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Austin-based startup designing humanoid robot with NASA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based startup company is trying to change the future, designing robots aimed at altering the way we work and live.Back in 2016, Apptronik was founded by four men within the human-centered robotics lab at the University of Texas at Austin.Now, they’ve expanded to over 70 employees and are working with NASA to commercialize a humanoid robot.Nicholas Paine is Apptronik’s chief technology officer. Delivery robots coming to UT Austin campus for 5-year study "Being a graduate of UT Austin, the motto is 'what starts here changes the world' and that’s really our mission here at Apptronik,” he said. “To have the biggest impact in the world that we can."The robotics company, which operates in a warehouse in north Austin, has crafted a wide variety of products since its inception, ranging from exoskeletons to general-purpose robots. Apptronik’s clients include multiple Fortune 500 companies."We build everything from the hardware of the robot to the electronics, firm...

Border communities rally against 'Border Protection Unit' bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House Committee on State Affairs on Wednesday will consider a bill to create the "Border Protection Unit," vesting broad new law enforcement responsibilities in a new arm of the Department of Public Safety and challenging the limits of the state's border jurisdiction.House Bill 20 by Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, gives DPS a new responsibility of "defense and security of this state's air, maritime, and land borders." The governor would have sole authority to appoint and remove the unit chief, and the director of DPS would not have authority over the unit or its officers.The unit would be headquartered in the "border region," but its jurisdiction would expand across the state. The bill confers broad responsibilities onto officers, including apprehending people crossing the Texas-Mexico border unlawfully, making arrests in any county in Texas, constructing border barriers, searching ships and vehicles near ports of entry, and using force to "repel cartel o...

Twins stick prospect Edouard Julien right into Wednesday’s lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

Rocco Baldelli wasn’t concerned Wednesday with raising expectations too high for Edouard Juilen, the Twins’ No. 4 prospect who was called up to make his major debut against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.Julien, an infielder selected by Minnesota in the 18th round of the 2019 draft, has drawn considerable attention over the past few months after tearing up his first major league training camp and, for Team Canada, the World Baseball Classic.“For a minor league player that doesn’t have experience here, he’s probably got about as good a bat as you’re going to see,” Baldelli said. “There’s not too many minor league hitters that have done what he’s been able to do.”Julien, who turns 24 on April 30, arrived Wednesday morning from Indianapolis, where was pulled from a Triple-A game with St. Paul on Tuesday night, and was inserted right into the Twins’ lineup for their series finale against the Sox. He played second base and batted eighth.“It’s crazy,” he said, “just to see th...

Stewart's Shops to offer vouchers for Albany Empire home games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany Empire fans can visit Stewart's Shops in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties to pick up vouchers redeemable for $5 off single game tickets for home games this season. The voucher amounts to 25% off the single-game starting ticket price of $20. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “We’re thrilled to partner with Stewart’s Shops to bring these savings to Capital Region sports fans,” said Albany Empire President Matt Woods. “Whether you’ve been a fan of the Empire since day one or are planning to check out your first game this season, this is a great opportunity to enjoy some incredible and affordable football action with the Empire.”Home game tickets are on sale and can be purchased at AlbanyEmpireNAL.com or at the MVP Arena Box Office located at 51 S. Pearl Street in Albany. Vouchers are redeemable at the MVP Arena Box Office. One voucher may be used per ticket.

DEC: 'No further action' needed at Kingsbury Landfill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

KINGSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Wednesday, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced "No further action needed" on a state superfund site in Kingsbury. The Kingsbury Landfill was declared all clear, decades after its involvement in a cleanup effort targeting pollution left behind by the General Electric Co. in 1985. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Last month, the DEC held a public comment period, as well as a public meeting to present a proposed plan for the site, located near the intersection of Burgoyne Avenue and Pine Street in the town of Kingsbury. All of those factors came together to form the Record of Decision released on Wednesday."No Further Action with Site Management based on the results of the investigation at the site and actions that have already been implemented," the DEC wrote in a decision summary. The measures referenced include the capping of the landfill in 1989; the implementation of a...

New Scotland Ave revitalization project underway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Albany Department of General Services has begun the street revitalization of New Scotland Avenue between Manning Boulevard and O’Neil Road. The project is expected to be completed in about 14 to 16 weeks. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The New Scotland Avenue improvements include:Street milling and repavingRestriping and resigning of the roadway, and installing bike lanesPartial curb and sidewalk replacementReplacement of existing curb ramps to ensure ADA compliance and add detectable warning unitsInstall curb bump-outs at the intersections of Crescent Drive, Euclid Avenue, Buckingham Drive, and Lenox AvenueA Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon to help pedestrians crossing New Scotland Avenue between Halsdorf Street and Maria CollegeTraffic signal improvements“Since taking office, my administration has invested more than $50 million in street and sidewalk revitalization, however we know w...

Oklahoma Training Track to open April 17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Oklahoma Training Track at historic Saratoga Race Course will open for the 2023 season on Monday, April 17. The Oklahoma barn area will open to licensed trainers and staff beginning Saturday, April 15. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Prior to the start of the 2023 summer meet, the Whitney Viewing Stand, which overlooks the Oklahoma track, will be open to the public free of charge on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning Friday, April 21 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Whitney Viewing Stand is accessible to pedestrians through Gate 21 on East Avenue, but fans are reminded that vehicles are not permitted on the property at this time.The 40-day summer meet will open on Thursday, July 13, and continue through Monday, September 4. Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the closing week, when the 2023 summer me...

New tavern, bike café to open in Voorheesville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Blackbirds Tavern and Bike Café are set to open in Voorheesville later this year. Blackbirds Tavern will be located at 40 S Main Street and Blackbirds Bike Café will be at 42 S Main Street. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Blackbirds Tavern and Bike Café are part of the Business for Good family of companies. Business for Good invests in people to build better businesses, stronger communities, and a more equitable world.Voorheesville is the hometown of Business for Good co-Founder Ed Mitzen. He saw an opportunity to turn the empty space left by Stewart's Shops on South Main Street into businesses for the community, said Business for Good. Best NY Burger nominees include 2 Capital Region restaurants "We started a development project by expanding the number of properties to make this neighborhood a thriving economic destination, bringing jobs to local residents of Voorheesville," said Business ...

Missouri man sentenced for 2014 Valentine's Day triple murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - A Missouri man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a brutal attack in 2014 that claimed the lives of three people, including a 7-year-old boy.After a three-day bench trial, St. Charles County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Navarro-McKelvey convicted Shawn Kavanagh on March 17 on nine counts connected to the murders: three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree domestic assault, and one count of first-degree burglary.On Tuesday, April 11, Navarro-McKelvey sentenced Kavanagh to life in prison without the possibility of parole or probation for each count of murder, 15 years on each count of armed criminal action, life imprisonment for domestic assault, and 15 years for the burglary. The sentences will be served consecutively. Top story: Police officer’s gun and body armor stolen from his car On the evening of Feb. 14, 2014, Kavanagh called 911 to say he’d stabbed four people inside a trailer home...

Man shot, killed Tuesday in north St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A homicide investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in north St. Louis. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has identified Patrik' James, 33, as the victim. The shooting happened around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of Gamble Street in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood. Top story: Police officer’s gun and body armor stolen from his car Police were patrolling around MLK Street and Glasgow Avenue nearby when they heard several gunshots. Police arrived to the scene within minutes, though the suspect was able to get away. James was found in the middle of a street with several gunshot wounds. Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are asking the public for any information relevant to the investigation. If you have any information, contact SLMPD at 314-444-5371 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).