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Drought worsens as fire danger and heat persist

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drought conditions are worsening across the area as Austin's longest heatwave on record shows little signs of abating. Thursday was Austin's 50th 100-degree day of the year so far -- the 8th-highest 100-degree day count on record.New drought data released Thursday morning showed worsening drought across much of the area. BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin? Excessive Heat Warnings in effect todayExcessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Warnings continue. Our local National Weather Service office has issued 15 Excessive Heat Warnings so far this year -- crushing the previous record of 3, set last year.We are seeing hints of at least a chance of rain beginning somewhere around Aug. 20, along with temperatures that may finally drop below 100°, but this is not yet a guarantee. Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the heat drags on. Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) KXAN Summer Fan Drive continuesStaying cool is paramount in this...

Concord Street corridor in South St. Paul reopens after $31 million upgrade

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

South St. Paul’s Concord Street corridor officially reopened Thursday after years of construction.The 3.5-mile stretch of Concord from Annapolis Street to Interstate 494 received more than $31 million in reconstruction and rehabilitation.A rendering of updates done to Concord Street in South St. Paul, which officially reopened on Aug. 10, 2023.Since construction began in 2021, the corridor has received updated utilities including water and sewer, improved streetlights, additional sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings, new bike shoulders and connections to commuter bike lanes in St. Paul, said South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis.“The road no longer looks like an alley to a slaughterhouse,” Francis said, adding that its “curb appeal has quadrupled.”The mayor also said the city is already receiving more interest from restaurants, retail and housing developers that could be looking to move to South St. Paul.The project, done in partnership with Dakota County and the Minnesota Department ...

No charges to be filed in Stillwater police fatal shooting of O’Kwan Sims

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

No charges will be brought against the Stillwater police officers involved in the shooting death of O’Kwan Rahmier Sims because the “use of force was justified,” Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson said in a news release Thursday afternoon.Sims, 21, was shot and killed March 4 in the parking lot of a Stillwater apartment complex by two police officers responding to an “active-shooter” call, the release said. He died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office.Magnuson said in the release that his decision came after prosecutors reviewed an extensive investigative file from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension consisting of more than “2,000 pages of reports, dozens of photographs, and hours of video and audio evidence.”The officers involved in the shooting were Sgt. Daniel Young, who has worked in law enforcement for 12 years, and Sgt. Justin Dowley, a seven-year veteran of law enforcement who was an officer at the time of the s...

State reviewing company hired to care for migrants

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---- As the migrant situation continues, frustrations grow at the local level with DocGo, a company hired to care for and transport asylum seekers to upstate communities. The state is now weighing in on those frustrations."DocGo has been hiding behind HIPPA, and not sharing information with us, but at the same time as you’ve heard from the county executive, we’re learning that the health care needs of the asylum-seekers who are coming here are not being met," said Albany Mayor, Kathy Sheehan at a press conference earlier this week.On Thursday political reporter, Jamie DeLine, asked Governor Kathy Hochul to share her thoughts about DocGo. The governor said a review is taking place to make sure all contractual obligations are being met, and added she does have some concerns."Are they providing proper security? When people arrive are they getting food and clothing and shelter immediately? Let’s look at it two ways— one, has there been a large number of people where...

Missouri governor shows off his new tattoo

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

BRANSON, Mo. — Governor Mike Parson revealed he had a tattoo made honoring his office, voters, Missouri, his favorite team, Elvis, and his granddaughter. Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes ranks first in player merchandise sales Gov. Parson revealed on Facebook the backstory behind his first tattoo.Last week at Chiefs training camp, I had the opportunity to huddle with our Super Bowl 57 champions and show off my new ink.When I was in the Army, I had several buddies get tattoos but I never did. I always told myself if I ever got one it would have to be significant. Well this tattoo is very significant to me in a lot of ways.The “57” represents my time serving as Missouri’s 57th Governor. I was honored to earn 57% of the vote during our election in 2020. AND, as a lifelong Chiefs fan, serving as the 57th Governor when the Chiefs won the 57th Super Bowl was a welcomed bonus.The outline of Missouri represents my love for this state and its people. This state has always been my home, and when I g...

Allergy sufferers feeling effects from rising mold counts, fall allergens

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

LADUE, Mo. – Mold levels have been increasing all month and are now at some of the highest counts of the season. That, combined with other fall allergens on the rise, has allergy sufferers feeling the effects.“Mold’s high, and ragweed is soon to be high. So, that will spike most people’s allergies,” said Angie Kloeppel, a pharmacist at Ladue Pharmacy.Kloeppel said they’ve seen an increase in customers with symptoms.“We’ve had a lot of people come in with sinus headaches. A little bit of runny noses and stuff. Allergy symptoms. But it’ll probably increase as the fall comes,” she said.There are several products that allergy sufferers can use. Two bolt from Missouri traffic stop with ‘We-High’ license plate, later arrested “There’s some more natural products, like D-Hist, is good for runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, stuff like that. For the sinus headaches that go along with allergy symptoms, if you’re looking for natural, you can do some Sinatrol. That will help get to the root of th...

Panera Bread plans new standalone location in Crestwood

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

CRESTWOOD, Mo. - Panera Bread is planning a new standalone location in south St. Louis County as part of a major redevelopment project on the former grounds of the Crestwood Mall. The Crestwood Board of Aldermen approved a conditional use permit for Panera café in a meeting last month. Construction could begin as soon as the city gets approval from a fire marshal. Calling out the Court: Missouri family battles jury summons for son who can’t serve According to a recent memo from Crestwood mayor Scott Shipley, Panera's planned location would offer drive-thru service and inhabit an outlot building closer to Watson Road. It will not be attached to a Dierbergs supermarket or a residential development on the mall's former grounds. Some interior components are already in the works for the planned site, but it's not yet clear how soon Panera might open. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily ...

Frenzy of new business formations this year in Colorado

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

Given a choice between applying for one of the numerous job openings out there or starting their own ventures, Coloradans appear to be taking the entrepreneurial route, forming an unprecedented number of businesses this year.The state experienced a record number of new business filings in the first quarter — 55,787 — followed by a near-record number in the second quarter — 54,890. The first quarter’s increase was 27.6% year over year, and the second quarter was up even more, 39.1%, according to the latest data from the secretary of state’s office.Most of the filings were for LLCs, preferred by sole proprietors, and it isn’t entirely clear why so many businesses are forming this year compared with prior years.Normally, business filings go up in tough economic times, when job losses are mounting and opportunities to find work are scarcer, said Richard Wobbekind, a senior economist at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, which prepare...

Riverside fire crew among teams sent to Hawaii to support rescue response

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

A task force from the Riverside City Fire Department is part of a team deployed to Hawaii to help in wildfire response as catastrophic blazes continue to ravage Maui, officials announced Thursday. Gov. Gavin Newsom directed California’s Office of Emergency Services to send 11 members of the state’s search and rescue task forces to aid in recovery operations and the search for survivors. Among them is CA Task Force 6 from the Riverside City Fire Department.Additionally, Cal OES personnel specializing in mass fatality management have been deployed to Hawaii. Maui surveys the burned wreckage caused by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in years The blazes, which began Tuesday, have claimed at least 36 lives.“California stands with the people of Maui and all Hawaiians amid these horrific wildfires that have claimed lives and destroyed the historic town of Lāhainā,” Newsom said in a statement.Wildfire wreckage is shown Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The search of the wildfire wr...

Running a card balance? Don't make minimum payments

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:14:58 GMT

Credit card debt now tops $1 trillion for the first time -- a sign that millions of Americans are putting everyday purchases on plastic amid the highest consumer prices in years.How much debt is the typical cardholder carrying? Credit agency TransUnion crunched the numbers and found that the average balance now runs about $6,000. That's the highest level in a decade.My first piece of advice in this regard is to pay down your balance as quickly as possible. Keep in mind average interest rates for most cards now top 20%.My second piece of advice is to not get caught in the trap of making minimum payments on your balance.Make no mistake, the credit card industry would love you to do just that, and for good reason. You'll just be handing them free money.Lots of free money.Here's what you're up against: If you're running a balance of $6,000 and make only minimum payments each month, it will take 17 years to get out of debt.Seventeen years.No less worrisome, you'll end up paying about $8,...