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What federal default would mean for schools and universities

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

(The Hill) - Higher education is biting its nails watching the debt ceiling timer tick down in Washington.Colleges and universities are working in the background on contingency plans if the U.S. defaults, a scenario that would lead to consequences experts say even they can't fully comprehend. While the schools won't immediately shut down when the debt limit is reached, they will lose significant funding from the federal government, and students will not receive the aid they need, in some cases, to stay in class. “Unfortunately, in the last several years, colleges and universities and financial aid offices have gotten used to a political game of chicken in Washington, D.C., and the potential for federal shutdowns, but this one is just a little bit different,” said Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.“We use the word unprecedented a lot in Washington, D.C., but this truly is one of those unprecedented times, and we would expec...

Texas attorney general calls on House Speaker Phelan to resign

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called on House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign at the end of the legislative session next week. He questioned the conduct of his fellow Republican after claims that Phelan appeared impaired while overseeing debate early Saturday morning on the House floor. Paxton released a statement Tuesday afternoon on social media urging Phelan to step down from his post leading the Texas House Representatives, saying he did so after "much consideration" and with "profound disappointment." No comment from Speaker Phelan on impairment accusations "Texans were dismayed to witness his performance presiding over the Texas House in a state of apparent debilitating intoxication," Paxton said. "His conduct has negatively impacted the legislative process and constitutes a failure to live up to his duty to the public." KXAN reached out Tuesday to Phelan's office for comment about Paxton's statement, but has yet to receive ...

Overnight storms may bring gusty winds, lightning

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A complex of thunderstorms expected to develop tonight in West Texas will then sweep through our part of the state overnight into early Wednesday morning. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin After midnight, the complex of strong to severe thunderstorms will enter the northwestern Hill Country. Hail is possible, but gusty winds and lightning appear to be the main things to watch for.This evening's severe storm riskClouds/radar forecast at 4 a.m. with storms in the Hill CountryThe complex of storms will likely weaken below severe criteria as it enters the Austin Metro area, most likely between 4-6 a.m. Wednesday. Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected in some areas. The rain will likely clear by your morning commute.Clouds/radar forecast at 6 a.m. Wednesday with lighter rain from Austin eastwardBehind these overnight storms, we expect another hot and mainly dry day Wednesday, but another round of storms are possible late Wednesday night into ear...

Victim in critical condition after hit-and-run in north Austin, APD says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in north Austin last week, which left one person in critical condition, APD said in a news release.Shortly after midnight, May 15, Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a pickup truck-pedestrian crash in the 9000 block of North Interstate 35 in the southbound service road near Rundberg Lane, according to police.The preliminary investigation showed the pedestrian, who was not identified Tuesday, was hit by the pickup truck traveling south on the service road. The driver left the scene and did not call 911, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries in critical condition, the release said.According to police, the victim has undergone several surgeries and remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).The suspect vehicle was described as:Possibly a Chevrolet Silverado or GMC SierraDark in colorDamaged to the front end due to the crashAnyone with any ...

Medical cannabis expansion bill to die in Texas Senate

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 23, 2023. AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Legislation to expand access to medical cannabis for Texans with chronic pain will die if a Texas Senate committee does not pass it by Wednesday.HB 1805 by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, passed the Texas House 127-19 on April 12. It has been awaiting action in the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs since May 3. Wednesday is the last day the Senate can pass bills.Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, has no plans to hold another hearing for that committee this session. Any bills left waiting to be considered are practically dead.“Maybe we’ll have an interim charge. I hope so. We need to have a conversation,” Sen. Perry told Nexstar on Tuesday. Texas House passes bill to expand medical marijuana program The legislation would allow Texans living with chronic pain or other debilitating medical conditions to get a prescription for low-THC medical can...

How would street-level light rail operate in downtown Austin?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly three years ago, Austin voters approved in November 2020 the creation of Project Connect, a mass transit program that would bring light rail services to the city. Initially, the system was envisioned to incorporate an underground subway system through downtown. ICYMI: Recommended Project Connect light rail plan unveiled However, after pausing design work last summer and issuing five scaled-down recommendations in March, the Austin Transit Partnership has issued a recommendation for the future of light rail services: a 9.8-mile, street-level route that would run from 38th Street south to Oltorf and southeast to Yellow Jacket Lane, with a Lady Bird Lake crossing at Trinity Street.How would a street-level design work in downtown Austin? ATP's Executive Director Greg Canally told KXAN a street-level offering could provide enhanced accessibility for a vast majority of transit users. As part of the community feedback period, Canally said ATP heard from many peop...

Lockheed Martin subsidiary in St. Paul to expand, creating 100 jobs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

ForwardEdge ASIC, a subsidiary of the aerospace company Lockheed Martin, plans to create at least 100 jobs in St. Paul and invest $60 million, according to Gov. Tim Walz.ForwardEdge is a microelectronics design company that creates application specific integrated circuits. The company signed a lease in St. Paul is looking for employees. Job openings will be posted on Minnesota’s CareerForce website at https://www.careerforcemn.com/. ForwardEdge also will be contacting local universities for recruitment.The state of Minnesota is supporting the company’s expansion with $800,000 from DEED’s Minnesota Investment Fund program and $500,000 from the Job Creation Fund program.The MIF award, made as a forgivable loan, will be administered by St. Paul. To receive the funding, ForwardEdge must create and maintain at least 113 jobs over the next two years – with pay ranging from $40 to $70 per hour.According to the governor’s office, all of the new jobs are expected to be prof...

Sears site on St. Paul’s Rice Street sells for $7 million

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

The long-vacant Sears property on St. Paul’s Rice Street has been sold to the Pacifica Group/Windfall Group, an Illinois-based real estate partnership with a Twin Cities tie, for $7 million.Eddie Ni, chief executive officer of the Windfall Group, is working with Marshall Nguyen, a partner and broker on the transaction and vice president with the Edina-based Caspian Group.“I know Marshall fairly well,” said Andrew Heieie, a broker with Colliers International’s Twin Cities office, which listed the 17-acre property for sale last November. Heieie worked with Andrew Jacobs from Colliers’ New York office to market the listing.“He’s told me there’s really no concrete plans. However, it’s likely to be transformed through an adaptive reuse and some peripheral development, because it’s a large site.”Heieie added: “This was a very competitive process and there were multiple offers on the property.”The location at 425...

Capital Region battling surge of overdoses

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) - With numerous programs designed to help prevent overdoses, two Capital Region counites are experiencing an uptick. NEWS10 speaking with officials about the spike and how you can help mitigate the problem. Capital Region counties declare State of Emergency to address migrant influx You have probably heard about a Narcan training seminar in your neighborhood. Most Capital Region areas have them. The problem some officials say, despite all their efforts, people just don’t know how to use it, and there is still the stigma attached to overdoses.“It's nothing new to the area unfortunately. Basically, it's a nationwide problem with the opioid epidemic that's going on right now,” said Schenectady Police Sergeant Nick Mannix.Mannix says several overdoses occurred on Monday. He says they are doing all they can to get the word out but tells me they have run into some issues.“I think overall the more Narcan that's out there and the more people that are awa...

Cornell students advocate for state policy solutions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (CORNELL) — Students in the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy’s new State Policy Advocacy Clinic developed relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, nonprofit leaders, community members, and researchers across the university to help advance policy goals. The clinic prioritizes projects that advance rural equity and human rights, particularly for populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in the political process. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “The clinic not only deepened my understanding of the intricacies of New York politics but also provided me with the opportunity to envision myself in positions of power to drive meaningful change,” said master of public administration student Bianca Bennett-Scott.Several of the 17 students met with lawmakers in the New York State Capitol in Albany to advance the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would limit immigration detenti...