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Former Gov. Quinn joins discussion over Illinois ethics laws

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Another federal conviction for political corruption in Illinois, another call for tougher ethics laws.A jury last week slapped convictions on four political insiders in a wide-ranging bribery case involving power giant ComEd's bribery of the once-powerful speaker of the Ilinois House.While a key House Democrat confirmed Tuesday that discussions about a package of ethical tune-ups were underway, former Gov. Pat Quinn, who has made a career of chasing government reform, delivered a letter to Democratic leaders seeking a special session to adopt more than a half-dozen reforms. ‘ComEd Four’ found guilty in bribery trial They include the long-sought but elusive proposals to allow taxpayers to put referendum questions on the ballot without legislative intervention — currently possible in 26 states — and to prohibit legislators from voting on issues in which they have a financial interest.“It’s pretty clear from the testimony in the trial that jobs were being giv...

Illinois militia leader loses appeal in Minnesota mosque bombing conviction

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday affirmed the conviction of the leader of an Illinois antigovernment militia who was sentenced to 53 years in prison for masterminding the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque, an attack that terrified the local Muslim community.A three-judge panel rejected all the legal arguments raised by Emily Claire Hari. Her attorneys argued that the key federal law involved — which pertains to damaging religious property and the free exercise of religion — was invalid because it exceeded Congress' authority.The court also rejected Hari's claim that prosecutors violated attorney-client privilege when authorities seized two pages of notes from Hari's cell during a shakedown. Illinois trooper shot, motorist dead in exchange of gunfire No one was hurt in the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center, but more than a dozen members of the mosque community gave victim impact statements about the trauma they felt. Judge Donovan Fra...

How expensive are Austin's new light rail design options?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a few weeks' time, Austinites will learn the design and route behind the city's initial investment into light rail transit service. Project Connect leaders are expected to deliver a final design recommendation at the Austin Transit Partnership's May 24 meeting, with an official vote and decision expected on June 6. It comes after ATP debuted five initial investment options March 21. The proposals came after project heads paused light rail design work last summer amid anticipated cost increases. ATP is now giving further insight into the costs behind each of the design options on the table, and the benefits and tradeoffs that come with each.New design renderings shared by the Austin Transit Partnership April 25 feature future investment options for light rail buildout. (Courtesy: Austin Transit Partnership)New design renderings shared by the Austin Transit Partnership April 25 feature future investment options for light rail buildout. (Courtesy: Austin Transit Par...

Northwest Austin residents revolt against planned speed bumps, saying they could do more harm than good

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Residents in a northwest Austin neighborhood are banding together to stop the Austin Transportation Department from putting in over a dozen speedbumps on a busy street. The neighborhood is in a part of Austin that is at an elevated risk for wildfires, and Greystone Drive, where ATD plans to add the bumps, would be used as an evacuation route for some during a natural disaster event, neighbors told KXAN. To stop the project, nearly 650 neighbors from around 550 separate homes signed a petition. “What are you trying to do here? You know, if the goal is to reduce accidents, you can do that with neighborhood awareness,” Michelle Estrada, a resident in the neighborhood, said. “For the highest [fire] risk portion of the neighborhood, you would have to go through five speed bumps,” she continued. Estrada said many neighbors were unaware of ATDs plans until several concerned residents started the petition to slow down ATD. Through their campaign, the residents...

Flash flood washes trucks into Walnut Creek

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — Flash flood waters last month washed several vehicles away from an East Austin neighborhood into Walnut Creek. One small business owner is still trying to recover several of his work units still stuck in the creek bed.Torrential rain brought flash floods across the Austin area April 20, leading to at least 30 damaged homes and water rescues from cars stuck on US 183. Man describes getting caught in high water during north Austin flash floods The City of Austin just days ago approved relief for residents whose homes were damaged in the storm. City of Austin approves aid for homes damaged in flood Ben Haugh owns All Nation Restoration near the intersection of Springdale Road and US 290. Walnut Creek curves around his business, and when the flash flood struck - he said it took less than 30 minutes for at least 6 of his utility vans to be swept away."It turned into just a full-blown river. And it was running right through the property. Big trees, other people's cars...

SMCISD campuses placed on lockout after social media post; lockout has since been lifted

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — All campuses in San Marcos CISD were placed on lockout around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after the district was made aware of a social media post circulating regarding a threat.The district said the post was not specific to SMCISD, but the district placed the schools on lockout out of an abundance of caution while the San Marcos Police Department investigated the social media post. SMPD said it was aware of the threat of violence made on social media and circulating in the community.“We are actively investigating this threat and are coordinating with our partners in other law enforcement agencies to keep San Marcos safe. Out of an abundance of caution, all SMCISD campuses are currently on a lockout while our investigation continues. Safety is our top priority. If you see something, say something,” SMPD said in a statement.As of 2:30 p.m., the SMCISD lockout had been lifted, and the district said all campuses would return to a regular schedule.SMCISD said no...

‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ an engaging and intimate window into star’s complex life

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

Apparently, the credit goes to Michael Harte.It was the idea of the editor of “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” says the documentary’s director, Davis Guggenheim, to use scenes from the beloved actor’s TV shows and movies to tell the story of Fox’s increasingly complicated life.The choice helps make “Still” — debuting this week on Apple TV+ following its premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival — a distinct viewing experience.Of course, were it not for the 61-year-old Fox — the one-time “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” star who, at 29, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — being so open about the battle with the affliction, so vulnerable as he reflects on his journey, “Still” wouldn’t be nearly as impactful as it is.“Still” begins with Parkinson’s, with the hungover morning in a Florida hotel room when Fox, in the middle of filming 1991’s “Doc Hollywood,” notices his pinky finger twitching.“The trembling was a message,” he says. “From the future.”Guggenheim (“An Inc...

Albany County Sheriff's Office cuts ribbon on new 911 communications center

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Albany County 911 communications center has come a long way since its launch in the early 1990s. Sheriff Craig Apple said the old office in Voorheesville just won't cut it anymore. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We simply outgrew it," explained Sheriff Apple. "County got bigger, business got bigger, and we got bigger." That's why he partnered with the county executive, and the legislature, to open a brand-new building in Clarksville. "Four times the size of the original building," added the Sheriff. "But it's built basically for decades and decades to come." Recognizing Albany dispatchers for Telecommunicators Week County Executive Dan McCoy told NEWS10 the transformation is truly one-of-a-kind. "It's amazing," he said. "I've seen it already so my shock value's over with. Not unless something else changed in there."The facility will change the game for emergency dispatching. "We can te...

With hurricane season around the corner, officials detail new evacuation study

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

NEW YORK (PIX11) — It's been almost 15 years since New York updated its hurricane evacuation plan. Since then, the state has experienced multiple deadly weather events like Superstorm Sandy and the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On May 4, officials announced that a new Hurricane Evacuation Study is underway, one that they believe will improve planning for and response to hurricanes. There are 22 coastal states in the country that are impacted by Atlantic hurricanes and New York will be the first state to modernize its study, which will include upstate communities."Climate change plays a role for all of us in how we do our jobs and so it's very possible that new communities have to worry about coastal storms that maybe haven't had to worry about coastal storms in the past,” said Jackie Bray, the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.The new plan wi...

Glens Falls bus system opens house, seeks drivers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:29:07 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) operates 18 buses - ten traditional, plus eight red trolleys that move to and from the village of Lake George in the summers. Since late last year, the transit authority has had to adjust to a lack of new staff - and they're working to make up the difference. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday, the GGFT offered up its staff and buses to prospective drivers, mechanics, and more, in an open house aimed at filling positions in several areas. A couple of interested candidates had come through the doors by around noon - and the authority sees any promising face as valuable."When you think of COVID, you think of sickness. This is because of COVID, but it isn't so much because of sickness," said GGFT Transportation Director Scott Sopczyk. "I think COVID changed work patterns. It changed a lot of things about how the workforce works, and that was a defining t...