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'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast 'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast
'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast If you’re reading this, there’s a possibility that the electricity to power your device came from the country’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the South Fork Wind project on Thursday, March 14, capping off more than two years of construction that began in February 2022. As of Thursday, all 12 of the project’s offshore wind turbines were up and running roughly 35 miles off the coast of Long Island, delivering power to Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways, the governor’s office said. Earlier Report: 'Momentous St…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says New York State is suing the world’s largest beef producer, claiming it lied about its environmental impacts in order to boost sales. A lawsuit filed by Attorney General Letitia James in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 28, accuses JBS USA Food Company of deceptive business practices and false advertising. According to James’ office, the company has repeatedly misled the public by claiming it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite documented plans to increase production and grow its carbon footprint. In 2021, the JBS Group reported total global greenh…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition
Westchester Students Among 300 Semifinalists Nationwide In Prestigious Regeneron Competition Dozens of students from New York have been named semifinalists in the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search for 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Participants were whittled down from 2,162 applicants from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico, and 10 other countries. Students were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, and community involvement, as well as a commitment to academics and creativity in asking scientific …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Momentous Step': First Turbine Completed For Offshore Wind Farm To Power NY Homes 'Momentous Step': First Turbine Completed For Offshore Wind Farm To Power NY Homes
'Momentous Step': First Turbine Completed For Offshore Wind Farm To Power NY Homes Efforts to power tens of thousands of New York homes with the state’s first offshore wind farm have marked another major milestone. Crews working on the South Fork Wind farm, located approximately 35 miles off the coast of Long Island, have finished installing the first of 12 wind turbines, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Monday, Nov. 20. It comes months after crews wrapped up work on the project’s first monopile foundation in June 2023. Earlier Report: Offshore Wind Farm To Power Long Island Homes Marks Major Construction Milestone Once completed, the wind farm will connect to t…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Familiar Face Throws Hat In Ring For Congressional Seat Now Held By Embattled George Santos Familiar Face Throws Hat In Ring For Congressional Seat Now Held By Embattled George Santos
Familiar Face Throws Hat In Ring For Congressional Seat Now Held By Embattled George Santos Former New York Rep. Tom Suozzi is officially jostling for his old job, joining nearly two dozen other political hopefuls looking to ouster embattled Long Island Congressman George Santos from office in 2024. Suozzi, a Democrat who represented the 3rd District covering parts of Nassau County and Queens from 2016 to 2022, formally announced his run Tuesday, Oct. 10. “The madness in Washington, DC, and the absurdity of George Santos remaining in the United States Congress is obvious to everyone,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Former New York Rep. Tom Suozzi.US House Office …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Huge' 400-Pound Stingray Pulled From Long Island Sound 'Huge' 400-Pound Stingray Pulled From Long Island Sound
'Huge' 400-Pound Stingray Pulled From Long Island Sound A Connecticut Fish and Wildlife crew made quite the catch while trawling Long Island Sound.  While spending a day out on Long Island Sound on Wednesday, Sept. 27, a Long Island Sound Trawl Survey crew managed to pull a 400-pound roughtail stingray from the water, Connecticut Fish and Wildlife announced.  The mammoth creature measured over 6 feet long and 5 feet wide, which officially made it "HUGE," Fish and Wildlife official said on social media  It was a rare sight, as while stingrays are found along the Atlantic coast from Florida to New England, they do not often venture into Long Isl…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
Katonah's Martha Stewart Responds To Critics After Iceberg Backlash Katonah's Martha Stewart Responds To Critics After Iceberg Backlash
Katonah's Martha Stewart Responds To Critics After Iceberg Backlash Martha Stewart clapped back at critics for enjoying a cocktail with a real piece of an iceberg "plucked" from the waters while on a cruise off the east coast of Greenland. “End of the first zodiac cruise from @swanhelleniccruises into a very beautiful fjord on the east coast of greenland. We actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight," Stewart, age 82, a longtime New Yorker who currently calls the Northern Westchester County hamlet of Katonah home, posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Aug. 29. View this post on Instagram A post sh…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NY's First Offshore Wind Farm Marks Major Construction Milestone NY's First Offshore Wind Farm Marks Major Construction Milestone
NY's First Offshore Wind Farm Marks Major Construction Milestone Efforts to power tens of thousands of New York homes using the state’s first offshore wind farm have marked a major construction milestone. The South Fork Wind farm, located approximately 35 miles off the coast of Long Island, achieved its “steel in the water” milestone with the installation of the project’s first monopile foundation, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Thursday, June 22. Expected to be in operation by the end of 2023, the project will feature 12 wind turbines connected to the power grid via an underwater cable that can power 70,000 Long Island homes. It will mark the fi…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Significant Storm Possible At Week's End: Separate Rounds Of Precipitation Will Come First Significant Storm Possible At Week's End: Separate Rounds Of Precipitation Will Come First
Significant Storm Possible At Week's End: Separate Rounds Of Precipitation Will Come First Separate rounds of precipitation will precede a potentially more significant storm on track for the region at the end of the week. Tuesday, Feb. 7 will be clear and brisk during the day before the arrival of a frontal system that will moderate temperatures. The system will move across the region late in the afternoon and in the evening, bringing mixed precipitation, with mainly showers and light snow and areas of sleet or freezing rain that could result in localized slippery travel farthest north and inland.  After the front passes, the high temperature on Wednesda…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Topsy-Turvy Stretch Will Feature Near-Record Warmth Then Chance For Sleet, Snow In Some Spots Topsy-Turvy Stretch Will Feature Near-Record Warmth Then Chance For Sleet, Snow In Some Spots
Topsy-Turvy Stretch Will Feature Near-Record Warmth Then Chance For Sleet, Snow In Some Spots A mild air mass could bring near-record warm temperatures for this time of year will be followed just days later by a dip in temperatures with the potential for sleet and snow in parts of the region. Temperatures will top off at around the 60-degree mark on Wednesday, Jan. 4, according to the National Weather Service. (See the image above.) It will be another mostly cloudy day with some peaks of sunshine. As a cold front approaches late in the day, there will be rainfall in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will fall on Thursday, Jan. 5 with the high temperature between 10 …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Named NY Deputy State Fire Administrator Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Named NY Deputy State Fire Administrator
Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Named NY Deputy State Fire Administrator A former chief of a fire department in Northern Westchester is now the first woman to ever serve as New York's Deputy State Fire Administrator.  Former Armonk Fire Chief Luci Labriola-Cuffe was named to the position, which serves the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), on Thursday, Dec. 1, OFPC officials announced.  As Deputy State Fire Administrator, Labriola-Cuffe will make sure that the organization's training and education programs meet the new challenges and expanded responsibilities handled by OFPC, including newer threats suc…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Bowman Easily Wins In Race Against Former Mayor In Westchester County Bowman Easily Wins In Race Against Former Mayor In Westchester County
Bowman Easily Wins In Race Against Former Mayor In Westchester County Incumbent Democratic US Rep. Jamaal Bowman trounced Republican challenger Miriam Levitt Flisser to once again represent New York's 16th congressional district, which includes much of Westchester County.  Bowman beat Flisser, the former mayor of Scarsdale, by more than 50,000 votes, according to Ballotpedia.  In a statement released on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Bowman outlined his priorities for his second term.  "We will continue to fight for health care as a right, not a privilege. We will continue to fight for reproductive freedom. We will continue to fight for meaningful gu…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Winter 2022-23 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service Winter 2022-23 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service
Winter 2022-23 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has just released its outlook for the winter of 2022-23.with a strong element of uncertainty for this region.La Niña returns for the third consecutive winter, driving warmer-than-average temperatures for the Southwest and along the Gulf Coast and eastern seaboard.  So in a nutshell, for the Lower 48, it comes down to warmer and drier conditions than average in the south, and a bit of a mystery here up north. NOAA's National Weather Service forecasters are predicting that much of the Northeast "falls into the category of eq…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District
Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District With just weeks left until Election Day, new polling shows that Democrat Josh Riley is leading his Republican opponent, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, in the highly contested race for New York’s new 19th Congressional District. The district covers several counties in the central portion of the state, including Sullivan, Greene, and Columbia counties. Riley holds a five-point lead there over Molinaro, 46 to 41 percent, according to a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll of likely voters. Among their parties, Riley garnered support from 83 percent of Democrats while 78 percent of …

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
This Invasive Insect Spreading Quickly Across Region, Nation, New Study Warns This Invasive Insect Spreading Quickly Across Region, Nation, New Study Warns
This Invasive Insect Spreading Quickly Across Region, Nation, New Study Warns A foul-smelling, invasive insect commonly referred to as a “stink bug” could become a more frequent sight due to climate change, according to a new study published in Pest Management Science. Scientists used data collected over a three-year period from 17 states to try and forecast how changing weather patterns might create a more welcoming environment for the brown marmorated stink bug. Using several potential climate scenarios, modeling found that changing weather could increase suitable habitats for the insect in the United States by 70 percent, researchers found. Areas most likely to b…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In Shark Attacks More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In Shark Attacks
More To Come? Research Scientists Spell Out Possible Reasons For Increase In Shark Attacks As the number of shark sightings and attacks increase in waters up and down the Atlantic Coast, research scientists say to expect more and point to climate change, and the rebounding of the shark population as the reasons. Researchers say shark populations, which declined as much as 90 percent from the 1970s to the 1990s, are now rebounding as the ecosystem resettles, Robert Hueter, the chief scientist of Ocearch, told The New York Times. But, Hueter also points to climate change at work, saying sharks have moved up the coast to the New York Bight, a wedge formed by the shorelines of Long I…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast
Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast A hoard of new eight-legged neighbors will soon be parachuting toward the East Coast as the Joro spider begins making its march toward the region. The invasive species - dubbed “parachuting” for its distinct look and mode of transportation - has already begun making its mark in the south, is expected to begin migrating north, according to a newly released study. Joro spiders have two ways of travel, by hitching a ride on humans or cargo, or by “ballooning up
“ and generating silk threads that can be used as “parachutes” to use the wind to traverse the environment. Joro spider.Wikimedia…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Impeachment Attorney Running For NY AG Trump Impeachment Attorney Running For NY AG
Trump Impeachment Attorney Running For NY AG The trial attorney who served as the majority counsel during former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trials announced that he is running to become “The People’s Lawyer of New York.” Dan Goldman, a Democrat who was the lead prosecutor in the first impeachment probe and as a staff counsel in the second, announced that he is running to replace New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously announced a gubernatorial run. Related story - 'I'm Running For Governor': NY AG Letitia James Makes It Official The 45-year-old Goldman took to social media to announce his "people-powered ca…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
President Joe Biden Writes To Westchester Elementary School Class President Joe Biden Writes To Westchester Elementary School Class
President Joe Biden Writes To Westchester Elementary School Class An elementary school class in Westchester got a special surprise from the White House after reaching out to the new administration earlier this year. In New Rochelle, the fourth-grade students in Pia Persampieri’s bilingual class at the Trinity Elementary School wrote letters to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this year to discuss topics that concerned them. The project was part of an opinion unit in literacy, where students were assigned to write an opinion piece based on their research into hotbed topics such as social media, climate change, and violence in sc…

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by Zak Failla
News
Proposed New Bill Would Ban Noisy Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Statewide Proposed New Bill Would Ban Noisy Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Statewide
Proposed New Bill Would Ban Noisy Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Statewide New York lawmakers are promoting a new green agenda as they look to potentially put a ban on noisy gas-powered leaf blowers across the state. State Sen. Pete Harckham (who represents parts of Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess counties) promoted a new bill that would amend New York’s energy laws to require zero-emission landscaping devices no later than 2027. The bill includes a potential ban on lawnmowers, lawn edgers, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, and other landscaping equipment. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one hour of lawn mower use is the equivalent of driving 300…

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by Zak Failla
News
Final New York Firefighters Return From Battling Wildfires In Oregon, California Final New York Firefighters Return From Battling Wildfires In Oregon, California
Final New York Firefighters Return From Battling Wildfires In Oregon, California The final four New York State wildland firefighters who were battling blazes in Oregon and California have returned home after completing their two-week assignments. The four firefighters are all Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers, according to an announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul said Ranger Bryan Gallagher, who is from Suffolk County, was a facility unit leader at the Dixie Fire in California.  Ranger Charles Kabrehl, of Warren County, also worked at the Dixie Fire as a task force leader.  Ranger Joseph Hess, from Saratoga County, worked as …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Storm Ida: Nine Deaths Now Reported In NY, Recovery Effort Update Storm Ida: Nine Deaths Now Reported In NY, Recovery Effort Update
Storm Ida: Nine Deaths Now Reported In NY, Recovery Effort Update Gov. Kathy Hochul gave New Yorkers an update on the state's recovery efforts after Tropical Depression Ida carved a destructive path through the region, with record rainfall and nine reported deaths in the state.  Hochul gave the update during a news conference on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Great Neck Long Island Rail Road station in Nassau County.  Hochul said the Port Washington Line was disrupted and workers and trying to restore the tracks so they'll be safe again. "What we saw last night was nothing short of unprecedented. I cannot imagine a community having gone through …

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by Nicole Valinote
Weather
July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says
July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says The world broke a dubious record last month as the Earth’s climate continues heating up. July was the hottest month ever recorded, according to new data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), causing more concern for those anxious about climate change. The combined land- and ocean-surface temperature around the world was 1.67 degrees Fahrenheit above the average of 60.4 degrees, according to NOAA — making July the hottest month on Earth since record-keeping started 142 years ago. “In this case, first place is the worst place to be,” NOAA Administrator Ri…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Swatch Of Ocean Off Long Island's South Shore Could Become Biden Administration Wind Zone Swatch Of Ocean Off Long Island's South Shore Could Become Biden Administration Wind Zone
Swatch Of Ocean Off Long Island's South Shore Could Become Biden Administration Wind Zone President Joe Biden’s administration is planning a massive “wind energy area” in the New York Bight between the South Shore of Long Island and the New Jersey coast. According to reports, in an effort to make his lofty goal of making the nation's electricity sector carbon neutral by 2035, Biden’s administration is set to start selling leases in the area to promote clean energy. According to reports, constructing the offshore turbines would create approximately 32,000 jobs between 2022 and 2030 with 6,000 permanent jobs when the project is complete.

 “President Biden believes we have an eno…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Pre-College Program Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Pre-College Program
Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Pre-College Program The Earth Institute at Columbia University is excited to offer virtual pre-college learning opportunities for high school students in spring 2021. Spring registration is now open on our website. Join us at an upcoming info session to learn more — sign up here. Our pre-college programs are for high school students in grades 9-12 who are interested in extending their learning beyond the classroom and sharpening their knowledge and skills in the areas of climate change and sustainability. Whether you are a budding climate change activist, or a maker who loves to tinker with new tools and techno…

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Content Partner: The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Lifestyle
Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Professional Learning Program Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Professional Learning Program
Earth Institute At Columbia University Launches Professional Learning Program The Earth Institute at Columbia University is excited to offer virtual professional learning opportunities for spring 2021. Spring registration is now open on our website. Join us at an upcoming info session to learn more — sign up here. Our professional learning program provides working professionals and adult learners with the knowledge and skills needed to further job-related interests and careers across a variety of subjects. This program is for you if: you work in a climate- or sustainability-oriented career and want to gain new skills to enhance your current role; you want to explore a…

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Content Partner: The Earth Institute at Columbia University
News
260 Acres Added To Three Hudson Valley Parks, State Announces 260 Acres Added To Three Hudson Valley Parks, State Announces
260 Acres Added To Three Hudson Valley Parks, State Announces In an effort to preserve as much parkland and trails for public access throughout the state, New York State announced the protection of more than 260 acres of open space in the Hudson Valley. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Monday, Feb. 8 the new protected spaces will add new trails and public access to three State Parks, as well as conserving valuable ecological corridors.  The acquisitions represent an investment of $1.14 million in state funding from the Environmental Protection Fund and Hudson Highlands Conservation Act. "The Mid-Hudson Valley boasts some of our most breathtaking natu…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Lockdowns Reduced Pollution, Raised Global Temperature, New Research Reveals COVID-19: Lockdowns Reduced Pollution, Raised Global Temperature, New Research Reveals
Covid-19: Lockdowns Reduced Pollution, Raised Global Temperature, New Research Reveals Worldwide economic and social lockdowns due to COVID-19 resulted in cleaner air, but a warmer planet overall, according to new research. The findings by the National Center for Atmospheric Research are a bit counterintuitive. Most people are taught that pollution in the air leads to higher temperatures - which is accurate, but there is more than that going on in the skies. Researchers said that their work highlights the influence of airborne particles or aerosols that block incoming sunlight. When emissions in aerosols dropped last spring, more of the sun’s warmth reached the planet, especi…

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by Kristin Palpini
Politics
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State A prominent politician from the Hudson Valley will serve as America’s top diplomat after being sworn in as President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State. Yonkers native Antony "Tony" Blinken, age 58, a longtime confidant and aide of the new president, was approved by the Senate with a 78-22 bipartisan vote this week and will return to the White House following time spent as a top member of the Obama administration. From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, where he was tasked with helping to craft foreign policy in t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Announces Green Economy Plan For New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Announces Green Economy Plan For New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Announces Green Economy Plan For New York During his third iteration of the “State of the State” address this week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo concentrated on building a green economy for the state and working to combat climate concerns. Cuomo laid out ambitious plans to create the largest off-shore wind program in the nation and New York’s “Green Energy Program,” which is expected to create a total of 12,400 Megawatts of green energy to six million homes, while creating more than 50,000 jobs and spurring $29 billion in private investment across the state. “Our planet is in crisis. By every metric, it is clear: Sea levels are risin…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Arrival Of Cold Front Will Bring Big Change In Weather Pattern Arrival Of Cold Front Will Bring Big Change In Weather Pattern
Arrival Of Cold Front Will Bring Big Change In Weather Pattern A cold front that will move across the region midway through the weekend will bring about a big change in the weather pattern. Mild air will linger on Saturday, Nov. 21, which will be partly sunny with a high temperature in the upper 50s. The cold front will arrive Saturday evening, with the overnight low temperature falling to the mid 30s. Sunday, Nov. 22 will be mostly cloudy and cooler with a high temperature in the mid 40s. A storm system will arrive Sunday afternoon, bringing showers that will linger through the evening and into Monday, Nov. 23. Showers will taper off later Monday m…

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by Joe Lombardi