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Skilling: Cloudy weekend ahead for Chicagoland

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

Chicagoans were treated to the warmest temps Thursday of the past 6 day—with a 66 at O'Hare marking at 14 degrees increase over Wednesday's 52. Easterly lake breezes off the 46-deg lake waters held shoreline and beach temps to the 50s.Downstate clouds and showers are northbound—but to a rendezvous with a portion of the Chicago area by morning and into the early or mid afternoon hours Friday. Modeling suggests Chicago proper has the highest chance for some showers in the 6 p.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Friday time frame.More important is the spin-up of a significant and slow moving upper air low pressure which will be home to a pool of chilly, unstable air aloft beginning this weekend and carrying over into the opening days of next week. Such weather systems associate themselves with clouds and instability showers—and this one will be no different.While rains won't be continuous, the prospect for showers roaming the area is to be elevated Saturday through Tuesday—and the presence of sun-blocki...

Dansby Swanson gets a 1st with the Cubs in win vs Padres

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

CHICAGO - He's been able to pull off a lot so far in his first month as a member of the Cubs, but a major first happened for Dansby Swanson on Thursday. The shortstop, who has shown more power over his last two seasons, hit his first home run as a member of the team against the Padres at Wrigley Field. It was the final big moment for the Cubs in a pleasant afternoon in which they defeated San Diego 5-2 to take the series 2-1. Swanson's long ball came in the seventh inning of his 23rd game of the season and was one of three the hosts hit on the afternoon. Eric Hosmer and Nelson Velazquez went back-to-back with solo shots in the second inning as the Cubs have now put at least one pitch into the seats in their last eight games.This is another highlight for the shortstop in what's been a consistent start to his Cubs' career after signing a 7-year, $177 million contract. Before Thursday, he was hitting .274 with three doubles and five RBI, adding to that by going 2-for-4 with the homer a...

Lyft will cut 1,000 jobs in upcoming layoffs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

Lyft's latest round of layoffs announced last week will include more than 1,000 job cuts in what the ride-sharing company says is an effort to cut costs. "As part of Lyft’s previously announced restructuring and efforts to reduce costs, we are parting with just over 1,000 valued team members across the company. This was a hard decision and one we didn’t make lightly, but the result will be a far stronger, more competitive Lyft," a company spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday. Just days after David Risher started as Lyft CEO, he told employees in an email last week that the company would  “significantly reduce the size of the team” and let employees know their employment status by Thursday. He said at the time that the job cuts will set up Lyft to “invest in competitive pricing, faster pick-up times, and better driver earnings.” The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Lyft would cut 1,200 jobs, citing people familiar with the plans. A spokesperson for t...

Texans could pay $200 annual fee to drive electric vehicles

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — By a vote of 145-0 Thursday, the Texas House gave approval to legislation that would impose an annual $200 fee on drivers of electric vehicles. The bill, known as Senate Bill 505, already passed the Senate on March 29, so it's now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for his signature, which would make it become law in Texas.The bill's author, Republican Sen. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, wrote in comments about the legislation, "As more of these vehicles drive on Texas roads, there are concerns about how they contribute to the funding of the roads which they use. Currently, Texas uses the gasoline/diesel fuel tax to fund transportation projects; however, with the growing use of EVs, the revenue from the fuel tax is decreasing, which diminishes our ability to fund road improvements for all drivers."Furthermore, Nichols wrote EVs use the same roads as petroleum-powered vehicles, so they should be "subject to an equalization of road use consumption amount."During a Sena...

APD holding news conference for south Austin homicide

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is holding a news conference after the agency confirmed a homicide in south Austin Thursday.The homicide occurred in the 1200 block of Kenyon Drive, APD confirmed on Twitter.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

When does Valentina's TexMex BBQ open in Buda?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Central Texas barbecue lovers will have plenty to celebrate with the opening of Valentina's TexMex BBQ in Buda later this spring.The restaurant is expected to open in late 2023 at its new, 6,5000-square-foot restaurant. Modesty and Miguel Vidal first opened its Valentina's food truck 10 years ago and has since become renowned for their Tex-Mex-inspired smoked meats. Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BB...

Texas Senate passes bill pushing for medical billing transparency 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

This report is an update to KXAN's "Medical Debt Lawsuits" investigation. Our team will continue to follow the bills during Texas' legislative session.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate passed medical billing transparency legislation Thursday to require hospitals and other providers to send patients an itemized invoice before attempting to collect money from them.Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, authored the legislation — Senate Bill 490. The bill would require a plain language description of each health care service or supply so patients can better understand charges.  READ: Medical billing transparency legislation pushes forward The full Senate voted unanimously in favor of the legislation.Hughes testified last week at the State Capitol and laid out the bill to members of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. "It's pretty straightforward. Not a radical concept," Hughes testified. What's nextLast session,&nbs...

What you need to pass Texas vehicle safety inspection

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With Texas being one of several states nationwide requiring annual vehicle safety inspections, those tests are required for vehicle registrations. Here's a look at all the steps the Texas Department of Public Safety mandates a vehicle needs to pass before owners can renew their registration and legally drive on Texas roadways, by vehicle type.Bus, except for school busesThe following vehicle parts are checked and must pass in order to renew a bus' vehicle registration:HornWindshield wipersMirrorSteering wheelSeat belts (driver only)Brakes system; parking (beginning with 1960 models)TiresWheel assemblyExhaust systemExhaust emission system (beginning with 1968 models)Beam indicator (beginning with 1948 models)Tail lamps (2)Stop lamps (3)License plate lamp (1)Rear red reflectors (2)Turn signal lampsClearance lampsSide marker lampsSide reflectorsHead lamps (2)Motor, serial or vehicle identification numberWindow tintMopedA moped's brake, head lamp, reflector and rear lam...

Hit-and-run driver pleads to lesser charge, avoids prison

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County court documents showed a man previously charged with an accident involving death related to an August 2021 incident pleaded guilty to a lesser charge April 5 for an accident involving damage to a vehicle.According to records, Moises Martinez was convicted by a court and sentenced to two years of community supervision, more commonly known as probation.Image of Moises Martinez (APD Photo) As a part of the sentence, Martinez must complete 100 hours of community service during the probationary period. Two more stipulations of the sentence included that Martinez must take a driving safety course, and he cannot refuse breath or blood tests when requested by any law enforcement officer. PAST COVERAGE: 19-year-old man arrested in connection to deadly Aug. 19 hit-and-run crash in North Austin Martinez’s charge was related to the fatal hit-and-run crash involving Jenny Gonzales-Zepeda on Aug. 19, 2021.According to past KXAN coverage, Martinez was arrested for f...

Timberwolves’ end-of-season comments suggest team ready to establish stability

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:58 GMT

Tim Connelly did his best Thursday to squash speculation that the Timberwolves’ basketball boss could be a candidate for the same position with the Wizards. Such a move would allow Connelly and his family an opportunity to move back “home” to be near family. It’s also the organization with which Connelly started his career.But Connelly is just entering Year 2 of his Timberwolves’ tenure, and his exit interview comments with the media suggested that’s where his focus lies.“I’m pretty committed to the Minnesota Timberwolves right now. I’m just worried about how we can get out of the first round. It’s been a long, long time since we got out of the first round (2004, to be exact — the only season the franchise ever achieved the feat),” Connelly said. “I think (Timberwolves coach Chris) Finch and I are pretty excited. Meeting with the guys, we’re really excited about kind of the foundation pieces we have here, and just keep building.”...