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Texas is home to 1st Barbie to fly in space

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Long before Margot Robbie traipsed through space to reach the real world in the 2023 film "Barbie," one of Mattel's iconic dolls made history as the first Barbie to fly in space — and its roots are here in Texas.Austin resident Steve Denison joined NASA as an aerospace engineer in 1989, after finishing undergrad at the University of Kansas. There, he assisted in space shuttle crew training with a few flights, including the Nov. 15, 1990, launch of STS-38. TRENDING NOW: What Texas farmers and ranchers are tracking as heat, drought continues It was on that flight that Barbie — dressed in a full NASA Space shuttle training uniform — spent nearly five days in space before she and the rest of the STS-38 crew landed at the Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 20, 1990.But how did Barbie end up on that flight — and in space, no less — in the first place?"I received [the Barbie doll] during a white elephant gift exchange party amongst the team," Denison said.Austin resident Steve ...

Texas Longhorns at No. 12 in preseason coaches poll; future SEC foe Georgia at No. 1

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With 10 of 11 offensive starters returning and a much-improved defense, the Texas Longhorns landed at No. 12 in the preseason edition of the USA Today Coaches Poll released Monday.The Longhorns earned 848 points in the poll, placing them between No. 11 Washington, who beat the Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl last season, and No. 12 Notre Dame. The Associated Press preseason top 25 poll will come out Aug. 14.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThree of the top five teams are from the Southeastern Conference where the Longhorns will begin play next season. The two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs received 61 of 66 first-place votes to sit atop the rankings, followed by Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State and Louisiana State.Southern California, Penn State, Florida State, Clemson and Tennessee round out the top 10. Picked by media members to win the Big...

ERCOT extends 'weather watch' through Aug. 11

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As high temperatures and electrical demand persist throughout Texas and the possibility of lower energy reserves lingers, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is extending its weather watch through Aug. 11. Grid conditions are projected to remain normal throughout the weather watch, per an ERCOT release. ERCOT officials added they're monitoring conditions and "will deploy all available tools to manage the grid, continuing a reliability-first approach to operations." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ERCOT issues Weather Watch as forecast anticipates higher temperatures So what, exactly, is a weather watch? According to ERCOT, this is an “earlier (approximately 3-5 days ahead) notification of forecasted significant weather and high demand.” When one is issued, ERCOT recommended people to monitor the grid conditions, but it does not indicate an emergency situation — that’s what its emergency alerts do. ERCOT advised people to sign up for grid condition notifications online, o...

'We're not in control': 75-year-old vet with stage 4 cancer loses home in wildfire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

HAYS COUNTY (KXAN)— Michael Hinz and his son Travis walked through smoldering, devastation on the land where they just lost their home of 45 years. Michael (right) and Travis Hinz (left), stand in front of their burned down home. (KXAN photos/KXAN).Michael (right) and Travis Hinz (left), stand in front of their burned down home. (KXAN photos/KXAN)."It's just total devastation, it's just torn down to the bare ground," Hinz said. Their home, now a pile of ash and rubble was engulfed by flames in the Oak Grove wildfire on Saturday. Hinz, 75, is a veteran and has stage 4 prostate cancer. He said his family got him out of the house just in time. LATEST: Oak Grove wildfire "My daughter and son-in-law just came out to pick me up and they noticed smoke and they said we got to get out of here because we don't know which direction it's going to go."The family said they didn't expect their home to be totally lost to the fire. Hinz family home. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington)."Sunday afternoon ...

Highest wildfire danger of the year as hot, breezy weather persists

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As an unprecedented heat wave still shows no signs of abating, vegetation is drying out further. As humidity drops each afternoon and winds pick up, the National Weather Service says the highest wildfire danger so far this year is expected Tuesday through Thursday. BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin? An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for most of the area until 9 p.m. Monday evening, and again from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Blanco and Gillespie counties.Statistics released today by the Texas A & M Forest Service show that 80 wildfires have been reported in the last week, 41 of them since Friday.A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 11 p.m. Monday, then again from noon until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Any fires that start will spread rapidly and be very dangerous.The National Weather Service says that the highest wildfire danger so far this year is expected Tuesday through Thursday. Texas A&M Forest Service experts diagnose ...

Nicholas Kristof: The truth about your bacon

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

YAMHILL, Ore. — We used to raise hogs on our family farm here, and to be honest I didn’t much like them. Defenders of farm animals sometimes compare pigs to dogs, but our hogs didn’t display any canine-style affection and instead were grouchy, whiny, strong-willed and prone to wander.Once when I was about 15, I had to traipse through the forest for more than 2 miles to track three of them down, and herding them back was a nightmare. By the time we got home, those pigs must have concluded that humans were a particularly ill-tempered and unaffectionate species.Still, our pigs were indisputably very smart with distinctive personalities, and sows made terrific moms (helicopter moms, too, keeping a close eye on wayward piglets). In short, I wouldn’t compare pigs to golden retrievers — they’re much more like people.We no longer raise pigs on our farm, nor do most other small family farms. Now they are nearly all on huge factory farms and treated with what seems to me particular cruelty — ...

Potentially toxic algae bloom prompts swimming closures, warnings at Woodbury lake

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Carver Lake in Woodbury is closed to recreation until further notice due to a potentially toxic blue-green algae bloom.Blue-green algae was discovered in Carver Lake by city parks staff members on Monday morning, and residents — and their pets — are advised to avoid contact with the lake until further notice.“Not all blue-green algal blooms produce toxins,” city officials wrote in a post on the city’s Facebook page. “However, there is no way to predict if or when a bloom will produce toxins. For this reason, it is best to avoid contact and stay out of the water.”Signs have been placed at the Carver Lake Beach to inform people of the closure and warn about the dangers of coming into contact with an algae bloom, said Jason Egerstrom, the city’s communications manager.The type of blue-green algae detected in Carver Lake is known to produce toxins that can be harmful and even fatal to pets and humans. Any park visitors who are experiencing...

Push for St. Croix River national heritage area gets boost with hiring of first executive director

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The St. Croix River region could be close to becoming a national heritage area, a move that would boost tourism and help protect and improve the area’s natural, cultural and historic resources.Members of the board of directors of the North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix National Heritage Area, which still requires congressional approval, are hoping the hiring of the nonprofit organization’s first executive director will help speed that process along.Monica Zachay (Courtesy of North Woods and Waters of the St Croix Heritage Area)Monica Zachay, former director of programs for the Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix & Namekagon, started her new position on Monday. She is one of two members of the staff at North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix National Heritage Area, which also includes a part-time program manager.“I’m looking forward to building on the work that our dedicated volunteers, advisors and board have already done,” Zachay said Monday. “The momentum is there, an...

Cobleskill PD rebuilding after resignations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) – After eight police officers resigned last month the Village of Cobleskill is rebuilding its police department and has a new lieutenant investigator. George Bird is filling in temporarily, part-time, and brings 31 years of experience with the state police. He said he was working full-time at Rivers Casino but wanted to help after he saw most of the department had resigned.“Having watched the PD evolve into something that to me it was unrecognizable and became concerned when I saw the exodus from the police department over contractual concerns,” said Bird.Mayor Rebecca Stanton-Terk said the massive resignations started with contract negotiations. “And immediately it was apparent that it was going to be a difficult process,” said Stanton-Terk.She called the coordinated resignations a power play, adding she was disgusted by the officers abandoning the community.“It was really unsettling because that’s not what I expect from a public servant, who tak...

Federal officials ask for public’s help in search for escaped Colorado inmate

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Last month, four inmates escaped from Bent County Jail, about 200 miles south of Denver. Federal officials are asking for the public’s help in finding the last one.According to a Monday news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, two of the escapees were caught and returned to custody on Aug. 1 and a third was found dead in Pueblo County.The U.S. Marshals in the District of Colorado and the FBI are asking for the public’s help to find 46-year-old Mark Desmond Fox, the last remaining escapee, officials announced Monday.The two agencies are offering a combined reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Fox’s arrest, the release said.Fox is a bald, white male, 6 feet and 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 175 pounds. He is wanted for counts of escape, insurance fraud, obstruction of justice and extortion.Authorities said Fox should be considered dangerous and anyone with information should contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-926-8332 or submit tips online.T...