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If someone stole your SNAP benefits, here's how you can replace them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced Wednesday it received federal approval to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for people who were victims of fraud.According to an HHSC news release, Texas experienced increased reports of scams, including skimming and cloning. These are tactics that scammers use to obtain Lone Star Card numbers as well as Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to gain access to the benefits. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Expanded SNAP benefits ended in March. Here’s who is affected in Central Texas “These benefit replacements will help those affected by fraud get their funds replaced so they have access to the food they need,” Wayne Salter, the HHS access and eligibility services deputy executive commissioner, said. “We’re doing all we can to help our customers detect and prevent fraud, and this is just another step in ensuring we’re helping those who have been scammed.”HHSC received the federal ap...

Hot, dry start to June

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A hot and dry end to May, but the pattern turns for the first weekend of June.High pressure will keep temperatures hot and skies mainly clear for all of Central Texas for the start of June. The rest of the week will consist of afternoon highs into the upper 80s and low 90s with a 10% chance of a thunderstorm Friday evening. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin Rain chances and slight relief in temperatures return this weekend with Sunday and Monday bringing the highest chances for rain. Several heavy rain events may bring up to 1" in some areas.Forecast rainfall totals for the next 7 days. INVESTIGATION: LCRA didn't plan for climate change until KXAN investigation FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters Stay up-to-date with the First Warning Weather teamFollow the KXAN First Warning Weather team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.You can also follow our...

Longhorns nonconference game times set, Black Friday vs. Texas Tech under the lights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns will start the regular season in the blazing September sun and end it under the lights on Black Friday.The Longhorns kick off the 2023 campaign at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 2 against the Rice Owls at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will air on FOX and it will be the 97th meeting between the schools. The Longhorns have won 15 consecutive games against the Owls and lead the all-time series 74-21-1.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersTo close out the Big 12 schedule, the Longhorns and Red Raiders are set to play at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 24 on ABC. Texas is 32-7 against Texas Tech in Austin and 54-18 overall.Texas' final nonconference game against the Wyoming Cowboys is now set for 7 p.m., Sept. 16 on Longhorn Network. Texas is 5-0 all-time against the college that produced NFL superstar quarterback Josh Allen. Texas-Alabama kickoff time announced T...

Looking at fewer 100° days in June, hopefully

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For many locations in Central Texas, the rain in May came and kept coming. For others, like Austin, the rain total was less than normal. May is the wettest month, on average, in Austin with 5.04". It looked promising that the month would end above normal when, by May 15, 3.30" had been measured.But the second half of the month was not nearly as wet with just 1.00" from the 19th through the 29th to end the month below normal at 4.30".Not enough rain in MayBy contrast, there were several rain gauges in the Hill Country where totals exceeded that 5.04" topped by 11.16" at a gauge 3 miles north-northeast of Mason. Rain was plentiful in Blanco County with a total of 8.31" at North Grape Creek near Johnson City. One of the gauges many look at is the one at the Pedernales River near Fredericksburg. Water from the Pedernales flows into Lake Travis. That gauge was above normal, but barely, with a total of 5.20".The higher-than-normal rains in the Hill Country did not make a ...

Travis County Clerk's Office holding free wedding ceremonies for LGBTQ+ Pride month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  In honor of June being LGBTQ+ Pride month and the eighth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision ruling same-sex couples have a right to marriage, the Travis County Clerk’s office is holding free wedding ceremonies conducted by Judge Nicholas Chu. In February 2015, the Travis County Clerk’s office issued the first marriage license to a same-sex couple in Texas. In the face of extreme attacks on the LGBTQ+ community from the Texas State Legislature, our office will continue to support and celebrate the rights of all Texans to participate fully in our society, including the right to marry whoever they love, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression,” Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado said in a release.Couples interested in participating in the Clerk’s Marriage Equality Day Celebration can schedule an appointment through a form on the County Clerk’s website but should ensure they have a marriage license before scheduling, per th...

Orioles relievers get crushed by Guardians in 12-8 loss as they drop back-to-back series for 1st time this season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

When Grayson Rodriguez was sent down last week, it left a hole in the Orioles’ rotation.Rather than call up one of their Triple-A starters — a rotation that has helped lead the Norfolk Tides to one of the best records in the minor leagues — Baltimore elected to get through Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians by using just its bullpen.That backfired.Seven Orioles relievers combined to allow 12 runs and 17 hits to the Guardians in a 12-8 loss that handed Baltimore a series loss — its second straight for the first time this season.Opener Keegan Akin, bulk man Austin Voth, left-hander Cionel Pérez, veteran Mychal Givens and righty Mike Baumann combined to throw the first 6 1/3 innings and surrender all 12 runs. The poor performance from the bullpen spoiled an eight-run output from the Orioles’ lineup, seven of which were scored after Baltimore had no runners on with two outs.Cleveland entered the series at Camden Yards as the worst o...

Forest Lake police still seek info in search for missing girl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

A 14-year-old girl who left her Forest Lake house on her bicycle May 19 still has not been found, police said Wednesday.Desiray Kappes (Courtesy of the Forest Lake Police Department)Authorities are asking for help in the search for Desiray Kappes, a homeschooled student who left her house in the 900 block of Eleventh Avenue Southwest around 9:30 a.m. May 19. It is unknown what her destination was at the time, police said.“This is an active investigation and the Forest Lake Police Department as well as many partner agencies are investigating several tips and working around the clock to find her,” the department said in a Facebook post.Desiray is 5 feet 6 inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes, and weighs about 125 pounds.Anyone with information about Desiray is asked to call Forest Lake police at 651-439-9381, or dial 911.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Authorities searching for missing Inver Grove Heights man in Afton State Park Crime &...

Birds of Prey Centre takes flight for another season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

By Justin SibbetSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterThe Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale has opened its doors for another high-flying summer.From great horned owls to small insects, the Birds of Prey Centre hopes to excite and awe visitors with their unique, interactive environment.Colin Weir, managing director at the Birds of Prey Foundation, says there is always something exciting to see at the centre.“We have this year’s baby great-horned owlets, we’ll have a few of them out on display for visitors to interact with,” said Weir.He says these baby owls are quick to grow up, so seeing them so young is a truly unique experience.“About 40-45 days ago they were the size of a golf ball, now they are bigger than a football,” said Weir.However, even with the rapid growth of the owls during their youth, they still manage to live up to 30-years-old when afforded the proper healthcare provided from the centre.Many other species of birds live at the centre, ...

Lethbridge County meeting briefs from May 18

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe following are selected briefs from the May 18 regular meeting of Lethbridge County Council.Policy 186 – Committee Members at Large Remuneration County Council had previously discussed remuneration for the Ag Services Committee Members at Large during the April 20 council meeting. Council directed administration to review a remuneration policy for the Committee Members at Large which follows the council remuneration policy format. Council discussed the parameters of what should be provided to committee members and it was determined administration would develop a policy which is specific to Committee Members at Large for clarity and transparency purposes, and a separate document from the council remuneration policy.During the May 18 meeting, Lethbridge County’s director of finance, Jennifer Place reasoned, “we thought it would be best to develop a policy specific to committee members at large, for two reasons, one being less complicated when y...

FCSS’s Farm Family Outreach services provide targeted supports to farmers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsA new program is bringing an informed and empathetic approach to the specific challenges faced by farmers in an attempt to connect those struggling with better mental health supports and services in the region.Barons-Eureka-Warner Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) launched the Farm Family Services for farmers and their families and offers, “confidential support to farmers and their families, to connect farmers to local services, and provide resources that will assist them in their farming journey and enrich farm families’ lives.” While FCSS offers different programming for diverse demographics, the farming culture throughout the rural areas covered by the  Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS prompted the creation of the FARM family Services division at FCSS.The program was born out of a need for supports specifically targeted toward the farming community.Services include confidential supports designed for ease of access in mind to work towards brea...