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One week into special session, Texas Republicans no closer to a property tax deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Top Republicans show no signs of compromising on a plan to lower Texans' property taxes after Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reiterated their commitments to their competing plans Tuesday.As an ongoing special session with only the upper chamber present for business beats on, $17.6 billion hangs in the balance as leaders debate different ideas for how to use an unprecedented surplus for property tax relief. CATCH UP: House passes Abbott-backed property tax relief and border bill, adjourns special session Abbott directed the legislature to spend all $17.6 billion on lowering school district property tax rates. After the House and Senate failed to reach a deal in the regular session, he called lawmakers to pass a plan to lower property taxes "solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate." That strategy, known as compression, simply gives school districts more money in return for lower tax rates."Every dollar we spend should go towa...

Puppies continue to be found near Austin golf course

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Charlie Crenshaw has earned the nickname "The Dog Whisperer of Balcones" after finding three puppies at a golf course in the past month. "I don't know how I find myself at the right place at the right time with these dogs," Crenshaw said. Crenshaw, who works as a golf instructor at the Balcones Country Club, said he found the first dog running near U.S. Highway 183 in December. Crenshaw said he whistled and the dog came running toward him."He immediately just turned, looked at me and just ran right into my arms," he said. "It was like he and I were just meant to be."Photos of the dog were shared on social media and the dog and its owner were quickly reunited. Two more dogs were found in recent weeks. One was found near the country club early one morning as nearby traffic was getting heavy. The other was found under a van across the street from the country club. Neither dog had a collar or microchip, Crenshaw said. Luckily, they were able to find new homes for each pu...

'Ended up living in the woods': Hays County homeless advocates want more low-income housing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More affordable housing options are coming to Hays County after commissioners voted to join the Texas Housing Foundation, a public housing authority. "We're able to put a lot of multifamily development down on the ground," Texas Housing Foundation President and CEO Mark Mayfield said. Mayfield said it's already a part of Williamson County, Llano County, Bastrop County, Blanco County and Burnet County. "Everyone has to have a place to live," Mayfield said. "That's why we exist is to try to create those opportunities."While many said it's a step in the right direction, some housing advocates are pushing for more. Low-income housing needsGeorge Barbour never thought he'd see the day he'd have his own apartment. "I didn't have nowhere to go, no source of income and I didn't know anybody. I ended up living in the woods," Barbour said. He was homeless and his health was deteriorating. "I just kept getting sicker and sicker," Barbour said. "The city found me in ...

Twins’ Byron Buxton lands on injured list days after being hit by pitch in ribs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Byron Buxton avoided the worst-case scenario when he was plunked on the ribs last Thursday by a Tanner Bibee fastball.But while he was fortunate to escape without any broken bones, Buxton hasn’t seen the field since then. And on Tuesday, after days of playing short-handed, the Twins made the decision to place the designated hitter on the injured list with a left rib contusion.Twins manager Rocco Baldelli had said on Sunday that he was hopeful that Buxton might be back on Tuesday. Instead, he’ll have a chance to heal for the next week. The move is retroactive to June 3, meaning Buxton would be eligible to return next Tuesday when the Twins play the Milwaukee Brewers.While Buxton was thankful to walk away from the incident without a fracture, the pain got to be so great the first night that he slept in a chair because he couldn’t lay on his side.“To know there’s nothing wrong and it’s just a bruise. For me, that’s a big positive,” Buxton said after hearing his X...

Canada wildfires are leading to air-quality alerts in U.S. Here’s how to stay safe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a poor air quality alert for New England, a day after parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota received a similar advisory. Last week, U.S. officials as far south as Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania reported being impacted by the wildfires.Here’s a summary of what’s being evaluated and some suggested precautions:WHAT’S HAPPENING?Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has been moving into the United States since last month. The most recent fires near Quebec have been burning for at least several days.The EPA said hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood are likely, and that the smoke will linger for a few days in New England.“It’s not unusual for us...

Women’s hockey: Gophers assistant coach Natalie Darwitz exits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

The Minnesota Gophers women’s hockey team will have plenty of new faces on the ice next season as they work to get back to the NCAA Frozen Four. They will also be lacking a very familiar face behind their bench.On Monday, Gophers head coach Brad Frost confirmed that associate head coach Natalie Darwitz will not return for the 2023-24 season.“I can confirm that Natalie is no longer a member of our coaching staff,” Frost said, via text message. “She is a great alum and ambassador for women’s hockey. We appreciate all she has done for our program both as a player and a coach.”No additional information about the circumstances of her departure from the program were offered. As of Monday afternoon, Darwitz’s name had been removed from the list of Gophers coaches on the school’s website. Reached via text message, Darwitz, 39, said she would prefer to “let things settle” before speaking publicly.A two-time national champion player for the Gophers, Darwitz has spent the last two ...

Michael Tisius executed for murder of rural Missouri jailers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

BONNE TERRE, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Corrections carried out its execution of a man convicted of killing two Randolph County jailers in 2000.Michael Tisius gunned down unarmed guards Jason Acton and Leon Egley while attempting to break Roy Vance out of jail. Tisius was joined by Vance's girlfriend, Tracie Bulington, during the crime. The jailbreak was unsuccessful after Tisius and Bulington failed to find the keys to unlock Vance's cell.Tisius and Bulington were arrested later that day in Wathena, Kansas.The execution was carried out at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Tisius, 42, died via lethal injection. He was declared dead by 6:10 p.m. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Tisiu...

Aurora police to release body camera footage of officer shooting 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

Aurora police on Friday will release body camera footage showing an officer fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy suspected of participating in a robbery of a convenience store.Family members of the 14-year-old, Jor’Dell Richardson, and their lawyers watched the footage at Aurora police headquarters Tuesday, police officials and family representatives said.State law mandates that law enforcement agencies wait 72 hours after showing body camera footage to the family of someone killed by police before releasing it publicly. Aurora police Chief Art Acevedo will hold a news conference Friday when the video is released, according to a news release.According to police, officers chased a group of teenagers who ran from a convenience store near the intersection of East Eighth Avenue and Dayton Street. A sergeant on patrol noticed the group and asked for backup because the teens were wearing medical masks and sweatshirts, a news release from the police department said. Police took two tee...

PGA Tour commissioner has ‘heated’ meeting with players after LIV Golf merger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer)PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan spent more than an hour explaining to players Tuesday afternoon why he changed his mind about taking Saudi funds in a surprise collaboration, saying it ultimately was for their benefit.And to think it was nearly a year ago to the day that Saudi-funded LIV Golf teed off in its inaugural event as a rival and a threat, flush with defectors from golf’s top circuit.Morals were questioned. Lawsuits were filed. Golfers doubled down on their affiliations.A merger, it seemed, wasn’t in the cards. But on Tuesday, professionals from both tours were caught off guard by news that their worlds would collide — that the PGA Tour, European tour and LIV Golf were merging.“As time went on, circumstances changed,” Monahan said in a conference call after the meeting. “I don’t think it was right or sustainable to have this tension in our sport.“I recognize everything I’ve said in the p...

DIA, Hudson, Lochbuie under severe thunderstorm warning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:52 GMT

5:45 p.m.: A tornado warning in effect until 6:15 p.m. is in effect for Weld County. A tornado was observed, but no hail is expected. The warning is for an area southeast of Gilcrest and northwest of Hudson.Tornado Warning including Weld County, CO until 6:15 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/lmrn6gQWft— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 6, 20235:35 p.m.: Thunderstorms are moving north and a severe thunderstorm warning includes Lochbuie and Hudson along the Interstate 76 corridor north of Denver International Airport. The warning is posted until 6 p.m. Half-dollar-size hail and 50 mph winds are expected.Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Denver Intl Airport CO, Lochbuie CO and Hudson CO until 6:00 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/Ljk5rJ6y07— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 6, 20235:35 p.m.: A flood advisory for a widespread part of the metro area includes eastern Denver, Aurora, eastern Centennial, Castle Rock, Commerce City and Parker and is in effect until 8:15 p.m., according to the Natio...