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Tim Joyce’s Childhood Realization

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

As a kid growing up in Oak Park, WGN meteorologist Tim Joyce used to think there was only ONE guy who had the job of TV weatherman, Mr. Tom Skilling. Behind Ana Belaval’s Ricky Martin freakout See how a special day at Longfellow elementary school led to an epiphany of sorts. For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Behind Ana Belaval’s Ricky Martin freakout

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

For WGN Morning News reporter Ana Belaval, her list of favorite celebrities begins and ends with Ricky Martin. Pat Tomasulo’s Crazy First Day at WGN Morning News So what happened one day when her colleagues surprised her with a satellite crosstalk? Ana takes us through the moment. For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Pat Tomasulo’s Crazy First Day at WGN Morning News

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

What was Pat Tomasulo’s first day at WGN Morning News like? There was a convertible, a cast of characters, and a party. Tim Joyce’s Childhood Realization Pat recounts day 1 at the old number 9 in this quick anecdote. For more great WGN at 75 stories, check out WGNtv.com/stories

Diver uncovers lost watches, a sunken plane & missing people in the depths of Lake Travis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Robert Weiss likes being a superhero. That’s how his wife describes her husband’s passion for scuba diving. And Weiss doesn’t shy away from that description, either. On Lake Travis, there are plenty of people who need a hero after what was supposed to be a fun day on the water takes an unfortunate turn. “I got a cape and I like to put on my cape,” he said. “You get to go out, you get to be hero to somebody.”Robert Weiss with Lake Travis Scuba says he's helped recover the bodies of three missing swimmers. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)In reality, that cape is a dry suit, worn by divers like him to keep the cold and water out.  KXAN Documentary: "The Wake: Secrets of Lake Travis" So who are those who need his help? As people come out by the thousands on hot summer weekends to party and have a good time boating on the lake, they're the ones who fail to properly store their phones, keys, rings, sunglasses and more. “We've collected over $200,000 each...

Austin leaders react to Project Connect light rail recommendation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After the Austin Transit Partnership released its initial Project Connect light rail recommendation Tuesday, local leaders are starting to react to the announcement. “For more than twenty years, Austin has tried to build a light rail system that brings ourcommunity closer together and today, we know what will be built for this community, and by this community, in this first phase of Austin Light Rail Implementation,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement. Recommended Project Connect light rail plan unveiled "This project is about more than just trains and buses. It's about addressing affordability, meeting our climate goals, and prioritizing accessibility for ALL Austinites," Council Member Vanessa Fuentes wrote. "This option best reflects the needs and values of the Austin community and lays the best foundation for future expansions and extensions in all three directions,” Greg Canally, executive director of ATP, said. “We heard support from community and advoca...

'Complex, intimate relationships': Travis County DA to address family violence prosecutions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County District Attorney's office plans to announce new policies aimed at centering the needs of family violence victims, as well as more details about its efforts to prosecute family violence offenses, at a press conference on Tuesday. Earlier this month, in a one-on-one interview with KXAN investigators, José Garza said these offenses, along with other violent crimes, were the priority for his office but were often some of the "most difficult" cases to prove. Is Travis County DA Garza dropping more felonies? Here’s what the data show During the interview, his office provided statistics showing it had secured more than 400 family violence convictions last year. His office said, when compared to the number of family violence cases it received in 2022, that brings its conviction rate up from 45% in 2021 to 83% in 2022, according to the office's analysis. Meanwhile, dat...

How many Project Connect light rail riders are expected under new recommendation?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following the Austin Transit Partnership's unveiling of its Project Connect light rail recommendation, officials are giving new insight into just how many riders they anticipate will use the system each day.ATP is the organization tasked with designing and construction Project Connect, a multi-billion-dollar mass transit system approved by Austin voters in November 2020. Among other transit upgrades, the program called for the creation of a light rail system in the capital city. Recommended Project Connect light rail plan unveiled On Tuesday, ATP announced it was recommending the 38th Street to Oltorf Street to Yellow Jacket Lane route as its preferred Phase 1 plan. The announcement comes after an initial reveal of five scaled-down proposals March 21, followed by a six-week community engagement period.On June 6, ATP, CapMetro and the City of Austin are poised to adopt an official Phase 1 light rail implementation plan.Under ATP's recommendation, the transit corpor...

Hutto singer could be crowned champion of 'The Voice'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

(KXAN) -- A Central Texas man has a chance to be crowned champion of the 23rd season of NBC's "The Voice" Tuesday night. Hutto singer Savion Wright — whose stage name is NOIVAS — earned a 4-chair turn with his blind audition. He immediately blew the judges away with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," a song Wright said deeply resonated with him, specifically with the loss of his brother, Alfred. MORE: Central Texas singer earns 4-chair turn on ‘The Voice’ NOIVAS is part of Blake Shelton's team and one of five finalists. He's joined by Team Blake's Grace West, D.Smooth with Team Kelly, Gina Miles of Team Niall and sister trio Sorelle on Team Chance, per NBC. The winner of this season will be named Tuesday night when the finale airs at 8 p.m. CT. To Wright, though, he's already a winner, he explained in a tweet Tuesday morning. "Thank you so much everyone for the love and support throughout this journey. The only reason I even did this show in the first plac...

Over 165,000 protests sent to Travis Central Appraisal District

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Property tax protest season is underway in Travis County, and the Travis Central Appraisal District is going through thousands of protests that property owners sent in for their 2023 appraisals. Marya Crigler, TCAD's chief appraiser, said the district is currently processing about 165,000 protests, which is on par with TCAD's protest numbers last year. The general deadline to submit protests was May 15. Crigler said certified estimates are expected to be ready in late July, and all protests should be substantially completed before Aug. 30. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Notices for 2023 appraisal value on their way to Travis Co. property owners The appraisal district saw a "rebalancing of the housing market" due to waning demand and increased supply. In 2022, TCAD saw "astronomical housing appreciation," but Crigler said that was not the case in 2023 because of a return to pre-pandemic normals. Home sale prices declined after peaking in May 2022, data shows. The number of Aus...

MN Legislature: Major funding increases for environment, recreation; No hikes for fishing licenses or state park fees

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

State funding for the outdoor and natural resources will reach unprecedented levels in Minnesota thanks in large part to the state’s nearly $18 billion budget surplus.While the proposal to raise fishing license fees and state park fees was dropped, both of those areas will see large funding increases through the DNR as lawmakers opted to use the budget surplus and hold off on raising more fees. The exception is watercraft licenses, which are going up for the first time since 2007.A gray wolf, also known as a timberwolf or Canis lupus at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minn. (Pioneer Press file)Lawmakers also passed a bevy of natural resources policy changes, from addressing chronic wasting disease to transplanting elk to eastern Minnesota and requiring boat operators to obtain safety training certificates.The state is pumping some $1.6 billion over the next two years into clean energy, environmental, climate change, invasive species prevention, wildlife habitat, parks, f...