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Dust storms becoming more fatal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dust storms are no longer considered rare and confined to any particular region or regions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air Resources Laboratory issued a report in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society finding these storms are causing an increase in the number of traffic fatalities in the United States.The most recent dust storm happened on May 1 when 72 vehicles were involved in a crash just south of Springfield, Illinois. Seven people died. High winds, gusting to as high as 45 to 54 mph, blew topsoil from freshly plowed farm fields. Visibility was reduced to zero. NOAA's report went on to propose changes on how dust storms should be reclassified to better assess the impacts of dust storms. Their thinking is that dust storm occurrences cause fatalities similar to those that happen from hurricanes and wildfires. It's the southwest United States where most of the dust storms, and fatalities, happen. Active thunderstorms that prod...

Texas softball lands 5 on Big 12 all-freshman team, Scott named to first team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns softball landed six players on the All-Big 12 Conference team with five on the league's all-freshman team.The Big 12 released its postseason awards Wednesday and it heavily featured both the Oklahoma Sooners and the crop of outstanding Longhorn freshmen. MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersReese Atwood, Leighann Goode, Citlaly Gutierrez, Ashton Maloney and Viviana Martinez were all named to the Big 12 all-freshman team and also the All-Big 12 second team. That's the most all-freshman team selections by any program in a single season since the honor was created in 2015.Texas outfielder Mia Scott was named to the All-Big 12 first team after her outstanding season with 68 hits and a .393 batting average. Scott's first-team selection marks the 15th consecutive season that Texas has been presented on the league's top squad. The Sooners, who f...

Update due in case of St. Paul man killed after interrupting theft outside home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

St. Paul police say they will announce an update today in the homicide of a 44-year-old who was shot while interrupting a theft outside his home last weekend.Michael Brasel, a husband, father of two sons, carpenter and youth hockey coach, was killed Saturday in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood. Police said they will provide an update at a 3:45 p.m. press conference.Michael Brasel, 44, was fatally shot in St. Paul on May 6, 2023. (Courtesy of the family)Brasel’s wife, Hilary Brasel, previously wrote on social media that Michael was “tragically shot in our front yard after confronting someone trying to break into my car. Ever the protector and good man he stood up for me with his last effort and breath.” She is a registered nurse and tried to revive Michael by giving him CPR.Officers responded to a 911 caller reporting their neighbor had been shot in the 2300 block of Chilcombe Avenue just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Paramedics took Michael Brasel to Hennepin County Medical Cent...

Hochul signs Executive Order ahead of Title 42 expiration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Title 42 is set to expire tomorrow. This measure was issued during the pandemic era, allowing the U.S. to expel migrants from crossing US borders on grounds of public health. In preparation for the expiration, Governor Hochul has signed an executive order expanding funding to help migrants who come to the state. The executive order says even with Title 42 in place, New York City is currently housing almost 37,000 migrants from Southern borders. A number that’s increased by nearly 1600 over the past week. The order will allow New York to mobilize 500 members of the National Guard and give authority to localities to purchase food, supplies, and equipment to respond to the expected surge. Army sergeant who fatally shot BLM protester in Texas sentenced to 25 years In a statement Governor Hochul said in part, "This Executive Order will be an important part of our coordinated response. I have spoken to Mayor Adams and County Executives throughout New York as we wo...

Ongoing push for medical aid in dying

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Advocates for Compassion Choices were in Albany, calling on the state legislature to pass a bill to allow medical aid in dying in New York State.With Mother’s Day just a few days away, Amy Eilert reflected on being a mom to her daughter, Ayla."Ayla was a lot of work actually, in so far as she wanted to be a professional dancer from the time that she was four," said Eilert. "And so there is a lot of time put into that, but she was beautiful."Ayla, a lover of dance, food, and art was in her early twenties when she was diagnosed with cancer."To have mouth cancer— it was six months from diagnosis to death. That’s a very compressed time. And food being such a big part of life to begin with and then you lose the ability to consume it."Her parents say during those six months, she was forced to endure surgery, chemo, radiation, and unnecessary suffering.This will be the second Mother’s Day without her. Ayla’s parents have made it their mission to advocate for medical...

Queensbury park pavilion reborn as Hanson Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A longtime community pavilion at Gurney Lane Recreation Area has been transformed. This week, the Queensbury Recreation Department announced the spot's rebirth, for more events in the years to come. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Remodeling work has finished at the new Hansen Center - formerly the Hansen Pavilion. The 1,200-square-foot center has been transformed from a picnic pavilion into a center with walls, doors, windows, and plenty of space for events new and old."The Hansen Center at Gurney Lane will be home to preschool programs, afterschool activities, adult exercise classes, family events and more," the Queensbury Recreation Department said on Facebook. "Come check it out for yourself!" Glens Falls bus system opens house, seeks drivers The old Hanson Pavilion was a popular spot for birthday parties, reunions and other events. The new Hansen Center is available for rent during off-hou...

Summer at the Plaza Capital Concert Series 2023 lineup announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On May 10, the lineup for the 2023 Summer at the Plaza Capital Concert Series was announced by Commissioner Jeanette Moy of the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). The series will offer four free evening concerts featuring award-winning artists across a diverse range of genres. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! OGS announced earlier this month that it will be hosting multiple festivals and concerts as part of their Summer at the Plaza season. The four performances of the Capital Concert Series will be held on Wednesday nights from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., the first of which is scheduled for July 12. Capital Concert SeriesJuly 12: Spin Doctors with CrackerJuly 19: Night Ranger July 26: Eli Young BandAugust 2: Big Daddy Kane with Roxanne Shanté and Black Sheep Rockin’ On The River announces 2023 lineup “The OGS team is excited to make the Empire State Plaza a space for all in the Capital R...

Police arrest Louisiana man for bringing loaded gun to Albany International Airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Louisiana man was arrested on Tuesday after TSA officers at the Albany International Airport discovered a loaded firearm in the passenger's checked luggage. Joshua P. Levene, 40, of Abbeville, LA, was arrested by the Albany County Sheriff's Department on felony gun charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say TSA found a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the screening process of checked-in luggage. TSA also located a large-capacity magazine and 32 rounds of ammunition. None of the rounds were chambered.Investigations determined that Levene did not have a New York State Pistol Permit. Levene also has an active order of protection against him that prevents him from owning firearms. Police discovered that Levene has an active bench warrant from the City of Schenectady Court for a previous misdemeanor. Levene was taken into custody and charged with:Criminal Possession of a Weapon i...

Man targets St. Louis-area Home Depots, MO unemployment program in fraud schemes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One man targeted St. Louis-area Home Depot stores and Missouri’s unemployment insurance program in fraud schemes, pleading guilty to federal felony charges Tuesday. Arthur Grass, 36, of St. Genevieve County, admitted to both fraud schemes, in addition to being a felon caught with a firearm. The schemes date back to May 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. St. Louis man says American Airlines lost prosthetic leg, won’t reimburse him Grass admitted filing false unemployment claims for nearly 10 people, claiming that they had been laid off from his construction company, AJE Construction. Grass cashed out the unemployment benefits and kicked some money back to the “workers. This scheme reaped more than $140,000, including supplemental COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits.Per court documents, Grass also admitted to stealing from Home Depot on multiple occasions. He would fill up a cart with boxes of vinyl flooring and add an inexpensive item on top. H...

Pritzker signs law that gives benefits to Chicago first responders disabled by COVID

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:12:27 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed a law providing full disability benefits to Chicago police officers and firefighters struck by COVID-19 before vaccines were available, presiding over an emotional statehouse ceremony which marked the end of a financial struggle for responders including the brother of Comptroller Susana Mendoza.The Act-of-Duty law, HB3162, ensures disability benefits of 75% of salary plus health insurance for anyone unable to work after contracting the coronavirus from March 9, 2020, when the flare-up intensified in Illinois, until June 30, 2021. The law grants them the presumption that they picked up the illness on the job.Pritzker said after COVID-19's arrival in early 2020, police, fire and medical personnel were both a line of defense and a lifeline.“Our first responders were key to our national response, transporting infected patients to hospitals, disbursing masks and testing kits or providing care to those in distress...," P...