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WATCH LIVE: Powell addresses latest Federal Reserve interest rate decision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to address the media on today's interest rate decision at 2:30 p.m. ET. Those remarks will be livestreamed within this story.WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in nearly two years, the Federal Reserve is set Wednesday to keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged for a second straight policy meeting — the clearest sign to date that the Fed is edging closer to the end of its rate-hiking campaign.The Fed is standing pat, for now, in part because the economy has been moving mostly in the direction that Chair Jerome Powell has hoped for: Inflation has tumbled, even though hiring, consumer spending and economic growth have remained robust. A widely predicted recession hasn't materialized.But the deceleration of inflation has slowed, and solid economic growth could keep inflation elevated or even send it higher. As a result, Powell and other Fed officials aren't yet willing to take a final rate hike off the table. At a new confere...

Infant mortality rate rises for first time in 20 years: CDC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

(The Hill) — The infant mortality rate in the U.S. rose for the first time in 20 years last year, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with significant increases observed in two of the top causes of death.Between 2021 and 2022, infant deaths in the U.S. rose by 3% or 5.60 fatalities per 1,000 live births. The mortality rate for newborns also increased by 3% while the mortality rate for non-newborn infants rose by 4%. The CDC noted this goes against a nearly 20-year trend."The infant mortality rate for the United States rose 3% from 2021 to 2022, the first year-to-year increase in the rate since 2001 to 2002," the agency's report stated. "From 2002 to 2021, the infant mortality rate declined 22%."The mortality rate among infants born to American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic and White non-Hispanic mothers rose significantly more than the overall change, the CDC noted in its report. The changes in mortality rates observed among i...

Ups, downs and debuts are part of the start of the Blackhawks' season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

CHICAGO — With a difficult schedule to begin the season, including two match-ups with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights, there figured to be some rough patches for the Blackhawks. That has been the case as the team has gone 3-6 through the first nine games of the season. There have been some forgettable games, like the 8-1 loss to the Coyotes on the road Monday night, but there was the win in Vegas that's a highlight for the young group. Meanwhile, fans have gotten the chance to see the highly-touted Connor Bedard for the first time as the No. 1 overall pick has already had a few memorable moments on the ice. Kevin Korchinsky, the team's first selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, is also making his debut, and it looks like he'll be around for the rest of the 2023-2024 season.But it's not just those players who've gotten the chance to develop as a number of other younger players and veterans are finding their way on Luke Richardson's team. Jack Bushman of Locked On Blackha...

Skip the tip? Your delivery could be slowed, DoorDash warns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

(WGN) — Sure, it can be tempting to skip the tip on your food delivery order, especially after seeing the delivery fees add up at checkout. But failing to pre-tip on DoorDash may now have consequences: a slower delivery. Users of the food-delivery app have noticed a new pop-up message that appears during checkout, warning that orders placed with no pre-tip might take longer to get delivered."Dashers can pick and choose which orders they want to do," the notice reads. "Orders that take longer to be accepted by dashers tend to result in slower delivery." Have you been tipping wrong at restaurants? What experts advise DoorDash said they added the prompt in an effort to be transparent with users and give them the best experience possible. They also said that they want to encourage users to leave tips for the drivers."This reminder screen is something that we're currently testing," DoorDash spokesperson Jenn Rosenberg told Nexstar. "As with anything we pilot, we look forward to closely...

1 dead in Kentucky coal preparation plant collapse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

MARTIN COUNTY, Ky. (WOWK) -- One person has died inside a collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County, Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed Wednesday.The 11-story building at Martin Mine Prep Plant in Martin County collapsed around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, trapping two men working there beneath multiple floors of concrete and steel. The workers were trapped while working to demolish the building at the abandoned mine site on Wolf Creek, Martin County Judge Executive Lon E. Lafferty said in a social media post early Wednesday.The plant hasn’t been in use for several years and the men were on the bottom floor when it collapsed, trapping them beneath tons of rubble, added Martin County Sheriff John Kirk.Officials have not released details about the extent of the surviving worker's injuries. The rescue could take days, Kirk said.“This is a lot of weight. A lot of large metal structures, a lot of concrete, and very confined space last. Very tight spaces,” he said.Beshear declared a stat...

TxDOT: Crash at I-35, McNeil Road closes all southbound lanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation reported a traffic alert that closed several lanes of Interstate 35 following a crash in Round Rock.TxDOT said the crash occurred near southbound Interstate 35 at McNeil Road, just before the Hesters Crossing exit.The Round Rock Police Department said officers were responding to the collision, but there were no injuries."The three left lanes of traffic are closed," RRPD said. "Please expect delays and seek alternate routes."This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.

Gov. Abbott projects confidence ESAs will pass this session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Gov. Abbott said Wednesday he expects the House will pass legislation this session to establish education savings accounts, increase public school funding, and give teachers a bonus, signaling confidence that the ten-month impasse over his top priority will end by next week."We are on track to ensure there will not be another special session. There is enough time to get everything done that we want to get done, that needs to get done to avoid a special session," Gov. Abbott told reporters Wednesday morning. "I think that we are on a timetable where we should be able to conclude everything that needs to be achieved this special session."Gov. Abbott said he expects the House will unveil a new bill to address those educational priorities on Wednesday, which he thinks "will be embraced.""So many legislators have so many wins in the bill that will be coming out today," he said.On Tuesday, House Public Education Chairman Brad Buckley said he intends to file a substitut...

Williamson County election worker hospitalized after alleged 'confrontation' with poll watcher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County said a poll worker has been hospitalized after a medical emergency inside a polling place. Remarks during this week's Commissioner's Court meeting implied the episode was possibly linked to a confrontation with a poll watcher.In a statement, Williamson County said the medical emergency happened around 5:45 p.m. at the Leander Public Library. Poll workers intervened quickly and began life-saving measures, which first responders continued once on the scene."The poll worker was saved by their efforts as well as by the efforts of first responders. The individual is in the hospital receiving medical care, and no further information will be released out of respect for privacy," the county said.A video posted to social media of Tuesday's Commissioner's Court meeting shared Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell's remarks on this matter."Based upon the reports that I received as County Judge, this was precipitated because of a potential confrontation ...

Prosecutors rest case in APD officer's murder trial, defense takes over

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

Editor's note: The above video is KXAN's coverage of day 7 of this trial from Tuesday, October 31, 2023. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wednesday, state prosecutors rested their case against Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who is on trial for murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor's attorneys have now taken over. The defense reserved its opening statement at the start of the trial and instead gave them Wednesday afternoon before calling its first witness. Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trial Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader will be in court Wednesday providing live updates on social media platform X:Day 8: Back in court this morning for the trial of APD Officer Christopher Taylor, charged with murder in the 2020 death of Michael Ramos. It's likely state prosecutors will rest their case to...

Which roads are closed for the UT football game, Run for the Water race?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:48:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — November is starting out strong for area events, with residents welcomed to enjoy the annual Austin Food & Wine Festival, catch the Texas Longhorns face off against Kansas State and partake in the Run for the Water race. With each of those events come some road closures in and around the downtown area.Here's a look at some of the closures planned this weekend.Austin Food & Wine FestivalThe Austin Food & Wine Festival will be held at Auditorium Shores on Saturday and Sunday, featuring sips and bites from restaurants and chefs here in Austin as well as those nationally renowned.While there aren't specific road closures related to the festival, Auditorium Shores will be closed for public access and the parking lot at the park will temporarily be closed for event load in and load out.UT vs. Kansas State football gameAs the Longhorns take on Kansas State, several roads will be closed at different points of the day. Here's a breakdown of some game-specific clos...