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Hit by 'streamflation'? Here's why media companies are hiking prices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

(The Hill) – Media companies across the board are jacking up the price of their streaming services in what some have dubbed “streamflation” as they look to turn a profit on streaming after years of losses.Disney announced last week that it plans to increase prices for the ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu by at least 20% in October, following a “pretty significant” jump in prices just last year.Netflix also recently axed its cheapest ad-free option, making the $15.49 a month Standard plan the most economical choice for subscribers who want to avoid commercials. Paramount Plus similarly ditched its mid-range, ad-free option in June.Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, formerly known as HBO Max, increased its monthly rate by $1 in January, while NBCUniversal increased its plans on Peacock by $1 to $2 per month on Thursday.Overall, the average monthly cost of a major streaming service has increased by nearly 25% in a year, according to a recent Wall Street Journal analysis. The Financial T...

Rain chances look best Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday's high at Camp Mabry was 106°. There have been 42 consecutive days of a triple-digit high. Yesterday was the 58th day of a high temperature reaching 100° and higher. It's also the 34th day where the high reached 105° and higher. There won't be much of a change today with most highs this afternoon peaking at 102°to 106° along with maximum heat index readings back up to 108°.Today's normal high is 98°Excessive Heat Warnings for 13 of our 15 counties are in effect today from 1:00 to 9:00. Heat Advisories will be in effect for Gillespie and Blanco Counties during that time. These heat alerts will likely be extended to tomorrow and Monday.Afternoon maximum heat index 104° to 108°Tropical system may impact Texas next weekAn area of disturbed weather located near the northwestern and central Bahamas will move into the Gulf by Monday. Low pressure will likely form with further slow development continuing. The National Hurricane Center is continuing to forecast a 50% ...

ATCEMS: 2 dead near Bee Cave after crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two people died after a crash near Bee Cave on Friday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.Officials said a vehicle rescue call came in at 9:23 p.m. in the 7000 block of Farm-to-Market Road 2244. ATCEMS said it arrived on the scene of a two-vehicle collision with three patients involved.ATCEMS said two adults were pronounced dead at the scene, and one adult was taken to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.  Officials had no other information available, and EMS was no longer on scene as of 10:58 p.m.

Tour highlights artists in Texas border towns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KTSM) – Just east of El Paso along the border sits San Elizario, where local artists are showing off their works as part of a new art tour.El Paso County and Visit El Paso teamed up to create the new experience called First Friday Tour of Mission Valley. It takes people to several stops throughout San Elizario, Socorro and Ysleta.In San Elizario, guests are welcome to take a tour of the several art galleries for the Art Walk Experience. One of those galleries is Escamilla, owned by Rachel and her husband, award-winning artist Alberto Escamilla. Both said they are excited to welcome new people and their pets to view the artwork."You're going to find not only historical buildings and history but the top artists of El Paso," Escamilla said. Robert Dozal is another local artist guests can visit in a community he said is thriving."We've excelled where others have failed, you know. So many people have been out here and they've tried to m...

Unusual pairing? St. Paul area wine shops offer U-Haul rentals, too

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

U-Haul, the do-it-yourself moving rental company, for years has partnered with local gas stations, used-car dealers and self storage facilities to bring their services closer to their customers.Along with U-Haul of St. Paul on University Avenue, the company has traditional partnerships such as with Rockstar Automotive in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood and Dart Storage on the West Side.Toasted Wine Spirits & Ales in St. Paul has been a neighborhood U-Haul dealer since 2019. Movers can rent trucks, trailers and other moving equipment directly from neighborhood dealers to cut down on unnecessary driving. (Courtesy of U-Haul)And then there are some dealers that stand apart from the crowd like St. Paul’s Toasted Wine Spirits and Ales or Rice Street Tobacco.The latest in a line of unlikely pairings is Sarrack’s International Wine & Spirits in Maplewood. The partnership, announced last month, will allow customers to access U-Haul trucks, towing equipment and other rent...

Police search for vehicle in St. Louis amber alert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

St. Louis, MO -- Police are searching for a black Ford Escape with an Illinois license plate of 61890RV. Fox2 will provide updates as information is released.

Opinion: Despite bumps, Colorado’s new preschool program is operating as intended to best serve parents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

Colorado’s groundbreaking new universal preschool program began implementation last month, and the uptake has been unprecedented. In just its first year, the program will serve 60%–– over 40,000––of Colorado four-year-olds and their families. The demand for quality preschool services shows just how great a need universal pre-k is serving in the state, even as the brand-new program gets its legs under it.It also demonstrates the successes and challenges of designing a program with parent choice at the forefront — provided through a mixed delivery system. Mixed delivery was a core value and a driving force in designing Colorado’s program, and many of the implementation challenges arose from accommodating it. That said, it must be preserved.Through the legislation that passed last year, families are experiencing the state’s move to provide up to 15 free hours of high-quality preschool per week for four-year-olds. This mixed delivery program just launched, and already fundin...

Is Delta-10 “Higher” Than Delta-9 — The Latest Findings On Delta-10 THC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

Typically, the higher the number on a product, the stronger it should be. This theory works out beautifully when comparing delta-8 and delta-9 THC. As many hemp fans know, delta-8 THC tends to be less psychoactive than delta-9. However, the same can’t be said when comparing delta-10 with delta-9 THC.Yes, there is yet another hemp THC compound titled “delta-10,” and it’s probably not what you’d expect! At first glance, delta-10 THC may seem to be an “upgrade” from delta-9. However, the reality of delta-10 THC’s effects is more complex.How Does Delta-10 Compare With Other THC Cannabinoids?Delta-10 THC is remarkably similar to delta-9 and delta-8, but the placement of its double-bond is on the tenth carbon chain. This subtle difference in chemical structure seems to give delta-10 a unique potency and “personality.”While there’s no scientific evidence on delta-10’s effects, most customers who experiment with delta-10 claim it’s not as hard-hitting as delta-9. In fact, delta-10 seems to ...

VTA has one of the best transit recoveries in the nation, but ridership is still down from pre-pandemic numbers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

While transit agencies across the country have struggled with getting riders back since the pandemic, prompting doomsday scenarios that include service cuts and fare hikes, the Valley Transportation Authority asserts its ridership recovery is among the best in the nation — although it has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.VTA transportation planning manager Jay Tyree said that bus ridership was 43 percent higher in 2022 than it was in 2021 — the second best in the nation after Washington D.C., which came in at 49 percent — according to data he analyzed from the American Public Transportation Association. Alameda County bus ridership came in third at 32 percent and San Francisco came in at eight with 29 percent.Because VTA shut down light rail service for some of 2021 following the deadliest mass shooting in Bay Area history at its rail yard, Tyree said in an email that its light rail comparisons between 2021 and 2022 are “meaningless.”The transportat...

Editorial: Antioch police indictment response doesn’t cut it, suggests need to clean house

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:23 GMT

The long-anticipated federal indictments this week of 10 Antioch and Pittsburg police officers reveal a pattern of corruption that should outrage not only residents but also cops.For some of the accused officers, policing wasn’t about serving and protecting the public, it was just the opposite. Policing was a vigilante assault game and suspects were the target.“lol putting a pistol in someone’s mouth and telling them to stop stealing isn’t illegal,” Antioch Officer Morteza Amiri texted in a telling exchange highlighted in one of the indictments. “It’s an act of public service to prevent further victims of crimes.”Unfortunately, the Antioch Police Officers Association seems to think this is just another case against some officers. “We are saddened to learn of what has happened and look forward to the legal process playing itself out,” the association posted Thursday on its Facebook page.The charged officers are entitled to due process. But if other cops in the Contra Costa County cit...