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'Tranq dope': Xylazine continues to rip through area as DEA issues nationwide alert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO — The DEA locally and across the nation are concerned over a rise in xylazine — an animal tranquillizer street dealers are mixing with fentanyl and other drugs.Nationwide, the agency issued an alert last week warning the public that xylazine "is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier."Known as "tranq" on the street, DEA Chicago spokesperson Luis Agostini said his office is very concerned on what they're seeing around Chicago, Wisconsin and in Indiana."Street dealers are looking to create a more powerful high," Agostini said. "They're looking to extend the shelf life of drugs like fentanyl, heroin and cocaine."Two issues surrounding the rise is that xylazine is readily-available online for the veterinarian world and it's not a federally-scheduled narcotic.Xylazine was virtually unknown to law enforcement prior to 2017. Data below shows the number of DEA drug seizures containing the drug in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.State2017...

85-cent Blizzards at Dairy Queen? Here's how to get 'em

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

(WTAJ) – Spring is underway, but Dairy Queen is already gearing up for summer with new Blizzards — and the chain is giving customers the chance to get their hands on one for just 85 cents.(Dairy Queen)In honor of the year the Blizzard debuted — 1985 — Dairy Queen is offering its signature frozen treat for only 85 cents between April 10–23. Blizzards. The deal, however, is available exclusively through the DQ mobile app. Best-selling Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies now a seasoning blend Restaurants and fast-food outlets frequently cycle their seasonal or limited-time-only items, often to much fanfare but also to jeers, depending on what's leaving the menu. DQ is no exception. Returning to the summer lineup is the "sweet, chocolatey, gooey, marshmallow-ey" graham cracker-filled S'mores Blizzard, which will be featured as April's Blizzard of the Month. The Cotton Candy and Choco Dipped Strawberry Blizzards are also coming back to the menu.The new Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Blizzard was ...

How does Apple Pay Later work?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you're currently a user of Apple Pay — the technology giant's mobile payment system — you may notice a new feature in your Apple Wallet. The company says some randomly selected users will begin seeing the option to "Apple Pay Later" on Tuesday, with a wider release of its flexible payment system coming in the next few months.Here's how it works, according to Apple:(Courtesy of Apple)Users can apply for loans valued between $50 to $1,000 via their Apple WalletIf you're wondering: Does Apple Pay Later affect my credit score? The answer, according to Apple, is that application for one of these loans will have "no impact." Instead, a soft credit pull will be performed to determine your eligibilityIf you're approved, you'll see the option to Pay Later when you use Apple Pay at checkout online or at participating in-person retailersApple splits purchases into four payments with 0% interest and no fees, the company says“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to ...

Water found in glass beads on moon's surface, lunar samples show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Scientists have discovered a new and renewable source of water on the moon for future explorers in lunar samples from a Chinese mission.Water was embedded in tiny glass beads in the lunar dirt where meteorite impacts occur. These shiny, multicolored glass beads were in samples returned from the moon by China in 2020.The beads range in size from the width of one hair to several hairs; the water content was just a miniscule fraction of that, said Hejiu Hui of Nanjing University, who took part in the study. Can you bring your own alcohol and drink it on a flight? Since there are billions if not trillions of these impact beads, that could amount to substantial amounts of water, but mining it would be tough, according to the team.“Yes, it will require lots and lots of glass beads,” Hui said in an email. “On the other hand, there are lots and lots of beads on the moon."FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 photo provided by China's Xinhua News Agency, techni...

Wind Advisory in effect through 7 p.m.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The cold front that passed south this morning left a strong north wind that gusts into the 30s during the morning. One of the peak gusts was 40 mph at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Camp Mabry's peak gust so far has been 37 mph shortly before 11 a.m.Gusty winds will stir up the tree pollen this afternoon so allergy sufferers should be prepared. A Wind Advisory is in effect through 7 p.m.The north wind will keep our highs below today's normal of 77°. Most of our maximum temperatures this afternoon will peak in the middle/upper 60s. Some low 70s will be felt in some of Caldwell, Fayette, and Giddings Counties.Limited moisture will keep our rain chances low this afternoon and tonight.A few may get some rain late this afternoon and tonightAnother upper-level low coming through the Pacific today heads to the southern Colorado/northern New Mexico by Thursday night/Friday morning. Based on future trends it looks like the upper energy will stay far enough to our no...

Texas lawmakers discuss bill that could levy $10K fine for schools, teachers celebrating Pride week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas House discussed a bill Tuesday that would fine teachers and school officials up to $10,000 for celebrating or providing special instruction on sexual preference, including events like Pride week.The bill, authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, also would allow the State Board of Educator Certification to revoke or suspend a teaching certificate if an educator violates the law.“I think having sexually oriented celebrations at school for all grades is teaching a sexual ideology no matter who is doing it,” King said. “I think when you are teaching first graders your world view of sexuality that is an inappropriate relationship.” ‘Y’all means all!’ Advocates, celebrities rally for LGBTQ rights at Texas Capitol King did not provide examples of this happening in any Texas school districts. But Austin Independent School District celebrated Pride week in late March.The district’s website lists themes for each day, including “All are Welcome,” “Differences are Awe...

Nearly 40 more pediatric hospital beds coming soon to Williamson County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — As low availability for pediatric hospital beds persist in Texas, Dell Children's Medical Center North in Williamson County will add 36 pediatric hospital beds next month.The 187,000 square foot facility will host emergency and trauma services, operating rooms and a fourth floor for future expansion.That floor, if further developed, would add 36 more pediatric hospital beds.According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, as of March 15, out of the 135 pediatric ICU beds available in the entire state, only two were available in the Austin area.

Your chance to be a seat filler at the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Have a seat with the stars for the first major award show happening in Austin.When watching televised award shows, the venue where they are held may seem full of celebrities, but not everyone in the crowd is famous. The production companies behind these award shows need: seat fillers."Seat-fillers are volunteers whose purpose is to fill out the venue when the camera pans the audience," the Hollywood Reporter said. "They don’t have to have any experience in acting, being an extra or a seat-filler."This doesn't necessarily mean that you will be seated next to a celebrity but there's a possibility and you could have fun and watch a free show.Here's how to become a seat filler at the CMT Music AwardsCMT released a number of opportunities for fans to be a part of the show including free tapings, the red carpet/ pre-show and seat fillers.Fans must register ahead of time and follow the rules set by the production crew to be a part of the iconic show.The 2023 CMT Awards are ...

LIST: Artists set to attend 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The list of stars set to attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas keeps growing.For the first time, the icon award ceremony will air from the "Live Music Capital of the World" on Sunday, April 2.Here are the new additions to the show:Alanis Morissette will make her CMT Music Awards debut alongside Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade to celebrate 10-year anniversary of “CMT Next Women of Country” franchiseGwen Stefani will make her CMT debut with Carly Pearce for world premiere collaborationShania Twain will be recognized with the third-ever “CMT Equal Play Award,” which recognizes an artist who is a visible and vocal advocate for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music. Hosts Kane Brown and Kelsea BalleriniPerformersBlake SheltonCarrie UnderwoodJelly RollKane Brown + Katelyn BrownKeith UrbanKelsea BalleriniLainey WilsonThe Black Crowes + Darius RuckerTyler HubbardWynonna Judd + Ashley M...

Jace Frederick: Timberwolves’ veterans have shifted the team’s identity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:54 GMT

So much of this Timberwolves season has been a rollercoaster filled with mountainous highs and cratering lows. The Minnesota team you’d see one night — or even for a quarter — did not resemble the one that would show up the next.The inconsistency was maddening for all involved but perhaps to be expected for a team relying so heavily on youngsters to supply the energy and direction. If Anthony Edwards was cooking by knocking down difficult shots or blowing by opponents in isolation, the Timberwolves were a supreme team. But relying on those efforts was a challenge. It’s not a sustainable path to success.Which is what makes Minnesota’s current four-game winning streak against teams currently seeded in the top eight of their respective conferences feel so different. There has been no reliance on superhuman efforts or difficult shot-making. The success is from good ball movement that translates to balanced scoring, solid defense, rebounding and valuing each possession....