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Goodbye, snowy Illinois winters? New climate report offers dry projections

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While a strong El Niño will likely bring more snow and precipitation to part of the U.S. this winter, a new federal climate report suggests dependably snowy winters may be in jeopardy. The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released earlier this month, shows the planet will likely heat up by an average of between 4.5 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial times — outpacing goals of both the U.S. and international community, The Hill reports. The average U.S. temperature is likely to rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees by 2050, with northern and western parts of the country likely to experience the warming at disproportionate levels, according to the report. It isn’t just the temperature that has a dire outlook. Projections show precipitation is on track to take a hit, too.  It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? We’ve already seen some of climate change’s impacts on it. The report points to Hurricane Harvey, a Categ...

Victims' family members beg for no plea deal in Raul Meza murder investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In court Monday, Raul Meza faced a judge - as well as family members of an 8-year-old girl he killed in 1982 and loved ones of two other people he's accused of killing.The judge reset the status hearing for his case, but Meza still appeared before her with his attorneys and an attorney for the State. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history "He couldn't even look up at us or anyone in the room," said Christina Fultz, the daughter of Gloria Lofton, who police believe Meza killed at her east Austin home in 2019. She was accompanied by family members of Jesse Fraga, the Pflugerville man Meza is accused of killing earlier this year, and family members of Kendra Page, the 8-year-old girl Meza was convicted of killing in 1982."We've talked a lot," said Fultz. "So it's really nice to have that support."Meza was released from prison 11 years into his murder sentence for Page's death. More lenient state laws at the time allowed for him to get out on good beh...

Austin pharmacy seeing more sinus infections, RSV before Thanksgiving holiday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thanksgiving week is here, which means many people are traveling and gathering with family and friends. The height of flu season is also near, with peak activity typically between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rannon Ching, the president and chief pharmacy officer for Tarrytown Pharmacy, said the Austin pharmacy typically sees big increases in flu cases after Thanksgiving. Recently, the pharmacy has seen mostly sinus illnesses, some ear infections in kids and an earlier-than-usual increase in RSV in children, Ching said."Usually RSV will peak around January or February, but now we're starting to see it peak in November and December," Ching said. "So I'm not quite sure why that's happening, but that's something to just be aware of."Ching added that temperatures have not dropped yet, which often leads to more sickness in colder temperatures.Medication availability Ching said his pharmacy is well-prepared for flu sea...

Survey reveals changes passengers want to see at Austin airport

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — New findings from an Austin-Bergstrom International Airport customer survey conducted this summer give insight into what passengers hope to see from the airport's revamp.Survey findings come as AUS continues its efforts to expand and revitalize airport facilities. Journey With AUS is a decade-long expansion plan that includes a new outbound baggage handling system, security checkpoint expansion efforts, a West Gate Terminal Expansion, the creation of a new 20-gate concourse as well as revitalized international arrivals areas and restrooms.Nearly 2,000 surveys were conducted and analyzed to "build out passenger profiles" and categorize them as business travelers, leisure passengers or a blend of the two. AUS officials completed the survey via in-person respondents in the AUS terminal, as well as those who took the survey online.Here's a breakdown of some of those key survey findings:Business travelers' suggestions:Airport conditions updates/database for passengers to ...

After negative recruiting dust-up, Gophers’ P.J. Fleck compliments Badgers’ Luke Fickell

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

The rivalry between the Gophers and Badgers football teams was stoked soon after Luke Fickell became Wisconsin’s head coach last November.Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck had accused Wisconsin of negative recruiting toward Prior Lake defensive lineman Martin Owusu before national signing day in December, citing text messages.“We Axed that,” Fleck said as Owusu signed with the Gophers.Fickell refuted the claim later that day.On Monday, Fleck told the Pioneer Press that issue has not been revisited with Fickell, and Fleck was complimentary of Fickell’s work at Wisconsin and earlier in his career, which included a College Football Playoff appearance with Cincinnati.Fickell and Fleck worked on the same coaching staff at Ohio State in 2006, when Fleck was a graduate assistant and Fickell was the Buckeyes’ linebacker coach and co-defensive coordinator.“I only worked with him for five or six months,” Fleck said. “I have a ton of respect for him. He is a wonderful football ...

101 yo bowling ball inventor inducted into Veteran's hall of fame

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Senator Joseph Tedisco inducted the Schenectady man who invented the modern bowling ball into the New York State Hall of Fame, and also awarded him the liberty medal. Glenville WWII vet turns 103!Like the old slogan goes, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”. 101 year old Joseph Gentiluomo of Schenectady takes that to heart.While the Centenarian is a veteran who served in World War 2 and Korea, he’s also an inventor. Among 28 other patents, Joseph holds one for the modern bowling ball. He says the invention he takes the most pride in however, is a mechanical hand used by NASA.“So my invention is when you bend your rest, it doesn't move and you can move any finger independently whenever you wanna” said Gentiluomo.His patented ball design puts all the wait inside of the bowling ball, giving bowlers more power to knock down pins.“I noticed that if I put all the way from the outside into the middle of the ball, it would create more power at the pins" ...

Schumer introduces bill to end fees charging parents to sit with their kids on planes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Monday, Senator Chuck Schumer (D) announced legislation against airlines charging "junk fees" to parents to be able to sit with their kids on flights. The Family Fly Together Act will call on airlines to get rid of the fees that charge parents upwards of $50 to $100 to be able to sit with their children. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Airlines are very tricky about this issue," Schumer said. "While some say they do everything they can to keep families together, the majority refuse to commit to not charging the fees." According to Schumer, four airlines, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, and American, have committed to getting rid of these fees. Six of the other major airlines in the country have not.Schumer says separating parents from their kids can be dangerous and add undue stress to the travel process. The Family Fly Together Act would allow for a child to sit with a family member for no additional cost...

Albany Pine Bush Preserve to host Museum Store Sunday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Need to finish some holiday shopping or simply seeking something fun to do after Thanksgiving? The Discovery Center Gift Shop at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is hosting a special day full of sales, giveaways, fun activities for kids, and live music on Sunday, November 26. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The special Museum Store Sunday event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shoppers who spend over $25 win a spin of the prize wheel. Purchases over $100 win a second spin. Customers can also win a spin by buying a Museum Store Sunday gift bag, the featured book Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree, or our custom wood chipmunk puzzle.Prizes include mugs, t-shirts, lunch bags, Pine Bush Pocket Naturalist Guides, Perspectives Photo Exhibit magnets, and more! The grand prize is a Lupine Level benefit package from Friends of the Pine Bush Community. Friends of the Pine Bush Community and Albany Pine Bush volunteers get ...

Holiday Merchant Market coming to Averill Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

AVERILL PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Sand Lake Merchant and the Sand Lake Center for the Arts announced they will be presenting their inaugural Holiday Merchant Market. The event is scheduled for November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The outdoor market will feature nearly 50 vendors, food trucks and family activities, such as holiday displays for photos, facepainting and live music. The event will also offer coffee, hot chocolate and pastries provided by Gipfel Coffee. Sand Lake Merchant is located at 2869 NY 43 in Averill Park. The Holiday Merchant Market is free to attend and open to the public.

Driver identified in deadly I-70 shooting at the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:32 GMT

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. - A frightening and deadly episode occurred overnight on the Stan Musial Veteran's Memorial Bridge. The Illinois State Police shared that gunfire erupted on the bridge, leaving one person dead and another injured.Illinois State Police have identified the shooting victim as Troy A. Edwards, 35, from Belleville, Illinois. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Troopers tell FOX 2 that Edwards was driving eastbound on I-70 from Missouri on the Stan Musial Bridge when the gunshots rang out. The shots were fired from another vehicle. One passenger was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Illinois State Police say at this point there are no suspects. Everything unfolded on Interstate 70 eastbound near the Packers Avenue overpass just off the bridge. Investigators are calling what happened a homicide; the violence unfolded at about 10:50 p.m. Sunday night. Deadly shooting on Stan Musial Veteran’s Memorial Bridge Sunday ISP said that I-70 eastbound ...