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Senators push plan to extend government funding deadline as budget disagreements persist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - With only about a week until the government funding deadline, Senators are moving ahead with a plan to extend the deadline. The move would give lawmakers more time to negotiate at a moment when there's still major disagreement over what to put in the yearly budget. Congress only has until next Friday to pass a funding plan, or risk a shutdown.  Donald Trump’s lawyers ask judge to clarify fraud ruling’s impact on ex-president’s business "The idea that we're playing games with the shutdown, at this moment is just bizarre," President Joe Biden said. There's a feeling of urgency on Capitol Hill. Sen. Raphael Warnock says it's imperative that lawmakers find a solution. "Congress needs to do its job, keep the lights on. We can not afford a government shutdown," Warnock said. Senate leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday he plans to start the process to vote on a continuing resolution, which would move the government funding deadline and give lawmaker...

City of Pflugerville increases water utility rates by $20+ a month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Pflugerville residents will see an increased utility rate on their October water bills, according to the City of Pflugerville.“The average residential water customer will see a $23 per month increase and the average wastewater customer will see a $22.50 increase. The overall effect to an average residential water/wastewater customer in the City of Pflugerville is a $45.50 increase to the total monthly bill,” the city said.According to a release, the new rates support water and wastewater services and infrastructure, the cost of delivering the water, utility operations and maintenance, and improvement projects. Pflavor profile analysis shows Pflugerville has the best-tasting tap water in Texas The city said there were several water and wastewater projects underway, which total more than $600 million in capital improvements.“Studies confirmed that current utility rates would not recover the costs of providing water and wastewater services. These critical...

8 Texas school districts receive failing scores in TEA's financial accountability ratings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eight school districts in Texas received a failing grade in the Texas Education Agency's financial accountability ratings for the 2022-23 school year.The TEA released the ratings for each school district Monday. Districts are assigned a letter grade and a corresponding financial management rating.The School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) is designed to encourage districts to improve financial resources "to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes," according to the TEA.The vast majority of districts received an A grade, which the TEA classifies as 'superior.'More than 90% of all districts statewide received an A rating. Fifty districts received a B 'above standard' rating, while 41 districts received a C 'meets standard' rating.The eight districts that received an F 'substandard' rating were Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD, Denver City ISD, Holliday ISD, Keene ISD, Matagorda ISD, Priddy ISD, Sunray ISD and Tioga ISD.The...

Austin City Council advances childcare property tax exemption approved by voters Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved a resolution to implement a 100% property tax exemption for eligible childcare facilities just two days after Texas voters approved a proposition allowing the city to do so. Roughly 65% of Texans who voted Tuesday approved Proposition 2, which amended the state constitution to provide some financial relief to childcare facilities through property tax exemptions. In anticipation of the proposition’s passage, Distinct 10 Council Member Allison Alter wrote a resolution to ensure eligible centers can receive 100% abatement by the time the 2024 financial year begins.  Proposition 2: Texans vote on child care property tax exemption “As federal funds expire, we are on the precipice of what experts call ‘a child care cliff,’” Alter said, referring to a Texas Association for the Education of Young Children survey reporting that "without more funding, up to 44% of child care centers in Texas could close their doors."“Our economy can’t fu...

No. 13 Texas women's hoops thumps Southern in season opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 13 Texas Longhorns women's basketball team held Southern to single-digits in three of four quarters and rolled to an 80-35 win in the season opener Wednesday at Moody Center.Forwards Taylor Jones and Amina Muhammed both notched double-doubles to lead the Longhorns. Muhammed scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while Jones scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down 12 boards in 22 minutes off the bench.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/newslettersFreshman Madison Booker scored seven points with seven rebounds and seven assists in her Texas debut. Gisella Maul, another true freshman, scored nine points all on 3-point field goals,Point guard Rori Harmon did a bit of everything with eight points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals. The Longhorns held Southern to 29% shooting and outscored them in the paint 38-14. Texas forced 22 turnovers and sco...

Former Superior, Wis., gymnastics coach sentenced to 25 years in federal prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

A former Superior, Wis., gymnastics coach was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and producing child pornography.The punishment handed down by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez was the first in a series of sentencings for George Francis Deppa, who has admitted in three jurisdictions to the abuse of at least six minors.Deppa, 50, a former coach at Twin Ports Gymnastics, pleaded guilty in federal court in June to a count of production of child pornography.He acknowledged taking photographs while coercing the 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct. Court documents said he subjected that victim to “extreme inhumane conditions,” routinely drugging the girl before molesting or raping her, from the approximate ages of 8-16.George Deppa. (Courtesy image via Forum News Service)Deppa also pleaded no contest in Douglas County Circuit Court to two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of exposing g...

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson never thought about sitting out this season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

There seemed to be a school of thought last month that suggested star receiver Justin Jefferson might be willing to sit out this season if the Vikings didn’t turn things around and start winning some games. He suffered a hamstring injury on Oct. 8 as the Vikings dropped to 1-4 with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.The fact that Jefferson did not have a contract extension in his possession left many to wonder if there was enough incentive for him to push himself to get back on the field. Why rush back if the Vikings might be out of the playoff race by the time he’s 100 percent?Talking to reporters on Thursday for the first time since his hamstring injury, the 24-year-old Jefferson defiantly dispelled those notions. Never mind that the Vikings haven’t lost a game since he went down. He emphasized that he would have been doing everything in his power to get back even if they had lost every game in his absence.“I always say I want to be a hall of famer,” he...

Law enforcement arrest suspect wanted for armed robbery in New Jersey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Law enforcement arrested Talib Moate, 45, on Tuesday morning. Moate is wanted in New Jersey in connection to an armed robbery. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Troy Police Department partnered with the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. Law enforcement executed an operation on Jefferson Street. Moate was taken into custody without incident.

New legislation cracking down on hate crimes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--The war between Israel and Hamas has further fueled incidents of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. A new bill would add a penalty to New York State’s Hate Crimes Law for any SUNY or CUNY Student convicted of such crime."They will be expelled, and they would not be allowed to ever take a course, be enrolled, fill out an application to take credit for our taxpayer funded outstanding universities and colleges in the SUNY and CUNY system," explained Republican Senator, Jim Tedisco, who sponsors the bill.He said while free speech is welcome on college campuses, hate speech should never be."When they get into terror, hate speech, they get into calling for hateful actions, antisemitism, racism, we are providing for that now to be a punishment of expulsion in the state law now," said Tedisco.He isn’t the only lawmaker with a bill about hate crimes. Democratic Senator, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, wants New York to update its list of hate crimes-- something he said is long ove...

ADK Sports & Northeast Ski Expo returns to Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The annual Adirondack Sports & Northeast Ski Expo is returning to Albany on Saturday, November 11, and Sunday, November 12. The two-day event is free to the public and features over 100 exhibitors. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We’re happy to be at the helm of this 60-year tradition. Assuming ownership last year was a natural fit for us and we’re excited for the future,” said Darryl Caron, Expo manager and publisher of Adirondack Sports Magazine. “This year’s show will be upbeat, high energy, and lots of fun and will feature more than 100 exhibitors.”Exhibitors include Kingston-based Potter Brothers Ski & Snowboard Shops, the Alpin Haus Ski Shop, Bike Barn Cycling & Fitness, and more. Ski resorts, including Gore Mountain, Killington, Stratton, and Whiteface will have booths set up. Visitors have a chance to win $10,000 in prizes, including lift tickets, trail passes, gift certificates, g...