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LIVE BLOG: 730 fans donated, $194K raised so far for Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For more than 30 years, Family Eldercare has been running a Summer Fan Drive to keep people cool amid Texas' summer heat.This year's drive comes on a week with multiple days in a row topping out over 100°. KXAN meteorologists forecast the excessive heat will continue for the next one to two weeks. On Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., people can drop off their fans at KXAN, Roger Beasley Mazda locations and Whittlesey Landscape Supplies. They can also donate online. KXAN will be tracking the number of fans collected and money raised and will share updates in this story. How to donate to the 33rd Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive Fan donations trackerMonetary donations trackerLive blog6 p.m.We now have 730 fans donated and $194,511 raised.4 p.m. We now have 714 fans donated and $148,100 raised. 3 p.m. So far, 685 fans were donated and $129,400 was raised. 1:45 p.m.2023 Summer Fan Drive with Jim Spencer (KXAN Photo)2023 Summer Fan Drive wit...

TxDOT accepting public comment on transportation upgrades

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KTAL/KMSS) – The State of Texas is ranked number 1 in numeric population growth in the nation, and with such a massive population boom comes the need for a long-term plan that will address citizens’ transportation needs for the next decade and beyond.  TxDOT Director Marc Williams said it’s important to hear from the public to guide transportation improvements. Such improvement will address congestion and safety, connect communities, and preserve roadways already in existence.But transportation improvements are not limited to roadways. The state is also addressing maritime, aviation, rail, freight, and international trade, plus bicycle and pedestrian routes.A virtual public hearing is scheduled for July 25 at 2 p.m. You can join the meeting on the TxDOT website. Public comment on the plans will end August 7. Information will be provided in both English and Spanish, and comment forms are available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese.The Tex...

‘Barbie the Movie Pop-up Closet’ at MOA from July 15-19

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

Can’t wait for the highly anticipated “Barbie” movie to drop on Friday, July 21?Here’s a fun idea to pass the time this weekend: Starting on Saturday, July 15, fans can step into Barbie’s closet at the Mall of America.“Barbie the Movie Pop-up Closet” will be open on the first floor (Level 1, North) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Wednesday, July 19.At the closet, wannabe Barbies can pose for photo ops and check out stylish Barbie looks from the upcoming movie from Warner Bros., directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as Barbie (and Ryan Gosling as Ken).View the event listing at mallofamerica.com/events.Related ArticlesMovies & TV | Movie and TV stars join picket lines in fight over the future of Hollywood Movies & TV | New monthly film series to focus on films made in or by Minnesotans Movies & TV | Behind ‘Oppenheimer,’ a prizewinning biography 25 years in the making Mov...

Woman gets 15 years in prison for drunken driving crash on I-94 in Hudson that killed musician

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

An Alexandria, Minn., woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday for driving drunk and causing a head-on crash in October that killed a Twin Cities musician on Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin.Amber Lea Pospisil (Courtesy of the St. Croix Sheriff’s Office)Amber Lea Pospisil, 32, pleaded no contest in April to one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in connection with the Oct. 30 wrong-way crash in Hudson that killed 54-year-old Mark Douglas Filbrandt of Robbinsdale.Filbrandt was a guitarist for the metal band Gorrified and headed home from a show in Menomonie, Wis., at the time of the early-morning crash.According to the criminal complaint, St. Croix County dispatch received a call at about 12:30 a.m. of a vehicle going eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-94 near milepost two. About two minutes later, dispatch began receiving calls about the crash.A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper found Pospisil conscious and uninjured in her Toyota Corolla Cross SUV. Fi...

Virtual reality experience comes to Saratoga Auto Museum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga Auto Museum is moving into a new lane. They're opening a new simulator for members to come test out what it feels like to be a real race car driver.The Saratoga Auto Museum is transforming its former orientation theater into a racing room and simulator. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We were graciously given a grant for roughly $20,000 to buy the simulator, so no expense was spared," Saratoga Auto Museum Media Director Zach Skowronek said.The machine puts you in a virtual race car and allows the driver to experience real life tracks from Formula 1 and Nascar."It gives you an immersive experience that you can’t just get from a controller or a keyboard. This simulator allows you to feel motion," Skowronek explained. "Whether you’re taking a turn going over a bump, the wheel gives feedback so it actually makes it harder to turn and stuff like that actually puts you more in the ...

Commission studies climate, culture in Missouri classrooms to combat teacher shortage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - With the start of the school year just weeks away, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations says districts are still struggling to find teachers. For more than a year, lawmakers, business leaders and educators have been researching what can be done to combat the teacher shortage. Last year, the focus was on teacher pay. Now, the commission is pivoting to culture and climate and the impact it's having in the classroom.  Mayor’s driveway: Expired plates and dealer tags "The stress of having to manage a classroom with more students exhibiting challenging behaviors, that seems to be sort of at the heart of the burnout," said Sen. Lauren Arthur, (D-Kansas City).A lack of educators been an ongoing struggle for years. It's why the State Board of Education created a Blue Ribbon Commission to study recruitment and retention. "I think we're going to see more teachers leaving if we don't get them the support that they need now," said Rep. Ingrid Bu...

Mike Johnston hires chief of staff as he prepares to take over Denver mayor’s office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

Denver Mayor-elect Mike Johnston has announced the first high-profile hire for his incoming administration naming  Jenn Ridder, a veteran organizer of Democratic political campaigns, his chief of staff.Johnston announced Ridder’s hire on Friday. The incoming mayor called Ridder a dedicated public servant who is committed to his agenda of building a more equitable and vibrant city. She was a senior advisor to his successful mayoral run, according to a news release.“As we confront both big challenges and big opportunities, there’s no one better to help us steer the ship than Jenn,” Johnston said in a statement.Ridder, 35, is from Denver, graduating from East High School in 2005. The news release announcing her role in the incoming administration highlighted her love for skiing.Courtesy of Jenn RidderJenn Ridder will be Mike Johnston’s chief of staff after he takes to oath to be Denver mayor on Monday, July 17.Ridder’s professional background is in working...

At least one structure destroyed, evacuations issued as Reche Fire burns near Moreno Valley

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

At least one structure was destroyed after a brush fire broke out in Moreno Valley Friday and evacuations have been issued, officials said.The Reche Fire was first reported in the 900 block of Reche Canyon Road in an unincorporated area of Moreno Valley, according to Cal Fire.The fire quickly grew from 5 to 50 acres. By 4:30 p.m., officials said it had burned 385 acres and was 0% contained.A burro grazes as flames get dangerously close during the Reche Fire in the Moreno Valley area on July 14, 2023. (OnScene.TV) At least one structure has been destroyed by the fire as flames got dangerous close to burros in the area, video from the scene showed.Northbound Perris Boulevard is closed at Heacock Avenue, Cal Fire officials said.An evacuation order was issued for the area south of Reche Canyon Road, west of Locust/Trust, north of Alta Vista and east of Reche Vista Drive/Perris Boulevard. Additionally an evacuation warning is in place for the area north of Ironwood, east of Perris Boulev...

Fast-moving wildfire breaks out in Riverside County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

Firefighters are responding to a fast-moving wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on Friday.Named the “Rabbit Fire,” the brush fire is located near Gilman Springs Road and Jackrabbit Trail and ignited shortly before 4 p.m.The flames have spread to around 10 acres and are continuing to grow. Located in a grass and brush-heavy area, no nearby structures appear to be threatened.Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Details remain limited and Riverside County firefighters are responding to the scene.The Rabbit Fire is located near multiple brush fires that broke out in the Inland Empire on Friday afternoon.This developing story will be updated.

More than $1.5 billion is up for grabs as lottery jackpots increase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:44 GMT

More than $1.5 billion is up for grabs as jackpots for three California Lottery draw games continue to increase heading into the weekend.The Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated $560 million, the Powerball jackpot is $875 million and the Super Lotto jackpot is $76 million. The current Mega Millions jackpot is the seventh-largest in the game’s history. Three California Lottery players become instant millionaires from Powerball ticket, scratcher games The California Lottery, created to provide supplemental funding for California public schools, has raised nearly $172.5 million from lottery ticket sales, officials said.“Lottery players are used to the excitement when a jackpot creeps up toward a billion dollars, and right now, this is triple the fun,” Carolyn Becker, a California Lottery spokesperson, said in a statement. “Each game sees a sales boost when competing jackpots climb; it’s common for players to buy tickets for all of them when one or more jackpots get this high, and to...