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'This is Revenge of the Nerds'; Austin hosts space exploration conference New Worlds 2023 this weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Astronauts, scientists and explorers are flying to Texas this weekend to discuss the future of life in space. They're attending the New Worlds 2023 conference. The event will host discussions on space travel, award members of the science community and raise funds for Texas schools. "This is Revenge of the Nerds, in a sense, right? I mean, this is, this is those kids who studied science and went into engineering, education tracks and those kinds of things, who are living the dream," said Rick Tumlinson, founder of Earthlight Foundation and the New Worlds conference.The event has been around since 2016. Past award recipients include Jeff Bezos and SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell. This year, Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman will be awarded the Space Cowboy award for his work in bringing civilians to space and raising money for cancer research. "I generally feel very unworthy of any of these types of recognitions. I just know that it takes like an army to pull this off,...

City of San Marcos helps minority businesses with new program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Minority entrepreneurs and small business owners in San Marcos, who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, now can apply for grants with the city. According to a news release, the city said its offering a one-time grant assistance program called the Minority Business Stabilization Fund. It's funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is aimed at offering minority-owned businesses financial help to pay for operating costs, payroll, rent and other eligible expenses. "Applicants must meet eligibility requirements to be considered for funding, including continual operation of the business within the corporate limits of San Marcos for at least 12 months before the grant request. A complete application requires applicants to submit a W-9," the release said. Grant awards range from $1,000 for self-employed entrepreneurs to $10,000 for minority-owned businesses that have up to 25 full-time employees. Business eligibilityAccording to the city, in ord...

High school football: Friday state semifinal predictions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

All semifinals are played at U.S. Bank StadiumClass 5A: St. Thomas Academy (9-2) vs. Alexandria (11-0), 2 p.m.Alexandria has a number of strong wins this season, including Rogers, twice over Brainerd, Elk Rivers and Chaska. Chase Thompson threw for 230 yards and three scores in Alexandria’s win over Rogers in the state tournament quarterfinal round. So Alexandria has the offensive firepower to again test. St. Thomas Academy’s defense. But the Cadets’ defense has proven opportunistic at key points, particularly in the postseason. And anybody who wants to beat St. Thomas Academy must first solve the Cadets’ running game. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 31, Alexandria 28Class 6A: Eden Prairie (11-0) vs. Edina (8-3), 7 p.m.Edina has reeled off seven straight victories and knows what to expect from Eden Prairie after falling to the Eagles in Week 2. The Hornets – who are making their first state semifinal appearance since 1978 – have found a beautiful balance offensively, with Mason West po...

MACSC hosts 17th Annual Thanksgiving Distribution

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Saturday, the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center and local partners are hosting the 17th Annual Thanksgiving Distribution. The goal is to bring warmth and nourishment to over 1100 families in need in the Capital Region. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The event will be held at Old Disiena Furniture at 115 Round Lake Avenue. Community members can get involved by making a donation, volunteering, and spreading the word. Currently, items needed include gravy, stuffing, desserts, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, potatoes (mashed or canned), and canned vegetables (corn, mixed, beans, carrots, and candy yams). Monetary donations are also accepted.Volunteers are needed to help with preparation, packaging, and distribution. For more information about the event or how to donate or volunteer, contact Tammie Alikonis at (518) 664-8322 ext. 1014 or at [email protected]. Partners in the...

Hearing on challenge to Missouri abortion ban

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A crucial court hearing on a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s controversial abortion ban is set to take place on Thursday. The case could have major implications for the future of Missouri’s law, which bans most abortions.The hearing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Carnahan Courthouse downtown. The lawsuit was filed back in January against the state of Missouri on behalf of more than a dozen different religious leaders who support abortion rights and want Missouri’s law overturned. The suit claims that Missouri’s abortion ban violates the state’s commitment to the separation of church and state. It seeks a permanent injunction barring the state from enforcing its abortion law and also a declaration that provisions of the law violate the Missouri constitution.The lawsuit argues that the Missouri lawmakers who passed the current abortion law imposed their own religious beliefs on others who don’t share them. The Brennan Center for Justice says the case is among 38 lawsuit...

Man arrested after two St. Charles County police chases in one day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. -- The driver of a stolen vehicle is under arrest after two police chases in under 24 hours. Jeremyah Rigmaiden faces charges, including tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. His bond is set at $50,000.According to court documents, Rigmaiden was driving a Chevrolet Impala that the Wentzville Police Department reported was stolen at Tuesday around 4 p.m. eastbound on I-70 near Convention. He continued to drive recklessly when officers tried to pull him over, weaving in and out of traffic on St. Louis County streets. Ex-St. Louis postal worker admits to depositing checks from stolen mail The chase lasted for miles and exceeded speeds of 88 mph. Officers eventually lost track of the vehicle after it exited onto Union from I-70 in St. Louis.O'Fallon police identified the stolen vehicle in their jurisdiction at around 11:45 p.m. The driver sped off and led police on another police chase. The Impala eventually crashed in the front yard of a Marylan...

One dead in shooting outside El Paso County courthouse, Colorado Springs police say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

One person was killed Thursday morning in a shooting in front of the El Paso County courthouse.Colorado Springs Police spokesperson Ira Cronin confirmed a person was found dead on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound when police responded to reports of the shooting.Cronin said they did not believe anyone else was shot in the incident that was reported at 10:03 a.m.Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesperson Ashley Franco said fire crews treated two people for minor injuries but she did not say what the injuries were.This is not an active shooter situation, Cronin said, and it appeared to be an isolated incident. Cronin said he did not have any information on any arrest.This is not an active shooter situation. There is no threat to the community. The courthouse will be closed for the remainder of the day. CSPD will provide more updates as appropriate. https://t.co/s8LUq5Tzyl— Colorado Springs Police Department (@CSPDPIO) November 16, 2023The El Paso County Sheriff stated...

Enchanted experience makes for ideal festive treat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

Dragons flying around your head and immersing you with mysterious unicorns and little elves.... . not a scene from a Harry Potter film but this year’s festive treat at ZOO Planckendael.Called 'Dragons & Unicorns', the seasonal spectacular (which runs to January 7) is the third time it's been organized at ZOO Planckendael.Countless magical creatures come to life after sunset via luminous objects scattered throughout the park. A 6metre-high, fire-breathing red dragon is, arguably, the most impressive creature in the “Enchanted Forest” but there are lots of other charming characters, including unicorns, fireflies and elves along with a constellation of stars.No less than 7,000 LED bulbs, 6,000 metres of LED cables and 15,000 metres of silk have been used for the show. There are more than 60 compositions and over 1,000 luminous objects on display.The luminous objects are again the work of the creators of China Light Festival and it all makes for an enchanting experience and a c...

San Bernardino men killed husky with machete, SBSD says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

A San Bernardino man is behind bars and another man is sought after they allegedly tied a husky to a tree and killed it in Muscoy on Tuesday.Leobardo Martinez, 68, and another man are accused of tying up the dog after it "entered Martinez' property and allegedly killed his fowl," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. After tying it up, Martinez and the other man "struck it with a machete and large piece of wood until it died," authorities said.Martinez faces a charge of felony cruelty to animals and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center in lieu of $30,000 bail.He is due to appear in San Bernardino Superior Court Thursday afternoon.Investigators are working to identify the second man.Anyone with information is asked to contact the SBSD Central Station Detective Bureau at 909-387-3545. To remain anonymous, contact WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

Matt Wedel’s Botanical Pots and Paintings at LA Louver

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:52 GMT

Fans of sculptor Matt Wedel’s eccentric ceramics—and especially his hearty, eccentric, mottled, expressively colorful take on succulents and botanicals—might be surprised when visiting his current exhibition at LA Louver, to encounter an exhibition of paintings instead. But what his work in two dimensions releases in hefty object presence, jaunty-edged planarity, and irresistible tactility, it reclaims with a super-charged palette, optical lushness, and a sinuous, cheeky life force. What both of Wedel’s approaches to the evocative potential of exotic flora have in common, is that despite their nearly extraterrestrial strangeness, it’s all palpably based on the inherent flourishes and fancies of nature itself. If the spiked leaves of bulbous succulents reference jaunty cactuses in the desert, Wedel’s recent gouaches are redolent instead of the fecund verdance and blossom-rich landscape of Hawaii.Matt Wedel: Flower Tree (Hawaii), 2023, gouache and pen on paper, 14 x 11 in (Courtesy of...