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Most-read stories on KXAN.com in 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the year comes to an end, KXAN looked back and gathered the top stories from 2023.1. Texas passes bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections Read the full story Lawmakers voted to eliminate most vehicles' annual vehicle inspection requirement. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law June 13.In 2025, those inspections will be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee — the same as the current inspection fee, but without the need to actually take your vehicle into the shop. Drivers in new vehicles that have not previously been registered will pay $16.75 upon registration. That money will benefit the Texas Mobility Fund, the Clean Air Fund and the state’s general revenue.2. City of Austin on high alert as war wages on in Israel Read the full story In October, Mayor Kirk Watson said the City of Austin was on high alert as the war waged on in Israel.“We have not received any information to believe that a threat is imminent here in Austin. However, our Austin Poli...

Crisis grips emergency medical service providers in rural Minnesota

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Rural emergency medical service workers are sounding the alarm about a system in a financial and worker crisis that can lead — and in some cases has already led — to increased response times for Minnesotans in a medical emergency.“This has not been a trend that has really surprised people that have been paying attention,” said Becca Huebsch, director of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness for Perham Health in western Minnesota. “But now it’s really coming to a breaking point where systems have been underpaid for so long, now they’ve used up their cash stores and they put off big purchases.”For the seven ambulance services that cover Otter Tail County, where Perham is located, ambulance providers are losing $181 per call, according to Huebsch.“Every time the pager goes off and we respond to an emergency, we’re digging ourselves deeper into the hole,” Huebsch said. “We don’t want to stop responding but...

Broomfield man charged in wife’s killing impersonated ex-boyfriend, stalked her for months, police say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

A Broomfield man charged with murder in his wife’s death had been impersonating her ex-boyfriend and stalking her for months before killing her, according to an arrest affidavit filed in the Broomfield County Combined Court.Daniel Bartholomew Krug, 43, is facing first-degree murder, stalking and criminal impersonation charges in the Dec. 14 killing of his wife, 43-year-old Kristil Krug, at their home in the 3100 block of Promontory Loop in Broomfield.Daniel Krug called Broomfield police just after noon Dec. 14 to ask for a welfare check on his wife at their home. He said he hadn’t heard from her for several hours and was worried following months of her being stalked and sent obscene and potentially threatening messages that were apparently from her ex-boyfriend, according to the affidavit. Police later found evidence that Daniel Krug had been the one stalking and messaging her, pretending to be her ex-boyfriend.Police found Kristil Krug beaten and stabbed, and she later died at a ho...

Fewer workers died on the job in Colorado in 2022, but road deaths rose

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Colorado saw fewer work-related fatalities in 2022, bucking a trend that saw workplace deaths rise nationally, according to an update from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday.Colorado recorded 89 worker deaths on the job last year, which is a 7.3% decrease from the 96 workers who died on the job in 2021, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program, which is a collaborative effort between the CDLE’s Office of Labor Market Information and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Last year, 5,486 workers died from a work-related injury nationally, a 5.7% increase from the 5,190 workers who died in 2021.Of the 89 workers who died on the job in Colorado, six were self-employed compared to 12 in that category in 2021. Men accounted for 81 of the total deaths, while women represented 8. Workers aged 35 to 44 were the single largest bracket at 19, followed by those aged 55 to 64 at 18.Ten deaths were recorded for workers aged 20 to 24, the first time t...

Nikola Jokic after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 40 on Nuggets: “He’s a problem in this league”

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Prompted by the probing interviewer known as “Curious Mike” in a rare podcast appearance made public this week, Nikola Jokic still politely swerved away from giving a straight answer to hot take television’s favorite question.But as Jokic pondered the options for his current top-five players in the NBA (excluding himself, of course), the names that reflexively occurred to him were at minimum a telling reminder of the basketball generation he recognizes as a forebearer to the rest. Kevin Durant and LeBron James were two of the first four players he floated to teammate Michael Porter Jr. in his non-answer. For those keen on over-reading, it was a subtle and insightful glimpse into Jokic’s mind.What the Nuggets suffered through Friday night was an equally relevant study in the merits of not over-reading, though.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 to lead the Thunder in a statement rout of the Nuggets, 119-93. He drained a cold-blooded game-winning shot in the same...

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Is Sean Payton fibbing about threat to Russell Wilson? Or are the Broncos a totally incompetent organization?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

How’s that Blueberry Kush, or whatever Denver sports hacks like you are smoking these days? Can you try to describe in your next column to those of us who aren’t completely high exactly what it is you’ve seen these past two seasons that would justify quarterback Russell Wilson keeping his starting job?— Brad, high on lifeKiz: During his first season, Wilson sometimes seemed more interested in being Mr. and Mrs. Instagram than a football player. And I ripped him for it. During this season, Wilson has often played like the QB he was in Seattle, best when improvising, limited in seeing the whole field, but throwing 26 TD passes against eight interceptions. Yet the Broncos tried to hammer him, threatening to bench Wilson after the victory against Kansas City if he didn’t surrender guaranteed money in a contract signed a little more than a year earlier. That’s bush league. But know what might be worse? Coach Sean Payton claimed Friday he was not privy to those awkward b...

NFL Picks: Ravens, Dolphins square off one week after impressive wins, plus the Browns are going to the postseason

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Around the AFCHey, uh, Chiefs? Kansas City is 3-5 since its 6-1 start and is coming off a loss to the Raiders last weekend without giving up an offensive touchdown. Patrick Mahomes and company are probably still fine, but, well, it’s a probably at this point. They could conceivably still choke the division away with a pair of losses to close the season (combined with two wins by either Denver or Las Vegas), but even if they wrap up the West, it looks like a flawed team down the stretch. Can they find a fresh gear in the postseason, assuming they get there?Bills rolling(-ish). Don’t look now, but Josh Allen and Buffalo have won three straight. Sure, they almost lost to the Chargers in a game that could have tanked their chances. But they survived, are 9-6 and now play New England this weekend. They’ve still got to secure a spot in the postseason, but if they get there, nobody’s going to be wild about seeing them the first weekend. Especially if they beat Miami in Week 18 and end up t...

How CSU Rams’ McKenna Hofschild transformed her game, entire women’s basketball program

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Every athlete has a game day routine, and Colorado State women’s basketball guard McKenna Hofschild’s is no different: attend classes online, get up a few shots, eat a pregame meal and listen to some music.What is unique, however, is the way the 5-foot-2 guard can center every ounce of focus onto the task at hand — winning a basketball game.“When she’s especially locked in, you can feel it,” CSU teammate Sydney Mech said. “She doesn’t even have to say anything, it’s just her presence. You know when it’s going to be a good game, and if she’s in that mindset, we’re there, too.”That singular drive has been the bedrock of a CSU career that may not have gone exactly to plan but has almost certainly exceeded expectations.Hofschild’s ability to score was essential, and the primary reason Rams head coach Ryun Williams recruited her to Fort Collins.Climbing to the top of CSU’s all-time assists leaderboard as she did in November, though, wasn’t something anyone saw coming four years ago when ...

Netherlands Should Prepare For Possible Conflict With Russia warns Dutch Army Chief

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

Dutch Army Chief General Martin Wijnen has issued a stark warning, urging the Netherlands to prepare for the possibility of conflict with Russia. General Wijnen emphasized the need for the entire Dutch society to be ready for any potential escalation, stating that preparations must be made for when things go wrong.General Wijnen expressed deep concern over the evolving geopolitical situation in Europe and the growing tensions with Russia. He stated, “It is our responsibility to ensure that the entire society is prepared for any scenario, especially in the current context where the relationship with Russia is strained.”The Netherlands has been increasingly wary of Russia’s actions in recent months, with geopolitical tensions reaching levels not seen in years. General Wijnen highlighted the need for comprehensive preparations, including military readiness, civil defence measures, and public awareness campaigns.

Kazakhstan's Commitment to Human Rights: Evaluating Progress and Forging Ahead

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:45 GMT

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a uniqueopportunity for us to come together and reflect on the progress that has been made onhuman rights in recent history. As well as looking back at our collective history, weshould also examine the responsibilities that we have as individual countries, and takestock of how well we have performed as a global community of states - writes Elvira Azimova, Chairwoman of the Constitutional Court of KazakhstanSince Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991, the principles outlined in theUniversal Declaration have been fundamental to the founding principles of ourstatehood. While these values are embedded in our national culture and ourconstitution and laws, like any other country, we recognize the need to continuallyadjust, and to strengthen our human rights protections as we evolve as a nation.With this in mind, and in the spirit of reflection precipitated by this momentous globalmilestone, it is important to assess...