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US Senate passes bill targeting dangerous street drug ‘tranq’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  The U.S. Senate passed Thursday a bill that aims to increase the understanding of a dangerous and increasingly prevalent street drug, xylazine.Xylazine, commonly referred to as tranq, is a non-opiate sedative authorized in the U.S. only for veterinary use. It has had the most severe impact in the Northeast but has been detected in 48 states including Texas. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported that in 2022, nearly a quarter of all the fentanyl powder seized had been tainted with xylazine. Sen. Ted Cruz introduces U.S. ‘tranq’ bill, sits down for a Q&A with KXAN Little medical research has been conducted on the effects of xylazine on the human body, but anecdotal reports describe it producing opioid-like highs. People who inject xylazine are at risk of developing severe, necrotic skin alterations that can result in amputations, per the FDA.U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Testing, Rapid An...

Suicide prevention group AFSP talks LGBTQ+ specific strategies, outreach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

If you or someone you know needs support or advice, you can go online to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to chat with a counselor or call 988. These resources are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In honor of Pride Month, the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) spoke with KXAN about how suicide impacts the LGBTQ+ community and advice on how to help with prevention.AFSP volunteer board member Bradley Balandis. (Courtesy AFSP)AFSP volunteer board member Bradley Balandis spoke about his own journey as a child, when he was "pushed out of the closet" by a classmate. The "completely brutal" aftermath taxed Balandis' mental health."I know a lot of queer people have experienced similar situations," Balandis said. "My teammates dropped me as a friend, kids threw food at me eating in the cafeteria, and someone even ripped out a tree from my dad's front yard. I mean, it was truly a really challenging coming out experience. I struggled immensely with my mental health during that time...

PD: Dog recovers, finds new home after Texas man stabs its throat with boxcutter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A San Antonio man was arrested after he was accused of stabbing a dog in the throat with a box cutter, officials said.John Schaffer was arrested Thursday on a charge of animal cruelty-torture, according to a news release from San Antonio Animal Care Services. Alleged drunk driver in deadly Donna crash had previous manslaughter conviction On April 27, officers responded to a home at the 200 block of Coopwood Avenue where a man threatened to kill the family dog before stabbing it.The dog, a young male American Staffordshire Terrier, was brought to a clinic with a deep puncture to its neck. Avelo Airlines announces nonstop flights from Brownsville to Las Vegas After extensive treatment, the dog, now named "Zander," was first fostered by a pair of ACS officers. Zander has now found an adoptive home where he lives with several other animal companions, the release stated.Schaffer will face up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000. (ValleyCentral cont...

Williamson County celebrates completion of two road projects in Georgetown

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County leaders, the City of Georgetown and the Texas Department of Transportation officially opened two road projects in the county at two ribbon-cutting ceremonies Friday. One is a completed extension of the Southwest Bypass, the other are improvements to the intersection of D.B. Wood Road and State Highway 29. North Austin’s Braker Lane to shut down for rail station construction The Southwest Bypass extension is the final segment of the Southwest Bypass road project, the county said. The project extended the two-lane bypass from Wolf Ranch Parkway to SH 29.The completion of this project ushered in changes for pedestrians in the county as well. The project included adding a 10-foot wide, 1.2 mile shared-use path next to the roadway. Valerie Covey, Williamson County commissioner for Precinct 3, said this walking path is part of a larger plan to eventually connect shared-use paths that span from Brushy Creek to Georgetown.“This is a huge day fo...

Mother in foster care abuse case found guilty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady woman, who was accused of hiding information about the abuse of two foster children in her care, was found guilty.The Schenectady County District Attorney's Office said Latrisha Greene was convicted Friday of four counts of Perjury and acquitted on one count. She was also found guilty of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Prosecutors said she lied during testimony in the trial of her husband, Dequan Greene, and also abused the two children. She faces between 10 and 30 years in prison when she is sentenced in August.Dequan Greene was found guilty of Murder and Manslaughter in 2022. Investigators said 4-year-old Charles Garay died from injuries caused by blunt force trauma while in Greene's care. He is serving 25 years to life in prison.

Youth soccer tournament expected to bring huge boost to St. Louis economy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - This weekend, over 4,000 athletes and their families will descend on the Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex, bringing a boost to the local economy with the big US youth soccer tournament.Soccer teams from 13 states are in the St. Louis region Friday for the kickoff to the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships.“It is the culmination for all of the teams from the Midwest that won their state championships,” said Mike Hayes, operations manager of Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex. “They’re coming to St. Louis to win the regionals and then advance on to Orlando to compete for the national championship.”Boys and girls from 13 to 19 years of age are competing for a spot at the 2023 US Youth Soccer National Championships and bringing their family and friends. St. Louis County’s longest road? It runs 31 miles through 16 communities Not to mention, more than 10 million to the St. Louis area over the weekend. Club teams from Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, ...

Wagner leader Prigozhin says his forces have entered Russian city of Rostov facing no resistance

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

Associated PressThe owner of the Wagner private military contractor Yevgeny Prigozhin said Saturday that his forces have driven into the Russian city of Rostov facing no resistance. Prigozhin said that Wagner field camps were struck by rockets, helicopter gunships and artillery fire on orders from the chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov. He charged that Gerasimov issued the order after a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at which they decided to destroy Wagner.He said Wagner troops were greeted by border guards as they moved into the Rostov region and are now driving into the city of Rostov. He said young conscripts at checkpoints stood back and offered no resistance, adding that his forces “aren’t fighting against children.”“But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way,” he said. “We are moving forward and will go until the end.”THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows be...

Rockies place LHP Brent Suter on 15-day IL

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

The Rockies announced Friday that reliever Brent Suter was placed on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain, while right-handed pitcher Noah Davis was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.Suter injured his oblique in Colorado’s 8-6 loss to the Reds on Tuesday at Great American Ballpark. The left-handed pitcher has been a solid arm in the Rockies’ bullpen, going 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 31 appearances this season.Injuries have plagued the Rockies in 2023. They have already lost starting pitchers German Marquez (Tommy John surgery), Antonio Senzatela (right elbow sprain) and Ryan Feltner (skull fracture and a concussion) for extended periods of time.Meanwhile, designated hitter Charlie Blackmon (broken hand), right fielder Kris Bryant (left foot injury), first baseman C.J. Cron (lower back) and second baseman Brendan Rodgers (left shoulder surgery) are also dealing with injuries. Manager Bud Black said Cron is getting closer to returning, as he will be the desig...

LIVE: Crews work to rescue dog from storm drain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

Crews are working to rescue a dog trapped in a storm drain in Whittier Friday afternoon.Authorities received calls about the trapped canine in a neighborhood on the 1500 block of South Delamare Drive around 4 p.m.Los Angeles County Fire Department crews have responded to the scene. A firefighter lowered himself into the drain for some time before returning above ground without the dog.Crew members dropped a long dog harness into the sewer drain before asking a neighbor for a piece of rope to elongate the dog harness. Later, it appeared a hotdog sausage was attached to the rope.The dog may either be in a difficult position to reach or is uncooperative.It's unclear how the dog became trapped and whether it may be injured. The dog's breed and size are also unknown. Sky5 is overhead.

Plenty of reckless motorists out there, and over-75 drivers say don’t put it all on us: Roadshow

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:22 GMT

Q: I would volunteer for the over-75 driving test. November marks 60 years with my drivers license without ever hitting someone. On the way to our 53rd wedding anniversary dinner recently, I avoided a young guy doing donuts on his bike in the middle of the road. I helped stop traffic in both directions until he tired of his insane stunt.Dana Charles, San JoseA: A reader suggested that drivers 75 and older be required to take a driving test when renewing their driver’s license. Dana was the only person to agree. Others thought driving tests would be misplaced if focused on older drivers, as they feel the most dangerous drivers are reckless drivers of any age.Q: Have you noticed the new patches on Highway 4 leading up the hill toward Bay Point, just before the Willow Pass exit? The patches are worse than the holes!!! Do they plan to smooth these out?Jennifer WalligA: Caltrans has just started a new project to rehab this stretch of highway. The project will take a little over a y...