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More than 150,000 catalytic converters were replaced in 2022, and theft may be underreported, data suggests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

(KTLA) – The rise in catalytic converter thefts in America has been a nuisance for law enforcement agencies and car owners for the past several years. Now, new data from Carfax shows just how bad the problem has gotten.The vehicle data company, known for tracking repairs and accidents on vehicles across the country, looked at service records to come up with an estimated number of converters needing replacement in 2022: 153,000 — a 2% increase from the year prior.Carfax says its data scientists, when looking at service records, also excluded replacements due deterioration, defectivity or recalls.The number is pretty alarming, and Carfax suggests theft — specifically — has been underreported in the past. Thieves steal Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’s catalytic converter in Las Vegas Carfax said it believes theft numbers reported to media outlets are vastly underestimating the full scope of the problem, because many car owners don't file insurance claims. The possible explanation for that ...

PHOTOS: Severe storms light up the skies above Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe storms swept across Central Texas Thursday evening, bringing with them large hail and a lot of lightning.Hundreds of KXAN viewers sent in pictures and videos of the storms. We've compiled some of our favorites in the gallery below.Storm clouds as seen from a field of bluebonnets in Horseshoe Bay on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Storm clouds as seen from Marble Falls on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Shawn Faulkner)Storm clouds over Lockhart on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Storm clouds over Lockhart on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Lightning in south Austin on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Lightning over Buda on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Dalton C. Aarness)Lightning over Buda on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Dalton C. Aarness)Lightning over Steiner Ranch on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Todd Sellars)In the wake of Thursday's cold front, temperatures are much cooler. With highs in the 50s, this will likely be one of the coolest St. Patrick's Days in Austi...

Renters in 'crisis' after Texas Rent Relief shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Just 52 hours after Texas opened applications for rent relief, the state was forced to shut down the portal due to extraordinary demand.The Texas Rent Relief program saw an influx of more than 100,000 applications just one day after the system opened, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs said. Prior to this week, the most applications seen in a single day were fewer than 20,000.The department had $96 million in available funding to distribute for rent assistance, but within one day, "requests for assistance far exceeded available funding."The portal is closed as of 11:59 a.m. on Thursday, March 16."It's disappointing, but not surprising," Ben Martin, the research director at Texas Housers, said. "There's an incredible, extraordinary need for assistance from renters in the state of Texas right now. We've seen evictions rising throughout 2022 and into 2023. Renters are really experiencing a crisis right now."TDHCA will prioritize renters facing evic...

Who will jump into Texas Senate race next year against Ted Cruz?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Democratic voters will head to the polls in less than a year to decide which candidate they'd like to see challenge Sen. Ted Cruz in his reelection bid, but at the moment the field remains empty because no one has jumped into the race yet. Cruz already announced his intention of seeking a third term representing Texas in the Senate, which will almost certainly clear the path for the well-known Republican to secure his party's nomination. Chuck DeVore, the chief national initiatives officer at the conservative thinktank Texas Public Policy Foundation, said issues like border security and rising inflation could help push Cruz past any challengers during the 2024 general election."If you just look at the environment within which the election is going to be run, then 2024 is going to be much more favorable for Sen. Cruz and getting reelected than was 2018," DeVore said. He also said another factor possibly benefiting Cruz is the lack of a clear Democratic frontrunn...

Expect late ice-out on Minnesota lakes this year, expert says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

An expert on Minnesota lakes is predicting that despite a slightly warmer-than-average winter in the northern part of the state, ice-out in the Northland this year will be later than average.John Downing, director of the University of Minnesota’s Sea Grant program that’s headquartered at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has developed what he calls an “ice-out widget” that people can use to get an estimate of when ice-out will occur in their area.John Downing, director of the University of Minnesota’s Sea Grant program headquartered at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has developed what he calls an “ice-out widget” that people can use to get an estimate of when ice-out will occur in their area. (University of Minnesota Sea Grant)Downing, a professor of biology, an expert in limnology and freshwater lakes and whose family has had a cabin on a northern Minnesota lake for 120 years, wanted to find out what the biggest factors were when the ice melts on lakes.It t...

Loons midfielder Hassani Dotson appreciates playing time but wants more of it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

Given the severity of his injury in April, Hassani Dotson has tried to keep blinders on and not gaze off to the horizon.After the Minnesota United midfielder had last season end with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he returned as a substitute in the Loons’ season-opening 1-0 win over FC Dallas on Feb. 25.“At that moment, I was just more focused on trying to do my role and trying to listen to the instructions the coaches gave to me,” Dotson said March 10. “It wasn’t until after the game that I really appreciated the moment to be able to go back on the field after so long away from the game.”Going into the home opener last Saturday, manager Adrian Heath was asked whether Dotson was ready for, say, a 60-minute shift. Heath said yes but added, “That’s what he keeps telling me.”Dotson — who is in the club’s top five in appearances since 2017 — also can’t help himself. He is itching to be a regular in the Loons’ starting 11, while also challenging for a spot on the U.S. men’s nat...

Capital Region concert roundup: March 17-23

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- This is your weekly roundup of concerts happening around the Capital Region from March 17 to March 23. From tribute bands to regional and local favorites, here are the upcoming concerts for the weekend and the following week. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! March 17: Grand Central Station, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, 8 p.m. Free.March 17: Aztec Two-Step 2.0 featuring Rex Fowler, Dodie Pettit & Friends, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Eventbrite website.March 17: John McEuen & The Circle Band, The Linda in Albany, 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Eventbrite website.March 17: Fritz’s Polka Band, Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady, 6 p.m.March 17: The Frank White Experience: A Live Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., Lark Hall in Albany, 8 p.m. You can reserve a spot on the Eventbrite website.March 17: Molly Hatchet, The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, 7:30 p.m....

Hudson Crossing Park seeks award candidates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Hudson Crossing Park runs education and community programs for Schuylerville and the surrounding communities from a green outdoor learning space. On Friday, the park opened submissions for applicants to an award acknowledging students who have proven their own respect for the environment around them. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The park is looking for applications for the 2023 Hudson Crossing Park Seedling Award. The award is given to a student who has shown excellence and dedication to their environment and community. Ideal candidates can show that they have served as role models to their fellows, and show the difference that an individual can make for their neighbors and their world.High school seniors from Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties are welcome to apply, including homeschooled students. To apply, students are asked to submit an essay of around 1,000 words, or a 3-5 minute ...

City of Pittsfield to implement three-hour parking on North Street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Starting Monday, March 27, a three-hour limit for paid on-street parking will be implemented on North Street. Meters from Park Square to Madison Avenue will be updated to reflect the time limit. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the Department of Public Services and Utilities, customers parked over the allotted time will not be ticketed during the first two weeks. Instead, they will be provided with an explanation of the three-hour limit.“This three-hour parking time will allow sufficient time for customers and clients to visit theirattorney, hairstylist, retailer, accountant, exercise studio, etc., and also allow proper turnover andavailability of parking spaces for other customers throughout the business day,” said David Daunais of the Cheveux Hair Clinic. “These are the simple needs of the business owners that will allow them to continue in business and allow themselves and their ...

New date announced for Springsteen's Albany concert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:29:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new concert date has been announced for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at MVP Arena. This comes after the original show date on March 14 was postponed due to illness. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Springsteen will now perform on September 19. According to the MVP Arena website, previously purchased tickets will be honored for this new date.Springsteen and The E Street Band postponed two other concerts at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut and Nationwide Arena in Ohio due to illness before the the Albany concert. Those shows have also been rescheduled to September 16 and September 21, respectively. Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band postpone Albany concert According to a post on Springsteen's Twitter page, if you cannot attend the new date, you have until April 16 to request a refund from Ticketmaster. You can also still buy tickets for the new date on the Ticketmaster website.