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Are you tipping wrong at hotels?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Does it feel like you’re being asked to tip for almost everything lately? You aren’t alone — there’s even a term for it now: tip creeping.While you may be finding yourself in a corner more often, faced with a digital screen asking for tips as high as 30%, what about the places you aren’t explicitly asked to tip, like a hotel?We don’t mean the hotel bar or restaurant (experts pretty widely agree you should be tipping at those). We’re referring to leaving tips for housekeeping, passing a couple of bucks to the person who helps with your luggage, and even tipping the front desk associate.  40% won’t tip at food trucks – but should you? Many on Reddit said that if they opt out of housekeeping or tidy up after themselves, they don’t leave a tip. Others said they tip if they can afford it, citing the usual low pay housekeepers receive — the median hourly wage for maids and housekeepers is under $32,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.The etiquette experts at ...

LIVE: Recent rain raises water levels at Lake Travis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (KXAN) — The water levels of Lake Travis rose a couple feet after several days of rain this week.According to the Texas Water Development Board, the second-largest of the Highland Lakes rose roughly 2 feet compared to last Friday.This elevation comes after a long, dry summer where drought conditions led to the closure of many of the area's public boat ramps. Lake Travis boat ramp to close Tuesday due to low water levels Jacob Williams, owner of ATX Boat Rentals, said as water levels dipped lower and lower this summer, he had to send his dock further out into the lake to keep it afloat.For the first time in a long time, Williams said he can bring the dock back to the shore thanks to the elevated water levels."I think it's the first time in two and a half years I've actually had to bring the dock in because the lake has started to rise a little bit," Williams said.Tabata Indalecio has lived on Lake Travis for two years. In that time...

Camila, Matthew McConaughey launch tequila line

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Matthew and Camila McConaughey are the latest celebrities to launch a tequila line. The couple announced their line, called Pantalones Organic Tequila, Wednesday. The tequila is made with 100% premium, organic, blue weber agave, a release said. Pantalones Organic Tequila (Courtesy Pantalones Organic Tequila)Pantalones Organic Tequila (Courtesy Pantalones Organic Tequila)The tequila is described as "an agave-forward tequila that is smooth, flavorful, and great for sipping, shooting or mixing up in your favorite Fancy Pants cocktail," a release said.More information about Pantalones Tequila is available online.

Police provide more details in deadly north Austin officer-involved shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the man who died in a north Austin shooting involving officers on Oct. 22, as well as provided more details in a news release provided by APD.The man was identified as Cristobal Ordonez Flores, 57, according to police. APD officers involved in fatal north Austin shooting Here is a breakdown of the events provided by APD on what led to the deadly shooting:7:55 p.m.: 911 dispatch receives a call reporting an intoxicated person threatening a woman with a gun in the 9000 block of Northgate Boulevard.7:57 p.m.: The first APD unit assigned to the call and began responding to the scene. As officers responded, additional information was provided the man "was holding his wife in one hand and a gun in the other."8:02 p.m.: The first APD officer arrived on the scene to gather more information, which included finding the apartment involved and began securing the scene. Officers were then notified the woman at risk was not the...

Woman, Fort Cavazos soldier arrested in child sexual abuse investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A woman and a Fort Cavazos soldier were both arrested in connection with an investigation involving child sexual abuse material and inappropriate acts with children.The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office said on Oct. 20, deputies and an investigator met to investigate Zoe Sophia Williams, 18, of Fredericksburg, and a 22-year-old man who was a Fort Cavazos soldier. The sheriff's office said the two were in a dating relationship.“Upon further investigation and examination, evidence was located depicting child sexual abuse material on Williams’ phone. Williams may have had access to her victims through babysitting, and it was discovered that she had been seeking out child sexual abuse material via the internet, taking pictures of children while in her care, and sending those to the male subject,” GCSO said.GCSO said the child sexual abuse material originated with the soldier.According to GCSO, Williams was arrested and charged with possession of child ab...

This is the most banned book in Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Last month, the state of Florida topped Texas for one controversial title: state with the most school book bans. But did you know the Lone Star State still ranks second overall, with a total of 625 book bans between July 2022 and June 2023?That's according to PEN America, a nonprofit freedom of expression advocacy group, who tracks book challenges and bans in the U.S. And while Texas' 625 total trails behind Florida's staggering 1,400 book ban cases during the same time, it's far ahead of its closest competitor, Missouri, with 333 bans.Between Jan. 1 and August 31, there were at least 30 attempts to restrict access to books in Texas — and about 1,120 books were challenged in that time, according to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. Last year, the ALA reports a total of 93 attempts to remove or censor materials in Texas. No one beats the Texas Longhorns, in terms of making money Fervor in-state and nationwide over what books are availab...

A spiderweb of Hamas tunnels in Gaza Strip raises risks for an Israeli ground offensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL and ISABEL DEBRE (Associated Press)JERUSALEM (AP) — As an Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip looms in its most devastating war yet with Hamas, one of the greatest threats to both its troops and the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped inside the seaside enclave is buried deep underground.An extensive labyrinth of tunnels built by the Hamas militant group stretches across the densely populated strip, hiding fighters, their rocket arsenal and over 200 hostages they now hold after an unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Clearing and collapsing those tunnels will be crucial if Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas. But fighting in densely populated urban areas and moving underground could strip the Israeli military of some of its technological advantages while giving an edge to Hamas both above and below ground.“I usually say it’s like walking down the street waiting to get punched in the face,” said John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and the...

Albany woman arrested on weapon and drug charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany woman was arrested on Saturday following a pursuit, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Christina Wright, 29, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On October 27 at 5:30 p.m., officers attempted to stop a car in Ravena for vehicle and traffic violations. The operator of the vehicle reportedly fled from police before coming to a stop after a brief pursuit. Police say the driver of the car, identified as Wright, was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and quantities of controlled substances, all while a 10-year-old child was present in the vehicle. Wright was taken into custody at the scene and now faces the following charges:ChargesSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceEndangering the welfare of a childAggravated...

Swiss skier Gut-Behrami takes World Cup season-opening GS. Mikaela Shiffrin places 6th

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

By ERIC WILLEMSEN (Associated Press)SOELDEN, Austria — Lara Gut-Behrami sat in the snow and leaned back against an inflatable banner in the finish area after completing her final run.The Swiss skier only stood up and pumped her right fist after seeing that first-run leader Federica Brignone narrowly failed to beat her time.Coming from fourth place, Gut-Behrami edged the Italian by two-hundredths of a second Saturday to win the season-opening women’s World Cup giant slalom, with Mikaela Shiffrin finishing in sixth.Gut-Behrami trailed Brignone by 0.73 after the opening leg but made up three-quarters of a second with a gutsy second run.“I needed time to recover, I was just tired,” Gut-Behrami said. “I was happy with my race.”The 2016 overall champion previously won the traditional season opener on an Austrian glacier in 2013 and 2016.“I’m happy as it’s my third win after 10 years,” Gut-Behrami said. “It’s nice, it’s an amazing slope, I really like to ski in Soelden. It was a toug...

Fruit flies threaten to decimate California agriculture industry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:22:52 GMT

California is under attack.Agriculture officials sounded that alarm on Friday after two Queensland fruit flies were found in Ventura County, marking at least the third discovery of invasive and destructive fruit flies in the Los Angeles area in recent months.A 76 square mile area was placed under quarantine on Oct. 23 after the Queensland flies were found in a residential area of Thousand Oaks, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. It is the first official quarantine in North America due to the pest which, as the name implies, is native to Queensland, Australia.A California Department of Agriculture sign about the invasive Queensland fruit fly. Oct. 27, 2023. Residents inside the quarantine zone are urged to not move fruits or vegetables from their properties and to dispose of any green waste by double-bagging in plastic bags before placing it in the trash.“California is facing an agricultural crisis,” Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Korrine Bell s...