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Texas lawmakers wrap first special session with no bills to governor's desk

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With the strike of a gavel, the Texas Senate adjourned Tuesday to mark the end of the first special legislative session — marked by Republican in-fighting over property tax relief and not a single bill off to the governor's desk for a signature.A handful of senators met briefly Tuesday to offically gavel out on the last day of this first special session, with the underlying expectation of soon returning to the Capitol once Gov. Greg Abbott calls lawmakers back for round two in hopes of striking a deal between the two chambers. Who will win from proposed Texas property tax relief plans? Earlier Tuesday, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan sent out a memo to members telling members to plan to convene Wednesday at 11 a.m. in anticipation of being called back immediately. Memo from the Office of the Speaker telling them to plan on coming back to the Texas Capitol by Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.Abbott has yet to make an official proclamation calling on lawmakers to return f...

Two election laws bills await Hochul's signature

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- As local elections are underway we take a look at some election bills recently passed in the legislature. One bill would change standards for public financing of election campaigns and the other would change state and local elections to even numbered years. Both bills still await the Governor’s final stamp of approval.Experts say moving state and local elections to even numbered years will improve voter turnout. If signed by the Governor, this bill would not impact New York City. Similar legislation has passed in California, Nevada and Arizona. "The law goes into effect January 2025, but elected officials in office in January 2025 will not be impacted," said Ben Weinberg, Director of Public Policy at Citizens Union. He explained that elections after 2026 will be shortened by one or two years depending on the position, in order be moved to even numbered years. This includes county executives, county legislators, different town offices but it would not impact DA...

4th of July celebrations in the North Country

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Tuesday, July 4, is a big day. Independence Day brings with it several days of fireworks, live music, and other festivities, and the North Country is no different. Find out how to celebrate the Fourth over two weekends, in the village of Lake George and up into the Adirondack Park. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! BoltonBolton Independence Day celebrationMusic and entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4Rogers Park, Rogers Memorial Park Road, BoltonChesterFireworks9 p.m. fireworks show on Saturday, July 8Chester Town Hall, 6307 Route 9, ChestertownGlens FallsSummer Pops ConcertIndependence Day-themed concert starting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3, including fireworks at duskCrandall Park, Glen Street, Glens Falls Where to see live music in Lake George in 2023 HagueMusic in the ParkFood trucks open at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3, with The Barkeater Band playing at 6:30 p.m. and firewo...

Push for NYS emergency contract transparency

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---A bill that passed the legislature would amend the state’s finance law to require more transparency when it comes to emergency state contracts. There are certain situations where state contracts don’t go to the State Comtproller’s Office for approval."The first is when there is an emergency situation," explained Terri Crowley, Executive Deputy Comptroller. "Probably the best one and best known is COVID—-when the governor instituted an executive order, and in that executive order, basically put in language that would no longer allow or require those contracts to come to us because it’s an emergency."She said the second situation is when the legislature takes action to bypass the state comptroller’s authority. A recently passed bill, however, would allow for more transparency."It would say that any contract that should have come to us but didn’t, would have to be posted on the agency who did the procurement on their website and it would require basic elements t...

Pittsfield Police warns of gold scam in Morningside neighborhood

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Pittsfield Police Department is warning residents of a scam involving people going from door to door looking to sell gold for cash. The gold is fake and the scammers are claiming they need gas money. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say the scammers were in the Morningside neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. One resident fell for the scam and lost a substantial amount of money. One of the suspected vehicles is an SUV with Texas plates. Residents who deal or have dealt with the suspects are asked to contact (413) 448-9700.

More Canadian wildfire smoke headed to St. Louis

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The air quality is moderate, not dangerous in the St. Louis area Tuesday. But, don't be surprised if you smell a hint of smoke in the air. The Litchfield Fire Department says that the hazy conditions outside are from the Canadian wildfires. The smoke now stretches from the US border through Chicago and down to Quincy, Illinois along the Mississippi River.Wildfire smoke from Canada has brought air quality levels to unhealthy levels in Chicago and much of the Midwest. Chicago currently has the worst air quality in the world right now.The National Weather Service reports that the smoke will push southwest into portions of the St. Louis area this afternoon and into Wednesday morning. Visibility will be reduced, and the smell will linger in the air. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Hot and dry conditions in Missouri have led to some local brush fires. The Warren County Emergency Management Agency reports that they responded to two of them yesterday which...

Blues release 2023-24 schedule, set to host Kraken in home opener

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - On the eve of the NHL Draft and just hours after their first trade of the offseason, the St. Louis Blues have unveiled their schedule for the 2023-24 regular season. The St. Louis Blues will open the new season on Oct. 12 with a road matchup against the Dallas Stars. Two days later, the Blues will host the Seattle Kraken for their home opener on Oct. 14. RELATED - Blues acquire Kevin Hayes from Flyers The Blues will go head-to-head with their Central Division rivals 26 times next season. They will play four matchups against the Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild. They will play three matchups against the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets. St. Louis will play every other Western Conference team three times and every Eastern Conference team at least two times. Like many years past, they will play at least one home and one road game against every NHL team this season. Some prominent games in the schedule include:N...

St. Louis County contractor took thousands for work not done

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A St. Louis County contractor accepted thousands of dollars in upfront payments for work he promised to complete, but never did.The Missouri Attorney General's Office announced this Tuesday as part of a default judgement against John G. Adams and his company, A-1 Construction General Contractor, LLC. Adams is accused of falsely promising to provide home renovation and repair to six Missouri homeowners. Expired tags ‘nightmare’: Woman gets car back as neighbor’s truck gets towed away The default judgement means that Adams failed to respond to a court summons or appear in court. As a result, the Missouri Attorney General's Office now prohibits Adams from offering home renovation or construction in Missouri. Also, the judgement awards more than $46,000 to the State of Missouri. That includes nearly $37,000 in restitution, $3,700 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, and $6,000 in civil penalties. Close Thanks for signing ...

Natural gas line cut in Thornton, residents in area ordered to shelter in place

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

A notice for Thornton residents to shelter in place was issued Tuesday afternoon when a natural gas line was cut.An underground boring machine hit a gas line near 121st & Niagara. TFD crews and Xcel are on site working to cap the break. A Code Red notification was sent out as a precaution to shelter in place to neighbors in a 1/2 mile radius of the incident. pic.twitter.com/SQfUN6OpzM— Thornton Fire Dept. (@ThorntonFire) June 27, 2023The incident happened in the area of East 121st Drive and Niagara Street, according to a 2:07 p.m. tweet by the Thornton Fire Department (TFD).“A Code Red notification was sent out as a precaution to shelter in place to neighbors in a 1/2 mile radius of the incident,” the fire department said.An underground boring machine hit and severed a gas line, according to TFD.Emergency responders and Xcel Energy crews are on scene working to cap the break.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | A tornado left an 8-mile trail of ...

Family of Pakistani father and son who died in Titan submersible shares memories and gratitude

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:43:58 GMT

By MUNIR AHMED (Associated Press)ISLAMABAD (AP) — The family of two Pakistani men who died in the implosion of a submersible as it descended to the wreckage of the Titanic held a virtual memorial service Tuesday and thanked everyone who tried to rescue the father and son or sent condolences from around the world.The prayer service was arranged by the family of Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, days after authorities confirmed that everyone on the Titan died. The submersible carrying five people imploded near the site of the shipwrecked Titanic and killed everyone on board.Shahzada Dawood’s widow, Christina Dawood, was in tears as she shared memories of her husband and son. She was on board a support vessel on June 18 when she got word that communications with the Titan submersible had been lost during its voyage to the ocean floor. In her remarks, she thanked those who had helped the family in its time of grief. The service was broadcast on YouTube throug...