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4 mistakes travel points experts don't make

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Travel rewards are complicated.Nearly a quarter of travelers (24%) say they have difficulty understanding earning and redemption rules, according to a 2022 survey of 2,041 U.S. consumers by iSeatz, a loyalty program service provider. Yet this complexity makes travel rewards a prime target for spreadsheet-wielding obsessives who want to wring every penny from their points and miles.These experts love to share lavish vacations on social media and online forums, nitpicking over the best overwater bungalow in the Maldives. They rarely share the more mundane expertise they’ve garnered, even though these basic tactics are the most important, especially for beginners.Understanding and avoiding these four simple mistakes can help you make smart travel rewards decisions, whether you’re visiting the Maldives or Milwaukee.1. Accruing credit card debtThis mistake is so critical, it should probably also be Nos. 2, 3 and 4 on this list. Travel credit cards are a great way to earn p...

PHOTOS: 'Splooting' squirrel sightings on the rise in Austin, Central Texas as temperatures soar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Residents across Central Texas have spotted squirrels in some peculiar spots while the critters attempt to cool off as temperatures soar. This particular position is called "splooting."Over the past month, temperatures in Central Texas have reached triple digits on numerous occasions, oftentimes for several days in a row. Why squirrels are ‘splooting’ in the heat and what we can do to help them Some KXAN viewers noticed squirrels lying flat on their stomachs with their legs stretched out. Some viewers said they have even seen the little critters digging holes in the ground to lie in as well.Squirrel seen splooting in Austin (Courtesy Ryan B)Squirrel seen splooting in Austin (Courtesy Bob P)Squirrel seen splooting in Georgetown (Courtesy Jim H)Squirrel seen splooting in Round Rock (Courtesy Angie K)Squirrel seen splooting in Cedar Park (Courtesy Amy G)Squirrel seen splooting in Round Rock (Courtesy Maggie A)Squirrel seen splooting in Marble Falls (Courtesy Carrie F...

Yankees Notebook: Anthony Rizzo in ‘a really good spot physically’ despite slump, Aaron Boone says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Anthony Rizzo seems fine physically, despite a prolonged slump that’s included a two-month drought without a home run, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday.The first baseman hasn’t homered since May 20 — a stretch of 44 games — and entered Saturday’s home contest against the Royals without a hit in his last 18 at-bats.“I do feel like, physically, he is in a really good spot, especially with some of the things he’s had to deal with periodically with his back over the last few years,” Boone said.“I just look at it as one of those funks of a really good player that’s kind of going through it. I think everything suggests from a bat speed and physical attribute [sense] that he’s still very much the same. He’s just been off.”Rizzo, who tied his career high with 32 home runs last season, started the 2023 campaign with 11 homers through his first 46 games. He took a .304 average into June but batted just .173...

Congressman Richard Neal announces $3 Million for Wahconah Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

PITTSFIELD, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Congressman Richard Neal announced $3 Million in federal funding for Wahconah Park in Pittsfield. The money will go towards renovations for the grandstand of the historic baseball field. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A recent structural evaluation revealed significant structural concerns with the stadium and this money will bring it into compliance with building codes while preserving the venue. “For those of us who are sporting fans and former participants, the word iconic is overused in America," Neal said. "But guess what, when it comes to Wahconah Park it’s the appropriate designation, iconic.”“The Wahconah Park restoration committee whose many members are here today they continue to work diligently," Linda Tyer, Pittsfield Mayor, said. "They’ve been soliciting input from the community and working with the design team to create this new vision.” Biden picks female admiral to lead Navy. She’d...

Van with thousands of vapes burns on Connecticut highway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A van carrying over 2,000 vape pens went up in smoke this week in Southington, Connecticut. The car fire, which was initially reported on I-691 Eastbound between Exits 5 and 3 on Tuesday, caused hours of traffic delays. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! (Southington Fire Department)Southington-based Environmental Services, Inc., who assisted the Southington Fire Department with the clean-up, said more than 2,000 vapes were determined to be in the van at the time of the fire. They all burned and were destroyed in the blaze. Congressman Richard Neal announces $3 Million for Wahconah Park No injuries were reported in the incident. The fire department said all of the waste is being removed and will be disposed of properly.Over 2,000 vaping devices were burned or damaged in the fire. (Southington Fire Department) Biden picks female admiral to lead Navy. She’d be first woman on Joint Chiefs of Staff E-ci...

Motorcyclist dies from I-44 crash in Downtown St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A motorcyclist died from a crash Friday evening along Interstate 44 in Downtown St. Louis. Police said the motorcyclist was a man, though have not disclosed his identity or age as of Saturday. A 31-year-old man driving a semi was also involved in the crash, but not hurt. Protests over Francis Howell plan to allow anti-racism resolution to expire The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday. Investigators say the motorcyclist was heading westbound on I-44, near an interchange with I-55, when he lost control and collided into a semi. The motorcyclist was rushed to a hospital, but died from his injuries. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is handling the investigation.

Man carjacked in St. Louis after arranging meetup through dating app

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man was carjacked early Saturday morning in St. Louis after arranging a meetup through a dating app. The victim, a 20-year-old man, was held at gunpoint before the carjacking, which happened around 1 a.m. near the intersection of O'Fallon and North First streets in the Near North Riverfront neighborhood. Protests over Francis Howell plan to allow anti-racism resolution to expire Investigators say the victim agreed to meet the suspect through an undisclosed social media dating app. The victim picked the suspect up somewhere on Rosebud Avenue and drove a short distance away. At some point, the suspect produced a handgun and demanded the victim to get out of the car. The victim complied, and the suspect took off in the victim's grey Nissan Rogue. No arrests or injuries were reported in this incident. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is handling the investigation.

Rockies Journal: Coors Field is a wonder, but not because of the home team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Coors Field isn’t the Eighth Wonder of the World. Maybe it ought to be.Because the ballpark’s ability to attract fans is truly a phenomenon.The Rockies entered the weekend with a 37-59 record, including a losing mark at Coors (23-26). And yet a recent tidal wave of fans has the Rockies — or rather, the ballpark — averaging  32,313 fans per game, ranking 12th in the majors.Despite a slow start at the turnstiles, Coors’ attendance is now almost on par with last season’s average (32,467).I started thinking about the phenomena the other day when I took Bonnie and Peaches for a hike at Red Rocks. We were climbing the stairs at the famed amphitheater when a family of six wanted me to stop so they could pet my golden retrievers. People always want to pet Bonnie and Peaches. I’m just background noise.The family members, from Dubuque, Iowa, were big Cubs fans.“We went to Coors Field the other night for the Astros game,” the mom said. “What a gr...

Hotter temperatures make a comeback Sunday in metro Denver, with triple-digits possible on Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

Enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts. Temperatures in the upper 90s are expected to return along the I-25 corridor and out on the Plains on Sunday and across much of next week, with triple-digit highs possible in some locations on Monday, according to a forecast issued Saturday morning by the National Weather Service.A persistent high-pressure system stuck over the southwest part of the country will push up temperatures in Colorado, although the state won’t come anywhere close to suffering the extreme heat that Arizona and Nevada have had to endure.“A dangerous, long-lived, and record-breaking heat wave will continue over the Southwest this weekend, particularly in the low desert areas, with triple-digit high temperatures also extending northward into the Central Great Basin,” the National Weather Service said.Normally monsoonal moisture coming up for the Gulf of Mexico provides relief from high temperatures in Colorado this time of year. But that pattern is stu...

Paradise superintendent says construction helps show town’s rebound

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:54 GMT

PARADISE — Nearly five years after the Camp Fire, which flattened and blackened most of the town of Paradise and areas nearby, the landscape is starting to recover.Sure, there are still large swaths of treeless ground that shows the effects of the 2018 conflagration. Downtown still has many foundations without buildings on them. Recovery is visible, but slow, for sure.Taylor On the other hand, recovery and progress at the Paradise Unified School District is really beginning to increase its speed. The district has modernized some of its campuses, rebuilt parts of others from scratch and has generally made its facilities better, in anticipation of continued enrollment growth.Meanwhile, the guy who sits at the steering wheel is thrilled to talk about the progress and what’s ahead.Tom Taylor, superintendent of the PUSD, led off his discussion of the district’s progress with the most obvious and visible topic — construction.For starters: “We have modernized about 70% of Paradise Jun...