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What is the HOME initiative? What to know about Austin's latest push for more housing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're paying attention to Austin politics, you're probably hearing a whole lot about the "HOME" initiative. There's both staunch opposition and support for the measure. Austin City Council will have a public hearing on Dec. 7 before discussing amendments -- which are still being finalized by council members -- and voting on the overall ordinance. Here's what you need to know. First thing's first: What is HOME? HOME, an acronym for Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment, is a series of proposed changes to Austin's land development code -- and other incentives for creating or preserving housing. It has several elements to it, and there are expected to be additional phases moving forward. The following are the proposed changes in phase one: Three units: Bumping the number of units "by right" allowed on a single-family lot to threeTiny Homes: Patching loopholes in Austin's land development code to more easily allow for tiny homes to be considered a unit on a lo...

Tesla Cybertruck rolls out in Austin-- would you drive one?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  In Texas, a good barbeque spot can draw a crowd, just ask Sheri Kurland who stopped at La Barbeque in East Austin for some dinner."I am sold on Texas Barbeque," said Kurland, who was visiting Austin from California.There's something else that can draw a crowd as well, like the New Tesla Cybertruck."It was pretty awesome," Kurland said. "I didn't know it was going to be here."Phillip Sarofim, the new owner of the Tesla Cybertruck, and on this day he got the best of both worlds, a little barbecue and a new ride."Today was delivery day so I was lucky enough to be in the first 20 people to get cars," Sarofim said. Tesla plans to spend $700M+ to expand Austin gigafactory Sarofim lives in LA and made the trek to Austin when he heard he would be getting one of the first Cybertrucks at the Giga Factory in Austin, Texas."It's like driving a spaceship," Sarofim said.Sarofim was nice enough to show KXAN some of the features."Here is the door, you press here and open it,...

Israel knew Hamas’ attack plan more than a year ago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli officials obtained Hamas’ battle plan for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack more than a year before it happened, documents, emails and interviews show. But Israeli military and intelligence officials dismissed the plan as aspirational, considering it too difficult for Hamas to carry out.The approximately 40-page document, which Israeli authorities code-named “Jericho Wall,” outlined, point by point, exactly the kind of devastating invasion that led to the deaths of about 1,200 people.The translated document, which was reviewed by the New York Times, did not set a date for the attack, but described a methodical assault designed to overwhelm the fortifications around the Gaza Strip, take over Israeli cities and storm key military bases, including a division headquarters.Hamas followed the blueprint with shocking precision. The document called for a barrage of rockets at the outset of the attack, drones to knock out the security cameras and automated machine guns a...

Connor Dewar paces Wild’s blowout win at Nashville with first NHL hat trick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Wild insist they’re taking it one game at a time as they try to dig out of a deep early hole under new head coach John Hynes.So far, so good.Connor Dewar scored his first NHL hat trick, Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and assist as Minnesota dismantled the Nashville Predators on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena for the second victory in as many games under Hynes.Jake Middleton and Pat Maroon also scored goals, and Filip Gustavsson stopped 24 shots as Minnesota won consecutive games for just the second time this season. The Wild ended a seven-game skid on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over St. Louis at Xcel Energy Center.It was Minnesota’s 15th victory in 43 games at the Predators’ arena (15-22-7) since joining the NHL for the 2001-02 season.Dewar scored a fourth goal on a power play goal with 3 minutes, 57 seconds remaining, but Nashville coach Andrew Brunette challenged for an offsides call and won.The Wild were ready from the jump and kept the Predators fro...

Timberwolves blitz Jazz in second half for another home victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

Minnesota sleepwalked through the first half Thursday at Target Center, and it made no difference in the end. The Timberwolves simply put their foot on the gas in the third quarter to pull away from and breeze past Utah for a 101-90 victory.Leading 49-47 at the break, Minnesota outscored the Jazz 35-16, continuing a run of strong third quarters this season. It was a similar formula for success, too.The Timberwolves leaned on their league-best defense to generate stops, then parlayed those into easy transition buckets. Minnesota finished with 25 fast-break points — nine of which came in the third — and 20 points off Utah’s 21 giveaways.Usually, it’s Anthony Edwards leading those transition pushes. With the 22-year-old star guard out with a hip pointer Thursday, Nickeil Alexander-Walker took charge in just about every facet. He was his usual lockdown defensive self, while also starring offensively.Alexander-Walker finished with 20 points and seven assists. He also tallied ...

Movember mustache contest held at McGeary's

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- You may have noticed some people sporting extra facial hair in the month of November, including Albany firefighters who gathered at McGeary's Irish Pub Thursday night for a mustache contest!They're showing off their best efforts as part of Movember, a movement that raises awareness of men's health issues and fundraises for charities that help. While all men should learn about cancer and suicide prevention, it is an especially pressing need for firefighters. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Actually firefighters do have higher incidences of cancer than the regular public, and we also have pretty high rates of suicide," David Gallati, Secretary for the Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Association, said. "It actually surpassed cancer as the firefighter killer across the country this year."Thursday night's event not only raising money for the Movember Foundation but also local charities helping fi...

Over 1K Beanie Babies donated to Albany PD to give to children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The next time an Albany police officer interacts with a child, they may receive a new toy. The police department received a donation of more than 1,000 Beanie Babies from a local family. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The department posted a picture to their Facebook page of the donation. The Beanie Babies will be given to kids that the officers interact with during their shift.

Trio sneaks into abandoned Workhouse, gets trapped in cell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – FOX 2 has learned three people broke into the former Medium Security Institution in St. Louis, more commonly known as The Workhouse, and accidentally locked themselves in a cell.Police say three men, between the ages of 18 and 21, from Dupo and Belleville, Illinois, cut a hole in a fence to get onto The Workhouse grounds two weeks ago. After getting trapped in a cell, they were able to contact a relative, who called police to get them out.This is just part of a growing list of safety concerns at the vacant site.“This is alarming to me as a member of the Board of Aldermen and also the Public Safety Committee,” Alderman Tom Oldenburg (Ward 2) said. Tow truck operator killed in Illinois served as volunteer firefighter The alderman has written the chairman of the Public Safety Committee "demanding the presence and testimony from the city's corrections division and the operations office" to answer for a lack of oversight at the former jail.Closing the facility was a hallmar...

County Jail opens doors to FOX Files as health leaders combat overdoses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The St. Louis County Jail, located in the Buzz Westfall Justice Center, opened its doors as it battles the opioid epidemic.The tour of the county jail comes as St. Louis City leaders announced the City Justice Center recently started tracking non-fatal overdoses inside the city's jail. We're told the County Justice Center began tracking non-fatal overdoses in the county's facility earlier this year.Dr. Kanika Cunningham is the Director of Public Health for St. Louis County, which also provides health services to the justice center."For us, as a medical team, it does not matter why you're here," Cunningham said.Cunningham said Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse a drug overdose, is always on standby, regardless of whether the inmate admits to prior drug use."One of the highest times for someone to have an overdose is actually when they leave the jail, or even once they come in," Cunningham said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch f...

BBB tips to prevent scammers from ruining your holiday season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS – “Around the holidays, we really need to be mindful about what can happen to us as consumers,” Sarah Wetzel, Better Business Bureau St. Louis, said.Wetzel has some things to keep in mind if you’re doing your holiday shopping online.“You want to make sure the seller is legitimate,” she said. “You want to make sure you’re taking the steps and that you’re researching that seller, especially if it’s on social media.”Red flags include accounts without profile pictures and newer profiles potentially created with the intent to scam consumers. If your seller asks you to pay with digital platforms like Zelle, CashApp, or Venmo, Wetzel says beware.“The reason they want you to do this is because it’s not traceable. It’s essentially like giving them a wad of cash, and they can just run away with it,” she said. “The likelihood of you getting that back is not good.”Wetzel recommends using more secure payment methods, like credit cards. Wetzel says scammers are using phony websites and ...