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Congress works to expand access to federal land and parks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congress has found common ground on a sweeping legislative package that would expand access to federal lands and parks.The bipartisan measure aims to boost the now $1 trillion outdoor recreation industry with measures from updating infrastructure and trails for visitors with disabilities to improving broadband connectivity."Our public lands are treasures that are owned by the American people," said U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-AR.Lawmakers and the outdoor recreation industry largely support Westerman’s legislation, the EXPLORE Act, that would also provide more ways for children to get to parks."Transportation is actually one of our larger, the data shows, blockages with getting especially kids in urban or underserved areas out to public lands," said Michael Reynolds with the National Park Service. How to watch the fourth Republican presidential debate "Parks and access to nature are not just 'nice to haves,'" said Luis Benitez with Trust for Public Land. “Th...

Grinch spotted in Kyle, police warn to protect valuables

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Grinch was spotted in Kyle, Texas, and even though he took it upon himself to deface the city’s water tower with a “self-portrait,” it did not stop or delay the arrival of Santa, who made his way into the city at 4 p.m. Friday.The City of Kyle has been on a “Grinch Watch” ever since the menacing character made an appearance on Thanksgiving. A hotline was also set up to report Grinch sightings (737) 292-6278.Police warned citizens should secure doors, keep presents locked up and be vigilant. Santa promptly arrived at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park in Kyle for the city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.“Santa’s Arrival is just the beginning of the City of Kyle’s holiday celebrations including the 25 Days of Christmas and Christmas at Lake Kyle,” the city said.

Lawmakers scramble to save property tax cuts after baseless election challenge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas lawmakers on Friday hurriedly passed legislation to prevent delays to their top promises to voters, confronting a challenge to the November constitutional amendment election that temporarily blocks property tax relief, teacher pension increases, and more from taking effect.The Texas Senate passed legislation in a whirlwind legislative feat Friday that would shorten the timelines for lawsuits filed against constitutional amendment elections. The move comes as Republicans confront a lawsuit filed in Travis County by right-wing activists acting on false beliefs that the voting machines used in November were connected to the internet and unreliable.Those voting machines were certified by the Secretary of State and were not connected to the internet. But any challenge to the election, valid or not, delays the policies approved by voters from becoming law."The election contest is pending. That complicates certifying the election, and without certifying the electio...

Why was there a ring around the moon Monday night?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — With several strange things spotted in the skies in recent months, another uncommon spectacle had people talking.On Monday night, November 27, 2023, many observed what appeared to be a ghostly ring around the moon. Photo courtesy Michael Bohling (KFDX/KJTL)Photo courtesy Michael Bohling (KFDX/KJTL)KFDX and KJTL Chief Meteorologist Michael Bohling posted several pictures of the phenomenon on his Facebook page Monday night, leaving many community members wondering what exactly causes the unusual lunar look. According to Bohling, the phenomenon is known as a lunar halo, also referred to as a 22-degree halo, and it's caused by light being refracted off of the ice crystals in the thin, high cirrus clouds. "The optical phenomenon occurs at about 22 degrees around the sun or moon, which is why it’s called a 22-degree halo," Bohling said. "No matter if it’s a solar or lunar halo, it’s being caused by the same light source. It’s just the sun’s light being reflecte...

Mahtomedi man receives probation in girl’s drug overdose death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

A Mahtomedi man who admitted to selling pills that contained fentanyl and caused an Oak Park Heights teen’s fatal overdose has been sentenced to 25 years of probation.Jeremiah Eugene Palmore, 21, pleaded guilty in July to third-degree murder in connection with the 17-year-old girl’s death in May 2021.Jeremiah Eugene Palmore (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Palmore’s sentence Friday from Washington County District Judge Douglas Meslow was a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines. The judge stayed an 8½-year prison sentence.Prosecutors argued against a stayed sentence.In a phone interview after the hearing, Palmore’s attorney, Laurel O’Rourke, said Palmore is “deeply remorseful” over the teen’s death; she said the two were friends. “He cared very much about her,” she said.Palmore has served 354 days in Washington County jail custody since his arrest “and absorbed a lot of good information...

College of Saint Rose closing June 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The College of Saint Rose will close after the 2023-2024 academic school year. Despite concerns for many years, the school said nothing was finalized until Thursday.President Marcia White said the decision was not easy but a necessary one. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “You know the announcement that we made today, the one that we did not know we were going to be making yesterday until a board made a decision, it is excruciating even to talk about. The closure of the College of Saint Rose is so painful and devastating to all of us,” said White.Nearly 2,600 students are enrolled at Saint Rose and they have approximately 118 full-time faculty. The school’s financial troubles started in 2020, a year after receiving a $1.2 million donation to construct a new building on campus. In April of 2020, the college furloughed more than 60 administrators and staff because of hardships caused by the pandemic. Eight ...

Toys for Tots hits the rails to help kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It's not the Polar Express, but it might be just as magical. Toys for Tots partnering with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern to make sure kids in need have a present to open this Christmas. The gifts and necessities will be transported via train to children in need in five cities between Rensselaer and Binghamton. ‘Stuff the Bus’ toy drive 2023 in Colonie Toys for Tots is run by the US Marine Corps and today’s event was run like a military support operation. Volunteers led by a Staff Sergeant, loading bags onto a train car. Patrick Lurenz the US Marine Coordinator for Toys for Tots is rather humble about the military branch’s role in all of this.“This is a community program. It's here to support the community and it's being assisted by the community the Marine Corps. We’re just here driving this crazy bus to make all of this stuff happens,” said Lurenz. Levi Pascher is the Field Marketing Manager for Dunkin, a long-time sponsor of the event.“The holidays ther...

Lindenwood University drops 10 athletic programs, cuts several jobs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood University will drop 10 athletic programs and eliminate several positions within the university, according to an announcement made Friday. The cuts include at least nine filled staff positions and other vacant roles. The 10 athletic programs affected will all be discontinued after the spring semester, some even earlier. Trio sneaks into abandoned Workhouse, gets trapped in cell Lindenwood University says these cuts were made after "a thorough assessment of our athletic department's sustainability." Officials say it aligns with the university's "commitment to upholding the high-quality academic and athletic experiences that define our university." Programs coming to an end include the men's and women's swimming and diving teams, men's lacrosse, women's gymnastics and many others. The decisions come one year after Lindenwood reclassified to NCAA Division I athletics. "As an Athletics Director, this is not a decision you ever want to have to make," said...

Three shot in Ste. Genevieve, suspect arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. - An investigation is underway after three people were shot Friday morning in Ste. Genevieve, a small community about an hour south of St. Louis. The shooting happened around 11 a.m. Friday at a home on in the 400 block of Market Street. Investigators say three people were hurt, and the alleged shooter is now in custody. All three people shot were rushed to a hospital for treatment. Two victims are currently in critical condition. Trio sneaks into abandoned Workhouse, gets trapped in cell People putting up holiday lights nearby told FOX 2 that they heard the gunfire. There are still lots of questions as to what happened. Authorities have not yet announced any information on the suspect or potential charges. One resident who spoke to FOX 2 on the condition of anonymity says the shooting possibly unfolded over a love triangle gone bad. Authorities have not yet confirmed if that was the case. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

Hidden Valley Ski Resort prepares for winter, making snow despite warm temps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:24 GMT

EUREKA, Mo. - Hidden Valley Ski Resort is preparing for another busy season, even without major snow yet in the St. Louis region. The resort is working diligently to prepare for their season’s opening later this month. Workers are making snow in temperatures that are unusually warm for this time of year.Hidden Valley’s General Manager, Tony Santora, says the snow has a hard time melting once it is made. They keep them in large piles that face all odds in warmer weather. Trio sneaks into abandoned Workhouse, gets trapped in cell He says the snow is resilient against rain and warmer temperatures. The key to keeping snow intact, to prevent melting on warmer days, is making a lot of snow in advance, especially on days when the temperatures drop. The foundation for snow to stick around even when the air is warm is a good, solid base.Santora says, “The more snow that we can make, the better. Last year we had over four feet of snow in the base of our resort, so even when we do see those ...