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Texas Democracy Foundation votes to keep the Texas Observer open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the Texas Democracy Foundation voted to keep the Texas Observer up and running as a nonprofit publication.The Texas Democracy Foundation previously told its staff Monday it was laying off employees, including journalists and editors, and stopping publication Friday, March 31, according to the Texas Observer website.The layoffs were rescinded by the board Wednesday afternoon.Additionally, a GoFundMe was created, so readers and supporters of the Observer could "give a lifeline to staff and journalists," the website said. As of Wednesday, the fundraiser raised $278,654 of a $300,000 goal.The Observer said shutting the publication down would affect staff who need to pay their rent, bills and take care of their families. "It would cause journalists to lose credibility with those who have supported stories already published or in progress, including their recent series on...

Are bluebonnets poisonous for dogs, cats?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With peak bluebonnet season underway, many Central Texans are seeking out patches of the state wildflower for family photos or portraits of their pets. But some might ask themselves: Are bluebonnets toxic for animals?We took that question to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, as well as local veterinarians. Leslie Uppinghouse, lead horticulturalist at the Wildflower Center, told KXAN all parts of the flower are toxic — but the plants are a biggest risk to horses, cattle and other herbivores grazing in fields."Although they are toxic, animals are not drawn to them in terms of grazing," she said. "So there is not a high risk in terms of a draw and the [poisonousness] of it."The impact on an animal is also dependent on their size and how much they consume, Uppinghouse added. Beyond that, she said residents should be mindful of snakes, wasps and scorpions that might be hiding in bluebonnet patches before posing for a photoshoot. THE MORE YOU KNOW: Is it really il...

Daniel Perry trial day 2: Fiancé of killed BLM protester testifies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Holding back tears before she began to speak, Whitney Mitchell prepared to testify in the murder trial of a man accused of killing her soon-to-be-husband three years ago. Daniel Perry entered a not-guilty plea in court Tuesday. He faces a murder charge. Trial set to begin this week for man accused of shooting, killing Austin protester in 2020 She and Foster met as teens in high school in 2009. After a year together, Mitchell said she got sick. That sickness led to her losing both of her arms and legs. Though the two had only been together a short time, Mitchell said Foster stuck by her side. He went from her boyfriend to caregiver."He helped me get dressed in the morning, brush my teeth, wash my hair … everything you would do in your everyday life, he did that for me," Mitchell said. She and the prosecution both referred to him as her husband in court Tuesday because of how long they had been together.Follow reporter Jala Washington's live updates from court below:...

Drizzle develops overnight as temperatures start to warm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- South winds return overnight, beginning a warming trend that will overall take us into the start of April. South winds also bring more moisture to the region, leading to patchy drizzle and light rain showers overnight and through the day Thursday.We are tracking a large western storm moving toward the Plains late this week. We expect only a 20% chance of a late-day shower or thunderstorm along the system's cold front on Friday, then milder and less humid weather behind the system this weekend.Central Texas is not currently included in the severe weather risk area on Friday.Severe weather outbreak expected Friday in the Mississippi ValleySaturday is the annual ABC Kite Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Zilker Park. The forecast is for dry weather under a partly cloudy sky with comfortable, low humidity. A chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Sunday.Record high temperatures are possible three of the next 7 days in Austin -- coming Friday, Monday and Tuesday.Au...

No. 8 Texas softball has top 10 hitting, scoring offense in NCAA Division I

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following their 30th win of the season to finish off a sweep against Texas Tech, the No. 8 Texas Longhorns softball team boasts one of the most potent offenses in the country.Through March 28, the Longhorns are No. 4 in the country with a .351 team batting average and eighth-best in scoring with 7.06 runs per game. Freshman Leighann Goode is just outside the top 50 with her .413 batting average, but she ranks third in the nation with 52 hits, fourth with 88 total bases and tied for seventh with 12 doubles. She has 33 RBIs, tied for 27th.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersAs a team, Texas averages 1.69 doubles per game, tied for ninth nationally with Indiana. With Goode's 12 doubles, Mia Scott has 11 and she's tied with 15 other players for 12th in the country. Scott is also tied for 6th with Texas Tech's Makinzy Herzog with 48 hits.Freshman Viviana Martine...

Maine sues manufacturers over forever chemical contamination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

By DAVID SHARP (Associated Press)PORLTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s attorney general is suing manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals that have contaminated farms and wells, contending they knew about the toxicity decades ago but concealed the information from the public.Two lawsuits targeting DuPont, 3M and others seek to recover costs to investigate, mitigate and monitor contamination. Attorney General Aaron Frey said Wednesday the state is working overtime to identify and deal with contamination.“The defendant manufacturers have willfully introduced toxic chemicals into Maine’s environment in pursuit of profit for shareholders,” he said in a statement. “Maine citizens and the state are left to manage the harm these chemicals cause.”Maine joins other states suing over contamination caused by the chemicals used since the 1940s in nonstick frying pans, food packaging, stain-resistant rugs, water-repellent fabrics and other consumer goods.A...

Students at North Warren Central School head 'Into the Woods'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

CHESTERTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) — For the first time in three years, North Warren Central School is offering a full-stage musical production: "Into the Woods." The school has a new musical director and a revived theater programto show off starting on Friday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Into the Woods" is being performed by the North Warren Central School Drama Department in Chestertown. The production premieres Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. and continues Saturday, April 1 at both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.The junior version of the award-winning 1987 musical combines several fairy tales with a comic twist. It follows the adventure of an unnamed Baker (played by Senior Jaden Maxwell) and the Baker's Wife (Sophomore Gwendolyn Lipa) as they try to remove a witch's curse. They meet Cinderella (Sophomore Kirsten Librett), Little Red Riding Hood (Sophomore Molly Go...

Farmers’ Almanac predicts 'scorching dry' Northeast summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Every year, Farmers’ Almanac releases its predictions for each season. For its 2023 summer predictions, it’s looking to be "scorching dry" summer in the Northeast. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Summer officially begins on Wednesday, June 21 at 10:58 a.m. This is different than meteorological summer, which begins on June 1. Farmers’ Almanac predicts a warmer-than-normal summer throughout the United States.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the summer of 2022 ranked as the third-hottest summer in 128 years. The average temperature for last summer was 73.9 degrees, which was 2.5 degrees above average. Latham Dick’s Sporting Goods reopening as House of Sport The summer of 2023 will be continuing these "sizzling temperatures." "Thunderstorms will announce the official start of summer in the Northeast with heavy rains possible from June 20 through 23," said Farmers' Alma...

'It's going to be crazy': Top prospect Jordan Walker set for debut in Cardinals home opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Prized prospect Jordan Walker is set for his MLB debut Thursday on one of the baseball's biggest stages: Opening Day in St. Louis. The 20-year-old will indeed crack the Opening Day lineup on Thursday and is expected to cover left field or right field. The Cardinals, after announcing last weekend Walker would make the team, cleared a 40-man roster spot Wednesday during batting practice to make his promotion official. Walker can't wait to take it all in. He says Wednesday's batting practice serves as a nice appetizer. RELATED - What to know for the 2023 St. Louis Cardinals home opener "First thing I thought when I got to this stadium is, 'This stadium is massive,'" said Walker. "It's unbelievable. It really is everything I thought it'd be, walking to the stadium for the first time."Walker learned Saturday that he would break spring camp with the Cardinals in a one-on-one meeting with manager Oli Marmol. He expects parents, cousins and close friends to attend Opening Day...

Alton man convicted in 2021 triple shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:54 GMT

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - An Alton, Illinois, man faces a minimum 93-year prison sentence after being convicted last week for a 2021 triple shooting.The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2021, in the 700 block of Oakwood Estates in Alton. The three victims were rushed to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries. One of the victims suffered a gunshot that nearly severed her leg, but doctors were able to reattach the appendage.Investigators determined the shooting was the result of a dispute between one of the victims and the shooter, later identified as Steven Foster. The person had made fun of the condition of a car belonging to Foster's friend. Top Stories: Officers injured in Maryland Heights crash Foster left the residence after the argument, but returned with a gun a short time later with and opened fire, police and prosecutors said.After a week-long trial, it took a Madison County jury just five hours of deliberation before coming back with a verdict. Foster was fo...