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LIST: Holiday light events in Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holiday season is near, and several Central Texas cities have scheduled their annual tree lightings starting this month. Here's a list of tree-lighting events in the area:Nov. 24: Georgetown Square LightingThe annual lighting of the Georgetown Historic Square will start at 5:30 p.m. The free event will also have carolers.Nov. 25: Hutto Downtown Tree LightingThe annual tree lighting will start around 8 p.m. in Downtown Hutto. Activities include crafts for kids, writing letters to Santa, photos with Santa and more. Nov. 25: Hill Country Galleria tree lightingThe shopping center will hold its annual tree lighting starting at 6 p.m. with music performances before and after the ceremony. There will also be ice-skating, refreshments and holiday market shopping.Nov. 26: Zilker Holiday Tree LightingThe ceremony will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at 2100 Barton Springs Road on the south side of the park. This will be the 57th annual lighting ceremony. Dec. 1: Buda tree lighting...

Report: Texas one of the worst states in the country for lung cancer screenings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report released by the American Lung Association Tuesday revealed Texas is ranked 49th in the country for its lung cancer screening rates.The findings came via ALA's sixth edition of its "State of Lung Cancer," an annual analysis on the rates of lung cancer screenings, survival level and early diagnoses as well as treatment availability. Within the report, ALA determined the following rankings for Texas:10th out of 48 in the country for rate of new survival cases: 46.76 per 100,000The national rate is 54.6 per 100,00025th out of 42 in the country for survival rate five years after a lung cancer diagnosis: 24.8%The national survival rate of people five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%44th out of 37 in the country for early diagnosis: 23.4%Nationwide, 26.6% of cases are diagnosed within the early stages, which is when survival rates are substantially higher49th out of 51 in the country for lung cancer screenings in high-risk patients: 1.2%The report f...

Wild land in Sweden seeking answers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Wild center Ryan Hartman was so angry after an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday that he declined to speak to a reporter for fear of saying something he might regret. After a night’s rest and long practice, he had composed his thoughts.“We’re a little discombobulated,” he said Monday.It’s an apt descriptor for what fans have seen during a 5-8-2 start that has the Wild buried in the NHL’s Central division standings, nine points behind first-place Dallas and two points ahead of last-place Chicago and Nashville, after making the playoffs in three straight full seasons.The Wild insist it’s an anomaly, that they’re just not clicking, and if that’s the case, long-term injuries to key players such as Jared Spurgeon and Matt Boldy didn’t help. But as the Wild landed in Sweden on Tuesday for a pair of NHL Global Series games, one has to wonder if 2023-24 is the Season of Discombobulation.At the season’s onset, the Sweden trip promised a week of team bonding and exciting new experi...

Men die nearly 6 years before women, as US life expectancy gap widens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

The life expectancy of American women is now 5.8 years longer than that of men, a trend that researchers say is driven by the COVID pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic.U.S. men dying nearly 6 years before women is now the largest life expectancy gap between sexes since 1996, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and UC San Francisco.The life expectancy gender gap of 5.8 years in 2021 was a jump from 4.8 years in 2010, when the gap was at its smallest in recent history.The pandemic, which took a disproportionate toll on men, was the biggest contributor to the widening gap from 2019 to 2021 — followed by unintentional injuries and poisonings (mostly drug overdoses), accidents, and suicide.“There’s been a lot of research into the decline in life expectancy in recent years, but no one has systematically analyzed why the gap between men and women has been widening since 2010,” said first author Brandon Yan, a UCSF internal medicine resident phys...

LEGO Fan Expo coming to Empire State Plaza in April

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- BrickUniverse, a LEGO Fan Expo, is returning to Albany for 2024. The convention is set for April 27 and 28, 2024, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! BrickUniverse includes LEGO exhibits and creations, professional LEGO artists, building zones, LEGO sets, and more. A part of the proceeds from this event will go to charities in the Albany area."BrickUniverse Albany 2024 is more than just an event; it's a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the limitless possibilities of LEGO bricks," said event organizer York Beights. "We're thrilled to bring this unique experience back to Albany, offering LEGO enthusiasts of all ages the chance to immerse themselves in a world of imagination and craftsmanship." Quick Response holiday lights display opening for 23rd year The expo is open both days for VIP admission at 9 a.m. and for two hour periods throughout the day for...

Hot Chocolate Stroll set to return to Downtown Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hot chocolate lovers rejoice! The annual Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll is returning for its fourth year on Saturday, December 2. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets as the event has sold out in recent years. Ticket purchases include a passport allowing you to try gourmet beverages at the participating locations and a commemorative Downtown Albany x Upstate of Mind mug designed by CompasLife.The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be free on-street parking in Downtown Albany. Parking is also available at ParkAlbany garages for $5. Holiday shows return to Lake George Holiday Inn Last year, Banh Mi 47 won the award for People's Choice: Best Hot Chocolate. Participating locations this year include:Alias CoffeeB. Lodge & Co.Banh Mi 47Broadway Plaza LiquorDawn's Victory Sports CafeHilton AlbanyLoch & QuayMcGeary's Irish P...

Missouri's first Buc-ee's location to open in December

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Travel center and gas station Buc-ee's announced they will be open on December 11.According to a press release, doors will open to the public at 6:00 a.m. and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. It is located at 3284 N. Mulroy Road. Several local and state leaders will attend the celebration, including Mayor Ken McClure."Buc-ee’s Springfield will occupy 53,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling positions just outside its store with thousands of snack, meal and drink options for travelers on the go. Buc-ee’s favorites including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries will all be available as well," said Buc-ee's Media Contact Rachel Austin in the press release.This Buc-ee's will be the first in Missouri.“Springfield is rich with history that attracts travelers from all across the country and we are honored to be opening our first store in the birthplace of Route 66!” said Stan Beard...

Goodbye, snowy winters? New climate report offers dry projections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While a strong El Niño will likely bring more snow and precipitation to part of the U.S. this winter, a new federal climate report suggests dependably snowy winters may be in jeopardy. The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released Tuesday, shows the planet will likely heat up by an average of between 4.5 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial times — outpacing goals of both the U.S. and international community, The Hill reports. The average U.S. temperature is likely to rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees, with northern and western parts of the country likely to experience the warming at disproportionate levels, according to the report. It isn’t just the temperature that has a dire outlook. Projections show precipitation is on track to take a hit, too.  ‘Strong’ El Niño winter coming: Which areas could see more snow? We’ve already seen some of climate change’s impacts on it. The report points to Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that hit...

Return of the Outlaws: Denver getting professional field lacrosse team back in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

One of Colorado’s winningest pro sports franchises is bursting back through the saloon doors.The Denver Outlaws are returning to Colorado in 2024, the Premier Lacrosse League announced Tuesday, reviving a franchise that won three Major League Lacrosse championships and appeared in 10 title games overall from 2006 until the team’s folding in 2020.The PLL’s tour-based model will still be intact for next year, meaning the Outlaws will host a doubleheader in Colorado on one weekend of the 10-week regular season.PLL president Paul Rabil said that with the league’s decision to assign teams to specific cities, “there was only one choice for a team in Colorado and it was bringing back the Denver Outlaws.”“I think about Denver, and the great state of Colorado, as a premier hotbed for lacrosse,” Rabil said. “We saw Denver as a chance to capture the Rocky Mountain region for lacrosse in the way the Patriots capture Boston and the greater Ne...

Broncos LB Alex Singleton on Denver defense’s turnover binge: “You have to be willing to sacrifice your body”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:00 GMT

Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton was hungry for the ball.In Denver’s 24-22 win over the Bills on Monday night, there was 1:19 left in the third quarter when Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen botched a handoff to running back James Cook, causing the ball to jar loose. Singleton pushed off wide receiver Stefon Diggs as he dived for the recovery, marking the Broncos’ fourth takeaway of the game.“You have to be willing to sacrifice your body, and I can guarantee I’m willing to throw my body in any pile before (Diggs) ever does,” Singleton said.Denver’s ability to force turnovers has been essential to its defensive turnaround. The Broncos have forced 15 turnovers since Week 4 and nine in the last two games.This is the first time since 1998 that Denver has forced at least nine turnovers in a two-game span. Denver is tied for sixth in the league in takeaways with 16.“We continue to put more emphasis on turnovers,” Singleton said. “I think that was our Achilles heel last season. It’s starting...