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Hawaii economists say Lahaina locals could be priced out of rebuilt town without zoning changes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Residents who survived the wildfire that leveled the Hawaii town of Lahaina might not be able to afford to live there after it is rebuilt unless officials alter the zoning laws and make other changes, economists warned Friday.“The risk is very real,″ Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, told a virtual news conference ahead of the group’s release Friday of its quarterly state economic forecast.Soaring housing prices have already forced some Native Hawaiians to leave the islands and move to the U.S. mainland. The wildfire that claimed at least 97 lives and destroyed 2,200 buildings in the West Maui community of Lahaina — 86% of which were residential — amplifies that problem for the survivors. Nearly 8,000 of them have been placed at 40 hotels or other accommodations around the island of Maui.“Market prices for this new housing are likely to far exceed the already high prices that existed in Lahaina before the fire...

Minneapolis plans to transfer city property to Native American tribe for treatment center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis officials intend to transfer two city-owned properties to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, which plans to build an addiction treatment center at the site.Mayor Jacob Frey announced the plan Thursday to sell the two parcels to the Red Lake Band for $1 each, noting the Native American community is disproportionately affected by addiction.“We’re partnering directly with a community that has been disproportionately harmed,” Frey said. “This is not about providing some land, doing a deal and then walking away from a very serious problem.”KARE-TV reports the proposal will be presented to the City Council next week, and the council is expected to take action on Oct. 5.The action comes after the Minnesota Legislature voted earlier this year to transfer a state park to a Dakota tribe. The move to transfer ownership of the park in western Minnesota to the Upper Sioux Community was made in part to make amends for fighting between settlers and a faction of Dakota pe...

Tropical Storm Ophelia forecast to make landfall in North Carolina

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed off the mid-Atlantic coast and is expected to bring heavy rain, storm surges and windy conditions over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.Ophelia had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), according to a 2 p.m. ET advisory from the Miami-based center. The storm was centered 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. It was forecast to make landfall Saturday morning. Storm to bring rain, wind, possible flooding Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency Friday and the intensifying weather system forced schools to close early and caused weekend events to be canceled.Rain was already moving inland across North Carolina by midday Friday with some areas expected to get up to 7 inches (17.7 centimeters) across eastern parts of the state and into southeast Virginia, forecasters said. Storm surge warning was in effect for some areas, with surges between 3 and 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) forecast...

Rain chances improving late in the weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is the last day of astronomical summer. The Autumnal Equinox will be at 1:49 a.m. Saturday. Regardless of the switch in seasons the high temperatures both days will be the same with maximums reaching the upper half of the 90s. But, don't be surprised with a few highs reaching triple digits. BLOG: October forecast Very low (10%) rain chances are in the Friday and Saturday outlooks. Today's rain, if it does develop, will be in our far eastern counties. Tomorrow's rain looks to be late in the day across parts of the western Hill Country.A better chance of showers and thunderstorms comes Sunday, but especially Sunday night to Monday night. A cold front will be moving towards the area that will help this much-needed rain.Showers/storms chances improving Sunday night to MondaySome thunderstorms late Sunday and Monday could be severe enough for the Storm Prediction Center to forecast a Marginal Risk for some of the area.Severe storms risk Sunday night to Monday mor...

Cruise driverless cars cause traffic jam in West Campus neighborhood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On a busy Saturday night near the University of Texas at Austin campus, a UT student caught a unique traffic jam on camera — at least 20 Cruise driverless cars at San Gabriel and 23rd streets."It was Saturday night on a home game. So there were a lot of people trying to leave West Campus. There's a bunch of drunk college students out, you know," said Nico Prada. Cruise driverless cars turning heads in Austin Prada is a civil engineering student, specializing in transportation. He isn't against driverless cars but is not comfortable with them in such a busy area of Austin."From a pedestrian in West Campus, they're not great to interact with. But I mean, I'm sure at some point, the technology will get there," said Prada.Cruise driverless car traffic jam in West Campus neighborhood (Courtesy: Nico Prada)Cruise driverless car traffic jam in West Campus neighborhood (Courtesy: Nico Prada)Nico posted the videos and photos he took on social media. One of many recent posts...

State of Texas preview: How GOP infighting might affect upcoming special session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — People are used to tuning in every Sunday morning to hear in-depth analysis on that week’s biggest political news during the “State of Texas” program, and now they have a chance to find out ahead of time what that award-winning coverage will include.KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree will lead a conversation Friday afternoon with a member of the KXAN politics team to preview the stories that will serve as the focus of that week’s show. The upcoming live stream, which will begin at 4 p.m., will include "State of Texas" host Josh Hinkle. Ken Paxton blasts fellow Republicans and floats Cornyn challenge in post-impeachment interview They'll discuss how infighting between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan following the Ken Paxton impeachment trial might affect the outcome of a special legislative session next month focused on education issues. Tune in Fridays at 4 p.m. to catch a live-streamed preview of what’s in store for that week’s “State of Texas.”

Brodie Oaks redevelopment plan approved by Austin City Council

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A redevelopment plan for an empty shopping center near South Lamar and the 360 Loop was approved on its final reading at the Austin City Council meeting Thursday night. PAST COVERAGE: South Lamar could get small skyline where the old Toys-R-Us used to be A planning commission signed off on the Brodie Oaks proposed planned unit development, or PUD, late last year, and was sent to city council for approval. Council members added amendments over the course of three readings they heard prior to signing off on the project during its final reading Thursday. Roughly four decades after the shopping center was built, it's now in the early stages of becoming a small skyline in south Austin. MORE: Austin City Council: ‘Safe Place’ program, south Austin development move forward The development will be located in the shopping center near the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and South Capital of Texas Highway, or the 360 Loop. It'll be on the opposite side of Lamar fro...

Volunteers needed; how Kyle residents can help crime victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Kyle Police Department Victims Services Unit is looking for volunteers to help support crime victims. The police department, along with the San Marcos Police Department Victims Services Unit and Hays County Sheriff's Office Victims Services Unit, is accepting applications for volunteer training classes that will take place in October. Victims services volunteer to respond to crime scenes, when requested, and provide crisis intervention, support, assistance and resources to victims affected by the incident, according to Kyle PD. The volunteer training classes will be held on the following dates and times: Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m.  Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6-9 p.m.  Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 6-9 p.m.  Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6-9 p.m.  Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. After completing the training, volunteers are required to commit to one 12-hour shift a month. Volunteers will only need to be available to ...

Chargers at Vikings picks: Between two 0-2 teams, there’s a clear favorite. And purple is the color of choice.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

Pioneer Press writers who cover the Vikings forecast Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium:DANE MIZUTANIVikings 38, Chargers 35: You know that viral Spider-Man meme? That’s the 0-2 Vikings and the 0-2 Chargers this weekend. Historically, they might as well be the same team, as both seem to underachieve in big moments. In the end, though, the Vikings get off the schneid this weekend while essentially looking into the mirror.JOHN SHIPLEYVikings 24, Chargers 21: If Vikings avoid the excessive turnovers, they’re maybe 2-0, with a victory against Philadelphia. The crystal ball says they hold it to one turnover and beat the Chargers for their first victory.CHARLEY WALTERSVikings 23, Chargers 17: The Vikings, temporarily, avoid a catastrophic start before nearly 67,000 relieved hometown rooters while Brandon Staley, a former University of St. Thomas assistant who is now head coach of the Chargers, is left squirming for his job.Related ArticlesM...

A Stillwater native won the U.S. duck stamp contest. His process is an art itself.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:52 GMT

As soon as Stillwater native Chuck Black saw the single pintail duck land in a small pothole in the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southern Montana, he knew he had hit the jackpot.Black, a wildlife artist, and his wife, Erica, had been tracking the drake over the course of two days during the spring of 2020. The pintail was one of the five eligible waterfowl species for the 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, and Black saw the encounter as his best chance to videotape and photograph the duck as reference for a painting.On their last day in the refuge, the couple rose before sunrise and quietly trekked out to the site. “We lay prone on the shore, wrapped in a camouflage blanket, with our camera gear,” he said. “Sure enough, right on schedule, he dropped in and landed just 10 yards out from us. We got to observe him and video and photograph him as he waited for a hen, which was nesting nearby, to arrive. We were lucky. I knew right away, as soon as we left the pond that d...