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Texas rat, Arkansas skunk may soon be protected by an Act

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will issue decisions on 31 southeast animals and plants and two southwest animals that may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.On July 24, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to issue decisions on whether these species need protective status. The agreement came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. “We could lose two out of every five wild species if we don’t act now,” said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. She adds that we need urgency from the Fish and Wildlife Service. LIST: Endangered species that can be found in Central Texas According to Curry, twenty-four of the species will be considered for protection stated before the end of the year, including the Texas kangaroo rat, the Alabama hickory nut, the Eastern spotted skunk, the Jackson prairie crayfish, the speckled burrowing crayfish, spiny tail crayfish, and the Yazoo...

2 TABC agents expected to be terminated following DWI arrest

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two employees with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission are expected to be terminated August 1 following an investigation for policy violations, according to commission officials.A TABC spokesperson said an agent was arrested on a DWI charge. They were accompanied by another agent that was not arrested.TABC officials said a preliminary investigation found the agents violated TABC policy while operating a vehicle.Officials with the agency said the incident remained under investigation.

Texas mother accidentally calls 911 looking for son's soccer ball, deputy arrives and finds ball

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas woman who accidentally called 911 while looking for her son's soccer ball was shocked when she saw a deputy knock on her door with the missing ball.(Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office)According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the woman had a safety setting that allowed her to call 911 without unlocking. When emergency services answered, she told them it was an accident and everything was fine.A deputy was sent to do a welfare check, where she explained that she called accidentally while looking for the ball. "I jokingly told him if he sees the ball, let me know," the post stated. "Not two minutes later, he was knocking on the door with the ball."Ring Camera photos provided by the sheriff's office showed the interaction.

Permanent memorial for fallen officer Scott Patrick planned in West St. Paul

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

A curbside memorial marks the spot where Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick was murdered during a traffic stop just over the city’s border in West St. Paul nine years ago Sunday.People still leave flowers, candles and other things at the spot on Dodd Road, just south of Smith Avenue, to pay tribute to Patrick, a well-known officer who took pride in his community-based policing during his nearly two decades as a cop.Neil Garlock stopped by the site Friday morning with a can of blue spray-paint. He went over the “MHPD” and  “2231,” Patrick’s badge number, which someone first put on Dodd Road a year to the day after the 47-year-old officer was fatally shot.Garlock was Patrick’s field-training officer for three months, then his sergeant. He retired 61 days before Patrick’s killing, which happened in broad daylight on July 30, 2014.“I’m always cleaning this area up, cigarette butts or whatever it is,” said Garlock, who lives four blocks away in Mendota Heights, where he was may...

Vikings safety Josh Metellus is proof of what special teams can do for a player

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

Vikings safety Josh Metellus made it clear this spring that he intends to play special teams as long as the Vikings will let him.“If we need somebody out there, I’m the first one to raise my hand,” said Metellus, who has made a name for himself as an ace on special teams. “That’s something I’m always going to have in the back of my head.”Now that Metellus has started to pick up more playing time on defense, however, his playing time on specials teams could decrease.Though he’s not technically a starter, Metellus is a player new defensive coordinator Brian Flores clearly plans to use in certain packages. After a few days into training camp at TCO Performance Center, Metellus has often been on the field with fellow safeties Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum.“We know Josh is talented,” Flores said. “He’s shown that over the course of his career.”As much as that talent has helped Metellus develop since the Vikings selected him in the sixt...

Vikings rookie QB Jaren Hall learning from Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens, not trying to take their spots

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

Make no mistake about it. Jaren Hall knows his place on the Vikings’ depth chart.BYU quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs away from Baylor linebacker Matt Jones (2) in the first half, during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)Never mind that the 25-year-old rookie quarterback has already impressed early in training camp at TCO Performance Center.Never mind he threw a perfectly placed ball to receiver Lucky Jackson during Thursday’s practice, then followed it up by dropping a dime to receiver Thayer Thomas later in the workout.And never mind that he continued to showcase his arm talent on Friday, demonstrating what made the Vikings take him in the fifth round of the draft this spring.The only thing Hall is focused on this summer is learning from the Vikings’ two veteran quarterbacks, starter Kirk Cousins and backup Nick Mullens.“I’m trying to get some experience and take advantage of all the reps I c...

Positively St. Louis: Rebuilding north St. Louis City

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - In an effort to promote positive messages and showcase ongoing momentum around economic justice, FOX 2 and News 11 have partnered with the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) on a new monthly segment called “Positively St. Louis.” This month, FOX 2’s Kelley Hoskins is featuring affordable housing made possible by the agencies of creation of the housing access, through the Economic Justice Action Plan and Neighborhood Stabilization Revolving Fund.Construction is underway right now to build affordable housing with grants provided by the SLDC.  It’s a wealth building pathway to home ownership in at risk neighborhoods.  The SLDC is on a mission to uplift, empower and bring hope to neighborhoods and strengthen families.  Two major partners, the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation (TCDC) and Habitat for Humanity St. Louis have received the funding needed to build 26 new and rehab affordable housing for St. Lo...

Lego artists showcase work at Brick convention in Ballwin

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

BALLWIN, Mo. - Legos have evolved from a child's toy to collectibles for adults who are still children at heart. This weekend in Ballwin there's a "Brick convention" where Lego fans can get their fill of "Everything That's Awesome!"“Every other row is a different image,” said E.J. Bocan III, describing his lenticular art. “When I build it, I go every other row. So you get Spider-Man, or you get Venom.”The brick convention this weekend at Greenfelder Recreation Complex features master Lego artists from across the country showcasing their unique Lego artworks, ranging from round Legos to micro-sized Legos and mosaic pieces of art. Staffing ‘crisis’ creating new risks for St. Louis police officers “No, I do no sketches,” said Tom Jacobsen, featured artist. “No nothing. I have a concept in my head, and I have a pile of bricks, and I just dig in and go. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out. I go for a couple of days and tear it apart and start over because it doesn’t match the concept in my ...

Locals escaping the extreme heat at the movies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

CREVE COEUR, Mo. - Not only is it hot outside, but it’s a sizzling summer at the box office. We spoke with moviegoers who opted to stay inside to beat the heat.As temperatures rise, ticket sales are soaring at the B&B Theater in Creve Coeur.“We’ve had a lot of really big summer blockbusters. Barbie just came out, and it’s the biggest movie in the world right now,” said McKenzie Sheehy, marketing communications specialist for B&B Theaters.That is why Tiara Jackson and her family went to watch the biggest hit.“Yeah, we’re really excited. I’m so happy that we get a chance to see it," she said. "Oh, it was really important just to find somewhere cool and relaxing. You know, get away from the hot weather." She says an Uber stranded her, then things really got weird And some came to get away for relief from the heat they'd experienced this week.“Goodness, we walked outside yesterday at the ballgame, and it was like, I need to take a shower already just walking from the car to th...

Parents of boy who drowned at summer camp talk about their loss and multi-million dollar settlement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:08:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A multi-million-dollar settlement with St. Louis County does not end the child safety fight for a south county family."We’re still not giving up," Olga said.Following their 6-year-old son's drowning at St. Louis County's Kennedy Rec Center in July 2022, TJ Mister's mother Olga, and father, Travone have relentlessly pushed for stricter child safety laws. FOX 2 has been right there as they’ve pleaded to county counselors and Missouri legislators in Jefferson City. "We counted the 20 stories, I think you guys did an amazing job – you know we greatly appreciate everything you did," Olga said.FOX 2 has covered stories ranging from exposing the number of children at a summer camp with only one lifeguard to the lack of proper safety equipment - and confronting the county executive about it. St. Louis County then improved training and hired a reputable pool management company to oversee safety at all government pools, and on Thursday, it reached an $8 million settlem...