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Illinois residents get free admission to Shedd Aquarium certain nights in August

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Night Dives at the Shedd Aquarium is returning, once again offering Illinois residents a chance to experience the indoor marine exhibit at no cost.Starting this Thursday, Aug. 10, visitors can experience the aquatic animal world from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. with a valid ID or proof of Illinois residency. Shedd Aquarium transformation plans unveiled New dates include:Thursday, Aug. 10Tuesday, Aug.15Thursday, Aug.17Tuesday, Aug. 22Thursday, Aug. 24Tuesday, Aug. 29Thursday, Aug. 31Advanced reservations for Night Dives are required and can be made online by clicking here.Free general admission also includes viewing an animal spotlight at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Abbott Oceanarium and the Stingray Touch. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe latest guests can enter for free is 7 p.m. Shedd Aquarium leaders recently unveiled "never-before-seen renderings and new details about construction plans" for their Centennial Commitment. Learn more in the video player above.

Large grass fire reported close to Fredericksburg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 7, 2023FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) -- Multiple crews are working a "large, grass fire" Monday near Fredericksburg, the Gillespie County Communications Center wrote on Facebook. Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 65% contained The center said Ranch Road 1631 is closed near Klaerner Road due to the fire. That area is about four miles east of downtown Fredericksburg.The communications center said multiple fire departments are at the scene.The Texas A&M Forest Service said it has responded to 80 wildfires that have burned 8,521 acres over the past seven days. Forty-one of those wildfires occurred since Friday.This developing story will be updated with more information.

Austin's 31-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the longest in recorded history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing the longest stretch of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means temperatures have reached the century mark for 31 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that's the longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The previous record of 27 days was set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's streak of triple-digit days came to an end Thursday, July 27, with temperatures only reaching 99°. The airport had been above 100° every day since July 9. The 18-day streak ranks as the fourth-longest triple-digit streak since records began t...

Hays groundwater district says water company overused 89M gallons in 2022, impacting Jacob's Well zone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 7, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — A groundwater district in Hays County said one Central Texas water provider overpumped nearly 90 million gallons of water in 2022, leading to "by far" the largest penalties for overuse in the district, which manages the Jacob's Well zone. The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District said Aqua Texas, which provides water to the Woodcreek development in Hays County, overproduced its permit by 89.4 million gallons of water in 2022. This year, the company has overused 84 million gallons above its 94-million-gallon allotment as of June, according to the groundwater district. An Aqua spokesperson said the company is working with the conservation district and its lawyer to resolve the matter and could not comment on specifics. PREVIOUS: ‘It’s a crisis for our community’: Jacob’s Well has zero flow once again If several terms are not met, the water provider said it may not be able to rene...

UT researchers develop way for VR headset to measure brain activity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a way for a virtual reality, or VR, headset to monitor brain activity. The research team modified a VR headset by creating a noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor that they installed in a Meta VR headset that can be worn comfortably for long periods. It measures the brain’s electrical activity during immersive VR interactions and can examine how people react to hints, stressors and other outside forces, according to a press release from UT. The installed noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, used to measure the brain’s electrical activity during immersive VR interactions. (Photo courtesy: UT Austin) The release said the device can be used in many ways, including helping people with anxiety, measuring attention or mental stress, and even giving a human the ability to see through the "eyes of a robot." UT, Texas A&M researchers make e-tattoos to show if someone is stressed “Virtual ...

Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson battling illness, which explains his recent absence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson made some headlines after sitting out of team drills during last week’s night practice at TCO Performance Center. The rumors started to swirl over the weekend after he was spotted on the sidelines without pads.Was the 26-year-old Hockenson upset about not yet receiving a contract extension? Was that the reason he wasn’t practicing? Was he trying to make a statement?Not at all. Talking to reporters before practice on Monday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell poured water on those flames, noting that Hockenson has been battling an illness.“He’s working his way back from that,” O’Connell said. “He will take part in the early part of practice (today).”It’s worth noting that Hockenson is set to make $9.3 million this season, with nothing guaranteed beyond that at the moment. After acquiring Hockenson from the Detroit Lions last season, the Vikings will likely work something out with him at som...

South St. Paul native Alex Stalock still sticking around the NHL

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

South St. Paul native Alex Stalock isn’t ready to hang up the skates. Not yet at least.The 36-year-old goaltender signed a 1-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, which should keep him in the NHL through the 2023-24 season. He has appeared in 179 games in his NHL career, playing for the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks.The fact that Stalock is still hanging around the NHL is a testament to his hard work. Originally selected by the Sharks in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Draft, Stalock played collegiately at the University of Minnesota Duluth, then grinded in the American Hockey League before making the jump to the NHL.Not long after making his NHL debut on Feb. 1, 2011, Stalock suffered a sliced nerve that nearly forced him to stop playing. He recovered from the major injury, carved out a niche with the Sharks, then signed with the Wild, where he slowly rebuilt his value leaguewide.Though that stretch with the Wild extended his time in the NHL, S...

Structure fire under investigation in Johnstown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Investigators are looking into the cause of a structure fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday. The structure was located on Willie Road in the Town of Johnstown. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the Fulton County Emergency Management Office, the fire was reported by a neighbor who smelled smoke. The Meco Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched and observed a working structure fire.Additional assistance was requested. The Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company, the Sir William Johnson Volunteer Fire Company, and the Pleasant Square Volunteer Fire Company responded. Fire crews knocked down the main body of fire.At this time, no cause has been determined. The Town of Johnstown Code Enforcement office has determined that the building was not safe or habitable. The occupants were not at home at this time. Assistance for the occupants was requested from the American Red Cross.

Baker Mountain Trail bolstered against erosion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - An Adirondack trail has been cleaned up and bolstered for future years of hiking. Baker Mountain Trail in Saranac Lake has been refurbished by an Adirondack Park stewardship with local partners. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The 1-mile trail has gone through work to reduce erosion, a topic of great concern for the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in its efforts across the High Peaks region. Erosion issues have been combatted, and steps taken to improve and protect the environment surrounding the trail. Baker Mountain's way to the top has undergone heavy recreational use, compounded by poor trail design in ways common among longstanding Adirondack trails. Many trails in the park were either built for logging, or with an outdated understanding of how to craft trails.“Trails are a community benefit that drives tourism, supports a healthy lifestyle, and so much more,” said ADK Trails Manager Charlotte...

Pandemic learning loss highlights importance of summer programs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- School districts and students across the country continue to grapple with the impacts COVID-19 had on the educational experience.“I’m more of an in-person [learner], with paper and pencil and all that," said 17-year old Arianah Moore, "and over the computer, it just wasn’t the same.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I missed out on a lot of my friends and social life because of quarantine, and by the time COVID ended, I never got to see my friends again because I moved schools," explained 15-year-old Kamryn Washington, "so I feel like it ruined everything.”Moore and Washington aren't alone. The effects of the pandemic on students and schools recently prompted New York State to announce millions of dollars in grants to address the mental health impacts and learning loss that happened due to COVID-19.Summertime can add another layer of challenges for students who are already struggling. Dr. Khaitsa Wasiyo...