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Home evacuations underway due to Bastrop wildfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — First responders said they're working Tuesday afternoon to evacuate homes as a "precautionary measure" because of a wildfire burning near Bastrop State Park. According to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, the houses affected are located between Harmon Road and Pine Hill Loop in Bastrop. It's unclear how many homes are impacted at this time. Neighbors are advised to contact the county hotline at (512) 303-4300 for more information. Initial reports had the fire's location listed as the area of Hwy. 71 and Harmon Road. The size of the fire, which is now called the Powder Keg Pine Fire, is estimated to be one acre at this time and is zero percent contained. Emergency management officials said there are no reports yet of injuries or damage to any homes or buildings. Crews are currently working to extinguish the wildfire, and they're asking people to please avoid the area. KXAN will keep working to update this developing story, as more information ...

Calls re-emerge for passenger rail connecting Austin, San Antonio

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new grassroots organization is renewing years-old efforts to revitalize passenger rail services connecting the Austin and San Antonio metros.RESTART Lone Star Rail District launched in May to renew calls for a regional rail system linking the two major cities and their surrounding suburban communities. Clay Anderson, a transportation planner and the campaign's founder, was drawn to the prospect of a new system that helped reduce congestion while expanding transit access between the two regions. TRANSPORTATION NEWS: When will I-35 road construction start in downtown Austin? "In my mind, this is a service that people who do not use transportation or public transportation in their regular lives would consider using because of how difficult the drive is between the two cities," he said. "A train just makes sense. It's a no brainer, and I feel like it is a low-hanging fruit. If we can get this done, then we can get so many other things done, both within San Antonio a...

Austin FC's Diego Fagundez traded to LA Galaxy for Memo Rodriguez, cash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC winger Diego Fagundez has been traded.The club sent Fagundez to the LA Galaxy for midfielder Memo Rodriguez plus up to $900,000 in general allocation money, $300,000 of it guaranteed for 2023 with an additional $600,000 possible.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/newslettersThe Galaxy could also receive up to $150,000 in general allocation money from Austin FC is Rodriguez meets "certain performance criteria," the club said. "We are happy to have Memo return to his home state of Texas to join Austin FC," said Rodolfo Borrell, Austin FC's sporting director. "He is a talented midfielder who is going to help the team and knows the league well, and we wish him and his family a warm welcome to the community here in Austin."The news was first reported by The Athletic's Tom Bogert.Fagundez signed a 3-year contract with Austin FC in February with a club option thro...

1,200-acre nature preserve to open in Williamson County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hill Country Conservancy is poised to open a 1,205-acre nature preserve in Williamson County, following a donation from an anonymous landowner.The land is described as "ecologically sensitive" and was given to the nonprofit conservancy "to be used for conservation, research, educational outreach and public recreation," per a Tuesday release. Named the Pecan Springs Karst Preserve, the land sits within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone at the onset of the Texas Hill Country, located five miles east of Jarrell.The Hill Country Conservancy is poised to open a 1,205-acre nature preserve in Williamson County, following a donation from an anonymous landowner. (Courtesy: Rich Kostecke)The Hill Country Conservancy is poised to open a 1,205-acre nature preserve in Williamson County, following a donation from an anonymous landowner. (Courtesy: Rachael Lindsey)The Hill Country Conservancy is poised to open a 1,205-acre nature preserve in Williamson County...

Lizzo accused of weight-shaming and harassing former tour dancers. Now they’re suing.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

Three former dancers have accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit filed in California, NBC News first reported.The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Los Angeles Superior Court, a spokesperson told McClatchy News in an email.Former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez accused Melissa Viviane Jefferson (professionally known as Lizzo), her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring and her dance team captain Shirlene Quigley of creating a hostile work environment through sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, according to the lawsuit.The complaint says Lizzo drew attention to a dancer’s weight after an appearance at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, and pressured dancers to engage with nude dancers at strip clubs in Amsterdam and in Paris.The documents also show accusations against Quigley, including harassing dancers about religio...

Vikings bring offensive lineman Dalton Risner to Minnesota for a visit. Will they sign him?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

There could be help on the way for the Vikings’ offensive line.After multiple reports surfaced on Monday that the Vikings were bringing Dalton Risner in for a visit, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Tuesday that the 28-year-old is indeed in Minnesota.Though it’s unclear if the Vikings will sign Risner, the fact that he’s being considered as an option seems significant.“That group is off to a really good start in training camp,” O’Connell said. “We’re always looking for ways to find good football players when they’re available. We really just wanted to bring him in and get to know him a little bit better, use the process of a visit to do that and see if we can possibly take what we think is a strong group and make it even better.”Logistically, the Vikings haven’t yet seen Risner on the field. The point of the visit was to get to know Risner while also getting him familiar with people around TCO Performance Ce...

Forest Rangers conduct rescues at Kaaterskill Falls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

HUNTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On July 29, Forest Rangers conducted two rescues at Kaaterskill Falls. Both individuals required medical attention. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! At around 3:20 p.m., an 18-year-old from New York City required assistance after falling on the Upper Falls Trail. Assistant Forest Ranger Staffa provided first aid and contacted Forest Ranger Dawson. Ranger Dawson then drove the individual to the Scutt Road trailhead and provided further medical attention. The individual's family said they would seek further medical attention on their own.At around 3:55 p.m., Ranger Dawson responded to the Scutt Road trailhead for a 27-year-old with a severe allergic reaction. The individual had been stung by a bee. Greene County Paramedics arrived and provided epinephrine.

Bennington skydiver dares 57 jumps to honor dad

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) — A thrill seeker from Bennington, Vermont, honored his late father with 57 skydive jumps in one day. Ryan Scutt spent 12 hours jumping out of a plane on Saturday, July 22. The daring stunt, with dozens of consecutive parachute jumps, had a unique mission behind it. "I wanted to do something big to help a lot of people," Scutt said.Scutt planned a fundraiser around his jumps called "John's 57" to raise thousands of dollars for cancer patients in his community. The tribute was all in the name of his dad, John Scutt, who died of pancreatic cancer at 57 years old in 2020. Eight-year-old says goodbye to leukemia with first pitch at Fenway "My dad was a great guy. He did a lot of things for this community. He was always a big dreamer," Scutt said.Ryan's dad was a member of the Bennington Rural Fire Department for many years. When John was diagnosed with cancer, he still found a way to give back. He complied and handed out "ditty bags" to other chemotherapy pat...

Versatile reporter Jordan Williams can do it all from news, weather, sports and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Jordan Williams is a journalist with a passion for sports reporting. He attended Cal State Northridge and studied print journalism before going into broadcasting. He has three years of anchoring, producing, and reporting experience prior to Fox 2.  Williams says that he thrives under pressure and is motivated to inform viewers. On his days off, he likes to play soccer, practice martial arts, and take walks in his neighborhood. “I like general assignments, anything and everything that gets thrown at me,” said Williams. “I like to be adaptable and fill positions as needed.” Williams anchors the weather and traffic reports and hosts the 11 p.m. news on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Why did you want to become a journalist?  Williams developed a love for sports in his childhood, and his dream was to become a professional athlete. However, as he grew older, he realized that it might not be feasible. “The motivation to get into it was sports journali...

St. Louis 'Brick Burger' pop-up to unite food and Lego magic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Food and fun come together at the Brick Burger Pop-Up Experience for a Burger Adventure. The theme of this spot is square food that looks like it came from a Lego set. On September 16th and 17th the pop-up event will be at Hot Java Bar and Events on Manchester Avenue.   The menu at the pop-up restaurant has a variety of burgers, all with brick shaped ingredients. There are also meat, veggie, or vegan options. Illinois family still shaken after vandals poured oil into their pool, breaking window The restaurant is full of colorful brick walls and themed furniture. Guests can also take part in a brick-building station. Where they can build whatever, they want out of bricks. The Brick Burger pop-up event is now selling tickets for $47 each. Each ticket includes one burger and one soft drink. Tickets can be purchased here. LEGO®, the LEGO logo, are trademarks of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse th...