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US has 'downplayed' the number of UFO sightings: Senator Hawley

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

(NewsNation) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) said he was "surprised" to learn how many unidentified aerial phenomena the U.S. government has come across, amid calls from lawmakers for investigations into a whistleblower's claims of a secret UFO program. "The number of these is apparently huge, huge. And that is something that the government has, the best I can say about it, downplayed, if not kept from the public, for a long, long time," said Hawley. ‘Mysterious lights’ seen hovering in night sky over Las Vegas valley While he acknowledged that he can't assess the truth of David Grusch's allegations, Hawley pointed to government reports that indicated there were UAP sightings that remain "unaccounted for.""I don't have any basis to evaluate them but do some of the details that he's alleging, do they sound plausible? Yeah, sure. They sound plausible, based on what I've seen this government do in other instances," Hawley said.Hawley said his remarks concerned the government's r...

Debris field found near Titanic during search for submersible, US Coast Guard says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that an underwater vessel has located a debris field near the Titanic in the search for a missing submersible with five people aboard, a potential breakthrough in an increasingly urgent around-the-clock effort.The Coast Guard's post on Twitter gave no details, such as whether officials believe the debris is connected to the Titan, which was on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic. The search passed the critical 96-hour mark Thursday when breathable air could have run out.The Titan was estimated to have about a four-day supply of breathable air when it launched Sunday morning in the North Atlantic — but experts have emphasized that was an imprecise approximation to begin with and could be extended if passengers have taken measures to conserve breathable air. And it’s not known if they survived since the sub’s disappearance.Rescuers have rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. On Thursday...

Tornadoes, hail and hurricane-force winds tear through west Texas, killing 4 people in small town

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

A line of severe storms produced what a meteorologist calls a rare combination of multiple tornadoes, hurricane-force winds and softball-sized hail in west Texas, killing at least four people, injuring nine and causing significant damage around the town of Matador, a meteorologist said Thursday.The storms produced strong winds that swept across Texas, from the Panhandle to Houston, causing damage north of the city, according to weather officials.A supercell developed about 8 p.m. Wednesday near Amarillo before striking the small town of Matador, said senior forecaster Matt Ziebell with the National Weather Service in Lubbock. He called it “certainly rare to see all at the same time — killer tornadoes, hurricane-force winds and softball-sized hail.”The damage was concentrated on a 1-mile stretch with businesses and homes demolished along the west side of Matador, a town where “everybody knows everybody,” said Brandon Moore, Matador’s water superintendent who is also a volunteer firef...

PHOTOS: Storms roll across Central Texas Wednesday night

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong to severe storms moved through Central Texas Wednesday evening, bringing hail, strong winds, lots of lightning and a brief Tornado Warning in Llano County.KXAN viewers across the area sent in some great photos during and after the storms.Check out some of the best in our photo gallery below:Lightning over Dripping Springs on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Rex Mitchell)Lightning over Dripping Springs on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Rex Mitchell)Storm clouds over Buchanan Dam on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Catherine Shaw)Storm clouds over Buchanan Dam on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Catherine Shaw)Storm clouds over Kingsland on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Jeannie Flexer)Storm clouds over Bastrop on June 21, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Lightning over southwest Austin on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Chad Jones)Lightning over Spicewood on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Paul Kelly)Lightning over north Austin on June 21, 2023. (Courtesy Marsha Moyer)Lightning over Spicewood on June 21, 2023. (KXAN V...

Rethink35 drops I-35 lawsuit, eyes new legal action against downtown segment

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A community grassroots group in opposition to the Texas Department of Transportation's Interstate 35 expansion project dropped its lawsuit this week — but is eyeing possible legal action against the project's downtown segment.Last June, Rethink35 joined the Texas Public Interest Research Group and Environment Texas in a lawsuit filing against TxDOT, mainly targeting the north and south portions of the three-segmented project. In the lawsuit, the three organizations alleged TxDOT "violated the law" by splitting up the I-35 Capital Express Projects into three sections in an effort to avoid a "more rigorous environmental review and public engagement of a single larger project." RELATED REPORTING: 3 groups sue TxDOT over I-35 improvement projects On Thursday, Rethink35's board president Adam Greenfield told KXAN the group still stands behind the lawsuit's claims, but the organization is working toward possible legal action against the I-35 Capital Express Central proje...

DVISD board member out after homestead exemption filing 'error'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) – The Del Valle ISD School Board said Wednesday there was a vacancy on the board after a member filed homestead tax exemption paperwork in another district.According to the district, the trustee for the district 2 seat, Damian Pantoja, vacated the seat when he "filed a sworn statement of residency in Austin ISD in order to obtain a homestead exemption which he received." Under Travis County Appraisal District rules, a homestead exemption must be filed for a person's primary residence.Since Pantoja filed his exemption paperwork in an area that fell under the AISD jurisdiction, he "immediately and automatically ceased holding office in Del Valle ISD," according to the district. Through a statement issued by his attorney Bill Aleshire, Pantoja said he is a "firm believer in accepting the results of one's actions," acknowledged not seeking professional advice and added "my error has given my opponents the opportunity to have me removed."Pantoja c...

U.S. Coast Guard says debris field found near Titanic during search for missing submersible

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

By PATRICK WHITTLE and HOLLY RAMER (Associated Press)The search for a missing submersible with five people aboard took a bleak turn Thursday when the U.S. Coast Guard said a debris field was found at the bottom of the ocean near the Titanic, an announcement that came after the critical 96-hour mark when breathable air could have run out.The Coast Guard’s post on Twitter gave no details, such as whether officials believe the debris is connected to the Titan, which was on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic. It said the debris was discovered within the search area by a remotely operated underwater robot, and was being evaluated. The Titan was estimated to have about a four-day supply of breathable air when it launched Sunday morning in the North Atlantic — but experts have emphasized that was an imprecise approximation to begin with and could be extended if passengers have taken measures to conserve breathable air. And it’s not known if they survived si...

Twins sign former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to minor-league deal

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

The Twins have agreed to a minor-league deal with former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, manager Rocco Baldelli said before Thursday’s noon first pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field.Keuchel, 35, won the 2015 Cy Young Award after going 20-8 with a 2.48 earned-run average for Houston and was one of baseball’s best starting pitchers from 2014-2020, going 81-55 with a 3.25 ERA, 11 complete games and a 1.192 WHIP in 175 starts.But the left-hander struggled through last season, throwing only 42 innings with the White Sox, Diamondbacks and Rangers and finishing with a 9.00 ERA. He is expected to report to Class AAA St. Paul.“We’re glad to have him in the organization and give him an opportunity to go out and pitch and show all the things that he’s been working on, because I hear he’s been working on a few things,” Baldelli said.Keuchel has been working with performance coaches at Driveline Baseball in Kent, Wash., and according to a tweet from pitching director Chris Lan...

Halfmoon to replace water main on Brigantine Drive

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Halfmoon announced plans to begin replacing the water main on Brigantine Drive in July. The town's communication director believes the project is expected to take no more than six to eight weeks to complete. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The water main repair will look to improve the reliability and safety of the water supply for residents. During the construction, residents may experience temporary minor interruptions in their water services and traffic delays due to lane closures. “This project will reduce the risk of water main breaks, leaks, and contamination, and ensure that we deliver high-quality water to our customers,” said Frank Tironi, Jr., Director of Water for the Town of Halfmoon. State Tree Climbing Championship coming to Washington Park “This water main replacement project is necessary and worthwhile for the long-term health and well-being of our community," said H...

'Corn! The Musical' coming to Salem theater

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:47:01 GMT

SALEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Fort Salem Theater's slate of 2023 shows features something special. This July, a musical written in and as a tribute to the town's own home of rural Washington County will take the stage - no salt or butter required. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Corn! The Musical" comes to Fort Salem Theater on Friday and Saturday, July 7-8. Written by the late Al Budde, the musical tells the story of the challenges faced by a family farm following the loss of the older generation. Some are called to a new life, and others are tied to an agricultural heritage that is very real in the Salem area.The show is a meeting point for the current and former owners of Salem's local theater house. Co-directing is the theater's previous owner, Jay Kerr; and the current man behind its shows, Kyle West. The cast includes actors Jerry Gretzinger, Sue Caputo, JordanLaMothe, Jessica O'Keefe, Peter Kidd, Dennis Budde, Rosie Spring...