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U.S. Rep. Greg Casar stages 'thirst strike' to advocate for federally mandated water breaks in extreme heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- As outdoor workers in Texas battle extreme heat, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, launched a daylong “thirst strike” in Washington, D.C., as he pushes for a federal workplace standard that would mandate water breaks for people whose jobs require them to work in the heat.“It’s challenging and it’s hot, but it’s not as hot as it is in Texas,” Casar said as he kicked off the event, during which he’ll forgo water for eight hours.On Tuesday morning, Casar was joined on the steps of the U.S. Capitol by other lawmakers, labor union members and activists.Many held up posters that read: “Working shouldn’t be a death sentence,” “Water breaks = basic rights” and “People over profit.”There are no federal or state standards that specifically protect workers from heat stress. And a recently passed Texas law will soon bar cities and counties from mandating that private employers offer paid water breaks. House Bill 2127 limits Texas cities and counties from creating rules t...

'Does no one care?' Vietnam veteran buried in 'abandoned' Black cemetery in Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — There's a historic Black cemetery just outside of La Grange in Fayette County that some feel has essentially been abandoned.It's where a Vietnam veteran Donnell Phillips was laid to rest alongside others. Phillips is from Smithville, according to records. Donnell Phillips, Vietnam veteran from SmithsvilleDonnell Phillips' headstoneDonnell Phillips' headstoneThe Mt. Olive African Methodist-Episcopal cemetery is just off Highway 71 on a dead-end road.It's easy to miss, if not for a small sign and American flag. Cathy Kubicek said she left the flag so she could remember where the cemetery is, and she's now on a personal mission to improve its conditions. "Is it just because it's an old African American cemetery — does nobody care?" Phillips said. "It hurts my heart."Tombstones are chained behind a gate and barbed-wired fence, and the cemetery grounds are rugged and untrimmed. Kubicek went looking for the cemetery after watching the movie "We Are Soldiers...

'You have to prepare for it.' Austin cardiologist talks Bronny James' sudden cardiac arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A family spokesperson announced Tuesday that LeBron James’ 18-year-old son, LeBron “Bronny” James, is recovering after a sudden cardiac arrest. An Austin interventional cardiologist at the Institute for Cardiovascular Health said that while a sudden cardiac arrest in someone this young is fairly rare, it is something that people surrounding sports and playing them should be aware of. “When it does happen, the availability of certain resources is really a life and death consideration. And so it's not common, but it's something that we see among both young athletes, teenage athletes, as well as adult and even professional athletes,” said Dr. Peter Monteleone, who is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.There are several reasons why a sudden cardiac arrest can occur. Monteleone said one way it might happen in a younger person is when there is an underlying genetic cardiovasc...

Eighth mosquito trap tests positive for West Nile in Williamson County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

GEORGETOWN (KXAN) – Williamson County authorities said Tuesday a sample of mosquitoes collected in the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District tested positive for West Nile virus. This marks the eighth reported West Nile virus positive trap in the county in 2023, according to the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD). It said no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Williamson County so far. WCCHD said the positive sample was collected from a trap site near Cat Hollow Park near Liberty Walk Drive and O'Connor Drive on July 20. The district said it was indicated in lab results received on Tuesday from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. How to keep mosquitoes away: Tips from Texans, pest control experts WCCHD said the trap is part of the enhanced mosquito surveillance occurring in the Brushy Creek MUD. This is the third week in a row that a trap has tested positive in that area. Symptoms of infection may include fever, he...

McDonald's locations in Central Texas violated child labor laws, Dept. of Labor says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (KXAN) – The Department of Labor said Tuesday investigators found four McDonald's franchise locations in the Austin area committed child labor violations.Investigators with the department's Wage and Hour Division found violations at locations operated by Marwen & Son in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Leander, according to the Labor Department's announcement. The Labor Department said investigators found the company employed 10 minors, 14- to 15-years-old, to work hours longer and later than permitted. According to the department, investigators also learned the employer allowed seven children to operate a manual deep fryer and oven, and two of the seven were allowed to use a trash compactor. Those are jobs which the department said are prohibited or considered hazardous for young workers. The department said it penalized Marwen & Son $21,466 for the violations.In Louisiana, the department said investigators discovered franchise owner CLB Investments employed ...

Pedestrians scatter as fire causes New York construction crane's arm to collapse and crash to street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A towering construction crane caught fire high above the west side of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, then lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below.Four people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.“As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse,” the Democrat said, noting that the street at that hour of the morning is often filled with pedestrians, cars and buses.The fire atop the 54-story building was reported around 7:25 a.m. Photos and videos posted on social media showed flames bursting from the car of a crane hundreds of feet above 10th Avenue at 41st Street. The crane's arm, which was carrying a 16-ton load, snapped off after the fire had been burning for a period of time.The person operating the crane tried to put out the fire as it spread, but then had to flee to safety,...

Vehicle fire in Queensbury cleared

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511NY, a vehicle fire on I-87 Northway northbound before Exit 20; US 9; NY 149 that shut down two right lanes and the shoulder has been cleared. The cause of the vehicle fire is unknown at this time.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Drivers should expect a normal commute following the clearance. Stick with NEWS10 as more information regarding the fire becomes available.

More Metro East crime-fighting tools after recent shootings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Bringing more crime-fighting tools to the Metro East will be the focus of an event later Wednesday morning in East St. Louis. This comes as the Major Case Squad is currently investigating two murder cases in the metro east.The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center is where multiple high-ranking officials including the director of the Illinois State Police, Brendan Kelly, are set to appear in a matter of hours to announce that more resources are coming to this area to try and reduce crime. The announcement is certainly timely after the violence just Tuesday in the metro east. There are also new developments Wednesday morning in one of those Major Case Squad investigations.The Major Case Squad released an image of someone they are calling a person of interest in connection with the murder that happened early Tuesday morning at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee MetroLink Station. Rare bee found in Belleville, Illinois Our Bommmarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter was flying o...

Heat Advisory issued Wednesday through Friday evening

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - Heat remains our main focus. We start the mornings warm, in the 70s to around 80 in metro St. Louis, and we heat up quickly. Afternoon top temperatures will push well into the 90s and close to 100 the rest of the week. Factor in the humidity and afternoon heat indices go to 105 plus. A Heat Advisory has been issued Wednesday through Friday evening. Drink plenty of water. Stay in an air-conditioned space and out of the sun during peak heating hours, Noon to 5:00 p.m. Take extra precautions if you work outside.   St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here This Wednesday, we are waking up to scattered showers and storms. The chance for scattered rain activity will hang around through the day. The clouds associated with that activity may help to keep highs Wednesday “only” in the mid 90s, still very hot. pot showers could hang around into early Thursday as well. So may see a good downpour, while others see not...

Better cameras are solving, preventing St. Louis area crimes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS – New camera technology on public transportation has improved so much that prosecutors recently claimed they could see suspects planning their crime.Metro’s Real Time Camera Center is equipped with nearly 1,0000 high definition video screens. “Security force multiplying technology,” Kevin Scott, Bi-State’s General Manager for Security, said. “We have worked over the last four years to put together a layered security dynamic here that ultimately makes our system safer.”Tuesday morning's shooting at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Station in St. Clair County, Illinois, will likely come with plenty of evidence.“The video and audio is phenomenal,” St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Chief of Investigations Sgt. Adam Quirin said of recent footage. He said this latest investigation involves, “…one of the trains that has enhanced video; so we should have very, very good video.” Stay of execution granted for Johnny Johnson Quirin responded to Tuesday’s shooting scene, which was just ...