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Advocates call on Austin leaders to prioritize permanent supportive housing in budget

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tuesday, several groups will call on Austin leaders to shuffle more money toward permanent supportive housing, rental assistance and harm reduction in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.Those groups include the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and Austin Justice Coalition. "Despite Mayor Watson’s recent announcement of Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) funds for temporary shelter, the crisis is far from over and will continue without meaningful funding for permanent supportive housing, eviction prevention, and harm reduction services," a release said. $65 million awarded to Austin community groups addressing homelessness "We're not taking our eye off that ball," Mayor Kirk Watson told KXAN last week when we asked whether that TDHCA announcement would allow the city to shuffle more money toward permanent supportive housing. "But what I have been saying is that what we need to do is we need to not focus just one part of the continuum, we n...

Austin Forensic Science Department on notice from DA for 'potential significant violations'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Aug. 1, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County District Attorney's Office has sent a letter to the Forensic Science Department of the City of Austin asking for an update in 30 days on how the department has worked to remedy "recent disclosure and protocol violations."According to the letter, the DA's office was recently notified of "potential significant violations at the Department," which primarily centers around material the forensic science department has "previously improperly withheld."The letter cites what the DA calls "potentially exculpatory material" including:An email from a supervisor detailing lack of confidence in an analyst to perform their job dutiesCriminal conduct allegations by staff membersWithholding errors discovered by staff membersLack of supervision which resulted in evidence not entering a chain of custody for two yearsThe DA's office said these potential infractions have the capacity ...

Mosquito traps in Brushy Creek, Cedar Park test positive for West Nile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Williamson County has reported its tenth and eleventh positive mosquito samples, which were collected in Brushy Creek and the City of Cedar Park. The positive samples were collected from trap sites near Cat Hollow Park and Milburn Park on July 27, a press release from Williamson County said. Since testing began in May, eleven mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus. How to stay safe from mosquitoes No human cases have been reported in Williamson County to date, but according to county officials, there have been five human cases reported in Texas this year.Some of the symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph nodes. Those older than age 50 or with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop severe symptoms.What can you do to protect yourself?Here are some tips from the WCCHD:Drain any standing water around your property. Mosquitoes can r...

Minnesotans fire up their grills on Tuesday for Night to Unite/National Night Out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

Fire up that grill, Minnesota: It’s Night to Unite.Also known as National Night Out, the annual event held on the first Tuesday in August is designed to build relationships over food and fun with neighbors, law enforcement and others across your community.While National Night Out was officially launched in 1984, Minnesota celebrates its own version with Night to Unite. Minnesota’s version, according to the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, “promotes police-community partnership, neighborhood camaraderie, and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.”Check with your local municipality to determine if your community observes National Night Out, Night to Unite or both.St. Paul is one of the cities in the Twin Cities participating in the community-building campaign.“We encourage, ask for and appreciate ALL SAINT PAUL residents to participate on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 for the 39th Annual National Night Out!” the city notes...

Cannabis dispensary coming to Central Ave in Colonie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Brownies, a CBD shop on Central Avenue in Colonie, will soon be selling cannabis products. Mother and son owners Kelly and Michael Hilland were recently awarded a Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Michael Hilland said they started Brownies two years ago. His mom is a retired veteran and CBD helped with her PTSD and trouble sleeping. "I noticed not many CBD stores in the area so we decided that if it could help her, it could help everyone," said Hilland.The Brownies team (photo courtesy: Michael Hilland)The Brownies shop location was already approved by OCM, said Hilland, and they are currently working on securing, remodeling, and hiring. The dispensary will be selling THC flower, cartridges, edibles, topicals, oils, and concentrates. Cannabis dispensary looking to open in Saratoga Springs "Our main goal ...

Amsterdam purchases new firetruck with aid from Assemblyman Santabarbara

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Amsterdam unveiled a new fire truck Aug. 1, 2023. Mayor Mike Cinquanti said the city purchased the $1.7 Million truck earlier than planned after frequent breakdowns caused issues with the previous tower ladder. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “When it came to purchasing this new ladder truck last summer, there were no good deals to be had," Cinquanti said. "Prices on rigs like this were sent sky-high thanks to the post pandemic economy and we had not budgeted for the purchase.” Part of the funding to purchase the new truck came from Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who secured $350,000 in state funding. Volunteer firefighters sue Clifton Park for tax benefits “It’s important that we continue to keep up with the times and provide that equipment, provide the best things that are available to our firefighters," Santabarbara said. "It ensures they can more effectively do their job, they c...

Cardboard boat races are on at Hudson Crossing Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Cardboard boats take to the Hudson River this month at Hudson Crossing Park. The park's 17th annual Cardboard Boat Races hit the water on Saturday, Aug. 12. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Racers don't need to bring their own boat. Registration and construction open at 8 a.m., running to 11 a.m. The races themselves run until 3 p.m., with prizes not just limited to top speeds. Racers will compete for Titanic Award, Most Enthusiastic Crew, People's Choice, Best in Show, Most Sailors Left Afloat, and Judge's Bribe Award - which honors the boat to donate the most to Hudson Crossing Park. Registration info can be found through Hudson Crossing Park, along with tips on how to build the perfect boat.This year's boat race theme is "Magical History Tour," celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal's completion. Opened in 1823, the canal was originally used for the shipping of iron, stone, pro...

Deadly shooting in Union, Mo. follows disturbance at Arby's

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

UNION, Mo. - One man is behind bars after a deadly shooting over the weekend in Union, Missouri, which followed a large disturbance at an Arby's. Prosecutors have charged Antoine Frazier, 40, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the investigation. Frazier is accused in the shooting death of Ronnie Wayne Sanford, 49. Johnny Johnson execution taking place tonight The Union Police Department says the shooting is linked to a disturbance Sunday evening at the Arby's restaurant in the 1500 block of Denmark Road. Police responded to a verbal disturbance involving around six people. Several of them began arguing inside the restaurant, then took matters outside. When police arrived, some people involved in the argument took off from the restaurant. Others stuck around to explain what unfolded. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Tone-deaf Barbenheimer memes drawing backlash in Japan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

The Japanese distributor of the Warner Bros. movie “Barbie” has apologized for its U.S. parent company’s reaction to social media posts about the “Barbenheimer” blitz that combined images of Barbie and a mushroom cloud. The memes triggered criticisms in Japan for what many described as minimizing the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.The movie about the world-famous doll and Universal Pictures' Oppenheimer, a biography of Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the weapon, were both released on July 21 in the United States, sparking the Barbenheimer craze for watching both and prompting memes combining the two.Some of the images, which were not created by Warner Bros., showed Margot Robbie, who played Barbie, sitting on the shoulders of Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, with an orange inferno of an atomic blast in the background. The official Barbie account said in response to the combined Barbenheimer meme: “It’s going to be a summer to remember.” This combination o...

Rain, cooler temperatures finally arrive in Southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:54:11 GMT

Light rain fell early Tuesday morning in Claremont, and other parts of the Southland may also see some relief from the relentless hot and dry weather soon.The summer shower began around 1 a.m. and lasted for about 30 minutes. Video shows there was just enough rain to dampen the streets and prompt drivers to use their wipers. However, the brief shower may not be the only moisture Southern California sees this week.Light summer rain falls in Claremont on Aug. 1, 2023. (KeyNews.TV)Forecasters are calling for a 20 to 30% chance of thunderstorms across Los Angeles County Tuesday. The most likely areas to see rain are the mountains, deserts and foothills. Peak rain rates could reach a half inch per hour near thunderstorm areas, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated downdrafts could gust up to 45 mph, the Weather Service said. Residents are urged to be on the lookout for slippery roads from rain and small hail, isolated power outages and blown-over objects. There is also a ch...