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Texas House committee advances school voucher bill, overcoming key hurdle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A Texas House committee has advanced school voucher legislation that could be key to ending the protracted stalemate over the issue this year at the Capitol.By a vote of 10-4, the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment approved House Bill 1 on Friday. It is a wide-ranging education bill that includes a voucher-like program known as education savings accounts that lets parents use taxpayer dollars to subsidize private schooling costs.Gov. Greg Abbott has pushed all year for the proposal, prompting four special sessions. The committee approval marks the furthest a voucher bill has gotten in the House in recent history."We are excited to see a Texas House education committee pass school choice for the first time since 2005," Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, said in a statement. "It's time to get this done."The legislation now goes to the House Calendars Committee, which is responsible for routing bi...

Texas community colleges see biggest enrollment recovery since the pandemic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas community colleges saw a big post-pandemic recovery this year, preliminary fall enrollment data shows.A total of 676,141 students were enrolled in community colleges this fall, representing a 4.25% increase in enrollment since 2021 and bringing those numbers closer to where they were before the pandemic. About 747,000 students were enrolled in public two-year colleges in 2019.The uptick comes after community colleges saw enrollment fall by about 80,000 students between 2019 and 2021, causing community college enrollment to fall below the state’s four-year universities for the first time since the 1990s. The drop came as a surprise to many community colleges expecting student enrollment to increase during the pandemic, as it typically does during economic recessions when students look for more affordable schooling options.Texas Community Colleges Association President and CEO Ray Martinez said he believes affordability is a driving factor in the recover...

Gov. Abbott signs bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates in private sector

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers at the governor's mansion on Friday afternoon.Senate Bill 7 will prohibit employers in the private sector from taking "adverse action" against an employee who does not want to get a COVID-19 shot. It would allow people to file a complaint at the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate alleged retaliation. Employers could face a fine up to $50,000 for each violation, according to this legislation.Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, who authored SB 7, emphasized the importance of medical autonomy when discussing his bill during the third special session.“This bill is about protecting individuals,” said Middleton during the third special session. “This protects individuals from losing their job if they don’t believe that COVID vaccine is right for them for whatever reason.” READ MORE: Texas Senate gives final approval to ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private emp...

Minnesota opening weekend deer harvest down 13% from 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

Minnesota’s opening weekend firearms deer harvest is down 13% statewide from 2022, based on statistics from the Department of Natural Resources.Minnesota’s firearms deer season opened Saturday, Nov. 4.According to the DNR, Minnesota hunters registered 47,138 deer during the first two days of the season. The opening weekend tally also is down 28% from the five-year mean, DNR statistics show.Here’s a look at the opening weekend deer harvest by region:Northwest Region: 13,224 deer were registered, down 16% from 2022 and 38% below the five-year mean.Northeast Region: 9,299, down 19% from last year and 40% below the five-year mean.Central Region: 16,788, down 4% from 2022 and 14% below the five-year mean.Southwest Region: 7,827, down 17% from 2022 and 18% from the five-year mean.“We anticipated lower numbers for northern Minnesota coming off another tough winter,” Barb Keller, Big Game Program leader for the DNR in St. Paul, said in an email. “Not sure yet about the lower harvest in Cent...

Three arrested in Troy on car theft and weapon charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people have been arrested in Troy following a stolen vehicle investigation, according to police. Jahmez Mayo, 18, as well as two minors are all facing charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On November 5 at 2 a.m., police responded to the area of Earl Street and North Street following the report of a stolen Nissan Altima. Upon conducting their search, officers were able to locate the car traveling near Vandenburgh Avenue.Police conducted a traffic stop on the car on Glenmore Road in North Greenbush after the arrival of reinforcements. The three occupants of the car, identified as Mayo and the two teenagers, were all taken into custody without incident. Police: 31-year-old female found deceased in Albany During the arrest, one of the minors was found to be in possession of an illegal handgun, which was recovered by police. The minor was charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and...

Winery opens relocated tasting room in New Scotland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

NEW SCOTLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Meadowdale Winery has soft opened its new relocated tasting room in New Scotland. The winery recently moved its wine production and tasting room from Guilderland to New Scotland. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! After his partner retired, owner John Sheehan said they had to move the operation out of the partner's house in Guilderland. Plus, they were outgrowing the space anyway, said Sheehan.The site of the production facility and tasting room is located at the old Picard farm at 111 Picard Road. According to Sheehan, the Picards bought the land from the Van Rensselaer family before the War of 1812. The space has been vacant for around a decade. Starbucks in Rivers Casino sets opening date "The new location gives us a more visible spot with a really nice view of the cliffs of Thacher Park," said Sheehan. "I was also attracted to the idea of helping to conserve a farm that had been slated to becom...

Police: Five arrested in scheme to smuggle contraband

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Five individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to bring contraband into the Fulton County Correctional Facility. Investigations were launched when the Correctional Facility Captain discovered evidence of contraband in late September. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! It was discovered that two of the individuals reportedly involved are Correctional Officers. The other three suspects are a Felony Incarcerated Person, a family member, and a part-time licensed practical nurse.All suspects were released under bail reform and issued appearance tickets. Arrestees and charges are:Shawn P. Smith, 49, incarcerated person - attempted possession of contraband while in prison, conspiracy in the sixth-degreeDeborah Russell, 56, Gloversville, part-time LPN who resigned during the investigation - attempted introducing contraband into a prison, conspiracy in the sixth-degreeCameron Woodr...

Man dies in West Florissant business shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY --Officers from the North County Precinct in St. Louis County responded to a report of a shooting at around 11 a.m. in the 11600 block of West Florissant Avenue. The St. Louis County Police Department's Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in St. Louis County. At 11:13 a.m., officers from the North County Precinct responded to a shooting at the 11600 block of West Florissant Avenue. Man killed in south St. Louis County road-rage shooting They discovered a man inside a business with a gunshot wound. Despite being sent to a nearby hospital, the man died of his injuries.Police chased a suspect, and then they were caught and taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further information will be shared as it becomes available.For anyone with information about the incident, please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (...

'Basketball Wives' star Brittish Williams appeals sentence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A former cast member of the reality show Basketball Wives was sentenced in October to four years in prison. Brittish Williams, 33, recently filed an appeal at the federal court in St. Louis. She is challenging her conviction based on the sentencing guidelines.Federal sentences can be difficult to dispute. Judges have strict guidelines to determine prison time, restitution, and more.Williams is still being ordered to pay back the $564,069 she received from several schemes. She pled guilty to 15 felonies, which included misusing Social Security numbers, making false statements to the IRS, and wire fraud. Taylor Swift’s heartfelt tribute to Lindenwood alumna during ‘Eras’ tour She underreported income from 2017-2019 and fabricated dependents to evade taxes. Stealing Social Security numbers, she opened unauthorized accounts, causing financial losses. Williams created fake bank accounts using stolen identities, depositing checks without victims' knowledge.Exploiting relief...

Travis Kelce arrives in Argentina in time for night 2 of the Eras Tour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:44:33 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Travis Kelce has touched down in Argentina for girlfriend Taylor Swift's second night of the Eras Tour in Buenos Aires.Swift posted to her social media on Friday afternoon that her concert on Friday would be postponed due to inclement weather. How Chiefs contract-year players are performing in 2023 On Thursday, Page Six reported that Kansas City's star tight end would be traveling to see Swift's concert. On Friday afternoon, he was photographed in Argentina.On Thursday night, Kelce was spotted in Kansas City at Patrick Mahomes 15 and the Mahomies charity event. The pop star kicked off her South America leg of the Eras Tour Thursday night. Swift will also perform on Saturday night. Her next stop is next weekend in Rio De Janeiro.