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LIVE: Gov. Abbott expected to counter Patrick on property tax proposals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott is set to deliver remarks Friday afternoon at a post-session fireside chat with a conservative think tank, following a public clash this week with the lieutenant governor over differing property tax proposals. On Tuesday the Texas Public Policy Foundation hosted Patrick for a similar event, where he gave a boisterous speech slamming House Speaker Dade Phelan and promising to "not back down" from the Senate's plan for property tax relief. Who will win from proposed Texas property tax relief plans? The Texas Legislature, which finished its regular session Monday, already set aside $17.6 billion from the state's budget to give Texans property tax relief. However, ideological differences between the two chambers about how to deliver that stalled lawmakers Monday from adjourning. They inevitably gaveled out sine die, or indefinitely, without a deal. Hours later, Abbott called them back for a first special session with demands for lawmakers to strike ...

Construction begins for Segment 2 of Samsung Highway in Williamson County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Friday, officials held a groundbreaking event for Segment 2 of the Samsung Highway in Williamson County.“The roadway project will connect FM 3349 to CR 404 by constructing a four-lane road that will reduce curves on CR 404 and increase safety and mobility,” county officials said.The Samsung Highway, which is being built in segments, should be fully completed by late 2024. Segment 1, which will connect CR 404 to FM 973, is expected to be completed in fall 2023, according to the county.“The construction cost for Segment 2 is approximately $5.13 million and is funded by the 2019 voter-approved Williamson County Road Bond Program,” county officials said.Officials break ground on Segment 2 of the Samsung Highway (KXAN photo/Christian Marcelli)Officials break ground on Segment 2 of the Samsung Highway (KXAN photo/Christian Marcelli)Officials break ground on Segment 2 of the Samsung Highway (KXAN photo/Christian Marcelli)Officials break ground...

Cretin-Derham Hall hires former state title-winning Tara Seifert to lead girls basketball program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

State championship-winning coach Tara Seifert is the new Cretin-Derham Hall girls basketball coach, the St. Paul school announced Friday.Seifert led Chaska to an 18-0 season capped by a Class 4A title in the truncated 2020-21 season. The Hawks went 112-19 over the last five seasons under Seifert’s guidance, including a 27-2 mark last winter.Seifert, who played college basketball at Iowa State from 1993-97, stepped down from her post at Chaska in April. She will also serve as Cretin-Derham Hall’s assistant athletics director, overseeing girls athletics and student-athlete welfare and development.“Coach Seifert brings a championship pedigree to CDH and we are excited to watch her take this program to the next level,” Raiders athletic director Matt Funk said in a release. “Off the court, Coach Seifert will be focused on developing the total student-athlete with a particular focus on our female athletes and coaches.”The Raiders went 11-17 last winter, and haven&#...

Source: 3M in $10B PFAS settlement on eve of lawsuit trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

3M Co. struck a tentative settlement of at least $10 billion with a host of U.S. cities and towns to resolve water pollution claims tied to “forever chemicals” the company made for decades, according to people familiar with the proposed pact.Maplewood-based 3M, the largest maker of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, is weighing the deal to avoid facing its first federal court trial over the waterproofing agent, set to start Monday in Charleston, S.C., the people said. They asked not to be named discussing the matter because it is private.The company’s shares jumped as much as 11% in early trading following the news, with trading volume more than double the daily average. The shares had been down 21% this year through Thursday’s close.“We don’t comment on rumors or speculation,” 3M spokesman Sean Lynch said in a statement.The potential deal, which would require board approval, would be on the heels of a $1.185 billion PFAS settlement announced Friday by chemical makers DuPo...

New director named for Dakota County nonprofit Neighbors Inc.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

South St. Paul nonprofit Neighbors Inc. announced a new executive director who has 23 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.Dawn Wambeke, who previously worked as the executive director for Advance Opportunities, a nonprofit organization that provides employment and training for adults with developmental disabilities, will officially join Neighbors as the new executive director on June 12, according to a company news release.Dawn Wambeke (Courtesy of Neighbors Inc.)“I am greatly looking forward to getting to know the staff, volunteers and community to work together collaboratively to build upon the incredible foundation that Neighbors and its supporters have established over the past 51 years,” said Wambeke in the release.Established in 1972, Neighbors Inc. provides access to food, clothing and financial empowerment for community members across northern Dakota County including Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and Lilydale.Wambek...

Police investigate fatal motorcycle crash in Kingsbury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

KINGSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash on State Route 149 Thursday evening. Responding officers located a single motorcycle down an embankment. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The operator was transported to the Glens Falls Hospital, where they succumbed to injuries. Preliminary investigations determined the motorcycle rounded a bend when the operator lost control. They went off the road and the operator was thrown from the bike.Part of the roadway was closed as the accident was being investigated. The operator's identity is being withheld pending notification of the family.

Controversial drag event canceled in Lake Luzerne

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

LAKE LUZERNE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A drag performer-led storytime hour postponed in April will not be rescheduled, according to a small local library that has dealt with controversy and backlash from its community. On Friday, Rockwell Falls Public Library announced on its website that the story hour, which originally would have invited an area drag performer to read to children at the library, will no longer be taking place. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Rockwell Falls Public Library is unable to reschedule the Drag Queen Story Hour," the library wrote on its website in a banner that also included information on other community events. The library board chose to postpone the story hour in April, with a targeted decision date of the end of May.The planned story hour was set to welcome drag performer Scarlet Sagamore, previously of Albany, to the library. Sagamore's event would have consisted of reading children three short boo...

Kids Arts Festival returning to Schenectady

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Kids Arts Festival is returning to Schenectady for its 29th year. The event is being held on Saturday, June 3. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event will take place along the Jay Street pedestrian walkway and in the area around City Hall. There will be all kinds of activities, including face painting, necklace making, a scavenger hunt, instrument making, a petting zoo, a fashion show, and tons more. Kids will have the chance to help create a community weaving project and interact with a selfie station that will be used for the Schenectady County SummerNight on July 14. There will be several live performances as well, from acts such as Be the Best You Can Band, DJ HollyW8D, Harlem Big Steppers, and Schenectady City Schools music students. Arrested Development to headline Schenectady County SummerNight “The highlight of this festival is always the chance for kids of any age to interac...

PrimoHoagies to open first Capital Region shop in Latham

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- PrimoHoagies, a gourmet Italian specialty sandwich chain, is set to open its first Capital Region shop in Latham. The shop will be located at 1210 Troy Schenectady Road in the Plaza 7 Commons. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, they helped PrimoHoagies secure this location. The company is also continuing to help the hoagie chain find spots around Albany, Saratoga, and Rensselaer Counties.“Primo Hoagies is an exciting new concept to the Capital District, and this is a great first location to showcase what they have to offer. We are excited for more locations to follow that will serve customers throughout the region,” said Coldwell Banker agent Ryan Mortka. Motor Oil Coffee opening new location in Albany In September 2022, PrimoHoagies announced that it would be expanding into the Capital Region. The company said it signed a deal to open 10 new ...

BPD: Man makes false statement in Delmar fire case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:57 GMT

DELMAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Delmar man was arrested on Friday for allegedly providing false information in a written statement during an investigation into the structure fire at Equinox Court in Delmar. Juan Miranda, 35, is charged with making a false written statement to police. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Bethlehem Police say an investigation into the fire revealed Miranda was smoking a marijuana cigarette in the courtyard near buildings number nine and number 11 at Equinox Court, resulting in the ignition of dried lawn debris. Due to the dry conditions, the fire spread rapidly, causing both buildings to become fully involved.Miranda was processed and released on an appearance ticket to return to the Town of Bethlehem Court on June 20 at 4 p.m.