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'Like liquid gold': Central Texans turning to rainwater collection amid drought

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Even though there hasn't been a consistent amount of rain in Central Texas for the last few months, one local business said many people are turning to them for rainwater collection tanks. It is in such high demand, one farmer is on a months-long wait list to get one. 'It's like liquid gold.'While Central Texas is starting to see rain here and there, it hasn't been enough to get Kathleen Mooney's well up and running again. "My well went dry earlier this spring and I'm a farmer," Mooney said. "So I need water for my crops."Mooney is the owner of EIEIO Farm in Wimberley. She said she is now turning to rainwater harvesting. She's on a three to four month waitlist to get a tank installed. "I have friends out here that have rainwater collection systems. None of them have gone dry during this entire drought," Mooney said. "They marveled at how their skin feels silky soft after showering with the rainwater, that their hair is just exquisite. They have to use less...

Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to intensify, life-threatening storm surge 'likely' for parts of Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.Officials said Tropical Storm Idalia is moving at 8 mph and is located about 90 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. LIST: Evacuation zones announced ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia Meteorologists said Idalia's winds are near 65 mph, with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight. It is forecast to move over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Gulf coast of Florida by early Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds will extend outward by 70 miles from the center of the storm.A hurricane watch has been issued for the areas south of Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay.The NHC said Idalia could bring dangerous storm surge to the coast of Florida. "The c...

TGIF: Central Texas school district embraces four-and-a-half day school week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

(KXAN) -- "Thank God it's Friday" has some extra meaning for students and staff at Harmony Public Schools in Central Texas.While some Texas school districts have switched to a four-day-week, and most still have a traditional five-day-week, the charter school district is meeting the two in the middle, with early release on Fridays. 76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks, affecting almost 90,000 students Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Chankin said the request for a change came from staff looking for more flexibility in their lives. "They really wanted the autonomy and the flexibility to be able to invest in themselves and their families at home," Chankin said. "Therefore, we moved our early-release Fridays."Prior to this year, the district let out early on Wednesdays. Chankin said at times that proved to be disruptive for some families unable to leave work early or without the flexibility to pick up their kids in the middle of the day. The new schedule is receivin...

Hays CISD to consider claiming good-cause exception for HB 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays CISD Board of Trustees Monday evening will consider claiming a good cause exception to a new Texas law on school security, according to the board agenda. According to the resolution before board members, the district said it can't comply with House Bill 3 because of a "lack of available qualified personnel." HB 3 goes into effect on Friday. The resolution said the board would develop and document an alternative standard.Other local school districts KXAN spoke with said they are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect.

Mental health crisis continues to be a challenge for educators

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Educators are still seeing lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the classroom, especially when it comes to learning and hiring. They're also seeing more students come into the classroom struggling with mental health. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Dr. Gladys Cruz, Superintendent for Questar III, said the number of students who experience challenges with their mental health has skyrocketed. “We have seen behavior issues go up," Cruz said. "We’ve seen attendance issues so we really need to work with all of these components because if a student doesn’t feel safe, isn’t in the classroom, they can’t learn.” Cruz said those behaviors can be made worse if a student's basic needs are not met. Large police presence outside Crossgates Mall Sunday “Students can bring to school a lot of external hardships," Cruz said. "It’s important for a teacher, an educator, to identify those signs so ...

Open houses start today on I-70 expansion project          

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The planned expansion of Interstate 70 across Missouri will be the focus of several MoDOT open houses starting Monday in Wentzville. Governor Mike Parson signed the state budget two weeks ago, earmarking funding for the major project.MoDOT said that Monday’s open house is really the kickoff for the statewide I-70 improvement program. Missouri’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year provides $2.8 billion in general revenue funds to add a third lane to I-70 in each direction from Wentzville to Blue Springs.We’re told the project will plan, design, construct, and rehabilitate approximately 200 miles of I-70. Five new Missouri laws to know that become official Monday MoDOT is currently in the planning stage of this major effort. There will be no formal presentations at the open house. However, MoDOT engineers will be on hand to share preliminary information about the goals and construction schedules for the project.MoDOT hopes to begin construction next summer. The g...

Man charged after shooting at officers in south St. Louis Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A man is facing charges for shooting at police officers early Sunday morning. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office has charged Derek Morado Gama, 20, with assault and armed criminal action. He is in jail with no bond allowed. Five new Missouri laws to know that become official Monday Three officers were driving in the 4900 block of Christy Sunday, just after midnight, when they heard gunshots. They saw the driver of a pickup truck stick a handgun out of the driver's side window. The driver then fired shots at the officers, and the bullets flew past the marked police vehicle.The pickup truck driver then sped off, across the parking lot. The officers turned on their lights and sirens and attempted to pull the truck over. The driver eventually stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Itaska and Alfred. He was placed under arrest and officers found a black Springfield XD 9mm semi-automatic pistol, with an extended magazine in the truck.No officers were injured in t...

Three people injured in Sunday night shooting in Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

Three people were injured in a shooting Sunday evening in Sunnyside, Denver police said.Detectives were investigating the shooting a little after 6 p.m. in the 4000 block of Lipan Street, police said on social media.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Tim Hernández, teacher who inspired student protests, wins Colorado House appointment Crime and Public Safety | Armed man fatally shot by Aurora police pulled gun when he was being robbed Crime and Public Safety | A new play takes on the issue of boys and guns | Theater review Crime and Public Safety | Aurora man killed after confronting scooter thieves Crime and Public Safety | Suspect in fatal Aurora shooting arrested in Georgia for separate homicide They did not specify how many people were involved in the incident or the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They also said the extent of the injuries of the three people, who were taken to a local...

Ridley-Thomas to be sentenced on corruption charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

Former Los Angeles County Supervisor and City Council Member Mark Ridley-Thomas could be sentenced to six years in prison on Monday.Ridley-Thomas, 68, was convicted of seven corruption charges in March, among them bribery, fraud and conspiracy.Ridley-Thomas and Marilyn Louise Flynn, the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, worked together to funnel $100,000 from a campaign fund through the school and ultimately to a nonprofit run by Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, the former supervisor's son.In exchange, USC received a "lucrative county contract," according to prosecutors. Flynn pleaded guilty to bribery last year, and she was sentenced to three years of probation, the Los Angeles Times reports.Ridley-Thomas, a longtime fixture in local and state politics, has been harshly criticized by prosecutors. Ridley-Thomas convicted of multiple charges Ridley-Thomas “defrauded the people of the county,“ U.S. Attorney Martín Estrada said, as quoted by LAist. “Anytime a politician engages in ...

Potentially record-breaking temperatures set to scorch Southern California 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:55 GMT

Although summer is coming to a close, incredibly high temperatures are due to stick around the Southland to start the week. According to the National Weather Service, due to the excessive heat warning -- which is in effect from 10 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday across most of SoCal -- temperatures could reach up to 16 degrees above normal in some areas, with valley and mountain communities receiving the brunt of the heat. Temperatures could soar to 109 degrees in inland communities, with overnight lows hovering in the mid-80s, providing little relief from the daytime heat.“The hottest temperatures will occur [Monday] and Tuesday, when near-record heat will develop,” NWS said. Elsewhere in SoCal, it is still expected to be very warm; coastal areas are expected to see highs in the upper 90s. “High pressure has pushed back into Southern California,” KTLA 5 meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said. “The next couple of days will be very hot ones for us.”  Map: Much of C...