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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Despite the Snow and Ice, Ohio Prepares for Spring's Weather Threats

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Friday, March 6, 2015   

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It still may feel like winter in Ohio, but an annual sound of spring will ring out today. A statewide tornado emergency alert test, delayed by a winter storm earlier this week, will be held at 9:50 a.m.

The drill is part of Severe Weather Awareness week, and Kellie Blackwell, publications editor for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, said it's a time to remind Ohioans about the dangers volatile spring weather can bring.

"We need to be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions because at a blink of an eye our weather can change," she said, "but we also need to be prepared for severe weather and know how to protect ourselves and our family and our property when severe weather hits."

Blackwell said the major springtime weather concerns are tornadoes, flooding and home fires caused by lightning. Flooding and flash floods cause the majority of weather-related deaths in the United States, she said. They occur often this time of the year - when snow is still on the ground and temperatures are warming.

"We're 30 degrees one day, and 50 degrees for two days following," she said. "We'll have a rapid snowmelt which can cause flood watches and warnings. Rain helping to melt the snow -- that can also attribute to flooding."

Blackwell said Ohioans can tune into local television and radio stations for weather information, or use a battery-operated weather alert radio. Also, smartphones can receive severe-weather alerts. She added that it's important to know what different advisories mean.

"A storm watch means that you need to watch weather conditions for further developments in case they increase into warnings," she said. "Storm warnings mean that an incident is occurring and you need to take immediate safety action."

Families, schools and businesses are encouraged to update their emergency plans, restock emergency supply kits and practice tornado and fire drills.


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