By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS (AP Business Writer)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kia America is recalling nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs — and urging owners to park their cars outside and away from other structures until an issue posing a fire hazard is fixed.

The front power seat motor on the affected Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years may overheat because of a stuck slide knob, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could potentially result in a fire while the car is parked or being driven.

Kia made the decision to recall the vehicles on May 29, NHTSA documents published Friday show, after receiving reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor between August 2022 and March 2024. No related injuries, crashes or fatalities were reported at the time.

The recall report notes that strong external impact to the recalled Tellurides’ front power seat side cover or seat slide knob can result in internal misalignment — and with continuous operation, that can cause overheating. People driving vehicles with the issue may find they can’t adjust the power seat, may notice a burning or melting smell, or see smoke rising from underneath the seat.

To fix this, dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost. Until the vehicles are repaired, owners are being instructed to park their cars outside and away from buildings.

Owner notification letters are set to be mailed out starting July 30, with dealer notification a few days prior. Irvine, California-based Kia America did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment on why these notifications wouldn’t begin until the end of next month.

In the meantime, drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site and/or Kia’s recall lookup platform.

The recall covers 462,869 model year 2020-2024 Tellurides that were manufactured between Jan. 9, 2019 and May 29, 2024. Kia America estimates that 1% have the defect.

This isn’t the only recall impacting Kia Telluride owners. In March, Kia America said it would be recalling more than 427,000 of 2020-2024 Telluride SUVs due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while they’re parked.

Just last fall, Kia and Hyundai announced previous “park outside” recalls for 3.4 million other car and SUV models due to the danger of engine compartment fires. Amid long-delayed repairs, many of those vehicles remained on the road months later, posing serious concerns from drivers and consumer safety advocates.

Hyundai owns part of Kia, though the two companies operate independently.

“By voting on The People’s Money, New Yorkers are not just selecting projects; they are participating in a shared vision for our city’s future.”

CityViews are readers’ opinions, not those of City Limits. Add your voice today!

In the heart of New York City, a vibrant revolution is unfolding. Sunshine-yellow “Sunnies,” small clay sculptures adorned with bright red hearts, are emerging across our beloved city. These figures are not merely art installations; they are symbols of democratic engagement, urging New Yorkers aged 11 and up to participate in “The People’s Money,” our citywide participatory budgeting initiative. The deadline to vote is June 12.

As The People’s Artist at the Civic Engagement Commission (CEC), I envision these Sunnies as more than mere decorations. They are emissaries of hope and reminders of the power of collective action. Each Sunny, crafted with care by immigrant female heads-of-household, embodies the inclusivity and diversity that are the lifeblood of our democracy.

Citywide participatory budgeting, born from a local referendum in 2018, empowers residents to propose and vote on projects that will enrich their communities. This democratic process is a celebration of grassroots involvement, where every voice, regardless of age or immigration status, can make a difference. Strategically placed in schools, parks, libraries, and community centers, the Sunnies invite every New Yorker to engage in this communal endeavor.

Art, at its core, mirrors our society’s values, struggles, and dreams. The Sunnies, with their heart-forward design, represent a vision of empathy and optimism. They encourage us to imagine a future where community needs are met through shared decision-making and mutual respect. By employing and empowering immigrant women to create these figures, we reinforce the message of inclusivity and equity. Each Sunny stands as a testament to the belief that democracy flourishes when it is participatory and inclusive.

The People’s Money initiative exemplifies how art can seamlessly blend with civic processes. These sunshine sentinels are not just charming sculptures; they are tools of engagement, fostering a culture of active participation. In a city renowned for its diversity and dynamism, the Sunnies remind us that democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands the involvement of all citizens, from young teenagers to elders, in shaping the future of their communities.

These Sunnies draw inspiration from beloved New York artworks, such as Tom Otterness’ whimsical sculptures in the subway station at 14th Street and Eighth Avenue. Such public art enriches our urban landscape and invites us to interact with our environment in meaningful ways. Similarly, the Sunnies transform everyday spaces into arenas of democratic action, bridging the gap between art and civic duty.

In a time when civic engagement often seems overshadowed by political polarization and apathy, the Sunnies offer a hopeful counterpoint. They are a visual and tangible reminder that every individual’s voice and vote are vital in the democratic process. By voting on The People’s Money, New Yorkers are not just selecting projects; they are participating in a shared vision for our city’s future.

As the Sunnies continue to appear in new and unexpected locations across New York City, they inspire a sense of community and shared purpose. They invite every resident to join in a democratic journey where care, optimism, and heartfelt action light the way. Through these sunny sentinels, we witness the profound power of art to support and sustain a thriving democracy, one Sunny at a time.

Join us. Embrace participatory democracy. Let the Sunnies guide us towards a future where optimism and heartfelt action define our collective path forward.

Yazmany Arboleda is New York City’s inaugural People’s Artist at the Civic Engagement Commission.

Minnesota United vs. FC Dallas

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: Apple TV Season Pass
Radio: KSTP-AM 1500 ESPN
Weather: 74 degrees, sunny, 8 mph southeast wind
Betting line: MNUFC plus-100; draw plus-260; Dallas plus-235

Form: MNUFC (8-3-4, 28 points) kept a poor Kansas City team down in a dominating 3-1 win last Saturday. The shorthanded Loons will look to do the same against Dallas (3-8-4, 13 points), which is winless in its past four matches.

Flashback: The Loons’ previous MLS Cup Playoff appearance in 2022 was ended by FC Dallas. After a 1-1 draw, MNUFC made four of five penalty kicks (only Wil Trapp failed to score), while Dallas made all five to advance out of the first round.

Absences: MNUFC has an MLS-high nine players away for international duty: Dayne St. Clair and  Tani Oluwaseyi (Canada); Robin Lod and Teemu Pukki (Finland); Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales (Honduras); Zarek Valentin (Puerto Rico); Carlos Harvey (Panama); and Alejandro Bran (Costa Rica). Also, DJ Taylor (hamstring) is out. Micky Tapias (U.S. green card) and Hugo Bacharach (knee) are doubtful. Caden Clark (toe) and Franco Fragapane (leg) are probable.

Given the absences, head coach Eric Ramsay said: “We’ve got almost nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

View: With that slew of missing players, it’s the worst possible time to have Tapias travel to Mexico for an appointment on his immigration paperwork. Why not have him do it next week to spread out the absences? One theory is the club wanted to consolidate the roster pinch primarily into one week.

“That is sort of above my head and the strength of the rationale for that,” Ramsay said. “It was more to do with the greater good (taking Tapias off an international roster spot) in the upcoming (transfer) window. I think it was going to be awkward at any point. Not ideal circumstances, but I think hopefully it’s one over the course of the season that we will be happy to get done sooner rather than later.”

Projected XI: In a 5-2-3 formation, LW Franco Fragapane, CF Jordan Adebayo-Smith, RW Bongi Hlongwane; CM Hassani Dotson, CM Wil Trapp; LB Sang Bin Jeong, CB Devin Padelford, CB Michael Boxall, CB Victor Eriksson, RB Caden Clark; GK Clint Irwin

Possible bench: With more than 10 absences, the Loons will call on some first-team backups and MNUFC2 players. Some candidates include: Kage Romanshyn, Patrick Weah, Alec Smir, Morris Duggan, Molik Jesse Khan, Finn McRobb and Britton Fischer, among others.

“I’m sure there is an opportunity for debuts and minutes where there wouldn’t have been a couple of weeks ago,” Ramsay said.

Context: Ramsay said newly signed attacker Samuel Shashoua has a “strong pedigree” within the Tottenham academy, but the 25-year-old has had an injury history that has held him back in Spain the past few years. He won’t be eligible to play for the Loons until July 20 vs. Seattle.

“He’s a player with a lot of technical quality, who can definitely bring value to the group,” Ramsay said of Shashoua. “If he can find his rhythm, we are hopeful he can spend a month or so training to get himself to a certain level before he comes in with the group. Then we will see where that sort of takes him.”

Positive check-in: Pukki got a desperate dose of confidence with a brace in Finland’s game against Portugal on Tuesday. He hasn’t scored in MLS since March 9.

Negative check-in: St. Clair had some rough moments in Canada’s 4-0 loss to Netherlands on Thursday. He had questionable decision-making to come off his line on a goal and spilled a shot for another goal concession.

Key: Dallas has struggled to score goals this season: third-fewest in MLS (17 in 13 matches). But the team has an estimated six goals on set pieces, so a pieced-together MNUFC lineup will need to be tight in that phase of the game.

Prediction: MNUFC has just too many key players missing to get what otherwise appears to be an easier home win. But there still is something positive in the game for the Loons: a 1-1 draw and plenty of experience for other players.

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG and STEVE KARNOWSKI (Associated Press)

A jury convicted five Minnesota residents but acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash.

That juror was dismissed before deliberations began, and a second juror who was told about the bribe attempt was also dismissed. An FBI investigation of the attempted bribe continues, with no arrests announced.

The seven defendants are the first of 70 to stand trial in what federal prosecutors have called one of the nation’s largest COVID-19-related frauds, exploiting rules that were kept lax so that the economy wouldn’t crash during the pandemic. More than $250 million in federal funds was taken in the Minnesota scheme overall, with only about $50 million of it recovered, authorities said.

The defendants faced a mix of multiple counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and federal programs bribery. It ended with a split verdict.

Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff and Hayat Mohamed Nur were found guilty on most of the counts against them.

Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin were acquitted on all counts they faced.

Defense attorneys argued that the defendants provided real meals to real people.

An Associated Press analysis published last June documented how thieves across the country plundered billions in federal COVID-19 relief dollars. Fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion, while another $123 billion was wasted or misspent. Combined, the loss represented 10% of the $4.3 trillion the government disbursed by last fall. Nearly 3,200 defendants have been charged and about $1.4 billion in stolen pandemic aid has been seized, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

The Minnesota case drew attention after the judge and attorneys for both sides learned about the bribe attempt. The judge ordered all seven defendants to surrender their cellphones so that investigators could look for evidence. She also ordered all seven taken into custody, and sequestered the jury.

According to an FBI agent’s affidavit, a woman rang the doorbell at the home of “Juror #52” in the Minneapolis suburb of Spring Lake Park the night before the case went to the jury. The juror wasn’t home, but a relative answered the door. The woman handed the relative a gift bag with a curly ribbon and images of flowers and butterflies and said it was a “present” for the juror.

“The woman told the relative to tell Juror #52 to say not guilty tomorrow and there would be more of that present tomorrow,” the agent wrote. “After the woman left, the relative looked in the gift bag and saw it contained a substantial amount of cash.”

The juror called police right after she got home and gave them the bag, which held stacks of $100, $50 and $20 bills totaling around $120,000. The woman who left the bag knew the juror’s first name, the agent said. Names of the jurors have not been made public, but the list of people with access to it included prosecutors, defense lawyers — and the seven defendants.

“It is highly likely that someone with access to the juror’s personal information was conspiring with, at a minimum, the woman who delivered the $120,000 bribe,” the FBI agent wrote, noting that the alleged fraud conspiracy at the heart of the trial involved electronic communications, including text messages and emails.

Federal charges of bribery of a juror and influencing a juror carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison.

The food aid came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was administered by the state, which funneled the meal money through nonprofit organizations and other partners. As rules were eased to speed support to the needy, the defendants allegedly produced invoices for meals never served, ran shell companies, laundered money, indulged in passport fraud and accepted kickbacks.

Federal prosecutors said just a fraction of the money the defendants received through the Feeding our Future nonprofit went to feed low-income kids, while the rest was spent on luxury cars, jewelry, travel and property. The seven collectively stole more than $40 million, they said.

The common thread in the defense arguments was that investigators failed to dig deep enough to see they served real meals to real kids.

Eighteen other defendants pleaded guilty. Among those awaiting trial is Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding our Future. She has maintained her innocence, saying she never stole and saw no evidence of fraud among her subcontractors.

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