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Another 'Mona Lisa' secret revealed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The “Mona Lisa” has given up another secret.Using X-rays to peer into the chemical structure of a tiny speck of the celebrated work of art, scientists have gained new insight into the techniques that Leonardo da Vinci used to paint his groundbreaking portrait of the woman with the exquisitely enigmatic smile.The research, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, suggests that the famously curious, learned and inventive Italian Renaissance master may have been in a particularly experimental mood when he set to work on the “Mona Lisa” early in the 16th century. Wearing Prada on the moon: Fashion house working on NASA’s next lunar spacesuits The oil-paint recipe that Leonardo used as his base layer to prepare the panel of poplar wood appears to have been different for the “Mona Lisa," with its own distinctive chemical signature, the team of scientists and art historians in France and Britain discovered.“He was someone who loved to exper...

San Marcos homicide suspect arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- A San Marcos homicide suspect was arrested this week in connection to the September death of a 41-year-old man, according to police. Last week, the San Marcos Police Department identified Ray Robert Saenz, Jr., 18, as the suspect the Sept. 30 death of Nathaniel Hudson, 41. MORE: San Marcos police identify homicide suspect, ask for help locating him San Marcos police said Saenz was located in Austin on Tuesday and taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. SMPD responded Sept. 30 to an apartment complex on Highway 123 for a call that shots had been fired and a person died. When officers arrived, they found Hudson dead in an apartment unit. Information obtained by investigators suggests Hudson and Saenz knew each other prior to the shooting, and that the shooting occurred following an altercation at the apartment complex, according to SMPD.Online records show Saenz was booked into the Hays County Jail on a murder cha...

Vista Ridge High School teacher on leave, accused of inappropriate relationship with student

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – The Leander Independent School District placed a math teacher at Vista Ridge High School on administrative leave last month after learning about a potential inappropriate relationship between the student and the teacher, the school's principal said in a letter to parents Tuesday. According to the letter, the district received information about the alleged relationship on Sept. 5. Principal Paul Johnson said in the letter the district placed the teacher on leave the same day, pending an investigation from Cedar Park Police. The letter said police have filed charges but the principal did not disclose further details, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.

'Uniquely Austin': Bat City Scaregrounds celebrates Halloween with homage to old Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Halloween time is here. That's right. Once it hits the month of October, it is Halloween all month. I don't make the rules. I just love to enjoy the spooky time.As Halloween makes its presence felt in Central Texas, it's time for haunted attractions to gear up for spooky season.Corey Trahan, co-founder of Bat City Scaregrounds, said opening up a sister park in Austin was a way to bring Halloween to Austin. Bat City is a sister park to Nightmare on 19th Street in Lubbock, right down the road from Texas Tech University, Trahan said."In 2016, my partner and I decided to open up a theme park, similar to Nightmare on 19th Street, in Austin," he said. "We started developing this theme park in 2016."The attraction, located at 14101 S Turnersville Road in Buda, is on 15 acres of agricultural property that was commercialized with the City of Austin, Trahan said. Furthermore, it is located 15 miles from downtown Austin and 15 miles from downtown San Marcos.A hidden gem in Aus...

Jonathon Brooks waited behind NFL backs, now he's 2nd in the country in rushing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Expectations were high for Texas football heading into the 2023 season because they returned so much talent. One of the few position groups that came a question mark was running back since Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson left to the NFL.Freshman CJ Baxter started the opening game of the season and while he has impressed, he's battled injuries. However, a patient redshirt sophomore has stepped up and dominated the run game. Everything the Texas Longhorns want is still in front of them despite Oklahoma loss "He sat behind two guys and really paid attention and listened and learned," said Steve Sarkisian about Jonathon Brooks. "His style of play has grown as the season has gone on."In his last four games, Brooks has rushed for over 100 yards in each of them with five touchdowns. He's second in the country in rushing yards with 726.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.co...

Longhorn Legend Mike Adams coaching two standout sons at Vandegrift

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There is no question Mike Adams is a legend of Texas football. When the wide receiver finished his career in Austin in 1996, he was the program leader in receiving yards, touchdowns and receptions among some other records.After playing professionally, Adams turned to coaching. He's know the wide receiver coach at Vandegrift just miles from where he played college ball in Austin."He was nice in college," said Mike Adams son Deuce, a senior quarterback at Vandegrift. "I mean he's not the same position as me but he's my dad so I want to one-up him if I can."Deuce grew up as a receiver but switched to quarterback when the family saw his arm playing baseball. Deuce's older brother Eli and fellow senior is indeed a receiver and gets a lot of coaching from dad."It's very intense because he knows the game," said Eli Adams about his dad coaching him. "He knows the position. I just try to take everything he gives me and use it on the field to help me be successful."For the thr...

First place in 6A-District 25 on the line in KBVO Game of the Week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pivotal 6A-District 25 matchup Thursday between No. 5 Vandegrift and Round Rock is the KBVO Game of the Week.The Vipers have been dominant all season thus far, going undefeated and winning by an average of 33.3 points per game, while the Dragons have flipped the script and won their last three games after dropping their first three. Both teams are 3-0 in district play heading into the matchup, so a win will put one of the teams in the driver's seat for a district title and top playoff seed.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 websiteVandegrift's offense has been electric this year and features multiple weapons. Senior quarterback Deuce Adams has thrown for 1,341 yards with 18 touchdowns and one interception so far with two playmakers on the outside in his brother Eli and Miles Coleman. Coleman, committed to North Texas, averages ...

Deadline to request absentee ballot October 23

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Board of Elections has announced the last possible date to request an absentee ballot for the 2023 general election. The deadline is Monday, October 23, and you can apply online using the absentee request portal. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! For those using the absentee request portal, you can not use the online form if your registration residence address is not your current address. To change or update your address, you can submit a new voter registration form or contact your board of elections for assistance.

Norman Myers Park in Overland hosting 2023 Octoberfest concert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - You can enjoy one more concert at Norman Myers Park in Overland this year.They'll celebrate 'Octoberfest' Wednesday night from 6 to 8. They'll have live music from the 'Wurst Bavarian Band' and are providing free food. However, there is a limited amount, so first come, first served. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets too, but no glass. Monthly $500 payments coming soon for some St. Louis families They say if there is rain, check out their website, OverlandMo.org, for updates on the event.

Gateway Christian Church in Town and Country hosting meal donation event today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:10 GMT

TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. - Gateway Christian Church in Town and Country is hosting a meal donation event on Wednesday.Volunteers at the 'Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack' will pack up and send at least one million meals to areas around the world in a hunger crisis. Dead tree is a big problem for elderly St. Louis homeowner The goal is to feed more than 2,000 children a year.