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Company behind Instant Pot, Pyrex seeks bankruptcy protection as sales go cold

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

(AP) - The maker of Pyrex glassware and Instant Pot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the company that was already struggling is stung by inflation, with Americans pulling back on spending.According to a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas this week, Instant Brands, based outside of Chicago, has more than $500 million in both assets and liabilities.Inflation has buffeted consumers after a pandemic-fueled binge on goods for the home, but spending has also moved elsewhere as people are again able to travel, or go to restaurants and shows. Hobby Lobby doesn’t use barcodes: Here’s their explanation And Instant Pots, which became a must-have gadget several years ago, have been disappearing from kitchens.Sales of “electronic multicooker devices,” most of which are Instant Pots, reached $758 million in 2020, the start of the pandemic. Sales had plunged 50% by last year, to $344 million.Dollar and unit sales have declined 20% from last ...

Record-setting June heatwave builds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We are forecasting Austin's hottest June 14-20 period on record with daytime highs reaching or exceeding 100° and little chance of rain.A ridge of high pressure dominates our weather pattern for the next week or more, leading to unseasonable and at times record heat, from day to night.High temperature forecast in AustinA Heat Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. this evening and again from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday for a dangerous combination of heat and humidity leading to heat indices as hot as 113°. We expect these advisories to be issued daily through Father's Day weekend -- and may even be upgraded at times to more rare Excessive Heat Warnings.Feels like temperatures Thursday afternoon, as hot as 115 degreesHazy skies are being brought by a combination of high humidity and agricultural burning in Mexico, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Air quality has dipped into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.A stationary front parked to our n...

What you need for a Texas summer emergency kit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023TEXAS (KXAN) -- While it's technically not summer yet, the raw and "feels like" temperatures are near boiling outside.But while Austinites relish air conditioning, cold drinks and access to local pools and waterways, it's critical to be prepared in case of a power outage or a broken air system. Here's what you should keep on hand to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a summer emergency.First aid kitAs is the case in any other emergency, you never know when you might need medical attention. You want to cover all the DIY, at-home bases and have your kit include:Compress dressingsAdhesive bandagesAdhesive cloth tapeOintment packetsAntiseptic wipesAspirinOne emergency blanketNon-latex glovesHydrocortisone ointmentSterile gauze padsOral thermometerTweezersWaterIt's no surprise: The higher the temperatures, the greater the risk for dehydration during the summertime. Pellman's Automotive...

ERCOT issues weather watch, potential for peak demand

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch from June 15-June 21 due to forecasted higher temperatures and higher electrical demand, according to a news release from ERCOT on Tuesday. Is ERCOT ready for the coming summer? “ERCOT has issued its first Weather Watch to let Texans know that we are forecasting increased demand due to the higher temperatures expected this week and into next week,” said Pablo Vegas, ERCOT President and CEO. “Grid conditions are normal when we issue a Weather Watch. ERCOT continues to monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid and will continue our reliability-first approach to operations, always prioritizing grid reliability.”A weather watch notification is distributed three to five days out of forecasted weather that could impact the grid and create high demand. People are urged to kee...

Houston George Bush airport A/C outage continues during heatwave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Since Sunday, the air conditioning system at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston has experienced unexpected issues, causing uncomfortable situations for travelers moving through the airport.Bush Intercontinental Airport A/C systems. Courtesy of Houston Airports​Bush airport said it's "beyond our control," and that the demand has reduced the capacity of the air conditioning system. As a result, the temperature inside the airport is impacted.Folks in charge at the big airport said they have installed temporary chillers that supplement the air conditioning system to effort some relief while airport crews figure out what's wrong and make the necessary repairs.Houston airport officials said they are making progress in getting the A/C system fully restored as they continue to add capacity to the air conditioning system to cool all five terminals of the airport.We are sorry for what has happened. While the cause of the issue was beyond our control, please know,...

Afton: Belwin’s new nature trails open Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

Belwin Conservancy’s newest trail system, Oxbow Trails, opens on Thursday for public hiking, from dawn to dusk seven days a week.Located just north of Afton’s Old Village at 2398 St. Croix Trail S., Oxbow Trails features 1.25 miles of chipped hiking trails along wooded ridges, shaded areas and the Valley Creek trout stream.Belwin staff will be on site from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to answer questions about the site and its restoration.Belwin officials created Oxbow Trails in partnership with the city of Afton, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Washington County and others. The project is centered on a 30-acre parcel Belwin purchased from a willing seller using funding from Washington County’s Land and Water Legacy Program; the nature preserve also includes 10 acres of land owned by Afton.“It’s probably the most wooded area in Belwin,” said David Freeman, Belwin’s communications specialist. “There is a beautiful shaded ridge which in the springtime is filled with frogs ...

2 parked vehicles damaged in apparent explosion in St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

Two parked vehicles were damaged in an apparent explosion Tuesday afternoon in St. Paul.No injuries were reported.Officers responded to a report of an explosion in the 1600 block of York Avenue on the Greater East Side about 1:15 p.m., said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman.“Witnesses directed officers to the area where they believe it occurred,” Ernster said Tuesday afternoon. “Our investigators are on scene and attempting to determine what occurred and who is responsible.”No one was in the vehicles that were damaged, Ernster said. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | ‘A lot of sleepless nights’: 6 moms, first class of all women, graduate from St. Paul’s EMS Academy Crime & Public Safety | State officials warn of increase in 911 misdials Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul-area police making fewer traffic stops for equipment violations. What’s been the result? Crime &...

State boys lacrosse quarterfinal: Lakeville North 7, Cretin-Derham Hall 5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

The Cretin-Derham Hall boys lacrosse team’s Cinderella story appeared as though it might last at least two more days. The team that entered section playoffs with a 7-6 record and No. 4 seed was 12 minutes away from a stunning upset. The unseeded Raiders led No. 2-seeded Lakeville North 5-2 heading into the final frame of Tuesday’s state tournament quarterfinal showdown.But the clock struck midnight in the fourth, as the Panthers cracked the riddle that is Cretin-Derham Hall’s well-synced defense to score five goals en route to a 7-5 victory at Stillwater Area High School.“It’s a great team. They’re very skilled,” Raiders coach Matt Hourigan said of Lakeville North. “You can hold back a good team for only so long.”Lakeville North sophomore midfielder Lane Johnson potted a couple of goals in the Panthers’ rally. He credited the Raiders’ defense for stumping the Panthers’ lethal attack for three quarters, adding Lakeville North realized it had to “stay patient” offensively to fin...

St. Paul Youth Business Fair to be held Saturday at Rosedale Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

The St. Paul Youth Business Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Rosedale Center.Young entrepreneurs will be selling products from start-up’s they created. There will be up to 20 booths.The fair is a part of a larger group of fairs called Acton Children’s Business Fair which has locations across the world. Past fairs have included baked goods, photography and jewelry.Related ArticlesNews | St. Paul-area police making fewer traffic stops for equipment violations. What’s been the result? News | St. Paul man gets 12-year prison term in woman’s 2019 overdose death at Roseville motel News | Road construction near Rosedale mall slated to begin soon

Schor, Fan: Can a four-day workweek really work? Many companies have already learned the answer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:59 GMT

In 1940, Congress amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to limit the standard workweek to 40 hours, with any additional hours eligible for overtime. Despite a more than threefold increase in productivity since, the 40-hour week has remained unchanged for 83 years.But it may be changing at last. 2023 could just be the year of the four-day, 32-hour week.Over the first few months of the year, Google searches for information about the four-day week rose by a factor of five. The media have produced hundreds of stories on companies that are offering 32-hour schedules. California and other states have considered legislation to enact or study a four-day week, and Riverside Rep. Mark Takano has introduced a bill on the subject in Congress.In Europe, national and regional governments have pilot four-day week programs in progress, and the United Arab Emirates has shifted public-sector employees to a 4½-day schedule. In February, we released findings from the world’s largest trial of a fou...