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Biden administration proposes biggest changes to lead pipe rules in more than three decades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

Most U.S. cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under strict new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency as the Biden administration moves to reduce lead in drinking water and prevent public health crises like the ones in Flint, Michigan and Washington, D.C.Millions of people consume drinking water from lead pipes and the agency said tighter standards would improve IQ scores in children and reduce high blood pressure and heart disease in adults. It is the strongest overhaul of lead rules in more than three decades, and will cost billions of dollars. Pulling it off will require overcoming enormous practical and financial obstacles.“These improvements ensure that in a not too distant future, there will never be another city and another child poisoned by their pipes,” said Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and clean water advocate.The Biden administration has previously said it wants all of the nation’s roughly 9 million lead pipes to be removed, ...

Inflation in Europe falls to 2.4% as interest rates pack a punch. But the economy has stalled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Europeans again saw some relief as inflation dropped more than expected to 2.4% in November, the lowest in more than two years, as plummeting energy costs have eased a cost-of-living crisis but higher interest rates squeeze the economy’s ability to grow.Inflation for the 20 countries using the euro currency fell from an annual 2.9% in October, according to numbers released Thursday by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistics agency. It’s a far cry from the peak of 10.6% in October 2022 as an energy crisis left Europe’s households and businesses struggling to make ends meet.The new figure is close to the European Central Bank’s inflation target of 2% following a rapid series of interest rate hikes dating to summer 2022. But the tradeoff is stalled economic growth.Much-watched core inflation, which excludes volatile fuel and food prices, fell beyond analysts’ predictions — to 3.6% this month from 4.2% in October. It raises expectation...

WATCH: Underwater video shows stuck Navy plane's tires touching coral reef

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — Tires from a large airplane that's been stuck in a Hawaii bay for more than a week are resting on parts of a reef, according to video the U.S. Navy released Wednesday as it figures out a plan to remove the aircraft.There were no injuries to the nine people who were on board when the plane landed Nov. 20 in shallow water just offshore of Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Honolulu. The Navy is investigating what caused the plane to overshoot a runway.In this image taken from video provided by the U.S. Navy, Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1) conduct an underwater survey of the U.S. Navy's P-8A Poseidon in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. The U.S. Navy said the underwater footage shows two points where the large plane is touching coral in the Hawaii bay. It's been more than a week since the Navy plane overshot a runway and landed in shallow water j...

Lights tested ahead of Trail of Lights opening

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Organizers at the Trail of Lights tested out the bulbs at the trail at Zilker Park on Wednesday. They said the lights worked. The holiday display runs from Dec. 8 to Dec. 23. KXAN's Britt Moreno will emcee the opening ceremony on Dec. 8. Trail of Lights makes national list of 25 best Christmas light displays The following nights are free admission from 7 to 10 p.m.: Dec. 8Dec. 10Dec. 12Dec. 13Dec. 14Dec. 15Dec. 19Here's a link for tickets and times. Trail of Lights 2023. (KXAN: Frank Martinez)Trail of Lights 2023. (KXAN: Frank Martinez)Trail of Lights 2023. (KXAN: Frank Martinez)Trail of Lights 2023. (KXAN: Frank Martinez)Austin Trail of Lights Shuttles will operate from two locations:Republic Square Park at 422 Guadalupe St. Toney Burger Event Center on 3200 Jones Rd.Shuttles will operate on the following nights: Dec. 8Dec. 9Dec. 15Dec. 16Dec. 17Dec. 19Dec. 20Dec. 21Dec. 22Dec. 23

UT Austin launches 'Longhorn Lights'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The University of Texas at Austin launched a burnt orange and white holiday light show along the Drag Wednesday night. The university said everyone is invited to drive or walk along the light display along Guadalupe Street, between 21st and 24th Streets, called Longhorn Lights. Longhorn-themed lights show to dazzle the Drag this holiday season "UT takes our role in the City of the Austin very seriously and we've benefiting from that and we try to do what we can to give back," UT President Jay Hartzell said.Longhorn Lights show about to kick off for the 2023 winter season. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Longhorn Lights show about to kick off for the 2023 winter season. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Longhorn Lights show about to kick off for the 2023 winter season. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Longhorn Lights show about to kick off for the 2023 winter season. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)Longhorn Lights show about to kick off for the 2023 winter season. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)The display will run ...

Local electric co-op reaches milestone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – Pedernales Electric Cooperative said Tuesday it reached a milestone by placing its 400,000th meter at a new Buda fire station. The nation's largest electric co-op serves the Texas Hill Country. PEC said it has experienced massive growth across its service area as many areas, including sections of Hays County, have urbanized. Hays is one of the fastest growing counties in the country, with a growth rate of 5.14% between 2021 and 2022. In 1938, PEC incorporated with 3,000 paid memberships. According to co-op, it took more than 60 years to reach 200,000 meters in 2005. The co-op had 300,000 meters by 2018 but only needed five years to reach the 400,000 mark. By contrast, Austin Energy served 520,757 customers in 2021.“As we look ahead, we are deeply focused on meeting the needs of all our growing communities that depend on the member-focused service we’ve provided over the past 85 years," said PEC CEO Julie C. Parsley in a statement to KXAN.PEC said it will continu...

Mandalay Kitchen brings traditional Karen and Burmese flavors to Frogtown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

The first day Mandalay Kitchen opened was also the first day the new restaurant’s founder and owner, Chris Tunbaw, had worked in food service.But earlier this year, when he told his family and friends that he’d signed a lease, those who knew him well were not surprised: Ever since he was a boy, he said, he’s been dreaming of opening a restaurant serving traditional Karen and Burmese food.Chris Tunbaw, owner of the new Frogtown restaurant Mandalay Kitchen that serves traditional Karen, Burmese and Thai dishes. (Photo courtesy Chris Tunbaw)Mandalay Kitchen opened in early November, in the former Marc Heu Patisserie spot on the corner of University and Western avenues, with a variety of noodle and rice salads, soups, stir-fries and other entrees.Tunbaw’s family is Karen, a minority ethnic group in Myanmar that has long faced persecution and sought independence. Over the past half-century in particular, many Karen people — including Tunbaw’s family — have fled the country. Now, signific...

Other voices: Supreme Court needs a real ethics code

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

Holding judges to high ethical standards is essential to the U.S. legal system. The Supreme Court’s recent adoption of an ethics code is an overdue acknowledgement of this reality. But the court’s failure to include any enforcement provisions reduces the code to a paper tiger. The public shouldn’t fall for it.Where ethics are concerned, the high court has long taken the approach of adopting “rules for thee but not for me” — requiring all other federal judges to adhere to high standards while exempting itself. Not surprisingly, the justices have exhibited a series of embarrassing ethical lapses, including failing to recuse themselves despite owning stock in companies appearing before them; failing to disclose lavish vacation gifts; using public employees to help promote and sell books; and accepting free accommodations for themselves and guests.These breaches have led to a public outcry, and rightly so. They stain the court’s reputation and r...

Too Good To Go food waste app offers restaurant deals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

Oh man do I love eating and dislike cooking. It’s a conflict-prone combination that lends itself to going out to eat way too much, which has become prohibitively expensive in these inflationary times. Then there’s that unfathomable semi-hidden fee, sometimes as high as 20%, added on to an increasing number of restaurant orders. Who can tell me exactly what happens to my hard-earned cash once that non-tip is shelled out? But I digress.Recognizing my gastric plight, a friend who recently relocated from Minneapolis to New York City turned me on to the smart phone app “Too Good To Go” (TooGoodToGo.com), which presents itself as a way to save the planet while filling your gullet on the cheap. He and his partner buy all their pricey NYC pastries this way. I was instantly smitten with the concept: Restaurants, bakeries and even some grocers create grab bags of day-olds and other items they’d like to get rid of. They list these “surprise bags” onlin...

Letters: Inspiring to read about the life and charity of Rosalynn Carter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:02:25 GMT

‘Wage peace, fight disease, build hope’In these troubling times of wars, crime and hatred, it was inspiring to read in the Pioneer Press about the life and charity work of the late former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, who were advocates of such noble causes as Habitat For Humanity, mental-health care and feeding the hungry.Unlike some politicians and world leaders who grab the spotlight by spewing venom and fomenting divisiveness, the Carters went about their mission to “wage peace, fight disease and build hope” with modesty and dignity.We desperately need more people like Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter, who were true stewards of the Earth and worked for the betterment of mankind.Louis DiSanto, St. Paul The books are disappearingI have a Little Free Library in my front yard, and I used to have problems with people dumping unwanted books into it, including textbooks and strange religious or other books that they did...