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Georgetown ISD board unanimously approves resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Independent School District unanimously approved a resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers, with six trustees voting in favor of the resolution on Monday during a board meeting. Trustee Cody Hirt was absent.In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 763 into law, which permits school districts to use school safety funding to hire chaplains or allow them to volunteer in public schools.After the vote, GISD board member Anthony Blankenship made a comment, saying when people from the community reach out, their voice and concerns are heard. Citing mental health concerns, Texas to allow chaplains as uncertified school counselors "I just want to reiterate that my vote for this in no way is voting to remove counselors, replace counselors, [or] play any sort of political or religious favoritism within our public schools," he said. "I understand the importance of keeping these things separate. We already have this system in place. I just wan...

Recommendation for new affordable housing in downtown Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People "overwhelmingly" want to see more affordable housing - with the priority given to people working in the healthcare, hospitality and service industries, according to a community impact survey referenced in a new City of Austin memo. In response, the City Manager's Office had made an official recommended to convert at least part of the former HealthSouth property into affordable housing. The land is on the corner of Red River and 12th Streets, walking distance from Dell Seton and the heart of downtown. This is rooted in the Austin City Council's priority for "mixed-income housing affordable to households at or below 60% Median Family Income," according to the memo. Below are the results from a survey of 396 people, where city staff asked "What three community uses would you be excited to see on this site?"Current market conditions present unique challenges to the immediate redevelopment of the site," the memo reads. "In addition to increasing development costs ...

Minnesota prep hockey legend Henry Boucha dies at 72

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

WARROAD, Minn. — When Warroad’s boys hockey team hosts arch-rival Roseau for the main event of Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 in January, the home team will wear special sweaters bearing the likeness of one of Minnesota hockey’s most legendary players. Henry Boucha almost singlehandedly willed the Warriors to the 1969 state title, then went on to play in the Olympics, in the NHL and in the WHA.Before the game, there will likely be a moment of silence in his memory, as well. Boucha, who was 72, died on Monday. Family members did not immediately release any details but confirmed his passing, and asked for privacy at this time.An Indigenous man and a lifelong advocate for Native American education programs in Minnesota, Boucha was the driving force behind a Warroad team that advanced to the ‘69 state tournament, then held at Met Center in Bloomington, where the Warriors dispatched South St. Paul and Roseau to reach the state title game.In the second period of a tightly played championship m...

FOX 2 tours new $164M Francis Howell North campus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – It is the biggest project in a St. Charles school district that turned into a colossal meltdown, slamming taxpayers for tens of millions of dollars more than expected. On Monday, FOX 2 received a tour of the new Francis Howell North High School to give taxpayers a glimpse at their investment.Taxpayers were initially told the school would cost $86 million. The price tag was nearly double that amount—$164.7 million. Spending on the project drew so much criticism that the Missouri Auditor’s Office launched an investigation.Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Roumpos proudly showed off the school’s robotics center and culinary arts room, saying these special learning amenities help prepare students for future college and career opportunities.

Granite City steel plant affected by UAW strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Picket lines continued in Wentzville outside the General Motors plant on Monday, as the United Auto Workers strike entered its fifth day. The Wentzville plant employs around 4,100 people. Union workers walked off the job at midnight last Thursday.As those workers continue striking, a major plant from another big industry in our area said it may have to soon lay off workers temporarily. A statement from the U.S. Steel Corporation said, "Following the announcement of UAW strike actions, we are executing our risk mitigation plan to ensure our melt capacity is balanced with our order book. As a result, we have decided to temporarily idle blast furnace ‘B’ at Granite City Works and are reallocating volumes as needed to other domestic facilities to efficiently meet customer demand.“We thank our employees for working to ensure the temporary idling of the furnace will be conducted safely and efficiently. We do not take these decisions lightly and will continue to monito...

No cash bail era begins in Illinois amid worry from prosecutors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The first St. Louis area suspects are out of jail under a new law ending cash bail in Illinois.Four of the first accused felons to be freed were in Washington County, Illinois, about 50 miles east of St. Louis.The historic orders filed in Washington County Court read, in part, “pursuant to statute change, defendant’s monetary bond condition is stricken and (defendant) shall be released.”The four suspects face charges ranging from battery to meth possession.“This just opens the door to go back out and do the same thing. If you’re stealing to get money for drugs, you get to do it again the next day instead of going through a rehab,” said State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Highland.He represents parts of five St. Louis area counties in Illinois: Clinton, Washington, Bond, Madison, and St. Clair.“We have programs. We help them, give them a chance to get off the drugs and come back and be a productive citizen (through the former pre-trial bail system),” he said.In Belleville, St. Cl...

After felony conviction for oil pipeline protest, Boulder activist vows to keep fighting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

It’s been just over two years since Mylene Vialard headed north to protest a major oil pipeline in Minnesota.Late last month, Vialard, a veteran activist and member of Boulder’s Police Oversight Panel, returned to Minnesota to stand trial. After an arduous week filled with examples of what she called “egregious” misconduct by the prosecution, Vialard was found guilty on a felony charge of obstructing the legal process. She could face up to a year and a day in prison, but the 54-year-old water protector said she’d do it all over again if she could.“The message is still the same. The reason I’m fighting in court is still for the same reasons,” she said. “This is an aberration, that we’re criminalizing people like me — activists — when our planet is burning. We know it’s from the fossil fuel and all the extractive industries, and we’re not doing anything about it. We keep destroying the land, and we keep getting pe...

Lafayette Councilmember Tonya Briggs dies over the weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

Editor’s note: This article has been amended to correct the spelling of Finley Briggs.Lafayette City Councilmember Tonya Briggs has died.According to a Monday news release from Lafayette, Briggs died “suddenly” Saturday at the age of 44. No cause has been given at this time.Briggs lived in Lafayette for 14 years and had lived in Boulder County most of her life.Briggs was elected in 2021 and served as council liaison on the Human Rights Commission, Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Board, and Waste Reduction Advisory Committee during her tenure. She also served on the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Community Noise Roundtable.“Tonya left a lasting impression on our community through her selflessness, determination, and devotion to improving the lives of others. Her contributions will be remembered for years to come,” Mayor J.D. Mangat said in the news release.Lafayette officials have not yet said what will become of Briggs’ sea...

Downtown Boulder parking garages to go gateless, switch to touchless payments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

The five city-owned BoulderPark parking garages in downtown Boulder will switch to gateless operations and touchless payments effective Oct. 1.These garages will transition to the gate-free Metropolis parking system, which will allow registered drivers to simply drive in, park and receive a text message confirming they’re parked in that location. When drivers leave the garage, any payments due will be charged to their account automatically and receipts will be sent by text.Non-registered drivers may park but will need to register by scanning a QR code from one of the signs throughout the garages before they leave. There is no need for an app, and the registration is a short, one-time process.Parking on weekends and holidays will still be free, and registration is not required during those times.“We recognize the frustration that the traditional gate-based system has too often caused,” Community Vitality Director Cris Jones stated in a news release. “By embrac...

Police shoot man armed with replica handgun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department have released video of a police shooting that occurred last month in South L.A. after a 25-year-old man pointed a replica gun at two officers.  The incident occurred on Aug. 18 just before 7 a.m. Uniformed officers with LAPD’s Southeast Division were dispatched to the 2100 block of East 103rd Street in Watts on reports of a “possible assault with a deadly weapon suspect there now,” according to LAPD. Video released by the police department shows two officers arriving in an alleyway where the suspect, later identified as Urias Saucedo, was standing. As the officers exit their vehicle, the 25-year-old is seen sitting down on a mattress and removing what appears to be a gun from his waistband.  “The officers ordered Saucedo to drop the handgun, but he did not comply,” the release noted. “Saucedo stood, began to raise the handgun with his right hand and an [officer-involved shooting] occurred.”  The 25-year-old, who ...