The man who took in orphaned Peanut the squirrel says it's 'surreal' officials euthanized his pet
NEW YORK (AP) -- A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star says New York state's decision to seize and euthanize the animal won't go without a response. Mark Longo spoke Saturday to The Associated Press. He says state officials will hear from him soon about what happened to Peanut the squirrel and Fred, a rescued raccoon that was also confiscated and put down. For now, Longo isn't specifying his possible next steps. The DEC and the Chemung County Health Department said Friday that the squirrel and raccoon were euthanized so they could be tested for rabies. The agencies say Peanut bit someone involved in their investigation into whether wild animals were being kept illegally. Longo says he didn't witness Peanut bite anyone.
Vigil held for Grizzly No. 399, the beloved Grand Teton bear who was killed by a vehicle
Nature lovers held a vigil for a famous female grizzly bear that delighted visitors for decades in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park after she was struck and killed by a vehicle. Officials say the grizzly known as No. 399 was hit Oct. 22 south of the picturesque ski town of Jackson. She was beloved by nature photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and other park visitors. Dozens braved frigid weather in Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online. At age 28, the bear was the oldest reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
Warren Buffett is sitting on over $325 billion cash as Berkshire Hathaway keeps selling Apple stock
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Warren Buffett is now sitting on more than $325 billion cash after continuing to unload billions of dollars worth of Apple and Bank of America shares this year and continuing to collect a steady stream of profits from all of Berkshire Hathaway's assorted businesses without finding any major acquisitions. Berkshire said in its earnings report Saturday that it sold off roughly another 100 million Apple shares in the third quarter after halving its massive investment in the iPhone maker last quarter. The stake valued at $69.9 billion at the end of September remains Berkshire's biggest single investment, but it has been cut drastically since the end of last year when it was worth $174.3 billion.
TGI Fridays files for bankruptcy protection as sit-down restaurant struggles continue
Restaurant chain TGI Fridays says it has filed for bankruptcy protection as it looks for ways to "ensure the long-term viability" of the casual dining brand. The Dallas-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Texas federal court Saturday. Executive Chairman Rohit Manocha said in a statement that the "primary driver of our financial challenges resulted from COVID-19 and our capital structure." Sit-down chain restaurants more broadly have faced challenges in recent years as diners choose to get food delivered or visit upscale fast-food chains.
Rohit Bal, one of India's best-known fashion designers, dies at 63
NEW DELHI (AP) -- Rohit Bal, one of India's best-known fashion designers, has died after a prolonged illness. He was 63. The Fashion Design Council of India, or FDCI, announced his death late Friday in a post on Instagram, saying they mourned "the passing of legendary designer" who was "known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities." Bal was one of India's first designers who pioneered fashion design as a profession in the 1990s. The FDCI said Bal's work "redefined Indian fashion" and "inspired generations."
Crowds flock to tiny Massachusetts town to send off New York's Rockefeller Christmas tree
WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree comes with a strong New England accent, and locals could not be more excited. The Norway spruce that will travel to New York City hails from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It was scheduled to be cut down Thursday and make the roughly 140-mile journey south, arriving Nov. 9 in midtown Manhattan. It will be lit during a live TV broadcast on Dec. 4 featuring 50,000 multi-colored lights with a Swarovski star on top. Local western Massachusetts residents have flocked to the tree this week, which was planted 67 years ago in honor of the homeowner's nieces. It is the first tree to come from Massachusetts since 1959.
Shark bites 61-year-old Maui surfer, completely severing his leg below the knee
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) -- A shark bit a Maui surfer and severed his leg. Authorities say the 61-year-old man was surfing off Waiehu Beach Park Friday morning when a shark bit him. Maui officials say the man's right leg was completely severed below the knee. The man was alert while being treated on shore and then taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition. Authorities report the man says he did not see the shark approach. The incident has prompted officials to close the beach park. There were no details provided on what kind of shark was involved. In June, well-known surfer Tamayo Perry was killed in a shark attack while surfing off Oahu's North Shore.
Meet Decoy Ohtani, perhaps the most valuable pet of the World Series
NEW YORK (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani's dog, Decoy, made an appearance at the World Series victory parade. The much-memed Decoy is a Nederlanse kooikerhondje, or Dutch kooikerhondje. He has become a fixture of Dodgers, and dog, fandom since Ohtani joined the team. The pup was on Ohtani's lap when he learned he was the first Major League Baseball player ever to be unanimously selected twice as Most Valuable Player, which he achieved while with the Los Angeles Angels. After he went on to sign a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers, some of the first questions that reporters had for him were about the dog.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday. Time to 'fall back' an hour
It's time to move clocks back on Sunday. Daylight saving time ends in the U.S. at 2 a.m. local time, which means setting your clock back an hour. Standard time will last until March 9 when we will again "spring forward" with the return of daylight saving time. That spring time change can be tough on your body but the fall change should be easier to adjust to. Most countries don't make time changes. It's mostly North America and Europe. In the U.S., there are two exceptions. Arizona and Hawaii stick to standard time year-round.
Wendy's closing 140 more restaurants as part of push to update its locations
Wendy's plans to close 140 U.S. restaurants before the end of this year on top of the 100 it said it would close in May. But the company says those closures will be offset by new restaurant openings. Wendy's plans to open between 250 and 300 restaurants this year. Wendy's President and CEO Kirk Tanner said in a conference call Thursday that the restaurants that are closing are underperforming compared to others, and many are outdated. Wendy's didn't provide a list of restaurants that will be closed, but Tanner said they're all over the U.S.