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Former Ontario inmates saw higher risk of overdose death as COVID 19 emerged: study 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

Former Ontario inmates saw their risk of dying from a toxic-drug overdose jump as much as 50 per cent at the start of the pandemic compared to the years before COVID-19, says a study.The study in the medical journal PLOS One compared pandemic impacts on opioid toxicity death rates between people who had and had not been incarcerated in Ontario between 2015 and 2020.It found overall risk jumped substantially when COVID-19 emerged with a slew of infection control measures, but the increase in risk was particularly large for people who had been behind bars or released during the years studied.Lead author Amanda Butler, assistant professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, says COVID-19 further exacerbated risk by 1.5 times for men and 1.2 times for women who were incarcerated.The most substantial impact was on individuals between the ages of 25 and 49 who experienced incarceration.“Our interest was in whether COVID disproportionately impacted people w...

Musk offers aid organizations in Gaza access to Starlink

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered the use of his Starlink satellite internet service on Saturday for humanitarian aid organizations in Gaza after Israeli bombings cut power.The Gaza Strip, which is controlled Hamas, has been without internet and telephone communication amid escalating airstrikes and a ground campaign by the Israeli military. This has left civilians unable to call for help and aid organizations unable to communicate.Musk said his company would give access to "internationally recognized" aid organizations, though it is unclear how quickly they would be able to connect to the technology as it requires special equipment.However, Musk's commitment came in response to criticism of Israel’s decision to cut communication from Rep. Alexandria Ocacio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).“Cutting off all communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable,” Ocacio-Cortez said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday. “Journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innoce...

Are you tipping wrong at hotels?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Does it feel like you’re being asked to tip for almost everything lately? You aren’t alone — there’s even a term for it now: tip creeping.While you may be finding yourself in a corner more often, faced with a digital screen asking for tips as high as 30%, what about the places you aren’t explicitly asked to tip, like a hotel?We don’t mean the hotel bar or restaurant (experts pretty widely agree you should be tipping at those). We’re referring to leaving tips for housekeeping, passing a couple of bucks to the person who helps with your luggage, and even tipping the front desk associate.  40% won’t tip at food trucks – but should you? Many on Reddit said that if they opt out of housekeeping or tidy up after themselves, they don’t leave a tip. Others said they tip if they can afford it, citing the usual low pay housekeepers receive — the median hourly wage for maids and housekeepers is under $32,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.The etiquette experts at ...

LIVE: Recent rain raises water levels at Lake Travis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) — The water levels of Lake Travis rose a couple feet after several days of rain this week.According to the Texas Water Development Board, the second-largest of the Highland Lakes rose roughly 2 feet compared to last Friday.This elevation comes after a long, dry summer where drought conditions led to the closure of many of the area's public boat ramps. Lake Travis boat ramp to close Tuesday due to low water levels Jacob Williams, owner of ATX Boat Rentals, said as water levels dipped lower and lower this summer, he had to send his dock further out into the lake to keep it afloat.For the first time in a long time, Williams said he can bring the dock back to the shore thanks to the elevated water levels."I think it's the first time in two and a half years I've actually had to bring the dock in because the lake has started to rise a little bit," Williams said.Tabata Indalecio has lived on Lake Travis for two years. In that time...

Camila, Matthew McConaughey launch tequila line

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Matthew and Camila McConaughey are the latest celebrities to launch a tequila line. The couple announced their line, called Pantalones Organic Tequila, Wednesday. The tequila is made with 100% premium, organic, blue weber agave, a release said. Pantalones Organic Tequila (Courtesy Pantalones Organic Tequila)Pantalones Organic Tequila (Courtesy Pantalones Organic Tequila)The tequila is described as "an agave-forward tequila that is smooth, flavorful, and great for sipping, shooting or mixing up in your favorite Fancy Pants cocktail," a release said.More information about Pantalones Tequila is available online.

Police provide more details in deadly north Austin officer-involved shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the man who died in a north Austin shooting involving officers on Oct. 22, as well as provided more details in a news release provided by APD.The man was identified as Cristobal Ordonez Flores, 57, according to police. APD officers involved in fatal north Austin shooting Here is a breakdown of the events provided by APD on what led to the deadly shooting:7:55 p.m.: 911 dispatch receives a call reporting an intoxicated person threatening a woman with a gun in the 9000 block of Northgate Boulevard.7:57 p.m.: The first APD unit assigned to the call and began responding to the scene. As officers responded, additional information was provided the man "was holding his wife in one hand and a gun in the other."8:02 p.m.: The first APD officer arrived on the scene to gather more information, which included finding the apartment involved and began securing the scene. Officers were then notified the woman at risk was not the...

Woman, Fort Cavazos soldier arrested in child sexual abuse investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A woman and a Fort Cavazos soldier were both arrested in connection with an investigation involving child sexual abuse material and inappropriate acts with children.The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office said on Oct. 20, deputies and an investigator met to investigate Zoe Sophia Williams, 18, of Fredericksburg, and a 22-year-old man who was a Fort Cavazos soldier. The sheriff's office said the two were in a dating relationship.“Upon further investigation and examination, evidence was located depicting child sexual abuse material on Williams’ phone. Williams may have had access to her victims through babysitting, and it was discovered that she had been seeking out child sexual abuse material via the internet, taking pictures of children while in her care, and sending those to the male subject,” GCSO said.GCSO said the child sexual abuse material originated with the soldier.According to GCSO, Williams was arrested and charged with possession of child ab...

This is the most banned book in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Last month, the state of Florida topped Texas for one controversial title: state with the most school book bans. But did you know the Lone Star State still ranks second overall, with a total of 625 book bans between July 2022 and June 2023?That's according to PEN America, a nonprofit freedom of expression advocacy group, who tracks book challenges and bans in the U.S. And while Texas' 625 total trails behind Florida's staggering 1,400 book ban cases during the same time, it's far ahead of its closest competitor, Missouri, with 333 bans.Between Jan. 1 and August 31, there were at least 30 attempts to restrict access to books in Texas — and about 1,120 books were challenged in that time, according to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. Last year, the ALA reports a total of 93 attempts to remove or censor materials in Texas. No one beats the Texas Longhorns, in terms of making money Fervor in-state and nationwide over what books are availab...

A spiderweb of Hamas tunnels in Gaza Strip raises risks for an Israeli ground offensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL and ISABEL DEBRE (Associated Press)JERUSALEM (AP) — As an Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip looms in its most devastating war yet with Hamas, one of the greatest threats to both its troops and the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped inside the seaside enclave is buried deep underground.An extensive labyrinth of tunnels built by the Hamas militant group stretches across the densely populated strip, hiding fighters, their rocket arsenal and over 200 hostages they now hold after an unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Clearing and collapsing those tunnels will be crucial if Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas. But fighting in densely populated urban areas and moving underground could strip the Israeli military of some of its technological advantages while giving an edge to Hamas both above and below ground.“I usually say it’s like walking down the street waiting to get punched in the face,” said John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and the...

Albany woman arrested on weapon and drug charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany woman was arrested on Saturday following a pursuit, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Christina Wright, 29, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On October 27 at 5:30 p.m., officers attempted to stop a car in Ravena for vehicle and traffic violations. The operator of the vehicle reportedly fled from police before coming to a stop after a brief pursuit. Police say the driver of the car, identified as Wright, was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and quantities of controlled substances, all while a 10-year-old child was present in the vehicle. Wright was taken into custody at the scene and now faces the following charges:ChargesSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceEndangering the welfare of a childAggravated...