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'Today I Am' campaign aims to help military veterans take care of their mental health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

(KXAN) -- In 2020, there were 6,146 Veteran suicides, or average of 16.8 per day, according to the latest research from the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The Department of Veteran Affairs says there is help with a new campaign it calls ‘Today I Am.’“A lot of veterans are struggling,” said Dr. Christopher Loftis, a licensed psychologist and the National Director for VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration. “It's a difficult time when they leave the military or sometimes it's just the stress of a relationship breaking up, a career change, retirement, all different reasons why veterans might be struggling,” Loftis explained. Hundreds of veterans have shared messages online of how important it is to take care of their mental health.“With this campaign, we're really hoping that by showing the videos of veterans from all different service areas, all different service branches, all different kinds of backgrounds and identities, that veterans will find someone that they...

Austin tourism expected to stay steady, despite possible economic recession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tourism has taken off in Austin.According to Visit Austin, travelers spent $8.2 billion in 2022. That generated $837 million in local taxes, saving the average household $917 annually.At the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, passenger traffic growth this March was up 6.52% compared to March of 2022. With 1,941,044 departing passengers, March of 2023 was the fifth busiest month on record at AUS. March was the 5th-busiest month in Austin airport history Only five months into 2023, Visit Austin President and CEO Tom Noonan says the city is on pace for a record-setting year for tourism.Even with the possibility of an economic recession, he believes that Austin is in a prime position to attract a wide variety of visitors."So many destinations are good at one or two things, they might be good at business travel, they might be a leisure destination,” Noonan said.“We have them all, including festivals and major sporting events. While we may get hit by a recession, at...

ROK Eatery in Schmidt Rathskeller changing concepts to tacos and cocktails

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

ROK Eatery in the Schmidt Brewing Rathskeller building is changing concepts from Nordic and Japanese cuisine to a casual bar featuring tacos and cocktails.In a news release, owner Travis Wycislak said there are three reasons for the change: The rising costs of ingredients, uncertainty surrounding the restaurant’s lease and “long-term expenses.”The uncertainty surrounding its lease is due to the fact that the Rathskeller building is in foreclosure and will be auctioned off this month.The restaurant will keep its name. More than the menu will change, too — there will be more live music, QR code ordering (table service will still be offered at the bar) and Sunday special events with rotating food concepts. There will be “affordable drinks with elevated options,” too. The restaurant’s dog-friendly patio will continue to operate.Changes will go into effect May 17.ROK Eatery: 882 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-528-7273; rokeatery.comRelated ArticlesRestaurants, Food and D...

Thurman Thomas speaking at PAL Breakfast of Champions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hall of Fame running back and Buffalo Bills' legend Thurman Thomas will deliver a keynote address at the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) Breakfast of Champions, taking place on Wednesday from 7:15 to 9:15 a.m. The breakfast is taking place at the Desmond Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel, and tickets for the event can be purchased online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event looks to honor the champions who help support PAL every year. Members to be honored include Arielle King as an Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Honorable Kelly Kimbrough as an Honorary Lifetime Member Recognition, Kaweeda Adams as a community supporter, John Phillips and John Queenan as community advocates, and more. Thomas played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Buffalo Bills. He would win the MVP Award in 1991, beating out Bills' teammate and quarterback Jim Kelly, and earn Offensive Player of the Year honors as well. Thomas ...

Weekend of lawlessness in St. Louis: 15 shootings, 5 dead, 18 injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's been a weekend of lawlessness in St. Louis, with roughly 15 shootings and no arrests. Five people have died, and 18 people were injured.Major Ryan Cousins said the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will increase its police presence."We have to create a large presence, and hopefully that will deter people from coming downtown or anywhere else in the city," he said.On Friday, at the Exotic Bar on Cherokee Street, police shared that two people were shot multiple times and died in the hospital from their injuries.The next day, two people were shot and injured on Cherokee Street during the weekend Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Police said they are asking the public to help them find the two s...

300th anniversary of Illinois National Guard today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

KASKASKIA, Ill. - Tuesday is the 300th anniversary of the Illinois National Guard. It dates back to 1723, when the Illinois militia first mustered at Kaskaskia, Illinois. Family mourns siblings struck and killed on I-170 The French marines will be part of a commemorative celebration at 5:30 p.m. in Kaskaskia.

Man dead after car crash in Thornton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

A man is dead after a car crash in north metro Denver.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | No more free test kits, less data: What the end of the COVID public health emergency means in Colorado Crashes and Disasters | Authorities looking for driver of Jeep who rammed vehicle in Englewood Crashes and Disasters | All lanes of E. Quincy Avenue in Aurora closed for multi-vehicle crash Crashes and Disasters | Three 18-year-olds charged with murder in deadly Colorado rock-throwing spree Crashes and Disasters | Two people killed in crash with Arapahoe County deputy identified The crash Monday night in Thornton, near the intersection of 92nd Avenue and Pecos Street, involved two cars, police said in a posting on Twitter. Three people were transported to hospitals, police said.No further information was released on the man who died as a result of his injuries.The crash forced a temporary shutdown of westbound ...

Denver weather: Sunny day under blue skies with possible evening rain and thunderstorms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

A balmy, sunny morning under blue skies Tuesday will bring high temperatures, tempered by light breezes, with a possibility of rain and thunderstorms in the late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.The high temperature in metro Denver will be 79 degrees, weather service forecasters said. Any rain will hit the city in the afternoon, shifting to thunderstorms here and there, forecasters said.East of Denver on the high plains, storms are expected to intensify toward Colorado’s border with Kansas. Meteorologists were anticipating scattered rain and thunderstorms Tuesday evening. Severe storms likely will form, forecasters said and could bring hail and wind gusting at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.The weather service has issued a red flag fire danger warning starting Tuesday around noon for Front Range cities and the southeastern plains due to dry conditions and low humidity. Residents are asked to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could kick out sparks.Pa...

Water from sheared hydrant floods Sherman Oaks neighborhood, damages homes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

Water from a sheared hydrant flooded a Sherman Oaks neighborhood and damaged homes early Tuesday.Mud and debris were left behind, some even going into garages.The fire hydrant burst around 1:30 a.m. along the 3900 block of Woodcliff Road, sending thousands of gallons of water flying about 100 feet into the air.The runoff from the water main caused part of a hillside to erode and sent chunks of mud and debris into two homes.Los Angeles firefighters, along with L.A. Department of Water and Power crews, were able to get the water shut down, Capt. Logan Fields said.Water from a sheared fire hydrant shoots into the air on May 9, 2023. (RMG News)Water from a sheared fire hydrant floods a Sherman Oaks street on May 9, 2023. (RMG News)Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters respond to a sheared fire hydrant in Sherman Oaks on May 9, 2023. (RMG News)Mud is left behind under a garage after a sheared fire hydrant flooded a Sherman Oaks neighborhood on May 9, 2023. (KTLA)Authorities believe a ...

Mustang driver arrested after slamming into cars in Woodland Hills (video)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:16 GMT

A Mustang driver involved in a road-rage incident was caught on video last week crashing into several vehicles in Woodland Hills. The incident occurred Wednesday, May 3, around 1:30 p.m. on Ventura Boulevard.Security video shared exclusively with KTLA by John Crawford shows the blue Mustang rear-ending an SUV while waiting at a stop light. The driver then backs up into a pickup as the SUV driver gets out of her vehicle and while apparently trying to get away, the Mustang driver also crashes into a box truck in another lane.The driver then puts the car in reverse again, goes over the median from westbound to eastbound lanes and smashes into a Porsche going in the other direction, the video shows.The driver eventually pulls forward and once again rams into the SUV, pushing the vehicle forward several feet. Crawford and witnesses said the Mustang driver was causing issues on the road miles away, beginning on Victory Boulevard and Fallbrook Avenue.“It was very disturbing and it just got...