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Virtual power plants to provide power to ERCOT grid for the first time, PUCT says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two virtual power plants are now qualified and able to provide power to the Texas electric grid, operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Public Utility Commission of Texas said in a news release Wednesday.This is a first for the state's electricity market, the release said. The pilot project tests how consumer-owned, small energy devices, like battery energy storage systems, backup generators, and controllable Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers, can act as a resource in the wholesale electricity market, strengthening grid reliability, according to PUCT.“Small energy resources found in homes and businesses across Texas have incredible potential to continue improving grid reliability and resiliency by selling the excess power they generate to the ERCOT system,” said PUCT Commissioner Will McAdams. “It’s a win-win for Texas. Home and business owners get paid for power they supply and consumers in ERCOT get more reliability.”Texans are increasingl...

70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way is crowned on eve of Minnesota State Fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

For the 70th time, a new Princess Kay of the Milky Way was crowned Wednesday on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair.During an evening ceremony at the fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Emma Kuball, a 19-year-old college student from Waterville, was named the top ambassador of Minnesota’s dairy producers.Kuball represents Rice County and is the daughter of Nate and Shannon Kuball. She attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.Emma Kuball, a 19-year-old college student from Waterville, representing Rice County, was crowned the 70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way in an evening ceremony Aug. 23, 2023 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. (courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair)Ten county dairy princesses from throughout Minnesota competed for the Princess Kay title.Makenzie Alberts of Pine Island, representing Dodge County, and Megan Ratka of Cold Spring, representing Stearns County, were selected as runners-up.Alberts, Kuball and Ratka were also named scholarship winners. Gracie Ash of Mi...

Organizers hold Burdett Birth Center public forum 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Zanetta Graham became a mom at Burdett Birth Center in 2017 and wishes everyone could have the same experience as her. Graham says black women suffer from a maternal mortality rate that is three times higher than white women but Burdett made her feel seen, heard and comforted.“I cannot tell you how much that really eased my anxiety and how good that felt as a person of color to go and see where I am going to be giving birth, this really really intimate experience,” said Graham. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! But that kind of birthing experience could come to an end under a proposal to close the facility.“There’s already a crisis. Our lives are already in danger. We are already underserved. We are already mistreated. That closing would just exacerbate that issue that already exists and that breaks my heart,” said Graham.Graham shared her experience at a public forum held by the Save Burdett Birth Center Co...

St. Louis jail death is a surprise to oversight board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS – FOX 2 has learned of a police investigation into a St. Louis Justice Center death Sunday. It happened two days before this week’s hostage crisis, but was kept secret until FOX 2 was able to uncover it.We’ve confirmed that St. Louis police and the Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the inmate death of 32-year-old Carlton Bernard. His mother says she’s struggling to get answers.Rev. Darryl Gray, the chairman of the Detention Facility Oversight Board, was shocked he had to learn about it from us.“It is alarming,” Gray said. “We can’t even find out that someone has died in their custody.”Court records show Bernard has been locked up since June on a third-degree assault charge. His mother hired Clayton attorney Mark Pedroli, who told us, “32 years old is far too young to die in the custody of the government. Like all in-custody deaths deserve, Mr. Bernard’s death will be investigated vigorously by my law firm.”Bernard died two days prior to Tuesday’s hostage crisis. ...

Doors locked at 7 urgent care facilities across metro area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Multiple urgent care facilities spanning downtown St. Louis to St. Peters have locked doors, and it may have to do with people leaving the healthcare industry.Tonya Graham has walked Olive Street during her lunch hour for the last week. She passes by a closed-up urgent care."It was tiresome," Graham said. "It was wear and tear on my body."Graham just left the medical field after 25 years as a medical assistant."I want to do something where I don't have to be on my feet all the time," Graham said.She said the pandemic was a driving force behind her exit. ‘Surprise’ donation to help Francis Howell schools tackle student lunch debt "Watching sick people go through stuff. You meet people, you help them with stuff, the next minute they're sick – a lot of it is due to COVID," Graham said.Graham is not the only one. There's a mass exodus of people leaving the medical field.The FOX Files confirms at least seven different urgent care locations, spanning two different companies,...

After recent drownings, crowd sizes drop at Rockford Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Rockford Beach Park in House Springs has experienced a slew of issues since the start of the season. Despite temperatures that feel like triple digits, warnings from officials could be paying off, with an apparent drop in crowds at the dangerous waters.Two drownings and several water rescues have been recorded at Rockford Beach this season.High Ridge Fire Chief John Barton said there haven’t been any rescues or deaths at the beach since the last reported drowning on Aug. 12.From across the river, the view from the bluff is pretty steep, while rapid waters await below. It's been part of the biggest problems plaguing the park since the season began. With parking lots that once overflowed, the park was almost empty on Wednesday afternoon.“Every time we’ve been here, it’s usually had a lot of people,” said visitor Nicole Bianchino. “With this heat wave going on, sometimes the AC, cold drinks, and staying inside just doesn’t help or work.”Those who own the dangero...

Searching for air conditioning in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

BRIDGETON, Mo. – An office group of bowlers at Kingpin Lanes in Bridgeton spent Wednesday enjoying the air-conditioned bowling alley. The group believes the plan for an indoor team building event was a good choice.“It’s a very good move in late August in St. Louis,” said bowler Donna Houseman.Gary Shenberg, the owner of the bowling complex, recently installed a portable AC unit and additional window shades in the entryway to help keep the heat from intruding.“When our leagues bowl, we get a lot of people in here,” he said.Shenberg said a 70-degree temperature range is the perfect atmosphere for enjoying bowling, food, and drinks.The complex also includes sand volleyball courts, but the extreme heat canceled league play this week. The heat did not cancel practice for some competitive beach volleyball players who were sharpening their skills on the sand in the afternoon heat. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscr...

Rockies bullpen crumbles in third straight game as Colorado loses 6-5 to Rays in 10 innings to drop series in Tampa

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

For the second straight night, the Rockies had the Rays right where they wanted them — until they didn’t.Tampa Bay scored two runs off Justin Lawrence in the ninth to tie the game, then Brandon Lowe singled home the winning run off Brent Suter in the 10th to lift the Rays to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Rockies.The bullpen crumbling in crunch time came a day after Colorado gave up nine runs in the eighth inning in the opening game of the series at Tropicana Field en route to a 12-4 loss.Suter took the defeat in both games, and going back to Sunday’s homestand finale against the White Sox, the bullpen’s blown three games in a row in ugly fashion. In that 10-5 defeat in LoDo, Chicago plated seven runs in the eighth to uncork a comeback.“These are tough ones,” manager Bud Black told reporters. “These will test you, for sure. Nobody wants to contribute more than bullpen guys when the game is close. They’re feeling it hard right now. … T...

Multiple people shot at famous Orange County biker bar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

Multiple people were hurt Wednesday evening after shots rang out at a historic and popular Orange County biker bar.The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, according to authorities.Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (KTLA)Dozens of first responders were called to the popular biker bar, which is located at 19152 Santiago Canyon Rd.Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (KTLA)The total number of injuries is unclear and police have not said if anyone was killed in the shooting, although footage from Sky5 showed what appeared to be at least three bodies covered in tarps.Authorities have not released any details about the gunman, or what led up to the shooting.Check back for details on this developing story.

Katherine Schneider: Coroner confirms human remains belong to missing Saratoga teen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:22 GMT

LOS GATOS – Human remains found in the Santa Cruz Mountains nearly two weeks ago belong to missing Saratoga teenager Katherine Schneider, according to authorities.The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office used fingerprints to identify the body, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Tuesday.The remains were discovered near Castle Rock State Park in unincorporated Los Gatos on Aug. 12. Katherine’s family previously said they belonged to the teenager.“It is hard to put into words how much Katie will be missed,” the family said in a statement on Aug. 13. “She taught us all how to live our biggest life without reservation.”In the same statement, the family said the sheriff’s office told them Katherine had died in a car accident and that her remains were found in a ravine near the state park.Katherine was reported missing after she left her home on July 5 without taking money, identification cards or her cellphone. Authorities searched three counti...