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Fund for homeless students finds success after name change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Homeless Student Assistance Fund, once known as the Public School Energy Assistance Fund, increased in the number of donations and donors after a vital name change made earlier this year. The money in the fund, which is made up of donations from Austinites through their utility bill, will go to eight school districts in the Austin area to help students who do not have a permanent home and are facing obstacles. A name change makes a big difference In 2013, the City of Austin Utilities started three programs that residents could donate to. Those included the Customer Assistance Program, the Parks and Libraries Fund, and the Public School Energy Assistance Fund. The energy assistance fund would allow school districts to pay for things such as energy upgrades to buildings or electric bills. Scott Johnson, a private citizen who volunteered to build up the Parks and Libraries Fund, saw the energy assistance fund was not successful. Johnson said the fund would bring in...

Silver Alert issued for woman out of Copperas Cove

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

COPPERAS COVE, Texas (KXAN) — A Silver Alert was issued Friday for a Copperas Cove woman diagnosed with a cognitive impairment.The Copperas Cove Police Department said it was searching for Norma Mistic, an 83-year-old woman.She was described as being 5’05” and weighing 132 lbs. with grey hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing pink pajamas and shoes, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.Officials said Mistic was last seen shortly after midnight Friday in the 1100 block of Morning Dove Trail in Copperas Cove. Law enforcement officials said they believed her disappearance posed a credible threat to her own health and safety.Anyone with information regarding this missing person was asked to contact the Copperas Cove Police Department at 254-547-8222.

Isolated weekend storms... but heat still an issue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Extreme heat continues to be the focus, but isolated rain chances aren't something we'll totally write off this weekend.Afternoon highs climb to 100° or hotter across Central Texas today, prompting another round of Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories.Friday afternoon forecast temperaturesHeat alerts in effect Friday afternoon & eveningIsolated storms will be possible late day as the heat ridge that's kept the majority of us dry this summer is finally far enough to not squash our rain chances. Not everyone gets rain today, in fact - most of us won't, but a few spots of light rain are possible in our area late this afternoon into the early evening.Future radar Friday eveningTemperatures will hover in the low 100s through the weekend, but hit and miss storms will be possible both Saturday and Sunday afternoon/early evening.Isolated storms possible both Saturday and SundayA cool front is expected to move our way early next week, focusing shower and thunderst...

Places in Texas that don't feel like Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some believe Texas to be an entirely flat, barren wasteland full of tumbleweeds, and while there are parts of the Lone State State that embody that stereotype (i.e. parts of West Texas), it is not entirely accurate for other parts of the state. ‘It’s a Texas thing’: Why do Texans love Texas so much? Here are a few places in Texas that don't exactly feel like Texas.Big BendStunning sunset in Big Bend National Park featuring bright orange Ocotillo blooms in the foreground (Getty Images)Big Bend National Park, located in Brewster County, is more than 800,000 acres, and it is the 15th largest in the national park system, according to the National Park Service.The park was authorized by Congress in 1935 to preserve and protect a representative area of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations."Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend feels pretty otherworldly," one viewer said.Lost MaplesFall colors seen at Garner State Pa...

Annual Day of Giving exceeds $850K goal, Salvation Army says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Salvation Army said Thursday its recent fundraiser, the Annual Day of Giving, exceeded its $850,000 goal. According to the Salvation Army, Wednesday's fundraiser supports two family shelters, The Austin Shelter for Women and Children and The Rathgeber Center for Families. Both shelters are at capacity each night, according to the army, and have an extensive waitlist.93% of those sheltered in these facilities are women and children, according to a statement.According to the army, all funds received will support families experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, warm meals and the critical resources they need to regain self-sufficiency.The Salvation Army is still accepting online donations.

Sheldon H. Jacobson: The price American industry may pay for remote work

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

Remote work has become a de facto benefit to recruit, retain and, in some cases, appease workforces.Before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work was a luxury. During the pandemic, employers sold it as a necessity to keep their businesses functioning. Once the public health risk abated, it became a privilege. Now, some employees take it as a right.What began as a means to mitigate public health risk to individuals and keep the economy functioning has persisted beyond what anyone could have envisioned.During the peak risk period of the pandemic in 2020, more than 40% of the workforce was remote. This number dropped to a little more than 25% last year. Before the pandemic, around 6% of the workforce worked remotely.With more people working remotely, office building use has been gutted. With these buildings in dense urban areas, businesses such as restaurants and cafes are finding it more difficult to remain afloat. Retail outlets that rely on walk-in traffic are also suffering. Though the...

5 things to know this Friday, August 25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we can expect some more showers around lunchtime after a wet morning due to showers and overnight rain. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A heavy traffic alert has been issued around Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for what is expected to be a packed weekend with three concerts and the Travers Stakes at the Saratoga Racecourse. Also, the South End Grocery in Albany may be at risk due to defaulted loans. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Heavy traffic alert for Saratoga Springs this weekendThe New York State Park Police and the Saratoga Springs Police Department have issued a traffic alert for around Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Heavy traffic is expected starting Thursday through Saturday for three SPAC concerts and the Travers Stak...

Deputy shot in Lincoln County; suspect found dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. – A Lincoln County sheriff's deputy was hospitalized Friday morning after he was shot while responding to a call. The suspect in the case was later found dead.A spokesperson for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department revealed that the deputy was shot in the chest. We're told he was in surgery late Thursday night and is expected to survive. The shooting happened on Creech School Road.Officers are still at the scene. The name of the deputy who was shot is not being released.This all unfolded around 6:25 p.m. Deputies responded to the suspect's home for a domestic disturbance call. The suspect was identified as 54-year-old Thomas Varvera Jr.Cor. Dallas Thompson with the Missouri Highway Patrol said that when deputies arrived, they made contact with Varvera outside the home. Thompson explained that Varvera started shooting at the deputies, hitting one of them in the chest. Thompson shared that Varvera then set his house on fire and ran to a shed on the back side of ...

Driver saluting Hispanic heritage in 7th annual 'Bommarito Automotive Group 500' this Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

MADISON, Ill. - The seventh annual 'Bommarito Automotive Group 500' is this Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. The fun gets started Friday as area students compete in the 'Junior 500' kart competition.One of the drivers in Sunday's race will be visiting fans in the Metro East on Friday. Pato O'Ward is a native of Monterrey, Mexico. He'll be celebrating his Hispanic heritage at an event at 5:00 p.m. at Rose Lake Park in Fairmont City, Illinois. Jennings City Council sends ‘no confidence’ letter to mayor First responders will escort him from the racetrack to Fairmont City. The party will include a mariachi band and a chance for you to get a photo with O'Ward and his autograph.Be sure to tune in to FOX 2 News in The Morning on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. FOX 2's Sports Director, Martin Kilcoyne, will be heading out to the track for live previews of the big race.

CDC, FDA gear up for fall vaccine campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:12 GMT

(The Hill) - Federal health authorities are laying out plans for taking on this year's respiratory viral season, with officials emboldened by the new spate of preventive medications the U.S. has gathered heading into the fall and winter."We are in our strongest position yet to be able to fight COVID-19 as well as the other viruses that are responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations, namely flu, COVID as well as RSV," a CDC official said in a press call on Thursday.They cited the high rate of COVID-19 immunity — 97 percent — among U.S. individuals 16 and older for helping the country get into a stronger position. They acknowledged, however, that immunity is not a guarantee of protection and noted the new vaccines and antibodies at hand.Officials on Thursday reaffirmed the updated COVID-19 shots made by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are expected to rollout in mid-September. The new mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will be fully licensed vaccines for individual...