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Shutdown risk seems to shrink, but tempers flare across Capitol: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

House Republicans on Tuesday are set to try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government into the new year.In a surprise late-night announcement, GOP leaders said they would try to move the continuing resolution under a fast-track process that will require support from Democrats, an attempt to work around GOP opposition that threatened to tank the bill on a procedural vote.The gambit is sure to draw howls from the party’s right flank, but Democratic leaders have indicated the party could support the substance of the unusual two-part stopgap.Under suspension of the rules, the bill would need two-thirds support to pass the House and head to the Senate.At the same time, attention in the Capitol has turned to a number of shouting matches and near-brawls on both sides of the building as tempers flare.Follow along with live updates below.

TDCJ mourns correctional officer who died while restraining inmate at East Texas prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

LOVELADY, Texas (KETK) - The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced on Tuesday one of its correctional officers died in the line of duty Monday. Jovian Motley, 27, died while serving at the Wainwright Unit in Houston County, according to the TDCJ. Officials said he was assisting other officers in restraining an inmate when he died. Motley had been with the agency since October 2022. "Officer Motley was a hero who tragically died while protecting his fellow officers and the public," TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. "His courage and dedication will forever be remembered. We are praying for his family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time."The Office of the Inspector General is investigating the incident, and the TDCJ said it is an ongoing criminal investigation."Officer Motley demonstrated unwavering commitment to serving his community and gave his life for others," Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols said. "His sacrifice is a s...

Warmth and sunshine return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today may just be one of the top weather days of the year because of all the generous sunshine and warmer temperatures. Many highs today return to the upper 60s to low 70s.A warming trend started todayThe upper-level flow is coming from the northwest today and will for the next few days. Today, tomorrow, and Thursday are all forecast to be mostly sunny. Scattered clouds return Friday and Saturday.High pressure aloft will keep the sky bright for a few daysThe next upper-level storm system moves from the Pacific Northwest Thursday to Kansas and northern Oklahoma Monday. Moisture from the Pacific will flow ahead of the low resulting in a low rain chance Sunday. The upper flow will work in tandem with the next cold front to increase the chance for showers and a few thunderstorms Monday.A wet start to Thanksgiving WeekThe second week outlook that runs from the 21st to 27th is now being forecast as near normal to cooler than normal temperatures which, if this does materia...

Samsung donates $1 million to help Taylor ISD with new career and technical education center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Samsung presented leaders from the Taylor Independent School District with a $1 million check Tuesday to help get a new building and program off the ground. The announcement about this sizable monetary donation came at the groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for a new Career and Technical Education Center at Taylor High School. A Samsung representative shared how this will help invest in equipment, staffing and training needed for new classrooms and labs. The center is expected to open in fall 2025, district leaders said. Taylor ISD finds success with Samsung internship program The speakers at Tuesday's event detailed how they anticipate this new center will work to train Taylor ISD students for employment opportunities at the company's massive new semiconductor plant. This groundbreaking follows an already successful partnership between Samsung and Taylor ISD. The company now has an internship program where students get a first-hand look at the world of tech....

Austin Police Association president shares memories of officer killed during hostage situation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Support continued to pour in for Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore, who died on duty during a hostage situation Saturday.Pastore was shot during a SWAT operation attempting to free hostages in a south Austin home. He died from his injuries at Dell Seton Medical Center. ‘Died doing what he loved’: Dozens rally in honor of APD officer killed in hostage situation Michael Bullock is the incoming president of the Austin Police Association.Memorial for fallen Austin Police Department officer Jorge Pastore outside of APD headquarters in downtown Austin on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Bullock was at that scene this weekend and said he was one of the last people to see Pastore."I was standing on scene, he ran up, he saw me and other officers, gave us hugs and with a smile in his face he went into battle,” Bullock said. "He didn't come home. That is a warrior’s death right there and he did it fighting for Austinites."Sunday night, dozens gathered outsid...

LIST: Holiday light events in Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holiday season is near, and several Central Texas cities have scheduled their annual tree lightings starting this month. Here's a list of tree-lighting events in the area:Nov. 24: Georgetown Square LightingThe annual lighting of the Georgetown Historic Square will start at 5:30 p.m. The free event will also have carolers.Nov. 25: Hutto Downtown Tree LightingThe annual tree lighting will start around 8 p.m. in Downtown Hutto. Activities include crafts for kids, writing letters to Santa, photos with Santa and more. Nov. 25: Hill Country Galleria tree lightingThe shopping center will hold its annual tree lighting starting at 6 p.m. with music performances before and after the ceremony. There will also be ice-skating, refreshments and holiday market shopping.Nov. 26: Zilker Holiday Tree LightingThe ceremony will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at 2100 Barton Springs Road on the south side of the park. This will be the 57th annual lighting ceremony. Dec. 1: Buda tree lighting...

Report: Texas one of the worst states in the country for lung cancer screenings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report released by the American Lung Association Tuesday revealed Texas is ranked 49th in the country for its lung cancer screening rates.The findings came via ALA's sixth edition of its "State of Lung Cancer," an annual analysis on the rates of lung cancer screenings, survival level and early diagnoses as well as treatment availability. Within the report, ALA determined the following rankings for Texas:10th out of 48 in the country for rate of new survival cases: 46.76 per 100,000The national rate is 54.6 per 100,00025th out of 42 in the country for survival rate five years after a lung cancer diagnosis: 24.8%The national survival rate of people five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%44th out of 37 in the country for early diagnosis: 23.4%Nationwide, 26.6% of cases are diagnosed within the early stages, which is when survival rates are substantially higher49th out of 51 in the country for lung cancer screenings in high-risk patients: 1.2%The report f...

Wild land in Sweden seeking answers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

Wild center Ryan Hartman was so angry after an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday that he declined to speak to a reporter for fear of saying something he might regret. After a night’s rest and long practice, he had composed his thoughts.“We’re a little discombobulated,” he said Monday.It’s an apt descriptor for what fans have seen during a 5-8-2 start that has the Wild buried in the NHL’s Central division standings, nine points behind first-place Dallas and two points ahead of last-place Chicago and Nashville, after making the playoffs in three straight full seasons.The Wild insist it’s an anomaly, that they’re just not clicking, and if that’s the case, long-term injuries to key players such as Jared Spurgeon and Matt Boldy didn’t help. But as the Wild landed in Sweden on Tuesday for a pair of NHL Global Series games, one has to wonder if 2023-24 is the Season of Discombobulation.At the season’s onset, the Sweden trip promised a week of team bonding and exciting new experi...

Men die nearly 6 years before women, as US life expectancy gap widens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

The life expectancy of American women is now 5.8 years longer than that of men, a trend that researchers say is driven by the COVID pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic.U.S. men dying nearly 6 years before women is now the largest life expectancy gap between sexes since 1996, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and UC San Francisco.The life expectancy gender gap of 5.8 years in 2021 was a jump from 4.8 years in 2010, when the gap was at its smallest in recent history.The pandemic, which took a disproportionate toll on men, was the biggest contributor to the widening gap from 2019 to 2021 — followed by unintentional injuries and poisonings (mostly drug overdoses), accidents, and suicide.“There’s been a lot of research into the decline in life expectancy in recent years, but no one has systematically analyzed why the gap between men and women has been widening since 2010,” said first author Brandon Yan, a UCSF internal medicine resident phys...

LEGO Fan Expo coming to Empire State Plaza in April

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- BrickUniverse, a LEGO Fan Expo, is returning to Albany for 2024. The convention is set for April 27 and 28, 2024, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! BrickUniverse includes LEGO exhibits and creations, professional LEGO artists, building zones, LEGO sets, and more. A part of the proceeds from this event will go to charities in the Albany area."BrickUniverse Albany 2024 is more than just an event; it's a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the limitless possibilities of LEGO bricks," said event organizer York Beights. "We're thrilled to bring this unique experience back to Albany, offering LEGO enthusiasts of all ages the chance to immerse themselves in a world of imagination and craftsmanship." Quick Response holiday lights display opening for 23rd year The expo is open both days for VIP admission at 9 a.m. and for two hour periods throughout the day for...