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Austin-to-San Antonio commuter train once again being discussed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A long-held goal of some regional leaders, establishing regular commuter trains between Austin and San Antonio, may be getting back on track.Dedicated commuter rail service between the two cities could have a transformative impact on Central and South Texas, more closely linking the two population centers at either end of what many already see as the state's next metroplex. It could help people and businesses more effectively move up and down the corridor of more than 5 million people, better connecting them to jobs and housing. Train stations could become hot spots for development, while reductions in traffic congestion could boost quality of life even for those who don't use the train."This could really affect things in a positive way," Travis County Commissioner Andy Brown said. "The cost of housing in Austin is high and that is an issue for people who want to work in Austin. If we had reliable passenger rail service, where people could live in an affordable commu...

Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a 'blunder'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that he does not plan to return any of the $3 million he received from a group whose leader recently hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes.Patrick’s statement follows a Sunday report by the Texas Tribune showing that Jonathan Stickland, the president of Defend Texas Liberty and a former lawmaker from Bedford, had hosted Fuentes at the offices of a consulting firm, Pale Horse Strategies, that Stickland also owns. Defend Texas Liberty is a major donor to Patrick and other Republicans, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, and is funded primarily by two far-right West Texas oil billionaires, Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting Patrick said Wednesday that he spoke to Dunn, who “told me unequivocally that it was a serious blunder” for Stickland to meet with Fuentes, and assured him that the political action committee...

Pflugerville paramedic's certification revoked following investigation of patient's death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of State Health Services revoked a Pflugerville paramedic’s certifications following an autopsy report that revealed the paramedic’s actions led to a patient's death earlier this year. The autopsy report said a middle-aged man struck his head on a coffee table and needed to be taken to the hospital for care. It indicated that the patient had been sedated with medication and the paramedic did not open the patient’s airway as they should have. PREVIOUS: Pflugerville FD says city hired unskilled ambulance service, autopsy says private paramedic caused patient death “This led to a compromise to his already diseased heart leading to death,” the autopsy report, quoted in the DSHS letter, read. The paramedic worked for Allegiance Mobile Health, the largest private provider of medical transportation and emergency services in Texas, according to its website. The DSHS letter stated that the paramedic failed to follow their medical directo...

I-35W northbound lanes between Minneapolis and Roseville to close for weekend repairs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

A section of northbound Interstate 35W between Minneapolis and Roseville will be closed this weekend.The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be closing the interstate between the 26th Street overpass in Minneapolis and Minnesota 280 in Roseville so construction crews can make bridge repairs, repair pavement, remove graffiti and repair guardrails, a department release said.The closure will start at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and end at 5 a.m. Monday.MNDOT recommends that drivers detour onto eastbound I-94 to 280.Related ArticlesLocal News | Metro Transit seeks feedback on G Line stations along Rice, Robert streets Local News | DWI charges: Vadnais Heights lawmaker was two times legal limit to drive Local News | Judge finds man mentally ill, not guilty of killing father in St. Anthony home Local News | Election 2023: White Bear Lake City Council Ward 3 Local News | Election 2023: Mounds View mayor special...

Lakeville Amazon shooting: Man pleads guilty to murdering woman pregnant with his child

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

A St. Louis Park man will be sentenced to 47 years in prison as part of a plea agreement in the Lakeville shooting death of a woman who was nine months pregnant with his child and the mother of his 2-year-old daughter.Donte Rapheal McCray, 33, pleaded guilty Monday in Dakota County District Court to two counts of second-degree murder by drive-by shooting — one each for the deaths of 31-year-old Kyla Bianca O’Neal and Messiah Edward O’Neal, who was born by cesarean section the night of the shooting and died nine days later.Donte Rapheal McCray (Courtesy of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office)The shooting happened about 7 p.m. Jan. 8 in the parking lot of the Amazon Fulfillment Center, where McCray worked.The two counts were added as part of the plea agreement, which was reached two days before prosecutors were to present the case to a grand jury for consideration of first-degree murder charges. A conviction would have carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison.McCray a...

Avian influenza found in Minnesota turkey flock, as the disease makes autumn return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed Wednesday in Minnesota for the first time this fall.The bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Meeker County, in west-central Minnesota.A lab of the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed positive samples from the flock of around 140,000 birds, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. The site is quarantined and turkeys were slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease.“Unfortunately, HPAI seems to keep popping up during the seasonal (bird) migrations in Minnesota,” State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs said in a statement. “Before today’s detection our most recent cases were in the spring of this year. Anyone who has poultry should take this detection as a clear sign to keep a close eye on their flock and initiate your strongest biosecurity practices.”The Board of Animal Health says poultry producers and backyard flock owners should contact their veterinarian if they see symptoms in their flocks, which include:...

Walz orders flags at half-staff to mourn, honor victims of terrorist attacks on Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state facilities until sunset on Saturday, Oct. 14, to “remember, mourn, and honor the victims of the attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists,” the governor’s office said.“Minnesota joins the nation in condemning the horrific acts of violence against Israeli civilians by Hamas,” Walz said in the statement. “The United States and Israel are united by a shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Minnesota’s Jewish and Israeli community and work with the State Department to ensure the safety of Minnesotans at home and abroad.”Individuals, businesses and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags.On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will light the Interstate 35W bridge in downtown Minneapolis. The bridge will remain illuminated through Friday night in blue and white, the color...

Vikings’ Kirk Cousins says ‘ignorance is bliss’ when it comes to trade rumors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

Kirk Cousins insists he doesn’t hear the outside noise. He has made it a point to insulate himself pretty much since he got to the NFL. He remembers hearing early in his career that former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck had a flip phone rather than a smart phone.“That was by design,” Cousins said. “I thought, ‘That’s pretty good.’ ”Though he doesn’t actually have a flip phone himself — Cousins said he actually tried one out a few years ago before switching back — he stays off his smart phone as much as he can when he’s at home. No social media. No push notifications. No constant scrolling.As a result, Cousins is able to filter the amount of content he consumes on a daily basis. That’s probably a good thing for him right now with how much his name has come up in NFL trade rumors. Naturally, he claims he hasn’t heard any of the discourse that has popped up as of late.“You know, ignorance is bliss, and I’m ju...

Second former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice advises Republicans against impeachment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

MADISON, Wis. — A second conservative former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice asked to investigate taking the unprecedented step of impeaching a liberal justice on Wednesday came out against it.Former Justice Jon Wilcox told the Associated Press that there was nothing to justify impeaching Justice Janet Protasiewicz, as some Republican lawmakers have floated because of comments she made during the campaign about redistricting and donations she accepted from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.“I do not favor impeachment,” Wilcox told AP in a telephone interview. “Impeachment is something people have been throwing around all the time. But I think it’s for very serious things.”The Wisconsin Constitution reserves impeachment for “corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors.”Wilcox, along with former justices David Prosser and Patience Roggensack, were tapped by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to look into possible impeachment.Prosser advised against impeachment in a...

Election 2023: South Washington School Board (Elect 3)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDOn Nov, 7 voters in the South Washington County School District will elect three board members from a field of 11 candidates.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Jaime KokaiselJaime Kokaisel of Woodbury, candidate for District 833 South Washington County School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 46What qualifies you to hold this position? As a mother of two school-aged children attending SoWashCo Schools for 10 years and non-public for three, I bring experience, perspective, and vision to see the big picture. I am a college graduate, a former manager, a current small busin...