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LIVE: Abbott to sign Texas bill allowing fentanyl deaths to be prosecuted as murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new Texas law will up the criminal penalties for fentanyl distribution, including allowing prosecutors to seek a murder charge in connection with fentanyl-related deaths. The bill, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature, would increase criminal penalties for selling and distributing fentanyl. House Bill 6 also allows prosecutors seek a murder charge for a person who manufactures or delivers fentanyl when someone dies as a result of the controlled substance. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Harm reduction group clashes with Texas lawmakers over fentanyl legislation Abbott said Tuesday on Twitter that he will "soon" sign the legislation. When signed, it would go into effect Sept. 1."Fentanyl poisoning robs families of their loved ones," he wrote on Twitter. "I made fighting the fentanyl crisis an emergency item for the regular legislative session."A case of a fentanyl-related murder charge has already happened in Central Texas. In May, an 18-year-old was charged with murder...

Tips: Keeping your pets cool during hot Texas summers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The intense summer heat doesn't just affect you — your pets are at risk as well. Just like humans, pets can succumb to heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips to keep these members of your family safe and cool. Before the heatThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends taking your pet for a vet checkup in spring or early summer and getting tested for heartworm. Power out? No A/C? Here’s how to survive in the Texas heat Being or exercising outsideThe Humane Society said pets are affected by humidity. If the humidity is too high, they won't be able to cool themselves properly. For dogs, their temperature shouldn't surpass 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Humane Society also recommends limiting pet exercise on hot days, whether it's lowering the time spent exercising or the intensity of the exercise. You can also keep exercising in the early morning or evening hours. Yikes! It is hot outside – Here’s how to keep your A/C working all season H...

Texas removed mandatory vehicle safety inspections. Do I still need an emissions test?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Tuesday that would eliminate mandatory vehicle inspections in Texas once it takes effect in 2025. ICYMI: Gov. Abbott signs bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections in Texas Under current state law, most vehicles statewide are required to undergo annual vehicle safety inspections. Come 2025, that yearly inspection would be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee -- the same as the current inspection fee, but without the added need of taking your vehicle to the shop.While this legislation will remove the necessity for an annual safety inspection, there are still several counties statewide that mandate yearly emissions testing. Currently, 17 counties -- regions primarily surrounding metro areas or with highly concentrated populations -- require those emissions inspections:BrazoriaCollinDallasDentonEl PasoEllisFort BendGalvestonHarrisJohnsonKaufmanMontgomeryParkerRockwallTarrantTravis WilliamsonHowever, some vehicles are exempt fr...

Amber Alert issued for 14-year-old Texas girl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

PRINCETON, Texas (KETK) - An amber alert was issued for 14-year-old Ja'Myra Strawder out of Princeton. ERCOT warns Texas could reach all-time peak electric demand later this week She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants with a white stripe and black house shoes. According to Texas DPS, she is 5'7", 140 pounds and has black hair.The alert said that the suspect is Lee Carter III, 34. DPS said he is 6 feet tall and 203 pounds. Carter is reportedly driving a black 2014 Mercedes E35 with license plate number RNS-2973. Anyone with information on Strawder's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Princeton Police Department at 972-736-3901.amber_alert-1-1Download

J.J. Watt to be inducted into Houston Texans Ring of Honor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — One of the greatest players in the brief history of the Houston Texans will be honored during the 2023 season as J.J. Watt will be inducted into the team’s ring of honor in October, the team announced recently.Watt, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, will join his former teammate Andre Johnson and late owner Bob McNair in the Ring of Honor on Sunday, Oct. 1, when the Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers. His brother, T.J. Watt, is a key player on the Steelers' defense. Watt became one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL in the 2010s with 101 career sacks with the Texans, a franchise record and the second most in the league in that span of time. He also had 172 tackles for loss, the most in the NFL since they became an official statistic.That allowed Watt to become a three-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012, 2014 and 2015, along with five Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro picks.Watt was the No. 11 pi...

Wolves that nearly died out from inbreeding recovered, now helping Isle Royale’s ecosystem

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Gray wolves are thriving at Isle Royale National Park five years after authorities began a last-ditch attempt to prevent the species from dying out on the Lake Superior island chain, scientists said Wednesday.Meanwhile, the park’s moose population continues a sharp but needed decline. Overpopulation of the lumbering mammals were causing their own starvation as they outstripped available balsam fir trees — their primary food during long, snowbound winters, Michigan Technological University biologists said.The trends appear to justify federal officials’ 2018 decision to airlift mainland wolves to Isle Royale, the researchers said, arguing that the predators’ return is helping rebalance an ecosystem knocked off-kilter as their number dropped to just two.The scientists’ annual report, based largely on aerial observations last winter, estimated the rebuilt population at 31 wolves— up from 28 last year. It said the wolves appeared to be ...

Cottage Grove to hold Strawberry Fest Thursday-Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

Cottage Grove’s Strawberry Fest will be from Thursday through Sunday in the city’s Kingston Park.The carnival will be open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at 80th St  and Jamaica Ave. going north on Jamaica and east on Indian Blvd. ending at Cottage Grove Middle School.Fireworks will be at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.Live music will include Coconut Tiger 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Rhino 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Ladies of the 80’s 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the Tim Sigler Band 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.There will also be tournaments, competitions and contests for softball, strawberry pie eating, top chef, medallion hunt and doggie dash. More information can be found at cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com.Related ArticlesThings to Do | Afton: Belwin’s new nature trails open Thursday Things to Do | Duluth could be home to first public fl...

Albany man arrested for stealing from Quail Street Store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday morning, Albany Police responded to 212 Marketplace for reports of theft. The victim told police a male frequents the store and steals items and that he had stolen beer that morning. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! While police were talking with the victim, the suspect entered the store again and attempted to steal beer. Police identified the suspect as Zacharry Patnode, 36, of Albany, and charged him with petit larceny.Police learned Patnode had an arrest warrant issued by the Albany City Criminal Court for stealing from Lark Central on October 26, 2022. In addition to the arrest warrant, a bench warrant was also issued after Patnode failed to appear in court on a previous grand larceny arrest in Albany.Patnode was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court. He was sent to the Albany County Jail with bail set at $5,000.

Gloversville Food Truck Fridays return on June 16

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Food Truck Fridays are back! On June 16, stop by Castiglione Park at 47 N. Main Street for live music and plenty of food options! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Vendors this week include A&S Spice on Wheels, Buena Comida, Jammin Juice Barn, Park Side Hot Dogs, and Teddy's Gyros. Michelle King will perform during the lunch hour.Food Truck Fridays run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Future dates are July 7 and 21 and August 4 and 18.

St. Louis metro leaders plan key trip to London around Cardinals series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals aren't the only ones who will make a pitch in London this summer. A group of business and civic leaders from the St. Louis metro will precede them next week. A delegation led by organizations Greater St. Louis, Inc., Explore St. Louis, and World Trade Center St. Louis will travel overseas soon in hopes to strengthen London's ties with St. Louis. Next week, the group will meet business reps from other industry sectors considered a priority in the St. Louis region's long-term jobs plan. That includes top officials in agricultural technology, geospatial technology and advanced manufacturing. Family of St. Louis soldier mourns loss after hit-and-run in Texas “To grow the St. Louis metro, we need to be proactive, and we need to pitch ourselves on the global stage,” said Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Our business and civic leadership is working together, going to global markets and speaking directly to international businesses about why...