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Visitor finds 3.29-carat gem at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

MURFREESBORO, Ark. (KARK) – An Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park visitor hit a sizable jackpot during a dig on March 4.Murfreesboro resident David Anderson, a regular park visitor, discovered a 3.29-carat brown diamond while sifting gravel. The site was in the West Drain of the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area. Gov. Sanders kicks off 100 years of Arkansas State Parks with event at Petit Jean State Park Anderson mistook the diamond initially.“At first I thought it was quartz but wondered why it was so shiny,” he said. “Once I picked it up, I realized it was a diamond!”Murfreesboro resident David Anderson is a regular to the park and said he has found more than 400 gems during his visits. (Courtesy: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism)A park spokesperson said Anderson has found more than 400 diamonds in the park over the past 16 years, adding that 15 of the diamonds he recovered have been more than one carat. Arkansas State Parks kicks off centennial celebr...

Veterans Affairs will cover pricey experimental Alzheimer's drug

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) said it will widely cover an experimental $26,500-per-year Alzheimer’s drug, even though Medicare will not.Leqembi will be made available to veterans living with early stages of Alzheimer's disease who meet agency criteria as well as conditions on Leqembi's label, according to an announcement Monday by the drug's manufacturers Eisai and Biogen. The move makes the VHA the first major insurer to agree to pay for the drug since its approval.The VHA, under the Department of Veterans Affairs, is the largest health system in the country.Leqembi was approved earlier this year through the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) accelerated pathway based on data showing it could moderately slow cognitive decline by reducing levels of a protein called amyloid in the brains of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rejected a request from the Alzheimer’s Association for unrestricted coverage late last month...

North Carolina Supreme Court convenes for rare rehearing in major gerrymandering case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

The North Carolina Supreme Court’s new Republican majority weighed overruling a decision that struck down the state’s GOP-drawn voting maps as a partisan gerrymander on Tuesday, a rare rehearing that could shift a sweeping election law clash at the U.S. Supreme Court.The case has also fueled accusations of partisanship in the state’s top court, which is elected in increasingly expensive campaigns. Republican state lawmakers argued the court’s previous 4-3 Democratic majority sped up their rulings against the GOP.After Republicans in the midterm elections regained control of the court and the new 5-2 majority last month granted the GOP lawmakers’ request to rehear the dispute, Democrats have similarly attributed partisan motivations. It marked only the third time the court has granted a rehearing during the past 30 years. “This court issued two landmark decisions recognizing that the North Carolina Constitution prohibits partisan gerrymandering that systematically dilutes s...

George Santos files paperwork for 2024 reelection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) filed paperwork for a 2024 reelection bid on Tuesday, an indication the embattled congressman may seek another term in the House.Filing the statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) does not, however, guarantee that Santos will go through with the bid. Since winning his election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District in November, the congressman has drawn intense scrutiny amid revelations he embellished parts of his resume, and questions regarding his finances.The FEC sent a letter to Santos last month asking if he planned to run for reelection next year after his campaign reported nearly $28,000 in contributions and almost $43,000 in expenses during the time period following the November election. According to federal law, potential candidates must declare their candidacy to the FEC if they receive or spend upwards of $5,000 for an election.The agency asked that he respond by March 14 — the same day Santos filed his 2024 paperw...

Z'Tejas will close downtown Austin restaurant on April 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 14, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A little more than two weeks are left for people to go and enjoy the food at a familiar Southwestern-style restaurant in downtown Austin. Z'Tejas, located on West Sixth Street by North Lamar Boulevard, will officially close its doors on April 1. According to a news release confirming the closure date, the restaurant will hold a celebratory party next week to mark 33 years in business. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Z’Tejas to close its original location in downtown Austin The goodbye party will happen on March 24. On that day, the restaurant will charge $5 all day for its house margarita, and a DJ will play at the downtown location from 6-10 p.m. "The community is encouraged to come in and enjoy one of their favorites," the news release detailed. "A few classics have been added back to the core menu. Starting on March 17, dishes like the Navajo taco, Chicken Artichoke stacker and Adobo Cho...

APD: Suspicious death investigation in north Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 14, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating reports of a suspicious death in north Austin Tuesday afternoon.Police responded to 11700 Metric Boulevard, which is between Braker Lane and Gracy Farms Lane, around 4:20 p.m.APD said it expects to hold a media briefing at a later time Tuesday.This developing story will be updated.

Miss old Austin? Buy memorabilia from this vending machine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Remember visiting the Highland Mall? Shopping for party supplies at Jumpolin? Catching a movie at the Harlem Theater?A vending machine selling old Austin relics opened this week in the Paramount Theatre lobby that aims to preserve the history of the gentrified areas of the city, said Carl Settles, the executive director of Austin nonprofit E4 Youth. PREVIOUS: Is the City of Austin living up to its promise to improve quality of life for Black people? The LostIn vending machine includes items from old Austin establishments like a t-shirt from the Victory Grill in east Austin or a piñata from the now-shuttered Jumpolin or a L.C. Anderson High School pencil case. A vending machine selling old Austin relics opened this week in the Paramount Theatre lobby that aims to preserve the history of the gentrified areas of the city. (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)A vending machine selling old Austin relics opened this week in the Paramount Theatre lobby that aims to preserve the hi...

How Austin's Event Operations Center keeps you safe during SXSW

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As people flock downtown this week for South by Southwest, a joint effort between City and public safety staff monitors the crowds, ready to take action if need be."We have all of the public safety departments here in one location," said Brydan Summers, the consumer services manager for the Austin Center for Events. "We want to make sure we have all the right people in the room if we need to make decisions."The Emergency Operations Center is located on Barton Springs Road, about a block south of the river. There are also various mobile command centers set up downtown by the city's public safety departments. The Austin Police Department also has designated officers patrolling inside the street enclosures on Sixth, Rainey and Red River Streets.The Emergency Operations Center serves as a hub for transportation operations as well.You can view a full presentation of safety efforts, road closures and transportation plans here. KXAN is gathering additional information about...

Hole in the Wall employee injured in 'unfortunate accident'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One Hole in the Wall employee was injured, and the building was damaged following an "unfortunate accident," bar owners said in a Facebook post Tuesday."An unfortunate accident has damaged our building and injured one of our staff. He's a trooper and hanging tough despite a road of recovery ahead of him," bar owners said in part.They added an upcoming benefit and fundraising efforts are in the works. KXAN is reaching out for more information on the incident. We will update this once we receive any more details.

Duluth mall suffers partial roof collapse in wake of 12-inch snowfall; no one injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:02:57 GMT

DULUTH, Minn. — The Miller Hill Mall in Duluth was evacuated Tuesday morning after a partial roof collapse. No injuries were immediately reported after the collapse, which was presumably caused by the weight of the season’s excessive snowfall.The collapse at Duluth’s biggest indoor shopping center was reported at 9 a.m. Tuesday near the Applebee’s restaurant, according to the Duluth Fire Department.Daylight is visible through a hole left by a partial roof collapse on March 14, 2023, at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minn. (Courtesy of Scott Skar via Forum News Service)Scott Skar, manager of the Barnes & Noble in the mall, told the Duluth News Tribune he was preparing to open the store when he heard a loud noise and felt the building shake at about 8:55 a.m. After looking through the gate at the mall entrance to the store, he saw snow in the courtyard hallway near Express.Skar called out to see if anyone was hurt, but did not get a response. He then called 911 ...