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Lawmakers consider major decisions to shape future of FAA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Soon a new leader could take over the Federal Aviation Administration, with important implications for traveling Americans. This comes as Congress is also negotiating a funding plan for the agency.President Biden nominated Michael Whitaker for the role of FAA Administrator. On Wednesday he faced questions at a Senate confirmation hearing, where lawmakers talked about the importance of filling the role. Texas Republican will nominate Trump for Speaker of the House "To put it simply the FAA has its work cut out for it," Senator John Thune said.The Federal Aviation Administration is dealing with a lot of issues ranging from understaffing to outdated technology. But Whitaker said he's ready to take on the job of administrator."If confirmed my priority will be the safety of the flying public. They put their trust in the FAA to keep aviation the safest way to travel," Whitaker said.At the hearing he outlined his plans to improve safety, make new investments, and b...

Memorial Stadium cleared to host Illinois-Nebraska after fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A fire broke out at the University of Illinois' football stadium on Tuesday night just three days before the venue is scheduled to host a game. But the good news is that the contest against Nebraska will go on as scheduled on Friday..@IlliniFootball announced today that Memorial Stadium has been cleared to host Friday’s game against Nebraska after a fire at the venue on Tuesday night. .This followed an inspection by a third-party structural engineering firm..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/pmJsVklfHe— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 4, 2023A third-party structural engineering firm cleared the stadium to host the game after the fire that occurred in the southwest corner of the stadium underneath the "horseshoe."Discovered around 8 p.m. Tuesday, heavy smoke was showing from that part of the stadium, and while the fire was upgraded to a second alarm, it was quickly put out. One firefighter was sent to an area hospital and treated for minor injuries.The cause of th...

Son of Buc-ee's co-founder arrested on 28 invasive visual recording charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Oct. 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The son of a co-founder of the nationally renowned Buc-ee's convenience store was arrested Tuesday in Travis County and faces 28 separate state jail felony charges of invasive visual recordings.Mitchell Wasek, 28, was released one hour after being arrested on a $10,000 bond on the condition he not contact the complainants, according to Travis County jail records.KXAN reached out to an attorney connected with Mitchell. This story will be updated if we receive a statement. KXAN attempted numerous times to contact both Mitchell and his father, however, phone numbers associated with both individuals were either disconnected or had voicemails disabled. KXAN was able to reach a family member of the Waseks, but that person hung up the phone as soon as KXAN identified itself. Mitchell Wasek, 28Mugshot provided by APDAccording to court records, the Travis County Sheriff's Office received a telepho...

Storms Thursday morning bring cooling relief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hopefully today was our last day of the year in the mid 90s. It's not impossible we could get into the 90s again by mid-October, but it's very unlikely it'll be this hot again this year.The Rain and TimingSlim rain and storm chances continue this evening, but only 20% rain chances continue through the evening hours, generally favoring areas east of I-35.After 3 a.m. rain chances rise as storms form a broken line. That line will move southeast through the morning, likely arriving in the Austin Metro from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. This should make for a wet and stormy morning commute with areas of heavy rain and the possibility for localized flooding.Heaviest rain arrives during the early morning commuteAt least some potential for rain and storms continues through mid-late morning, but rain chances drop quickly for Thursday afternoon.While this cold front brings a drop in temperatures to the area, highs may still reach the low to mid 80s on Thursday thanks to some afternoon sun.R...

How to find help, medical assistance while at Austin City Limits music festival

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several agencies are expected to share public safety recommendations Wednesday ahead of the Austin City Limits music festival.According to the Austin Police Department, the discussion will take place at APD Headquarters in downtown Austin at 4 p.m.KXAN will livestream the press conference in this story and on Facebook. Where 2023 ACL Festival attendees are coming from, according to Airbnb In addition to APD, the Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management are expected to attend the discussion.The safety recommendations would be for community members and visitors, according to APD.

$300K in enhanced bike facilities, bus stops planned in northwest, east Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Construction on new transit facilities and cycling infrastructure is underway off Lakeline Boulevard and Loyola Lane in northwest and east Austin.The projects are being done in collaboration between the City of Austin and CapMetro. Both projects are designed to improve transit access for those walking, biking and catching a bus in the area, city officials said in an Austin Mobility newsletter Monday.Construction on new transit facilities and cycling infrastructure is underway off Lakeline Boulevard and Loyola Lane in northwest and east Austin. (Courtesy: City of Austin)Near the H-E-B Plus along Lakeline Boulevard, project highlights include:New westbound multimodal bus stop with improved access to area shops, retailersEnhanced, safer bicycle facilities at the bus stop Redesigned lane configuration "to accommodate transit operational needs"Planned improvements at the intersection of Loyola Lane and Sandshof Drive include:Two new multimodal bus stops on the northwest ...

Gophers receiver Le’Meke Brockington out for rest of the season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

The Gophers will be without starting wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington for the rest of the 2023 football season, the Pioneer Press learned Wednesday.Brockington was injured in the second quarter of last Saturday’s 35-24 victory over Louisiana. It immediately looked serious as Brockington was downfield blocking when he was bent backward awkwardly as running back Zach Evans accidentally rolled up on Brockington’s legs.Brockington had his lower left leg immediately put in an immobilizing brace and was taken on a cart to the locker room at Huntington Bank Stadium. The third-year player from Moultrie, Ga., gave fans a thumbs up as he was taken inside. The specific injury diagnosis is not known.Brockington had an eight-percent target share through five games, which was fourth-highest on the team this season. He has nine total targets for five receptions, 73 yards and one touchdown.Elijah Spencer, a transfer from Charlotte, is expected to see a bigger role now that Brockington ...

St. Paul high school student arrested with gun in his backpack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

St. Paul police found a gun when they went to a high school Wednesday to arrest a student in connection to a past shooting outside another school.Officers went to Como Park Senior High School as they were following up on an investigation into a drive-by shooting in January that grazed a staff member outside Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul.When they arrested a 17-year-old student, they found a gun in his backpack, according to Alyssa Arcand, a St. Paul police spokeswoman.The teen was booked into the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Teen receives 25-year prison sentence for Michael Brasel fatal shooting Crime & Public Safety | Oakdale drunk driver ‘robbed us of everything,’ mother of late teen says after sentencing Crime & Public Safety | Missing girl’s rescue in upstate New York came as pivota...

Adult-use cannabis applications now open in New York State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- From now until December 4, those wanting to enter New York’s cannabis industry can apply to do so."We’re expecting tens of thousands of applications from all over the country to try and start their businesses here in the great State of New York," said Damian Fagon, The Office of Cannabis Management's Chief Equity Officer.The Office of Cannabis Management is looking to distribute between 1,000 to 1,500 adult- use cannabis licenses."Of those 1,000 new licenses, half of those are new retail dispensary licenses. Obviously we need a lot more stores around the state. We have some indoor grow licenses for folks who got a green thumb, processor, distributor, and microbusiness."There is a fee to apply. For social equity applicants it’s $500. For everyone else, it’s $1,000.People who have locations secured for a dispensary or microbusiness are being urged to apply by November 3 to fast track the process.As New York’s legal marijuana industry grows, the state is crackin...

CDTA Fall Festival returns for first time since 2019

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Capital District Transportation Authority is back for the first time since 2019! The festival will be held at the CDTA Headquarters at 110 Watervliet Avenue on Thursday, October 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Festivities include a reading by The RED Bookshelf, bounce houses, carnival games, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, a VIA Aquarium demonstration, and more! Families can also take a harvest hayride through the CDTA paint shop.Local law enforcement agencies and first responders will be on-site providing demonstrations. There will also be refreshments available.