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What's a sun kink? How extreme heat hits Austin railroads

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin continues its longest consecutive stretch of triple-digit days in recorded history, it's not just residents who are feeling the heat -- the city's local railroads are, too.When temperatures around the globe peak, rail operations have to adjust services to battle the heat's impacts, CapMetro said in a blog post Thursday. For Austin's transit authority, that means trains must slow down on tracks once the railroads reach 135 degrees or warmer. CAPMETRO NEWS: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/map-east-5th-improvements-planned-for-capmetro-rail-trail-access/ Along CapMetro's 32-mile Red Line running from downtown Austin to Leander, slower speeds have led to schedule modifications, per the transit agency. The same practice was implemented for the Red Line last summer.“There’s just no way around it,”  said Andy Skabowski, CapMetro's executive vice president and chief operating officer, in the blog. “You have to slow down the trains when it’s hot like this ...

Texas to invest $142B in transportation infrastructure upgrades

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday a $142 billion investment into the state's transportation infrastructure, including $100 billion earmarked for the Texas Department of Transportation's 10-year state roadways plan.This latest investment represented a $25 billion increase over the previous year, according to a TxDOT release Thursday. TxDOT's 10-year state roadways construction plan, or the 2024 Unified Transportation Program, incorporated more than $6 billion allocated to the greater Austin area.The UTP help guides the development and construction of transportation projects statewide, alongside public transportation, maritime, aviation and rail-related initiatives.Project highlights from the Austin District include:$4.5 billion for the I-35 Capital Express Central project, running from U.S. Hwy. 290 East to SH 71 and Ben White Boulevard$383.6 million dedicated to U.S. Hwy. 281 to "improve mobility and enhance safety" between U.S. Hwy. 290 and the Comal County...

Ascension Seton Williamson recognized for sustainability efforts

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Ascension Seton Williamson was recognized as a facility leading the way in utilizing environmentally-friendly practices to reduce waste at the hospital. Medexel, an Indianapolis-based provider of health care facilities, recognized five Ascension hospitals around the U.S. that have made significant progress toward environmental sustainability. Medexel and the Ascension system partnered a decade ago to help move the Ascension health care system towards a greener future. There are 139 Ascension hospitals across 19 states in the U.S.“Healthcare facilities actually add up to about 10% of the total emissions within the US,” said Bridget Randazzo, a sustainability analyst for Ascension. “Ascension realized that our actions affect our patients, so [we wanted] make sure we leave a positive impact on our communities and make healthier communities,” she continued. Ascension Steton Williamson in Round Rock was recognized for its successful food waste digestive initiati...

Timberwolves’ schedule: High in rest advantages, low in national TV games

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

The Anthony Edwards hype train apparently has not yet reached network television executives. Released Thursday, the Timberwolves’ schedule features just five true national TV games — three on ESPN and two on TNT.Just one of those five games — a 6:30 p.m. home game with Memphis that will air on ESPN on Feb. 28 — tips off before 8:30 p.m.That five number is exactly half of the 10 nationally-televised games the Timberwolves originally were slated for last season. That comes as a bit of a surprise given Edwards’ continued ascension as the now all-star, who currently is playing for Team USA this summer in World Cup competition, moves into his fourth NBA season.But there was more national intrigue surrounding Minnesota last season in the wake of the Rudy Gobert trade. Now, the Timberwolves are a squad coming off a No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff exit. From afar, that likely doesn’t scream “must-see TV.” Should the Ti...

Hamline plans forum on academic freedom after classroom controversy

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

Hamline University will host a public forum on academic freedom next month, almost a year after school administrators attracted heavy criticism for siding with a Muslim student who complained about a professor’s use of ancient art that depicted the Prophet Muhammad.“The concepts of academic freedom and recognizing cultural perspectives are vital to higher education institutions, and need not compete with one another,” President Fayneese Miller said in announcing the event Thursday.The Sept. 12 forum, titled “Academic Freedom and Cultural Perspectives — Challenges for Higher Ed Today and Tomorrow,” features a keynote address by Vanderbilt University professor Michael Eric Dyson.The panelists are anti-racism activist Tim Wise and professors David Schultz of Hamline, Robin DiAngelo of Washington University and Stacy Hawkins of Rutgers Law School.The six-hour event is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed, but those who register to attend in person at Ha...

Gloversville man pleads guilty to bank robbery conspiracy

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 44-year-old resident of Gloversville pled guilty to conspiring to commit a bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown. Luke Kenna admitted to having two co-conspirators, Michael Brown Jr., and Brian Tierney. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Kenna admitted that he conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items to be used during the robbery, including weapons. Kenna, previously convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence, was prohibited to possess any firearms.Tierney was arrested and detained pending a trial. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 30. Brown has already pled guilty to the conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on November 3.

Caffè Lena to host 20th annual Poetry Festival

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Caffè Lena announced they will be hosting their 20th annual Poetry Festival. The event is scheduled for September 23 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The yearly festival has showcased local and national talent from poets of all kinds since its founding by Carol Graser in 2003. The festivities will begin with a free-to-attend open mic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the evening will feature readings by headliner and National Book Award winner Martín Espada, as well as poets Regan Good and Roger Wyze Smith. Caffè Lena is located at 47 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs. You can purchase festival tickets and register for the open mic by visiting the venue's website.

National Guard deployed to Upstate Communities to help with asylum seeker crisis

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

ALABANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--As asylum seekers continue to be transported to different parts of the state, 108 National Guard personel are being deployed to Monroe and Erie Countries."The National Guard is not a police force here," explained Adam Bello, Monroe County Executive. "They are here to provide logistical and operational support and that will clear up any confusion people have around their mission."Approximately 27 National Guard members are being assigned to each of the four sites in Western New York helping to provide food and water, as well as hand out legal materials for those seeking asylum. A command center has been established in Erie County to report and address any incidents that occur at sites hosting asylum seekers in those two counties.Governor Hochul's Office issued a statement saying, “Governor Hochul deployed more than 1,800 members of the National Guard to provide logistical and operational support at shelter sites in New York City, and has committed to meeting r...

Saratoga Springs Police Department cracks down on illegal narcotics sales

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga Springs Police Department's Special Investigations Unit made six narcotics arrests in July and August. Every suspect was alleged to have narcotics at the time of their arrest. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say either fentanyl or crack cocaine were located. The arrestees and their dates of arrest are:Shayne M. Richardson, 30, of Saratoga Springs. On July 19, Richardson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) in the third degree.Katie F. Hayden, 23, of Saratoga Springs. On July 19, Hayden was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) in the seventh degree.John T.R. Patterson, 39, of Galway. On July 22, Patterson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) in the third degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.Vasilea Vazanellis, 48, of Saratoga Springs. O...

Emergency meeting called in Jennings after mass resignations

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:39:00 GMT

JENNINGS, Mo. - An emergency special city council meeting has been scheduled in a north St. Louis County community after multiple officials resigned earlier this week.The City of Jennings published a notice saying the city council will vote to declare their Aug. 9 meeting "unlawful and ineffective."On Tuesday, the FOX Files reported on a mass resignation happening at city hall.City Attorney Sam Alton, the city clerk, and the accounting coordinator all resigned Tuesday. It comes after the building's department manager and construction manager quit earlier this month.“The actions of Mayor Gary Johnson are illegal, unethical, immoral, retaliatory, and racist,” Alton wrote in his letter of resignation. “I have since learned of additional unethical actions by the mayor, leading to other valued employees resigning, as well as the construction manager for the city center project.” The one street where every home is cited, no matter what condition Alton’s departure comes after the mayor c...