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Austin ISD plans to pull millions from reserve funds to give educators 7% raise

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin ISD Board of Trustees on Thursday approved using up to $53 million of the district's reserve funds to give teachers and school employees a raise next school year.It comes as the legislature has yet to get a bill addressing teacher pay to the governor’s desk after months of promising solving the state’s teacher shortage was a top priority.In a statement to KXAN, the district’s Chief Finance OIfficer Ed Ramos said it could not wait on legislative decisions because educators were making employment decisions now. Why this Texas teacher stayed amid an education vacancy crisis “These raises projects we will have to use our savings based on current state funding. It is a much-needed investment in our employees who struggle with inflation and cost of living increases,” Ramos said. “We hope the state also chooses to invest in our students and teachers.”Round Rock ISD Trustees also approved a 3 percent raise for its teachers and librarians this week.The most recen...

Walz signs public safety bill, with ‘red flag law,’ expanded background checks on gun transfers

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed two gun safety measures into law Friday afternoon, aligning his battleground state with others nationally that have taken steps to keep guns out of the hands of people in crisis and criminals.Gabby Giffords — a former Democratic congresswoman who became a gun safety campaigner after she was shot in the head in 2011 in Tucson, Ariz. — gave a short speech to the cheering crowd at the ceremony. Because of the severe brain injury she suffered, she had to relearn how to walk and talk.“Stopping gun violence takes courage,” Giffords said. “Now is the time to come together. Be responsible. Democrat, Republican, independent — we must never stop fight!”Moments later, Walz signed a broad public safety bill that included the two gun measures: a “red flag law” and expanded background checks for gun transfers. The red flag law allows authorities to ask courts for “extreme risk protection orders” to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be...

U.S. Energy Secretary announces $1.67 million for 10 electric vehicle carsharing hubs for St. Paul’s East Side

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

By the end of this summer, the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis will have installed 70 electric car-charging stations that serve as pick-up sites for HourCar’s nonprofit car-sharing services.Mayors of both cities call the burgeoning Evie Spot network a strong start toward encouraging carbon-free transportation, but they’re aware that the existing network favors some of the more densely populated areas of the Twin Cities, leaving out some diverse and high-poverty neighborhoods at the edges.With underserved communities in mind, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm arrived in St. Paul on Friday to announce a $1.67 million grant to the American Lung Association and the Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition, who together will fund an additional 10 Evie Spot charging hubs throughout St. Paul’s East Side by 2025.Several of those stations will be situated along Metro Transit’s future Gold Line bus rapid transit corridor, while other East Side locations will be det...

33 take part in naturalization ceremony in Rensselaer

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Thirty-three people became U.S. citizens on Friday. A naturalization ceremony was held at Rensselaer Junior-Senior High School.More than a dozen different countries were represented, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Mexico. Students had the chance to watch the ceremony. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Organizers said while it's meant to be a celebration for the new citizens, it's also a chance for everyone to learn something about themselves."They've come here today for many of the things that we take for granted," Magistrate Judge Christian Hummel said. "They come here for a better life for their children. Economic opportunity. For religious freedom. For the right to vote."The new citizens had to take a citizenship test and took an Oath of Allegiance. Many have been living in the U.S. for several years.

Multiple law enforcement agencies respond to hoax call at Crossgates Mall

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Initial reports for a shooting that had occurred in the Macy's parking lot in the rear of the mall came in shortly after 12:30. While it turned out to be a hoax, the response by law enforcement was anything but. Bigger, Better Bottle Bill could help returnables market stay afloat When NEWS10 arrived, we immediately spotted the search helicopter hovering around the mall. On scene were Guilderland police, the Albany County Sheriff and many State Police Officers.Once the NEWS10 crew got set up they were able to see the K9 units with officers and their guns drawn, combing the areas behind the mall near Rapp Road.A witness who was leaving Macy's tells me when they arrived today, they saw a few cop cars fly past them and when they came around the corner, they saw a few younger aged people running up the hillside being chased by police. Lawmakers aren’t monkeying around with this bill They tell me the cops grabbed a person in a purple sweater and ...

Road rage incident turns deadly in Chesterfield grocery store parking lot

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - A road rage incident ended in tragedy after a 73-year-old man was involved in an altercation with another man Wednesday night.Authorities said the incident escalated in the Diebergs Four Seasons parking lot on Olive Boulevard.Chesterfield leaders are speaking out about the dangers of road rage, which in this case was fatal.“One of the men have succumb to their injuries," said Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation. "It's so senseless, and sympathy and condolences to the family."The Chesterfield Police Department responded to a report of a fight around 7 p.m. A witness told police the 73-year-old man threw the first punch. Road rage fight sends 73-year-old man to hospital with life-threatening injuries “After the road rage, they became involved in an altercation that became physical, as I understand the matter is obviously under investigation,” Nation said.According to the police, the man hit his head and lost a significant amount of blood. He was transported to the hosp...

Fairgrounds Park pool vandalized, won't open before Memorial Day

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Vandals recently damaged one swimming pool at a St. Louis municipal park, leading to some major cleanup and a delayed opening. The St. Louis Mayor's Office reports the pool at Fairgrounds Park has been vandalized. Much of the metal components, like plumbing, pool filtration and sinks, have suffered major damage. Road rage fight sends 73-year-old man to hospital with life-threatening injuries It's unclear when this vandalism might have occurred. No suspect information is available at this time. Contractors are working to make repairs at the facility. The pool will not be open for Memorial Day weekend, as first anticipated. It will remain closed until cleanup is complete.To keep track of other pools around the City of St. Louis, click here.

Atmospheric cap: How heat charges strong storms

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- We tend to only think of what’s going on down here on the ground.  But in reality, almost everything we experience as weather down here on the ground begins up over our heads in the atmosphere above us.  One big feature in that atmosphere that becomes very important this time of year is what is known as the atmospheric cap. Before we can talk about the cap, we need to remember a simple fact about the atmosphere.  That fact is that on an average day, the temperature gets colder as you go higher up in the sky. On average, it gets 3.5 degrees colder for every 1000 feet you go up.  That’s why it is so much colder at the top of a tall mountain like Pikes Peak than it is down at the base of the mountain.  And that brings us to the atmospheric cap. The sun heats up the ground, which heats up the air directly above it.  That air becomes a lot warmer than the air above.  So, like a hot air balloon, t...

USC athletic director Mike Bohn resigns

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

Southern California athletic director Mike Bohn has resigned.USC confirmed the 62-year-old Bohn's resignation Friday, roughly 3 1/2 years after he succeeded Lynn Swann in the high-profile job.The Trojans' athletic department experienced a surge of success during Bohn's tenure, which was headlined by USC's lucrative decision to move to the Big Ten in 2024.The long-struggling USC football team made a dramatic one-year return to national title contention after the hiring of coach Lincoln Riley last year, while the men's basketball team has made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances under Andy Enfield.In a letter to alumni and the school, USC President Carol Folt briefly thanked Bohn for his service “during a time of rapid transformation and growth.” Son of NBA great Dennis Rodman transferring to USC, joining Bronny James “Over the last four years, the USC athletics department has transformed into a national powerhouse,” Folt wrote. “In our singular pursuit of excellence, I am co...

Beyonce and Jay-Z buy most expensive home in Malibu’s Paradise Cove: Report

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

Beyonce demanded respect on her check, and that's definitely the case here in California.The superstar and her husband Jay-Z are now the proud owners of the most expensive home ever in the Golden State, reports TMZ.The "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" hitmakers paid a whopping $200 million for a 30,000-square-foot home in the Paradise Cove area in Malibu. It's appropriately nicknamed Billionaires' Row. Jay-Z’s RocNation publishes open letter for Times Square casino bid The site claims the estate is the second most expensive real estate deal in the country. Number one is a $238 million New York City apartment.Believe it or not, the couple got a deal on the home, as it was listed for $295 million, the entertainment site reported. Beyonce teases new project: ‘I can’t wait for you to experience what I’ve been creating’ This isn't the couple's only California property. Jay, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Beyonce purchased an $88 million Bel-Air mansion back in 2017, which is now close ...