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Hundreds of inmates evacuated as fire erupts at Texas prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (KIAH) -- The prison unit in Huntsville caught fire overnight and still burns this morning as fire crews work diligently to put the fire out. CW39's Kara Willis and Seth Kovar are bringing us updates throughout the morning. We talked with the fire chief there in Huntsville LIVE on air for an update. "The Walls" unit caught fire about 2:30 a.m. Friday morning. Heavy smoke was reported. Crews arrive to find heavy fire coming from one unit. Units have knocked out the main body of fire. All inmates have been evacuated from the area to another facility and are accounted for. No word on where the main fire started. As it is a state facility, the fire marshall is on the scene still investigating. On scene, a fire coming from an old tower can be seen. This is pretty significant so it will take some time.Greg MathisThe roads are closed to the main facility. Traffic passing through in the 6 a.m. hour. No word on the cause of the fire at this time. Smoke can still be seen com...

Curiosity caused the traffic: Why do we love to rubberneck?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you've ever been stuck in traffic, only to realize it was all because of a crash on the other side of the highway, that is a common experience thanks to rubbernecking.KXAN Traffic Anchor, Erica Brennes, sat down with the hosts of the podcast Two Guys On Your Head, Dr. Bob Duke and Dr. Art Markman, to find out why we can't help but slow down to take a look.Erica: "Why can we not resist the urge to rubberneck?"Dr. Bob Duke: "You know, when you look at toys that you get when you're five, they include fire trucks and ambulances and things like that, because we love those vehicles and you don't get to see them that often." 3:10 And then here you are on the highway. And you've waited all this time behind all these other people. And so one of the things you do is you just got to get that look at what happened." Dr. Art Markman: "And I think you know, most of the time when you're driving there's a real sameness to the experience, especially if you're traveling along route...

Workers to start Phase 1 of flood risk reduction project in NE Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin said a road will be closed starting Saturday on a project to reduce the risk of flooding in a northeast Austin neighborhood. The city said Thursday that workers with the Capital Delivery Services Department will start Phase 1 of construction on the Little Walnut Creek Flood Risk Reduction Project. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the construction of Phase 1 is expected to wrap up in Spring 2024, the city said. According to the city, Mearns Meadow Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Rutland Drive to Parkfield Drive during construction. Little Walnut Creek homeowners frustrated after project put on hold Detour signage will be posted to guide travelers in the area, the city said.  During construction, equipment operators will excavate a 20-foot deep trench along Mearns Meadow Boulevard to install 13-foot by 10-foot concrete box culverts, the city said. According to the city, when the project is done, floodwater w...

Austin apartment Fire leaves dozens without a home, how you can help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the second time this month, the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is working to help people rebuild their lives after two separate, devastating apartment fires.The latest fire left 60 people, including children without a home after an overnight fire ripped through the Sonora Apartments on Sam Rayburn Drive.“These are our neighbors right here in our own community,” said Dwight Bailey Jr., the executive director of the ADRN.“And when you hear folks just like us who one day, things are fine, and literally, overnight, they're devastated.”Resources have been stretched thin this month for the non-profit, which is also helping others recover from a separate wildfire at the Bexley at Silverado Apartment Complex in Cedar Park.“We are completely reliant upon generous donors to help us to do what we do and that's an area of need and opportunity.”The ADRN is asking for donations of emergency supplies—hygiene items, clothing and funding.“We'll have an intake center at th...

Weed 101: St. Cloud State to offer cannabis education certificate programs this fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — St. Cloud State University is offering new online certificate programs in cannabis education, starting this fall.This comes after Minnesota recently became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana. The SCSU programs are the first of their kind in Minnesota, but similar programs are offered in Illinois, Michigan and other states.“The cannabis industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, and the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever,” said SCSU President Robbyn Wacker. “Our endeavor is to meet workforce demand to provide educated professionals in this quickly evolving industry.”SCSU’s Professional and Continuing Education division plans to partner with California-based cannabis education company Green Flower.The four programs are in cannabis agriculture and horticulture, cannabis health care and medicine, cannabis compliance and risk management, and the business of cannabis.Each program costs $2,950, with payment plans available. Financial a...

Saratoga Springs coffee shop reopening with new owner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Broadway Grind, located at 493 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, is under new ownership. Christine Hernandez, who also owns Allo Saratoga, has taken over the shop. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hernandez opened Allo Saratoga at 25 Lawrence Street in November 2021. The business is a gathering space for families with kids classes, parent workshops, and childbirth education."I have actually always wanted to own a coffee shop and when I saw this opportunity was available, I jumped on it," said Hernandez. "Allo and a coffee shop are complementary businesses because who loves coffee more than parents?" Saratoga Springs’ PDT Market founder, chef leaving The Broadway Grind originally opened in May 2022 and closed temporarily in July 2023 to transition owners. The coffee shop is reopening for a pop-up preview on August 26 from 8 a.m. to noon. Hernandez hopes to officially open the first we...

Blue alert: Missouri deputy shot; suspect found dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. – A Lincoln County sheriff's deputy was hospitalized Friday morning after he was shot while responding to a call. The suspect in the case was later found dead.A spokesperson for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department revealed that the deputy was shot in the chest. We're told he was in surgery late Thursday night and is expected to survive. The shooting happened on Creech School Road.Officers are still at the scene. The name of the deputy who was shot is not being released.This all unfolded around 6:25 p.m. Deputies responded to the suspect's home for a domestic disturbance call. The suspect was identified as 54-year-old Thomas Varvera Jr.Cor. Dallas Thompson with the Missouri Highway Patrol said that when deputies arrived, they made contact with Varvera outside the home. Thompson explained that Varvera started shooting at the deputies, hitting one of them in the chest. Thompson shared that Varvera then set his house on fire and ran to a shed on the back side of ...

Downtown Denver brewery closing after successful nine-year run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

When Scott O’Hearn and Philip Phifer opened LowDown Brewery + Kitchen in 2014, it was on their own terms: a brewery with food — unusual at the time — on an underused corner in Denver’s urban core, and serving straightforward beers rather than trendy styles.On Sept. 30, O’Hearn will close the brewery for good, but once again it is on his own terms, for the most part, which is a rare achievement for craft breweries in Colorado.“It was a really good run. We had a great staff culture and customer culture … and we were extremely profitable, even through Covid,” he said.But about a year ago, LowDown’s landlord began asking whether the brewery wanted to renew its lease at 800 Lincoln St. because he’d received an offer from a developer who wanted to buy the building. At first, O’Hearn and Phifer (who moved to Oregon a few years ago and backed away from day-to-day operations) rejected the notion of closing. But then O’He...

One person dies in crash on northbound Interstate 25 and Yale Avenue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

One person died in a crash Thursday night at northbound Interstate 25 and Yale Avenue, according to Denver Police.The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. and involved two drivers, police said on Twitter.Authorities said drivers in the area should expect delays and take alternate routes if possible because only one northbound lane was open on the far left.No other information was provided about the crash or those involved. The Denver Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday morning. Police said on Twitter that they were investigating the incident and would provide updates when they become available.#TRAFFIC: #DPD officers are investigating a fatal crash involving two motorists at NB I-25 and Yale. 1 person has been pronounced deceased. Expect delays. Alternate routes are advised; the only open NB lane is on the far left. Updates will be provided when available #Denver pic.twitter.com/8mKYNaGO9b— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) August 25,...

Denver weather: Cool-down brings heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding across Denver metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:25 GMT

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch early Friday morning for parts of the state, including Denver, because of possible flash flooding from heavy rainfall.The alert goes into effect at 9 a.m. through Saturday morning for most of north-central and northeast Colorado.Periods of heavy rain will be possible Friday into early Saturday with flash flooding possible in some areas. There is still some uncertainty as to where the heaviest rain will occur. #cowx pic.twitter.com/8ZFRPy4KvL— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 25, 2023Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder said it’s still too early to tell where the most rainfall will occur, but they expect “several rounds of heavy rain” through Friday night and Saturday morning. Flash flooding could occur in burn areas — the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak burn scars appeared to be the most susceptible early Friday — as well as in urban and rural areas, potentially flooding roadw...