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Continued staffing challenges pose security risk at TDCJ, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is still operating at "critical staffing levels" due to ongoing hiring and retention issues, according to TDCJ's September self-evaluation report submitted to the Sunset Advisory Commission in preparation for next year's review cycle during the 89th Legislative Session. TDCJ told KXAN progress has been made in recent months, but staffing continues to be one of its top priorities. RELATED: Chronically understaffed Texas prisons set stage for prison bus escape and massacre of family "Continued low staffing levels present greater security risks for those working within the facilities and, in turn, for the public," the report states.As TDCJ works towards addressing its consistent staffing shortages and high turnover rate, the self-evaluation report projects Texas' inmate population will continue increasing during the next several years. According to the report, TDCJ's inmate population had grown to 125,000 in December 2022, an ...

Airline announces plans to suspend route between Austin and London

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An airline announced Friday morning it plans to suspend its route that connects the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the London Heathrow airport early next year. Virgin Atlantic, a British airline, said in a release it plans to suspend services between London and Austin following a "persistent softening in corporate demand, specifically the tech sector." Jan 2022: Virgin Atlantic starts flying to and from AUS in May 2022 The last services to Austin will operate on January 7, 2024, and the airline’s teams will be in contact with affected customers due to fly after this date to provide options, which include offering a full refund, according to the release. The airline's route between Austin and London has been operating since May 2022. Juha Jarvinen, the chief commercial officer for Virgin Atlantic said, “we’ve adored flying our customers to Austin and experiencing this wonderful city of music and culture, but demand in the Tech sector is not set...

City of Austin, APH, Austin ISD to host health fair Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin, Austin Public Health and the Austin Independent School District will hold a health fair Saturday. The Fiesta de Salud Health Fair lasts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Palm Elementary School on 7601 Dixie Dr.   The city said the fair will feature live music and entertainment, community resources, health screenings and immunizations for children and adults.   APH could soon test wastewater for influenza, RSV indicators “A good first step to being healthy is staying up to date on your vaccines and knowing your numbers – blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup in a statement to KXAN. “This free event can encourage our friends and family to get their shots and screenings to help improve their health, all while enjoying some fun.”  Last year, the city said 168 people got 131 vaccines, 87 eye exams and 59 health screenings. Fiesta de Salud is free and open to all, regardless...

5 things to know this Friday, October 27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie, after tying highs throughout the Capital Region yesterday, we expect to do it once again! We expect to tie the records in Albany (79°) and Glens Falls (75°). With a forecast high of 74°, Bennington will likely set a new record as well. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The bodies that were found in northern Vermont have been identified as two men from Massachusetts who had been reported missing. The Vermont medical examiner said the autopsies revealed both men were shot multiple times in the head. Also, a motorcyclist was killed after crashing into a car in Loudonville Wednesday evening. The crash took place just before 7:20 p.m. on Old Niskayuna Road. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Bodies of two missing Mass. men found shot to death in VTThe bodies that were found in northern V...

Schenectady woman arrested in fraud check investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady woman was arrested and is accused of going into multiple banks and cashing checks belonging to victims across the Capital District. The Albany County Sheriff's Office says Elizabeth Dolder, 50, was arrested as part of a larger fraudulent check investigation. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Deputies say Dolder was in possession of two fraudulent personal checks and a fraudulent out-of-state license on Thursday, October 19. She is accused of going into multiple banks and cashing checks that belonged to victims across the Capital District. Deputies say Dolder is part of a larger investigation which includes individuals stealing checks from residential mailboxes throughout the Capital Region. Those involved would reportedly wash the checks and enter fake information, intending to cash the checks and defraud the victims. Albany man arrested in bank robbery Charges:Second-degree criminal poss...

Armed robbery leads to officer-involved shooting, police investigating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - There are at least two police scenes right now in the metro east and the situations could be connected. One of the scenes is in Sauget; the other is in East St. Louis.The Illinois State and Sauget Police departments are still responding to the scene at 27th and Ridge in East St. Louis. The black Acura that was involved in the armed robbery has since been located. The incident started at around 2:30 a.m. with a male victim who was robbed at an ATM outside a 'MotoMart' on Route 3 in Sauget. Illinois State Police revealed that the four suspects stole several items from the victim, including a gun. After the robbery, information about the suspects and car involved was shared through departments. Sex offender charged after being found with missing North Carolina girl The chase began after Sauget officers seized the vehicle on Route 3. The chase lasted at least three minutes before ending at 27th and Ridge.After the chase, two of the four suspects pointed guns at...

Flag setup today for World War II 'POW' funeral

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - Volunteers are needed to set up 600 American flags along North Illinois Street in Fairview Heights.It's for the visitation and funeral of U.S. Army Corporal James Hurt, a World War II soldier who died in a Japanese prisoner of war or 'POW' camp and whose remains were recently identified. Volunteers will meet at Lake View Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 12:30 Friday afternoon. Sex offender charged after being found with missing North Carolina girl Visitation for corporal hurt is Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and a funeral service is at 2:00 p.m. Volunteers will also be needed Sunday at 12:30 p.m. to remove the flags.

'Old Town Donuts' Florissant location shut down for roach infestation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A St. Louis County health inspector has temporarily shut down 'Old Town Donuts' Florissant location because of a roach infestation.According to FOX 2's partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, that order was given Wednesday after multiple dead and live roaches were found in the kitchen. St. Louis man admits to selling hundreds of fake temp tags A spokesman for the store says the shop is undergoing deep cleaning and will contact the Department of Health for a re-inspection.

Disability rights group advocates urge audit of St. Louis County Metro operations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A disability rights group wants the St. Louis County Council to audit the region's bus and train operations.The 'STL Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit' asked council members to require bi-state development to set aside $300,000 of its $128 million proposed budget next year. The group wants the agency to hire a consulting firm to improve service for the 325,000 people in the region with disabilities. Sex offender charged after being found with missing North Carolina girl Bi-state cut routes to its Call-A-Ride service in April, saying they have a driver shortage. The county council says it will consider the budget request in the coming weeks.

Owners of large SUVs and trucks in Colorado could pay more to fund pedestrian safety measures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:48 GMT

Drivers in Colorado’s most populated counties would pay more to register larger cars and trucks under a plan advanced by state legislators earlier this month, as policymakers look to blunt a recent surge in pedestrian and cyclist deaths.The new fees would go toward projects that make roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, charging the owners of larger vehicles because their heft increases the risk of injury or death.The bill, which is being prepared for potential consideration during the state legislative session early next year, would increase vehicle registration fees in Colorado’s 12 most populous counties for cars, sport utility vehicles and trucks that weigh at least 3,500 pounds. Nearly all of those counties are located along the Front Range, from Fort Collins in the north through metro Denver and Colorado Springs to Pueblo.The new fees would raise roughly $20 million annually, state analysts say. The state would dole out grants to local governments in larger ...