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Student test scores, already beleaguered, face new threats from extreme heat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

(The Hill) -- Student learning and test scores are shown to fall when children are faced with extreme heat, a worrying sign as heat waves and rising temperatures become the norm in the U.S.During this past week, millions of students went back to school even as the Pacific Northwest faced an unprecedented heat wave that is suspected of killing three people. The persistent soaring temperatures, especially in areas unfamiliar with them, disproportionately impact children in rural or low-income areas where school districts may not have adequate air conditioning.“My colleagues and I have a couple of studies where we find that hotter temperatures during the school year affect the rate of learning,” said Jisung Park, assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.“When we look at how more days above 85 and more days above 90 in the school year, it affects test scores. We find that it actually reduces the rate of learning,” he added.The predi...

Bartlett fertilizer plant a 'total loss' in fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A fertilizer plant in Williamson County was destroyed in a fire that burned overnight Sunday into early Monday morning. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said a fire at the American Plant Food Corporation started around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The plant is located on Hwy 95 in Bartlett, near County Road 351. Bartlett Municipal Government said on social media it anticipates having to shut down Hwy 95 in the area Monday morning as crews work to put out the fire. Drivers are asked to take alternate routes Monday morning. People within a quarter-mile of the plant were evacuated. Gravell said no one was hurt in the fire. The fire was contained, but crews were letting it burn overnight before starting to drop water on it Monday morning. Grass around the perimeter of the plant also burned. The fire grew to around six acres at one point. It's unclear how it started. Bartlett Independent School district is monitoring the fire and has been in communication with...

Will a tropical low bring rain to Central Texas?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thunderstorm coverage has increased west of Florida as a tropical wave moves through the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas. Potential for a Tropical DepressionAs of Sunday evening the National Hurricane Center have increased the odds that our wave turns into a Tropical Depression to 80%. If a tropical depression were to form, it would likely do so in the western Gulf, just before pushing ashore into Texas. Increasing chances for at least a tropical depressionA Tropical Depression occurs when you have an area of low pressure with thunderstorms and a circular wind flow, but the maximum sustained wind speeds are less than 39 mph. Winds stronger than 39 mph would turn this into a Tropical Storm, which is also a possibility. The National Hurricane Center have hinted they may issue Tropical Storm Watches for South Texas on Monday.Big PictureWe have an increasingly strong area of high pressure setting up in the Midwest, influencing the weather across most of the country.Heat Dom...

Tropical rain possible early week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In case you've lost count, today is expected to be our 45th day in a row of triple digit heat and our 61st for the year... and if we don't get an isolated shower in the right spot tomorrow, the tally continues to climb.Afternoon highs will soar to the low 100s areawide today. A mix of sunshine and scattered clouds will stretch across the area with Excessive Heat Warnings/Heat Advisories and a Red Flag Warning in place this afternoon and evening.Red Flag Warning in effect 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. MondayHeat alerts in effect again Monday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.Clouds will thicken up later tonight with a low (10%) rain chance ahead of our best chances for rain in weeks coming on Tuesday.Read all about Tuesday's rain chances and the tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico in our updated blog linked below.Tropical disturbance in Gulf UPDATED BLOG: WILL A TROPICAL LOW BRING RAIN TO CENTRAL TEXAS? Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with you...

VOTE: 2023 Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition, Anderson vs. McCallum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pour the salsa and season the beef, it's Taco Shack Bowl spirit competition time!The 22nd annual rivalry game featuring Anderson and McCallum kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday from House Park. But before the game on the gridiron, the spirit competition pits the cheer squads from both schools in an old-fashioned cheer-off with early-morning pep rallies at two Taco Shack locations on North Lamar Boulevard and West Anderson Lane.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersYou, the fans, get to decide the winner. If it's anything like last year's nail-biter with McCallum winning by 17 votes, it'll be another epic battle for the record books.KXAN will be at both locations Thursday morning during KXAN News Today to see who has the most spirit. Fans can vote in the poll all week leading up to the live shots, but when the clock strikes 6 a.m. Thursday, voting will be closed ...

5 things to know this Monday, August 21

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The countdown to Friday is back on. Happy Monday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, both high humidity and rain are making a comeback today after a break over the weekend. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Howard Hubbard, former Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, died on Saturday as a result of a stroke. He was 84. Also, police are investigating a stabbing in Guilderland. Two people were treated for injuries, one being a 13-year-old. One suspect is in custody. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Former Bishop Howard Hubbard passes awayFormer Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany Howard Hubbard died on August 19 as a result of a stroke, according to Behan Communications. He was 84 years old.2. Police investigating stabbing in GuilderlandThere was a heavy police presence at 1802 Brandywine Parkway in Guilderland on August 20 ar...

$50K winning Powerball ticket sold in Delmar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

DELMAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One lucky Joe's Kwik Marts customer in Delmar bought a $50,000 winning Powerball ticket. The ticket, purchased at the 146 Delaware Avenue location, won from the August 19 drawing. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The winning numbers for the August 19 drawing were 1, 25, 27, 38, and 62, and the power ball was 13. The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The red Power Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 26. The Powerball drawing is televised every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.The New York Lottery is North America’s largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.7B in the 2022-2023 fiscal year to support education in New York. New Yorkers struggling with a gambling problem can contact the confidential HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or text HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply.

Dangerous heat for St. Louis region through week 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - The dangerous heat is here, and it’s sticking around. We hit 100 on Sunday, and some areas saw heat index values above 115.Expect afternoon highs around 100 and nighttime temps that only fall into the upper 70s and low 80s through Friday. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here The duration of the heat means that conditions become more dangerous each day, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those exposed to the heat for extended periods of time.Please adjust plans for you and your family to stay cool. Also, keep pets inside the AC.

St. Louis Public Schools kicking off first week of school today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Many school districts on the Missouri side of the river start school Monday, including students at St. Louis Public Schools. The St. Louis Public School System serves tens of thousands of students. Kids will start the school year with some exciting new opportunities and resources.Every student will walk into school to find a bag of school supplies waiting for them. A couple of weeks ago, nearly 20,000 backpacks of school supplies were being prepared. Teachers and staff have been going through professional development workshops every day for the entire month of August, and they can't wait to bring the new things they've picked up along the way into the classroom.Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition S in 2022, which will provide $165 million for much-needed repairs and improvements to every building in the district. Massive tire fire at salvage yard in Madison, Illinois This is the first year without Dr. Kelvin Adams, who served as superintendent for 14 years. He&n...

Rockwood School District first day of school today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Many Missouri school districts begin Monday morning, including the largest public district in St. Louis County, Rockwood.Blevins Elementary School is one of nearly 20 elementary schools in the Rockwood district. All is quiet now, but that will certainly change a little later Monday morning when the kids return to the classroom.In addition to getting back into school mode, students and staff will be contending with the extreme heat this week as well. The district here serves more than 22,000 students with nearly 3,500 teachers and staff members.The theme for this school year in Rockwood is focus on the future. As part of that theme, Rockwood officials shared that they will focus on learning, ensuring safety, fostering unity, and advancing facilities. Hedge apples: Can we eat them? There are 118 new teachers this year in Rockwood, as well as 31 new administrators. Four armed safety officers have been hired in Rockwood this year as well.FOX 2 was told that the...