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Texas lawmakers to reconsider banning private employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Oct. 6, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Texas lawmakers return for the third special legislative session Monday, they're set to reconsider an effort to ban private employers from requiring their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. During an announcement Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott included that as part of the four agenda items that he set to guide the legislators' work once they return to the Capitol. In addition to prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers, Abbott also directed them to take up legislation that would create an education savings account system and new criminal penalties related to border security. Border security, ‘education freedom’ top Abbott’s special session call; teacher pay absent He said in his news release that the state "must protect the freedom of Texans from forced COVID-19 vaccinations." Shortly after Abbott's office released his agenda, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, said he wou...

Bertram on its way to becoming a 'Music Friendly Texas Community'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A virtual Music Friendly Texas Community workshop is taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The program is designed to help promote music business-related endeavors within Texas communities.The workshop is hosted by the Texas Music Office (TMO), the City of Bertram and Globe Theatre Bertram.On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said music was key to the Texas brand as well as its local economies."With support from the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounted for more than 192,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs and generated more than $26 billion in economic activity statewide last year. Working alongside local leaders like those in the City of Bertram, we can ensure even more Texas communities have the tools needed to succeed,” Abbott said.According to a statement from the governor's office, TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will join virtually to explain the Music Friendly Texas Community designation and the benefits of becoming cert...

Medics on Austin's lakes help response times, EMS says: A review of the pilot program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In March, Austin-Travis County EMS launched a pilot program where medics joined Austin lake patrol police officers on patrol boats on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin.The pilot is currently over because it's no longer busy season for Austin's waterways, and now ATCEMS is reviewing the results of the pilot to determine whether - and in what capacity - to bring it back next year. EMS’ pilot program speeds up water rescues on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake "What we know about waterways is they're very difficult to navigate when a 911 call comes in," said ATCEMS Asst. Chief Wesley Hopkins. "So having that medic in the water with APD on a boat was able to reduce response times."He added that the program helped reduce response times from 17 minutes to about 5 minutes. Part of the after-action analysis will include analyzing if there were enough medical calls to justify the resources, and if anything can or should be adjusted from this past summer's model, the department said...

’48 Hours’ to feature shooting of Minneapolis police forensic scientist by Woodbury woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

The attempted murder of a Minneapolis police forensic scientist, shot twice at point-blank range outside a supervised parenting center last year, is the focus of a “48 Hours” episode, “Who Wanted Nicki Dead,” that airs Saturday.Nicole Ford was struck in the neck and forearm in southeast Minneapolis by Colleen Larson, the Woodbury girlfriend of Timothy Amacher, of St. Paul, who has a young son with Ford. Larson, 25, and Amacher, 42, are serving prison sentences for attempted murder, which was carried out as part of their plan to gain him full custody of his son.“48 Hours” interviewed Ford, whose last name was Lenway at the time of the shooting, and a St. Paul woman who saw the shooter running beforehand, heard the shots and stopped to help.RELATED: Shooting of Minneapolis police scientist was committed by former lover, his girlfriend, charges sayVideo surveillance footage of the ambush and police body camera video are also shown in the episode, which airs at 9 p.m. on CBS and streams...

Wild: Jared Spurgeon is week to week with upper body injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

The Wild will be without captain Jared Spurgeon for some time after the top-pair defenseman suffered an upper body injury in Thursday night’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Blackhawks in Chicago.Spurgeon was not on the ice for Friday morning’s practice at TRIA Rink and the team called his status week to week. He left the game with just more than a minute left in the first period after being knocked into the boards by Reese Johnson.This story will be updated.

Guilderland hardware store celebrating 65 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Robinson Ace Hardware in Guilderland is celebrating 65 years in business on Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, special storewide sale, vendor demonstrations, free food samples, giveaways, and raffles. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The third generation family-owned hardware store opened in 1958 by Donald Robinson and Matthew “Bud” Hennet. The store at 1874 Western Avenue was originally known as Robinson and Hennet Hardware."A lot of has changed in the hardware business in the last 65 years," said second-generation owner Garry Robinson. "In my 40 years, we computerized the store, became an Ace Hardware co-op owner, survived the ‘Big Box’ craze, and grew along with the community we serve. We survived because of our focus on convenience, service, and knowledge." Albany’s The Egg allowing drinks in its theaters In 2010, Garry retired and so...

Temporary partial Rail Trail closure starting Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

NEW SCOTLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A portion of the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail will be closed in New Scotland from Tuesday, October 10, to Friday, October 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The Albany County Department of Public Works made the announcement Friday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The rail trail will be temporarily closed between the intersections of Hilton Road and Upper Font Grove Road to safely remove and eventually replace the old decking on the Bender Melon Farm Preserve Bridge.

Ferguson Walmart temporarily closes for fatal overdose investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. -- The Walmart in Ferguson is temporarily closed for an investigation into a fatal overdose that happened on the premises this morning. The police say they are working with Walmart management to gather facts surrounding this situation."As law enforcement, we take this matter very seriously, and our primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. In order to conduct a thorough investigation into this tragic incident, it has become necessary to temporarily close the Walmart store," stated Ferguson Police on Facebook. "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and condolences are with them during this incredibly difficult period."The store closed at around 10 a.m. and it is not clear when it will reopen. The police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call them at 314-522-3100.

Missouri Capitol Dome lights up red to honor fallen firefighters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY – In honor of fallen Missouri firefighters, Acting Governor Mike Kehoe has ordered the Capitol dome to be lit in red. Lieutenant Governor Kehoe has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to be lighted in red from sunset on Saturday, October 7, until sunrise on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in honor of Missouri’s fallen firefighters.  First-of-its-kind tech in Missouri debuts at Ameristar St. Charles The dome's lighting goes along with the Fire Fighters Memorial service in Kingdom City. Governor Parson has declared October 8 as Fire Service Memorial Day in Missouri. The Fire Fighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri will host a candlelight vigil at the memorial for all deceased firefighters on Saturday, October 7, starting at 7 p.m.  On Sunday, October 8, beginning at 10:30 a.m., a memorial service will be held at the memorial to honor Missouri firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022. 

Grant’s Farm looking for artist to paint iconic mural

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Grant’s Farm invites artists to participate in its mural contest as part of the 120th anniversary celebration.Located in St. Louis, Grant’s Farm has a variety of animals, including horses from Anheuser-Busch’s farms, exotic creatures typically found in zoos, and a delightful petting area featuring pygmy goats. Open to the public since 1954, the farm has been a cherished part of the Busch family since 1903.The farm is not only home to the Busch family but also preserves the Hardscrabble Cabin, originally built by former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. First-of-its-kind tech in Missouri debuts at Ameristar St. Charles Requirements: Artists must be at least 18 years old and can submit one mural proposal, which should be drawn to scale and adhere to the specifications. All submissions must be original and depict figurative artwork. Alongside their proposal, artists should include a resume, a biographical sketch (maximum 250 words), and an artist statement (maximum 250 wor...