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Biden, Roberts speak at Sandra Day O'Connor's funeral service

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Hundreds filled the pews at the National Cathedral Tuesday, as they paid respect to the late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, including President Joe Biden."President Reagan described her as and I quote, a person for all seasons," the president said.O'Connor was the first woman to join the Supreme Court, nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate unanimously."I was the ranking member of that committee and the day's business was momentous. The nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor," President Biden said.O'Connor spent more than two decades on the Supreme Court and was a crucial vote on decisive cases. Chief Justice John Roberts says she left a mark on the country."Her leadership shaped the legal profession, making it obvious that judges are both women and men," Roberts said.Roberts told the crowd gathered at the National Cathedral that Justice O'Connor did more for the court than just break barriers. "The time when women were not on the ...

Former Super Bowl champ arrested for alleged robberies in Los Angeles

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

(KTLA) — Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward was arrested Monday on suspicion of robbery, Los Angeles police confirmed. Ward, who played running back for the New York Giants when they won the championship in 2008, was arrested by officers in North Hollywood, according to the LAPD. Police officials could not confirm any further details about the arrest but NBC News reported that Ward, 43, was allegedly involved in the robberies of at least five businesses, including gas stations. Derrick Ward of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game on December 20, 2009, in Seattle. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)Ward was not suspected of using a firearm during the robberies, according to the report. He did allegedly use force and fear to get money, TMZ reports.He was being held Tuesday on $250,000 bail, police records show. Burglar takes presents from under O.C. family’s Christmas tree: video Ward, who was born in Los Angeles and attended Valley View High School in Mor...

Senate funding battle continues

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The Senate is scrambling to pass critical aid for Ukraine, Israel and the border before Christmas.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would not answer questions about his plans to call a vote before breaking for Christmas, but time is running out.“Getting a substantive border security deal passed before Christmas is impossible,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)Thune says Democrats’ unwillingness to back more stringent immigration policies will push negotiations into the new year.But others, including Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) are more optimistic that a deal is in reach."I think there's been some movement on the part of the White House," said Wicker.Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are pleading with the White House not to give into what they describe as inhumane border policies."We agree the border must be fixed but not at the expense of our values,” said Schumer.Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)  is the Democrats' lead negotiator."I'm plan...

Travis County primary election contract reached, county-wide voting to remain

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Contract negotiations between parties heading into the Travis County primary election were unusually contentious as the Travis County Republican Party chair said he was seeking a more secure election."In the past we have worked less effectively than I would have liked to have gotten additional election integrity into our primary contracts," Matt Mackowiak said. "This time, we have the strongest election integrity provisions in Travis County history." Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners approved a contract between the parties, which was agreed on late Monday night, according to those involved in negotiations. In that contract there are roughly half a dozen changes on the Republican side of things, including having the option to hand count Republican votes and get additional information from the clerk on who voted where. "We will have cast vote record reports and other reports that are required to be provided now by a vote center location basis in addition to county-...

Austin police identify 21-year-old man killed in Loop 360 crash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department confirmed a 21-year-old man died in a fatal crash on South Capital of Texas Highway Dec. 7.Officers responded to a single vehicle crash in the 2400 block of South Capital of Texas Highway (or Loop 360) around 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 7. APD confirmed Tuesday 21-year-old Byron Gutierrez-Rodriguez was one of the vehicle's passengers and had died at the scene. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? Austin-Travis County EMS medics evaluated the driver and one other passenger in the vehicle, who each refused transport to a hospital, APD added in the release.The crash is the 83rd fatal crash in Austin this year, with a total of 86 traffic fatalities in the year to date. At this point in 2022, APD officials said there had been 104 fatal crashes that resulted in 108 deaths.Those with any information regarding the crash are asked to call APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. Those looking to submit an anonymous tip can do s...

Austin mayor walks goat to promote 'udderly fantastic' trail program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you happened to be on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake Tuesday afternoon, no, you were not hallucinating – that was, indeed, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson walking down the trail with a goat.Why? Watson was there to promote The Trail Conservancy’s "Goats on the Trail" pilot program. The conservancy started deploying goats in July to sustainably maintain the beloved trail that circles Lady Bird Lake. The goats play a “crucial” role in controlling invasive species, such as poison ivy, which in turn promotes the growth of native plants. “It’s really a cool thing,” Watson said to a group of reporters before his walk with Yulie, the goat. “It’s also a neat way for people who love this trail to interact with their trail and interact with those goats.” The Trail Conservancy started deploying goats in July to sustainably maintain the beloved trail that circles Lady Bird Lake. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Trail Conservancy started deploying goats in...

Travis County sends letter in opposition of Hays County's SH 45 gap study

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday submitting a letter to Hays County outlining county leaders' opposition to a proposed State Highway 45 connection project.Currently, Hays County is running a SH 45 gap study open house, with county officials accepting public comments on the study through Friday. The $2.5 million gap study is designed "to explore the feasibility of constructing SH 45 between I-35 and RM 1626," the study website read.Earlier this month, Hays County officials told KXAN the study is expected to take one to two years to complete.The proposed project eyes a possible expansion of SH 45 between Interstate 35 and RM 1626. On the study's website, Hays County officials said a lingering gap between those two highways could be remedied through the proposed project, particularly as some large-scale mixed-use and residential developments are in the works in the region. PAST COVERAGE: Hays County to host open house Thursday on ...

Timberwolves can give elite big men two different defensive looks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

There are multiple ways in which opposing defenses try to slow down Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.One way is by having the traditional center guard Towns. It’s the old-school approach. Towns is a big man, so toss another big on him. Size on size, just like it’s always been.But, generally, traditional centers are incapable of defending Towns, particularly when he’s on the perimeter. If they press up tight to his body, he’ll drive by them. If they sag back to protect the paint, he’ll comfortably pop a 3-pointer.Years ago, that proven mismatch caused opponents to start taking a different approach to defending Towns. Now, it’s more frequent that wings defend Towns. They press up tight into Towns’ body to take away breathing room for the 3-point attempt and are physical with the all-star big as he tries to force his way to the rim.It’s not 100 percent effective by any means, but the approach has been a more successful remedy for on...

Division I football signing day: East Metro area commits

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

National Signing Day — the first day athletes can sign their National Letters of Intent — is Wednesday for Division I football players. Here’s a look at where current seniors from the East Metro are expected to sign this week. (* for non-athletic scholarship commitments):Kene Anene, East Ridge, KansasCharlie Bern, East Ridge, St. Thomas *Taran Blasy, Park, St. Thomas *Quentin Cobb-Butler, Woodbury, St. Thomas *Ben Hoiland, Mounds View, St. Thomas *Emerson Mandell, Irondale, WisconsinAntonio Menard, Lakeville North, Air ForceMax Mogelson, Two Rivers, UNLVTyler Nystrom, Mounds View, WyomingTrent Page, Minnehaha Academy, Yale *Simon Seidl, Hill-Murray, MinnesotaAiden Tepper-Engh, Hudson, St. Thomas *William Washington, Apple Valley, North Dakota StateNOTE: Division II football’s signing day is Feb. 7Related ArticlesHigh School Sports | Prep Bowl: Chanhassen nips St. Thomas Academy in wild Class 5A title game High School Sports | Prep B...

NY creates commission to study slavery reparations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- In New York City, Governor Kathy Hochul signed racial justice legislation.She said while New York State prides itself for the Underground Railroad and the thousands of New York Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War, the state does have an ugly side to its history."Yes, here in New York, there was a slave market, where people bought and sold other human beings with callous disregard," said Hochul. "It happened right on Wall Street for more than a century."According to Hochul, it’s time to acknowledge those injustices."I’m authorizing the creation of a commission—a committee to study what reparations might look like in New York. Let’s be clear what reparations mean. It doesn’t mean fixing the past and undoing what happened. We can’t do that, nobody can. But it does mean more than giving people a simple apology 150 years later."According to the law, the governor, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, will each get...