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Texas State Parks system is a finalist for best in the nation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas State Parks system is being recognized as one of the best in the nation, being named one of four finalists for the 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. With millions of visitors annually, Texas' 87 state parks offer everything from canyons, lakes, mountains and swamps. This year is even more special, as the agency celebrates 100 years since its creation in 1923. What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, to learn how the parks earned the recognition. Below is a transcript of their conversation (edits have been made for clarity).Kristen Currie, KXAN News: To talk to me about that recognition is Director of Texas State Parks Rodney Franklin. Rodney, this is cool! Talk to me about this award that Texas State Parks is now a finalist for.Rodney Franklin, Texas State Parks: I couldn't be more thrille...

Dripping Springs enters Stage 5 emergency watering restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Dripping Springs has entered an emergency level of water conservation. The city posted an announcement from Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp., or DSWSC, on Facebook Thursday that said Stage 5 watering restrictions were in place effective immediately. Stage 5 is limited to emergency water use only. During this level of watering restriction, all non-essential water use and any outdoor irrigation is prohibited, according to DSWSC's website. Stages 1-4 also remain in place. DSWSC said on its website that neighboring utilities have experienced high consumption use and left critical storage tanks low.  Dripping Springs is asking residents to reduce their water consumption and only use water for essential purposes.The city also said that adherence to these guidelines will play a huge roll in replenishing storage tanks. The rules of Stage 5 watering restrictions are below. Under threat of penalty for violation, all retail customers are re...

Travis County leaders talk about wildfire dangers, preparations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County emergency responders met Friday morning to talk to the public about wildland fire dangers and how residents can prepare. The Travis County Emergency Services Districts held a press conference to talk about fire dangers and preparations. Travis County fire chiefs provided insights, statistics and firsthand experiences to emphasize the importance of preparedness and vigilance in safeguarding communities against the impact of wildland fires, according to a release. Aircraft playing critical role during wildfire season The conference aimed to raise awareness about the risks posed by wildland fires and provide valuable insights into how individuals, communities and organizations can effectively prepare and prevent these devastating incidents, the release said. Just this week, there have been two wildfires in Central Texas that have burned hundreds of acres. A fire started Wednesday afternoon in Williamson County between Georgetown and Jarrell. As of Thur...

Dane Mizutani: If you dislike Vikings’ Kirk Cousins, you won’t after watching ‘Quarterback’ on Netflix

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

There’s a illuminating stretch in the penultimate episode of the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback” during which Kirk Cousins fully establishes himself as a fan favorite.After a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the playoffs, Cousins, who might be the Vikings’ most polarizing player, is shown sitting alone at his locker. He stares straight ahead as he tries to come to grips with what he later calls the toughest loss of his career.The next scene features Cousins in his Ford Expedition with his wife Julie. He goes out of his way to sign autographs for a couple of fans on his way out of the parking lot, then uses the 30-minute car ride to vent some of his frustrations from a game the Vikings should have won.As soon as Cousins walks through the door of the family home, the disappointment takes a backseat, and he immediately shifts into Dad Mode. He helps get his oldest son Cooper ready for bed, then reads a book to his youngest son Turner before turning out ...

Trump’s classified documents trial set for May despite pleas to wait until after election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Florida has scheduled a trial date for next May for former President Donald Trump in a case charging him with illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents.The May 20, 2024, trial date, set Friday by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for this December and a bid by defense lawyers to schedule it after the 2024 presidential election.If the date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records.It also means the trial will not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear — though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention.In pushing back the trial from the Dec. 11 start date that the Justice Department had asked for, Cannon wrote that “the Government’s proposed schedule is atypically ac...

Man charged in multiple thefts, police pursuits around St. Louis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A man accused of stealing big-ticket items multiple times causing several high-speed police pursuits this year in St. Louis County is behind bars. Police arrested James Roger Paul Collier earlier this month in connection with several crimes. St. Louis County prosecutors have charged Collier with two counts of stealing ($750 or more) and three counts of resisting arrest by fleeing (creating substantial risk of injury). Protests over Francis Howell plan to allow anti-racism resolution to expire Authorities began investigating thefts tied to Collier in March, though police reports indicate he had been stealing expensive items as early as February. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Collier stole items from the Lowe's store in Chesterfield on Feb. 21 and 23. Collier was identified weeks later through surveillance footage. In the first reported instance, he placed an EGO Power Station in his cart (valued around $1,000), and scanned a separate item ...

Behind the Camera: Stephanie Rothman's life as a journalist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Stephanie Rothman got her start in journalism when she was a student at University of Texas at Austin to get her bachelor's degree. Her education continued to Northwestern University, where she got a master's degree in journalism. "I originally was going to go to school for English, but then realized no, I'm not going to teach English, and I'm not writing a novel or doing print journalism. But I really love video formats," she said. "It's a faster pace, and you also get to be with so many people. Writing to me was too solitary. I know I am too much of an extrovert to be solitary every single day."Rothman says she learns something new every day. She interacts with many different kinds of people. Reporters can have odd work schedules. Many newscasts will have them working early in the morning, late at night, or weekends."I used to work Monday through Friday, weeknights, but now I work on the weekends as well, and I anchor on Monday and Tuesday, so I do have a weird sched...

New women-owned bar brings select wines to Wheat Ridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

The restaurant: Wolf + Wildflower, 7190 W. 38th Ave., Wheat RidgeAbout: Conceptualized by decade-old friends Tamara McTavish and Sarah Galloway, this women-owned wine bar highlights local vineyards through a partnership with Colorado’s Carboy Winery. It serves wine on tap and a pared-down, charcuterie-focused menu. The Wheat Ridge spot is a continuation of a culture of hospitality that seems to run in the family: McTavish’s husband, Jack, is the owner of Berkeley neighborhood hotspot Rocky Top Tavern.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | A perfect weekend in Telluride Restaurants, Food and Drink | Rosé fatigue? 5 intriguing bottles that’ll have you swooning this summer Restaurants, Food and Drink | Here’s where to find Colorado’s best wine bars, according to Wine Spectator Restaurants, Food and Drink | Troy Guard to open wine bar in lobby of Republic Plaza Restaurants, Food and Drink | ...

2 men killed as their vehicle crashed into a tree in Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

Early Friday morning, two men died in Denver after their car left the roadway and crashed into a tree.Just after 2 a.m., Denver police officers responded to reports of a car that crashed near East 53rd Avenue and Dearborn Street in Denver’s Montbello neighborhood.Spokesperson Doug Schepman said the driver was going west on East 53rd Avenue when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree, starting a car fire at impact.The driver and his passenger were pronounced dead on scene and the investigation is ongoing, Schepman said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Driver dies in a three-vehicle crash in Aurora involving a dump truck Crime and Public Safety | Southbound I-25 reopens near Wyoming state line after crash Crime and Public Safety | Five people, including a pedestrian, injured in two-vehicle crash in Aurora Crime and Public Safety | Northbound lanes of E-470 reopen at Colfax Ave. in Aurora after cras...

Homeless man accused of crashing into Westlake students facing new charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:15 GMT

The homeless man accused of deliberately crashing into a group of students outside Westlake High School, killing one of them, now faces a charge of first-degree murder.Prosecutors in Ventura County recently amended their case against Austin Eis, 25. On April 18, authorities say Eis pepper-sprayed and stabbed a Walmart employee in Simi Valley, threatened others with a knife, and attempted to drag another employee out of the store. He is also accused of forcing his way into a relative’s home in Camarillo.The crash scene near Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks on April 18, 2023. (KTLA)A short time later, prosecutors say Eis deliberately plowed his vehicle into students outside Westlake High School. The crash killed Wesley Welling, 15, and injured three other students. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, he now faces 19 counts of attempted murder.In the amended complaint, prosecutors call the crash “premeditated.”“In light of the ongoing investigation we have discover...