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How would a government shutdown affect national parks?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – As the clock ticks closer to the looming weekend deadline, a government shutdown was looking increasingly likely Thursday. A federal shutdown could end up being bad news for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, people who rely on government assistance to pay for food, and those with a trip planned to one of the country's 425 national park sites. Since the National Park Service is largely funded through Congressional appropriations, all 63 national parks, plus hundreds of additional monuments and sites, "are at risk of closing Oct. 1" if the government doesn't reach a deal to keep the government funded, writes the National Parks Conservation Association, a group that advocates for protecting the parks. If the government shuts down, will mail still be delivered? As The Hill has previously reported, it's somewhat unclear what would happen to national parks under an upcoming federal shutdown. The Department of the Interior hasn't announced its plan, either. The situat...

Austin Police search for east Austin gas station robbery suspect

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a man in connection with an east Austin gas station robbery that occurred Sept. 13.APD said the robbery occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Shell gas station at 31 North Interstate 35 service road.Police said the suspect threatened the store employee and left the area with an undisclosed amount of cash.APD described the suspect as a 5’ 7” Hispanic man between the ages of 50 and 60 and weighing 190 to 200 lbs. Police said he was balding with short, shaved black hair. He also has distinct tattoos on the right forearm and left arm, according to police.Police said the suspect was last seen wearing sunglasses, a black vest, black pants and white tennis shoes without laces.APD asked anyone with information to contact its robbery unit at 512-974-5092. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.A reward of up t...

Family of child attacked by dog asks City to consider 'human cost' of 'no-kill' policy after audit

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After an audit of the Austin Animal Center was released, parents who says their daughter was attacked by a dangerous dog released into the community by the shelter is asking the City to take its findings seriously. The del Rio family filed a lawsuit against the City of Austin last year saying even though a dog proved dangerous at the AAC, it was adopted out to their neighbor. The pit bull mix attacked a then-6-year-old girl delivering Christmas cookies in 2021, the lawsuit says. Noelle del Rio ended up with a concussion, a broken arm, a punctured skull and had to undergo treatment for bites to the head, which included having her "skin literally ripped from her cranial tissue," the lawsuit says. The family told KXAN the attack has "fundamentally changed" their lives. “The incident is unfortunate and one that occurred 16 months after a shelter adoption. This is an ongoing lawsuit and for that reason, we cannot get into the specific allegations related to that lawsuit....

KBVO Game of the Week: Vista Ridge takes on McNeil, Rangers hope to stay undefeated

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Vista Ridge puts its undefeated record on the line in a 6A-District 26 contest Thursday against McNeil at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in the KBVO Game of the Week.The Rangers kept their perfect record intact with a 28-7 win over Cedar Ridge last week while the Mavericks lost 42-31 to Manor. McNeil is 2-2 on the season.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteVista Ridge is expected to be in the playoff hunt in the district, and if the Mavericks can pull off the upset, it'll go miles for them to get in. Vandgridft is the clear No. 1 in the district, but after the Vipers, there are three spots up for grabs with Manor and Round Rock both jumping out to early wins in the district slate.Defense is the name of the game for Vista Ridge. The Rangers shut out Schertz Clemens 24-0 in Week 3 and haven't allowed more than 17 points in...

Electric vehicles linked to better respiratory health, according to study

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In groundbreaking research, scientists are directly linking the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to decreases in respiratory-related emergency room visits.Though presumed health benefits of zero-emissions vehicles when compared to traditional internal combustion engines are nothing new, a team of researchers from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine is now showing the link with real-world data.Researchers analyzed total electric vehicle registration, air quality data, and asthma-related emergency room visits across California between 2013 and 2019. The authors used data from before the year 2020 to avoid COVID-related influences on air quality, even though electric vehicle adoption was lower at that time. "There's evidence that zip codes that had greater increases in the number of EVs had greater declines in asthma-related emergency department visits," Dr. Sandy Eckel, author of the study, said.More specifically, the study found that for ...

Hoedown to raise money for Wisconsin dog rescue

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

The Hoedown, a yearly gala hosted by the nonprofit Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, seeks to raise funds for its continued operation.The gala will feature live performances from the Tim Sigler band, catering by Big Guys BBQ, a silent auction, raffles and a photo booth. The gala, according to Coco’s Heart, is meant to have “a laid back atmosphere.”The shelter has up to 600 dogs in rescue at a given time and accrues more than $1 million in care expenses each year, according to Coco’s Heart.The Hoedown will be held at the rescue’s location at 449 County Rd VV, Somerset, Wis. Tickets can be purchased at the rescue’s website, cocosheartdogrescue.org.Related ArticlesThings to Do | One Woodbury event promotes unity and diversity through music and food Things to Do | Paranormal Cirque coming to Maplewood Mall Things to Do | Twin Cities Marathon runners warned about heat, humidity this weekend Things to Do | Concert review: Minsoo Sohn...

Kenta Maeda makes first relief appearance since 2019 as Twins prep for playoffs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

After making what would become his last start of the regular season, a five-inning, shutout effort against the Cincinnati Reds, Kenta Maeda expressed his willingness to pitch in any role the Twins might ask of him in the postseason.During the regular season, he said, it’s his preference to be a starter. During the playoffs, it’s a different story.Maeda has plenty of experience pitching out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it’s possible that’s the role the Twins have in mind for him, as well.The Twins skipped his start this turn in the rotation, and instead, he came in after Sonny Gray on Thursday, throwing 3 1/3 innings in the Twins’ 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.“I’ve pitched a decent amount in the relief role, especially in the playoffs,” Maeda, who last pitched in relief in 2019, said through interpreter Daichi Sekizaki. “It’s been a while, but with the experience I have, I think I’ll be prepared just as anyone would be.”Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said after ...

Actors strike hurting Upstate NY, Capital Region

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It has been a long four-plus months, but The Writers Guild of America finally has a tentative deal with the Studios. Over 150,000 Hollywood actors, however, are still embroiled in their months-long strike.The key demands of fair pay and protections from AI generated content are the main sticking points. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We’re empathetic; we want to support.  We want our actors to be paid fair wages,” said longtime Albany County Film Commissioner Deb Goedeke. She actually sent a crew of local SAG actors to the front lines to picket. Goedeke has been bringing productions to the Capital Region for almost two decades.  She said 2022 was the best year to date for TV and film productions in Albany County.“We had over 11,000 sleeping room nights.”But now everything has come to a screeching halt, and she says the longer this strike goes on for the actors, the more it hurts our local film communi...

St. Louis had only 2 officers for an entire district - Both called in sick

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

ST. LOUIS - There were two police officers scheduled to work an entire St. Louis police district, but they called out sick, causing a ripple-effect for the entire city.The St. Louis Police Officers' Association (SLPOA) said only two officers were assigned to work the second shift (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.) in District 3 on Wednesday."Both of them became ill, so it left them with no one left in the district," SLPOA Business Manager Joe Steiger said. Missouri restaurant among TripAdvisor’s 25 best ‘hidden gems’ Steier said resources from a nearby district were utilized to take calls."We've been sounding the alarm on the fact that we're way understaffed," Steiger said. "It's dangerous for the police officer. Someone is going to get hurt. Someone is going to get injured."During the shift shortage, as resources were spread thin, a deadly shooting happened on Osage Street. There were at least three other shootings as well.Steiger said the department is down approximately 287 officers."The city...

Caught on camera: Thieves steal gun, other items as car owner pumps gas in Berkeley

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:46:01 GMT

BERKELEY, Mo. - A new video shared with FOX 2 shows thieves stealing a gun and other items out of a car in Berkeley as the owner pumped gas.The video, provided by a Mobil gas station on North Hanley Road, shows a driver in a black Subaru pulling up next a vehicle early Thursday morning. A nearby vehicle was left unattended at the pump as the owner went inside. Police say a suspect quickly jumps out of the SUV, open the victim's door and sneaks inside. Within seconds, he grabbed several items, reentered the Subaru and took off from the scene. Source: Majority of St. Louis cops in police district call in sick The situation leads to a dire warning from Berkeley Police Chief Art Jackson to lock your doors when away from your vehicle. He says three businesses in the community were targeted by thieves sneaking into cars while the victims pumped gas or were caught off guard. Jackson says his department is working with other municipalities across St Louis to find the suspects, and he bel...