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Llano ISD rolls out customized artificial intelligence tool for teachers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

LLANO, Texas (KXAN) -- Llano Independent School District will roll out a customized artificial intelligence tool that is designed to help teachers save time on administration overhead and focus more on education. The tool, known as Agnes, can answer questions ranging from when teachers get paid to policies and procedures at different campuses. The tool was designed by Jim and Maurie Beasley, a husband and wife team that make up the technology department at the school district. Jim Beasley says he "speaks tech" and his wife "speaks teacher." The two have decades of experience in the tech industry and Maurie spent more than a decade in the classroom as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. What is the need?The Beasleys noticed it can be overwhelming for teachers, especially for new hires who are onboarding. Jim Beasley originally thought of creating Agnes as a way to help onboard teachers who will have a million questions when learning the new job. "How do I get these new tea...

Reports: Cousin of Uvalde gunman arrested after threatening San Antonio school

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- A San Antonio teenager who is the cousin of the gunman involved in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde was arrested after allegedly threatening an elementary school, according reports from several area news outlets. WOAI, the NBC station in San Antonio, citing court records, reported that the 17-year-old boy was planning to “do the same thing” as his cousin. WOAI identified the mentioned cousin as Salvador Ramos, who was the gunman in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary last year. According to reports from WOAI and the New York Times, family members contacted police after the 17-year-old made those statements to his sister. The New York Times reported the suspect was taken into custody on Monday morning and charged with making threats to a public place and a family member, per the San Antonio Police Department. The newspaper also cited court documents saying the suspect's mother “overheard a phone conversation the suspect made this [Monday] mo...

Two horses seized by deputies find 'forever home', shelter says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) – The Hill Country SPCA said Monday two horses seized in July have found their forever home. The shelter said the sorrel gelding and blue stud horses, named Goose and Maverick, will "enjoy the freedom to run, ample food and water, and the chance to live out their days in happiness".HCSPCA reported on July 31 the two were seized by Gillespie County Sheriff’s deputies on July 27. For more than 10 years, the horses lived in cramped conditions with limited food and water, the HCSPCA said.The shelter said the horses healed thanks to the care provided by Hill Country Veterinary Clinic as well as donors and advocates. HCSPCA said it raised more than $10,000 for its Healing Hearts program, which allowed the organization to secure "an extraordinary forever home" for Goose and Maverick. “We are immensely thankful for our dedicated HCSPCA supporters. They never cease to amaze us,” said HCSPCA Executive Director Andrew Davis. “Their unwavering support and contribu...

Missing TxDOT reports about TxTag vendors highlight accountability shortfall

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A KXAN investigation found the Texas Department of Transportation failed multiple times to submit performance reports for companies doing critical work on its tollway system and other projects.Performance reports are graded evaluations – posted for the public to see – of state contractors’ work. The reports are supposed to create transparency in state procurement, promote good vendors, weed out bad performers and, ultimately, lead to better spending of tax dollars – when the rules are followed.But TxDOT isn’t always following the rules.TxDOT neglected for three years to submit annual evaluations for TTEC Government Solutions, a vendor with a five-year contract originally worth $145 million to handle toll system customer service, according to the Texas Comptroller's Office. TTEC’s work includes customer service for TxTag, which is TxDOT’s toll tag. EXPLORE: KXAN's multipart, viewer-driven 2023 TxTag investigations And within the years TxDOT forgot to submit its eval...

5 things to know this Tuesday, August 8

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, a passing cold front brings chances for spotty showers and isolated storms today. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A Hagaman native rocked the stage with his Nashville-based band “True Villains” on “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) on Tuesday, August 1. Also, the Columbia Blue Devils haven't played a game since June after winning their Class A state championship, but the celebration isn't over yet. The team will be honored by the New York Yankees on August 22. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. Northway northbound reopens after multiple crashes in Lake GeorgeThe northbound side of the Northway in Lake George reopened after a crash on Monday. The road was shut down between Exits 22 and 23 for about three hours after a crash involving a car carrier and a tractor-trailer that caused multiple secondary cr...

Boy or girl? Ed Sheeran's Arrowhead gender reveal wasn't quite 'perfect'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Imagine getting one of music's biggest stars to reveal the gender of your baby. Now what if that superstar kind of got it wrong? That's what happened this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium as Ed Sheeran let the crowd and eventually all his fans know a Fort Leavenworth couple were having a girl. The couple revealed exclusively to FOX4 Monday, they're actually having a boy!"It's a girl," Sheeran said a video posted to his Instagram account that had nearly 200,000 likes as of Monday night."As the father of two daughters, it's very awesome," he went on to say. 58-year-old veteran serving again, starts first week as Kansas City officer But turns out there's a lot more to the story of Sheeran's first gender reveal done live on stage.Erica Garcia Gomez and Eloy Gomez danced to Sheeran's "Perfect" at their wedding. They got floor seats at Arrowhead and made a sign, hoping the music megastar might see it."We eventually were making our way up slowly. People would scoot over ...

Six Flags hosting back-to-school-drive now through Friday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Six Flags St. Louis is helping Kid Smart Tuesday. It's the park's 14th annual back-to-school drive.From now through Friday, guests who bring five, new and unopened school supplies to the park will receive a coupon to purchase a one-day ticket for $19.99. Don’t be mesmerized – you should kill this dazzling bug The most needed supply items include notebooks, pencils, 24-count crayons, and markers.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessel tour taking place today

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is allowing people to tour the motor vessel Mississippi on Tuesday.It's part of the Mississippi River Commission's low-water inspection trip. The towboat is used to move barges and hold meetings for the MRC. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County The free, public tours are from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois.

Kirkwood hosting open house today surrounding train station improvements

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The city of Kirkwood is hosting an open house Tuesday afternoon about improvements to the train station.People can see drawings of the plan to extend the train station's canopy, similar to how it looked when it opened in 1893. The city of Kirkwood bought the building in 2002 after Amtrak threatened to close it. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County A non-profit foundation was created to raise $4.6 million for train station renovations. Tuesday's open house is from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

White Castle hosting bicycle raffle event today

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - White Castle is hosting an event Tuesday where dozens of St. Louis kids will go home with new bicycles.The restaurant is teaming up with the African American Business Contractors Association and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. They're raffling off nearly 100 bikes and helmets. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County The event is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the White Castle on North Kingshighway at Natural Bridge.