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ERCOT issues weather watch for Wednesday through Friday, expects 'higher electrical demand'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas’ main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has issued a weather watch for Wednesday through Friday. ERCOT said in a social media post Tuesday the watch was issued due to "forecasted higher temperatures, higher electrical demand, & the potential for lower reserves." Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levels The council, at this time, has not issued a conservation request and said grid conditions are expected to be normal. Grid conditions can be monitored online through the “Texas Advisory and Notification System,” or TXANS, system. ERCOT also said it will post daily updates on social media during a weather watch.

UT fans, band to be in stadium upper deck for Alabama game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorn fans and band will have an elevated view of the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for No. 11 Texas' game against No. 3 Alabama this weekend. The 5,000 visitor tickets allotted to the Longhorns, which include seats for the band, will be located in the upper deck of the stadium, according to TuscaloosaNews.com. Alabama band not traveling for Texas game due to road ticket allowance Last year, Alabama's marching band did not travel to the game in Austin “due to the seating location and configuration of the visiting institution’s ticket allotment.”Texas opted to move the visitors’ section and the visiting band to the upper northeast corner of the stadium several years ago.The paper reported that the Southeastern Conference's protocol for visitor tickets, which typically requires at least 2,000 visiting tickets to be located in the lower level of the stadium, will not apply at the Texas vs. Alabama game. Since UT isn't yet part of the conference,...

Too hot by September statistics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another record warm low was tied this morning's with today's minimum temperature of 79°. The record was first set in 2015.Highs today will be back in triple digits making today #74 where the Camp Mabry high has reached 100°+. It's the second most daytime highs in triple digits in any year, trailing only 2011 (90 days) for this statistic. A Heat Advisory will be in effect for Lampasas, Milam, and San Saba Counties for heat index readings up to a range of 105° to 109°.Tuesday afternoon/evening heat alertsThere is a very low rain chance for parts of Fayette and Lee ... and perhaps, Bastrop ... Counties with a few small showers popping up between 4:30 and 7 p.m. A few hundredths of an inch will be possible.Going forward, highs will continue in triple digits going out into the weekend. In fact, we will get to some highs of 105°+ Thursday to Saturday as the stubborn ridge of upper-level high pressure centers over western and central Texas. Friday may be our hottest day of...

United Airlines says it fixed the technology problem that briefly held up all its departing flights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)United Airlines said Tuesday it repaired a technology glitch that had forced it to halt departures nationwide, briefly crippling one of the nation’s biggest carriers on a busy travel day.Federal officials said United crews had been unable to contact airline dispatchers through normal means. “United asked the FAA to pause the airline’s departures nationwide,” the Federal Aviation Administration said on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. The FAA said the issue was limited to United and its subsidiaries. It was less than an hour from the time that the FAA issued a bulletin about United’s ground stop until the agency said that flights were resuming — shortly before 2 p.m. Eastern time.“We have identified a fix for the technology issue and flights have resumed,” United said in a statement. “We’re working with impacted customers to help them reach their destinations as soon as ...

Top 5 pet-friendly hotel chains in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

Laurie Baratti | (TNS) TravelPulseAs a pet parent, I know how distressing it is when heading out on a trip to have to leave your furry, four-legged family members behind. It can cause you to wonder whether you actually want to go on a vacation at all. And, of course, the pain and anxiety of that separation goes both ways, with pets often getting anxious, depressed or developing behavioral issues while their owners are away.Luckily, we’re seeing an increase in pet-friendly accommodations being offered by hospitality companies across the U.S. Perhaps it’s because of the recent boom in adoptions of pandemic pups and quarantine kitties, and the fact that more people are working from home and forming deep bonds with their fur-kids.Whatever the reason, hotel chains are steadily embracing the reality that travelers want to have their pets with them on their trips. And, rather than lose business to Airbnb or other vacation rentals that might offer more animal-inclusive offerings, more hotel...

New charges filed against registered sex offender

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On August 30, Lawrence L. Elliot Jr., 66, was arrested by the Amsterdam Police Department. Elliot, a level three sex offender, failed to register internet accounts and failed to complete his 90-day verification check-in. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Elliot is required by law to disclose such accounts with local law enforcement or the New York State sex offender registry within 10 days of creation. Police say that on one of his unregistered accounts, Elliot falsely represented himself as an attorney offering legal representation. Elliot was charged with:Failure to verify address every 90 daysTwo counts of failure to registerUnauthorized practiceElliot was processed at the Amsterdam Police Headquarters. He was arraigned and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility on $25,000 cash bail.

Father accused of shooting son in groin during argument

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

FLORISSANT, Mo. -- A father is accused of shooting his adult son in the groin during a family argument. Joshua Benjamin, 48, now faces felony charges for the assault with a deadly weapon. The sentencing for the felonies ranges from three to 15 years in prison. They would be served consecutively.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office says that Benjamin was involved in a series of minor physical altercations with family members on Saturday. That was when he went to his bedroom to get his gun. He returned to the living area and shot his son with the handgun. Call for Help closure has East St. Louis mothers crying for aid The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for the gunshot wound. The extent of his injuries is not available.“Any physical violence among family members is uncalled-for, but pulling a firearm on a family member is absolutely unacceptable and will be prosecuted aggressively in St. Louis County,” writes St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley ...

Top 6 counties to raise a family in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

(STACKER) — A ranking of the best counties in Illinois to raise a family puts the entire Chicago metro among the top choices.Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Illinois using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. How Chicago gas prices have changed since the 70s Of the top 30 counties, the top 6 are found around Chicago. They are:DuPageLakeKaneKendallWillCookSee the full list, and the detailed breakdown below showing the stats which back-up the rankings.Among the full list are counties which boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you'll find one that suits your brood.#30. Boone County, Illinois- Population: 53,592- Median home value: $163,200 (82% own)- Median rent: $974 (18% own)- Median household income: $74,076- Top public schools: Belv...

Free and cheap things to do in metro Denver in September

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

Free coffee drinks for teachersZiggi’s Coffee is brewing up a big thank you for teachers. On Sept. 6, all educators and school district employees can take a break to enjoy a free 16-ounce drink of their choice at the local coffee shop. The offer includes teachers, principals, bus drivers, custodians and anyone else who has a valid school/faculty ID or other proof of school district employment. The offer is only available in-café. ziggiscoffee.com/blog/back-to-school-discount-day.htmlWater World’s Bow Wow Beach Doggie DayWater World is offering an opportunity for furry kids to have big fun with its annual Bow Wow Beach Doggie Day on Sept. 9. Pups of all sizes are invited to the pool party. However, pooches must be at least one year old, leashed during park arrival/exit, and accompanied by a responsible owner 18 or older. Proof of current rabies vaccination and waivers must be signed prior to entry. Admission is only $9.99 per dog. (Pet parents get in at no cost.) Each timed entry ses...

Enough excuses! This one piece of trail etiquette is crucial. | Opinion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:45:30 GMT

The uppermost switchback on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is eight feet wide. Yet the last time I hiked out, I was stymied by a group of young hikers walking down shoulder to shoulder, tapping on their phones.Even when I said, “Ahem, excuse me,” I was unceremoniously nudged out of the way — not on the cliff side, but still.It shouldn’t need mentioning, but while walking on a rocky trail where one may fall to one’s death, it is best not to be watching one’s phone. And in case you were wondering, uphill has the right of way.I am often told that people coming downhill should have the right of way because they might lose control and can’t easily stop. Well, on a shared trail, one should not be losing control, and certainly not on a trail where a fall could lead to dying, as above.Uphill has the right of way because it is harder to stop and restart while climbing. Yes, some hikers want to stop and rest and that is their prerogative, but if I have my uphill mo...