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Lawmakers pass business incentive law, critics say it hurts schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Within the final hours of the regular legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed a measure designed to attract businesses to Texas and create high-paying jobs.The Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act gives tax breaks to businesses, but opponents say it's on the backs of the state's students. Gov. Abbott calls special session to address property taxes, border security; more sessions coming Texas' previous economic development plan, known as Chapter 313, expired in 2022.The new law, which was House Bill 5, replaces it. Like its predecessor, it gives businesses and corporations discounts on school property tax as an incentive to come to the Lone Star State.Business community members and chambers of commerce across the state widely support the measure.Earlier in the legislative session, Steve Ahlenius, president of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce told the House Ways and Means Committee, “Without HB 5, we are at a competitive disadvantage.”In tha...

Dozens of east metro projects to benefit from $2.5B in state construction funds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

Bipartisan infrastructure bills approved by the Minnesota Legislature in the final hours of the legislative session last week include dozens of east metro projects. The overall legislation combines $1.5 billion in state borrowing and about $1 billion from the historic budget surplus.Democrats, who control the Legislature and the governor’s office, had threatened to pass a cash-only bill along party lines. But ultimately they also agreed to a GOP demand they spend $300 million on emergency funding for nursing homes.The following is a partial list of funded projects, many of which will require additional fundraising or support from local, state and federal sources before construction can begin.Capitol ComplexDemolition of the vacant but historic 1914 Ford Building on University Avenue, near the Minnesota State Capitol complex: $4.5 million.Other Capitol Complex spending, including security upgrades and a sustainable building guidelines report: $18.5 millionMilitary, public safet...

Schenectady PD identify homicide victim, search for person of interest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Schenectady police are searching for a potential suspect as a homicide victim has been identified. Police said Tishawn Folkes-Taylor, 44, was found dead on Pleasant Street just after 5 a.m. Sunday.She died of trauma, but the exact cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police said they are looking for Timothy Taylor, who has been identified as a person of interest. He is described as 5'9" tall, 160 lbs., and a medium build. He also has a tattoo on the left side of his neck.Anyone with information is asked to call Schenectady police. The U.S. Marshals office is also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Becky Rothman known as 'Queen of Carpet' around St. Louis, dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The businesswoman known as Becky "Queen of Carpet" for decades in St. Louis has passed away.Becky Rothman died at the age of 67 on Sunday. Her nephew confirmed her death was due to kidney failure on Monday.Rothman was well known for her famous commercials showing her flying on a carpet over St. Louis for her store Becky's Carpet and Tile.

Man shot and killed downtown feet away from riverfront tourist attractions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man was fatally shot in downtown St. Louis early Monday morning on the riverfront near the arch, and the suspect still has not been found.Police confirmed a man was fatally shot around 4:30 a.m. near North Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. The man, not yet identified, suffered a gunshot wound to the side and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.This all unfolded on Memorial Day, a time of remembrance for those who serve, but also the unofficial kickoff to the summer, which means peak tourism season in St. Louis. Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire "We went to a game, we ate downtown, played ball under the arch, it’s great stuff," said Chard Remy, a tourist. "It's unfortunate, very disappointing to hear about that thing."Just feet away from the murder scene, tourists went to a Cardinal’s game, visited the arch, or took boat tours undeterred by the violence."I've always found it to be very safe ...

St. Charles County family deals with Medicare mess; hoping for solution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - It is a Medicare misery for a St. Charles County family.  Victor Tinsley from St. Peters missed the deadline to sign up for Medicare. His mother in England got terminally ill, and he and his wife Tawanda had to travel there to take care of her. When Tinsley got back to the United States, he was told there would be a $280 penalty for life and the money would be taken out of his social security check. He couldn’t believe it.  "They say it’s a lifetime penalty, says it’s not our problem you have to talk to Medicare," Tinsley said. "When I talk to Medicare, they say it’s not our problem you have to talk to Social Security, and that’s the loop I’ve been in four years now trying to get this taken care of.” Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire He decided to appeal the decision and won what the judge called a partial victory. The judge decided he would have to pay the penalty for six months but not for life...

Jimmy Butler helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA Finals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

By JIMMY GOLEN (AP Sports Writer)BOSTON (AP) — No unprecedented comeback, no last-tick miracle, no cavalcade of higher seeds is going to prevent these Miami Heat from playing for the NBA title.Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, and Caleb Martin had 26 points and 10 rebounds to help the eighth-seeded Heat beat Boston 103-84 in Game 7 on Monday night and advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.A year after losing a seventh game to the Celtics, Miami recovered from blowing a 3-0 lead in the series and advanced to face the Western Conference champion Nuggets. Game 1 is Thursday night in Denver, where the top-seeded Nuggets have been waiting since sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers on May 22..“We stayed together as a group. As a team, we talked about going and getting a tough one on the road. We did just that,” Butler said. “But we’re not satisfied. We’re excited. We’re happy. But we&#...

9 people injured in shooting on Hollywood, Florida beach boardwalk; some taken to children's hospital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

Nine people were injured Monday evening when gunfire erupted along a beach boardwalk in Hollywood, Florida, sending people frantically running for cover along the crowded beach on Memorial Day.Several of the victims were taken to a children's hospital, police spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi said. However, authorities have not yet released the ages of the victims.The nine victims included six adults and three children, according to Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokesperson for Memorial Healthcare System. All of the victims were in stable condition, she said.A preliminary investigation shows that an altercation between two groups resulted in gunfire, police said. One person has been detained and another suspect is being still being sought.The shooting happened about 6:30 p.m. on the boardwalk near a convenience store, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream store and a Subway sandwich shop.Police respond to a shooting near the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk in Hollywood, Fla., Monday evening, May 29, 20...

Oakland A’s get long-awaited clutch hit as mammoth losing streak ends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

OAKLAND – Dead silence inside the Oakland A’s clubhouse was replaced by a selection of hip-hop jams. Players sitting down to eat had conversations at a normal volume instead of in hushed tones.Finally, after close to two weeks of heartbreak, the A’s won a game again.Ryan Noda connected on a three-run home run in the fifth inning off Michael Soroka, helping lead the A’s to a desperately needed 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday before a Coliseum crowd of 8,556 as Oakland snapped a season-long 11-game losing streak.Noda’s homer, his sixth of the season and his second in as many days, came on an 82-mph changeup from Soroka and just cleared the right field wall down the first base line. The blast was part of a four-run fifth inning for the A’s, who had scored three runs or less in each of their 11 straight losses.“We’ve been just needing that one little good swing, good play, good pitch,” Noda said. “We’ve come so close and it was n...

Yankees CF Harrison Bader leaves gave with tightness in right hamstring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:35 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — New York Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader left Monday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners with right hamstring tightness after running out an infield single in the third inning. Bader easily beat the throw on the grounder in the hole between shortstop and third base, but was in discomfort standing on first base. Bader left the game after a brief discussion with manager Aaron Boone and was replaced by Greg Allen. Bader is the latest injury concern for New York after first baseman Anthony Rizzo was held out of the lineup due to a stiff neck. Boone said Rizzo “should be fine,” but the team was being cautious. Rizzo left Sunday’s win over San Diego after he collided with Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff play that ended the sixth inning. As the first baseman leaned back to apply the tag, Rizzo collided with Tatis. Rizzo stayed on the ground for a few minutes and headed back to the clubhouse as the Yankees batted.Boone said Rizzo was undergoing trea...