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Catalytic converter thefts on the decline. These states are seeing the largest drop, according to insurance data

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

(KTLA) — Newly released data shows catalytic converter thefts appear to be on the decline after years of near-rampant activity. State Farm reported Wednesday that the number of claims filed to report catalytic converter thefts is down significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year, marking the first decline since 2019. So far, in the first half of 2023, there were around 14,500 claims filed related to catalytic converter thefts. That's down from the 23,000 claims made during the same timeframe in 2022. Catalytic converter thefts: Which vehicles are targeted the most? If that trend continues through the remainder of 2023, State Farm data indicates that the U.S. could see the lowest number of reported thefts in years.Catalytic converters are regular targets for thieves. They can be cut from the undercarriage of a car and sold to recyclers for anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard vehicle and up to $1,400 for hybrid vehicles, according to the vehicle data company Carfax....

The top 10 Halloween costumes for 2023, according to Google

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

(KHON2/NEXSTAR) — If you don't already have it sorted, then you only a few days to get that Halloween costume. But how can you make sure you're not wearing what everyone else is at whichever festivity you end up at?Thankfully, Google has its handy Frightgeist Halloween costume tool, which uses Google Trends technology to formulate what will be the most popular Halloween costumes for 2023. Users can not only discover the top costumes across the nation but also in their area. These scary movies raise heart rates the most, study finds No. 1 — BarbieMargot Robbie attends the press junket and photo call For "Barbie" at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo/Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images)Coming in at number one is Mattel's iconic "It Girl" doll, Barbie. You probably already guessed this would be at the top this season's list due to the release of the hugely popular "Barbie" movie this summer. Thanks to the film's costume and p...

Virgin Atlantic to suspend Austin-London route in January

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN Live's top morning stories for Friday, Oct. 27. AUSTIN (KXAN) — Virgin Atlantic announced Friday morning it plans to suspend its route that connects Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to London Heathrow early next year. The British airline said in a release it plans to suspend services between London and Austin following a "persistent softening in corporate demand, specifically the tech sector." Austin airport passenger totals still on track for record-breaking year… again The last services to Austin will operate on January 7, 2024, and the airline’s teams will be in contact with affected customers due to fly after this date to provide options, which include offering a full refund, according to the release. "We've adored flying our customers to Austin and experiencing this wonderful city of music and culture, but demand in the Tech sector is not set to improve in the near term, with corporate demand at 70% of 2019 levels," said Juha Ja...

Day 5: Testimony continues in APD officer's murder trial Friday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The state will continue to bring witnesses Friday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.KXAN's Grace Reader will be in court Friday providing live updates on social media platform X: Day 5: Testimony continues today in the trial of APD Officer Christopher Taylor. He's charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos in 2020. Thread from the courtroom Friday🔽https://t.co/kE2FOwJOVF— Grace Reader (@GraceReaderTV) October 27, 2023 Previous coverage of this trial: Medical Examiner walks through autopsy of Mike Ramos in APD officer’s murder trialAPD officers testify in fellow officer’s murder trial‘I would take that back’: Woman who called 911 testifies in APD officer’s murder trialWitness video shown in first d...

LIVE: Texas judge orders state not to release A-F school ratings after districts sue

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Travis County judge on Thursday ordered the Texas Education Agency not to release its annual A-F school ratings after more than 100 school districts sued the education commissioner over the anticipated changes to how the scores will be calculated. The districts, including Dallas ISD and Pflugerville ISD, allege the state agency and its top leader did not provide adequate notice, under Texas law, of changes to how the 2022-23 A-F rating will be calculated. The school leaders testified in a hearing earlier this month the changes had the potential to lower scores for campuses even if performance improved. The judge, Catherine Mauzy, stated the school districts made sufficient showing the education commissioner's implementation of the A-F accountability system for 2022-23 school year "violates Texas law and would cause irreparable harm" to all school districts in the state. TEA officials said in a statement the agency will appeal this dec...

Nine crews respond to structure fire in Fulton County

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

STRATFORD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Nine crews responded to a structure fire at 239 Dugway Road in Stratford around 8:33 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters say no injuries were reported and no one was in the structure. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Firefighters mounted an interior attack and brought the fire under control. Firefighters performed an extensive overhaul to find any remaining hotspots and put them out. Firefighters say the entire overhaul took three and a half hours, six including investigation. Responding agencies included the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, Saint Johnsville Ambulance, Fulton County 911 Dispatchers, Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Fulton County Fire Coordinators, NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Fulton County Emergency Management, Fulton County EMS Coordinator, and Oppenheim Fire Department (standby). The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this ti...

Lawsuit challenges Missouri's sex offender Halloween sign law

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

HAZELWOOD, Mo. - A Hazelwood man on Missouri's sex offender registry list is challenging one aspect of the state's Halloween law for sex offenders through a lawsuit. Police arrested Thomas Sanderson just days after Halloween last year, noting that Sanderson had set up a large Halloween display and handed out candy to children. Sanderson is listed in the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s sex offender registry list as a Tier Level II offender. Sanderson pleaded guilty to one charge of "failure to comply with Halloween-related restrictions for sex offenders" earlier this year and is nearly halfway through serving a 12-month probation term, per Missouri court records. St. Louis man admits to selling hundreds of fake temp tags As part of Missouri law, under a state statute first enacted in 2008, registered sex offenders cannot go outside to interact with children, cannot have outside lights on, and are required to post a sign stating no candy or treats are available at the hom...

St. Louis man charged with arson after neighbor's house fire

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – A St. Louis man faces arson charges after he allegedly burned down a neighbor's home without permission. Steven Stiner, 44, is behind bars on a $50,000 cash-only bond in connection with the investigation. Prosecutors filed charges Thursday. Investigators say Stiner was caught on camera walking away from a house shortly after a fire had been ignited on Oct. 21. The homeowner, located in the 9900 block of Lark Avenue, informed the police that he had not authorized Stiner to set their house on fire.Stiner was found at his mother's residence, wearing the same clothing seen in the video and smelling of smoke. His mother's house is within walking distance of the house that was set on fire.An additional witness, employed at a business near the fire-damaged home, revealed that Stiner had informed her he was inside the house and had ignited the fire with a cigarette.Stiner acknowledged being inside the house and suggested that the cigarette he had flicked at the house whil...

Loop Trolley closed Saturday; 2023 season ends Sunday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS - If you're looking to enjoy a Loop Trolley experience this year, you only have a few more days. The 2023 season for the Loop Trolley ends Sunday. Visitors can ride the trolley on Friday or Sunday, but there is no service on Saturday due to a special street event. Sex offender charged after being found with missing North Carolina girl The Loop Trolley runs on Delmar Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue between the University City Library and the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. There is no charge to ride the Loop Trolley. No tickets or reservations are needed, and Loop Trolley rides are on a first-come, first-served basis.For more information on the Loop Trolley service, visit its website or Facebook page.

Denver’s weekend snowfall could exceed 4 inches; winter storm warning issued for mountains

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:44:09 GMT

Colorado’s first major winter storm is nearly here.Temperatures overnight Friday dropped below freezing, triggering a freeze warning for the Denver metro area in the morning, and a winter storm warning has been issued for most of the mountains.A Winter Storm Warning in now in effect for the north central mountains from midnight tonight through noon Sunday. Much of north central and northeast Colorado will see snow Saturday into Sunday. #cowx pic.twitter.com/HbEgXPeQXz— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) October 27, 2023Denver temperature forecasts continue to plummet through the weekend, with Sunday’s night’s low now set at 10 degrees. Saturday and Sunday highs are both expected to stay below freezing.Coming with the temperatures is widespread snow, starting in the mountains Friday night. The winter storm warning is in effect until Sunday; weekend total snowfall could be as much as two feet in some higher-elevation mountains.Snow in Denver is expected to pick up Satur...