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Tips for making Halloween more fun for kids with autism

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Halloween is fast approaching and, for most kids, it's a fun time filled with activities, dressing up and, of course, trick-or-treating.But for children with autism and other sensory disorders, Halloween can be overwhelming, and even scary, according to Elizabeth Rivera from Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers in Terre Haute, Indiana."A lot of our kiddos are a mix of both. Some of them like a lot of the sensory stuff. They like the lots and they like a lot of pressure, and, some would rather not," Rivera said. "They would rather be in their little bubble and need the quiet."For this reason, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers published a Halloween Guide for Kids with Autism. In the guide, experts offer tips for parents:Costume choices can make a big differenceWhen it comes to your child's costume, the fabric can make kids with autism or other sensory disorders uncomfortable."A lot of costumes have a very specific material," Rivera said. "So, if you know y...

Family, friends, co-stars react to Matthew Perry's sudden death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

(KTLA) — The entertainment world is reeling from the news of "Friends" star Matthew Perry's death with fellow actors, studio executives, and fans paying tribute to one of America’s most iconic sitcom actors. Perry, 54, died at his Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. His assistant, who was asked by Perry to run an errand for him, returned to find him unresponsive in his jacuzzi, TMZ said. No foul play is suspected.In a statement to People, Perry's family said they are "heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother.""Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend," the statement continued. "You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."Among the first to react to Perry’s death was Warner Bros. Television; all 10 seasons of "Friends" were shot at their studios in Burbank.  ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54: reports “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing,” the studio said on X, formerly T...

ACC launching new principal certification program next year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Community College is set to debut its principal certification program in January amid ongoing teacher shortages and anticipated losses of school principals within the Austin area in upcoming years.A 28-school district study conducted by ACC earlier this year found approximately 50% of districts reported having campuses with principals who will be retiring in the next three to five years. Come January, between eight and 12 cohorts will participate in the program's inaugural semester, said Rebecca Miller, ACC's program coordinator for the new principal certification program. Miller told KXAN that ACC was trying to attract the best talent to the program to help create a robust network of new principals available to serve in the Austin area. That is all the more critical, she said, given the ongoing shortages facing the education profession here in Texas as well as nationally.Those shortages can tie back to a slew of reasons -- from educational changes since the ...

Irish tale explains the origins of Jack O’Lanterns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The carving and lighting of pumpkins is an Irish tradition that stems back to a Celtic folktale about a man named ‘Stingy Jack’ who tricked the devil more than once.Legend says that Stingy Jack asked the devil to have a drink with him, but because Jack was so stingy he didn’t want to pay for the devil’s drink, so he asked the devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack would use to buy their drinks.Once the devil turned himself into a coin, Jack put the coin in his pocket next to a silver cross. He didn’t spend the devil, but the devil couldn’t switch back into his rightful form because of that cross.Jack freed the devil later but under one condition: the devil couldn’t bother Jack for a year. The deal was that if Jack died, the devil couldn’t claim his soul.The next year found Jack at it again. He asked the devil to climb a tree to pick a piece of fruit, and when that ole’ devil went up that tree Jack took out a knife and quickly carved a cross into th...

What the color of a trick-or-treater's Halloween bucket actually means

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Did you know that noticing the color of a child’s Halloween bucket is important for both those trick or treating and those handing out the candy?From epilepsy to autism, diabetes, and allergies to anxiety and depression, our little ones are living in a world of complex mental and physical issues that often get overlooked by those who haven't experienced these conditions first- or secondhand. Teal buckets stand for allergiesDid you know that one out of every 13 children has a food allergy? Many of the candies common during trick-or-treating can harm children with such allergies, even if the candy has only had cross-contact and does not contain the actual ingredient that causes an allergic reaction in the child.Also consider how warm costumes are — you don't a child want to feel too hot or too cold while trick or treating. Image: KTAL filesHomes that place Teal buckets by their front doors signify that they understand allergies are a major issue for a sig...

Breast cancer screening: What you need to know, at any age 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

This article is part of a series marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read Part 1 — Breast cancer rates are rising. But more women are surviving, too.Breast cancer screening can save your life, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with guidance for your age group. Recommendations on screening vary depending on your age and other risk factors — and have changed over the past year for women under 50.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s guidance is targeted at women who are at an average risk of breast cancer, which includes women with dense breasts and a family history of breast cancer. Women who are high risk — due to certain genetic mutations, a history of radiation therapy, or previous biopsies or lesions — should consult their doctors for individualized screening plans.   Curing Cancer Here’s an age-based guide to whether you should schedule your next screening, reach out to your doctor for more advice, or hold off for now.  Under 40 Women ...

P.J. Fleck heard Gophers fans’ boos Saturday and wanted to respond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

P.J. Fleck answered the question before it could be asked on Saturday night.On his own accord, the Gophers head coach explained why he let more than 30 seconds run off the clock just before halftime of the U’s 27-12 win over Michigan State.Trailing 6-3, Minnesota had the ball and two timeouts at the Spartans’ 20-yard line with one minute, 12 seconds remaining in the first half. After Jordan Nubin’s run for 3 yards, the play was whistled over with 54 seconds left, but Fleck didn’t call timeout until only 35 seconds remained.Some fans at Huntington Bank Stadium booed.“The crowd wants some urgency” in the Gophers’ offense, Big Ten Network commentator Jake Butt said.BTN play-by-play man Cory Provus was more direct: “Too much time came off the clock.”After the stoppage, Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was sacked on second down before he found receiver Daniel Jackson for a 22-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left. After that, Michigan State ran the ball for 10 yards on its only ...

Where, when, how to watch St. Louis CITY SC's playoff debut

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A big moment in St. Louis soccer history - the first playoff game of St. Louis CITY SC - is set for Sunday evening. St. Louis CITY SC will host Sporting Kansas City for the first match in a best-of-three series Sunday evening. What to know for St. Louis CITY SC’s playoff debut Tens of thousands of fans are expected in downtown St. Louis, though with possible freezing temperatures and high demand for tickets, there's a chance you'll want to catch the action from home. If you want to watch CITY SC on Sunday from your TV, here's what you need to know: Kickoff: Scheduled for 9 p.m.TV Channel: FS1Stream: Apple TVFans essentially have two options to watch the big match on Sunday, including one free option. The game will be broadcast nationally on FS1, following the MLS broadcast of FC Cincinnati vs. the New York Red Bulls. Because of this setup and other MLS scheduling considerations, CITY SC's playoff game might start closer to 9:20 or 9:30 p.m. If you don't have FS1, the...

Delays and cancellations continue at DIA Sunday, nearly 600 before 1 p.m.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

Nearly 600 flights across airlines were delayed or canceled at Denver International Airport Sunday morning.As of 12:55 p.m. Sunday, 566 flights had been delayed, and another 24 were canceled for weather-related reasons, according to data from the flight tracking site FlightAware.On Saturday, 910 flights were delayed and 88 were canceled.Affected airlines include SkyWest, United, Southwest, Frontier, Mesa, Delta, Southern Airways Express, JetBlue, Key Lime Air, CommuteAir, American Airlines, Volaris and Air Canada.Regional airline SkyWest, the airline that operates United Express, had the most cancelations Sunday with 11 flights canceled. Frontier was second with four flights canceled, and United and Southwest took third with three flights canceled each.Southwest and United had the most delays Sunday, with 211 Southwest flights and 161 United flights failing to leave the gate on time.Related ArticlesWeather | Colorado weather: Snow and ice on Colorado roads cause accidents...

La Verne police searching for armed suspect; residents warned to stay indoors 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:19 GMT

The La Verne Police Department is urging residents to stay inside their homes while they search for an armed suspect. According to a Facebook post from LVPD, police are “actively” searching for an armed suspect in the area surrounding Damien Avenue and nearby streets, namely Palomares Avenue, Bonita Avenue and Wheeler Avenue as of 10:45 a.m. Sunday. An hour later, La Verne police provided another update, saying that the search area has been narrowed to the Damien High School campus."Residents may leave the perimeter [listed in the initial post] but no one may enter," authorities said. 2 children dead, 2 hospitalized after child abuse report in Lancaster The suspect was described by authorities as a Black man wearing a white shirt with a black and white striped hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants. “Residents in the area are asked to remain inside their homes with their windows and doors locked,” LVPD said on social media. “If you see the suspect or any suspicious act...