fist in triumph as he climbed out. Supporters who had gathered despite light rain at Battery Park cheered. “It’s incredibly tough to swim for 30 days,” Pugh told reporters at a news conference. “And yes, it does take an enormous toll on you. But I can honestly say I feel rejuvenated.”Pugh has powered through fatigue and sore shoulders for weeks. He has dodged tugboats and bobbing plastic garbage. And he insisted that any discomfort was wo...

Broncos placing Caden Sterns on injured reserve after knee injury vs. Las Vegas, source says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

The Broncos are placing safety Caden Sterns on injured reserve Wednesday, a source confirmed to The Post.The third-year safety injured his knee on his second defensive snap of Denver’s opener Sunday against Las Vegas. The injury is expected to end his season. Sterns played in just five games in 2022 before a hip impingement impacted him enough that he had surgery and missed the final 12 games of the year.The Broncos are expected to fill his roster spot by signing wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey to the active roster from the practice squad.Humphrey didn’t make the initial 53-man roster late last month, but was elevated to the game day roster from the practice squad against the Raiders, caught a touchdown and played the second-most snaps among Broncos wide receivers.Humphrey gives Denver five receivers on the 53-man roster, joining Jerry Jeudy (hamstring), Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Jr. and Brandon Johnson.Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | Broncos Rou...

Los Angeles chef named to Food & Wine's 2023 Best New Chef list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

An unassuming pizza place in Echo Park is home to one of the best new chefs in America, according to Food & Wine magazine. Pastry chef Hannah Ziskin works in the back of Quarter Sheets making world-class cakes, which she calls "slabs." Each slab is meticulously crafted and thoughtfully prepared and have a tendency to sell out, according to her profile in the prominent food magazine.Among her most popular and beloved offerings is a slab called "Gâteau Dirt," which hearkens back to school cafeteria "dirt cups" — if that cafeteria was staffed by some of the most innovative and talented chefs in the world. Hannah Ziskin of Echo Park's Quarter Sheets is photographed for Food & Wine after being named one of the Best New Chefs of 2023. (Food & Wine)Ziskin got her start in the industry working at Chez Panisse, a gourmet restaurant in Berkeley that is credited as one of the innovators and founders of the farm-to-table movement. A UC Berkeley student at the time, Ziskin was hired ...

Dunkin' partners with Ice Spice on new pumpkin spice drink

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

Dunkin' has expanded its pumpkin spice lineup with the help of rising rap star Ice Spice and actor Ben Affleck.On Wednesday, the coffee chain rolled out the Ice Spice Munchkins Drink. The drink combines creamy frozen coffee with Pumpkin Munchkins Donut Hole Treats and is topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.Dunkin' has expanded its pumpkin spice lineup with the help of rising rap star Ice Spice and actor Ben Affleck. (Dunkin') It’s the first time a bakery treat has been added to one of Dunkin’s signature drinks, according to a news release.To announce Dunkin’s newest pumpkin spice drink, the two stars appeared in a commercial that showed them brainstorming a name for the new drink. Wendy’s to debut first ever pumpkin spice flavored Frosty, new cold brew "We gotta come up with a drink name, but it's not easy, right? Nowadays, with social media, the kids—it's gotta be authentic. How are people gonna connect you with Dunkin?" Affleck said in the commercial."I'm a Dunkin' g...

Woman killed, man shot in Lancaster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

A man and a woman were shot in Lancaster early Wednesday, leading to the woman's death and the man's hospitalization.The shooting was reported in the 44900 block of Valley Central Way at a few minutes before 3 a.m., and responding deputies found a woman believed to be 40 to 45 years old who had been shot in the chest, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. She was pronounced dead at the scene.The other victim, a man believed to be 30 to 35 years old, was also shot in the chest and was taken to a local hospital, where he is in stable condition. That man was initially said to be dead, though the LASD later clarified that he is alive.No information about the shooter or shooters was available, and no further details have been released.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Exclusive L.A. dinner party invites guests to dine in the nude

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

A new dinner party in Los Angeles is encouraging guests to dine in the buff without the fear of being asked to leave.It's called Füde, a portmanteau of food and nude, and is the brainchild of performance artist and chef Charlie Ann Max. Max has done similar pop-ups in New York, San Francisco and L.A. since 2020. The latest Los Angeles experience is currently happening at a private house in the San Fernando Valley.Guests arrive and strip completely naked, then there's a breathwork class, followed by a plant-based meal.The dinner is extremely exclusive and you can't just make a simple reservation. There's a long application process, you have to send a photo and they say no cis-gendered men can attend without a referral. There's also a safety guide to ensure everyone is comfortable.Jenn Harris of the Los Angeles Times recently attended a Füde gathering and described it as a positive experience."The meal quickly turned into a group therapy session, with diners discussing their fears, do...

‘Opening Day 2.0’ for Patrick Bailey as SF Giants activate catcher from IL

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Seven days after his head was knocked back defending home plate, several days removed from the concussion-induced fogginess that followed, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey was activated for Wednesday’s series finale against the Guardians.“It’s Opening Day 2.0 for him,” catching coach Craig Albernaz said, his Boston accent inflected with glee.The Giants got their star rookie — their second-most valuable position player, by FanGraphs’ calculations — back with 17 games to go. With fellow rookie Kyle Harrison making his fifth big-league start Wednesday, Bailey reclaimed his spot behind the plate, where he is expected to start most, if not all, their remaining games.“Just looking at the catching calendar through the end of the season,” manager Gabe Kapler said, “there’s a lot of Pat Bailey in there.”Bailey missed the past seven games after suffering a concussion when Jeimer Candelario collided with him while sliding...

The Moth-Off: Readers post their own photos of giant, hummingbird-like moths

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

You know that old saying in journalism: Write about giant, weird bugs once, and your inbox forevermore will brim with photos of giant, weird bugs.It’s been two weeks since we covered the appearance of white-lined sphinx moths in the Bay Area, which are out in unusual abundance this year. That’s given readers plenty of time to hustle up their own photos of the giant moths invading their backyards and flitting about in the high Sierra Nevada.You’ll definitely remember if you’ve seen one of these creatures. They have wingspans of almost 4 inches, can fly at 30 mph and have wingbeats so fast they look identical to hummingbirds. Here’s one fellow that amateur photographer Diane Winkler spotted at Point Reyes National Seashore this August:A white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) seen at Point Reyes National Seashore in August, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Diane Winkler) Gary Yost made this gorgeous video of a white-lined sphinx moth doing its thing up in th...

Ukrainian attack damages 2 ships, injures 24 people and sets port on fire in Russia-annexed Crimea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

By DASHA LITVINOVA and ILLIA NOVIKOV (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian attack on a strategic shipyard early Wednesday in Russian-annexed Crimea wounded 24 people, damaged two ships undergoing repairs and caused a fire at the facility, Russian authorities reported. The attack in the port city of Sevastopol, which serves as the main base for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, took place as Moscow offensives killed at least three civilians and injured 14 across Ukraine, the president’s office said. A pre-dawn drone onslaught in southern Ukraine’s Odesa region damaged port and civilian infrastructure in the region’s Izmail district, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) across the Black Sea from Sevastopol, and wounded seven people, three seriously, Gov. Oleh Kiper said.Russian attacks on residential areas in 10 cities and villages in the Donetsk region killed three people and wounded three. Fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region injured one resident in Ori...

Woman accused of setting California Target afire so she could steal baby formula is arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:27 GMT

A 40-year-old woman was arrested after being accused of setting a Target store on fire in Buena Park to divert attention from her stealing baby formula, authorities said.She was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 14, a week after a blaze erupted in a clothes rack in the children’s department, prompting employees and customers to evacuate.The fire lead to the Target, at 7530 Orangethorpe Ave., to temporarily closed.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man arrested on suspicion of setting six fires in Belmont Crime and Public Safety | California Target evacuated after fire in children’s department According to police, the damage to the store was estimated at $500,000 to $1 million, primarily because of water and smoke damage.No injuries were reported.Orange County Fire Authority arson investigators and Buena Park police conducted a joint investigation. It was unclear how authorities found the suspect.