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Why Wisconsin's no-toll road solution may not work in Texas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more energy-efficient and electric vehicles make their way into the American market, transportation departments across the country are grappling with one key question: How do we fund future infrastructure projects without a dependable gas tax?Currently, Texas collects 20 cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel fuels' sales, according to the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Billions of dollars in revenue collected go toward building and maintaining state highways, roads and bridges, as well as the state's Available School Fund for public education. Here in Texas, the state's toll road system also brings in significant revenues to support transportation infrastructure upgrades and improvements. But the Texas Department of Transportation's TxTag toll billing system hasn't gone without its own share of billing concerns.As electric-powered vehicles render the gas tax more obsolete, both states with and without toll roads are evaluating new techniques to collect funds to...

A popular Minnesota baitfish is in short supply. UMN’s golden shiner project hopes to help.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Barry Thoele stands in front of one of his greenhouses near Staples, Minn. As part of the Minnesota Sea Grant golden shiner project, Thoele will grow baitfish right alongside his hydroponics system that grows lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and hot peppers. (Michael Johnson / Forum News Service)STAPLES, Minn. — Some Minnesota anglers could be skunked before they even hit the water for this weekend’s fishing opener with live bait supplies limited.Bait producer Barry Thoele, of Staples, blames record breaking winter kill as a major factor hurting bait supplies this spring. But the demise of the bait industry has been coming for years as minnow populations continue to shrink in the wild and in conventional farming practices that require overwintering in outdoor ponds, he added.Recent projections by bait dealers estimate a deficit of approximately 10,000 gallons of golden shiners annually in Minnesota. The golden shiner is a go-to bait for many walleye anglers, even as prices hang ou...

Ulster man found guilty of 2021 deadly shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — An Ulster man is doing time in Ulster County Jail after a judge convicted him of a deadly shooting, that happened back in September 2021. Gregory Thayer, 50, was convicted on Wednesday in a non-jury trial before Judge Bryan Rounds in Ulster County Court. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Judge Rounds ruled that Thayer had committed second-degree murder in 2021. However, Thayer was mentally unstable at the time, so he could only be charged with first-degree manslaughter, the Judge said. Thayer was also convicted on a single charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a violent felony. The manslaughter conviction carries a sentence of up to 25 years in state prison, and the weapons charge carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, which can be imposed consecutively for a total of 40 years. Suspect convicted by jury after failing to appear in court According to evidence pres...

Kiszla: When was moment these Nuggets realized they were championship-worthy? “2019,” said guard Jamal Murray, putting the bluebloods of NBA on notice.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

PHOENIX –  Our dusty old cowtown ain’t never seen a basketball team like these Nuggets. They’re skilled. And sassy. Who’s next? Whether it’s LeBron or Steph, this wild bunch from Denver is itching for a fight, pardner.After they totally eclipsed the Suns in a 125-100 victory that broke the competitive spirit of Kevin Durant, I asked guard Jamal Murray late Thursday night to recall the exact moment when he realized these Nuggets had what it takes to win the first championship in franchise history.“2019,” Murray replied, without batting an eye.While the rest of the league might not realize how ready these Nuggets are to rock, their faith has never wavered through the ups, downs and devastating injuries that have deferred this dream during the past four years.It doesn’t matter to Denver that LeBron James or Steph Curry have more championship pedigree or the Celtics have raised 17 banners to the rafters. These Nuggets, who now await either the storied Lakers or defending champ Golden St...

Governor of Russia's Kursk says 'enemy' drone shot down - no injuries

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Russia's air defence forces shot down an "enemy" drone in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, its governor said on Wednesday (10 May), adding that falling debris damaged a gas pipeline and a house."Debris fell in the village of Tolmachevo. No one was hurt," the regional governor, Roman Starovoyt, said on the Telegram messaging app.Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia and on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine.However, Kyiv has recently said that undermining Russia's logistics is part of preparation for a planned counteroffensive.

Ask Amy: Now she’s back, like I’ll just get over my resentment

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Dear Amy: I have a very good friend from college who contacted me online after more than 12 years of silence.I gave up trying to be friends a long time ago because I was always the one asking her to do things, and she never reciprocated.At the time, she had two small children, and I was not part of the “Mommy Club.”I can’t help but feel slighted that she’s reaching out after all this time now that the kids are grown.She wasn’t there for me when I needed a friend.Should I get over it and respond to her, or click Ignore? Long Lost FriendDear Long Lost Friend: There is an oft-used quote about relationships that might help you to put your own experience into context: “People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.”You and your college friend formed a relationship during a season of your lives where your shared experiences helped to draw and keep you together.Then the season changed, as she moved into motherhood. She either wasn’t able or interested in maintaining the ...

Trial-setting scheduled for San Pablo woman accused of fatal 2021 shooting of 19-year-old

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

After a two-day preliminary hearing in April, a 26-year-old San Pablo woman accused of first-degree murder in connection with a fatal November 2021 shooting in Fairfield may learn of her trial date in July.Court records show that Kamaria Isis Davison Strange appeared Thursday for a held-to-answer arraignment in Department 9, where Judge Carlos R. Gutierrez scheduled a trial-setting 8:30 a.m. July 10  in the Justice Center in Fairfield.Strange, who is represented by Deputy Public Defender Sara Johnson, had earlier pleaded not guilty in Gutierrez’s courtroom.She was arrested Nov. 5, 2021, and booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of killing a 19-year-old Benicia man in the 1000 block of Tyler Street. The Fairfield Police Department identified the victim as Michael Vincent Lopretta.The Solano County District Attorney’s Office filed its complaint against Strange on Nov. 9, and Deputy District Attorney Bill Ainsworth leads the prosecution.Related ArticlesCalifornia News | ...

Bay Area woman killed in rollover crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

A young Vacaville woman was killed early Thursday following a rollover crash in Fairfield.Her name was unavailable at press time.The crash occurred just before 5:05 a.m. on northbound Peabody Road north of Chuck Hammond Drive, a California Highway Patrol official said.Related ArticlesCalifornia News | Ex-Raider Henry Ruggs pleads guilty to driving drunk at 156 mph, causing fatal crash California News | Two-car crash marks fifth fatality of 2023 on Highway 4 California News | Trial begins for California man accused of killing woman, 5 dogs during police chase California News | Speed cameras in San Jose and Oakland? Lawmakers try for the fourth time to get tech on roads. California News | San Jose: Pedestrian killed in I-880 hit-and-run collision Details were slim, but a preliminary investigation revealed that the twentysomething woman’s vehicle left the roadway, she overcorrected, and the vehicle flipped ...

130 mph Sonoma County high-speed police chase ends in Marin

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

A motorcyclist led authorities on a chase from Sonoma County to San Rafael early Thursday morning.The incident unfolded around 2:15 a.m. in Healdsburg, where police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcyclist driving without license plates.The motorcyclist took off. Police, county deputies and a California Highway Patrol helicopter gave chase, following the suspect southbound on Highway 101, police said. Speeds topped 115 to 130 mph during the pursuit, police said.Police said the suspect dropped a backpack near the Marin/Sonoma county line containing a loaded firearm and narcotics.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Trial-setting scheduled for East Bay woman accused of fatal 2021 shooting of 19-year-old Crime and Public Safety | Santa Cruz hotel mass shooting call deemed a ‘hoax’ Crime and Public Safety | Attempted gas theft at East Bay BART parking lot ignites fire destroying 6 vehicles Crime and Public Safety | ...

Santa Cruz hotel mass shooting call deemed a ‘hoax’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

SANTA CRUZ — Local emergency officials quickly spotted a hoax this week when they heard a 911 call reporting a mass shooting at a city beach area hotel.The report came in at about 3:20 p.m. Wednesday from a caller saying that a 40-year-old Hispanic man wearing black shorts and carrying a machine gun had shot 26 people, according to dispatch recordings.The caller, able to “clone” the phone number he used, appeared to be calling from the hotel’s front lobby, said Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Jon Bush. The emergency dispatcher, while taking the call seriously, was able to notice some irregularities with the call that Bush asked not be disclosed so as to avoid copycats.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Trial-setting scheduled for East Bay woman accused of fatal 2021 shooting of 19-year-old Crime and Public Safety | 130 mph Sonoma County high-speed police chase ends in Marin Crime and Public Safety | Attempted gas theft at East Bay BAR...