A quiet Sunday morning in Northwest Austin turned into chaos and devastation after a powerful house explosion shook the Double Spur Loop neighborhood just before noon on April 13. According to the Austin Fire Department, the two-story home was completely leveled by the blast, and the effects of the explosion were felt and seen miles away. Initial emergency calls came in around 11:30 a.m., with witnesses reporting a massive boom and visible smoke plumes. Emergency crews arr

Austin Independent School District (AISD) is facing mounting pressure from both performance and leadership crises as parents, students, and community members raise concerns about the future of local campuses. Thursday night’s board meeting revealed deep-seated challenges within the district, including the uncertain status of Dobie Middle School and the sudden resignation of a principal at a renowned all-girls school. One of the most pressing concerns is Dobie Middle School, wh

Faced with the challenge of limited future water sources and rapid population growth, the city of Austin is ramping up its efforts in water reuse, conservation, and underground storage as part of an ambitious long-term strategy to meet demand for decades to come. At a recent infrastructure summit hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, water planners and city leaders outlined Austin's evolving strategy, which centers on extending the lifespan of its current water resources through smart

The University of Texas at Austin has announced the immediate termination of its Flags program, a cornerstone of its graduation requirements for the past two decades. The university will replace it with a skills-based educational model designed to better align with workforce demands, student flexibility, and public scrutiny around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Flags program required undergraduates to complete coursework in cultural diversity, global cultures, ethics,

As summer rolls in, watermelon becomes a go-to fruit for staying hydrated and cool. While the juicy red flesh is widely enjoyed, the small black seeds within are often discarded without a second thought. However, watermelon seeds are far from useless—they are actually nutritional powerhouses that offer a wide range of health benefits. Packed with essential minerals, fiber, and healthy fats, these seeds deserve a spot in your summer diet. If you’re looking for natural, lo

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed an innovative, eco-friendly, and low-cost solution to tackle industrial water pollution using biochar derived from fruit waste. This breakthrough, led by Dr. Gopal Das from the Department of Chemistry, uses pineapple crowns and mosambi (sweet lime) fibers to efficiently adsorb toxic chemicals from wastewater. The discovery presents a sustainable alternative to conventional pollution control methods. In their study, published in Chemical Engineeri

A water main break in Carrollton early Thursday morning transformed the area into an unexpected winter spectacle. The incident, caused by freezing temperatures that led a pipe to burst, covered roads, vehicles, and power lines in thick layers of ice. While the scene was picturesque for some, it caused significant disruptions for local businesses and commuters. The city of Carrollton confirmed that the leak was reported at approximately 3:00 a.m. via its 24-hour

Leftover Boiled Egg Water is Useful: After boiling eggs, the leftover water may seem like just waste. However, it holds more value than you might think. Mineral-Rich Liquid: The water contains minerals leached from the eggshells, including calcium and magnesium. These minerals make it beneficial for various uses around the home, especially in gardening.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has accused Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar of engaging in politics over the controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s claim that Haryana, ruled by the BJP, poisoned the Yamuna water to disrupt Delhi’s water supply. Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal challenged Rajiv Kumar and other Election Commissioners to drink water from bottles containing Yamuna water, which he claims is contaminated with ammonia and chlorine. Kej

A political standoff erupted on Tuesday between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over allegations of "poisoned water" being supplied to Delhi via the Yamuna river. The Congress, amid this growing controversy, has intervened by demanding action from the Election Commission (EC) against both parties, depending on the validity of the claims. The row began when AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, filed co

A Kerala-based startup, in collaboration with the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (KIIDC), is preparing to launch India's first eco-friendly, organic water bottles. Known as 'compostable bottles,' these bottles are designed to replace plastic bottles and are part of an innovative initiative aimed at promoting sustainability. The new product, branded as 'Hilly Aqua,' will be launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in mid-Ja

A groundbreaking study using data from NASA and German satellites has revealed a concerning and persistent decline in Earth's freshwater reserves since May 2014. The findings, published in Surveys in Geophysics, highlight a significant reduction in the amount of freshwater stored on land, including in lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. This shift, tracked by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, suggests a transition towards drier conditions across co

Recent studies have revealed dangerously high levels of uranium in drinking water sources across six districts in Chhattisgarh, including Durg, Rajnandgaon, Kanker, Bemetara, Balod, and Kawardha. Testing indicates uranium concentrations ranging from 86 to 130 micrograms per litre, well above the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 15 micrograms per litre. This contamination poses serious health risks, including increased chances of cancer, kidney disease, and pulmonary condit

Welspun Enterprises Ltd. announced on Friday that it has been declared the lowest bidder for a major water tunnel project in Mumbai, a venture initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The company's bid, amounting to approximately Rs 1,989.9 crore (excluding GST), is aimed at designing and constructing a tertiary-treated water conveyance tunnel connecting the wastewater treatment facility in Dharavi to another facility in Ghatkopar. The scope of the project incl