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Governor's Day at State Fair has Dems on display

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield.Wednesday Democratic politicians gathered at the fairgrounds for a day of rallies and speeches.Governor JB Prizker took center stage on “Governor’s Day” and sharply contrasted Democratic and Republican parties. He also sounded a note of triumph at the largest annual gathering of Illinois Democrats and bluntly explained why, in his view, Democrats dominate Illinois politics.“Here’s the game, everyone.  Republicans think that if they lie about something often enough, if they deny the truth long enough, maybe we will start to believe their lies,” he said. “The problem is this, here in Illinois, we have a low tolerance for bull****.”He touted his party’s legislative accomplishments made possible through Democratic supermajorities in both the state house and senate; expanding access to abortion, banning semi-automatic weapons and ending “book bans.” Those, he says, are the issues voters care about, not the cultur...

Invasive hornet species found in the US for the first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Bee enthusiasts may be surprised to hear that a new threat has arrived in the U.S. — yellow-legged hornets. On Aug. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed that a non-native hornet species, a yellow-legged hornet, was seen in Georgia for the first time after being spotted on a Savannah property by a local beekeeper. According to officials, this is the country's first sighting of a live yellow-legged hornet. Don’t be mesmerized – you should kill this dazzling bug Yellow-legged hornets are native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and have become established in most of Europe as well as parts of the Middle East. While they look similar to other native species of hornets and bees, their legs are partially or primarily yellow. Their body and head coloration can vary, however, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.One of the biggest issues with this insect is that it constr...

What's causing cloudy water in Round Rock?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - The City of Round Rock said a water main that was brought back online this week has caused sediment to appear in customers’ water. Utility leaders said despite the water having a cloudy look, it is safe to drink and bathe with."We are seeing anything from what would appear to be normal clear water all the way to very off-color. Kind of rust-colored, darker water, and there's almost an ever-present sediment," Paul Pimentel said.Pimentel lives west of IH-35 in Round Rock. He said last Thursday, he noticed tap water around his home looked muddy.Over the next few days, he said pieces of sediment could be seen clinging on to his kid’s bath toys once the tub was drained. "We just don't feel comfortable drinking it and don't feel like we're getting enough of a response from the city that should be warranted," Pimentel said.Utilities Director explains strange appearance of waterCity of Round Rock Utilities Director Michael Thane said the cloudy appearance of ...

Watching the Gulf: Disturbance may bring rain, cooler weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we endure Austin's hottest August on record and longest-ever stretch of unbroken triple-digit heat days, all eyes are on the Gulf of Mexico where early next week, a disturbance may develop and trek toward Texas.A Heat Advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. for much of the area as heat and humidity slowly return following a recent cool front. The advisory will be upgraded to an Excessive Heat Warning on Thursday with record heat and some of the hottest temperatures of the year.Scorching heat continues this weekend, as another record high may fall in Austin on Sunday.Tropical system may impact Texas next weekA disturbance moving into the Gulf early next week is expected to spin westward across record-hot ocean water in relatively favorable conditions for development. While there is some uncertainty in regard to whether or not the storm will have time to strengthen into an official tropical system, the Natl. Hurricane Center is diagnosing a 20% chance of cyclogenesis. S...

Appeals court upholds some abortion drug restrictions in a case bound for the Supreme Court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New restrictions on access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion in the U.S. would be imposed under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday, but the Supreme Court will have the final say.The decision by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it left intact part of the ruling that would end the availability of the drug by mail, allow it to be used through only the seventh week of pregnancy rather than the 10th, and require that it be administered in the presence of a physician. Even those restrictions won’t take effect right away, because the Supreme Court previously intervened to keep the drug available during the legal fight.“We are very pleased with the 5th Circuit decision,” Erin Hawley, an attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the Texas lawsuit challeng...

'Like someone was holding him hostage.' Paxton accused of covering up efforts to help real estate investor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the impeachment trial rules for suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- House impeachment managers revealed new allegations against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, just weeks before the start of his impeachment trial. The accusations came out Tuesday in responses to motions filed by Paxton's attorneys to dismiss the charges against him. State of Texas: Paxton impeachment The responses detail steps Paxton is accused of taking to help real estate developer Nate Paul. Paul was the subject of an FBI raid and currently faces multiple federal felony counts filed this summer, connected to allegations he made false statements to financial institutions.The House managers claim Paul wanted to see the FBI's sealed search warrant affidavit, and that Paxton helped him get that confidential material. The managers claim Paul created an Uber account for Paxton under the alias "Dave P." The managers claim Paxton and Paul both used...

A property tax hike for childcare grants? St. Paul City Council overrides mayoral veto of 2024 ballot question.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

When a coalition of childcare and early learning advocates asked the St. Paul City Council to fund childcare subsidies through public grants, the council opted to put a question on the 2024 ballot for voters to consider. Should the city raise property taxes each year for 10 years to help private providers serving low-income families?Alarmed by the prospect of locking in a decade of sizable annual property tax increases, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter promptly vetoed the council decision, which had been approved 5-2. On Wednesday afternoon, minutes before the same majority vote of the seven-member council overrode his veto, Carter delivered an impassioned presentation inside his downtown offices at St. Paul City Hall.If approved next year, a special levy would be structured to raise $2 million in the first year, $4 million in the second year, $6 million in the third and so forth, reaching $20 million by year 10. Standing between two whiteboards, dry erase marker in hand, the mayor laid...

Pittsfield rejects plan to spray Mosquitoes amid West Nile Virus concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

PITTSFIELD, M.A. (NEWS10) — Despite mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus in Pittsfield, a split city council vote opted not to resume spraying pesticides. Now local officials are looking for alternative methods to combat the insects.West Nile Virus detected in PittsfieldFor years Pittsfield sprayed for mosquitoes anually, but that was discontinued in 2021.Health Department Director Andy Cambi pointed to similar public health concerns as to why Tuesday’s nights vote may have failed.“I've heard environmental concerns for pollinators, also for their families, so I completely understand so a lot of that is having that open communication with our residents so they can voice their concerns, because there might be some facts that are not accurate, and we can just dive into those conversations” Cambi said. With spraying no longer on the table Cambi says Pittsfield is taking the approach of educating the public on what they can do to avoid mosquitoes."Our response was to do public...

State attorney says NYC can do more to help asylum seekers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--A state disaster emergency and one billion dollars in the state budget are just some key points in a 12 page letter from the governor’s new attorney, listing ways the state is helping New York City handle the migrant crisis.The state also reiterated that it’s New York City’s responsibility to provide shelter because of a decades old consent decree dating back to 1981.“The state is not a party to that, so the right to shelter does not extend to the whole of the state," Governor Kathy Hochul said last Thursday. The state’s letter points the finger at the city for not prioritizing $10 million dollars in state funding to obtain work authorization, stating, "Had the city done so, it is likely that thousands more migrants would be able to work today.”The state also pointed to a list of sites that could provide temporary shelter to more than 3,000 migrants.In a statement, the Fabien Levy, Deputy Mayor for Communications said the city appreciates space on the parking ...

Motorcyclist passes away following crash on Route 146

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:52 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEW10) -- A motorcyclist has passed away following an accident on State Route 146 on Wednesday afternoon. Police say, Geoffrey Gabel, 53, of Halfmoon, was traveling eastbound on a motorcycle when he struck a Nissan SUV making a left turn. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A passerby provided assistance to Gabel until first responders arrived. Gabel was transported to Ellis Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. State Route 146 is closed from the Shenendehowa campus to State Route 146A. Police expect the roadway to be reopened by 6 p.m.The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash. Assisting agencies include the New York State Police, Jonesville Fire Department, Clifton Park-Halfmoon EMS, and the New York State Department of Transportation.