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ERCOT asks Texans to volunteer to conserve power Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Conservation Appeal from 3 – 10 p.m. Thursday due to extreme temperatures, continued near-record demand, and forecasted low wind-power generation. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levels "Due to low wind-power generation and high demand, operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low for several hours this afternoon into the evening," the utility said.ERCOT requested Texans conserve electricity use, if safe to do so. This is a voluntary request.The utility said it set a new, all-time, unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW on Aug. 10, 2023. In 2022, ERCOT said the August peak demand was 78,465 MW.ERCOT alert levelsConservation Alert: This is a voluntary request to reduce electrical use, ERCOT said. While ERCOT said it is not in emergency operations, it asks the public and “all government agencies to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.”Energy Emergency Level 1:...

TCSO asks for help identifying suspect accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN New Today's top headlines for Aug. 24, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said it was searching for a suspect accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman in northern Travis County.TCSO said at approximately 6:15 a.m. Aug. 12, a woman stopped at a gas station at the corner of Wells Branch Parkway and Interstate 35, and she was followed to her apartment complex by an unknown man she had seen parked at an adjacent pump.According to a release, the suspect, who was now completely nude, searched for the victim in an attempt to sexually assault her, but TCSO said she was able to hide from him.Images of suspect from a gas station in the 1600 block of Wells Branch Parkway (TCSO photos)Images of the suspect vehicle from a gas station in the 1600 block of Wells Branch Parkway (TCSO photos)The suspect was described as a man approximately 25-35 years old with a tall, athletic build, short hair and multiple tattoos...

Hot and humid with spotty storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's not much... but it's something. Daily rain chances are in the forecast through the next week, but it won't help our temperatures until next week.Today will be very hot and humid with feels-like temperatures 105-112º. Unlike previous hot days where the humidity dropped significantly in the afternoon, it won't drop nearly as much today making it way more uncomfortable.Heat alerts in effect 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ThursdayIsolated storms will be possible each afternoon and evening today through the weekend. Although no area is expected to get rain every day, it'll be a good idea to keep an eye on the KXAN Weather app as these storms, although few and far between, could pop up quick.Rain chances over the next weekRain chances today will only be at 10%, but rise slightly Friday through the weekend. Our highest rain chances over the next week come Monday and Tuesday with a "cool" front. We may be looking at two days in a row with highs BELOW 100º next Tuesday and Wednesday...

Study: How 1 alcoholic drink can affect blood pressure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A recent medical study has found drinking as little as one alcoholic drink may contribute to increased blood pressure for both men and women.KXAN Anchor Jennifer Sanders spoke with Dr. Vivek Goswami, a cardiologist at the Heart Hospital of Austin, about the impacts alcohol has on heart health.Read a full transcription of the discussion below or use the video player above.SANDERS: Okay, so we've long known that drinking alcohol in moderate to even heavy amounts can really impact someone's blood pressure, but a recent study by Hypertension found that low alcohol consumption might possibly increase blood pressure — what did this study find? What were the findings?GOSWAMI: That's right. So, you know, we’re talking about something that affects almost half of all Americans, right? Forty-eight percent of Americans, in terms of adults, have blood pressure greater than 130 over 80. Historically, it's been a lot of causes that lead to that, whether it's a family history, what ...

9 bad money habits that you should break right now

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

Renee Bennett | Bankrate.com (TNS)Like brushing your teeth or getting enough sleep, the first step to developing effective financial habits is to break out of the bad ones.Many Americans are struggling to save. According to Bankrate’s emergency fund report, only 43 percent of people say they could pay for a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings. A great way to start saving is by recognizing what bad money habits you have and committing to a plan to leave them behind.Here are nine of the most common bad money habits and how you can break out of them.1. Not having specific savings goalsSetting specific savings goals is important not only for the sake of knowing how much you need to save, but also to give you a tangible reason to save.If you don’t have specific savings goals, you may not be deliberately thinking about how much you should be saving and what strategies to undertake to meet those goals. Breaking out of this habit will help set the stage for every other savings habit...

St. Paul Public Schools brings back yellow buses for students at Central, Harding and Washington Tech — but not Como

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

In the late summer and early fall of 2021, St. Paul Public Schools determined that a bus driver shortage would force some last-minute transportation changes for four of the city’s largest high schools, canceling yellow school bus pick-ups and replacing traditional bus routes with Metro Transit passes.After crunching budget numbers and offering hiring bonuses through contracted providers, the school district determined this week that students at Central High School on Lexington Parkway will return to traditional school bus service when school resumes in September, an addition of about 20 bus routes.Como Park Senior High School students will continue to use public transit.“Literally this week we were able to confirm we have enough drivers to bring back one more school, and that school will be Central,” said Erica Wacker, a school district spokesperson, on Thursday.The decision was an administrative one and did not require a vote of the school board, but it was presen...

In pilot program, Anoka to allow public alcohol use in specific parks, streets and sidewalks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

Under a special law, Anoka will be the first — and for now only — city in Minnesota where people can wander the streets freely drinking alcohol.(Courtesy of the City of Anoka)Under a special provision during last year’s state legislative session, a law was passed under the Omnibus Liquor Bill that allowed Anoka to establish a “social district” as part of a pilot program to help the state determine if other cities will be allowed to do the same in the future.Under the pilot program, the city has declared a certain area as a “social district” where people can purchase and then freely drink alcohol on specific streets, parks and sidewalks.The program kicks off with a concert Wednesday, Sept. 6 and several other live music events are scheduled throughout the length of the pilot program, which ends Saturday, Oct. 7. The city will report back on how the program went to see if the state will allow other cities to designate areas as “social districts.R...

Copake man pleads guilty to possessing child porn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 35-year-old from Copake pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. Christopher Stickles admitted that he downloaded over 15,000 images and video files from file-sharing websites that contained child porn. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Sentencing is scheduled for December 20. Stickles faces 5 to 20 years in prison and at least five years of post-release supervision. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: August 25-27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The weekend is almost here! It's a busy one in Saratoga Springs, but there are many things happening throughout the area on August 25, 26, and 27. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Here are some of the events going on around the Capital Region this weekend.Friday, August 25Phish, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. You can still buy tickets on the Live Nation website.Washington County Fair, Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich, 9 a.m.Dutchess County Fair, Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, 10 a.m.Julia Alsarraf, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 6 p.m. Free.Music Haven: Will Kempe’s Players perform Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Central Park in Schenectady, 7 p.m.Lake George Antique & Classic Boat Show Rendezvous, Lake George Village Docks, preview at 9 a.m. Where to find a Spirit Halloween store in the Capital Region Saturday, August 26Travers Day, Saratoga Race Course. Gate...

Gov. Hochul addresses Asylum Seeker situation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday at 1 p.m., Governor Kathy Hochul addressed New Yorkers regarding the current asylum seeker situation. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday, a court conference on a right-to-shelter lawsuit took place in New York City. The lawsuit involves New York State, New York City, and the Legal Aid Society following a 1980s ruling requiring New York City to take in asylum seekers.