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SNAP changes coming Sept. 1

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

(WHNT) — Several changes are coming to SNAP benefits beginning next month, the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service confirmed. SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be called the Food Stamp Program. Over the next year, small changes to eligibility will take effect as a result of the debt ceiling bill, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed by President Joe Biden in June.The changes only affect one group of SNAP recipients: able-bodied adults without dependents (or ABAWDs, as the agency calls them), ages 50 to 54. ABAWDs between the ages of 18 and 49 already need to prove they are working at least 80 hours a month, pursuing an education or in a training program to qualify for SNAP for more than three months. Extra SNAP benefits expire for millions nationwide Now, starting on Sept. 1, able-bodied childless workers who are 50 years old will also need to meet those work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. Starting on Oct. 1, the age requirement...

RECALL: Power banks sold at Costco may catch fire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Costco is recalling about 350,000 Ubio Labs power banks after multiple reports of the items catching fire — including one report of the item overheating and igniting aboard a plane. If you have the recalled items you should stop using them immediately, as the incident aboard the plane resulted in at least four reports of smoke inhalation and one burn injury.The recall, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, says the Ubio Labs power banks feature the model number PWB1071 and Costco item numbers 1314518 for single packs or 1265470 for two-packs. Pennies found in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, customer says Costco says the single pack power banks were sold at stores across the U.S. and at Costco.com from March 2019 through December 2020 for around $32. Two-packs were sold for around $40 between September 2018 and December 2020, the company says.(Courtesy of Costco via USCPSC)(Courtesy of Costco via USCPSC)(Courtesy of Costco via USCPSC)Since Ubio Labs ...

Storage container fire in San Saba causes intense smoke, no evacuations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 17, 2023SAN SABA, Texas (KXAN) — A storage container with plastic and petroleum materials caught on fire Thursday in San Saba, according to officials. MAP: Wildfires in Central Texas this year San Saba OEM said the "intense" fire broke out across the road from a pecan facility.Image of black smoke seen above the fire (Richland Springs VFD photos)Evacuations were not ordered, but officials said they had people shelter in place since the evacuation route would have brought them closer to the fire.OEM said EMS officials did check out a firefighter, but it is unknown if it was for a heat or smoke injury.According to officials, the fire is out, but it is expected to become a hazmat situation because of plastic petroleum materials.

LIST: Wealthiest ZIP codes in the Austin-area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

AUSTIN (ABJ) — The 2023 list of Austin's wealthiest ZIP codes ranks the median income of households in the five counties that make up the Austin area: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell.The list reveals that wealth is found not only in the expected affluent areas of the city but has spread its green to the rural areas.Data provided by data.census.gov using 2021 estimates. Statistics are based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).Read the full story and list on the Austin Business Journal.

Toxic algae confirmed in several Austin waterways, including Barton Springs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following analysis of water samples across Austin from May to June, the Austin Watershed Protection Department confirmed that toxic algae has been found in the water from several locations, including Barton Springs. Excessively high temperatures and dry weather patterns increase the likelihood of toxic algae mats in creeks and lakes. Though the presence of the algae was confirmed in Barton Springs, toxin levels in the water are not “concerning,” and the pool will stay open, the release said. The city will continue assessing water from Barton Springs to ensure it stays safe.The presence of toxic algae does not mean there are toxins in the water. Still, the city said it is important to exercise caution when using recreating in water. “Never drink water directly from lakes, creeks, or springs, avoid contact with algae and rinse off after contact with the water. Do not allow pets to drink from these waterways and do not allow dogs to lick their fur prior to rinsing ...

Hays CISD updates dismissal order for safety concerns, parents left frustrated

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Starting Thursday, all Hays CISD students who walk to school will now be the last to leave. In a newsletter to parents the district wrote, "these students will remain in the building in the air conditioning until their release. We will ensure their safety until the majority of vehicles are out of the area."It's part of a new district policy Hays CISD said it's been working on over the summer to address "community concerns regarding school safety, resident/neighborhood complaints as well as complaints regarding roadway congestion." What is the new schedule?The district said it worked with city and county officials, law enforcement, Hays CISD transportation and others to develop the plan. The order of dismissal: BusesParent pick-upStudent driversStudent walkersThe district said with this new system, it anticipates elementary students who walk to school will be released between 3:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. "Safety is the driving factor there but then also effici...

Dog suffers heatstroke after being tethered outside, shelter says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A dog is now in the care of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter after a third-party animal agency found it tethered outside and in distress from the heat.April Pfeifer, community programs coordinator at the WCRAS, said the dog, Hugo, was found two days ago by a partner of the agency. The shelter said the dog was diagnosed with heatstroke. Puppies found on side of road saved, shelter seeking more help from fosters She said she could not reveal which group discovered Hugo or what city he was taken from as the situation remains sensitive given the dog's dire condition.Pfeifer said Hugo was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic. She said his internal body temperature was 107 degrees. She said having a temp of just 102 degrees can be deadly for a dog.“They are not equipped to be in this weather any more than we are really. And a dog like Hugo with 107-degree temperature is at great risk of not making it," Pfeifer said.Pfeifer said Hugo ha...

Memo: 125 City of Austin vehicles in need of AC repairs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is working to repair roughly 125 vehicles from its city-run fleet that have air conditioning issues.The city's total vehicle fleet amounts to 7,260 vehicles, as of Aug. 11. Of those 7,260 vehicles, 4,863 of them are classified as "on-road" vehicles, per a Wednesday city memo.City officials confirmed approximately 125 vehicles have open work orders relating to AC issues, with 13 of those vehicles belonging to Austin Resource Recovery. "These work orders encompass a spectrum of tasks, ranging from basic diagnostics to comprehensive system repairs," the city memo read in part.The City of Austin's Fleet Mobility Services Department has "temporarily implemented gate checks" to test the vehicle's AC operations before a driver leaves the city's fleet yard. Drivers are also encouraged to both "promptly report and schedule their vehicles for repairs at designated facilities."When extensive repairs are needed, Fleet Mobility Services officials said the depa...

Where do the rich live in Austin? Our list and map show the way to wealth

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

AUSTIN (ABJ) — If you want to find the metro's wealthiest ZIP codes, you’ll need to travel west of MoPac Expressway.The top five on Austin Business Journal's latest list of ZIPs ranked by median household income form a loose band stretching from the hilly bends of Lake Austin down to Driftwood. That household income ranged from $187,778 in the No. 1, the 78733 ZIP that includes the Barton Creek neighborhood, to $153,438 in 78619, on the southwest fringe of the capital city in Hays County.That's no surprise — Austin's wealth has long been concentrated on its west side. But ABJ's list, which uses U.S. Census Bureau data, shows how that level of wealth is changing: in 2020, median household income in 78733 was $171,027 and in 78619 it was $136,779.Read the full story and list on the Austin Business Journal.

Life has been tough on Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in practice. That’s all by design.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:49 GMT

Kirk Cousins remembers a specific play from the other day in practice. There was a breakdown up front, and with pressure in his face, Cousins decided to throw a checkdown to Alexander Mattison out of the backfield. He instantly walked over to quarterbacks coach Chris O’Hara to see if he made the right decision.Should he have finished his read down the field and essentially used the non-contact jersey to his advantage as a way to extend the play? Or should he have done exactly what he did in that situation and just play like he wasn’t wearing a non-contact jersey at all?“That’s kind of the debate we have on these plays,” Cousins said. “We made the point that we want to treat these practices as close to the real thing as we can.”In other words, Cousins has been conditioned to carry himself like he can be hit, which can make life tougher on him in practice.Never mind the joint practices that the Vikings hosted with the Tennessee Titans this wee...