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UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain was ill-prepared for a pandemic partly because government resources had been diverted away from pandemic planning to brace for a possibly chaotic exit from the European Union without a deal, the U.K.’s former health secretary told an inquiry Tuesday. Matt Hancock also said officials had to scramble to source protective equipment, set up mass testing and contact tracing systems “from scratch” once the coronavirus pandemic broke out because the U.K.’s planning attitude was entirely “geared towards how to clear up after a disaster, not prevent it.”“The doctrine of the U.K. was to plan for the consequences of a disaster — can we buy enough body bags? Where are we going to bury the dead?” Hancock said. “Large-scale testing did not exist and large-scale contact tracing did not exist because it was assumed that as soon as there was community transmission, it wouldn’t be possible to stop the spread, and therefore, what’s the point in contact tracing?” he ad...

Austin Parks and Rec Board votes to recommend 'fair pay' for SXSW artists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Members of the Austin Parks and Recreation Board voted Monday night to recommend that Austin City Council work to make sure artists who play at the South by Southwest music festival receive "fair pay" for their work.The board voted unanimously to recommend the council do two things in the future: tell the city manager, legal department and Parks and Rec to negotiate guarantees of fair pay with SXSW for domestic artists who perform at city-owned spaces. require changes to artist pay and compensation by SXSW before the city waives fees at city-owned spaces Musicians union launches fair play campaign As KXAN reported in February, the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) launched a campaign on Feb. 7 against the festival, claiming that musicians are underpaid with some artists receiving only $100 for their performances, according to a UMAW page on Action Network.The union said in February performers are offered entry wristbands or $100 for solo and duo pe...

APD looking for man involved in shooting with off-duty TCSO deputy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday investigators are looking for a man involved in a June 13 altercation with an off-duty Travis County Sheriff's deputy that lead to a shooting.Police said the man is possibly white or Hispanic. The vehicle he was in is described as a brown or tan-colored sedan. PAST STORY | Austin Police investigating overnight shooting involving off-duty Travis County deputy The Austin Police Department's initial investigation showed an off-duty deputy was "involved in an altercation in his personal vehicle with another driver" while driving on Interstate 35.During the incident, a weapon or weapons were discharged, APD said. No injuries were reported.APD said the other person involved drove away from the scene.The department is asking for the community’s help in locating and identifying anyone with knowledge about this incident. Anyone with information should call APD’s Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 4...

Drownings are leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, commission says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a new report on the number of drownings.“The latest data shows drownings remain high for children under the age of 15,” said Nikki Fleming with the CPSC. “Nearly 400 children drown each year under the age of 15, with the majority of those — about 75% — the youngest and most vulnerable, and that's children under the age of five," Fleming continued. The yearly report found 80% of reported fatal child drownings occurred in residential settings, home pools or at a family member, friend or neighbor’s pool.Ninety-one percent of those drownings occurred in those younger than five years of age. “Drownings are preventable, and there are simple steps you can take to keep your child safe this season and all year long,” said Fleming.The CPSC is urging parents to designate a water watcher at the pool to supervise children.“This person should not be distracted reading a book, looking at their cell phone. Their sole job is to keep an ey...

No fireworks this year at Gloversville Railfest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The 17th annual Gloversville Railfest is set for August 12 at Trail Station Park on West Fulton Street from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, there will be no fireworks at the event for 2023. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "The increasing cost of fireworks has made it impractical to deliver a high-quality show," said the Gloversville Recreation Commissionthethe in a Facebook post. "Moreover, the Fulton County Regional SPCA has raised concerns about the fireworks taking place directly above the animal shelter."Gloversville Railfest features bounce houses, live music, over 80 vendors, games, raffles, and food. Since there will be no fireworks, the Commission said it will be using the extra space for more vendors, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, pony rides, and an eliminator inflatable obstacle. 2023 Capital Region fair season schedule Live music and performancesCapital Country Band at 10 a.m.Th...

First responders search for missing children near Potosi

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

POTOSI, Mo. -- First responders are searching for two boys who left home Monday night. Several fire departments are working on the search. They are using drones to look for the children along Duncan Road, just east of Route F.The children live in the area and left around 8 p.m. Officers do not believe that the 9-year-old and 12-year-old are in immediate danger. They would like to find them before the heat settles in today.This is a developing story. More details will be posted here as they come into the FOX 2 Newsroom.

See the Springfield Cardinals and Silver Dollar City with Free Trip Tuesday in Springfield, Missouri!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It's FOX 2's final Free Trip Tuesday and this week, we're headingsouth for a fun family vacation to Springfield, Missouri.Megan Buchbinder with SpringfieldMoDOT.org was here Tuesday morning with a breakdown on the family getaway. You start out with a 2-night stay at the Tru Hotel in downtown Springfield, and winners get four all-inclusive tickets to the Redbird Roost at a Springfield Cardinals home game. See the Springfield Cardinals and Silver Dollar City with Free Trip Tuesday in Springfield, MO! They'll also be rewarded four passes to Silver Dollar City as well as four passes to Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.More details of the trip include: $50 Black Sheep Burgers gift card$50 Gailey's Breakfast Café gift card$25 Andy's Frozen Custard gift cardPlus, the lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card courtesy of Berry Door & Window!If you want to get registered for the family trip to Springfield, visit FOX 2's contest page. Registrations ...

Byrnes Mill Police Chief receives $500 and FOX 2's Proud to Serve Award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

BYRNES MILL, Mo. - FOX 2’s Proud to Serve recipient for the month of June is Police Chief Frank Selvaggio from Byrnes Mill, Missouri.  Following decades of service in other communities, Chief Frank came to Byrnes Mill about 4 years ago, bringing leadership to a program he created called 'CAPPS' with the intention of providing community policing and solutions in partnership with the Byrnes Mill community.Chief Frank is proud of his department that is currently hiring officers. He was nominated by a member of his team who told FOX 2:Chief Frank, as he’s affectionately known by the entire community is the most selfless, caring, and compassionate professional I have ever known. Chief is more than just a police officer. He is dedicated to changing the view of policing by being a dedicated servant to our community by building trust and rapport. Each day, Chief drives around the community speaking with residents and checking up on those he knows needs assistance in many diff...

Spring Creek fire burning across more than 2,577 acres in western Colorado, spreading into White River National Forest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

A fast-moving wildfire in western Colorado south of Parachute was burning on more than 2,577 acres Tuesday morning amid increasing winds, authorities said.This Spring Creek fire, which started over the weekend, was spreading across private land in Garfield County and had entered the White River National Forest, according to bulletins and a map posted early Tuesday by the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit.The cause wasn’t clear. Around 134 firefighters had been deployed to suppress the flames. Aircraft loaded with red fire retardant were expected Tuesday in an effort to bolster firefighters’ ground efforts.No evacuations had been ordered and no injuries were reported. Brown smoke wafting eastward from the area may be visible and reduce air quality.

Denver weather: Temps to hit the 90s on dry, windy day favoring forest fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:51 GMT

The weather will be warm, dry, and windy across metro Denver on Tuesday with mostly sunny blue skies and rivers still flowing high and fast down from Colorado’s western mountains,  according to the National Weather Service.Wind blowing at speeds up to 21 miles per hour in Denver will gust at up to 34 mph, weather service forecasters said.In the mountains, wind was increasing and could gust at speeds up to 60 mph — favoring forest fires in some areas, forecasters said. On the high plains east of Interstate 25 along the Front Range urban corridor, wind gusts were expected to hit 40 mph. Humidity levels hung around 20%.The high temperature in Denver will be 91 degrees Tuesday, decreasing to 90 on Wednesday, forecasters said. At night, temperatures were expected to stay above 58 degrees. Around Colorado, the temperatures on Tuesday likely will be the warmest of the year.Later in the week, meteorologists were anticipating a cooler and wetter weather pattern that may bring sev...