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Illinois Republicans call for overhaul of state-run developmental facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

Republicans in Springfield are calling for an overhaul at a state-run developmental facility amidst continued issues that include staff misconduct and patient abuse.On Wednesday, GOP state lawmakers accused the Pritzker administration of not meeting the needs of the state's most vulnerable. Secretary of State’s office launches updated website "Time and time again we've seen this administration fail to fully prioritize our developmentally disabled community," State Sen. Terri Bryant said.There are allegations of abuse and neglect at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Southern Illinois.A ProPublica, Lee Enterprises and Capitol News Illinois investigation found people living with developmental disabilities at state institutions, like Choate, have been punched, slapped, hosed down, thrown about and dragged across rooms.They also reported the facilities are short-staffed and at times, chaotic and dangerous. Chicagoland residents asked to limit water usage Illinois D...

Mother fights for food allergy law after son dies eating at Texas restaurant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

HARLINGEN, Texas (KVEO/KGBT) — After nearly a decade of pushing for food allergy awareness, a grieving mother's hard work paid off as a new law goes into effect in Texas this year.In 2014, Sergio Alexander Lopez died after ingesting peanut butter at a restaurant in McAllen, Texas. Before eating, Lopez checked with employees whether it was safe. Lopez, who was 24, was on his lunch break with a friend when he ordered a veggie taco. He asked if the order had peanuts and was told no. Lopez received the ordered and asked again, and was told no a second time, his mother recalled.(Courtesy: Belinda Vaca)He took the order to-go and began eating the food in front of the music academy he worked at when he felt a tingling sensation."So, he called [the restaurant,] it's on his telephone. He spoke to them for a minute and a half, and they again told him 'It's just spices,'" Vaca said.Lopez continued eating the taco and made his way to work. That's when he was seen grabbing his throat, saying "th...

Chipotle testing guacamole-making robot named 'Autocado'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The Chipotle Mexican Grill workers so often seen chopping and preparing fresh ingredients in ad spots may soon have a non-human helper.The company is testing a "collaborative robot" named Autocado at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, California.Autocado can take up to 25 pounds of unpeeled avocados at a time, the company says. The robot stands the fruit upright one at a time, slices them in half, and removes the skin and pit.The peeled avocados drop into a bowl below, and a Chipotle worker then takes over, adding additional ingredients and mashing the guacamole.Autocado is a collaborative robot prototype that cuts, cores, and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create Chipotle's guacamole. (Chipotle)"We are committed to exploring collaborative robotics to drive efficiencies and ease pain points for our employees," said Curt Garner, Chief Customer and Technology Officer at Chipotle in a news release. "The intensive labor of cutting, coring, and scoop...

Mixed reactions as City of Austin suspends partnership with DPS

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the City of Austin suspended its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Since the announcement, local groups have shown both support and disapproval of the decision.Mayor Kirk Watson indicated "recent events" led to the need for a pause, although he didn't specify in the release which events. He added, "This partnership was an innovative approach to address acute staffing shortages that were years in the making. However, any approach must be in sync with Austin values."APD Chief of Police Joseph Chacon said questions from the city council and community led to the decision to suspend the partnership.“While this news is disappointing, I know that each of you are working hard to keep our community safe and that you will continue this important work,” Chacon wrote in an email to City of Austin employees.The Austin Police Association said the decision by Interim City Manager Jesús Garza and Mayor Watson to suspend the APD/DPS partnership was...

Amid spikes in sexually transmitted infections, a Texas clinic is struggling to stay funded

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A Texas sexual health clinic with multiple locations across the state reported that the demand for sexually transmitted infection testing increased by 176% in 2021. Despite the clear need for the services, the clinic has seen a 53% reduction in funding during the last 12 months. Texas Health Action’s Kind Clinic was founded in 2015 and, at no cost, “provides sexual health services in a safe and supportive environment with expertise in serving the LGBTQIA+ community,” according to the clinic. The clinic said it serves 11,000 people annually at its Central Austin location.  MORE: APH says STI rates in Travis County are rising, encourages testing “Over the years, we have just seen such a need for this service,” said Christopher Hamilton, the CEO of the Texas Health Action. “Austin's population is booming, and more people are moving to the area,” he said. “Our current clinic program has been slowly able to meet that demand. But we're getting to a breaki...

What Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said at Big 12 Media Days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just 52 days before the Texas Longhorns' final Big 12 football season, head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media at Big 12 Media Days about what this year's team is trying to accomplish."Anytime it's media days, that means college football is right around the corner," Sarkisian said in his opening statement. "That's an exciting time. I know that there's been so much talk about the SEC and what's happening in 2024, but I think one thing that I love about this team that we have this year is their focus on 2023."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe Longhorns enter their final Big 12 season as the favorite to win the conference, finishing atop the preseason media poll with 41 first-place votes and ahead of second-place Kansas State. Linebacker Jaylan Ford was selected as the Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year and quarterback Quinn Ewers was of...

Williamson County reports 5th West Nile virus-positive trap of 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A mosquito trap sample collected in the Brushy Creek MUD tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Williamson County and Cities Health District.WCCHD said the positive test was indicated in lab results received Wednesday from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. The sample was collected from a trap site near the Beck Preserve on Great Oaks Dr. on Friday. Positive West Nile mosquito pool reported in Travis County “Expanded trapping in the area will begin this afternoon and signage will be posted,” WCCHD said.Officials said this was the fifth reported West Nile virus-positive trap of the 2023 season in Williamson County.Symptoms of infection may include:FeverHeadachebody achesa skin rash on the trunk of the bodyswollen lymph nodes“Those age 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe symptoms,” WCCHD said.Severe symptoms may include:StiffnessDisorientationComaTremorsvision l...

Study tracks change in the oceans' color

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- They are large bodies of water covering a good portion of Earth. The oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface meaning just 29% of Earth is covered by land. Scientists at MIT, along with the National Oceanography Center in the United Kingdom, suggest that something is going on with our oceans that most people wouldn't notice. It has to do with the oceans' color. They are suggesting that man-made climate change may be contributing to a change in the water's hue.An ocean's blue hue indicates no color change Courtesy: Getty ImagesIn the study, the scientists have written notes that it's been around 20 years where the color change occurred. Tropical oceans nearest the equator have become greener. According to their data, this color change has affected 56% of the world's oceans, a number still greater than the land mass covering Earth.What part of the oceans saw the color changeThe ocean's pigmentation is taken from the materials that are found in the water's upper lay...

Long Lake cleaning up after destructive rainstorm, dam breach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

HAMILTON COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Long Lake, Indian Lake and a Blue Mountain in Hamilton County are no longer on a necessity-only travel restriction as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. As they manage through the aftermath and damage from the latest storms that blew through the area NEWS10 has more on the efforts to get people moving again.   WATCH: Two pontoon boats swept over Corinth dam Long Lake Town Supervisor Clay Arsenault says residents will soon have access to all municipal services. But they still won't be able to get onto Route 28.“In two to three days locals can go, but you can’t get Newcomb. You can only get to the transfer station and be able to come into town at that point,” said Arsenault.Crews are working to restore roadway access. They tell NEWS10 the only permanent temporary closure is between Newcomb and Long Lake.“The damage that’s a mile out, East of the intersection towards Newcomb, they are thinking it’s going to take two weeks, two to three weeks to fix,” said Arse...

NTSB to lead investigation into fatal Greyhound bus crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:57:39 GMT

HIGHLAND, Ill. – Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board will arrive on Thursday to determine the cause of a deadly Greyhound bus crash near Highland, Illinois.Three people were killed and at least 14 others were hurt when the bus struck three big rigs parked on the shoulder of Interstate 70. The names of the victims have not been released.The passenger bus was supposed to pull in at the Greyhound station in downtown St. Louis from Indianapolis, and was just miles away from reaching its destination. Authorities are still trying to determine how something so tragic could happen.Semi-truck driver David Cherno says he was taking a nap on the side of the road around 2 a.m. Wednesday. when his truck was struck on the rear driver’s side by the Greyhound bus.“I ran to my truck and got the fire extinguisher,” Cherno said. “I put the fire out.” John Mozeliak reflects on Cardinals’ nightmare season, insists ‘changes have to happen’ When he woke up, Cherno thought he was ...