Heather Falls
Texas
Executive Producer at @kbtxnews | First News at Four producer | Born & raised in the Brazos Valley | Proud wife & mama 🌸
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Articles by Heather Falls
GROW & Flourish: Helping Women Rise through Community
On April 11th, 2024, Tuscaloosa’s Historic Drish House buzzed with energy as 36 ambitious women business owners and entrepreneurs gathered for a day of invaluable insights and practical strategies. At the Spring 2024 GROW & Flourish workshop, five inspiring speakers shared their expertise on how to overcome personal roadblocks, balance the responsibilities of family and business, build business credit for sustainable growth, network with intention, and set goals for momentum.
How to Embrace Life as a Working Mom
To all the incredible moms out there: If you’re ever caught in the struggle between pursuing a career or business you love and being present for those priceless family moments, this is for you. Let’s talk about the real, sometimes messy journey of finding balance, and the steps to carving out a fulfilling path that honors both your professional ambitions and your family. Give Yourself Grace The first step to finding joy in the chaos is giving yourself grace.
Focus at Four: Impact of possible UPS strike
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Teamsters said Wednesday they will resume contract negotiations with UPS next week, marking an end to a stalemate that began two weeks ago when both sides walked away from talks. The union credited the picketing and rallies it’s been holding across the country for getting the delivery company back to the negotiating table before the current contract expires on July 31.
Drive-thru grocery giveaway at First UMC College Station
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A College Station church wants to help fight food insecurity in the Brazos Valley. A drive-thru grocery giveaway will be held on Saturday, August 5. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church College Station located at 1125 Wellborn Road. On the day of the event, participants may sign up at the registration table and proceed to a loading station on the church grounds.
Treat of the Day: Blinn’s PTA Program helping others
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Cynthia Mills has found a way to help others through Blinn College’s District Physical Therapist Assistant Program. “I like helping people,” Mills said. “I’m already a licensed massage therapist, so I like helping people feel better, but I wanted to branch out in what I do.
Focus at Four: FTC investigating creator of ChatGPT
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission launched an investigation into ChatGPT creator OpenAI and whether the artificial intelligence company violated consumer protection laws by scraping public data and publishing false information through its chatbot. The agency sent OpenAI a 20-page letter requesting detailed information on its AI technology, products, customers, privacy safeguards and data security arrangements.
Focus at Four: Preventing hot car deaths in children Original
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - According to Texas Health and Human Services, there have been eight hot car deaths across the country. “We see the heat index of 120 degrees, imagine how it would feel being enclosed in a vehicle with no airflow,” said Ayde Edwards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “It’s very hot, it’s very dangerous.” Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children younger than age 15. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s does.
Focus at Four: Economist breaks down recent inflation report
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A recent report by Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the rate of inflation cooled to 3% in June. According to the report, that is the lowest rate since early 2021. “All of the signs of falling inflation rates are good news,” said Dennis Jansen, Director of Texas A&M’s Private Enterprise Research Center.
Focus at Four: New department of hospitality, tourism & hotel management at Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Tourism and travel are critical to both the Texas economy and local economies, and also account for one in five jobs in the state of Texas, according to Governor Greg Abbott. According to Hanover Research, employment in hospitality and hotel management is projected to grow over the next 10 years to 6.3% nationally and 17.2% in Texas. Effective August 15, Texas A&M University will become a new source of hospitality in our community.
Focus at Four: Record-breaking July 4th travel
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Triple A Texas has released its travel forecast for the Independence Day weekend. The number of people traveling by car and air over the holiday is projected to be the highest on record with 3.8 million Texans will travel 50 miles or more from home. “The consumer is spending a lot of money on experiences of travel,” said Joshua Zuber of AAA.
Focus at Four: A&M expert talks prevention following malaria diagnosis in Texas
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says millions of U.S. residents travel to countries where malaria is present every year. About 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States annually, mostly in returned travelers. Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa have the greatest risk of both getting malaria and dying from their infection. However, all travelers to countries where malaria is present may be at risk for infection.
Focus at Four: Texas A&M expert believes power grid will keep up with demand
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - ERCOT issued another weather watch from June 25 - 30 due to higher temperatures and electrical demand. “The objective of the of a watch is that people should just be thinking about if they can conserve, but they don’t have to conserve,” said Thomas Overbye, Director of the Smart Grid Center at Texas A&M University. Overbye said that solar power can help the electric load during the day.
Focus at Four: The REACH Project’s Homeownership Navigation Program
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The REACH Project is a local nonprofit that is working to help families navigate homeownership. The nonprofit’s 21-week-homeownership navigation program will help educate the community on building budgets, repairing credit, creating a savings accounts, and other resources. “The piece that we’ve been missing is the navigation and how do we help families while on that journey, which could be two to five years,” said REACH Project founder Max Gerall.
Prairie View A&M student dies after early morning shooting
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (KBTX) - A Prairie View A&M student was killed early Thursday morning in a shooting. ABC-13 reports the victim was trying to help a friend escape from an abusive boyfriend. Three others were also hurt when shots were fired at The Gates of Prairie View around 5:30 a.m. Thursday and were taken to area hospitals. The Texas Rangers are assisting The Prairie View Police Department in the investigation. You can read the full story by our partners at ABC-13 in Houston.
Twin City Mission to celebrate 60 years at upcoming gala
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Twin City Mission is celebrating 60 years of service in the Brazos Valley. The PEACE, LOVE, & GIVING Anniversary Gala will be held Saturday, August 12 at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan. There will be a dinner, live & silent auctions, raffle, live music & dancing plus a lot more. “We are very blessed to be in this community and we want this to be a celebration,” said Dorothy Nevill of Twin City Mission. Single tickets are $300. Sponsorships are available for the event.
Man charged with murder in Crockett shooting
CROCKETT, Texas (KBTX) - A 48-year-old Crockett man has been arrested and charged with murder after a shooting last week in Houston County. The shooting happened Friday in Crockett in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and West Oak Street. Crockett police arrived and found a person with a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they began performing life saving measures until EMS arrived at the scene. Officers have identified the victim as 59-year-old Willie Campbell of Crockett.
Professional portraits of your pet for a good cause
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Six Kittens Rescue is hosting an upcoming fundraiser that will allow you to have a professional portrait taken of your pet. The event is happening Sunday, June 11 at Halo located at 121 North Main Street in Downtown Bryan. The organization says any friendly pet is welcome, but owners must bring a current rabies vaccination. The cost of a portrait is $50 for a minimum of 5 digital photos. Space is very limited, so if you’re interested you can schedule an appointment here.
Treat of the Day: New training ship at TAMU Galveston
GALVESTON, Texas (KBTX) - The Texas A&M Maritime Academy has received a new training ship, according to Texas A&M University. The TS Kennedy is a 540-foot ship that will enhance training for cadets at the Texas A&M University Galveston campus. The training includes learning about ship navigation, marine engineering systems, maintenance, safety and security. Copyright 2023 KBTX. All rights reserved.
Focus at Four: Brazos Valley lawmaker provides state legislature update
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Texas House adjourned from its special session abruptly Tuesday after passing a property tax bill. The House version would lower school district property tax rates for all property owners, which the state would provide $12 billion to schools to make up for any loss of funding. However, the bill does not include an expanded exemption that Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has been pushing for in the Senate.
Focus at Four: Debt ceiling deal will reinstate student loan payments
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The proposed deal to raise the debt ceiling would require the Biden Administration to resume collecting student loans in late August. According to the legislation, the pause in repayments would end “60 days after June 30, 2023″ which is Aug. 29, 2023. President Biden’s Student Loan program is facing a potential challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court, but despite the outcome, borrowers that owe more than $20,000 in federal loans are set to begin repayments this summer.
Endangered missing advisory issued for 16-year-old girl
CALVERT, Texas (KBTX) - The Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley has issued an Endangered Missing Child advisory for a 16-year-old girl. Police say 16-year-old Zaniyah Burleson was last seen at her residence Thursday in the 1200 block of S. Beech Street in Calvert. Authorities believe Zaniyah may be in Robertson County or Bryan/College Station area with unrelated person(s) exposing her to harm. Zaniyah is 5′7″ and weighs around 200 pounds. She has black and red braided hair.
Focus at Four: Preschool remains underfunded in Texas
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - State funded preschool continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas. The state mirrored national trends in early education across the country as preschool access remained below pre-pandemic levels, funding was inadequate, and quality standards failed to improve, according to the 2022 State of Preschool Yearbook, released by Rutgers University’s National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).
Focus at Four: Brazos Valley Congressman provides legislative update
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Brazos Valley Congressman Michael McCaul has introduced the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, along with Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Ohio. The FEND Off Fentanyl Act is a bill aimed at combating the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting the illicit fentanyl supply chain. “Synthetic opioids — primarily fentanyl — killed more than 100,000 Americans last year alone.
Local program highlights artists in our community
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The owners of JMG Band say their mission is to help artists in our community. On its Facebook page, the members say they started as a band of friends that are musicians helping other local artists. The band is preparing for JMG House Sessions “Season 2″ that will feature local artists in our community. They will be given the chance to perform a couple of songs on the digital platform.
Focus at Four: College Station native raising awareness about Neurofibromatosis
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A College Station native is working to raise awareness about Neurofibromatosis. The condition can affect numerous systems throughout the body, but typically causes tumors that are usually benign, both on and under the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sidney Glasshoff was born and raised in College Station and graduated from A&M Consolidated High School. She was diagnosed with the genetic condition at an early age.
Funeral arrangements announced for Cameron police officer
CAMERON, Texas (KBTX) - Funeral arrangements have been announced for Sgt. Joshua Clouse. The Cameron Police officer was killed in the line of duty last Wednesday while serving a warrant. A visitation for Sgt. Clouse will take place Tuesday, May 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Marek Burns Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron. A funeral will follow on Wednesday, May 17 at the Bell County EXPO Center beginning at 3pm. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family of Sgt. Clouse.
Tickets on sale now for the Lee County fair
GIDDINGS, Texas (KBTX) - The Lee County Fair is a family friendly county fair happening May 18-20 at the Giddings Firemen’s Park located at 2495 Highway 290 West Giddings. There will be a BBQ Cook Off, cornhole tournament, a parade, as well as an Armed Forces Day Celebration. The Lee County Fair Association says carnival armbands can be purchased in advance at local businesses and $5 will be taken off the onsite price.
Focus at Four: Local radio station featured as car manufacturers are saying goodbye to AM radio
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A handful of automakers are making the decision to remove AM radio from many cars. The companies say it’s because electric engines can interfere with the sound of AM radio stations. The Washington Post published an article about the featured WTAW radio in its piece. “I was looking around the country for a station that still provides a strong local service,” said Marc Fisher, Senior Editor of the Washington Post.
Focus at Four: Lake Somerville hosts ‘100 S’more Years of State Parks’
I was sued by my co-workers after announcing I’d won a $105m lottery – but there was an even stranger twist
Focus at Four: Lake Somerville hosts ‘100 S’more Years of State Parks’
LAKE SOMERVILLE, Texas (KBTX) - The Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks is in full swing as spring brings more Texans outdoors. “State parks provide habitat for wildlife and inspirational landscapes,” said Chris Bishop, Site Superintendent at Lake Somerville State Park Complex.
Focus at Four: Helping kids learn post pandemic
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Research shows many U.S. students are still struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Education Recovery Scorecard, the average U.S. public school student lost the equivalent of a half year of learning in math and a quarter of a year in reading during the pandemic. “We have found after more than eight years of research that report card grades don’t tell the whole story,” said Tracie Potts, Learning Heroes Advisory Board Chair.
Focus at Four: Allie’s Way Act to end distracted driving in Texas
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A pair of bills filed in the Texas Legislature hope to help combat distracted driving in the state. “After we lost Allie, it really shattered our world,” said Jamie White, founder of Allie’s Way.
Focus at Four: Report finds Texas is smashing employment records
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A new report by the Texas Workforce Commission finds Texas is breaking more records when it comes to job growth. The commission says the civilian labor force in Texas set an all-time high in March. “That’s the number of people over the age of 16 who are able to work,” said Bryan Daniel, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman. “It also includes unemployed people because they would be available to go into the workforce.
Focus at Four: House Republicans unveil border security legislation
‘She really was the best mom’: Mother of 4 allegedly stabbed to death by husband day after first wedding anniversary
Campus Muster to be held at Reed Arena Friday
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Aggies all across the world will gather together and honor those who’ve passed away during Muster on Friday, April 21. Aggie Muster is one of Texas A&M University’s most solemn traditions, it’s a time of fellowship for Aggies and allows them to honor the past, present and future. “We’ll have roll call for the absent, which is the roll call made of Aggies who have passed away within the year,” said Abby Kerckhoff of the Aggie Muster Committee.
Focus at Four: Pediatrician on babies with cow milk allergies
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - According to the National Library of Medicine, cow’s milk allergy is an allergic reaction to the protein found in cow’s milk. Doctors say that a diagnosis can be difficult as it is primarily based on history and physical exam. Some of the most common signs are rashes, reflux and vomiting. “Your baby could be pretty fussy and they may be labeled as having colic,” said Dr. Jenna Timboe, a pediatrician and a mom to a child with food allergies.
Celebrate all things agriculture at Prairie View A&M University
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (KBTX) - The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at Prairie View A&M University is hosting two days of activities dedicated to all things agriculture. Agriculture Field Day is April 28th and 29th on the Demonstration Farm at Prairie View A&M University (Main Campus) and at the Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building. “The theme of our field day this year is Ag is the Solution,” said Ashley James, Extension Program Specialist at Prairie View A&M University.
Treat of the Day: Greater Texas Foundation Aggie Scholars
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Bryan Collegiate High School students Alan Rios, Astrid Lopez, Denisse Soto, and Stephanie Landeros were recently named Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) Aggie Scholars. The recognition is a learning community for freshmen who have graduated from an early college high school as defined by Educate Texas.
Focus at Four: Economist weighs in on debt ceiling concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged on Monday to pass legislation to raise the nation’s debt ceiling — but only on condition of capping future federal spending increases at 1%. “Defaulting on our debt is not an option,” said McCarthy. The nation’s debt limit is now at $31 trillion and the U.S. is trying to avert a federal default.
Thorn Music Center presents Paint-A-Lele
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Thorn Music Center in College Station is hosting an upcoming event with the goal of making art and making music. Paint-A-Lele allows participants to paint a fun underwater scene on their very own ukulele. The event will be Saturday, April 29 starting at 7 p.m. at Thorn Music Center. Organizers say this will be a guided experience, but participants are encouraged to let their artistic abilities flow when painting their ukuleles.
Focus at Four: Impact of gas prices after OPEC statement
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - After OPEC announced it intends to decrease production starting in May, gas prices increased, according to AAA’s latest gas prices report. A surprise move earlier last week by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major oil producers, including Russia, known as OPEC+ caused a ripple effect that is leading to higher gas prices. OPEC+ announced plans to cut output to global crude oil markets by 1 million barrels per day through 2023.
Focus at Four: Experts offer ways to cope during National Stress Awareness Month
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - April is National Stress Awareness Month. It’s a month dedicated to raising awareness of the negative impact of stress and various strategies to address it. According to the American Psychological Association, a 2022 poll found that 27% of Americans reported they are so stressed they cannot function. A majority of adults cited inflation (83%), violence and crime (75%), the current political climate (66%), and the racial climate (62%) as significant sources of stress.
Focus at Four: Opioid Awareness Week at Texas A&M University
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - The U.S. is facing an opioid epidemic, with more than 130 Americans dying each day from an opioid overdose. The Texas A&M University Opioid Task Force has organized a week-long event to help raise awareness about the epidemic in the United States. The inaugural event will be held on the main campus from April 10-14.
Focus at Four: End of continuous Medicaid coverage
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Millions of Americans lost Medicaid coverage as of Friday, March 31. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE) and passed a law that allowed recipients to automatically keep coverage known as continuous Medicaid. “Over the next 12 months, the process will begin of determining the eligibility of everyone in the Medicaid program,” said Dr. Kathy Hempstead, senior policy adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Focus at Four: New federal assistance for farmers facing financial distress
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it will provide $123 million in additional, financial assistance for America’s farmers. The assistance is for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial risk, as part of the $3.1 billion to help distressed farm loan borrowers that were provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Focus at Four: Retiring in a post pandemic world
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A 2022 study by Fidelity Investments reveals more about the pandemic’s impact on Americans’ well-being. It found that America’s Retirement Score has declined from the all-time high reported when the study was last conducted in 2020. “More than half of Americans may be unable to afford to pay for just their basic expenses over the course of their retirement, much less their retirement,” said Ryan Viktorin, a financial consultant at Fidelity Investments.
Focus at Four: What is direct primary care?
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A recent Gallup poll finds less than half of Americans are satisfied with the quality of U.S. healthcare. Poll Highlights Less than half now rate U.S. healthcare quality as excellent or good Americans’ 72% positive rating of their own healthcare quality is also a new low Evaluations of U.S. healthcare coverage, costs are more subdued but steady According to the poll, only 24% of people are satisfied with the cost of healthcare.
Focus at Four: Piper Faust Memorial Scholarship Barrel Race and Cornhole Tournament
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Piper Faust Memorial Scholarship Barrel Race and Cornhole Tournament begins Friday, March 31. The event takes place at the Brazos County Expo Center at 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. The three-day event will benefit the Piper Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund. It was created for local youth after 10-year-old Piper Faust died in a rodeo accident at the Caldwell Rodeo in March of 2017. “Piper was a very spunky young lady, full of life.
The Brian Black Show with Georgette Jones set for Saturday in Giddings
GUDDINGS, Texas (KBTX) - Sharity Productions and The Silos on 77 Event Center will present The Brian Black Show with Special Guest Georgette Jones. The show is Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at The Silos on 77 located at 1031 CR 223 in Giddings. Doors open at 5 p.m. and there will be photo opportunities with Tex, the Texas Longhorn. Brian Black and Brenda Scott appeared on First News at Four to talk more about the upcoming event.
Focus at Four: New access to infant formula
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - SimpliFed, the telehealth service dedicated to democratizing access to inclusive infant feeding support, announced that it has launched a distribution partnership with Nature’s One, the makers of Baby’s Only® Formulas. “We’re a breastfeeding support provider that works with health plans to cover services at no cost to families,” said Andrea Ippolito, CEO of SimpliFed. Through the partnership, SimpliFed will provide families in need with access to organic infant formula.
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