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Houston might be getting a fifth area code in 2025 as growth strains current numbers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) — The Houston area could soon be getting a fifth area code thanks to continued growth, according to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.The region is currently served by four area codes: 281, 346, 713 and 832, but the North American Number Planning Administrator (NANPA) projects the region will run out of numbers by the third quarter of 2025.The new code would overlay the existing codes, covering all or parts of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller counties.Existing phone numbers would not change if a new area code is added. Residents in the area are already required to dial a 10-digit number for local calls because the region is served by multiple area codes.PUCT is accepting public comments on the proposed new area code through Aug. 5. You can find information on how to file a comment here.

Tips from law enforcement officials on how to avoid becoming a victim of jugging

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Law enforcement officials are reminding people how to avoid becoming the next victim of jugging, a crime that is happening more often, according to the Sunset Valley police chief. Jugging is defined by Austin police as a form of theft that includes robbery. A person will stake out a bank parking lot and wait for people to come out with money. They will then follow that person to their next location and take the money from them or their car. What is ‘jugging’? Austin police see uptick in cases Juan Cabrera, a south Austin man, is one of the most recent victims of jugging. "Even when you feel you are in a safe neighborhood, it can still be dangerous," Cabrera said about the incident. He had gone to a Chase bank in south Austin and withdrew an envelope of cash. He placed that cash in his glove box and drove to a nearby Best Buy to run a quick errand. Cabrera was in the store for less than five minutes, and when he returned to his car, he found his window smashed and...

LGBTQ+ home buyers face costly choice: Protections versus Price

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A recent study by the real estate marketplace Zillow shows that areas with LGBTQ+ protections have higher average home values, but LGBTQ+ people are less likely to be able to afford homes in those areas.Manny Garcia, senior population scientist at Zillow, said that homes in jurisdictions with legal protections are around 46% more expensive than ones without protections. He also notes that around half of U.S. states have LGBTQ+ housing protections. Realtor helps LGBTQ+ Texans leave through ‘Flee Red States’ service However, he notes that the protections do not cause an increase in property values."The places that are enacting these legal protections tend to be more educated, more inclusive, they have a lot more technical and skilled workers. That's the real association with higher costs," Garcia said. "But that same population, people who are more educated and inclusive, are the ones that are also enacting these types of protections."In order to afford higher down ...

Timberwolves sign second-round draft pick Jaylen Clark to two-way deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

The Timberwolves agreed to a two-way deal with second-round draft pick Jaylen Clark, the team announced Friday.The move makes sense for a number of reasons. Clark is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered in March. The injury is what caused the defensive stalwart to slip down to the No. 53 overall pick in June. Minnesota wants Clark to work his way back to action at his pace.The injury could cause Clark to miss at least the first half of the 2023-24 season. A two-way deal limits the number of days Clark can spend with the NBA club versus the G-League affiliate in Iowa, but with Clark’s injury, no NBA time limit figures to be cumbersome.Clark joins Luka Garza on the Timberwolves’ two-way ledger, leaving the franchise one more two-way spot to fill. Currently, that figures to be Matt Ryan, who was on a two-way with Minnesota a year ago. The Timberwolves have enough room below the luxury tax line to sign another player to a veteran’s minimum contract if ...

Wild roommates Sammy Walker and Brock Faber love competing. Cooking, not so much.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

There’s no shortage of competition at Sammy Walker and Brock Faber’s residence. There is a shortage of cooking.Walker said the Wild teammates and roommates are essentially running on Chipotle, eating there “pretty much every day.”“We’re working on becoming pros in the kitchen,” Faber said.While they aren’t cooking as much as they’d like, they have found time to compete on the golf course and the pickleball court, in addition to the time they put in on the ice. If you ask Walker, Faber is the better golfer, but Walker has him in pickleball. Faber initially disputed that claim, believing he was the superior pickleball player.“But I guess he can take that one,” Faber said.As much fun as they’ve had this summer off the ice, the roommates were all business on it for the opening day of Wild development camp Friday at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul. They both possessed a leadership presence of sorts, being two of the m...

Five takeaways from new Loons striker Teemu Pukki’s introduction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

Teemu Pukki was understated during his introductory news conference as Minnesota United’s new center forward on Friday.Instead of a sport coat or even a splash of color, Finland’s all-time leading scorer wore a cream-colored sweater and declined to make an opening statement to the dozens in attendance on the club level of Allianz Field and more supporters watching an online stream.When a reporter tossed a softball question about what he’s looking forward to most in his new life in the U.S. After a 16-season playing career in Europe, Pukki replied, “It’s hard to say …”Then Loons manager Adrian Heath interjected: “Scoring lots of goals.”That would be an interruption in the status quo for MNUFC. The Loons signed Pukki to a high-priced Designated Player contract through June 2025 to be a sea change from the team’s sputtering goal-scoring resume at the striker position.After a strong track record with Norwich City in England’s Premier League and second-tier Championship, Pukki is i...

Take a look inside St. Jude 2023 Dream Home Giveaway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. - An inviting front yard welcomes you to the 2023 edition of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.“This would be a great home for a young family. It’s got four bedrooms, two and a half baths. Two stories, a big basement, a big backyard," said Elizabeth Kozeny, a development specialist at St. Jude. "It would be perfect for a young family or, you know, a growing family."The home, valued at $700,000 will go to one lucky winner next month, and tickets are going fast.“There are less than 700 tickets left. We sell a total of 16,000 tickets, where at the end of this, we’re going to raise $1.6 million to support the life-saving mission of St. Jude," Kozeny said. "But there’s only 700 tickets left, and they go really, really fast, so if you want to purchase a ticket, you should do so as soon as possible before they’re gone." What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? This is the 13th year of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in the St. Louis region, and it wouldn...

Brakes locked up before Pitkin County race car crash that killed James Crown, witness says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

Before James Crown, a member of the family that owns Aspen Skiing Co., crashed his car at a Woody Creek racetrack, the brakes locked up, the car skidded into a curve and smashed into a barricade of tires covering a concrete barrier, a racetrack employee told investigators.James Crown, right, pictured with wife Paula Crown at MoMA’s Party in the Garden 2022 at The Museum of Modern Art in June 2022 in New York City, was killed in a racetrack accident in Woody Creek, Colo. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)Crown, 70, died at the Aspen Motorsports Park on June 25. He was celebrating his birthday with members of his family at the track, according to a report released by the Pitkin County Sheriff’s department this week.The Aspen Times first reported on the release of the record.Crown likely died from blunt force trauma, chief deputy coroner Audra Keith said in a news release the day of the crash. The coroner’s office said Friday that the investigation is ongoing.Crown, a Chicago bil...

Smoking backpack prompts bomb squad response in Burbank

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

The 5 Freeway was brought to a standstill Friday afternoon after authorities found a smoking backpack on a Burbank overpass. The backpack was first reported by a civilian around 1:30 p.m. on the Burbank Boulevard overpass near the northbound 5 Freeway off-ramp.The caller said the unattended backpack was emitting smoke, which led to a response from both the city's police and fire departments.A backpack is seen on the sidewalk of a freeway overpass in Burbank on july 7, 2023. The backpack was reportedly smoking when authorities discovered it. (KTLA)Officers on scene located the backpack and confirmed that it was in fact smoking.The item was immediately determined to be suspicious which led to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Arson and Explosion Detail being called to the scene.As a precaution, the northbound side of the freeway was closed in the area while crews were on the scene. Drivers were being encouraged to use alternate routes or expect major delays. At this time, th...

Proposed California bill could remove roadblocks to becoming a teacher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

A California bill proposes that student teachers get paid for the mandatory hours they need to work to obtain a teaching credential. Currently, California teachers need to complete 600 hours of unpaid student teaching to earn their credentials, according to California's Commission on Teaching Credentials. The requirement has been considered a roadblock for teacher candidates who can’t afford to work for free while still being responsible for paying school and living expenses, such as tuition, books and housing. California bill would increase teacher pay by 50% by 2030 The bill, officially known as Assembly Bill 238, was introduced by Assemblymember Al Maratsuchi, D-Torrance and would approve using one-time state funding to create a grant program for student teachers.School districts that have access to the grants would then pay student teachers the same rate as substitute teachers, according to the bill's text. An analysis estimated that the program would cost the state $300 milli...