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'It's an honor:' Chicago company helps create 'airless' basketball that was used by NBA All-Star Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

CHICAGO - It was quite a spectacle during an event that's already known for its theatrics in February.At the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Salt Lake City, a case with a very unique basketball was wheeled out in a glass case to the court by two people wearing white suits. The glass was opened and this unique black ball was pulled out of the case by longtime NBA player Kenyon Martin. He turned around and handed it to his son, Rockets guard KJ, who got a feel for it before giving it back to his father. A minute later, Kenyon tossed the ball off the backboard to his son for the slam.While Martin didn't win the dunk contest, he had arguably one of the more unique moments of the competition: The was pulled off with a basketball that didn't have any air. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Wilson debuted its 3-D printed airless prototype basketball during NBA All-Star Weekend with the showcase being that dunk from the Rockets' guard. The company came up with the 3D design for the ball, but the...

25 must-visit hidden gems from across the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

From big cities to iconic national monuments to well-known tourist traps, there's no shortage of popular vacation destinations within the United States. However, sometimes the most memorable trips happen when you seek out unexpected, under-the-radar spots that you never would've known about without some prior research.For instance, although the U.S. is home to 63 national parks, famous ones like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park tend to get the lion's share of tourist attention. On your next excursion, why not try an underrated gem like New Mexico's White Sands National Park or Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park?Even if nature isn't your scene, there are plenty of other underrated activities across the country that deserve to go on your bucket list, from Indianapolis' City Market Catacombs to the interactive art within Santa Fe's Meow Wolf.Still, finding those under-the-radar gems can amount to quite a bit of work. So to help you get started, Stacker has...

Elon Musk building his own Texas town: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (WTVO) — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is planning to build his own town in Texas for his employees to live and work, according to a new Wall Street Journal report.Musk has described his vision of the town as a "Texas utopia along the Colorado River," according to the outlet.Musk, together with an executive from his tunneling venture Boring Co., have reportedly researched incorporating the proposed town, to potentially be called Snailbrook after the Boring Co.'s mascot. Elon Musk apologizes after mocking laid-off Twitter employee with disability The town would be built on land in Bastrop County adjacent to Boring and SpaceX facilities that are currently under construction.Steve Davis, Boring's president, said Musk eventually hopes to create an entire city.Over the last three years, Musk's companies have purchased 3,500 acres in the Austin area, the Journal reported. Nexstar's KXAN and KXAN’s media partners at the Austin Business Journal previously learned of a partn...

Ecolab to celebrate 100th anniversary with employee and community event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

St. Paul-based Ecolab plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a bash at Rice Park Sunday afternoon.The company’s Twin Cities employees, their families and local community partners will enjoy food, kids activities, live music and Ecolab-themed installations according to a press release. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend.April 11, 2018 aerial photo of the Ecolab and Travelers buildings in downtown St. Paul. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)Ecolab, which develops services, technology and systems for water purification and hygiene, will announce Sunday a new public-private partnership with the city of St. Paul.Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Ecolab Chairman and CEO Christophe Beck are scheduled to speak at the event.“In 2023, Ecolab celebrates 100 years of growth, driven by a relentless pursuit of science-driven innovation, unmatched service and an enduring commitment to protect people and the re...

Wild prepare for life without Kirill Kaprizov: ‘It’s going to take everyone’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

The mood inside the Wild locker room at downtown St. Paul’s TRIA Rink on Friday morning was surprisingly upbeat.You’d never know the Wild had announced on Thursday afternoon that superstar Kirill Kaprizov is expected to miss much of the next month with a lower-body injury.Asked about Kaprizov being on the shelf, best friend Mats Zuccarello joked, “It’s not like he’s dying. He’s hurt.”“That happens in hockey,” he added. “This time it was him. It is what it is. We have to make the most out of it.”That’s the only thing the Wild can do right now. They likely won’t have Kaprizov back before the end of the regular season, the hope being that he’ll be ready for the playoffs.“We can’t really hang our heads,” linemate Ryan Hartman said. “We still have a job to do. Obviously, we want him to be in our lineup. But I think everyone can bear down a little more.”It looks as if Sam Stee...

One-sided parking ban in effect for St. Paul streets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

St. Paul under a one-sided parking ban through mid-April.Parking is not allowed on the even-numbered sides of residential streets until April 15, or earlier, if the city determines street conditions are acceptable. Cars in violation of the order will be ticketed or towed.The move — announced by Mayor Melvin Carter and other city officials earlier this week — came six weeks after Minneapolis instituted a one-sided parking ban. The last time St. Paul enacted a one-sided parking ban was 2019.“The goal of this is to make sure that we can get fire trucks to your house, to make sure that we can get ambulances to your business if we need to do so, in recognition of this historic winter season that we’ve had,” said the mayor.More information about snow emergency parking rules and parking maps for the one-sided parking ban are available at stpaul.gov/snow.Related ArticlesLocal News | Weekend snowfall could earn this winter a spot among the Twin Cities’ 10 snowies...

NCAA women’s hockey: Gophers, Bulldogs face off for Frozen Four berth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

The 2023 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four at Amsoil Arena in Duluth is guaranteed to have one team from the University of Minnesota system skating in maroon and gold next week.But who will it be? The Gophers of the Twin Cities or hometown Bulldogs of Duluth?That question will be answered after a 2 p.m. puck drop Saturday when the No. 2-seeded Gophers host the No. 7 Bulldogs in an NCAA regional final at Ridder Arena. The winner advances to the national semifinals next Friday. The loser’s season comes to a close.Bulldogs super seniors Emma Soderberg and Naomi Rogge said playing at home in the Frozen Four is “huge” motivation to win on Saturday.“I remember when it got announced, (Ashton Bell) and I knew we were coming back for our sixth years,” Rogge said. “We were like, ‘We’re going to come home, we’re going to do it all and it have it be our last game.’ That has definitely been a motivating factor since it’s been announced.”Saturday’s game is a rematch of an NCAA regi...

Steve Miller Band, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss to perform at this year's Tanglewood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

LENOX, Mass. (WWLP) — This year is the 85th Tanglewood Popular Artist series with several big names expected to be performing this year. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The concert series begins on Thursday, June 22 with an NPR new quiz program called "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" Musical performances will be held at the Koussevitzky Music Shed. Artists performing this year include:Friday, June 23 - Steve Miller Band with special guest Bruce Hornsby & The NoisemakersSunday, July 2 - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss with special guest JD McPhersonMonday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4 - James TaylorThursday, August 24 - Train with special guest Parmalee“Tanglewood has long been renowned as a classical music venue; but since the 1960s, thePopular Artists Series has added to the breadth of musical offerings and the diversity ofaudiences visiting the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home base in the Berkshires,”says Anthon...

Amtrak Adirondack Line to resume by April

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Friday, Senator Dan Stec announced the resumption of Amtrak's Adirondack Line, which runs from Albany through the North Country and onward to Montreal. The line is set to reopen by Monday, April 3, at the latest. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Adirondack Line has been closed since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to its Albany and Canadian stops, the Amtrak-operated line also reaches Plattsburgh, Whitehall, Ticonderoga, Rensselaer, Port Henry, and Rouses Point.“The Adirondack Line is a crucial resource for the North Country," Stec said in an announcement on Friday. "It’s a transportation service for our residents and with its ability to connect visitors from Canada and across out state to this region, a major economic driver. Its closure had a major impact on our ability to move forward from the pandemic and get our economy back on track." Drivers wanted for Lake George’...

Cat gets tossed into a dumpster at a Stewart's

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:11 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, a cat was allegedly tossed into a dumpster at a Stewart's in Glens Falls. According to Feline Advocates Coming Together, a local nonprofit in Queensbury, a person witnessed the act and quickly got the cat out. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The cat is receiving veterinarian care, and the rescuer has offered to foster her. Anyone with information about the person who abandoned the cat is asked to contact [email protected].