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“Cuddling” is just what the doctor ordered for a 200-pound walrus calf rescued this week in Alaska

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A 200-pound (90 kilogram) walrus calf found alone and miles from the ocean on Alaska’s North Slope is being fed every three hours and receiving round-the-clock “cuddling” from doting animal welfare workers who are trying to keep the 1-month-old baby alive.The male Pacific walrus — who, so far, doesn’t have a name — was found Monday and flown a day later from the North Slope to Seward, where the Alaska SeaLife Center is based, a journey of at least 700 miles (1,126 kilometers). Staff with the nonprofit research facility and public aquarium are caring for the gigantic, brown, wrinkly-skinned baby, which was dehydrated and possibly fighting an infection. In an effort to mimic the near-constant care a calf would get from its mom, the walrus is receiving “round the clock ‘cuddling’” to keep him calm and aid in his development, the center said. It described the cuddling as trained staff giving the walrus “the option to have a warm body to lean up against, which...

Shaq visits his Big Chicken restaurant in Rosemont ahead of Lollapalooza DJ set

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Call it 'Shaqpalozza.'Shaquille O’Neal greeted customers at his Big Chicken restaurant in Rosemont on Friday, just hours before he was scheduled to take the Lollapalooza stage for a DJ set.Dozens gathered to see the 7-foot-1 basketball legend for the official ribbon-cutting for Big Chicken, which opened on July 11. Known for his many business ventures, the Hall of Famer called his dip into the chicken sandwich business a natural fit.  “I been in the food business for a while and was always inspired by chicken sandwiches,” Shaq said.   Shaq’s newest restaurant opens location in Chicagoland Founded in Las Vegas in 2018, Shaq was also heavily involved in creating the Big Chicken menu. Located at 9437 West Higgins Road, Shaq's latest venture is home to a neighbor of one of his favorite cities, Chicago.“I definitely have family here. A lot of friends here. A lot of battles against the Bulls here, but it's one of my favorite cities. That's why I'm glad a franchise ...

Group at suburban senior home shows there's no expiration date on friendship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

VERNON HILL, Ill. — You often hear that things get better with age. A group of seniors from Vernon Hills have certainly found that to be true when it comes to friendships.Jim Novak and Steve Kohn say without the burden of child rearing and jobs friendships in their golden years feel different."Makes me feel secure and happy to have these people," Kohn said."You feel like you belong,” Novak said. “I think that's the best expression I can use. You feel like you belong."For several years now, they have traveled in a pack at Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes Senior Living Home. Their dinner table was a full-fledged men's roundtable until the day they made a new invite. More from Erin: Organization has compassion blooming in vacant lots on South Side "We noticed Bunny sitting by herself and we had an empty chair at our table," Novak said."Just because you're 85 doesn't mean you can't find your new best friend,” Tammy “Bunny” Hemmingway said. “And that's what I see all the time"The boys and Bunn...

Simone Biles in Chicagoland to compete in first event since 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (AP) — Ignore the wedding band and it could have been 2019 for Simone Biles. Or 2016. Or 2014.Long before Tokyo. Long before the "twisties.” Long before two years off in which the gymnastics star took a step back, took a long look at the arc of her record-setting career and decided she wasn't done. Not quite yet.There she was walking onto the floor at NOW Arena on Friday on the eve of the U.S. Classic, her first meet since winning bronze on balance beam at the delayed 2020 Olympics, a medal she called among the sweetest she's ever earned.There she was laughing with her teammates. There she was running and stretching and flipping — and yes, occasionally twisting — with the casual ease she summoned so regularly when the seven-time Olympic medalist was at her peak.Those heady days may be over. Biles is 26 now and at a different place in her life. She married Green Bay Packers defensive back Jonathan Owens in April. Her Instagram feed is filled with images ...

APD: Man found dead in backyard of south Austin home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said Friday a man's death in south Austin isn't being investigated as a homicide.Around 11:35 a.m. Friday, police said a caller reported there was a person in the backyard of a home near the 5200 block of Emerald Meadow Drive, which is close to Stassney Lane between Menchaca Road and First Street.Officers found a man "obviously" dead when they arrived at the home, police said."It's an undetermined death at this time," APD Officer Andrew Horne said.It's unclear how that person was connected with the home or how they arrived in the backyard, APD said."Nothing obvious at all to point to cause of death and whether there would be foul play or not. Still undetermined. Still very fresh investigation," Horne said.

How to get free, on sale school supplies at weekend Back to School drives ahead of students' return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some Central Texas students will return to class this coming week, and school districts and communities are hosting Back-to-School events and school supply drives in preparation. Related: 76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks Here are the events giving away free backpacks and school supplies on Saturday:4:12 Kids' annual Back to School Giveaway Event, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at 521 North Pecos Street, Lockhart;Georgetown Cultural Citizens Memorial Association's drive, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1200 West 17th Street, Georgetown;Round Rock ISD's Back to School Bash, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1801 Tiger Trail, Round Rock;Del Valle ISD's Back to School Bash, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 5201 Ross Road, Del Valle;Barton Creek Square's supply drive, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway, Austin; and,Back to School Market Day, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at 5750 Williams Drive, Georgetown.Round Rock ISD's Back to...

Hottest temperatures still to come in Austin's longest heatwave on record

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin is in the midst of its longest stretch of consecutive 100° days on record. For the 28th day in a row Friday, temperatures hit the triple digits at Camp Mabry.A Heat Advisory and Excessive Heat Warning are in effect this weekend for dangerously high temperatures from midday through the afternoon and evening. A Red Flag Warning is also in effect for dangerous fire weather conditions, as fires that may form will spread rapidly under these conditions.The next 7 days appear to be the hottest stretch of the summer yet -- with daily record high temperatures forecast almost every afternoon and not a drop of rain in sight. It appears likely that Austin's stretch of 100°+ days will extend to 40 or more days. BLOG: Forget the heat: Here's when cooler air usually comes Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) Staying cool is paramount in this heat wave but many of your fellow citizens still have a difficult time doing so. Consider supporting our ongoing KXAN Summer F...

Austin winner of 2023 national Disney contest advises future applicants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A winner of last year’s Disney Dreamers Academy Essay Contest said it was one of the best experiences of her life, and she encourages others to apply. U.S. High School students aged 13 to 19 have the opportunity to apply for the Disney Dreamers Academy, which gives driven students who “dream big” the chance to experience a four-day event at Disney World Flordia “designed to give young people the tools they need to make their dreams come true," according to Disney. Medha Pulluru, a 17-year-old Vista Ridge High School student, was one of 100 chosen out of 25,000 applicants last year. And hearing some of Pulluru's dreams she hopes to achieve, it is unsurprising to learn that she got a spot.  “I want to pursue a career in medicine [and] I hope to start a [pharmacutical] company in undergrad,” she told KXAN. “I'm really interested in research, so I hope to continue that. I want to be a neurosurgeon,” she continued. “That's kind of the plan as of right ...

After over 2 decades in business, Make It Sweet says it will close its doors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Make it Sweet, a business that offers baking lessons and sells supplies, announced Friday it would close its doors for good Sept. 1, citing dramatic increases in the cost of operating a business. The business ran for 21 years in north Austin. In a release to its customers, store owners Jennifer and Randy Bartos said challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly followed by disruptions in the supply chain, were too much for the business to recover from. MORE: Mr. Natural in south Austin closes "Randy and I have put all of our time and effort and personal resources into nurturing our business. However, when faced with these ongoing difficulties, remaining open is ultimately not viable," the release said. "We deeply regret any inconvenience that this closure may cause you. Our intent is to ensure a smooth transition for you by offering exceptional discounts on our remaining inventory until ourclosure date of [Sept. 1]. We will additionally be able to place...

Hays County Sheriff's Office eyeing new device to avoid deadly force

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:41 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The push to avoid excessive force during arrests continues across the country, and it could be coming to Central Texas in the form of a new less-than-lethal device.Bolawrap is a device that shoots out a wire at a suspect, tying them up before they can run away or cause problems.Anthony Hipolito says avoiding force is always a top priority when responding to a call."Officers don't go to work looking to use force," said Hipolito.Terry Nichols, director of business development with Bola Wrap says the device can help with de-escalation, and it can come in handy during a mental health emergency or if someone is looking for a fight."Now we have remote restraint technology like the Bola Wrap that allows us to retrain someone from afar," said Nichols. Critics question `less lethal’ force used during protests Each device has a green laser for aiming. Once fired the device lets out a loud bang.Instructors tell KXAN they train people to aim for the legs or chest ...