Austin news

• The US could ditch the penny: What happened when Canada did it?

  16-02-2025 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Weeks after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) set its sights on the penny, President Donald Trump called on the Treasury Department to stop minting new one-cent coins, calling them “wasteful.”The most recent report from the U.S. Mint shows it costs roughly 3.69 cents to make one penny. Fiscal year 2024 marked the 19th consecutive year that the penny (and the nickel) “remained above face value” when it comes to production costs.It’s unc
  
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• Egg prices are skyrocketing — why isn't the cost of chicken rising, too?

  16-02-2025 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Eggs have been a hot and expensive commodity lately. Multiple major retailers have enacted an egg limit while Waffle House recently added a surcharge to every egg ordered.You likely won’t, however, find a limit on how many packages of chicken breasts you can purchase at your local grocery store, or a surcharge on the Waffle House chicken dinner.Why? It’s all about the type of chicken. The chickens that produce eggs are not the same chickens that become wings, t
  
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• Daylight saving time starts soon: Could this be the last time the clocks change?

  16-02-2025 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — If you’re tired of early sunsets and “shorter” days, have no fear — daylight saving time will begin soon, which means “longer” days are near. If some lawmakers (and President Donald Trump) have their way, this could be the last time we change the clocks, too.Daylight saving time becomes a hot-button topic at least twice a year, with growing interest to ditch the practice. Polls have shown Americans prefer permanent daylight saving time,
  
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• Do backyard chickens save money? Poultry expert weighs in

  16-02-2025 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As egg prices continue to rise, more and more people are considering raising their own backyard chickens. Egg prices have officially hit a record high, with the average dozen now costing nearly $5. That's if you can even find them, with countless retailers seeing empty shelves despite limiting the number of cartons customers can purchase.According to Metro Animal Care and Control in Nashville, 72 backyard chicken permits have been issued so far this
  
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• Presidents Day: Is mail delivered, trash collected on Monday?

  16-02-2025 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Presidents Day, a federal holiday observed annually on the third Monday of February, falls on Feb. 17 this year.Like other federal holidays, some services, such as mail and trash collection, will be unavailable. Additionally, certain workers and students will have the day off on Presidents Day.Will mail and packages be delivered on Feb. 17?The U.S. Postal Service will not make regular mail deliveries in observance of Presidents Day. Post offices will also be closed,
  
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• McDonald's teases 'new' chicken item, return of Snack Wraps in 2025

  16-02-2025 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (NEXSTAR) — McDonald's already confirmed it's bringing back a beloved menu item in 2025 but now company officials another "new" option will also be available this year.In December, Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's, told "Good Morning America" that Snack Wraps "will be back in 2025."
  Last week, McDonald's hinted that another chicken-related offering is coming soon: chicken tenders.McDonald’s Shamrock Shake season is back, featuring an iconic characterChris Kempczinski, Mc
  
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• Results for 2025 Austin Marathon, half marathon, 5K races

  16-02-2025 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — El Paso's Bradley Makuvire and Grand Prairie's Janet Rono claimed victories Sunday in the men's and women's elite divisions at the 2025 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.Makuvire, from Zimbabwe and a collegiate runner for the South Carolina Gamecocks, held off Conner Weaver and George Onyancha to win in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 56.7 seconds. Weaver clocked in at 2:19:3.7 and Onyancha, the 2024 champion, finished third at 2:19:47.1. The men's elite field featured 12 entries wit
  
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• City celebrates opening of east Austin park with a ribbon cutting

  16-02-2025 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the opening of the Davis-White Northeast Neighborhood Park on Sunday. The park is located at 6705 Crystalbrook Drive, near the intersection of Manor Road and the 183 Toll Road.
  According to a press release, the project included the replacement of the playscape for ages 5-12, the replacement of swings, an additional arch swing with a saucer-style swing set, ADA benches, and an interpretive marker.The Austin Parks and Recreatio
  
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• Expert tips on properly introducing a new spouse to children

  16-02-2025 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Introducing a new spouse to your children? Navigating divorce, a new marriage, blended family dynamics or new relationships can be tough on kids. Experts say it is important to understand the do's and don'ts when introducing your children to these new transitions.February is a time of year when love is celebrated—love in all forms. For navigating changes in family dynamics, it is normal for children to experience big emotions.Dr. Lauren Loquasto, a chief academic officer a
  
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• Police: 100+ mph speeds, possible racing led to fatal crash in Cedar Park

  16-02-2025 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Police believe excessive speeds and possible racing led to a crash where one person died Saturday night in Cedar Park.
  The Cedar Park Police Department said the crash happened just before midnight Saturday on 183A Toll near Scottsdale Drive.
  One vehicle was driving southbound at about 100miles per hour when a second vehicle tried to pass it at about 140 miles per hour. Police said the second vehicle lost control and hit a guard rail.
  Jacob Langford, 19, died at t
  
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• Where to celebrate Margarita Day in Austin

  16-02-2025 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Margarita lovers will cheers to National Margarita Day on Saturday, Feb. 22, all across the globe. What better place to raise a glass than where the hit song "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet was created?
  In an interview, Buffet said the song was almost titled 'Wasted Away in Austin, Texasville.' Cheers to that! Here is a list of where to grab a signature margarita and celebrate in Austin. RELATED: How an Austin margarita inspired Jimmy Buffett’s MargaritavilleAzul RooftopAz
  
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• LIVE: Inspired to run after the Austin Marathon? Former UT track athlete, Olympic trial qualifier shares 4 easy tips

  16-02-2025 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has a big running community, and if you feel inspired to lace up your shoes - KXAN invited Mark Pinales for some insight on how to get started. How to crush your 2025 health goals: Expert’s tips for staying on track all yearPinales is a former University to Texas track athlete, Olympic marathon trial qualifier and winner of the 2017 3M Half Marathon, now known as the Austin International Half. Today Pinales runs his own online coaching business, Vertis Coaching
  
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• Inspired to run after the Austin Marathon? Former UT track athlete, Olympic trial qualifier shares 4 easy tips

  16-02-2025 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has a big running community, and if you feel inspired to lace up your shoes - KXAN invited Mark Pinales for some insight on how to get started. How to crush your 2025 health goals: Expert’s tips for staying on track all yearPinales is a former University to Texas track athlete, Olympic marathon trial qualifier and winner of the 2017 3M Half Marathon, now known as the Austin International Half. Today Pinales runs his own online coaching business, Vertis Coaching
  
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• A developer bought up 70 properties on a historically Black street. The community doesn't know what's next 

  16-02-2025 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For Myrtle Holmes Wilson, 79, the sight of her late mother’s face painted on the side of their family business is enough to bring her to tears. Among East Austin natives, Wilson’s late father, Johnny Holmes, is synonymous with the success of Victory Grill. But Wilson remembers it was her mom, Basyle, who quit her teaching job in Luling, drew down her retirement savings, and helped finance her father’s dream. Photograph of the Victory Grill in Austin, Texas
  
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• Measles outbreak sickens dozens of kids in Texas: What's your state's vaccination rate?

  16-02-2025 05:09 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Multiple outbreaks of the measles have been reported so far this year, with one outbreak in Texas ballooning from six cases to 48 in just over a week.“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said of the outbreak on Friday.The majority of cases in Texas involve children under the age of 17, the Texas DSHS said. Thir
  
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• Here are the agencies purging federal workers

  16-02-2025 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — In the latest federal shakeup, the Trump administration ordered the heads of several agencies across the government to start firing employees who were still within their probationary period — or within their first one or two years on the job.During this period, which is different for each agency, workers have some protections in place, but their weak standing puts them in a position that is easier to terminate. The directive, issued earlier this week, could impact more t
  
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• Wreckage of missing plane found in Florida woods

  16-02-2025 04:59 via kxan.com
  
  BUNNELL, Fla. (WFLA) — A plane that went missing Friday night was found early Saturday morning in a remote, wooded area in north Florida.Just after midnight, the Flager County Sheriff's Office issued a notice that deputies were searching for an aircraft that went down after losing contact with the Palatka Municipal Airport around 7 p.m. Cruise ship carrying 169 norovirus patients docks in FloridaThe 2012 Cessna 208 Caravan plane lost contact while roughly 900 feet up in the air and was "de
  
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• What does 'Wawa' even mean? The company offers up a hint

  16-02-2025 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – In certain communities along the East Coast, the mere mention of the name “Wawa” conjures up visions of piping-hot coffee, scratch-off lottery tickets and pre-made Sizzli breakfast sandwiches. And if you think these communities aren’t totally stoked for discounted sandwiches during Wawa’s annual Hoagiefest, you’re out of your mind.“Summer has always been hoagie time at Wawa, and nothing quite captures the spirit of the season like Hoagiefest,
  
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• US Army bans transgender people from enlisting

  16-02-2025 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — The U.S. Army has banned transgender people from joining its ranks and ended gender-affirming care for service members, the military branch announced Friday.
  In a post on X, the official U.S. Army account said that "all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused, and all unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for Service members are paused."The new policies are effe
  
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• City activating cold weather shelters Sunday due to freezing temps

  16-02-2025 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin is activating its cold weather shelters as temperatures are forecasted to go into the 30s overnight Sunday going into Monday morning, the city said.“Shelters will open when forecasted overnight temperatures at Camp Mabry are expected to reach 35 degrees or below,” the city said.Registration will happen from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), located at 505 Barton Springs Road. The city said this acts as the "central embarkation point" for
  
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• Hawaii's only quintuplets find their passion in inline hockey

  16-02-2025 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  KAPOLEI, HI (KHON) - For the Dela Cruz quintuplets, life has always been an adventure.Now, the "quints" — Kapena, Kamali‘i, Kupono, Keahi, and Kaolu — have found a new passion that keeps them moving: inline hockey.The five siblings, along with their older brother Makaio, have immersed themselves in the sport, practicing several times a week at Kapolei Inline Hockey Arenas.Nuuanu teen Alexa Takai is a golf prodigy in the makingIt wasn’t a planned path, according to their p
  
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• 'The Monkey' director Osgood Perkins says Disney is why film's evil toy plays the drum

  16-02-2025 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Horror director Osgood Perkins ("Longlegs") says he had to make a major change when adapting the Stephen King short story, "The Monkey," for the forthcoming film of the same name — and he says Disney is why he had to do it.And it all goes back to 2010, when Walt Disney Pictures released "Toy Story 3."
  Here's what happened.
  You see, "The Monkey" is based on a 1980 King short story that was published in a now-defunct adult magazine and later as part of the King story collec
  
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• State of Texas: Lottery leaders accused of enabling illegal activity in Senate hearing

  16-02-2025 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - On Wednesday, a routine budget hearing for the Texas Lottery Commission turned into a harsh warning from lawmakers.The Senate Finance Committee urged the commission to take action to ban courier services that allow players to buy lottery tickets through external sources. The committee accused the commission of turning a blind eye to money laundering and letting minors and out-of-state players participate in the Texas lottery system. During the hearing, several senators on
  
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