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Del Valle ISD, Leander ISD superintendents testify in court over A-F school rating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Several Texas superintendents testified on Tuesday in a lawsuit requesting the Texas Education Commissioner not to release A-F school ratings this year.The lawsuit, which more than 100 school districts across the state have joined, alleges the Texas Education Agency has not provided adequate notice of changes to how the 2022-23 A-F rating will be calculated.“I think it is clear we have a unified front with a very similar argument that the commissioner has in our mind, broken the law and has to be accountable to that,” said Leander ISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing.District leaders, including Superintendents from Kingsville ISD, Leander ISD, and Spring Branch ISD, testified Commissioner Mike Morath held Zoom meetings with districts in February and over the summer outlining the proposed “A-F refresh.”But district leaders said there is still uncertainty around changes to how the state will calculate student progress under the new metrics, and the agency has yet to ap...

As tensions over conflict in Israel escalate, here's how Austin is fighting hate crimes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Council Member Alison Alter's synagogue was lit on fire by a man in 2021, Alter spearheaded the charge to launch a new City of Austin anti-hate campaign. It's called "We All Belong." Right now, as tensions at home escalate over a war in Israel, local leaders say that message is more important than ever. "One of the things that we know is any time there is an incident like this in Israel, that incidents of antisemitism, in particular, tend to go up," Jackie Nirenberg, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Austin, said. Man accused of intentionally setting Austin synagogue on fire pleads guilty The campaign is twofold: First, it helps connect people with ways to report hate incidents, whether that be through the ADL, 3-1-1 or the police department. But the other arm aims to get people educated and involved. That includes bringing community groups to the table to host events -- like a concert or a dance -- where educational information can also...

Texas considers new border laws targeting illegal entry, human smuggling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate Committee on Border Security on Tuesday considered legislation that would create a new state-level offense for illegal immigration and increase criminal penalties for smugglers operating a "stash house."Senate Bill 11 by State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would create a Class A misdemeanor for people crossing into Texas from a foreign nation outside of an official port of entry, and a state jail felony for repeat offenders. The Texas Department of Public Safety would be tasked with enforcing the law and detaining offenders inside facilities operated by Operation Lone Star, the state's effort to secure the southern border independently of the federal government.The bill exempts people who have been granted asylum or other protection to reside in the United States by the federal government, such as under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. However, the law would not accept status under Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Per...

Election 2023: Mounds View mayor special election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

MOUNDS VIEW MAYOR SPECIAL ELECTIONOn Nov. 7, Mounds View voters will elect a mayor in a special election.Zach Lindstrom, candiate for re-election to City Council in Mounds View in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Zach LindstromAge: 42What qualifies you to hold the position? I’m on the council now and have worked hard to bring change to the landscape of the city council. I am in tune with the community and work hard to represent everyone as fairly as possible. I think it’s important for a leader to be willing to work with everyone and understand as much about issues as pos...

Wild reward Kirill Kaprizov with an ‘A’ for his effort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

Kirill Kaprizov opened another chapter in what is shaping up to be a legendary career on Tuesday when the Wild named him an alternate captain, presenting the young winger with a game jersey with the “A” stitched on it.“I can tell you he wanted it,” head coach Dean Evason said.That was just one of the reasons Kaprizov was chosen to replace longtime Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, who signed a free-agent deal with Arizona this offseason, as the Wild’s second alternate alongside forward Marcus Foligno.Veteran defenseman Jared Spurgeon is the Wild’s captain but will be absent for the regular-season opener on Thursday because of an upper-body injury suffered in a preseason game Oct. 4 at Chicago. Puck drop for Game 1 is set for 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.“We have a lot of leaders on the team,” Kaprizov said Tuesday through a translator. “I feel very honored, and happy and proud that these leaders on the team selected me to represent the team today.”Among those leaders were general manager ...

Election 2023: St. Paul City Council 5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

ST. PAUL CITY COUNCIL WARD 5On Nov. 7, St. Paul voters will elect the seven members of the city council by ward. The ranked-choice ballot allows voters to rank their picks in order of preference. Ward 5 spans the Como, North End, Payne-Phalen and Railroad Island neighborhoods.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.David Greenwood-SanchezDavid Greenwood-Sanchez, candidate for St. Paul City Council, Ward 5, in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 37What qualifies you to hold this position? I’ve dedicated my career to public policy and community. Professionally, I work as a professor of political science, specializing in en...

Gophers men’s basketball will rely on big men Dawson Garcia and Pharrell Payne this season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

The duo of Dawson Garcia and Pharrell Payne is expected to lead the Gophers men’s basketball team this season. And the pair of big men — who represented Minnesota at Big Ten Media Days at Target Center on Tuesday — are leaning into the outlook.“It brings a big presence to the court,” Payne said.The 6-foot-9 Payne improved as his freshman season progressed and is expected to take another step this year. The 6-foot-11 Garcia was named preseason all-Big Ten after leading the U in points (15.3) and rebounds (6.7) a year ago.Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson said Garcia’s versatility and ability to play and guard multiple positions will fit in with Payne’s more-traditional center role.“I think they lean on each other a lot,” Johnson said. “Especially when we go to that big lineup, and they had success playing together last year, I think they are excited to hone that this year.”Garcia said he worked on conditioning and adding lean muscle for this season, while Payne said he...

Five suspects charged in bank fraud conspiracy case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Five individuals were indicted for their roles in a bank fraud conspiracy. The conspirators reportedly obtained loans fraudulently from SEFCU, now Broadview Federal Credit Union. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, Caeshara Cannon, 33, of Albany, helped four conspirators obtain customer account information. Cannon formerly worked as a member services representative at SEFCU.The conspirators used the information to create counterfeit checks. They obtained personal identifying information and used fake New York State driver's licenses in the loan application process. Carson was previously arrested on September 14 and pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The four others facing charges are:Allahson Allah, formerly known as Gwyn Cancer, age 53, of Albany, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggrava...

Fire Prevention Week: How to stay safe while cooking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The days from Oct. 8-14 comprise Fire Prevention Week. Fire safety is a full-time job, but this time of year, fire departments and county organizations speak up on how to stay safe. This year, they're looking at your kitchen - but not the dirty dishes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is "Cooking safety starts with YOU" - and local counties are speaking out about exactly what that means. Warren and Washington counties have both released tips on how to keep your cooking space safe - as well as thoughts on how much can go wrong.“Kitchen fires spread rapidly, and particularly if they involve cooking oils, can be very difficult to extinguish," said Warren County Fire Coordinator Ralph Bartlett. "Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, so it is important to stay in the kitchen and pay attention when burners or the oven are on. Please keep a fire ex...

2024 Medicare enrollment to begin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -With the colder temperatures of fall finally coming in, cold and flu season is creeping back. Not only is staying healthy a concern but so is health coverage for people who qualify for Medicare. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Highmark Blue Shield Medicare Center of Albany welcomed anyone with an insurance card to get vaccinated and talk about health coverage. "To understand when they need to enroll in Part B. Making sure that we have plans that meet their needs whether that’s prescription drugs or a network," explained Regional Business Manager of Northeastern New York, Lauren Leblanc.These needs can change from year to year. While at the Medicare clinic, members and those interested in signing up could talk over coverage while also getting immunizations. "In order to serve the Medicare population, we want to encourage people to come out and also revisit their plans this year and shop around," said L...