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Powerball Jackpot Soars to $1.5 Billion, No Winner in Latest Drawing The Powerball jackpot has reached an astounding $1.5 billion, making it the fifth largest in the games history. Despite the massive prize, no tickets matched all six winning numbers in Wednesdays drawing. The winning numbers were 25, 33, 53, 62, and 66, with the Powerball number being 17. The Power Play multiplier was 4. The last time the jackpot surpassed one billion dollars was in September, when two tickets split a $1.8 billion prize. The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th, at 10:12 PM Central time.

Barbie Santa, Tammis Kennedy, brings joy to children in need with specially designed Barbie dolls for the Season for Caring program. These dolls, filled with unique outfits and accessories, will be distributed to families facing hardships, including Madina Babrakzai, Kiana Young, and Scarlett Reimers. The program, managed by the Austin Community Foundation, raises funds for local nonprofits, showcasing the communitys generosity and impact on those in need.

Austin Firefighters Association approves new collective bargaining agreement with the city, securing working conditions and benefits. The agreement includes scheduled wage increases, maintains 72-hour shift breaks, mandates four-person staffing on all fire apparatuses, and establishes a public process for closing fire stations. The Austin City Council is set to vote on the deal, potentially ending the Safer Austin Petition and ensuring continued safety and effective operation of the fire department.

Austin Police Investigate Fifty-First Homicide: Man Found Dead in North Austin Austin police are probing the citys fifty-first homicide after a man was discovered with severe injuries near the I-Thirty-Five frontage road and Sandpiper Avenue late Wednesday night. The man, whose identity is undisclosed, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services. Authorities are actively gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to identify a suspect. Despite the tragic event, police assure the public there is no ongoing threat.

Melissa Frederick, a woman from Pflugerville, Texas, spreads holiday cheer by providing Christmas decorations to families in need through her nonprofit, Giving Christmas Spirit. Recently, she delivered festive items to over a thousand people, transforming the BACA Community Center into a winter wonderland. Melissa founded the organization after personal loss, aiming to ensure families can experience the joy of the season. Her generosity extends beyond Central Texas, with thirty trees sent to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Community donations are crucial for her efforts, and anyone wishing to help can reach out through their Facebook page.

Two Texas A&M fans were assaulted in Austin after their teams loss to UT. The incident involved five male suspects who confronted the victims over their apparel. The situation escalated when a Hook Em Horns gesture was exchanged, leading to a physical assault. Police are seeking the publics help to identify the suspects, including three captured in photos. The first suspect is a Black male in his mid-twenties with short, curly black hair and a small build. The second suspect is a Black male with long black hair. The third suspect is a white male with short, curly brown hair and a medium build. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.

Dense fog advisory issued for South Central Texas, with visibility dropping to a quarter mile or less. Fog forms when air temperature cools to dew point, suspending water droplets at Earths surface. If temperatures drop below freezing, freezing fog can occur. Drive slowly, leave extra space, and use low beams to navigate safely.

The Leander Independent School District board of trustees voted unanimously to keep Steiner Ranch Elementary School open for at least one more year, following strong opposition from parents and community members. The decision was a response to public outcry against the initial proposal to close the school and consolidate its students into other schools to save money. The community valued Steiner Ranch as a community hub, with parents emphasizing its importance beyond financial considerations. The board also moved forward with a plan to consolidate Faubion Elementary School with Westside Elementary, but did not address a consolidation plan for Cypress Elementary School at this time. The decision to keep Steiner Ranch open highlights the impact of community engagement on district-level decisions.

Powerball Jackpot Soars to $1.25 Billion, Largest in Games History