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CDC, WHO tracking new COVID-19 variant; highly mutated strain found in US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The World Health Organization added a new lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to its Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) category on Thursday, citing a large number of mutations that “warrants attention.”The lineage, named BA.2.86, has already been identified in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other cases have been identified in Denmark and Israel.“More data are needed to understand this #COVID19 variant and the extent of its spread, but the number of mutations warrants attention,” WHO wrote in a message posted to X on Thursday. “WHO will update countries and the public as we learn more.” Would it work better to get our COVID vaccines through the nose? The escalation of BA.2.86 to a VUM also happened relatively quick for a lineage with only three sequences available. The first case was identified on July 24, and WHO had classified it as a VUM less than a month later on Aug. 17.It’s unclear if the variant’s 36 mutations will help it ...

Record heat ahead of possible tropical showers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect again today with near-record high temperatures well over 100° areawide. Excessive Heat Warning in effect 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. FridayThis comes after an extreme high temperature of 110° Thursday at Camp Mabry -- a tie for Austin's third-hottest day ever observed -- and 109° at Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport, a tie for their fourth-hottest day on record.While temperatures may be a couple of degrees cooler today, it'll still be excessively hot.Friday afternoon forecast highsThis weekend shows little improvement with mostly sunny skies and a high of 107º on both Saturday and Sunday that would tie and break records respectively.Weekend forecastTropical system may impact Texas next weekA disturbance moving into the Gulf early next week is expected to spin westward across record-hot ocean water in relatively favorable conditions for development. The National Hurricane Center has maintained odds of tropical depression formation at 40%.Wat...

Austin's 42-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the longest in recorded history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing the longest stretch of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means temperatures have reached the century mark for 42 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that's the longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The previous record of 27 days was set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade Meanwhile, an 21-day streak is underway at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with temperatures hitting 100° or above every day since July 29. That ranks as the third-longest of all time.An ...

Zilker Eagle train restoration back on track after 10-month delay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Plans to restore the Zilker Eagle miniature train are back on track after nearly a year of delays. Last October, the Austin Parks Foundation had to delay the restoration after safety testing revealed braking issues. Zilker Eagle train opening delayed due to ‘braking problems’ APF posted on social media Friday that the plans were officially back on track, and a thread from a Zilker Eagle account said testing should tentatively occur in the late fall with the train opening to the public shortly after. The Zilker Eagle posts said a local group of engineers partnered with the project, and the train coaches were recently transported to an off-site facility to be retrofitted with airbrakes to ensure they're safe for passengers. They'll also receive new electrical wiring for lights and a PA system, according to the posts. Later this month, the Zilker Eagle will make some track adjustments before entering the testing phase later in the fall, the posts said. Zilker Eagle ...

NOAA releases fall weather predictions for Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

TEXAS (NEXSTAR) – Sick of the summer heat? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has got some bad news for you.The agency released its 90-day forecast Thursday, predicting the broad weather conditions we expect to see around the country between September and November. For the vast majority of the country, it’s looking like a hot summer will transition into a warm fall. Thursday was the third-hottest day ever recorded in Austin Texas is no exception. The western part of the state especially has increased chances of feeling some additional heat. The Northeast and Southwest have the highest chances of seeing above-average temperatures this fall, according to NOAA.No states are expecting a colder-than-average fall season, but a swath of the Midwest and Plains states have equal chances of warm or cool weather.For some states, those hot temperatures are expected to be paired with clear skies – or at least few rain clouds. Only the Southeast and Alaska are expecting ab...

Albany man arrested on weapon possession charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man is facing charges after reports were made of a bullet hole in the door of a residence on Livingston Avenue. Harold Cowan, 68, was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Officers from the Albany Police Department located evidence consistent with gunfire. The Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at the 500 block of Livingston Avenue and recovered a Ruger LC9 handgun. Cowan was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.

Judge dismisses Hunter Biden misdemeanor tax charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (The Hill) — The federal judge overseeing Hunter Biden’s case in Delaware dismissed two misdemeanor tax charges against him in a filing on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissed the charges after David Weiss, the federal prosecutor leading the case against Biden, moved to dismiss them last week to bring charges in Washington, D.C., or California. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Weiss was appointed as special counsel last Friday by Attorney General Merrick Garland after he asked for the role. “On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that in his judgment, his investigation had reached a stage at which he should continue his work as a special counsel, and he asked to be so appointed,” Garland said in a statement on the appointment.Weiss's appointment came amidst an unwinding plea deal in the case, which Biden's legal team said the government went back on and the Department of Justice said was no...

You can see the Buffalo Zoo's new lion cubs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After they were welcomed into the world this past June, a group of four lion cubs made their public debut at the Buffalo Zoo. The zoo said that habitat loss, poaching, wildlife trafficking, and issues that threaten human-wildlife coexistence contributed to the decline of such African lions in the wild. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Two male and two female, the litter spent time with their mother, Lusaka, before debuting. They were fathered by Tiberius at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Species Survival Plan for African lions. It's the pair's third litter together, propagating a species that is believed to have a total population of less than 40,000.Photo: Buffalo ZooPhoto: Buffalo ZooPhoto: Buffalo Zoo Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Brown’s Brewing launches pet beer label contest “The past several weeks have been quite exciting watching these cubs grow,” said zoo president ...

City of Pittsfield announces Holmes Road bridge update

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The City of Pittsfield has issued an update on the Holmes Road bridge repair project. The city stated they have been assured by the project's contractor that the bridge will reopen on August 25 as planned. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Crews began work on the bridge back in June. The bridge deck waterproofing membrane was installed on August 14, and the city said paving would start shortly thereafter. The city released a statement acknowledging the inconveniences for travel caused by the project, and thanked residents for their patience during the maintenance. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!

Bicyclist dies after crash near Eldorado Springs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:53 GMT

A bicyclist died after colliding with another bicyclist Saturday on Eldorado Springs Drive and Senda Rocosa Drive near Eldorado Springs.The bicyclist has been identified as 57-year-old James Finn by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.A 50-year-old cyclist who was also involved in the crash endured serious injuries and was transferred to a local hospital, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office provided medical assistance on-scene.