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President Biden meets with families of hostages held in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Families of Israeli-Americans taken hostage by Hamas joined the president at the White House Wednesday, more than two months after the conflict began. They say they're praying the administration's efforts pay off."We’d love a Christmas miracle,” one family member said. “We would love all of our loved ones to come back and be with us."NSC Coordinator For Strategic Communications John Kirby said, “The President was very grateful for the time that they afforded him, and he harbors that hope too.”The White House says it's pushing for more pauses in the fighting to bring all eight remaining Americans home, but says a broader ceasefire is not the answer."As the president has said, Hamas could release the hostages today and lay down their arms and the war would stop immediately” Kirby continued. “That they haven't done it, I think speaks volumes."But as the death toll inside Gaza continues to rise, the President is also warning Israel they're starting to lose support...

Hunter Biden dodges deposition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, defied an order by congressional investigators to testify behind closed doors about his business dealings. Republicans on the committee subpoenaed Hunter Biden as part of their impeachment inquiry into President Biden. At the time of his scheduled closed-door deposition Hunter Biden arrived on Capitol Hill but never went inside. “I'm here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committees’ legitimate questions,” he said. Hunter slammed the investigation into his father and said he only wants to testify publicly. “Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics. What are they afraid of? I'm here. I'm ready.” The two republicans leading the investigation Kentucky Congressman James Comer and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan responded with threats of holding Hunter in contempt of Congress. “We think he should come in. And if he doesn’t, we are goi...

White House hosts state lawmakers to brainstorm gun violence prevention ideas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Wednesday, the White House hosted nearly 100 state lawmakers from around the country to come up with solutions to help reduce gun violence.Vice President Kamala Harris led the meeting and spoke to state lawmakers."We are fighting just for what is reasonable and of course what is right." Harris is calling on states to create state offices of gun violence prevention, enhance background checks and strengthen support for survivors and victims of gun violence."I am absolutely in favor of the Second Amendment, and I am also in favor of an assault weapons ban, a universal background check," she added.Lawmakers from 39 states attended the gathering, including Tennessee state representative Raumesh Akbari, where earlier this year a gunman opened fire at a school in Nashville killing six people."Unfortunately, my state did not make any changes to the laws after the shooting at Covenant," Akbari said.Wisconsin state representative Sheila Stubbs says she is pushing ...

Friday brings another round of rain, but storm track shifting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Damp, chilly weather Wednesday did not add up to much in the backyard rain gauge with only 0.01" to 0.30" in most areas.This first round of rain is now largely over, although an isolated shower cannot be ruled out overnight or during a mostly cloudy day Thursday.Next round of rain on FridayA powerful low pressure system approaching from the Four Corners region is going to a second round of showers and a few thunderstorms locally on Friday. With that said, the storm system has shifted its track a bit farther north in our latest outlooks, decreasing our rainfall projections locally.Rain is most likely in the Austin area between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, though not everyone will see heavy rain.Rainfall amounts will likely remain under 1" areawide now, and in some areas, may be much lower.Stay with the First Warning Weather team for further updates as the system approaches. Sunshine, windy weather and cooler temperatures blow in this weekend. Winter Weather Outlook: Wh...

Project Connect expected to wrap initial light rail environmental review next fall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Project Connect leaders outlined the next year of project development as the program's light rail system progresses through federal processes and review.Greg Canally, Austin Transit Partnership's executive director, said during a board meeting Wednesday the organization is continuing work on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the initial phase of light rail. That process is a comprehensive environmental review of the planned work and is required for any project that incorporates federal funding.For Project Connect’s light rail plan, the NEPA process will evaluate all the potential impacts due to both the construction and operations of the light rail, as well as ways to try and mitigate said impacts. Analysis areas include effects on biological and natural resources, neighborhoods, and socio-economic impacts as well as both cultural and historical ones.Jennifer Pyne, ATP's executive vice president of planning, community and federal...

79 DPS troopers graduate from final academy of the year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Last week, 79 new Texas Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the final Texas Department of Public Safety Academy of 2023, DPS said in a news release.The ceremony was held at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick giving the keynote address.“It is always a great honor to speak at the Trooper Academy Graduation,” Patrick said. “I have done so several times in the past. These men and women are joining what I believe is the best state police in the country. We owe them so much for what they do for us every day. As Lt. Governor, I have consistently pledged my unwavering support to the brave Texans in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to protect our great state. The Department of Public Safety is essential in maintaining the safety and security of our communities, and I am proud to stand with them in their commitment to upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of every Texan.”According to DPS, each of the recruits in Clas...

With eye on affordable housing, St. Paul City Council approves TIF districts for The Heights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

Convening as the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday gave initial approval to three tax increment financing districts at The Heights, the development to be constructed on the 112-acre site of the former Hillcrest Country Club.The TIF districts are intended to effectively free up property tax dollars that would otherwise flow into the city’s general fund, allowing them to be used instead on site to support affordable housing.“It’s really been incredible to have so many champions championing the Heights,” said Council Member Nelsie Yang. She noted the sprawling development is being assembled as both a carbon-neutral living community and a hub of future employment for local residents.“It’s going to take a lot for us to achieve the different goals we have toward affordable housing, especially deeply affordable housing … for all families, across all income levels,” Yang said.The JO Companies,...

Will Bunch: Liz Magill’s ouster at Penn will help the worst people take down free speech, higher ed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

A band of raiders never stops at just one scalp. Just minutes after the University of Pennsylvania’s president Liz Magill pulled the plug on her stormy 17-month tenure, under intense pressure for her handling of antisemitism questions on Capitol Hill, her chief inquisitor — GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York — was back on the battlefield calling for more.“One down. Two to go,” a clearly ebullient Stefanik posted on X/Twitter, urging on her dream of an academic Saturday Night Massacre that would also take down the two college leaders who testified last week along with Magill — MIT’s Sally Kornbluth and Claudine Gay of Harvard, which, in a controversy with more ironies than a Jane Austen novel, happens to be Stefanik’s alma mater.But what Stefanik promised on Saturday night, and what her allies are cheering on, goes well beyond a few high-profile resignations. She promised the current crisis — over what constitutes antisemitism on...

Mask mandates going into effect at NY hospitals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It's that time of year again. The holiday season is also cold and flu season. Officials in Warren County are taking precautions to fight some of the common illnesses during this period. Ginelle Jones Public Health Director for Warren County says don’t count COVID out yet. “As a community, we've kind of put COVID on the back burner, and it's not kind of a significant, but I can still cause a significant illness" Jones told NEWS10. The health official says there are currently 16 cases of COVID-19 reported to the county. "We are seeing illness severe enough to have people in the hospital, so my general recommendation is definitely to vaccinate,” Jones advised. It’s not just COVID. RSV and the flu which have similar symptoms are also spreading — so much so that The New York State Department of Health ordered unvaccinated healthcare workers to wear a mask in certain settings.Glens Falls Hospital took it one step further, requiring everyone visiting the facili...

LoHi sushi spot files for bankruptcy as owners battle in court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:37:20 GMT

Despite its penchant for raw food in the kitchen, Sushi Ronin is burning money in the courtroom.The LoHi sushi joint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, nearly three years into a nasty legal battle between the business’ majority owner and initial investor, where each alleges misconduct and blames the other for the restaurant’s failure to ever turn a profit.“At this point, this lawsuit is just very, very vindictive,” said Alex Gurevich, Sushi Ronin’s majority owner.Chapter 11 bankruptcies are meant to allow a business to restructure and keep operating while paying creditors over time. But due to the restaurant’s steep debts — of which about $200,000 are lawsuit-related — Gurevich, who has an accounting degree from CU, said that closing and liquidating through Chapter 7 is not off the table.“The legal fees have exhausted this restaurant,” he said.Sushi Ronin has operated at 2930 Umatilla St. since 2016. But sales have been dropping in recent years. The restaur...