Latest news with #Aurora
CBS News
10 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
President Trump says undocumented, unlicensed teen driver will be deported after deadly crash in Aurora
A teenager who was driving illegally and was in the country illegally when he struck and killed a young Colorado woman in Aurora is now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kaitlyn Weaver John Weaver The driver, who was 15 years old at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to a felony in the death of 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver. Investigators say he was doing 90 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone when he plowed into her car. Weaver's parents spoke exclusively to Your Reporter Shaun Boyd after the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office offered the teen a plea deal that included no jail time. The story went viral, prompting outrage. "I had people from New York, from Nevada and people up in the Pacific Northwest all hear about it," John Weaver said. "We've been shocked at how much love and support (there's been) all across the country." The prosecutor charged the teen with vehicular homicide -- which carries a maximum sentence of two years in youth corrections -- but offered him two years' probation and 100 hours of community service if he pleaded guilty. CBS "I do feel that the criminal justice system in this state let my daughter down and it certainly is going to do nothing to prevent it from happening again," said Weaver. He says the prosecutor in the case initially said there would be no plea deal then reversed course under new District Attorney Amy Padden. Assistant D.A. Ryan Brackley says the new administration had no direct involvement in the plea deal. Weaver thought the teen got away with murder until this week when he saw a social media post by ICE in Denver saying agents arrested the teen and his family. ICE says they are from Columbia and were in the country illegally. The post linked to the CBS Colorado story and said, "For the @DA18th justice is no jail time and probation... For ICE, justice is arrest and removal." President Donald Trump also posted about the arrest on social media, saying the family will be deported. Weaver isn't sure what his daughter would want for her killer. "I really struggle with that. She cared for everyone, and I mean everyone," he said. CBS Colorado's Shaun Boyd interviews John Weaver. CBS He says he used to think immigration issues were simply black and white situations. "And it's not, because when you're a recipient of these events it becomes all kinds of gray," Weaver said. Still, he says deportation is more justice than probation. "This was an appropriate outcome. The is the appropriate outcome. You come to this country, you commit crime, you need go back to your country," Weaver said. The arrests happened a week after Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican who represents Colorado's 8th Congressional District, took the floor of the U.S. House and suggested the crash was related to sanctuary state policies. The teen and his family are now in a detention center in Texas. Weaver says he and his wife plan to give victim statements when the case is heard in immigration court. He also plans to push for changes in Colorado's criminal justice laws.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
How AI Can Improve Storm Forecasting as Hurricane Season Arrives
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Weather models based on artificial intelligence (AI) are better than traditional forecasts at tracking tropical storms, new research has found, part of a wave of AI breakthroughs that could improve warnings for extreme weather such as hurricanes. "To our surprise, we saw that for the first time an AI system could outperform all existing operational forecasts for all those hurricane events," Paris Perdikaris, an associate professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania, told Newsweek. Perdikaris spent a year with Microsoft Research working on a large-scale AI model called Aurora that was trained on more than one million hours of data from various Earth systems. On May 21, Perdikaris and collaborators at Microsoft Research published results in the journal Nature. Aurora did better than traditional forecasts in a range of predictions, including a 20 to 25 percent improvement in tracking tropical storms over two to five days. "We see a uniform improvement across the board in terms of the accuracy," Perdikaris said. Weather forecasting systems using AI can now perform better than traditional forecasts when tracking the path of tropical storms. But researchers warn that AI cannot replace the need for physics-based systems and good data collection. Weather forecasting systems using AI can now perform better than traditional forecasts when tracking the path of tropical storms. But researchers warn that AI cannot replace the need for physics-based systems and good data collection. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty It's the latest in a string of promising reports on AI forecasting for extreme weather. In December, researchers at the AI lab Google DeepMind also published in Nature results from its machine learning forecast system, called GenCast. The researchers wrote that GenCast "better predicts extreme weather, tropical cyclone tracks and wind power production." In February, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) put its AI Forecasting System (AIFS) into operation and reported that it outperforms state-of-the-art physics-based models for many measures, including tropical cyclone tracks. "The AIFS typically does a more accurate job of moving large-scale weather systems around the globe," Matthew Chantry, strategic lead for machine learning at ECMWF, told Newsweek via email. "Storms, are typically more accurately positioned." AI is not a panacea for tropical storm forecasting, scientists said, and recent research has exposed some weaknesses in AI forecasting. One study found that while AI systems do well at tracking a hurricane's path, they tend to underestimate wind speed and storm strength. But with climate change supercharging storms, AI promises to be a valuable addition to our warning system, potentially helping to save lives and prevent property damage. Cheaper, Faster Weather Modeling The Weather Company, producers of The Weather Channel, Weather Underground and Storm Radar, have been developing AI and machine learning for forecasting tools for years, according to Peter Neilley, senior vice president of weather forecasting services and operations. "It's just gotten more sophisticated and that enabled us to create these data-driven models," Neilley told Newsweek. "So that's all culminated in this sort of revolution for weather." Neilley explained that, unlike traditional weather models in which supercomputers work through complicated physics formulas, AI systems operate by learning from patterns from historical weather data. Building the AI model takes a lot of work and computing power, he said, but "they're very cheap to run once you've built the model." That, Neilley said, is AI's main benefit. Where traditional physics-based models can take hours, an AI model could take less than a minute. "What that enables you to do is actually run them many, many times and each time, you're running a slightly different model," he said. "With that much better prediction of how it may play out, I can use that to help people and businesses make better decisions." Brad Reinhart, senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, works on tracking Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season, at the National Hurricane Center on July 01, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Brad Reinhart, senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, works on tracking Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season, at the National Hurricane Center on July 01, 2024 in Miami, Weather Company President Sheri Bachstein will be among the speakers at Newsweek's AI Impact Summit June 23 to 25 in Sonoma, California, to talk about how the company is investing in AI. In the past year, The Weather Company has partnered with NVIDIA to produce more granular forecasts using AI and to improve weather simulations. Another collaboration with government scientists aims for better integration of vast weather data to get a clear snapshot of the state of the atmosphere, the critical starting point for forecasting. AI Cannot Replace Need for Basic Data Neilley said the AI approach can also yield a different type of forecast, one with a probabilistic range of outcomes to consider. While that rich outlook offers many benefits in some extreme weather conditions, such as an approaching hurricane, it could lead to information overload. "Just giving decision makers more complicated information is probably making their job harder," he said. "What is needed is an AI-based decision modeling system on top of the weather model." The AI company Urbint aims to provide that sort of informed weather preparation for electric utility companies. In April, Urbint acquired StormImpact, an AI company that predicts the risk of storms, wildfires and floods for utility infrastructure. "They don't just need to know that a storm is coming—they need to know which circuits will go down, how many customers will be impacted, and what resources they'll need on the ground to restore power quickly and safely," Urbint CEO Corey Capasso told Newsweek via email. The system predicts what transformers, substations and overhead lines are most vulnerable. "That means utilities can anticipate not just if, but where and how the grid will be impacted, and start planning for the exact number and type of crews needed," he said. StormImpact's technology is already being used by major utility companies, including Southern Company, American Electric Power and FirstEnergy. Weather-related disruptions cost utility companies an average of $70 billion annually, Urbint said. A report released earlier this month by the Electric Power Research Institute shows extreme weather events causing at least $1 billion in damage are becoming more frequent. From 2019 to 2023, billion-dollar disasters happened about 20 times a year. Climate scientists warn that our warmer atmosphere is contributing to many extreme weather events. Warmer air holds more moisture leading to more intense rainfall and flooding, and higher sea surface temperatures fuel tropical storms. As we head into this Atlantic hurricane season on the heels of the two hottest years on record, several forecasts predict a busier than average season. Several veteran storm forecasters have voiced concerns about the Trump administration's deep cuts to the National Weather Service and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), warning that some key weather bureaus are understaffed and basic data gathering has been compromised. It may be tempting to look to the advances in AI to fill gaps left by those cutbacks. But for all the potential benefits AI holds for weather forecasting, researchers caution that it is not a replacement for existing systems of gathering and analyzing weather data. "We still need the raw data," the University of Pennsylvania's Paris Perdikaris said. "We still need high quality data coming from physics-based simulation models that have been in place all these years."
CBS News
15 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Lawyers seek release of Jeanette Vizguerra, Colorado immigration activist, on bond
Lawyers for detained immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra are asking that she be released on bond or by an injunction pending a final judgement of her petition for habeas corpus, which challenges the legality of her detention. In a new filing in the federal district court of Colorado, her lawyers are requesting "her immediate release pending adjudication of her petition." While her case drags out in federal court, they say the harm to her, her family and community outweighs any harm her release would pose to the government. Jeanette Vizguerra ICE Vizguerra was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement more than 10 weeks ago. She is being held at the GEO facility in Aurora. Her lawyers say her activism and promotion of immigrant rights is viewed as a "threat to government overreach" and her arrest is a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech. Vizguerra has been in the United States for more than thirty years and has three children who were born here. "I'm just very desperate, very desperate for her to be out, you know, in whatever way possible, it's very scary for her to be in custody," said Vizguerra's daughter Luna Baez Vizguerra. "I never know what they might be capable of doing to her, more so because she does have a little bit more attention towards herself." In the new filing, Vizguerra provides a declaration where she described the effects of her detention, "I am worried about the impact on my kids, grandkids, and ex-partner, all of whom rely on me...I particularly fear for my ex-partner and my youngest daughter, who struggle the most when I am separated from them…Detention makes it nearly impossible for me to be the activist and organizer that I am, and not being able to be there for the community with so many difficult things coming from this administration, so much terror and confusion is devastating." In a recent filing, government lawyer's wrote, "The Supreme Court has determined that noncitizens cannot challenge the enforcement of a removal order based on a selective enforcement theory. Thus, Petitioner does not have a viable First Amendment retaliation challenge here." Upon her arrest on March 17, ICE issued a statement saying, "Vizguerra is a convicted criminal alien from Mexico who has a final order of deportation issued by a federal immigration judge. She illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 24, 1997, and has received legal due process in U.S. immigration court." The government has 21 days to respond to the motion for bond.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Oklo Inc. (OKLO) Soared On Wednesday
We recently published a list of . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) stands against other best-performing stocks. Shares of Oklo rallied for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, adding 2.49 percent to close at $55.24 apiece as investors cheered its partnership with a Korean company for the deployment of its advanced nuclear technology. In a statement, Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation, to explore opportunities aimed at jointly advancing the standard design development and verification of Aurora powerhouses, manufacturability and constructability assessments, major equipment planning, as well as supply chain development. Copyright: nexusplexus / 123RF Stock Photo The collaboration also supports Oklo Inc.'s (NYSE:OKLO) deployment of a 75-MWe Aurora powerhouse at the Idaho National Laboratory site, which is currently undergoing a licensing process. Additionally, Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) plans to file follow-on applications to support its growing order pipeline, which exceeds 14 GW. Overall, OKLO ranks 9th on our list of best-performing stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of OKLO, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than OKLO and that has 10,000x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Fan ‘paid a witch' on Etsy to save Knicks season — and Stephen A. Smith couldn't be happier
Double, double, Knicks won't struggle; the Garden roars, and Pacers will crumble. Knicks fans left no stone unturned ahead of Game 5's 111-94 victory over the Pacers, employing a witch to conjure up some spirits to curse the Pacers ahead of a potential elimination game Thursday. X user @vohit4rohit posted on X that he paid a witch on Etsy $8.48 to curse the Pacers and give the Knicks an extra edge. 4 Knicks fans called upon a witch to curse the Pacers ahead of Game 5. Etsy | Priestess Aurora 'Knicks fans – I just paid a witch on Etsy to cast a spell to help us win game 5 tonight,' the X user said. 'I'm doing my part.' ESPN host and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith expressed his appreciation after the Game 5 win, responding to the post on X with: 'Thank you for your efforts.' The shop on Etsy, known as 'Aurora Priestess,' claims to offer same-day spell casting, powerful and fast manifestation ritual and magical personal witchcraft, among other things. 4 The Priestess' shop on Etsy shows her workstation of where she casts spells. ' Etsy | Priestess Aurora The Priestess says they are a 'devoted conduit of ancient magic.' Twenty-seven people purchased spells from the witch in the last 24 hours, with the X user promising to pay her again ahead of Saturday's Game 6. The Priestesses' Etsy shop page shows the video of her workstation with candles all around and some sort of potpourri combination on a desk. Her account also includes pictures of ancient-looking cards, one of which shows the 'Wheel of Fortune' and other ancient signs. The Game of Thrones-like character has 2,100 reviews and sparkling recommendations for those looking to conjure magic from another world to achieve powerful change. The Knicks will need every bit of luck, magic, spirit mongering or any other non-conventional tactics to secure a win in Game 6 at Indiana. The Pacers were blown out of the Knicks' building in Game 5, as Tom Thibodeau's group showed off some strong defense that allowed Indiana to shoot just 40.5 percent from the field. 4 The Knicks may have gotten some help from another world to win Game 5. AP 4 Tyrese Haliburton may have been the one cursed Thursday. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Or perhaps it had nothing to do with the Knicks' strong defense and more to do with witchcraft putting a lid on the basket. Tyrese Haliburton had his worst performance of the series Thursday, putting up just eight points and six assists on 2 of 7 shooting in 32 minutes. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Game 6 on Saturday has every bit of intrigue you could possibly be looking for in the NBA, as the Knicks hope to force a Game 7 at home.
