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ERCOT misattributes cause of record-hot 2023, avoids mentioning climate change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's electric grid operator, released its winter outlook for power supply and demand ahead of a Board of Directors meeting to be held on Tuesday. Weather can heavily influence the power grid, as Texas experienced in the February 2021 freeze.In its 2023-2024 winter outlook, ERCOT mentions that it has been a record-warm year in Texas and worldwide (January through October). But climate scientists say that the factors ERCOT is attributing the record heat to are not true and echo talking points of those who deny climate change.We spoke with Dr. Andrew Dessler, professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University and Director of the Texas Center for Climate Studies, about ERCOT's claims and what is responsible for the heat.Claim No. 1: Hunga Tonga volcanic eruptionThe first thing ERCOT blames for the record heat is a massive underwater volcano that erupted in January, spewing massive amounts of water vapor into t...

Concerns raised after 6th street shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A weekend shooting involving police left one person dead and three others injured on Sixth Street.The shooting took place around 11 p.m. on Saturday between Brazos and San Jacinto Streets.The officers were responding to someone trying to illegally carry a gun into a bar Saturday night according to the Austin Police Department.APD said that person pulled out the firearm and pointed it towards officers before they opened fire.This recent shooting has some people looking at the Downtown Entertainment district with a little more caution."All of a sudden I heard gunshots," said Abdou, who works about a block from where the shooting took place. "Everybody started clearing out."Haley Salzwedel said she avoids what many refer to as "dirty sixth" as much as possible, especially after shootings. One killed, three injured in officer-involved shooting on 6th Street "I will say overall I don't typically feel safe," Salzwedal said. "I think it has definitely influenced my decisi...

Police: Shooting at Barton Creek Mall started by fight during 'private party sale'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department says a shooting that left one injured Saturday at the Barton Creek Mall started when two groups of two men showed up for a "private party sale of merchandise that was being sold on a social media platform." The police department did not specify what the merchandise was. APD said when the two parties arrived at the mall, a fight broke out. The man who was shot was one of the people who showed up for the sale. He has not been identified by law enforcement. Police: 1 shot at Barton Creek Square Mall Police say before they arrived the suspects involved took off from the scene. APD said this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public. Still, APD said it would be doing more patrols in the area. Police are asking anyone with information to contact APD's Aggravated Assault unit at (512) 974-5245. You can also send a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting its website or callin...

Harmon, Abmas tabbed Big 12 Conference weekly award winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Longhorns earned Big 12 Conference basketball honors with their play last week, the conference announced Monday.On the men's side, guard Max Abmas earned the league's Newcomer of the Week award with his performance against Louisiana State. As part of The Halal Guys Showcase in Houston, Abmas led the Longhorns to a 96-85 win with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes on the floor. He shot 6 of 13 from the field including a 4-for-9 performance from 3-point range. Texas Longhorns flip nation’s No. 2 safety recruit Xavier Filsaime from Florida Gators Abmas leads the team in scoring this year, averaging 17.8 points per game and he's shooting 41.1% from 3-point range. The men's team takes on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday at Moody Center.On the women's side, Rori Harmon continues to show why she's one of the best guards in the country. She picked up a co-player of the week honor after her near triple-double on the road in an 88-75 win over A...

12/18/23: Quiet Weather Leading up to Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

Latest Forecast Update from Meteorologists Steve Caporizzo & Rob Lindenmuth:A very soggy day across the Capital Region with rainfall amounts on the order of 1.5" to just over 5" for some. This has lead to localized flooding this evening with the main concern being near creeks, streams and rivers as the runoff will continue into the night and there could continue to be a rise on these waterways into Tuesday morning.This storm system will continue to pull away tonight, leaving the region with mostly cloudy skies, a bit of a breeze and even a few more showers, otherwise we do expect things to remain mostly dry and quiet.There is the chance for a few scattered snow showers into Tuesday afternoon as colder air continues to flow into the Northeast in the wake of the storm. Winds will also be a bit gusty during the afternoon with gusts on the order of 25-35 mph from the west northwest.High pressure will be building in for Tuesday night and into Wednesday. This means things will be quie...

The US is pushing Israel to pull back on its military campaign in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- The Biden administration is increasing pressure on Israel to scale back its military campaign in Gaza.  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with leaders in Israel and described U.S. support for Israel as unshakeable.But amid growing international outcry Austin says Israel must be more strategic."Lower intensity and more surgical operations," he said. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Austin says he encouraged Israel’s war cabinet to take steps to reduce civilian deaths in Gaza.The war, now in its third month, has left more than an estimated 19000 Palestinians dead.Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says, "We are fighting a brutal enemy that hides behind civilians."Israeli officials insist they are already following international law but they also signaled their forces will make adjustments."We need to get to a different performance on the ground before we move to the next phase," Gallant added. Freed Israeli ho...

House Springs man charged with destroying Christmas decorations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

HILLSBORO, Mo. – Days after a vandal destroyed a Christmas display at a preservation area in House Springs, authorities in Jefferson County have made an arrest.Lucas Clayton was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 17. On Monday, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Clayton with first-degree property damage. He remains jailed on a $10,000 bond. Clayton is accused of ruining the light display at House Springs Park. On Dec. 13, the sheriff’s office received word that someone had slashed six inflatable Christmas decorations, stole extension cords, and tossed items in the pond, such as a reindeer decoration and several plastic candy canes.Investigators allege Clayton ripped Christmas lights down and tossed them in the pond as well.

New charges for suspects in Madison County armed robberies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

MADISON COUNTY, Ill. - A St. Louis woman, already in jail for an armed robbery at a Best Buy store, is facing new charges for burglary and car theft. A co-defendant was also charged in connection with the crime spree.Investigators with the Wood River and Glen Carbon police departments, along with law enforcement agencies in the Metro East, central Illinois, and Missouri, collaborated on the case, resulting in the news charges.According to court documents, Jakiaya McCoy entered two car dealerships on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, with the intent to commit theft. She was in possession of two vehicles—a 2018 Chrysler 300 and a 2013 Kia Optima—knowing both had been stolen.The robbery at the Best Buy happened later that week, on Thursday, Nov. 23. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

K9 unit discusses response to synagogue bomb threats in Creve Coeur

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

CREVE COEUR, Mo. – Five synagogues in the St. Louis area received bomb threats on Sunday morning. Police responded quickly, with canine units from Creve Coeur and St. Louis County conducting thorough searches of each synagogue before giving the all-clear.Officer Phillip Lane of the Creve Coeur Police Department and his partner, K9 Frizbi, were among the first on the scene. first responders.“I’m kind of the eyes and part of the eyes is watching him and behavior changes,” Lane said. “If he’s in an area, and he catches an odor, he’ll start doing things; his head will snap or start sniffing the air. Then I know this is an area I need to concentrate on. He will sniff areas out and then we try to find what he’s looking for.”     For three years, Officer Lane and Frizbi have been sniffing out anything suspicious around the St. Louis region.  Police cruiser crashes into south St. Louis City bar overnight “They say it’s 100,000 times better than what...

Release of five wolves in the Colorado mountains begins first-of-its kind state reintroduction effort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:58 GMT

Five wolves dashed out of crates and into the Colorado landscape on Monday, culminating three years of work to implement a first-of-its-kind reintroduction of the controversial predator to the state.Colorado wildlife officials captured the wolves in Oregon and flew them to Colorado for release in Grand County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Monday evening. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said they would not disclose the exact location of the release in the north-central mountains to keep the canines and the agency’s staff members safe.The five wolves were two juvenile females, two juvenile males and one adult male, a news release said. The five wolves came from three separate packs in Oregon. The wolves are expected to immediately disperse from the release site by up to 70 miles and stay on the move for weeks until they find suitable habitat.“Today, history was made in Colorado. For the first time since the 1940s, the howl of wolves will officially return to weste...