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New federal bureau focused on global disease response

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. Department of State has launched a new Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, the goal of which is to improve international cooperation to stem the spread of disease."We have to be ready, and the world at large has to be ready," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Tuesday news conference.He said the U.S. is taking the lead to prevent future pandemics. The new bureau was designed to help streamline how countries detect and respond to diseases like HIV/AIDS and prevent outbreaks."I can't think of a more important endeavor at a more critical time," Blinken said.He said the new bureau will help modernize the World Health Organization and how it's funded, as well as strengthen the global supply chain.The WHO says COVID-19 has killed nearly 7 million people worldwide. A 2021 study estimated that environmental changes meant the likelihood of another pandemic, just as deadly, will double in the coming decades.Josh Michaud, the associate direc...

Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 40 acres, 10% contained

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — First responders said they're working Tuesday afternoon to evacuate homes as a "precautionary measure" because of a wildfire burning near Bastrop State Park. The fire, which is now called the Powder Keg Pine Fire, is estimated at 40 acres and is 10% contained as of 4:15 p.m., according to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management.Additionally, the Austin Fire Department said it and other Travis County ESDs sent multiple units as mutual aid to to the fire.Smoke seen from Bastrop County fire Aug. 1, 2023. (KXAN ReportIt photo)Smoke from Bastrop wildfire Aug. 1, 2023 (KXAN ReportIt Photo)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)First responders said the houses affected by the evacuations are located between Harmon Road and Pine Hill Loop in Bastrop. It's unclear how many homes are impacted at this time. Neighbors are advised to contact the county hotline at (512) 303-4300 for ...

Grass fires extinguished, traffic lanes reopen in Pflugerville, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Two grass fires are extinguished, and traffic lanes are back open after the fires closed lanes in Pflugerville on Tuesday, Travis County Emergency Service District No. 2 confirmed to KXAN in a statement.Travis County ESD No. 2, along with Hutto Fire Rescue and Williamson County ESD No. 10, responded to two fires along northbound State Highway 130 between State Highway 45 and County Road 138 at about 11:30 a.m., according to Travis County ESD No. 2.“We are glad that both fires have successfully been extinguished,” Nick Perkins, fire chief for Travis County ESD No. 2, said. “The Austin area is experiencing record-level heat and wildfire danger at this time. We ask that everyone in the community does their part in prevention by taking extra precautions in extreme heat.”

With a 'John Wick mentality,' Texas Longhorns get started at fall camp Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's finally here.College football fall camps around the country are all set to commence and usher in the 2023-24 season, and Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian held this season-opening press conference Tuesday. Arch Manning’s first trading card makes more than $100K for charity at auction One of the overarching messages as the team begins official practices again before the start of the season is all about being the same team day in and day out."There's a level of consistency that's needed to be a champion," he said. "That's something that we got better at. We were not perfect a year ago. We can't afford those lulls where we play really good offensive football and then struggle for three drives in a row where we don't operate the way I know we're capable of."What should help the team stay sharp is the competitive nature of fall camp, Sarkisian said. He said there are a lot of positions where the talent level doesn't drop that much from starters to backups,...

Austin ER doctor says 95% of traumatic scooter injuries involve alcohol

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Amid increases in emergency room visits from riders using e-bikes and scooters while intoxicated, Ascension Seton is urging people to find other ways to get home if they have been drinking alcohol. Dr. Jayson Aydelotte, trauma medical director at Dell Seton Medical Center, said that as the number of scooters and e-bikes have increased around Austin, so have the number of riders who have injured themselves while using them. One common characteristic of people who end up in the hospital after riding a scooter or e-bike is alcohol, Aydelotte said.“Since the scooters have come around, and the bikes too, if you get in an accident bad enough to give you an injury [and] get admitted to the hospital, 95% of those people have been drinking too much,” Aydelotte said. E-bikes and scooters started appearing on Austin streets in 2018. Many tout the devices as a convenient and environmentally friendly means of transit to get through denser parts of the city. Others have...

Good Earth Roseville closes after more than 40 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

Pioneering health-food restaurant Good Earth has closed its Roseville location after a more-than 40-year run.The restaurant posted news of the closure on social media. The post reads as follows:“Our sincere thanks go out to our incredibly loyal guests, dedicated staff members and terrific vendors who have been a part of this special location. We are most grateful for your support and patronage.Please remember that Good Earth gift cards are still available for use at our other Parasole locations, including Good Earth in Edina — which is open for business. A complete list of Parasole restaurants can be found at www.parasole.com.”Good Earth was founded in 1975 in Reno, Nev., by William Galt, who had researched healthy eating and decided to serve fresh meals made with hormone-free meats, lots of fresh vegetables, natural sugars and no additives. The restaurant had 53 locations when Galt sold it to General Mills in 1980. Galt died in 2018.The last two locations of the restaurant, R...

READ: Trump indictment in 2020 election case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

A federal grand jury handed up a criminal indictment of former President Trump on Thursday related to his efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election.The 45-page indictment includes four counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.Read the indictment here:gov.uscourts.dcd_.258149.1.0_1Download

Fireman survived 9/11, hiking Appalachian trail to raise money for vets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

BENNINGTON, V.T. (NEWS10) — Former volunteer fireman Rob Weisberg who survived the September 11th attacks is hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise money for veterans. Veterans VoicesFrom fireman’s gear to hiking gear, Weisberg is braving the leaps and bounds of the Appalachian Trail to raise money for Paws of War. It's a charity that provides service dogs to veterans who are suffering with PTSD, free of charge. When he’s not sleeping in a hostel, a sleeping bag, a tent, and a gas can stove are make up his "apartment".“My sleeping bag, my gear to keep me warm, my tent, food” he showed us. Rob started the journey in Georgia back in March.  Carrying 43 pounds of gear and averaging 15 miles a day, Weisberg has been hiking ever since. He’s down to his fourth pair of boots.Pair motorcycle from GA to NY to return Purple Heart“When it comes to boots, my plan is about 500 miles per pair of boots”, Weisberg explained. His cause hits close to home. For the last 22 years, Rob too has been carry...

Eroded storm water line caused Schenectady sinkhole

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Crews were on scene evaluating damage and beginning repairs on McClellan Street Tuesday after a car fell into a sinkhole the day before. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The sinkhole developed at the intersection of McClellan Street and Eastern Avenue around 3:15 P.M. Monday, and the car fell into it not long after. The driver sustained minor injuries.According to Schenectady Police and Mayor Gary McCarthy, the sinkhole formed because of an 80-year-old, 72-inch storm sewer line in the area. Officials say it must have been eroding over time, but could have been exacerbated by multiple rain events in July. 1 woman injured after car goes into sinkhole in Schenectady A private contractor has been hired and work has started on the initial repair, which is expected to take about two days. Once the initial repair is complete, a condition evaluation of the pipe will be performed. McCarthy said National Gr...

Albany renters abruptly told to move out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — As the housing crisis is growing in the Capital Region, residents at an Albany apartment complex were given notice to vacate the property. Many residents at the former Bleecker Terrace apartments received non-renewal letters giving them 90 days to move out. Adirondack Line can’t turn around north of Saratoga Springs “Knocked on my door early in the morning. And said, 'Are you Miss Hazl? I said yes. He gave me a letter, just like that,” said resident Elvin Hazl.“I was scared. Very scared," said a resident. "Where am I gonna go?”The notice came as a shock to tenants who say they've paid rent on time for years. They said that the notice causes them many hardships.“I gotta find someone to help me move and help me pack—all kinds of stuff I have to do now, to move,” Hazl said. "I can’t do all that in three months."The property was recently sold and is now called Capitol Crossings. NEWS10 reporter James De La Fuente tried several ways to contact the new manag...