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UT researchers create AI system to turn brain activity into text

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Can artificial intelligence read your mind? A new study from the University of Texas at Austin shows how this is possible. The new brain decoding study shows how AI can translate someone's brain activity into a stream of text while they listen to a story or imagine telling a story. The system used a functional MRI, or fMRI, to collect brain scans from outside the skull.(Nolan Zunk/University of Texas at Austin)Jerry Tang, a UT doctoral student who worked on the decoding system, said the study looked at language decoding, specifically how brain scans were used to predict the words a user was hearing or imagining. "We found that the decoder predictions could capture the gist of what the users were hearing," Tang said.The brain activity decoder aims to help people who are mentally conscious but cannot speak. "The ultimate goal of this field is to help restore communication to people who have lost the ability to speak due to injuries like strokes or diseases like ALS," T...

FAA sued over SpaceX launch damage to South Texas wildlife, ecosystems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

BOCA CHICA BEACH, Texas (Border Report) -- Several environmental groups and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas on Monday sued the Federal Aviation Administration over the recent SpaceX launch of its Starship spacecraft, which sent debris throughout South Texas threatening sensitive wildlife areas.The Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, the American Bird Conservancy and the tribe allege the FAA failed "to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy launch program at Boca Chica," according to the lawsuit.The groups want the FAA to implement stricter oversight on SpaceX's sprawling Stargate operation, which has been built on the tip of South Texas about 23 miles outside Brownsville, and a mile from the Mexican border. SpaceX Starship launches, self-destructs over Gulf of Mexico The April 20 initial test flight of Starship, powered by 33 raptor rockets, resulted in the SpaceX launchpad exploding from 17 million pounds of ...

Co-defendants sentenced in Inver Grove Heights ‘erotic massage’ murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

A man and woman were sentenced to 30½ years in prison Tuesday for their roles in the September killing of an Inver Grove Heights man shot after refusing to pay for an erotic massage.Logan David Slack and Fotini Anest West, both of Minneapolis, had pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder-not premeditated in connection with the Sept. 24 killing of 43-year-old Michael Chang-Beom Lee at his home.Logan David Slack and Fotini Anest West (Courtesy of the Dakota County sheriff’s office)Plea agreements that Slack, 25, and West, 26, reached in February called for the 367-month prison terms that were handed down by Dakota County District Judge Richelle Wahi at sentencing.West entered a Norgaard plea, stating she could not remember the circumstances of the murder but that she reasonably believed the prosecution had sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction. She admitted in court to taking opiates and crack cocaine the night of the murder.According to the criminal complaints:Of...

Counties working on rural cell service solutions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Cell phone service in rural Upstate New York communities has been a longstanding issue, made even more critical following the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was shot as she and her friends were leaving a Hebron driveway. Poor signal made it impossible for her friends to call 911 immediately. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Back in 2015, Washington County commissioned a study of its poor cell service, but not long after that, New York’s "Broadband For All" program was rolled out, and internet connection took precedence."All of that funding comes from the federal government, that then devolves onto the states and largely through the FCC," explained Laura Oswald, Washington County Director of Economic Development, "so do you handle both at once? Do you focus on one or the other? Again, because the money was there, the focus was on the internet. That does not in any way lessen the importance or ...

I-55 closed again in Illinois after dust storm warning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Interstate 55 in southern Illinois is closed after a series of dust storm warnings Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a dust storm warning along US-51 at Pana, Illinois until 4:15 pm. There is also a dust storm warning along I-55 near Farmersville and I-55 near Waggoner until 4:30 p.m.The Illinois Department of Transportation has closed I-55 between the 72 and 80 mile markers. This is an area between Farmersville and Divernon where a chain reaction crash killed six people and injured dozens of others Monday.Drivers on central Illinois roads should use caution. The National Weather Service's dust storm warning near Pana is around 50 miles away from Divernon. The rural towns are located in a very windy part of the state and visibility may be limited when driving. Pana is on US-51 and drivers should use caution and slow down or pull over if there are any issues. 6 deaths in Illinois dust storm, police need help identifying 2 victims The Associat...

Missouri towns with odd names, from Tightwad to Uranus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

St. Louis -- Missouri, a state known for its rich history in transportation and commerce, is home to some "peculiar" named towns. From Useful to Uranus, these towns have caught the attention of travelers and locals alike.Some of them have been around for centuries, while others are unincorporated and barely exist on the map. Here are some of the odd names that can be found in the state of Missouri.Odd names for towns in Missouri:Useful in Osage County, Missouri. Missouri is so small that Google Maps doesn’t recognize it. It can be found by using the latitude and longitudinal numbers. It is also home to the Useful Cemetery.Tightwad in Henry County, Mo. In The United States Census, the population is 58 people.Peculiar in Cass County, Mo. The town had a population of 5,621 people in the 2020 census. According to this article, the name came from the early pioneers.Licking in Texas County, Missouri In the 2020 census, the town had 2,851 residents.Uranus in Pulaski County, Missouri This i...

A beloved Denver cheesesteak spot has closed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

Denver Ted’s Cheesesteaks has closed indefinitely as of April 18.After 18 years, the downtown restaurant, one of the most well-known and well-loved cheesesteak spots in town, shut down its only location at 2020 Lawrence St. last month with no immediate plans to reopen, according to the business’ voicemail.“We hope to see you in the future and do look online for new information, but we want to thank all of you for being great and loyal customers over the years, and we wish you well in the future,” Denver Ted’s voicemail states.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | 10 fantastic Philly cheesesteaks for Eagles fans in Colorado (or anyone else) Restaurants, Food and Drink | “Cheesesteaks come to those who wait”: Denver Ted’s to finally open new LoDo spot Restaurants, Food and Drink | Denver Ted’s cheesesteak joint is leaving Capitol Hill for a bigger location in Ballpark Denver Ted’s originally opened in Capi...

Police shoot man accused of attacking 3 people at East Hollywood Metro station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

A man attacked three people, stabbing one of them, at a Metro train station in East Hollywood Tuesday morning before he was shot by police, officials said.The incident unfolded around 9:45 a.m. at the Vermont/Beverly Metro station where the suspect was involved in a “physical altercation” with a woman on a train platform, according to Los Angeles Police. When another man tried to intervene, the suspect brandished a knife and then fled. He ran up to street level where he stabbed another man and then tried to get away, police said.“He attempted to flee northbound on Vermont (Boulevard) and that’s where officers made contact with the suspect … and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Sgt. Leticia Ruiz said at a news briefing.Streets were blocked and crime scene tape surrounded the entrance to the Vermont/Beverly Metro station in East Hollywood after a police shooting. May 2, 2023. (KTLA)Streets were blocked and crime scene tape surrounded the entrance to the Vermont/Beverly Metro st...

3 detained in stabbing of teens near L.A. High School in Mid-Wilshire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

Three people have been detained in connection with a stabbing near Los Angeles High School that left two teenagers injured Monday afternoon, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.The incident was reported around 4:20 p.m. near the intersection of Olympic and Riampau boulevards near the Mid-Wilshire campus.Two teenage boys were stabbed during some kind of dispute. 2 teens stabbed near Los Angeles High School in Mid-Wilshire During a Los Angeles Police Commission meeting Tuesday, Moore said the three people detained had some kind of connection to the incident, but did not elaborate. None of them attended the high school, but one of them is 14 and another is 17.During the course of the investigation, two knives and two handguns were recovered.No further details have been released.

Housing for homeless veterans opens in West Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:51 GMT

Dozens of homeless veterans will have a new place to lay their heads as the Veterans Administration has opened two new buildings containing 120 housing units on its West Los Angeles campus.The structures, known as Buildings 205 and 208, contain fully-furnished units and include access to amenities like a gym, laundry room and computer room.At a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough was joined by Mayor Karen Bass, U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu and City Councilmember Traci Park in celebrating the achievement. Veterans Affairs Dept. announces grants for homeless vets Not everyone is thrilled, however, as the VA was supposed create at least 1,200 new units of housing as the result of a 2018 lawsuit settlement.McDonough told KTLA that this is "an important next step," but not the finish line. He also highlighted that in last year's Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — or more simply, the PAC...