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Democrats unveil plan to create gun violence prevention office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say the latest school shooting in Colorado highlights the need for more action to fight gun violence.As a manhunt unfolded in Denver for the suspect in another school shooting, Democrats unveiled legislation to establish a new Federal Gun Violence Prevention Office to help coordinate information about shootings in the United States.Senators Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy and Representative Maxwell Frost say the new federal office would ensure cooperation in collecting, analyzing and sharing gun violence data.“We're not winning if gun violence is the leading cause of child death in the United States of America,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said. Dad to homeowner son: Someone selling your house for half price The office would also establish a council of justice department officials, health care professionals and gun violence survivors to help make policy recommendations.Sen. Murphy says doing more to deal with gun violence is cr...

Analytics: Chicago leads U.S. in hours spent in traffic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Even before the three-year construction on the Kennedy Expressway began, Chicago led the nation in time spent in traffic.Chicago is the worst American city when it comes to traffic, according to the mobility analytics firm INRIX. Area commuters lost about 155 hours last year because of traffic. Looking to avoid the Kennedy Expressway construction? Here’s what you should know Thats a 49% increase from 2021, as more people returned to the office for work.Only drivers in London lost more time.

'It's not fair': Some in south Austin upset over new Project Connect options

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When transportation leaders presented Project Connect to voters, it showed a number of different rail lines which connected large sections of Austin. On Tuesday, the plan, revealed by Austin Transit Partnership, showed five scaled-down options instead.At a public meeting, where the new scaled-down plans were presented, some people questioned why some areas of Austin would not be serviced in these new plans. Residents deliver first reviews of Project Connect’s 5 light rail options Jane Parker, who lives in south Austin, said she voted in favor of Project Connect, but now she feels left out. The new plans show two options where the light rail line ends at the intersection of Oltorf Street and South Congress Avenue. Another option shows the rail possibly ending near St. Edwards University."This is not South Austin, this is mid-city to me," Parker said about the Oltorf Street stop. "I understand the budget went out of control, but it seems kind of not totally honest."I...

TikTok sends influencers to Washington as its troubles grow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

By KELVIN CHAN, HALELUYA HADERO and FARNOUSH AMIRI (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok is ramping up a public relations campaign to fend off the possibility of a nationwide ban by the Biden administration, and it’s bringing some unconventional advocates to help: online influencers. Dozens of TikTok creators — some with millions of followers on the video-sharing app — came to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby in favor of the platform, one day before lawmakers are slated to grill the company’s chief executive about concerns over user data falling into the hands of the Chinese government. Shou Zi Chew plans to tell Congress on Thursday that TikTok, which was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence. He will also answer questions from U.S. lawmakers worried about the social media platform’s effects on its young user base. At the ...

Kyle Morell tapped to be new Scandia city administrator

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

A city administrator who has worked in Hinckley, Clara City, Columbia Heights and Inver Grove Heights has a new city to add to his résumé.Kyle Morell, Hinckley’s city administrator and city clerk since 2010, on Tuesday was appointed Scandia’s new city administrator. His first day on the job will be April 17.Before taking the job in Hinckley, population 1,930, Morell served as the city administrator in Clara City. Morell, 42, also previously worked as the administrative assistant for the public works department in Columbia Heights and was an administrative intern in Inver Grove Heights.Making the move to Scandia, which has a population of 4,000 people, “just felt like a good move at this time in my career,” Morell said. “I really like the community. It’s got a very nice feel to it.”During his time in Hinckley, Morell said he helped oversee the construction of a $3 million public safety building and worked to update the city’s street infrastructure and water and sewer infrastructure “...

Quilts for Kids celebrates 10 years with 10,000 quilts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y.(NEWS10) Capital Region's local chapter of Quilts for Kids recognizing a monumental achievement in Rensselaer County.Beautiful things are created one stitch at a time, and the volunteers with Quilts for Kids have stitched together thousands of quilts of comfort over the past 10 years for those who need it most. Fonda-Futonville school district reaches agreement with Mohawk Nation to keep Braves name Karen Casey, president and head seamstress, says Sunday marked a special day for her.“We hit the 10,000 mark in March. My goal was for April 3,” said Casey.10,000 quilts requires a lot of material. In fact, it takes 30,000 yards to do so. Karen Plekan has been volunteering her time for nearly five years.“A great way to bring comfort to the kids knowing that you're putting together a quilt that it's going to help them through their difficult times. You know with the surgery or whatever they're going through, or from homeless. It's a nice feeling,” s...

Fonda-Futonville school district reaches agreement with Mohawk Nation to keep Braves name

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y.(NEWS10) - A Capital Region school district is taking steps to honor the indigenous culture and keep their name.The Fonda-Fultonville Central School District submitted a letter to the Board of Regents March 10 asking to keep their name, the Braves. FBI Albany to host recruiting event for women The letter is a result of an agreement between the district and the Mohawk Nation, and it states in part, “On March 3, the district and Dr. Tom Porter (Chief Sakokwenionkwas), on behalf of the Mohawk Nation entered into an agreement that demonstrates their approval and encouragement to allow the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District to retain the name Braves."The Board of Regents has said that a school district could keep their mascot and logo as long as it's approved by an indigenous tribe recognized by the state. One student we talked to says he is grateful for the idea.  Lark Street’s new donut shop to open Thursday “It's always nice to be known as a Brave. Kn...

Countdown to Cardinals Opening Day continues with slight modifications

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS - More than 44,000 fans are expected to attend the St. Louis Cardinals' opening day, but there are some slight changes to the game this season.The Cardinals will have two fewer home games since they're playing as the home team in London later this summer against the Chicago Cubs. The team typically does about 60 theme nights, and this year is no exception, with added experiences and things to take home.“Some of our old favorites are back, like Star Wars night and Grateful Dead night, and Margaritaville night, Blues night, and St. Louis CITY SC night,” said Bethany White, manager of theme tickets for the St. Louis Cardinals. “We do have some new ones like Yellowstone or Harry Potter, and there’s Emo night from the 2000s that will be a fun one.” Person of interest wanted for killing two people in Troy, Missouri Three new food options are available at Mission Taco Joint, Shaquille O'Neal's restaurant Big Chicken, and Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers will be at the B...

How Denver mayor candidates reacted to East High shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

Gun violence in and around schools has emerged as one of the most pressing issues in Denver’s crowded mayor’s race.On Wednesday, a 17-year-old student was suspected of shooting two administrators at the city’s East High School, critically wounding one. The shooting comes just weeks after East High student Luis Garcia, 16, died from injuries he sustained after being shot in his car near the school’s campus on Feb. 13.In the wake of the second shooting, Denver mayoral candidates took to social media to respond to the violence that has left students at East fearful to be on campus.Lisa Calderón’s background includes work as a college professor and a long history of criminal justice reform advocacy. On Wednesday, she called for stricter gun control and more mental health resources on school campuses as a response to the violence. East students marched from the school to the Colorado Capitol earlier this month to urge state lawmakers to pass gun control legi...

Charges filed in two separate shootings, one fatal, in Adams County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:38 GMT

An 18-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in a Westminster shooting, and two teens are charged with attempted murder for their roles in a shooting near schools in Brighton.Fatal Westminster shootingDaniel Medrano is charged with murder for the shooting death of an 18-year-old victim in Carol Butts Park in Westminster, the Adams County District Attorney’s Office said in a Wednesday news release. The shooting happened on March 16. Medrano next court hearing is scheduled on April 20.Shooting near Brighton schoolsRelated ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | “You Must Remember This,” and other mystery books for March Crime and Public Safety | Aurora dentist searched “how to make poison,” bought arsenic and cyanide before wife’s death, affidavit says Crime and Public Safety | Trial begins for Colorado Springs stepmom accused of killing 11-year-old Gannon Stauch, dumping body in Florida Crime and Publ...