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White House looks to move past COVID emergency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

The White House is signaling that it wants to close the book on the COVID-19 pandemic once the public health emergency expires Thursday. But even as the administration and the public look to move on, experts say the virus won't go away. Hundreds of people still die every day from COVID-19, and more are being hospitalized. The current situation is precarious and could backslide in the fall.The administration also faces a challenge in filling leadership roles across key health positions, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a new White House pandemic response office.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said she will step down effective June 30, and her replacement likely will be the last person a president can appoint to the job without Senate confirmation. The government funding bill passed at the end of last year will make the CDC director subject to confi...

Trump returning to CNN: 5 things to watch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

(The Hill) -- An explosive piece of political theater is set for Wednesday evening when former President Donald Trump appears at a town hall event televised by CNN — a day after he was found liable in a civil trial of sexual abuse.Trump and the network have been fierce foes in recent years. Trump even went so far, while president, to send a tweet featuring a modified image of him body-slamming a person with the CNN logo superimposed on their head. Separately, he retweeted a cartoon of a train hitting a CNN reporter.The network, for its part, was seen by some as having damaged its brand with gratuitously petty attacks on Trump or vainglorious performances from some of its reporters and pundits.Wednesday evening’s broadcast is virtually guaranteed to draw a large audience, especially with the attention on Tuesday’s verdict. Beyond that, what are the big things to watch?What will Trump say about the E. Jean Carroll verdict?As if the town hall was not set to be dramatic enough, it ...

Democrats have sinking feeling Trump could beat Biden 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

(The Hill) -- Democrats are getting a sinking feeling when it comes to Donald Trump: They can see him winning again.  A New York jury in a civil trial on Tuesday found the former president liable for sexual assault and defamation, but a number of Democrats say their party is underestimating Trump, who, despite a series of scandals, is the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination.  “There is a concern from a lot of people like me, for sure,” said one prominent Democratic strategist. “There’s a disconnect between the consultant class of our party and the voters. They think they can just run a bunch of ads talking about how crazy Donald Trump is [and] that will be enough. That’s just not the case.” Another strategist warned others in his party: “Be very f---ing worried.”  For a part of the party, it seems unfathomable that Trump could regain the office he left in 2017 — just weeks after a mob of his supporters forced the evacuation of Congress and interf...

2 separate I-35 crashes causing delays north and southbound for Wednesday morning commuters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wednesday morning commuters are starting their day with heavy traffic delays because of crashes on I-35 southbound and northbound. The Austin Police Department said there's a jackknifed 18-wheeler on I-35 southbound near Cesar Chavez Street. All lanes of southbound I-35 were closed for a period of time Wednesday morning but reopened around 6:25 a.m. Drivers should still expect delays in the area. There's a second crash on I-35 northbound near Slaughter Lane causing heavy delays as well. That crash is blocking the left lane and causing very heavy delays for drivers coming in from south Austin and Hays County.View a real-time traffic map and alerts list here.

Round Rock voters approve biggest bond package in city history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock voters approved a $274 million bond package in the May 6 election, making it the city's largest bond package in history and the first one to be approved since 2013. The general obligation bonds will go toward quality of life and public safety projects throughout the city. Where's the money going? The city of Round Rock created a webpage for Bond 2023 that lays out the details of the bond package, the timeline of planning events, and the impact on property taxes. The largest portion of the money, $230 million, will go toward quality of life projects like hike and bike trails, a new park in downtown, and improvements to Old Settlers park. The improvements include a new recreation center with an indoor gym and outdoor track, a newer and bigger Lakeview Pavilion with a permanent stage, and the construction of six new fields in the multipurpose complex. The other $44 million will go toward public safety projects. The city will expand its Public Safe...

Voters approve more than $3 billion in school bonds across Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters in 15 school districts across Central Texas approved more than $3.4 billion in bonds in Saturday's election.In total, $3,422,330,131 in bonds were approved. That money will go toward building new schools, buying new school buses, upgrading technology and even building a swim center.A further $119 million in bonds were rejected by voters in five districts. Click here for full election results Leander ISD had the largest price tag. Three bonds in the district totaled more than $762 million. All were passed in Saturday's election, each having received more than 60% of the vote.Ticket items included in the bond were two new elementary schools, land purchase for future schools and improved safety at every campus in the district, such as digital mapping systems and lockdown button upgrades.Voters in Hutto ISD approved three bonds totaling more than $520 million, while Liberty Hill ISD voters approved bonds worth $471 million.Bonds of more than $100 million were al...

5 things to know this Wednesday, May 10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Wednesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, today begins a string of really nice spring days! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order days before Title 42 expired. Meanwhile, two jurors were dismissed by Judge Peter Lynch on the second day of the criminal trial of Nauman Hussain. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednesday morning.1. Hochul signs executive order ahead of Title 42 expirationGov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order days before Title 42 expires. The executive order expands funding for state and local government to help migrants who come to the state.2. More jurors dismissed, witness testimony continues in Schoharie Limo trialTwo jurors were dismissed by Judge Peter Lynch on the second day of the criminal trial of Nauman Hussain.3. Colonie man sentenced for fatal 2020 shootingA Colonie man will serve ...

Inside look at Space Adventure Mini Golf

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In March, a new indoor 18-hole mini golf course opened its doors at Crossgates Mall. Space Adventure Mini Golf is one of five locations in New York and New Jersey. New mini golf course opens in Crossgates Mall “We see a very good traffic, and I can’t even compare with other locations to be honest,” said Yunus Uluocak, founder of Space Adventure.The course should take players between 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The venue also has arcade games in the lobby. When do the Capital Region’s mini-golf courses open? According to Uluocak, a round of mini golf costs $20 per player and is free for children age 3 and under. There are also military and other discounts available.

Maplewood police officer charged in child pornography case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A Maplewood police officer is on the wrong side of the law Wednesday morning as he's charged in a child pornography case.Maplewood Police Chief Matt Niber is identifying the officer who has been charged as Cory Younger. A St. Louis County Justice Center official confirmed that Younger is behind bars at the facility in Clayton on a $100,000 cash only bond.Chief Niber explained that officer Younger is charged with possession of child pornography. We understand the charge is a class b felony and that Younger is facing one count of possessing child porn. We're told the charge was filed Tuesday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW In his release, chief Niber shared that Younger has been suspended without pay effecti...

Active threat training at Busch Stadium today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After a weekend of gun violence in downtown St. Louis, the Cardinals are hosting an 'active threat' drill Wednesday outside Busch Stadium. This comes after months of planning, but the St. Louis Cardinals are partnering with several first responding agencies Wednesday for the training.The Cardinals say the exercise will ensure everyone is prepared to protect guests at the ballpark in case there is ever an active threat. A simulated emergency will play out inside the ballpark, and a number of police, fire, and EMS agencies will respond to the event. Family mourns siblings struck and killed on I-170  Although this has been planned for a long time, the training comes after a weekend of violence across the city there were around 15 shootings, and St. Louis Metro Police has shared that they will increase its presence to get this problem of lawlessness under control.The Cardinals want people downtown to keep in mind these are all simulated drills going on Wednesday. This will...