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Does your California red wine taste like an ashtray? Here's why and what's being done

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

ALPINE, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. West Coast produces over 90% of America's wine, but the region is also prone to wildfires — a combustible combination that spelled disaster for the wine industry in 2020 and one that scientists are scrambling to neutralize.Sample a good wine and you might get notes of oak or red fruit. But sip on wine made from grapes that were penetrated by smoke, and it could taste like someone dumped the contents of an ashtray into your glass.Wine experts from three West Coast universities are working together to meet the threat, including developing spray coatings to protect grapes, pinpointing the elusive compounds that create that nasty ashy taste, and deploying smoke sensors to vineyards to better understand smoke behavior.The U.S. government is funding their research with millions of dollars. Wineries are also taking steps to protect their product and brand.The risk to America's premier wine-making regions — where wildfires caused billions of dollars in...

Senate passes formal dress code after backlash

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

(The Hill) – The Senate voted Wednesday night to require that business attire be worn on the floor of the chamber, following backlash from both sides over Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) move to relax the dress code last week. The resolution, from centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), comes just over a week after Schumer announced he would loosen the Senate’s dress code, a move that was seen by some as a way to accommodate Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who is often spotted on Capitol Hill wearing shorts and hoodies instead of suits. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike criticized Schumer's decision, with some calling it disrespectful to the upper chamber. The vote came in the midst of both chambers racing to avert a shutdown at the end of the week.The resolution seeks to “clarify the dress code” for the Senate floor. It requires men to wear a coat, tie, slacks and other long pants.Speaking with The Hill last week, Fetterman denied he was the driving...

More SNAP changes coming Oct. 1

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Starting in October, SNAP benefits are getting a boost – but eligibility requirements are also changing. The changes to SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are taking effect as a result of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed by President Joe Biden in June.In order qualify for SNAP (previously called the Food Stamp Program), more people will be required to prove they are actively working, training or in school. The changes only affect one group of SNAP recipients: able-bodied adults without dependents (or ABAWDs, as the agency calls them), ages 52 to 54. SNAP benefits are increasing Oct. 1: Here’s how much ABAWDs between the ages of 18 and 52 already need to prove they are working at least 80 hours a month, pursuing an education or are in a training program to qualify for SNAP for more than three months.Now, starting on Oct. 1, able-bodied childless workers who are 51 and 52 years old will also need to meet those work ...

The 25 best 'hidden gem' restaurants in the US, according to TripAdvisor

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – TripAdvisor has revealed its top-rated “hidden gem” restaurants in the United States, highlighting 25 relatively unknown eateries that consistently earn praise from the platform’s users.These top-rated “hidden” restaurants (which likely won’t stay hidden for much longer) were announced Wednesday as part of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards, an annual ranking of the site’s top-rated dining destinations across seven different categories. The origin of toasted ravioli the subject of major debate The honorees in this year’s “hidden gem” category include plenty of no-frills, under-the-radar restaurants serving up everything from lobster rolls and fries to tikka masala and whoopie pies. But only one restaurant can take the No. 1 spot — and this year, that honor goes to a burger-and-shake joint in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Cookie Dough Monster, located in an unassuming strip mall just a few miles from Dollywood, earned high marks for its food, service, val...

Pflugerville police searching for missing teen girl

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Pflugerville Police Department is searching for a 17-year-old girl they say was last seen Wednesday. Police are asking for help locating Brie Ann Mitchell, who was reported missing by CPS after leaving a hospital in Pflugerville Wednesday.Mitchell is described by police as a white female, 5'4" and 187 lbs, with brown/blonde hair and blue eyes. Brie Ann Mitchell, 17, was reported missing by CPS after leaving a hospital in Pflugerville Wednesday. (Pflugerville Police Department photo) Police said she is known to frequent the Temple area, which is about 55 miles north of Pflugerville. Anyone with information on Mitchell's whereabouts should contact the Pflugerville Police Department at 512-990-6700.

Hail storm repairs could be slowed by roofing shingle shortage

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

Correction: An earlier headline of this story said there was a shortage in roof tiles. It is actually a shortage in roof shingles. The headline has been changed to reflect that.ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Josh Herrington said the homes in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Round Rock look like a war zone following Sunday night's hail storm. Herrington is the owner of Sixth Gen Roofing, and he and his team are in the process of helping homeowners who suffered roof and window damage. "The ice storm -- it was bad, it was bad, but it was a lot of clean up. This is going to be a lot of work," Herrington said. That work could be compounded because of a shortage in a certain material that goes into the production of roof shingles. Herrington said there is a lack of production on granular minerals, which serves as a protector from excessive heat for roof shingles. How much damage could it be? Herrington said he expects there is a need of between three million and four million roofing shingles f...

Wait — are there elk in Central Texas?

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Along State Highway 45 near Driftwood, a vibrant yellow traffic sign depicts an animal not typically found in Central Texas' neck of the woods.The sign forewarns of elk in the area. But that begs the question: Since when are there elk in Central Texas?KXAN took that question to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to see if there are any herds dwelling in the greater Austin area. A TPWD spokesperson said while there are elk in the Trans-Pecos and western Panhandle regions of Texas, most found locally aren't naturally residing here. "Any free-ranging elk found in Hays County or Central Texas have likely escaped from a high-fenced ranch," the TPWD spokesperson told KXAN over email. Officials added it's not unusual for fences near creeks and river crossings "to become compromised after rainfall events and severe weather." As a result, the official said these animals can be "commonly observed in the Edwards Plateau."Elk can ...

San Marcos to celebrate Uhland Road improvements

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The City of San Marcos will hold a public celebration Thursday morning to mark the finish of improvements to several city roads. The city will hold a ribbon cutting for the Uhland Road Improvements project at 9 a.m. at 1303 Uhland Road, near the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. The public is invited to attend the event.According to the city, the Uhland Road Improvements project added drainage improvements along the County Road, Uhland Road and a part of River Road.The city said the roads were reconstructed to meet city standards. Crews built a six-to-ten foot wide sidewalk along Uhland Road for pedestrians and cyclists and built a roundabout at the intersection of Uhland and River Roads to improve safety, the city said. The city said crews also also installed a stormwater device to help separate trash and hydrocarbons.“The updates made by the project will bring the surrounding community a sense of safety and reliability during rain events,” said Director of...

Bennington man crashes into moose, suffers minor injuries

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Bennington man suffered minor injuries and was sent to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center early Thursday morning in Shaftsbury, Vermont. Police say the man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the crash happened at 5:41 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to Vermont State Police, the 56-year-old driver was traveling northbound on U.S. Route 7 near mile marker 21.8 when a moose appeared in front of his car. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and was taken by the Arlington Rescue Squad to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for further medical treatment.

Winners and losers of the second GOP presidential debate

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:15:59 GMT

Seven GOP presidential rivals tangled Wednesday night on a Simi Valley, Calif., stage, arguing over who is the best to take on President Biden next fall.  It was a rambunctious night filled with personal attacks by candidates battling for survival, culminating in a clash over curtains between Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and his state’s former Gov. Nikki Haley. None of the contenders are within spitting distance in polls to former President Trump, who for a second time didn’t bother showing up for the debate.  That added to the sense of desperation for some of the would-be contenders, who know the time for catching up to Trump is running out. Here are the winners and losers. WINNERS Former President Trump Former President Trump without a doubt felt like the biggest winner on Wednesday night.  He wasn’t on stage, and instead appeared at an event in Michigan that signaled he’s already moving his focus to a November 2024 general election against Presi...