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Letters: What’s a negative $2.4 billion plus a positive $2.4 billion?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

Simple $2.4 billion mathAs a Mathematics Teacher (I capitalize) I taught simple arithmetic on what are the current grounds of the Minnesota Supreme Court. I guess it should have been Refresher Math for our legislators and our governor, too. Instead, they didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when the governor waved two documents. One showed a $2.4 billion surplus for the next year two years, for which he smiled, and a $2.4 billion potential debt for the following two years for which he lamented. He didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. He was in need of another $2.4 billion from us taxpayers to cover the future debt.My Mechanic Arts students would have immediately known the simple solution: Save the $2.4 billion for two years now and cover the $2.4 billion debt for the costs ahead. Simple math. Simple legislators and a simple governor who once was a teacher, but no longer remembers.We can’t keep spending what we don’t have. Save it and you can.Tom King, West St. Paul They could...

Texas men charged in Roseville ATM ‘hook and chain’ heist, a growing problem across U.S.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

Five Texas men are accused of using a stolen pickup and a chain to yank an ATM from its foundation outside a Roseville bank early Tuesday in a heist that was foiled by an alarm and an officer who pulled up to the scene.Law enforcement and banking security officials say these “hook and chain attacks” are gaining in popularity among thieves in the U.S. and rising to unprecedented numbers.Roseville Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams said Thursday the FBI is among law enforcement agencies working to see whether the Roseville suspects are tied to a Texas-based organized group known as the “Hook and Chain Gang” carrying out the thefts across the U.S.“The hard part is going to be whether these five guys are the gang or whether there are like 100 guys doing this,” Adams said.In the Roseville attack, one suspect was captured after he sped away from Great Southern Bank, across from Rosedale Center, in the stolen pickup and crashed. The others were tracked back to a nearby h...

Albany County Legislature adopts 2024 County Budget

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A $819.9M spending plan was approved by the Albany County Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year. The 2024 budget seeks to provide relief to taxpayers and deliver social and economic relief to those impacted by the pandemic. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! To aid the recovery of small businesses and local organizations, the legislature has designated $400,000 towards strengthening the economic landscape. The Advance Albany County Alliance will use the funds to spur growth, increase employment, and retain a robust workforce. $3 million is being invested in the Albany County Improvement Initiative, allowing the legislature to take collective action on issues. This includes development initiatives, which will improve the quality of life for residents. Albany County has also seen an increase in asylees this year. To help them settle and find work opportunities, $100,000 has been set aside for an asylee transporta...

Temple shooting suspect in federal court for new charge

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Mufid Fawaz Alkhader is facing a second charge: Conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Court documents allege he had a friend buy a shotgun for him back in November, that was later used outside Temple Israel in Albany hours before the first night of Hanukkah. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to those documents, Alkhader told police he wanted to buy a gun but was ineligible because of a prior order of protection or restraining order. He then contacted a friend, identified in the court documents at "Co-Conspirator #1," who agreed to purchase a shotgun for him. That individual told police they were given $700 cash to buy the gun and paid at least $200 to make the purchase, lying on the ATF forms in the process, which is a federal crime. According to police, Alkhader then used that shotgun outside Temple Israel in Albany on Dec. 7, leading to a lockdown of the temple, where ...

Celebrate the New Year with a Capital Region hike

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is encouraging residents to get outdoors and celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike. These hikes are happening across the Capital Region on January 1, 2024. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The 13th annual event features staff and volunteer led hikes. The walks and hikes are free and most are family-friendly, ranging from one to five miles.First Day Hikes in the Capital RegionCat Mountain in Bolton LandingRound-trip distance of 4.1 miles and should take 2.5 hours to completeStarts at 9:30 a.m.Register by emailing [email protected] or calling (518) 338-8173Prospect Mountain in Lake GeorgeThree-mile round trip, meet at trailhead at 10 a.m.Register by emailing [email protected] or calling (518) 623-1268 by December 28Moreau Lake State ParkMoreau Lake State Park is offering a Nature Trail hike at 10 a.m. and a Mud Pond Trail hike at ...

Upside: Cohoes Fire Dpt. shares Christmas magic & presents to kids in need

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) — For over 40 years, an initiative from the Cohoes Fire Department—Cheer for Children—has provided toys to kids in need of some Christmas magic. Firefighters partner with the community, gathering gifts at multiple drop-off locations year-round. In addition to presents, the department sprinkles even more Christmas spirit through two yearly events.“The faces of the kids when they see Santa," Jack Daigneault, Retired Cohoes Firefighter, said. “It’s a big program. It’s a lot of work, but it’s very enjoyable when you see those faces on the kids.” This year, Cheer for Children has added an online holiday shop to its fundraising efforts. The store offers everything from Cheer for Children hoodies and coffee mugs to tree skirts and aprons. All of the purchase sales go toward purchasing gifts and upcoming events.On Sunday, December 17, the Cohoes-Waterford Elks Club and The Uniform Firefighters of Cohoes will host an annual breakfast with Santa Claus. The public is inv...

Defense bill clears Congress without compensation for St. Louis nuclear waste victims; Hawley vows 'this is not the end'

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. House approved an $886 billion national defense policy bill on Thursday. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for review after clearing the Senate earlier this week.The latest-approved version of the National Defense Authorization Act does not include compensation for victims of waste around the St. Louis area. Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has been pushing to expand coverage under the annual defense bill's Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for several months. He previously proposed a RECA amendment to fund victims who suffered an autoimmune virus, a genetic disorder, or cancer from radioactive contamination in the St. Louis area that stems back to the World War II era. Hawley told FOX 2 on Thursday, with the annual defense bill clearing both legs of Congress, it's no longer possible for this year's bill to include compensation for St. Louis-area nuclear radioactive victims. "Because of the deal Congressional leadership made, they've closed up the...

The Headless Bat pizzeria to open in south St. Louis

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A new pizzeria is set to open in St. Louis, paying homage to heavy metal fans. From the dish names to the dark-themed artwork, this is a place not meant for the faint of heart.The Headless Bat, a specialized restaurant in heavy metal, horror, and “everything generally awesome,” is coming to the Tower Grove South neighborhood in St. Louis. Situated where the London Tea Room used to be. The establishment is the brainchild of owner Rick Giordano.According to Giordano, “Ozzy Osbourne infamously bit the head off a live bat on stage, thinking it was a rubber toy. As the singer of Black Sabbath, he’s often considered the Godfather of heavy metal, so the name is kind of a nod to him. I also just think it’s a cool name, and it gives you a bit of insight into what to expect inside. If you get the reference or think the name is cool, you’ll probably enjoy it here.”A soft opening for friends and family is scheduled for December 15 and 16, with plans to open to the public the follow...

Colorado approves first two awards of refundable tax credits to boost chip manufacturing

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

The Colorado Economic Development Commission on Thursday approved the first two awards under a program the legislature passed in May to boost semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing capacity in the state, opening the door for more federal dollars to flow into the state.The CHIPS and Science Act authorizes $280 billion to help boost the country’s competitiveness in semiconductors and other key technologies vital to national security, including a 25% federal tax credit for the capital investments made to build a chip plant or expand capacity domestically.But for companies to qualify for federal tax breaks, they must show that state and local governments have stepped forward with financial support as well. If companies can’t claim the tax breaks a state is offering, say because they are losing money as production gets ramped up, the federal government won’t consider that a genuine local contribution.The Colorado legislature in May passed House Bill 23-1260 to b...

Knott's Berry Farm announces closure date for multiple Camp Snoopy rides

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:35 GMT

Knott’s Berry Farm has announced the closure date for multiple rides in Camp Snoopy ahead of a planned renovation.Guests have until Jan. 7, 2024, to ride Huff and Puff, the High Sierra Ferris Wheel, and the Rocky Mountain Trucking Company, the theme park announced on Instagram. Knott’s Berry Farm reimplements chaperone policy that was enacted due to fights The rides will be removed during an extended makeover poised for the kiddie area. This will be the first time Knott’s has renovated the area in a decade.New rides, like Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster and Sally’s Swing Along, and improved experiences will be coming to the new and enhanced Camp Snoopy next year.Guests will be able to experience the new additions beginning Memorial Day weekend In 2024.More details about the new additions coming to Camp Snoppy can be found here.