La localidad de Fuquay-Varina ha solicitado un certificado de transferencia entre cuencas para extraer hasta 6.17 millones de galones diarios de agua de la cuenca del río Cape Fear, con el objetivo de descargar las aguas residuales tratadas en la cuenca del río Neuse.
Una persona ha compartido su experiencia tras utilizar el medicamento Ozempic durante un par de años. Gracias a la combinación del fármaco y a cambios en su estilo de vida, ha logrado una pérdida de peso de 35 libras.
Three years ago, nearly every household in Montana’s largest municipality got rebates for “franchise fees,” which the City of Billings illegally billed for years.
Now, Billings residents are pursuing another class-action suit against the city, alleging that a new water billing system has overcharged water users while the city has shut off water to houses while still not answering questions about the new billing system.
In a recent court filing, attorneys for the City of Billings argue regardless of the residents’ claims, the five residents who filed the suit — and any other resident — are ineligible for a refund or rebate because of a little-known and apparently little used rule requiring state residents to present any claims to a city council within one year of the claim arising. Attorneys Christopher Sweeney, Bryce Burke and Adam Tunning say that Montana law now bars the lawsuit, and they’re urging Yellowstone County District Court Judge Ed Zink to dismiss the entire lawsuit.
At the heart of a case was a rocky rollout of a new software system Billings implemented because the old one was antiquated and beyond its useful life span. None of the residential meters were changed during the process, but residents were left with sticker shock as the new software seemed to show a huge uptick in water usage and rapid increases in water bills. Each of the five plaintiffs in the lawsuit — Jeremy Chapman, Kailey Ferguson, Edward Johnston, Nancy Thorson and Gary Zaccagnini — submitted their bills in court documents to prove the billing issues.
For example, Chapman’s water usage from December 2023 through June 2024 was between 1 and 7 kilogallons (a kilogallon is equivalent to 1,000 gallons and is abbreviated as “Kgal”). Chapman’s bill ranged from $40.96 to $62.89. However, after the new billing software, his usage went to 73 Kgal for a two-month period, with a resulting charge of $501.94. In October 2024, city records show he used 78 Kgal and was billed $593.75.
Ferguson’s usage from May 21, 2024 through Aug. 5 was 10 Kgal during the period of 76 days, and she was billed $240.80 for it. But after the new software was implemented, Ferguson received a bill showing that she had used 245 Kgal in October 2024 and received a bill for $2,509.79.
The City of Billings received so many complaints it launched its own audit after the new system was implemented in the summer of 2024, and stopped any water turnoffs while city officials sorted through the confusion and displeasure. According to court filings, though, the city says the audit found the software and monitoring was working properly. The city has argued planned water rate increases coupled with a very hot summer — which is when the transition happened — led to a nearly 30% increase in water usage for the entire city.
Still, residents in the lawsuit contend their water usage did not change — despite bills showing their water usage dramatically increased, in some cases tenfold.
Chapman said he contacted the city because he disputed the bill and did not pay his bill because he believed it was erroneously calculated. The city shut off his water on Feb. 2, 2026. Ferguson said her water bills were so excessive that she was forced to move from the rental property.
Both the city and the residents agree that the residents did contact the city, and all the residents alleged the billing was improper. However, attorneys for the city say all the residents failed to object to the bills within a year of when the bills were issued, and that state law requires residents to file a claim in writing with the city clerk and itemize a bill, demanding the city council pay it.
According to the the United States EPA, the average American uses around 82 gallons per day in a household.
The residents also claim the city knew about the problem — alleging the city fielded thousands of complaints — and that the audit was severely lacking.
“(The City of Billings) refused to acknowledge the possibility of system errors despite thousands of simultaneously requests to review bills from plaintiffs and other Yellowstone County residents,” the court documents say. “(The city) hired a firm to conduct an ‘audit’ which failed to review the homes of the plaintiffs. The audit reviewed less than 30 meters and failed to explain how residents were charged for more water than they could use in a month.”
The audit also found the city had inappropriate operating procedures, inadequate staffing, and a “rushed conversion process,” according to court documents.
“(The city) had various excuses for illogically high or impossible bills, such as there was a leak, the sprinkler system must have been running nonstop, the sprinkler system was leaking and someone was stealing water,” the residents said. “These excuses were easily disproven.”
The residents also said they had tried to work with the city to understand the bills and come to a resolution before filing a lawsuit.
For example, Chapman claimed he requested different water statements and billing, which he did not receive until Feb. 1, 2026 — the day before the city turned off the water. In another example, the city allegedly told Thorson her increased bills were due to a underground sprinkler system. She does not have one at her home.
Attorneys for the city said the state’s year statute of limitations makes sense because it gives the city a chance to investigate the claims and address problems before they add up.
“The purpose of the claims statutes is not to prevent surprise, but to provide the public entity sufficient information to enable it to adequately investigate claims and to settle them, if appropriate, without the expense of litigation,” the city’s attorney said.
WITH THE FACT THAT HE DID NOT GET CONVICTED OF CAPITAL MURDER. BACK TO YOU, AARON. THANKS, MIKE. AND MICHAEL HIGDON HAS BEEN FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS ON THE RECOVERY OF MISSING ALABAMA STUDENT JIMMY GRACE’S BODY. MICHAEL, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SENDING THEIR SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY TONIGHT. REALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE FAMILY IS ALSO ASKING FOR PRIVACY, BUT SAYS THEY ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE, SUPPORT AND PRAYERS FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER. THE LATEST. TONIGHT, JIMMY GRACE’S BODY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A FORENSIC FACILITY FOR AN AUTOPSY. ACCORDING TO LOCAL REPORTS. AND HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR. GRACIE WAS FIRST REPORTED MISSING ON THE TUESDAY AFTER HE DIDN’T RETURN TO HIS AIRBNB AFTER BEING AT A POPULAR NIGHTCLUB YESTERDAY. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO WAS REVIEWED AND POLICE LAUNCHED A WATER SEARCH AFTER GETTING REPORTS OF A MAN HEADING TOWARD THE SEA. THEN TODAY, GRACE’S BODY WAS FOUND IN THE WATERS OFF THE BEACHES OF BARCELONA. AUTHORITIES HAVE RULED OUT FOUL PLAY. THE FAMILY RELEASED A STATEMENT TONIGHT THANKING THOSE AROUND THE WORLD FOR THEIR SUPPORT. THEY SAY SO MANY HELPED TO SHARE JIMMY’S STORY AND BRING HIS LIFE TO LIGHT SO THAT OTHERS MAY KNOW HIM. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ALSO SAYING THEIR COMMUNITY IS HEARTBROKEN. THEY SAY JIMMY’S LOSS IS DEEPLY FELT ACROSS CAMPUS AND COUNSELING AND SUPPORT. RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. THE FAMILY AGAIN ASKING FOR PRIVACY AS THEY GRIEVE. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WORKING TO LEARN WHEN THE ACTUAL AUTOPSY WILL BE TAKING PLACE, AND OF COURSE, OUR MORNING
TIMELINE: What we know about the death of Alabama student found at sea near Barcelona
Updated: 10:42 PM CDT Mar 19, 2026
Latest Updates | Family «struggling to come to terms» | University of Alabama «heartbroken» | Leaders respondThe body of University of Alabama student James «Jimmy» Gracey was found Thursday at sea after he was reported missing in Barcelona while visiting friends.The body was found in the waters off the beaches of Barcelona near Port Olímpic by the dive team, according to La Vanguardia. The newspaper is also reporting that Gracey’s father has been notified and foul play has been ruled out. Jimmy Gracey, 20, was last seen at Shôko, a beachfront nightclub, around 3 a.m. on March 17. A friend who was with him left, but he stayed and never returned to the Airbnb, according to his mother. Below is a timeline of what we know about the search and investigation. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
Latest Updates | Family «struggling to come to terms» | University of Alabama «heartbroken» | Leaders respond
The body of University of Alabama student James «Jimmy» Gracey was found Thursday at sea after he was reported missing in Barcelona while visiting friends.
The body was found in the waters off the beaches of Barcelona near Port Olímpic by the dive team, according to La Vanguardia. The newspaper is also reporting that Gracey’s father has been notified and foul play has been ruled out.
Jimmy Gracey, 20, was last seen at Shôko, a beachfront nightclub, around 3 a.m. on March 17. A friend who was with him left, but he stayed and never returned to the Airbnb, according to his mother.
Below is a timeline of what we know about the search and investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
BATON ROUGE — The 19th Judicial District Court closed at 3 p.m. today because of a power and water outage.
The closure includes Family Court and the Clerk of Court office as well.
Officials say they will share updates when more information becomes available.
La reciente muerte de una niña de 9 años con autismo ha puesto de relieve una grave preocupación por la seguridad de los niños con este trastorno. Los expertos señalan que los niños con autismo tienen 160 veces más probabilidades de morir por ahogamiento que la población pediátrica en general.
El problema ha afectado especialmente a la zona del Tri-Estado, donde cuatro niños con autismo han muerto ahogados en el área metropolitana de Cincinnati en el último año. Ahora, un instructor de natación local está trabajando para eliminar barreras y facilitar el acceso a clases especializadas para que las familias puedan mantener a sus hijos seguros cerca del agua.
Eric Moore, propietario de Swim Life of NKY, afirma que incidentes como el del fin de semana son precisamente por lo que su trabajo es importante. “Este incidente de este fin de semana es 100% lo que intentamos prevenir todos los días. Así que, cuando ocurre, nos afecta aún más emocionalmente”, dijo Moore.
El caso de una joven con autismo encontrada en un estanque el fin de semana es un doloroso recordatorio de lo rápido que el agua puede volverse peligrosa. Los expertos explican que los niños con autismo a menudo ven el agua de manera diferente, lo que puede aumentar su riesgo.
“Si nunca han sido expuestos a un entrenamiento adecuado y los padres no les han enseñado… ese niño autista ve el agua como un misterio místico, casi divertido, como una tierra de unicornios”, explicó Moore. “Poco saben lo peligroso que es”.
Tras el ahogamiento de Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., de 6 años, en un estanque detrás de su casa en West Chester en 2024, la organización de Moore creó una beca en nombre del niño. El programa ofrece cursos de natación gratuitos de cinco semanas para niños con autismo.
Moore asegura que enseñar habilidades de supervivencia en el agua puede salvar vidas. “Creemos que esta es la principal medida de prevención, que aprendan a sobrevivir en el agua, porque las barreras solo son una solución parcial”, afirmó.
El curso especializado normalmente cuesta alrededor de 600 dólares, en parte debido a que los instructores deben completar certificaciones que superan los 16.000 dólares. “Hay una razón por la que somos un poco más caros, pero es porque obtenemos resultados”, dijo Moore. “No es una vez a la semana. No es una clase grupal. Queremos que sea divertido para ellos, pero lo más importante es que los padres vean resultados”.
Desde la reciente tragedia, Moore dice que decenas de padres se han puesto en contacto con ellos en busca de clases. Sin embargo, ya hay más de 300 niños en la lista de espera. Moore espera que los legisladores comiencen a tratar la seguridad acuática como una prioridad.
“Los niños deben aprender qué es el agua y qué sucede si se caen en ella”, dijo Moore. “Si lo hacemos una y otra vez, imaginen las posibilidades que tendrán en comparación con no hacer nada”.
Sixteen students and nine staff members at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School say they fell ill due to classroom conditions last month, as Montgomery County Public Schools continues to locate and repair possible air quality health issues.
On Feb. 26, the students and staff reported difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and coughing.
The on-site health technician evaluated the students involved, and the Division of Facilities Management reviewed live data from indoor air quality sensors in classroom where the alleged sickening occurred, according to a letter dated March 3 from Andrea Swiatocha, MCPS deputy chief of facilities management.
The sensors take measurements of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and airborne particulate matter throughout the day. On that day that several students and staff had medical issues, according to the letter. The sensor readings did not indicate unsafe conditions,
The following day, the Division of Facilities Management environmental safety and health professionals inspected the room and spoke with teachers. The conditions were found to be acceptable. There was no evidence of moisture issues, mold or hazardous chemical pollutants, according to Swiatocha.
However, while within an acceptable range, this classroom showed higher readings than nearby classrooms, according to the letter from Swiatocha, which was forwarded to MCM by MCPS upon request.
The school’s HVAC system that serviced that classroom was tested, and no problems were found, according to MCPS.
However, when students returned to school on Monday, March 2, some children complained of a “metallic taste” in their mouths after breathing air in that same classroom.
PTA President Nancy McInerney sent a letter to Superintendent Thomas Taylor. “We are requesting immediate action, including a transparent report of findings and prompt remediation of any identified hazards,” she wrote.
The fire department was called and crews determined that the CO and oxygen levels in two classrooms were normal. First responders “determined that possible residual mold could account for the metallic taste,” stated in the letter.
Despite not being able to determine what was wrong, the school still replaced the air filters for the portable air cleaner and said they have plans to replace stained cork boards. Crews will install upgraded sensors in the affected classroom and other nearby classrooms, as well.
The new sensors will measure additional potential air contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and ozone.
On March 4, Swiatocha sent out a follow-up letter detailing steps MCPS is taking to resolve the issue, some of which previously have been announced.
Repairs to moisture and air quality at the school were completed in the summer of 2025, according to Swiatocha’s letter. Design improvement plans to control humidity and improve ventilation have been finalized.
In Superintendent Taylor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 to 2032 capital improvements budget, $2.2 million is included for this work.
“Please know that our MCPS facilities team and contractors are working diligently and in close coordination to complete all work as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Swiatocha wrote.
But PTA members are not satisfied. In the president’s letter, she complained that MCPS did not address the problem until one day after students and staff became ill.
According to the PTA letter, the Title 1 school that was constructed 72 years ago is in bad shape. Its “structure is deteriorating, ventilation does not extend to all classrooms, and water is seeping into the basement and foundation.”
County Councilmember Will Jawando addressed the issue on Facebook, stating he was “deeply concerned about the ongoing air quality emergency.”
Jawando posted, “As Chair of the Montgomery County Council’s Education & Culture Committee, I have asked MCPS to provide a full and transparent update to the New Hampshire Estates community. I am working with Superintendent Taylor to ensure every appropriate step is being taken to address this issue, and I will continue carefully monitoring this situation until it is resolved. This underscores the need to increase funding in our capital budget for HVAC and other critical renovations.”
En la ciudad costera de Benidorm, la policía española ha arrestado a dos turistas británicos que orquestaron su propio secuestro. Los dos hombres, de 51 y 37 años, pretendían extorsionar dinero a sus familiares para poder continuar disfrutando de sus vacaciones en la Costa Blanca, según información del Diario de Alicante, recogida por The Independent.
La familia de uno de los dos individuos recibió un video de forma anónima que mostraba un supuesto secuestro. En las imágenes, una de las personas aparecía cubierta de sangre y amenazada con un cuchillo.
El nadador Miguel Delara ha comenzado su participación con el equipo de natación de Enhanced Games. El anuncio se realizó el 5 de febrero de 2026, a través de una publicación en redes sociales donde se le ve disfrutando de su primer día con el grupo.
Delara compartió la noticia con la etiqueta #enhanced y #bestLife, acompañando el mensaje con emojis de sol y gafas de sol.
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