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$1.6B Austin Convention Center expansion to start in 2025

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The $1.6 billion project to redevelop and expand the Austin Convention Center is moving ahead this week. The project is expected to begin in 2025 with the center's closure, demolition and construction. The new convention center is expected to open in 2029, according to the city. On Monday, the city will start the process to find a design and engineering firm to provide the design, architecture and engineering services for the project. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Despite pandemic, consultants project Austin will profit from convention center expansion The goal is to double the size of the center to make it more competitive, a city release said. It is currently 376,000 square feet of rentable space.  “With an inadequate convention center, we lose out to competitors and, consequently, miss out on millions of dollars for our Austin community," Mayor Kirk Watson said in a release. "With a bigger convention center, the economic impact to our city is estimated to jump to over $75...

Biden, McCarthy to meet Monday for debt limit talks after ‘productive’ call

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

By ZEKE MILLER, JOSH BOAK and STEPHEN GROVES (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Sunday that he and President Joe Biden will meet on Monday in person to discuss raising the nation’s debt limit. McCarthy, R-Calif., and Biden spoke by phone as the president was flying back from a trip to Japan. McCarthy said the call was “productive.” Talks to keep the federal government funded have been off-again, on-again for several days, and McCarthy indicated negotiations would resume later Sunday.Both sides have said progress was being made but that they remain far apart. The Treasury Department has said an agreement should be reached before funding runs dries early next month.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that Republicans in the U.S. House must move off their “extreme positions” on the now-stalled talks over raising America&...

Most popular dog breeds in Illinois and Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - While the cardinal might be recognized as St. Louis' most popular animal, new studies have shown that Illinois and the 'Show Me State' as a whole are also known for their sough-after canines. According to Reader's Digest, German shepherds and Labradors are atop of the American Kennel Club's list of the most popular dogs in the state of Illinois. Doberman pinschers and Siberian huskies were listed for their growing popularity on the AKC's Chicago list also. More police, extra efforts to keep Downtown St. Louis safe on busy Saturday In addition to German shepherds, Frenchies, and labs, gaining notoriety in Missouri, are Australian cattle dogs as well as Cavalier King Charles spaniels.To see how much it costs to own one of the dogs, click here. For a full list of the most popular dogs state by state, click here.

Denver weather: Smoky and hazy conditions still affecting air quality Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

Fires in Canada will keep contributing to poor air quality Sunday in the Denver area, according to the National Weather Service.Smoky and hazy conditions are expected to continue in Denver, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms near the mountains and the Palmer Divide, forecasters predict.The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert through at least 4 p.m. on Sunday for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metro area and requested that people limit driving gas or diesel vehicles.“Although the air quality continues to gradually improve across the Front Range region, health impacts are expected to linger through Sunday afternoon due to the extended exposure to heavy smoke,” the advisory stated. “Additionally, wildfire smoke could potentially increase again late Sunday and into Monday.”“Additional air pollution in this region may directly worsen air quality or contribute to precursors which may also adversely affect air quality,” it c...

Severe weather threat halts 'Cruel World' music festival at Rose Bowl; acts rescheduled for Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

Tens of thousands of concertgoers were evacuated from Brookside at the Rose Bowl Saturday night due to an unexpected thunderstorm in the area.Organizers of the "Cruel World Fest," featuring an impressive lineup of 80s punk and new wave acts, were forced to halt the show during Iggy Pop's performance when lightning was spotted near the venue."Due to severe weather, please exit the event site and move to your vehicles or protected areas outside of the event site for safety,” officials Tweeted at 9:47 p.m. “The festival has been postponed until further notice. Please evacuate the festival site immediately. Use the nearest emergency exits.”Thousands were evacuated during The Cruel World Music Festival at the Rose Bowl due to a severe thunderstorm warning on May 20, 2023. (@AlbertPBJ)"We are tracking a strong thunderstorm moving southwest from near Mt. Wilson to between Pasadena and Monrovia," the National Weather Service said. "This storm may produce strong gusty winds, heavy downpours,...

This SoCal airport just ranked the 'angriest'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

Traveling can be a headache, but some airports seem to be frustrating travelers more than others. In particular, the airport next to the 'happiest place on Earth.'A recent Forbes ranking found that John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California was the "angriest." Forbes experts analyzed Twitter posts from travelers flying through major airports around the U.S. Based on Twitter activity, John Wayne Airport angers its travelers more than any other U.S. airport.The analysis found that nearly two-thirds of the tweets aimed at John Wayne Airport could be characterized as “angry.” Complaints ranged from the airport being too noisy, issues with TSA staff, and flight delays. Coming in second and third place are Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Florida and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska. San Diego International Airport ranked seventh angriest, and Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport ranked tenth angriest.The best airports, according to travelers? Indianap...

TikToker finds loophole, joins 2023 NBA draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

He's never taken the court for a college basketball team, but Jordan Haber has been invited to the biggest stage in basketball. The TikToker is going viral, after revealing he's found a loophole to get an invite to the 2023 NBA draft."I'm headed to Cardozo Law located in New York in the fall, so I decided to read the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement for fun. I thought it would be good reading material and a way to learn more about sports and entertainment law," Haber said.Those loopholes that allowed him to apply? Be part of this years graduating class, give 60 days notice with letter of intent, and fill out the proper official paperwork. Haber says this all started as a joke with his friends, and he made a bet he could figure out a way to get himself into the NBA draft. Now that he's been invited to the draft, Haber says, "My friends won't be satisfied until I get a picture with commissioner Adam Silver on draft night." Jordan Haber showing off his 2023 NBA d...

CCS track and field finals: St. Ignatius freshman Ellie McCuskey-Hay wins four events

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

GILROY — St. Ignatius freshman Ellie McCuskey-Hay was the top individual performer, winning the 100, 200 and long jump and anchoring the 4×100 relay team to another first-place finish at the Central Coast Section track and field championships Saturday at Gilroy High.“It’s truly unbelievable, to be honest with you,” St. Ignatius jumps coach Mike Kennedy said. “The speed Ellie has, and there’s certainly no shortage of work ethic. It looks natural but she works really hard to achieve it.”McCuskey-Hay’s winning marks were 11.92 in the 100, 24.76 in the 200 and 18-9 ½ in the long jump.Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius beats Hannah Rutherford of Mountain View in the 200-meter race at the Central Coast Section track and field championships, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Gilroy, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) Hannah Rutherford of Mountain View congratulates Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius after the freshman won the 200-met...

Ben Oreskes on exchange with Sen. Feinstein

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

Los Angeles Times politics reporter Ben Oreskes joined Inside California Politics co-host Frank Buckley to discuss his exchange with Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-California, within the U.S. Capitol. 

McCarthy says debt limit call with Biden was ‘productive,’ talks will resume Sunday; leaders to meet in person Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — McCarthy says debt limit call with Biden was ‘productive,’ talks will resume Sunday; leaders to meet in person Monday.Source