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Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Gary England, star meteorologist in Tornado Alley, dies at 85
During live coverage that day, England talked to a storm chaser who at one point described an ominous development: A tornado funnel had quickly popped up near a much wider one. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'You folks in the path of this storm have time to get below ground,' England said. 'You need to be below ground with this storm. This is a deadly tornado.' Advertisement Recalling the severity of his warning, he told NPR in 2009, 'I knew that one would get their attention because I'd never said it before and I've never said it since.' The regard that citizens felt for England was reflected in messages painted by survivors of those tornadoes on the wreckage of their houses. One read, 'God Bless Gary England,' and another said, 'Thanks Gary England for Getting Us Out Alive!!' England's coverage of the 1999 tornadoes earned him a National Headliner Award the next year. In 2009, he and his team received an Edward R. Murrow Award. Advertisement 'In the eyes of most Oklahomans, England is less a meteorologist than a benevolent weather god who routinely saves everyone's lives,' Sam Anderson wrote in The New York Times Magazine in a 2013 profile of England called 'The Weather God of Oklahoma City.' 'He has become a cult figure: a combination of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Foghorn Leghorn, Atticus Finch, Dan Rather, Zeus and Uncle Jesse from 'The Dukes of Hazzard.'' England's renown in Tornado Alley -- the central U.S. region frequently hit by twisters -- led to his serving as a technical adviser to 'Twister,' a 1996 film about storm chasers starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. He appeared in the opening scene as a forecaster giving a tornado warning on TV. Gary Alan England was born Oct. 3, 1939, in Seiling, Oklahoma. His father, Lesley, and mother, Hazel (Stong) England, owned a grocery store. While growing up, England took photographs of storm clouds and was transfixed by the TV reports of Harry Volkman, a weatherperson in Oklahoma. 'I was staring, and I turned to Dad and said, 'Dad, I want to be one of those,' and I pointed to the TV,' England said in an oral history interview with Oklahoma State University in 2013. 'He said, 'Well, what is he?' and I said, 'I don't know, but I want to be one.'' After graduating from high school, England served in the U.S. Navy, joining the Navy Weather Service. He received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1965, and then worked for a weather forecasting firm in New Orleans. Advertisement He was hired in 1971 as a forecaster at KTOK Radio in Oklahoma City; a year later, he joined KWTV. He had little else to work with except for hand-drawn maps and a heavy reliance on the National Weather Service. 'In the beginning, I would only warn Jane a tornado was coming because John's house blew away,' he told the Los Angeles Times in 2013. But he urged KWTV management to build his toolbox, first with weather radar in 1973. In 1981, England became probably the first weather forecaster to use Doppler radar, which detected precipitation as well as wind speed and direction, vastly improving tornado warning times. Having followed research about the military use of Doppler radar, he made a presentation to the station's president, John Griffin. 'He said, 'Gary, you have never misled me on what we need,'' England said in the oral history. 'So we helped in the development and installed the world's first commercial Doppler radar right here.' Soon after, he said, he was watching the Doppler radar of what appeared to be a tornado. He called the local sheriff, who went outside and told him that he saw a funnel cloud. 'Now I knew I had something, so I issued the warning,' England said. 'It really upset the weather service but, you know, I wasn't going to wait and call them: 'Guys, is it OK if we issue the warning?'' Robert Henson, a meteorologist and the author of 'Weather on the Air: A History of Broadcast Meteorology' (2010), said in an interview, 'Gary had a reputation for being more aggressive with warnings than the National Weather Service because he had Doppler before other local stations. A warning doesn't always mean a tornado is out there, but he established that he was laser-focused on the threat.' Advertisement In the early 1990s, England helped initiate 'First Warning,' an automated map in the corner of TV screens that gives weather warnings, and 'Storm Tracker,' which shows a storm's path and an estimate for when a severe storm would arrive in a location. When KWTV celebrated 40 years of on-air achievements with a full page newspaper ad in 1994, nearly half were attributable to England and his weather team. He retired in 2013, a few months after a tornado, on May 20, ripped through parts of Oklahoma City, in particular the suburb of Moore, and killed about two dozen people. Another struck the suburb of El Reno 11 days later. After the latter storm, he told his wife, Mary England, that he had tired of his job. 'I just didn't want to do it anymore,' he told the chamber of commerce in Norman, Oklahoma, in early 2014. 'All that death and destruction.' After leaving KWTV, England became the vice president of corporate relations and weather development at Griffin Communications (now Griffin Media), the station's parent company, and was the consultant meteorologist-in-residence at the University of Oklahoma, home of the National Weather Center. His wife, formerly Mary Carlisle, survives him, along with his daughter, Molly Lutosky; two grandchildren; and a brother, Phil. In his decades tracking tornadoes, England found that no two were alike. 'They kind of have a life cycle just like a human,' he said in the oral history. 'It's shorter, but they behave a little differently. They do different things. They turn right, they turn left, they don't turn, and all of them are a little bit different.' Advertisement He added, 'On camera, they may all look the same, but everything is a learning process in this business. It really is.' This article originally appeared in
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Madonna slammed by Hamilton star for 'using iPad during Broadway performance'
Hamilton star Anthony Ramos has claimed Madonna spent a whole performance of the Broadway show on her iPad, and has told her 'you don't have to stay here' Twister's star Anthony Ramos has claimed that Madonna caused quite the stir during her visit to a Hamilton show on Broadway. The 33-year-old actor, who played the original roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, recounted the incident when the pop icon attended a performance, and his co-stars also made the same claim about the Queen of Pop. Ramos, appearing on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live last Thursday, recalled: "The most terrifying was Madonna with her iPad in her face. She was like this [shining a light] the whole time. "I was like, 'Damn, shorty. If you're not enjoying it that much, you know the door is right there. You don't have to stay here.'". Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical's mastermind who also starred as Alexander Hamilton, seemed to reference the episode involving The Material Girl in a now-erased tweet back in April 2015. He had written: "Tonight was the first time I asked stage management NOT to allow a celebrity (who was texting all through Act 2) backstage. #noselfieforyou." Madonna's representative, however, countered these allegations, telling Us Weekly: "It's not true. She was invited backstage four different times. She texted post-show when they were doing their fundraising pitch. Madonna had already made a generous donation." Jonathan Groff, who portrayed King George in the production, didn't hold back either, bluntly claiming "that b**** was on her phone." He noted at the time: "You couldn't miss it from the stage. It was a black void of the audience in front of us and her face there perfectly lit by the light of her iPhone through three-quarters of the show." Back in April 2015, Playbill claimed Queen of Pop, Madonna, attended the show at The Public Theatre, but wasn't invited backstage after it was wrapped. Ramos recently reunited with his Hamilton castmates, including Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan, and Phillipa Soo, at the Tony Awards. To mark the musical's 10th anniversary, the cast performed a medley of tracks including Non-Stop, My Shot, History Has Its Eyes on You and The Room Where It Happens. Hamilton received a whopping 16 nominations at the 70th Tony Awards and won 11 awards. After starring in Hamilton, Ramos appeared in Miranda's 2021 musical, In The Heights. He also starred in 2024's Twisters with Daisy Edgar Jones and Glen Powell.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic '90s Actress, 61, Stuns in Itty-Bitty Bikini With Natural Aging Appearance
Iconic '90s Actress, 61, Stuns in Itty-Bitty Bikini With Natural Aging Appearance originally appeared on Parade. stunned in an itty-bitty bikini with her natural aging appearance in new photos captured in Italy. Recently, the iconic 90s actress. 61—known for her roles in Mad About You, As Good as It Gets, Twister and more—enjoyed fun in the sun in Taormina, Sicily, with her boyfriend, Jeffrey Nordling. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 In pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, Hunt rocked a two-piece swimsuit featuring a bright yellow top with floral bottoms. She looked amazing while flaunting her fit physique and ageless look. . The actress also recently turned heads on social media with photos of her naturally-aging looks. On June 4, Hunt opened up about her decision not to bow to Hollywood beauty standards. "It felt impossible not to internalize the way you're supposed to look," Hunt said during an interview with Flow Space. And [there was] a certain amount of misery and shame around not looking exactly that way." The Then She Found Me star added, "I realized, 'This could quietly ruin your whole life.' I made a decision: I'm not playing. Not gonna [let it] take up a lot of space in my mind." Today, Hunt approaches her diet with an eat "what you want and love every bite, period" mentality. She has also decided to skip Botox and other cosmetic procedures, opting to age naturally. Next: Rock Star, 37, Suffers Heartbreaking Personal Loss: "Devastated" Iconic '90s Actress, 61, Stuns in Itty-Bitty Bikini With Natural Aging Appearance first appeared on Parade on Jun 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's favourite ice lollies REVEALED – and what supermarket sells them cheapest
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH temperatures set to soar over 30 degrees this week, many will be stocking up on ice lollies to help keep cool. Supermarkets offer shoppers endless options when it comes to picking a flavour or brand of the frozen treat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We reveal the UK's favourite ice lollies But which brand has emerged as Britain's favourite? Below we can reveal the UK's favourite ice lollies and share where you can grab a bargain on the delights. Rowntree's Fruit Stack Ice Lollies The refreshing dessert has been crowned the UK's favourite lolly, according to Trolley. This treat offers the flavours of strawberry, juicy orange and zingy apple, all stacked onto a stick. Better yet, one serving is only 55 calories making it perfect for those looking for a lighter treat this summer. Shoppers have raved about the delight, with one sharing that it was now a "household staple" and another said it is "great for a hot day." If you are looking to stock up on the beloved frozen snack, then it is best to head to Asda. The supermarket is currently selling a four pack of the treat for £1.98. That is compared to Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Ocado which charge £2.50. Wall's Twister Berry-Licious Ice Lollies These berry flavoured delights only launched last year, but have already won the title of Britain's second favourite lolly. Four simple ways to save money at Asda The frozen dessert is a mix of blackcurrant, raspberry-apple and apple-blueberry flavours. What's more, each fruit ice lolly contains just 68 calories and is made with natural flavours and fruit juice. The ice lollies also naturally colour your tongue, making it a fun treat for little ones. Asda is also selling a four pack of the treat for £1.98 and Waitrose is charging £2 for the same product. Tesco Clubcard holders can pay £2 for a box, but non-loyal card holders will be charged £2.90. Meanwhile, Iceland is charging £2.75, while Morrisons has priced the product at £2.90. Twister Fruit Zingerrr Ice Lollies This is a modern take on the Twister ice lolly and has been crowned the UK's third favourite flavour. It will be a hit with customers who love sour flavours, promising a blend of tangy apple, lemon and sweet blueberry fruit. At 65 calories they are also a hit with those who wish to steer clear of denser ice creams and desserts. Customers have raved about the treat, with one sharing that it is perfect for a "warm day". While another shopper said: "They are an absolute bargain in terms of calories and you can really taste each fruit flavour". Again, Asda is the cheapest place to pick up a four-pack of these treats. The supermarket is charging £1.98 for the treat as part of it's Roll Back promotion. Tesco is charging £2.90, which is the same price as Sainsbury's and Ocado. Mr Freeze Jubbly Cola Ice Lollies Coming in at number four is the Mr Freeze Jubbly Cola Ice Lollies. The tetrahedral-shaped ice pop has been a summer staple in freezers for generations. Shoppers have described the treat as "elite" and a "must have" if you have children always looking something cold after playing outside. While another customer said: "These are literally all I eat all day every day no regrets". Tesco Clubcard holders can pick up a packet of eight for £1.25, while non Clubcard holders pay £1.65. Asda charges £1.60 for the same packet and Iceland has priced it at £1.75 Sainsbury's and Morrisons are selling the treat for £1.65. Jude's Little Jude's Milk Lollies The posh ice cream maker's take on Mini Milks has been crowned the UK's sixth favourite ice lolly. The fifth spot went to Love Hearts Fruit Flavour Lollies, but the product is currently sold out across all stores in the UK. Jude's treat comes in at less than 28 calories per lolly making it a perfect after school treat for your little one. Shoppers have praised the product and said the creamy treat is "always" in their freezer. While another said it was the "perfect cooling treat". Sainsbury's is the best place to pick this snack up if you are looking for a bargain. The supermarket charges £2.95 for the delight, while Ocado and Waitrose have priced it at £3.50 and £3.10 respectively.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Legendary Oklahoma Meteorologist Gary England Dies at 85
Longtime KWTV chief meteorologist Gary England has died. He was 85. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma CBS affiliate said England kept Oklahomans informed for 41 years. Upon his retirement in 2013, England was called the Oklahoma's Master Meteorologist by NPR, while The New York Times called him The Weather God of Oklahoma City. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved Gary England passed this evening. Gary passed peacefully on the evening of June 10th, surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife of 63 years, Mary, and his loving daughter, Molly. Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms. He will be deeply and forever missed,' his family said in a statement. He was known for pioneering the use of technology in forecasting. In 1981, he became the first person in history to implement Enterprise Electronics Doppler radar for direct warnings to the public. In 1990, England developed First Warning, an automated severe weather warning system that provided instant weather warning maps in the corner of the television screen. One year later, he created StormTracker, a system that projected the path of storms and the time of their arrival, a program that is now used nationwide. England authored 4 books and was the subject of another. He appeared in more than 50 national and international severe weather programs in addition to the Steven Spielberg movie "Twister." In 2006, England was a keynote speaker for the dedication of the new National Weather Center in Norman, OK. As part of the Oklahoma Centennial celebration in 2007, he was immortalized by the sculpting of his bust, which honored '100 Heroes and Outlaws' of Oklahoma repute during the state's first 100 years. England was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013. KWTV
