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Extended boycott disqualifies 2 GOP senators, 1 independent in Oregon Senate from being reelected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republicans and an independent senator in the Oregon Senate stretched a walkout Monday to 10 days, triggering a new constitutional provision that prohibits lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from being reelected.The walkout that began May 3 has stalled action on hundreds of bills, including on gun control, gender-affirming care and abortion rights, as a deadline threatened to disqualify them from being reelected. Three of the boycotting senators — two Republicans, Sen. Dennis Linthicum and Sen. Daniel Bonham; and an Independent, Sen. Brian Boquist — reached the 10-day limit on Monday, meaning they are automatically disqualified from holding office as a lawmaker for the next four-year terms.The walkout by GOP senators in the Democrat-dominated Legislature has prevented a quorum of the Senate, with two-thirds of members required to be present for the chamber to debate and vote on bills. Republicans have used the tactic in previous years.On Monday, only 16 ...

Monday Forecast: Temps near 70 with sunny conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

CHICAGO — Partly sunny Monday with cooler conditions lakeside. Winds: NE 5-10. High: 67/58. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight with a chance for showers south. Low: 51.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, temp drop late day. (pneumonia front possible). Winds: W 5-15 G20. High: 80.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Motorcyclist, 60, dead after car crash in Des Plaines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. — A 60-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle while driving a motorcycle in Des Plaines Saturday evening. Police said that John E. Lawson was driving a motorcycle and turning left onto Golf Road westbound from Rand Road when he was struck by a kia traveling southeast on Rand Road. According to police reports, the boy who was the driver of the kia was transported to hospital, along with a passenger, with non-life-threatening injuries. Chicago off-duty officer, 33, found dead inside her home on West Side Lawson was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators are determining the cause of the crash. There is no further information provided.

Travis County cautions of ongoing jury duty fraud calls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 15, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office is forewarning residents of ongoing fraudulent callers posing as county officials and seeking payments for missed jury duty appearances.An Austin reddit post that gained traction over the weekend cautioned of callers pretending to be a lieutenant or other TCSO member. Per the post, some residents were receiving phone calls claiming there was a warrant for their arrest for missing a jury duty date, as well as emailing signed notices of warrants and case numbers to appear legitimate.A TCSO spokesperson confirmed the department has received reports of these latest fraudulent attempts, adding it's been an issue the department has dealt with for several years now. ICYMI: Austin to use Marshalling Yard as homeless shelter, doubling up at existing shelters "[They] will use the names of TCSO officers for several weeks, then use the names ...

Two days with rain followed by a few days with more sunshine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Showers and thunderstorms are increasing in number and coverage this afternoon. These thunderstorms should remain below severe criteria although there will be a lightning threat to go along with heavy downpours.A section of northern San Saba County will be under a Flood Advisory until 3 p.m. Heavy rain may produce some arroyo and small stream flooding.There will be a flood threat this afternoon/evening as a few thunderstorms could produce heavy rain. Today's flood risk area slight for much of our area.Much of Central Texas has a slight risk of flooding todayShowers and thunderstorms will last into the evening. The loss of daytime heating brings an end to the rain until Tuesday. Tuesday's weather features another round of showers and thunderstorms with a lower flood threat risk for much of the southern half of the viewing area. ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summe Tuesday flood risk: 1 out of 4 The showers and thunderstorms will be scattered in natur...

Texas A&M Forest Service lowers Wildland Fire Preparedness level after rain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas A&M Forest Service on Monday lowered the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level. The level was lowered to a Level 1 after continued rainfall and "a significant decrease in wildfire activity across the state," the service said in a tweet. ‘We need every drop’: Central Texas farmers hopeful after storms amid drought Additionally, all aircraft have been released from the state.According to the service, Level 1 means "minimal drought and normal fuel moisture allow local resources to suppress wildfires without issue. Fire activity is minimal." What is Texas’ Wildland Fire Preparedness Level? The Wildland Preparedness Level had been raised to Level 2 in late February due to the potential threat of increased wildfire activity at the time. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, Preparedness Levels are “planning assumptions dictated by fuel and weather conditions, current and expected wildfire activity and suppression resource ...

Dolly Parton on which politicians she's knocking with new song: 'Any of them!'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

(The Hill) -- Dolly Parton is using her voice to speak out about lawmakers, saying they frequently put political party and partisanship over people.“I don’t think any of them are trying hard enough,” Parton told “Today’s” Jacob Soboroff when asked about lyrics knocking politicians on both sides of the aisle in her new song “World on Fire.”“I'm sure we're all trying,” Parton continued. “I think often that they worry more about the party than they do about the people.”In the tune from her forthcoming rock album, Parton sings, “Don’t get me started on politics. Now how are we to live in a world like this?”“Greedy politicians, present and past. They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ‘em in the a--,” sings the 77-year-old country music legend.Asked by Soboroff on Monday which lawmakers the song was referring to, Parton replied with a laugh, “Any of them!”“If we just do what we felt was the right thing — rather than ‘Who's going to lose? Who's going to win this? Or who's going t...

Antoine Suggs sentenced to more than 100 years in St. Paul quadruple murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

Antoine Suggs was sentenced to 103 years in prison Monday for shooting to death four passengers in his Mercedes Benz in St. Paul and then dumping the vehicle with their bodies in a Wisconsin cornfield in September 2021.Ramsey County Judge JaPaul Harris gave Suggs consecutive sentences for the killings of Jasmine Sturm, 30, of St. Paul; her brother, Matthew Pettus, 26, of St. Paul; her boyfriend, Loyace Foreman III, 35, of St. Paul, and her lifelong friend, Nitosha Flug-Presley, 30, of Stillwater.Nitosha Lee Flug-Presley, Loyace Foreman III, Matthew Pettus and Jasmine Sturm, from left to right, were found fatally shot in a Dunn County, Wis., cornfield on Sept. 12, 2021. (Courtesy photos)“Each one of these individuals — Nitosha, Jasmine, Matthew and Loyace — deserves that you serve time for each one of them,” Harris said in handing donw the successive sentences. “And concurrent sentences would not appreciate the severity of this offense and the effect on these families and...

Castleton-on-Hudson restaurant closing after a year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Poké Jar, located at 28 South Main Street in Castleton-on-Hudson, is closing after a little over a year. Owner Mike Kwok made the announcement in a Facebook post on May 13. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "It is with great joy and great sadness that I’d like to announce the closing of our restaurant at the end of this month (May 2023) and just concentrating on our new food truck," read the post.The Poké Jar opened in March 2022, serving poké bowls, sushi, street tacos, and ramen. Kwok said he has decided to focus on his new venture, the food truck This Guy Bites. The food truck will be available this summer. New ice cream stand, fun plex opening in Glenville "I would like to offer my sincerest thanks and deepest gratitude for all of your support over the years," said Kwok. "To our fabulous customers and friends that I made since opening the restaurant and collaborators past and p...

Des Peres could ban sale of recreational marijuana

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:38 GMT

DES PERES, Mo. – The City of Des Peres could be the first municipality in the region to ban recreational marijuana businesses.According to our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, some residents are campaigning for the ban. They've argued in recent city council meetings that pot dispensaries are a target for crime and reduce property values.Alderman can't put the question on the ballot until November 2024.A medical marijuana dispensary, Root 66, is already under construction on Manchester Road. The business owners also hope to be the first recreational marijuana dispensary in Des Peres. The company already sells legal weed at its locations in St. Louis, St. Peters, and Wentzville.Cities and other municipalities can ban the local sale of recreational marijuana, but would need 60% voter approval.