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Drag queen Heklina found dead in London

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

(KRON) -- Longtime San Francisco drag performer Heklina has died in London, according to fellow drag queen and friend Peaches Christ. Both performers were in London together starring in "Mommie Queerest," a self-described "wild drag parody" of the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest.""This morning, in London, England I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead," wrote Peaches Christ, a.k.a Joshua Grannell, on Facebook. "I do not know her cause of death yet. I know this is shocking news and I am beyond stunned."A social media post from the London theater where the show was playing confirmed the death of Heklina, whose legal name was Stefan Grygelko. CDC warns amid salmonella outbreak affecting multiple states "Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community," Grannell continued. "I am a mess."Heklina was 54 years old, Variety reports.Tributes began to pour in as news of Heklina's death spread. ...

Ban on transgender youth treatments passes Texas Senate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate approved legislation Tuesday banning treatment options for transgender young people, and it will ultimately apply to those already receiving that kind of health care in the state after a reversal among Republican lawmakers. Senate Bill 14, spearheaded by Republican State Sen. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels, passed by a vote of 19-12 along party lines. The legislation now moves to the Texas House of Representatives for debate, where it has to clear before the governor can potentially sign the bill into law. Activists: Transgender Day of Visibility still vital as legislative threats loom The legislation includes a number of provisions affecting the state's doctors and the transgender minors they might treat. It prohibits anyone under 18 from receiving puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy or surgeries for "the purpose of transitioning a child's biological sex." Doctors could also lose their medical license in Texas if they provide these opti...

Texas French Bread fire leads to new official AFD protocol related to water

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department has formalized a new system to alert the proper agency if their work fighting a fire will impact local waterways in any way — a change prompted by a fire at Texas French Bread Company last year.In general, an eight-month study found "firefighting activities present a relatively low risk of harm to aquatic life or other significantly adverse water quality impacts." And, AFD is already in the habit of letting the Austin Watershed Department know if any hazardous material has been released or any spills have happened that could affect water quality. The AWD "protects lives, property and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flood, erosion and water pollution," according to its website. After devastating fire, Texas French Bread reopens as a food truck However, this collaboration was prompted by a March 2022 City Council resolution, whi...

New nonprofit created to preserve, enhance Zilker Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new community board has been created to help preserve and elevate Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin.Zilker 351 is a new nonprofit organization set to oversee the 351-acre park, according to an announcement made by a 10-member community board of directors Monday.Zilker 351 will concentrate its efforts on "supporting current park operations through advocacy, fundraising, streamlining communications among the Zilker groups, and volunteer coordination," per the release. “Andrew Zilker said that Zilker Park ’ought to belong to all the people of Austin,’” said Karen Blizzard, interim executive director of Zilker 351, in the release. “Zilker 351 envisions a park that welcomes all visitors to experience its natural beauty, vibrant programs and recreational opportunities, for years to come. We are thrilled to formally come together as Zilker 351 and be advocates of our city’s crown jewel.”The 10-member board includes:Jesús Aguirre, CEO of Waterloo GreenwayHeidi Anderson, ...

Donald Trump in New York City courtroom for arraignment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, ERIC TUCKER, JENNIFER PELTZ and WILL WEISSERT (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities Tuesday at a Manhattan courthouse ahead of his arraignment on criminal charges stemming from a hush money payment to a porn actor during his 2016 campaign.Trump himself described the experience as “SURREAL” as he traveled from Trump Tower to a lower Manhattan courtroom, where he was to face a judge as the first former president in American history to be criminally prosecuted.A stone-faced Trump entered the courtroom shortly before 2:30 p.m. without saying anything.The arraignment, though expected to be brief and procedural in nature, amounts to a remarkable reckoning for Trump after years of investigations into his personal, business and political dealings. The case is unfolding against the backdrop not only of his third campaign for the White House but also against other investigations in Washington and Atlanta that might yet ...

Wild no longer control their own destiny. What do they need to win Central Division?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

The ship has most likely sailed on the Wild winning the Western Conference.Though it’s not impossible for the Wild to mount a comeback — not yet at least — a couple of losses to the Golden Knights have dropped them five points back with five games to go.Now the Wild (44-23-10, 98 points) need to shift their focus to simply winning the Central Division. They dropped to second place behind the Dallas Stars (42-21-14, 98 points) via the tiebreaker on Monday night and the Colorado Avalanche 45-24-6, 96 points) are right behind with two games in hand.The good news for the Wild is as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Tankathon, they have an easier strength of schedule than both the Stars and the Avalanche down the stretch.Here a look at games left for each team:Wild (five games): Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville PredatorsStars (five games): Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues (twice)Avalanch...

Trump’s surrender at courthouse creates New York spectacle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN and DEEPTI HAJELA (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — A small park built on a site that was once a swampy, sewage-filled pond was ground zero for the frenzy surrounding former President Donald Trump’s surrender Tuesday at a courthouse in Lower Manhattan.Hundreds of onlookers, protesters, journalists and a few politicians swarmed into the confines of Collect Pond Park across the street from the criminal courthouse where Trump was to be arraigned. Trump entered the courthouse surrounded by Secret Service agents and out of view of demonstrators gathered in the park. The crowd was small, by the standards of New York City protests, which routinely draw thousands. And fears that unruly mobs might force police to shut down swaths of the city proved to be unfounded, with security measures mostly disappearing within a couple of blocks.But within the park and the surrounding sidewalks, there was plenty of chaos.Metal barricades separated Trump supporters from a...

Wrecktangle Pizza bringing new concept to St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

The restaurant space that used to house Wild Tymes on West Seventh Place in downtown St. Paul has been empty since 2017, with promises that the company behind The Palace Theatre and First Avenue, which is leasing the space, would open a new restaurant.Five years and a pandemic later, we finally have an announcement: Wrecktangle Pizza will move in with a new concept they’re calling Wrestaurant at the Palace.The new spot, which will open sometime this summer, will offer classic Wrecktangle Detroit-style pizzas, sandwiches and slices, but will also introduce new dishes and a cocktail menu. There will be a slice window to offer grab-and-go items, but the rest of the eatery will be full-service with a 40-seat bar as well.“We are very jazzed for this new partnership,” said Jeff Rogers and Breanna Evans of Wrecktangle and Wrestaurant. “Food and beverage expect to be familiar and fun, just like us! This isn’t Wrecktangle Pizza, but there will be Wrecktangle Pizzas.”The restaurant will be op...

Broadalbin's Glampful will have you camping in luxury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

BROADALBIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Love the outdoors but not necessarily the sleeping bags and small tents? Travel+Leisure highlights the relaxing glamping destination just a short distance away in Broadalbin called Glampful. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Travel+Leisure reports the "glamsite," Glampful is opening in May with eight luxury tents and a short distance to one of the Adirondack's "best-kept secrets." The site follows the values of family and connection, sustainability, local community, and fun while appreciating the beauty of nature. The Glampful site features a range of safari tents complete with hardwood floors, beds with fresh linens, dining tables and chairs, and a private deck with lounge chairs. The travel magazine explains there is no need to worry about using the outdoors as your bathroom when Glampful has a separate building with private bathrooms and hot showers. Glampful also has a fire pit with compliment...

Risks and timing for Missouri severe weather Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- This is another day to be weather aware. This is a potentially high impact severe event.They don't get much more challenging than this event in terms of forecasting severe weather. This is because of the potential for severe weather and the time of day it may happen. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Severe weather risk near St. LouisThere is a very real chance that little if anything may happen at all. But, you need to remain weather aware in case something does happen. If it does, it would get very rough in a few spots.Tuesday afternoonThere are several parameters that strongly favor isolated intense thunderstorms with very large hail and possibly even strong tornadoes over Missouri, especially northern Missouri this afternoon and early evening. However, there is an equally strong capping inversion in the atmosphere that looks strong enough to completely, or nearly completely, shut down storm development through today in our area. That being said, ...