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2 drag restriction bills approved by Texas Senate

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House of Representatives will soon take up a pair of bills officially passed by the Senate Wednesday that would enact new consequences for drag-related events held in the state. Lawmakers first approved an expanded version of Senate Bill 12, which would make it a crime to hold a drag show or any other performances considered overtly sexual if they're in front of or could possibly be seen by minors. The bill passed by a final vote of 20-11. It received initial approval Tuesday after a tense exchange during a debate. Ban on transgender youth treatments passes Texas Senate The legislation would levy a penalty of up to $10,000 against any business owner hosting a “sexually oriented performance” with anyone who’s younger than 18 present. A city or county would also not be able to host these kinds of performances on public property, according to the proposal. The bill defines “sexually oriented performance” as a “male performer exhibiting as a female, or a fem...

City of Austin to consider its role in creating mental health diversion center

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- During next week's Austin City Council meeting, members will discuss how much of a stake the city will have in Travis County's plan to build a mental health and substance use diversion center. "I think it's important to make sure that we play a role in this, and making sure that we're able to put forward whatever resources that are needed to make this diversion center a reality," Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri said. He brought the resolution forward. The city helping foot the bill for the project is something Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea brought up before the item passed through that body a couple of weeks ago. "That's a discussion that will take place on the dais, but I think we need to play as an active role as possible," Qadri said.Students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs calculated an estimate of how much the facility would cost, according to the report. To build a 32-bed diversion center at just over 30,000 square feet, it would cost the county ...

The rain is gone but strong winds remain

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Most of the area did get some rain with a few thunderstorms this morning. However, not all locations had measured precipitation, among them Austin and San Marcos.Most rain totals averaged around .10" to .25" but there were a few areas that did pick up about .50" to .66".The "big winners" from this morning's rainLIVE RADARLIVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONSNorth winds are blowing through the area with some gusts in excess of 20 to 25 mph. Dew points have dropped the 20s and 30s along and west of I-35. The dry air, very low soil moisture and the strong winds are creating a critical fire danger for the rest of the afternoon. The National Weather Service has seven of our counties under a RED FLAG WARNING.Red Flag Warning in effect until 4 PM WednesdayRain and thunderstorm chances come back tonight and remain part of the forecast until Saturday morning. There will be times when the rain gets briefly heavy, something accounted for in the long-range precipitation from the American mod...

Overall home values in Williamson County decline — what it may mean for your property taxes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 5, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson Central Appraisal District released its appraisal valuation notices last week. The overall average was that homes were appraised roughly 12% less than they were in January 2022.Alvin Lankford, WCAD chief appraiser, said this is the first overall decline in valuations he's seen in the county in 23 years, following record valuations last year. Austin housing market ‘trending in the right direction,’ board of realtors says In 2022, residential values had a drastic increase of more than 45%."So, in the 23 years I've been here, I've seen in the last two years a record increase and record decrease," Lankford said.Lankford said prices and interest rates started to level out in the middle of 2022, which has carried into 2023.Just because property or home values are lower does not mean owners will save money when it comes time to pay their property taxes.Lankford...

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov has returned to practice. How soon can he play?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

If someone were to ask Kirill Kaprizov, he would probably say he could play on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He certainly looked like he could on Wednesday morning when he took the ice for a Wild practice at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.That marked the first time that Kaprizov has practiced with the Wild since suffering a lower-body injury in a March 8 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He recently started skating on his own after missing the past 12 games.It raises the question: How soon can he play? Asked about it, coach Dean Evason responded, “He’s an elite athlete and it doesn’t look like it’s going take him long.”The next step for Kaprizov in the recovery process is getting cleared for contact. Technically, he still hasn’t been, though he notably got himself into a few board battles during his first time back at practice.“He was begging to play on the penalty kill,” Evason said. “He’s excited obviously to be out with the guys. He...

Troy restaurant among finalists for national small business award

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen, a Korean restaurant located at 95-97 Ferry Street in Troy, has been named one of the Top 10 finalists for Barclays US Consumer Bank’s “Small Business Big Wins” contest. No matter what position they place, the eatery will get a part of the $255,000 prize pool. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Small Business Big Wins" was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a boost to small businesses with stories of resilience. Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen was picked out of about 15,000 other small business entries from across the country.Owner Jinah Ahn said Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen would be investing the funds back into the community by supporting its English classes and computer access program for new immigrants, as well as revamping parts of the restaurant and farm. Delmar Bistro closing its doors after 8 years Of the 10 finalists, Sunhee’s is the only Asian American and Pacif...

Mariaville Farm continues post-fire recovery

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

DELANSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The fire that devastated a Delanson farm continues to impact the family who lives and works there. As they clean up, they are running into obstacles, making the recovery process more difficult.“I have no idea what to do. Don’t even know where to start," said Bob Chandler, who co-owns Mariaville Farm with his wife, Christine. Bob said he used to be a builder, but even this project is daunting to him. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I just feel kind of like, lost right now, and a little bit helpless," Christine added.The March 25th fire killed over 200 chickens, 4 sows, 8 adolescent pigs, and all the baby pigs. The Chandlers can’t rebuild until they finish cleaning up the mess left behind, but that’s taking a while on top of the normal daily farm tasks, and continued suffering. One of the remaining pigs that was injured died Wednesday morning.“Maybe the burns were too painful. There’s nothing that ...

Hochul announces $5.7M project in Saratoga Springs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of the $5.7 million Complete Streets project in Saratoga Springs. The project will enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety along Union Avenue by adding a new sidewalk and bike lanes. Union Avenue will also be resurfaced. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Expanding bicycle and pedestrian access is an essential part of our commitment to investing in infrastructure that reconnects communities and provides new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic growth," said Governor Hochul. "This Complete Streets project in Saratoga Springs will add to the charm of this historic upstate city and make it easier for residents and visitors to explore all that it has to offer without getting in their cars." 2023 Saratoga season passes on sale April 5 The new sidewalk will be installed on the north side of Union Avenue to connect Polk Avenue...

Glens Falls elementary school appoints new principal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Granville principal Paul Morcone announced he will be stepping away from the Granville school district and has accepted a principal position in the Glens Falls city school district. Morcone will be the new principal of Big Cross Street Elementary School. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Morcone expresses his gratitude towards the students, staff, and community of the Granville Central school district in a farewell letter on April 4. He also explains that he has been working with the district to create a transition plan to ensure continuity for students, staff, and families. Morcone's last day at Mary J. Tanner primary school will be May 12. Morcone states, “It is an honor to become part of Glens Falls Nation,” “It’s exciting to be able to partner with the families, faculty, staff, and community of Big Cross Elementary. I look forward to collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that saf...

Employers fill job gap from inside area schools

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:15:06 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Wednesday morning, high schoolers moved in and out of the gym at Glens Falls High School in groups of 20. From one table to the next, they heard about possibilities for their summers. At some, they even got to go hands-on."We are having students tape up a screen, showing them how they would set them up if they came in for the summer," explained Joseph Endieveri, of South Glens Falls-based screen printing company nePROMO. "If they attempt it, we're giving them a T-shirt. It's a big hit." Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The screen printer was one of 35 area employers set up inside the high school gym on Wednesday for one of three job fair events, set up by Warren County. Following job fairs at Queensbury Union Free School District and Lake George High School, the fair was a chance for employers big and small to find young workers interested in a summer job, many in the Lake George region's prom...