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Van carrying over 2K vapes burns on Connecticut highway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A van carrying over 2,000 vape pens went up in smoke this week in Southington, Connecticut.The car fire, which was initially reported on I-691 Eastbound between Exits 5 and 3 on Tuesday, caused hours of traffic delays. (Southington Fire Department) VIDEO: Car catches fire on Interstate 691 East in Southington Southington-based Environmental Services, Inc., who assisted the Southington Fire Department with the clean-up, said more than 2,000 vapes were determined to be in the van at the time of the fire. They all burned and were destroyed in the blaze.No injuries were reported in the incident. The fire department said all of the waste is being removed and will be disposed of properly.Over 2,000 vaping devices were burned or damaged in the fire. (Southington Fire Department)E-cigarettes, or vapes, can catch on fire or explode, according to the FDA. While these incidents are uncommon, vape fires and explosions are dangerous to the person using the vaping pr...

Florida family convicted of selling fake COVID-19 cure made with industrial bleach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Four members of a Florida family were convicted Wednesday of selling a toxic industrial bleach as a fake COVID-19 cure through their online church.A federal jury in Miami found Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons, 37-year-old Jonathan, 35-year-old Joseph and 29-year-old Jordan, guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States and deliver misbranded drugs, according to court records. That charge carries up to five years in prison. Their sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6.The Grenons represented themselves but declined to speak during the two-day trial, the Miami Herald reported. After the jury delivered its verdict, Joseph Grenon said they would be appealing.Prosecutors called the Grenons “con men” and “snake-oil salesmen” and said the Bradenton family's Genesis II Church of Health and Healing sold $1 million worth of their so-called Miracle Mineral Solution. In videos, it was pitched as a cure for 95% of known diseases, including COVID-19, Alzheimer’...

Texas barbecue restaurant changes controversial tipping policy for employees after online backlash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – A popular restaurant in Buda, Texas, is facing backlash over a former policy concerning employee tips.News of the controversial tipping policy at Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ broke earlier this week, after a screenshot of the restaurant's alleged rules went viral on Twitter.The screenshot appeared to indicate that tips would be withheld from employees who broke certain rules — in some cases for an entire week or pay period.The owners, however, told Nexstar's KXAN that the policy has since changed. What was the policy?A woman claiming to be a former employee told KXAN tips were taken at the management's discretion. When they were taken, they'd be taken for the entire week of the employee's offending incident, she said.According to the viral tweet circulating on social media, employees could have their tips taken away for a number of reasons, including: showing up later than 5–10 minutes before a shift, especially without calling to let the management know; not showing...

Texas State Parks system is a finalist for best in the nation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas State Parks system is being recognized as one of the best in the nation, being named one of four finalists for the 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. With millions of visitors annually, Texas' 87 state parks offer everything from canyons, lakes, mountains and swamps. This year is even more special, as the agency celebrates 100 years since its creation in 1923. What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, to learn how the parks earned the recognition. Below is a transcript of their conversation (edits have been made for clarity).Kristen Currie, KXAN News: To talk to me about that recognition is Director of Texas State Parks Rodney Franklin. Rodney, this is cool! Talk to me about this award that Texas State Parks is now a finalist for.Rodney Franklin, Texas State Parks: I couldn't be more thrille...

Dripping Springs enters Stage 5 emergency watering restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Dripping Springs has entered an emergency level of water conservation. The city posted an announcement from Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp., or DSWSC, on Facebook Thursday that said Stage 5 watering restrictions were in place effective immediately. Stage 5 is limited to emergency water use only. During this level of watering restriction, all non-essential water use and any outdoor irrigation is prohibited, according to DSWSC's website. Stages 1-4 also remain in place. DSWSC said on its website that neighboring utilities have experienced high consumption use and left critical storage tanks low.  Dripping Springs is asking residents to reduce their water consumption and only use water for essential purposes.The city also said that adherence to these guidelines will play a huge roll in replenishing storage tanks. The rules of Stage 5 watering restrictions are below. Under threat of penalty for violation, all retail customers are re...

Travis County leaders talk about wildfire dangers, preparations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County emergency responders met Friday morning to talk to the public about wildland fire dangers and how residents can prepare. The Travis County Emergency Services Districts held a press conference to talk about fire dangers and preparations. Travis County fire chiefs provided insights, statistics and firsthand experiences to emphasize the importance of preparedness and vigilance in safeguarding communities against the impact of wildland fires, according to a release. Aircraft playing critical role during wildfire season The conference aimed to raise awareness about the risks posed by wildland fires and provide valuable insights into how individuals, communities and organizations can effectively prepare and prevent these devastating incidents, the release said. Just this week, there have been two wildfires in Central Texas that have burned hundreds of acres. A fire started Wednesday afternoon in Williamson County between Georgetown and Jarrell. As of Thur...

Dane Mizutani: If you dislike Vikings’ Kirk Cousins, you won’t after watching ‘Quarterback’ on Netflix

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

There’s a illuminating stretch in the penultimate episode of the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback” during which Kirk Cousins fully establishes himself as a fan favorite.After a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the playoffs, Cousins, who might be the Vikings’ most polarizing player, is shown sitting alone at his locker. He stares straight ahead as he tries to come to grips with what he later calls the toughest loss of his career.The next scene features Cousins in his Ford Expedition with his wife Julie. He goes out of his way to sign autographs for a couple of fans on his way out of the parking lot, then uses the 30-minute car ride to vent some of his frustrations from a game the Vikings should have won.As soon as Cousins walks through the door of the family home, the disappointment takes a backseat, and he immediately shifts into Dad Mode. He helps get his oldest son Cooper ready for bed, then reads a book to his youngest son Turner before turning out ...

Trump’s classified documents trial set for May despite pleas to wait until after election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Florida has scheduled a trial date for next May for former President Donald Trump in a case charging him with illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents.The May 20, 2024, trial date, set Friday by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for this December and a bid by defense lawyers to schedule it after the 2024 presidential election.If the date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records.It also means the trial will not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear — though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention.In pushing back the trial from the Dec. 11 start date that the Justice Department had asked for, Cannon wrote that “the Government’s proposed schedule is atypically ac...

Man charged in multiple thefts, police pursuits around St. Louis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A man accused of stealing big-ticket items multiple times causing several high-speed police pursuits this year in St. Louis County is behind bars. Police arrested James Roger Paul Collier earlier this month in connection with several crimes. St. Louis County prosecutors have charged Collier with two counts of stealing ($750 or more) and three counts of resisting arrest by fleeing (creating substantial risk of injury). Protests over Francis Howell plan to allow anti-racism resolution to expire Authorities began investigating thefts tied to Collier in March, though police reports indicate he had been stealing expensive items as early as February. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Collier stole items from the Lowe's store in Chesterfield on Feb. 21 and 23. Collier was identified weeks later through surveillance footage. In the first reported instance, he placed an EGO Power Station in his cart (valued around $1,000), and scanned a separate item ...

Behind the Camera: Stephanie Rothman's life as a journalist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Stephanie Rothman got her start in journalism when she was a student at University of Texas at Austin to get her bachelor's degree. Her education continued to Northwestern University, where she got a master's degree in journalism. "I originally was going to go to school for English, but then realized no, I'm not going to teach English, and I'm not writing a novel or doing print journalism. But I really love video formats," she said. "It's a faster pace, and you also get to be with so many people. Writing to me was too solitary. I know I am too much of an extrovert to be solitary every single day."Rothman says she learns something new every day. She interacts with many different kinds of people. Reporters can have odd work schedules. Many newscasts will have them working early in the morning, late at night, or weekends."I used to work Monday through Friday, weeknights, but now I work on the weekends as well, and I anchor on Monday and Tuesday, so I do have a weird sched...