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Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) – After a mass shooting killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, a school district four hours away in Jarrell started the process of getting shatterproof film on the windows of its high school.The invoice, according to the superintendent, was $50,000. Jarrell Middle School campus (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)With the passage of the state’s latest school safety bill, House Bill 3, lawmakers handed districts new requirements to place one armed officer on every school campus and bring campuses up to new safety standards. But some districts KXAN spoke with are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect Sept. 1. “Everybody recognizes safety for our children is the number one priority. We all say it — but to prove that, the dollars have to follow,” Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. The price of safetyThe original bill authored by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, ...

Plum Hopper fire in Caldwell County 100% contained

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A fire in Caldwell County is now 100% contained after approximately 200 acres burned, according to an update from the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office initially posted about the fire, called the Plum Hopper Fire, on social media Wednesday afternoon, saying it was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Dickerson Road.The fire burned 200 acres and is now 100% contained, per an update from the Forest Service at 2:08 a.m. Thursday. Common wildfire terms and what they mean, per the Texas A&M Forest Service A 7:46 a.m. update from CCSO on social media said the fire was not controlled, meaning firefighters hadn't yet completely extinguished the fire. Caldwell County fire crews were on the scene overnight and didn't report any flare-ups, according to the post. The sheriff's office said one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion overnight.

City of Georgetown buys space for future park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Georgetown said Wednesday it acquired 35 acres of parkland near the intersection of SE Inner Loop and Southwestern Boulevard. It said the land will go towards a future park on the southeast side of the city that was identified as a priority in both the 2009 and 2022 Parks Master plans.The city purchased the land for $6 million with money from several funding sources, the city said. The money came from a 2008 bond, parkland dedication fees and a donation from the Friends of Georgetown Parks via proceeds from Two Step Inn.Development of the park is several years out and the agreement allows the sellers a seven-year leaseback, according to the city. The city said that will give it the time to develop a park master plan, which will include input from the public on possible amenities and features for the new park, and to develop a plan to fund the improvements.“Creating a park on the southeast side of Georgetown has been a community and City priorit...

Gov. Hochul to make transportation announcement in Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Governor Kathy Hochul will be making a transportation announcement from the Albany International Airport Observation Deck on Thursday. The announcement is slated to begin at 10 a.m.

Stewart's brings back ice cream to honor Funny Cide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Stewart's Shops is bringing back a former ice cream flavor from 20 years ago to honor Funny Cide, the champion racehorse who passed away in July. "Funny Cide Pride" will be available at select shops in Saratoga County for a limited time. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Funny Cide was the winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was the first horse bred in New York to win the Kentucky Derby and was only the 30th horse in history to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown.The racehorse, who used to run for Sackatoga Stable, retired in 2008 to Kentucky Horse Park. He passed away at 23 years old on July 16 from complications with colic. Renowned champion racehorse Funny Cide passes away “Funny Cide Pride is a sweet nod to the amazing racehorse, Funny Cide, and a flavor that was a big hit among his fans 20 years ago," said Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops. "He was such...

KTVI celebrates 70 years today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's time to celebrate. KTVI turns 70 years old Thursday.The station went on the air on August 10, 1953. At the time, the station was WTVI Channel 54 in Belleville, Illinois.A few years later, the station moved to St. Louis and eventually became KTVI, Channel 2. The 'I' still stands for Illinois. Scammers pose as utility workers to rob Belleville residents Back in 1959, a huge tornado toppled the old transmitting tower, and over the years, the station was bought and sold several times. In 1995, the station switched from ABC to FOX.

Ecuador declares state of emergency after assassination of anti-corruption presidential candidate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

By GONZALO SOLANO and REGINA GARCIA-CANO (Associated Press)QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The gang-driven violence afflicting Ecuador over the last two years reached an unprecedented level when a presidential candidate known for speaking up against drug cartels and corruption was shot and killed at a political rally in the South American country’s capital.The assassination of Fernando Villavicencio in Quito happened Wednesday, less than two weeks before a special presidential election. He was not a frontrunner, but his killing, which President Guillermo Lasso suggested could be linked to organized crime, furthered a crisis that has already claimed thousands of lives and underscored the deep challenge that the country’s next leader will face.Lasso declared three days of national mourning and a state of emergency that involves additional military personnel deployed throughout the country. “Given the loss of a democrat and a fighter, the elections are not suspended; on t...

Denver weather: Mostly sunny with light breeze and possible late afternoon thunderstorms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

Mostly sunny blue skies with moderate heat and light breezes across metro Denver on Thursday may lead to afternoon thunderstorms bringing lightning and hail, according to the National Weather Service.High-elevation storms forming over the mountains and valleys west of Denver in the early afternoon will be isolated as they spread eastward across Colorado’s Front Range urban corridor, mostly after 5 p.m., weather service meteorologists said, estimating the likelihood of rain at 20%.  These storms, if they hit, may bring bursts of wind at speeds as fast as 50 miles per hour and small hail, forecasters said.In the mountains northwest of Denver, storms could cause flash flooding over the forest burn scars from the 2020 Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires northwest of the city.The high temperature in Denver on Thursday will be 90 degrees, decreasing to 62 degrees at night, forecasters said. On Friday, the high temperature is expected to be 90 degrees.Around Colorado, temperature...

How to help victims of Hawaii wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

The fast-moving wildfires in Hawaii have killed at least 36 people and left hundreds of buildings, including homes, damaged.The devastation stretches across three islands, partially fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora.If you're looking to help those impacted, here are a few options:Hawaii Gov. Josh Green's office suggested donors give to the Hawaii Community Foundation and its Maui Strong Fund.The American Red Cross is also "providing shelter and comfort to those affected by the massive fires."The Salvation Army is providing food and support for those affected.The Maui Food Bank is accepting donations, as each dollar received can buy four meals for those in need. The Maui Mutual Aid Fund is accepting donations to help families, elderly residents, people with disabilities and those with limited or no insurance. Aloha United Way's Maui Relief Fund will help victims of the fire.Click here to donate to multiple nonprofits at once.

Suspects arrested in hit-and-run death of 20-year-old musician in South Los Angeles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:17 GMT

Two suspects in last month's street-racing crash that killed a 20-year-old musician as she was leaving a show in the Historic South-Central neighborhood of South Los Angeles have been arrested, police confirmed Thursday. The crash took place on July 21 near the intersection of West 33rd Street and South Hill Street, where a group of people were leaving a rock show during intermission.Police investigate a deadly hit-and-run crash in South Los Angeles on July 21, 2023. (ANG News)A Jaguar and a Challenger were racing through the area when the driver of the Jaguar struck a pedestrian, killing her instantly, Los Angeles Police Department Detective DeHesa said. The pedestrian, identified by family members as Anna Michelle Solis, was leaving her gig and walking to her car with a guitar and an amp when she was hit crossing the street, DeHesa said. Family remembers 3 victims of deadly plane crash in San Bernardino County Lazaro Sandoval was also crossing the street and said he saw the driv...