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Texas governor signs major patient safety bill into law, sparked by KXAN investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson and Republican Sen. Bob Hall hold HB 1998. (Courtesy Rep. Julie Johnson)Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023. Watch Matt Grant's investigation tonight on KXAN.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott signed a major patient safety bill into law Tuesday, capping a bipartisan achievement that will reform the Texas Medical Board, protect patients from potentially dangerous doctors and, supporters say, save lives. "This bill will absolutely save lives," said Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, who introduced HB 1998 in direct response to KXAN's "Still Practicing" investigations. "I'm thrilled we got this passed." READ THE BILL: HB 1998 was sparked by KXAN. Advocates say it will save lives. The new law addresses problems KXAN first uncovered. Five years after the infamous Texas surgeon, nicknamed "Dr. Death," was sentenced to life in prison, we wanted to see if anything in the state had changed. Our investigation...

Gov. Abbott signs bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections in Texas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN coverage after the Texas vehicle inspection bill passed the Texas House and Senate.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed a bill that will eliminate the annual vehicle inspection requirement for most vehicles in Texas. Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 3297 earlier this month, eliminating the inspections for vehicles in all but 17 Texas counties. DETAILS: Texas passes bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections Texans living in the most-populated counties will still have to appear annually for an emissions test. The 17 counties that require emissions inspections include those surrounding the major metro areas, other than San Antonio: Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Montgomery, Galveston, Williamson, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, and El Paso.In 2025, vehicle safety inspections will be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee — the same as the current inspection fee, but witho...

Travis County flies LGBTQ+ Pride flag for third consecutive year

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — County commissioners voted Tuesday to officially recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and they gathered to raise the rainbow flag for a third time outside the Travis County building in downtown Austin. The proclamation they approved reads, "Travis County recognizes the critical need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice against the LGBTQIA+ community, and is committed to supporting dignity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community." Report: 1/5 of 2023 anti-LGBTQ+ legislation filed in US was in Texas At the flag-raising event, Travis County Judge Andy Brown told the crowd, "At a time when our LGBTQIA+ community, our trans kids community, their families are being attacked for being their authentic selves, we hope this flag serves as a reminder and a sign of hope that you are welcome, that everybody's welcome here in Travis County. You are valued, and you will be supported in Travis County."This recognition comes after state la...

'It's a game changer': ATCEMS' water response times down to 3 minutes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County EMS' new pilot program on local lakes has dramatically cut down response times out on the water. "17 minutes, 17 and a half minutes down to three to four minutes. We've already seen just a fantastic improvement in our response times," ATCEMS Assistant Chief of EMS Operations Michael Wright said. NEXT: EMS’ new pilot program speeds up water rescues on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake Wright said ATCEMS medics are out on the water alongside Austin Police Department patrol boats on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin. "Instead of just waiting on the ground transport to get there and specialized resources, we can put them right on the water," Wright said. "They're there within minutes."Wright said a major benefit to this program is that it helps keep ground transport units available for other calls. "We are actually adding resources back into the system, because otherwise those resources would be tied up for hours," Wright said. "But instead, they're not 9...

Campfires banned in Boundary Waters as fire danger grows with drought

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

DULUTH — Fires are banned in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness starting Wednesday as a drought continues to spread across the Northland with little rainfall since April.The Superior National Forest is banning fires in the wilderness and limiting all other fires, including campfires and charcoal grills, to designated developed areas with fire rings, such as drive-to public and private campgrounds and resorts and private homes and cabins. Gas and propane stoves are still allowed in all areas.The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Louis, Cook, Carlton and Lake counties, and the Bois Forte, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac bands of Lake Superior Chippewa are also enacting campfire restrictions at the same time. The DNR also noted that fireworks are banned on all public and private property outside of city limits and that no burning permits will be issued in the affected areas.Fires also are banned across much of Northwestern Ontario, including the Quetico wilderness are...

Class 4A state baseball quarterfinal: East Ridge 9, Lakeville South 1

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

East Ridge didn’t exactly knock the cover off the ball on Tuesday, but the at-bats were good. That was more than enough for the Raptors, who advanced to the Class 4A state baseball semifinals with a 9-1 victory over Lakeville South at CHS Field.The second-seeded Raptors (18-8) advanced to play the winner of the 1 p.m. between Mounds View and No. 3 seed Minnetonka on Wednesday at CHS.Left-hander Max Arlich scattered three hits, struck out six and gave up just one run in four innings to earn the victory, and Joseph Gizzi added three innings of scoreless relief, ending the game with his unassisted fielding play.“I thought we did exactly what we needed to do in this type of game,” Raptors junior left-hander Max Alrich said. “They weren’t giving us any strikes, so we got the at-bats that we needed to do and put me in a great position to just get some innings.”East Ridge chased Lakeville South starter Tate Marland after three outs and 11 batters, but it wasn’t because they were hitting th...

Chef Sean Sherman to recieve 2023 Julia Child Award

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

Chef Sean Sherman, co-owner of Owamni and founder of North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), is the recipient of the 2023 Julia Child Award.The award is accompanied by a $50,000 grant from the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, which will go to NATIFS and to support the newly opened Indigenous Food Lab, a professional kitchen and training center newly opened in Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. Indigenous Food Lab’s mission is to expand access to Indigenous food.Sherman will be formally presented with the award Oct. 24 in a gala to be held in Minneapolis. Proceeds from that event will support care and preservation of Julia Child’s kitchen and the Smithsonian Food History Project at the National Museum of American History.“Sean Sherman continues to dedicate his career to preserving Native American cuisine and creating a holistic, open-sourced system where others can expand on his work,” Eric W. Spivey, chairman of The Julia Child Fou...

When do the Capital Region's pools, spray pads open for the summer?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With summer quickly approaching, you might be looking for somewhere to stay cool as temperatures start to rise. Here’s where you can find splash pads and pools around the Capital Region, as well as when they'll be opening for the season. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! AlbanyThe pools and spray pads in Albany will open on June 26 and close on Labor Day. The Lincoln Park Pool and Swinburne Park Spray Pad will be closed for summer 2023.PoolsMater Christi Pool, 1134 New Scotland Road. Open 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.Albany High School Pool, 700 Washington Avenue. Open 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.Arbor Hill Pool, 50 Lark Street. Open 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.Spray PadsThe spray pads will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.Black Lives Matter Park Spray Pad, 484 Livingston AvenueColonie Street Park Spray PadHackett Park Spray Pad, North First StreetKrank Park Spray Pad, 65 First AvenueLincoln Park Spray P...

Ballston Spa to host free Narcan training on June 19

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association has partnered with the Saratoga County Department of Health to host a free Narcan training event at the Brookside Museum on June 19. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “We recognize the urgency of addressing the opioid crisis and our association is committed to playing an active role in raising awareness and providing resources to the community,” said Liz Biddle, Treasurer of the BSBPA. “We encourage everyone in the area to attend and join us in making a positive impact.”Participants will learn to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and be taught how to administer Narcan. Participants will also go home with Narcan kits.

2 men charged after family threats lead to vehicular assault, prosecutor says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:31:59 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - After receiving threats against himself and his family, a St. Louis County man allegedly found the person making the threats and hit him with his car.According to a report filed by the Bridgeton Police Department, the incidents occurred on June 3.Police claim Calvin Smith sent Jordan Larenzo a video of Larenzo's family and threatened to kidnap them. Smith had previously sent messages containing explicit and vulgar images and videos to Larenzo and his family.Later that day, police were called to the 12200 block of St. Charles Rock Road for a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. Police tie 12-year-old girl to overnight crime spree Officers found Smith, 24, bleeding and injured on the road. Witnesses told police they saw a black SUV hit Smith and speed off.A short time later, Larenzo drove up to the scene in a black SUV and got the officers' attention.Police claim Larenzo said, "I did it," and confessed to hitting Smith with his car.Both men were arrested.“While threate...