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Texas House Speaker responds to Paxton impeachment criticism in one-on-one interview

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

Editor's Note: This interview happened before Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a sweeping gag order on all parties involved in the impeachment trial.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In the weeks following the Texas House's historic vote to impeach now-suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, some of the 121 Republicans who voted yes have faced political backlash — many are already facing primary opponents in their districts and vocal opposition from more conservative leaders around the state.When the House voted to suspend Paxton on 20 articles of impeachment on May 27, divisions between conservatives were brought to the surface. Top Republicans — including former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz — attempted to make last-minute appeals to House Republicans. Trump called members "Republicans in name only" and directly called out Gov. Greg Abbott, accusing him of not doing enough to protect Paxton in the first place. Cruz defended Paxton's record as the "strongest conservative AG," writ...

Man sentenced to 35 years in prison for 2022 aggravated assault of police officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On July 12, a Hays County jury found a 63-year-old man guilty for assaulting a police officer in 2022 in Kyle and sentenced him to 35 years in prison, according to a news release from the Hays County Criminal District Attorney.Elias Villarreal was found guilty on charges of aggravated assault against a public servant and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, the release said.Evidence showed that on Feb. 20, 2022, the Kyle Police Department responded to the intersection of Quail Ridge Road and East Post Road for a verbal disturbance between a man and woman, according to the DA's office. Officers arrived on the scene and saw Villarreal wielding a metal pipe.When law enforcement arrived, Villarreal jumped over a fence and struck a patrol vehicle several times, the release said. Furthermore, officers repeated orders to Villarreal multiple times to drop the weapon. Officers used a stun gun to stop Villarreal's aggressive behavior, the release said, but he th...

Austin crossing guard applications increase following $20 city minimum wage increase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for July 18, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin aims to hire dozens of crossing guards this summer to help safely guide students to and from school — and a council vote last summer to increase the city's minimum wage might make this latest hiring process a bit easier.The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department's Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Program is looking to hire roughly 35 crossing guards ahead of the 2023-24 school year. Overall, the program features more than 200 crossing guards and supervisors who service 97 elementary schools within Austin ISD and six area school districts.Leti Richardson, crossing guard manager with the program, said she's seen an increase in interest among applicants this go around, now that the $20 minimum wage for city employees has taken effect. TRENDING NOW: Texas is the worst state to live and work, according to CNBC analysis "That's like $1,000 a month more for an...

A 'Classic' and a 'Rivalry': UT football games against Alabama, Oklahoma get new looks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When the Texas Longhorns head to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 9, the game will have a made-for-television name.The matchup will be the inaugural Allstate Crossbar Classic, which is intended to promote a "bowl-style atmosphere" for a marquee early-season game. The Longhorns and Crimson Tide meet in Week 2 of the college football season at 6 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersLearfield, a marketing company that represents NCAA football along with 200 colleges and universities including Texas, is behind the branding of not only this game but also the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game played during the State Fair of Texas at the Cotton Bowl.Allstate is also the title sponsor of the game, branded once again as the Red River Rivalry after several iterations previously, most ...

Saints lose pitchers’ duel 1-0 to Omaha on walk-off single in ninth inning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. — C.J. Alexander’s fly-ball single to left-center field in the bottom of the ninth inning broke a scoreless tie and lifted the Omaha Storm Chasers to a 1-0 victory over the St. Paul Saints in a Class AAA baseball game Tuesday afternoon at Werner Park.Saints relief pitcher Josh Winder gave up Alexander’s game-winning hit. It was the third time this season St. Paul, 10-6 in the second half of the season, has been walked off.Saints starting pitcher Randy Dobnak pitched six shutout innings before calling it a day. He allowed just one hit while walking two and striking out five. He threw 80 pitches, 49 for strikes, getting 10 swings and misses to continue his hot streak of late.St. Paul finished the day with two hits, both coming in the opening two innings. Kyle Garlick extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the first, then Austin Martin doubled in the second. The only other baserunner for the Saints came on a walk to Chris Williams in the fourth...

Property tax levy growth capped at 2%

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Property tax levy growth will be capped at 2% in 2024 for local governments that operate on a calendar- based fiscal year. It is the same tax cap percentage that was set for school districts in January. "Since 2012, the state set a limit by which school districts and local governments can increase the property tax levy," explained Simonia Brown, Assistant Deputy Comptroller. "The property tax levy is your total amount that is billed to tax payers in the locality." Brown explained the reasoning behind having a cap."The idea was to provide property tax relief to minimize or limit the burden on tax payers and in addition, it also provides additional budget transparency for residents in a locality or in a school district who have to pay taxes associated with school budgets."Brown said this can impact how much resources schools have for programs.In a statement, New York State United Teachers said, "NYSUT has long advocated for alternate funding strategies that emp...

Schools prepare for another year of bus driver shortages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- School bus driver shortages that started during the pandemic continue to hurt transportation departments, including in one of the Capital Region’s largest districts.Summertime for the transportation department at Shenendehowa Central School District usually has a more relaxed feel. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “We take that time to, kind of, take a breath and start to prepare for fall," said Belinda Govich, Assistant Director of Transportation at Shen, "unfortunately because we are short drivers, we have not had that breath.“The steep, post-pandemic decline in drivers has been attributed to many of them reaching retirement age, and not enough applicants filling the gaps through what used to be considerable foot traffic at their office.“We lost about 19 drivers this year, and we only have about 10 in training so far, so we are already going to be going into the fall short again,“ Govich expl...

When is the Women's World Cup? Here’s how to watch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

The FIFA Women's World Cup begins this week, as the United States Women's National Team pursues its fifth title.Australia and New Zealand are hosting the month-long event, making it the first time in the history the tournament will be played in the Southern Hemisphere, and hosted by two nations. The field has expanded to 32 national teams, who will compete in eight groups.This will be the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup. The U.S. has won four of the previous eight tournaments (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019), was the runner-up once (2011), and finished third three times (1995, 2003, and 2007) When does the 2023 World Cup start?Group play begins on Thursday, July 20, at 1:45 a.m. (U.S. Central Time), as host nation New Zealand plays Norway at Eden Park in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau. The final match is slated for Aug. 20 at 4:45 a.m. (Central), at Stadium Australia in Sydney.Who is competing in the 2023 World Cup?Each team qualified for the tournament through a series of matches ov...

'JB Blast' fireworks rescheduled for this Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. -- One of the region's largest 4th of July celebrations was postponed in June due to severe weather. A representative from St. Louis County now says that it will now take place on Friday, July 21.“Our Parks and Recreation employees did an excellent job keeping attendees safe when the JB Blast had to be postponed. We appreciate their dedication to make sure that residents and visitors still get to enjoy this great event,” states County Executive Dr. Sam Page. Neighbor recalls moment house exploded in St. Charles The gates open for the free event at 5 p.m. The live music starts at 7 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.You can grab something to eat from a food truck or bring a picnic basket or a cooler. Glass is not allowed at the event.JB BlastFriday, July 21Gates open at 5 p.m.Jefferson Barracks Park533 Bagby Rd.St. Louis, MO 63125

Heat-related illness, deaths loom as temps spike, sending up nearly 500 Colorado residents a year to emergency rooms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:39 GMT

As hot weather baked Colorado this week and forecasters anticipated hotter days to come, state health authorities warned of heat-related illnesses that increasingly send residents to hospitals.“Heat waves are becoming more common,” Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials warn in their latest public guidance on risks of heat exhaustion and stroke. “Heat-related illnesses can damage the brain and other vital organs.”State health authorities recommend that, when temperatures exceed 90 degrees for several days, residents “stay in an air-conditioned area” — difficult for workers whose jobs require outdoor activity and thousands of people living on the streets. Health officials also point to shopping malls, libraries, and other places with AC as options. “Even a few hours in air-conditioning can keep the body cool.”Drink water often, and avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, which lead to loss of body fluid, they advi...