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

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 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...

Hot Chocolate Stroll set to return to Downtown Albany

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hot chocolate lovers rejoice! The annual Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll is returning for its fourth year on Saturday, December 2. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets as the event has sold out in recent years. Ticket purchases include a passport allowing you to try gourmet beverages at the participating locations and a commemorative Downtown Albany x Upstate of Mind mug designed by CompasLife.The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be free on-street parking in Downtown Albany. Parking is also available at ParkAlbany garages for $5. Holiday shows return to Lake George Holiday Inn Last year, Banh Mi 47 won the award for People's Choice: Best Hot Chocolate. Participating locations this year include:Alias CoffeeB. Lodge & Co.Banh Mi 47Broadway Plaza LiquorDawn's Victory Sports CafeHilton AlbanyLoch & QuayMcGeary's Irish P...

Missouri's first Buc-ee's location to open in December

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Travel center and gas station Buc-ee's announced they will be open on December 11.According to a press release, doors will open to the public at 6:00 a.m. and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. It is located at 3284 N. Mulroy Road. Several local and state leaders will attend the celebration, including Mayor Ken McClure."Buc-ee’s Springfield will occupy 53,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling positions just outside its store with thousands of snack, meal and drink options for travelers on the go. Buc-ee’s favorites including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries will all be available as well," said Buc-ee's Media Contact Rachel Austin in the press release.This Buc-ee's will be the first in Missouri.“Springfield is rich with history that attracts travelers from all across the country and we are honored to be opening our first store in the birthplace of Route 66!” said Stan Beard...

Goodbye, snowy winters? New climate report offers dry projections

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:56:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While a strong El Niño will likely bring more snow and precipitation to part of the U.S. this winter, a new federal climate report suggests dependably snowy winters may be in jeopardy. The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released Tuesday, shows the planet will likely heat up by an average of between 4.5 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial times — outpacing goals of both the U.S. and international community, The Hill reports. The average U.S. temperature is likely to rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees, with northern and western parts of the country likely to experience the warming at disproportionate levels, according to the report. It isn’t just the temperature that has a dire outlook. Projections show precipitation is on track to take a hit, too.  ‘Strong’ El Niño winter coming: Which areas could see more snow? We’ve already seen some of climate change’s impacts on it. The report points to Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that hit...