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Why homes often feel warmer than the thermostat suggests – and what to do about it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

(The Conversation) - Picture two homes on the same street: one constructed in the 1950s and the other in the 1990s. There are no trees or other shade. The air conditioning units are identical, recently replaced, and operating perfectly. Identical thermostats are set at 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.8 Celsius).When it’s 110 F (43.3 C) outside, the 1950s house will likely feel at least 10 F (5.6 C) warmer inside, even with the same air temperature.Why?The answer has to do with radiant heat. Radiant heat is what keeps you toasty warm at a campfire on a cold winter night. The fire doesn’t warm the air much; rather, like the Sun, most of the fire’s heat moves through invisible waves directly from the campfire to your body.In the radiant heat of the Arizona sun, the surface temperature of the uninsulated post-and-beam ceilings in my house, one of 41,000 built in Tucson during the post-World War II era, can reach over 100 F (37.8 C). The single-glazed steel windows register 122 F (50...

OAG files appeal to Texas Supreme Court, blocking judge’s injunction in lawsuit over exceptions to state abortion laws

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Office of the Attorney General filed an appeal Saturday to the Texas Supreme Court after a Texas judge issued a temporary injunction over exceptions to state abortion laws, according to a news release from the OAG's office.The ruling clears things up for doctors on when they can provide abortions. Those cases include medical conditions that pose a risk of infection or unsafe pregnancy that could pose a risk to the mother’s health, medical conditions that are exacerbated by pregnancy and fetal conditions where the fetus is unlikely to survive. Texas judge issues injunction in lawsuit over exceptions to state abortion laws The OAG's office said it filed a Notice of Accelerated Interlocutory Appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court in the case."While a district judge’s ruling attempted to block the state’s enforcement of Texas pro-life laws, this filing stays the ruling pending a decision by the Texas Supreme Court. Texas pro-life laws are in full effect. This j...

Gas leak repaired in Cedar Park near Mason Elementary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Cedar Park Police said a gas leak that was reported earlier Saturday is now repaired. CPPD said there was a gas leak near Mason Elementary School around 11 a.m. Police said it was caused by construction in front of the school. No evacuations were needed, and Lakeline Boulevard has reopened, police said.

Masyn Winn, Victor Scott lead hitting-happy bunch of Cardinals prospects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The future is forefront for a St. Louis Cardinals team that just traded some key pieces and appears on track to miss the postseason this year. Lead executive John Mozeliak is hopeful the big-league birds will be competitive again next season, and much of that will largely depend on the development of the baby birds. At the Triple-A and Double-A levels, the Cardinals have quite a few prospects hitting their way to major-league aspirations. Lately, infielder Masyn Winn and outfielder Victor Scott II are the ones setting the bar high. Both have a unique skillset of top-notch contact and speed. Winn is leading the charge a little more with the hits, and Scott a little more with the legs. Masyn WinnWinn, a 21-year-old shortstop and 2020 first-round draft pick, earned ample opportunity in spring training while many Cardinals regulars competed in the World Baseball Classic. Winn led the team in hits (18), runs scored (11) and stolen bases (4) and proved a sparkplug on the verge...

Broncos coach Sean Payton expects QB Russell Wilson, healthy players to play in preseason opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

Sean Payton called his shot all the way back in March and hasn’t changed his tune yet.Broncos starters are going to see time in the preseason. Some will be held back next Friday at Arizona for the preseason opener if they’re dealing with injuries. Some, like running back Javonte Williams, may see time later on as rehabilitations continue. But most or all will play at some point and many will see time against the Cardinals.“I haven’t shelled it out yet, but (starters) are going to play,” he said. “We’ll figure out the snaps. We typically break the game into three phases, first, second and third phase and then special teams we might just have two phases, but we’ll have a plan, especially as we get into next week. I have a few notes written down.“I don’t have a pitch count. I don’t have an exclusion list, if somebody has a leg injury that we (want to manage). But you can expect to see our guys play a little bit.”Ev...

49ers QB Roll Call: Trey Lance TD throw to Willie Snead salvages day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Here is how the 49ers’ quarterbacks meandered through Saturday’s practice, perhaps the most unimpressive one of training camp:BROCK PURDYAside from conditioning work such as running and lifting weights, Purdy had this practice off to rest his surgically repaired elbow, as scheduled after throwing on back-to-back days. He was a sounding board for Sam Darnold after practice on the field quarterbacks do extra work.How has center Jake Brendel seen in Purdy’s comeback? “Honestly it feels like nothing’s changed, which is a great thing,” Brendel said. “He ended his season with obviously an injury but he was playing at the top of his game, and he’s still getting better each week. Every single day he might screw up one or two plays in practice, but the next practice, you deliberately see him fix that problem. That’s what you want from a second-year quarterback.”TREY LANCEHis 13th and final throw of team drills helped s...

Jets’ Sauce Gardner fulfills a promise to his mother and walks the stage as a college graduate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Sauce Gardner made a promise to his mother before he became a first-round NFL draft pick. The New York Jets cornerback told her he’d soon take another stroll across a big stage — next time as a college graduate.Gardner kept his word. And he has a diploma from the University of Cincinnati to prove it.“Last year, I felt that was the one box I haven’t checked,” said the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year who was also an All-Pro. “Now I can really say I made it.”During the Jets’ day off Friday after playing their preseason opener against Cleveland in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday night, Gardner went back to campus and walked across the commencement stage to collect his diploma. He even met a fan who wore a Jets jersey with Gardner’s No. 1 under his gown and Gardner took a few “quick selfies” with several other classmates.“It was cool, man,” Gardner said. “Being able to feel regular. Being able to feel like a student again.” And it came ju...

Washington Spirit looking to mentor next generation of female soccer coaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

Soccer fans across the country will wake up early Sunday morning to watch the Women’s National Team take on Sweden at the World Cup. At the same time, D.C.’s pro soccer club is looking to mentor the sport’s new generation of female coaches.“I really believe there are so many talented female coaches out there that can help to keep women in the game and also develop and empower female players,” Washington Spirit assistant coach Mami Yamaguchi told WTOP.The Washington Spirit is launching its inaugural Female Coaching Mentorship Program. The team states the program’s goal is to create access and opportunity for women in sports equal to their male peers, on and off-the-field.“So we’re looking at this world of of coaching and realizing that there is a bit of a void in in the area of female coaches and where we want to do our part to try and help grow that,” said President of Soccer Operations Mark Krikorian.The team will review applications, which are due Tuesday, Aug. 8...

Boutier takes 3-shot lead at the Women’s Scottish Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Celine Boutier took a three-shot lead at the Women’s Scottish Open after posting a 6-under 66 in the third round on Saturday.Boutier, who won the Évian Championship last Sunday, had eight birdies and two bogeys in her round. The 29-year-old Frenchwoman is 13 under overall.“I feel like my expectations have definitely been higher,” Boutier said. “Like even when I miss a good shot or I make a bogey, I definitely get more annoyed. So I definitely have to keep my expectations kind of like level and not get too far ahead of myself.”Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit (66) is tied for second with Sweden’s Maja Stark (72).Another Swede, Madelene Sagstrom (68), is a further shot back in fourth.Overnight leader Hinako Shibuno, who won the Women’s British Open in 2019, is in a three-way tie for sixth after a 5-over 77. ___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfSource

NASCAR Cup Series points leader Martin Truex Jr. re-signs with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:49 GMT

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. is returning for another run with Joe Gibbs Racing, signing a deal to compete in NASCAR races again next year.The Cup Series points leader made the announcement after he qualified fifth for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. “I don’t know if all the guys know yet,” Truex said.Truex’s teammate, Christopher Bell, won the pole and didn’t hear the news until earlier Saturday.“He’s got a couple more wins in him,” Bell said. “I was not expecting him to retire this year.”The 43-year-old Truex certainly has not shown signs of slowing down this season, winning three times. Like Truex did last year, though, he took his time making a decision about his future after publicly pondered retirement.“It didn’t feel right to not come back and keep doing what we are doing,” he said. “Excited to get that out of the way and continue to work on this year and excited for next year as well, too.”The...