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'Excessive, disappointing:' Concerns grow over Texas patient safety law delay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Concerns are growing after the Texas Medical Board said it will take two years to fully implement a new state healthcare law meant to protect patients. Three weeks after the law went into effect, it's creating confusion, not confidence, among some patient advocates."I think it could be done quicker," said Dr. Robert Oshel, a former federal employee who is retired from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, where he worked for the National Practitioner Data Bank, or NPDB, as associate director of research and disputes. "It's certainly a concern for patient safety." PREVIOUS: Texas’ new patient safety law takes effect, sort of The state law — House Bill 1998, which passed the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support and went into effect on Sept. 1 — was sparked by KXAN's "Still Practicing" investigations. It requires stricter scrutiny over Texas doctors and increased transparency when they're disciplined. Due to the "funding mechanism" in the law, the T...

Eclipse face-off: Understanding different types of eclipses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Eclipses happen every year, but they're not always the same. With two happening over Central Texas in the next few months, we wanted to take a closer look at what makes them special.In this First Warning Weather University lesson, Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans takes a closer look, safely of course, at an eclipse. In this FWWU lesson you will learn:What are the two types of eclipse?What causes them to be different?When each of these eclipses happen?You can also learn more about eclipses and the impact they'll have on our area:Two of the world's best eclipse chasers share tips for observing them.How will the eclipses impact your local school?How long will the eclipse last in your area?

New canine officer cracking crime in Granite Shoals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

GRANITE SHOALS (KXAN) — Sniffing and searching for illegal drugs, there's now a dog on duty in Granite Shoals.Zoe — a Belgian Malinois — is the first K9 officer the Granite Shoals Police Department has ever had.The K-9 officer was made possible through a $25,000 donation from Dr. Caesar DePaço and his wife Deanna to the department this spring. Dog on duty: Granite Shoals police add K-9 officer Just a month on the job, Zoe has already hit the ground running while putting a dent in drug crimes.Her handler is Granite Shoals police sergeant Andrew Kos."Because she's able to detect narcotics and find them where a human officer cannot, we're able to take more drugs off the street,” he said.Zoe has hit the ground running with her handler, Granite Shoals Police Sergeant Andrew Kos.This summer, the pair spent three weeks training at Pacesetter K9 in Liberty Hill.By the time their courses were complete, Zoey was fully equipped in narcotics detection and tracking lost people."A normal human ...

Lindbergh School District announces 'lockout' protocol as escaped prisoner search continues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Lindbergh School District has announced that all Lindbergh schools are under "lockout" protocol Thursday morning as police search for the escaped prisoner.That means school is in session and students will be allowed in when they arrive. However, doors will remain locked and staff will assist with drop-off. City leaders want to reclaim Famous Barr building after owners stop paying for security Officials with Lindbergh schools are encouraging students who walk to consider getting a ride Thursday morning as an additional safety measure.

Utility bill clinic taking place in Freeburg, Illinois today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

FREEBURG, Ill. - Residents of Freeburg, Illinois, can get help evaluating their utility bills.State Representative Kevin Schmitt and the Citizens Utility Board will host a free clinic Thursday at the Freeburg area library district. Experts will provide insight into how to save money on your utility bill and answer any questions you may have about utility services. Prisoner escapes Mercy South Hospital, police investigating The clinic is from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Missouri Prairie Foundation hosting native plant sale at STLCC Meramec campus today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Prairie Foundation is hosting a native plant sale at the St. Louis Community College Meramec campus Thursday.You can learn about and order all sorts of plants native to St. Louis, including wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and vines. 5% of sales go to MPF's conservation work. City leaders want to reclaim Famous Barr building after owners stop paying for security The native plant sale is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra starting 144th season today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra begins its 144th season with a free concert Thursday night on Art Hill in Forest Park. You'll get to enjoy everything from classical music to songs from your favorite films. The performance concludes with a fireworks display. Prisoner escapes Mercy South Hospital, police investigating There will also be a family fun zone and food trucks at the top of Art Hill. The concert is free and begins at 7:00 p.m.The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's 144th season continues through May 3. You may purchase tickets at SLSO.org.

Sometimes A Fantasy: A Tribute To Billy Joel taking place today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS - You can hear the 'piano man' live once again. Several musicians are paying tribute to the musical legend Billy Joel. The live rock and roll show will be at the Carpenter Library on South Grand Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. City leaders want to reclaim Famous Barr building after owners stop paying for security You can bring a lawn chair and picnic blanket or enjoy them in your car. Adult drinks are permitted, but not glass bottles.The show is free.

Aurora house fire kills 2 children, injures 7 others; 4 kids remain in critical condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

Two children are dead and four other children remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday morning after an overnight house fire in Aurora, authorities said.Nine people were inside a house in the 2800 block of South Oakland Circle that went up in flames at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Dawn Small with Aurora Fire Rescue.All nine were taken to area hospitals, and two of the children, a 1-year-old and 9-year-old, died at the hospital, Small said.One other child and two adults were treated at a hospital and released.The four children who were in critical condition as of Thursday morning were still in the hospital.Multiple fire rescue trucks responded to the fire due to the large number of people who were inside.Small said the agency is still still investigating the cause of the fire.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora firefighters save person from basement fire

Former head of Colorado Behavioral Health Administration alleges she was fired due to racial discrimination

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:22 GMT

The former head of Colorado’s new Behavioral Health Administration has filed a federal complaint alleging she was fired due to racial discrimination, though some state lawmakers say she performed poorly in the job.Dr. Morgan Medlock was hired from the Washington, D.C., Department of Behavioral Health in January 2022 to head the Behavioral Health Administration, which was created to better coordinate Colorado’s mental health and addiction programs.But the agency has had a rocky start, with the legislature pushing back some deadlines this year to allow for more public comment and time to write the agency’s rules.Medlock was fired in April and replaced on an interim basis by Michelle Barnes, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services. At the time, Mental Health Colorado, Vail Behavioral Health and two members of the state’s behavioral health task force wrote letters to Gov. Jared Polis’ office supporting the decision to appoint Barnes,...