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How online 'dark patterns' cost you, and how to resist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

(NerdWallet) - See if any of this sounds familiar:You can’t find an easy way to cancel an unwanted subscription, so you let it continue for another month — telling yourself you’ll try again later.You feel rushed into an online purchase you regret, but there’s no option to undo the transaction or demand a refund. You want to read an article or shop at a store online, but you’re bombarded with pop-up requests for your data. There’s no easy option for saying no, so you click “allow” just to get the annoying pop-up out of the way.These are just a few examples of “dark patterns” — intentionally deceptive designs that companies use to steer people into making choices that aren’t in the consumers’ best interest.Dark patterns may sound like a feature of sketchy websites, but these manipulative practices are a common way mainstream companies dupe people into sacrificing their privacy or paying for stuff they don’t really want.Buttons that allow sites to scoop up and sell your data may b...

'Frosted' 2023 returns to Tower Grove Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Tower Grove Park has announced the return of Frosted, at the Piper Palm House. From December 14 to 23, the Frosted pop-up cocktail event, extended to ten days for 2023, is a blend of live entertainment, culinary food by Farm Spirit, and an array of holiday-inspired cocktails crafted by Pat Gioia and the STL Barkeep team.This year, Good Ice owners Jordan Goodman and Kyle Gillespie will showcase specialty ice carving at Frosted and Randi Kranz from The Vandy and Paper Crane, known for molecular cocktails, will be on Frosted's menu.Event Details:Frosted is open to the public with free entry. No reservations are required.Family-friendly hours on Dec 16-17 and Dec 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.More information is at www.towergrovepark.org/calendar/frosted2023Outdoor Holiday Market:On December 16–17, enjoy a Holiday Market from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring handmade goods and crafts.Frosted 5K Family Fun Run and Walk:On December 17 at 10:30 a.m., join the Frosted 5K with Santa ...

Colorado Weather: Heavy snow and strong winds create hazardous travel conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

The mountains will see heavy snow and strong winds throughout Sunday, especially along the northern Colorado border, according to the National Weather Service.Snow is expected to decrease in the valleys and Interstate 70 corridor by late afternoon, but those northern areas will likely continue to see significant snowfall this evening, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service Sunday morning.Wind gusts up to 60 mph and continued snowfall will make travel difficult Sunday across the state due to blowing snow and poor visibility, forecasters at the National Weather Service said in the outlook.Just before 6 a.m., blizzard-like conditions were moving over the mountains north of I-70 while just a dusting of snow hit lower elevations, the NWS posted on social media.A Winter Storm Warning was issued for Rabbit Ears Pass and the North Central Mountains until 11 p.m. Sunday.Down in Denver, light snow is also likely.The city will see snow before noon, but ...

Men’s World Cup super-G canceled due to wind; all 3 races in Colorado scratched by weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — A men’s World Cup super-G was called off Sunday due to strong wind as weather led to the cancellation of all three ski races over the weekend in Beaver Creek, Colorado.A pair of downhill competitions were canceled on Friday and Saturday because of a combination of heavy snowfall and wind. One of the downhill races last season was scratched in Beaver Creek due to high wind and snow. The same thing happened in 2021 with wind leading to the cancellation of a downhill race. The Birds of Prey event also was scratched in 2016 because of unseasonably warm weather and left off the calendar in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The men’s World Cup circuit moves next weekend to Val d’Isere, France, for a giant slalom and slalom race. The men’s side of the World Cup will return to the United States in late February for races at Palisades Tahoe in California. That’s followed by a stop in Aspen, Colorado.___AP skiing: https://apnews....

Broncos vs. Texans: Live updates and highlights from the NFL Week 13 game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

The Broncos are on a five-game winning streak since starting the season with a 1-5 record. Can they keep the momentum rolling? Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston.Live updatesPre-game updatesScouting report (9 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Texans in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.Game predictionsParker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 28, Texans 24The longer Denver’s winning streak goes, the more it becomes natural to figure it’s got to end at some point. But they’ve had some magic in them so far and this is the kind of game they can win… if they can stay patient enough to play the kind of style that has led them to five in a row.Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 27, Texans 24Sean Payton called the Texans a dangerous team. So are the Broncos. They have won five straight, and the defense is flying around and making plays. Denver’s win streak will continue, but it might take some late-game magic from Rus...

1 dead after ammunition-fueled fire rips through Sylmar home 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

An early morning house fire made stronger by ammunition present on the property led to the death of one person, fire officials said.According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the one-story single-family home, located at 13755 Glenoaks Boulevard in Sylmar, went up in flames around 4:30 a.m.   Authorities apprehend suspect in homeless murders; suspect linked to other homicide Two other back houses located behind a cinder block wall in the back of the main home also caught fire, officials said. An early morning house fire made stronger by ammunition present on the property warranted a massive response from fire crews on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (OnSceneTV)An early morning house fire made stronger by ammunition present on the property warranted a massive response from fire crews on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (OnSceneTV)An early morning house fire made stronger by ammunition present on the property warranted a massive response from fire crews on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (OnSceneTV)An...

Rite Aid to close another 7 California stores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

By Jordan Valinsky | CNNNew York  — Rite Aid is closing another roughly 30 locations across the US in addition to the 100 the bankrupt chain announced last month as part of its restructuring efforts.The latest round of closures was revealed in a bankruptcy court filing with 31 stores closing in a dozen states, including seven in California, four in Pennsylvania, three locations each in Ohio, Virginia and Washington and two each in Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon and New York. The remaining stores are one each in Connecticut, Maryland and Nevada.California stores closing1020 Al Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe11230 Donner Pass Road, Truckee1475 41st Avenue, Capitola49060 Road 426, Oakhurst5747 Kanan Road, Agoura1350 North Vasco Road, Livermore4980 Freeport Boulevard, SacramentoRite Aid will have about 2,000 stores remaining when both rounds of closures are complete. The company didn’t immediately reply for CNN’s request for comment.The writing has been on the wall for some time for Rit...

NWS issues hazard warning as sneaker waves return to the Bay Area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

The risk of sneaker waves has returned to the Bay Area, and the National Weather Service is warning people to keep their eyes on the water.Related ArticlesWeather | 2 children who died in Southern California fire had been deemed ‘safe’ by caseworker Weather | Ex-Marine pleads guilty to firebombing California Planned Parenthood Weather | Alameda County to pay $7 million, reform jail training after settlement with family of Maurice Monk Weather | California man gets 1-year probation for flying drone near gyrocopter, blimp, Coast guard copter Weather | California police officer under investigation after use of force caught on video On Sunday, the NWS said the risk would be highest from Monday afternoon through Monday night.The weather service issued a Beach Hazards Statement for much of the coast, including Point Reyes National Seashore, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Monterey Bay.Northwest-facing beache...

Antioch releases video of officers shooting less lethal round at transgender woman whose hands were raised

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

ANTIOCH — New videos released by the city — in what federal prosecutors now allege was an incident of police abuse — show an Antioch police officer fire a less-lethal launcher at a transgender woman whose hands were raised as a half-dozen officers, some with guns drawn, surrounded her.In the video, Officer Devon Wenger — one of eight Antioch officers charged in a sweeping FBI indictment alleging civil rights violations and other crimes — is seen firing a less-lethal 40mm round at now 29-year-old Dajon Smith, striking her in the chest as she stood next to an allegedly stolen Masarati with both hands raised above her head. A few seconds earlier, Antioch police Sgt. Joshua Evans — who remains on leave for sending explicitly racist texts to colleagues — can be heard telling Wenger to “plug (her) a– with the 40.”“Don’t you see my hands right here?” Smith yelled at officers, hands raised, two seconds before Wenger shot her with the sponge round. After b...

AP Top 25: Michigan is No. 1 for first time in 26 seasons, Georgia’s streak on top ends at 24 weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:59 GMT

Michigan is No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll for the first time since it won its last national championship in 1997 while Georgia slipped to No. 6 on Sunday after its 29-game winning streak was snapped by Alabama.Michigan received 51 first-place votes. No. 2 Washington had 11 first-place votes and the Huskies were followed by Texas at No. 3 and Florida State at No. 4. All four are conference champions and all but the Longhorns are unbeaten.Alabama moved up three spots to No. 5 after beating Georgia 27-24 in the Southeastern Conference title game on Saturday. The Bulldogs had their string of 24 straight weeks at No. 1 snapped. It is the second longest in AP poll history behind Southern California’s 33 straight from 2003-05.The poll was released shortly before the College Football Playoff rankings, with Alabama, Texas, Florida State and Georgia vying for the final two spots.Ohio State was seventh, with Oregon, Missouri and Penn State rounding out the top 10.Mi...