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Demonstrators stood outside Austin high school with anti-LGBTQ, abortion messages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As students were released from McCallum High School Tuesday afternoon, the district confirms roughly eight people stood outside with anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion signs. "The protesters were on the sidewalk but were blocking the buses, so they were asked to move," a spokesperson for AISD said. "Austin ISD Police officers were on-site to ensure everyone's safety, and the protesters left after about an hour."KXAN does not share photos or videos of possible hate speech as standard practice, which is why we have not included photos in this story and blurred signs in the video above. Texas State student accused of setting fire to Austin synagogue arrested "Instead we need to be standing up and saying that everyone belongs, and this is a community for everyone," said Council Member Alison Alter of District 10. In July, Alter officially helped launch an anti-hate campaign called "We All Belong." The program came about after a series of hate speech incidents and a hate cri...

Gloria Lofton's daughter reacts to updates in the Raul Meza investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Months have passed since Sonia Houston was first informed that Raul Meza Jr., 62, was connected with her mother, Gloria Lofton’s, death. Houston said in recent weeks, she feels Austin police have been more communicative with her, but still, she wants more answers.  READ MORE: Daughters of Gloria Lofton decry Austin Police for its handling of their mother’s death Since the APD press conference in May, there have been several updates in the case, including when authorities in July searched a field where, nearby, in 2022, officials had seen Meza, who at the time “appeared as though he had been in a fight,” according to documents. There, investigators uncovered clothes, rope and a tarp, and “several locations displayed the properties of a possible burial site,” according to court documents. Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon told KXAN’s Briana Hollis that since it is still an open investigation, he could not provide more details on the field search.  MORE: N...

Georgetown Animal Shelter sees increase in distemper cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Animal Shelter has seen an rise in dogs entering the shelter with the distemper virus, according to a news release from the City of Georgetown. The shelter is asking for help getting healthy dogs out of the shelter and into foster or adoptive homes, in order to separate them from sick dogs.The release said the shelter confirmed one case of distemper and six presumptive cases. The initial dog came into the shelter July 31 and first showed symptoms on August 17. It tested positive for the virus on Aug. 22.“We desperately need the community’s help to foster or adopt our current, healthy dogs, so we can limit the spread of this devastating disease,” said Georgetown Animal Services manager April Haughey in the release. “We are taking every step we can to clean and sanitize the shelter and isolate potentially infected dogs, but with how this virus spreads and with the shelter being over capacity, we don’t have other options.”The shelter said that...

'Help us!' State employees blow whistle on errors they say are kicking thousands off Medicaid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A new whistleblower complaint obtained by Nexstar claims technical glitches and disorganized leadership have caused issues in Texas' administration of Medicaid and erroneously kicked thousands of children and pregnant women off of their health insurance."The persistence of numerous and growing system issues remains evident, causing erroneous denials of coverage, particularly impacting newborns and pregnant women—creating a situation that could further agitate our noncompliance with [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] guidelines," anonymous Texas Health and Human Services employees wrote to Texas HHS Commissioner Cecile Young on Monday. Concerned state employees say internal errors put thousands at risk of losing Medicaid coverage The complaint describes system coding errors that placed children in incorrect coverage groups, leading to a failure to claim more than $100 million in federal funds. The letter also says over 5,800 pregnant women had their co...

Leander announces resignation of city manager

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Leander will soon be on the hunt for a new municipal leader, following the resignation of City Manager Rick Beverlin Tuesday.Beverlin accepted an offer with the City of Nacogdoches, Texas, to serve as its city manager, per a City of Leander news release Wednesday. Beverlin had served in his role with the city since 2019.Leander City Council will officially consider accepting Beverlin's resignation at its council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7. As part of that discussion, Leander City Council members will meet in closed session and discuss the hiring process for its next city manager, the release added.“I appreciate all your support and that of the community and our local and regional partners. It is a bittersweet moment and wish all of you the best and the city much success, prosperity, and peace,” Beverlin wrote in a letter notifying council of his decision.His last day serving Leander is slated for Nov. 1, per the release.A Houston native, Beverl...

Twins to get Edouard Julien some experience at first base

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

MILWAUKEE — The Twins are scheming up ways to get Edouard Julien, Jorge Polanco, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton all in the same lineup. To do that, there are only a couple of ways to make it work.One includes having Buxton play center field, something which manager Rocco Baldelli said over the weekend that they had been discussing. Buxton, who is on currently on the Injured List with a hamstring injury, has been the team’s designated hitter this season and has yet to see the outfield because of an ongoing knee issue.Another solution?Moving someone to first base.The choice is Julien, who made his major-league debut at the position during the final inning of Tuesday night’s game here.“We’re going to have to find different ways to put a lineup together, especially once Buck comes back off the IL,” Baldelli said. “On those days when Buck’s in the lineup, we’re not going to be able to play Eddy and Polo and Royce in the lineup at the same time, so finding ways to do that is part of o...

Murder charge dismissed against Woodbury teen in North St. Paul gun heist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

Prosecutors have dismissed a case against a 16-year-old Woodbury teen who was accused along with four others of aiding and abetting murder in the June shooting death of a man during a gun heist in North St. Paul.The Ramsey County attorney’s office threw out the charge it had filed against Austin Dwayne Mansfield in the killing of 24-year-old Anthony Robert Rojas in his apartment, where police believe Rojas was making ghost gun parts.Dennis Gerhardstein, Ramsey County attorney’s office spokesman, said Wednesday in a statement the case against Mansfield was dismissed on July 26 “for insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt at this time.”Gerhardstein said the attorney’s office cannot comment further because the investigation “surrounding the case remains active and ongoing.”The alleged shooter, Abo Eshun Essilfie, 17, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty this month in adult court to the same charge in connection with the murder.Also facing the same charge are 19-y...

Hussain to request bail during appeal process

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Times Union, Nauman Hussian is asking to be released on bail while he appeals the outcome of his trial. He was convicted in May for manslaughter in the 2018 Schoharie limousine crash. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hussian is currently serving a five to 15 years sentence for the worst mass transportation disaster in the United States in more than a decade.Attorneys for Hussain are scheduled to argue for bail in the case on Friday, August 25 before New York State Supreme Court Justice John Egan, Jr. The request is being made while attorneys appeal the conviction.

Travers Stakes impact on Saratoga businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With the Travers Stakes happening this weekend, local businesses are preparing to see a boost in sales due to the influx of tourists. Mother Susan Arthur from Buffalo and her and daughter Danielle Hennessy from St Louis make a habit of coming to Downtown Saratoga to shop, whenever they visit Lake George.MORE NEWS from NEWS10“I think that the stores are all unique, local businesses, unique items that you won't find in big box, stores, or anything like that. So that's why I like it because there's always something unique” said Arthur. “When you think of Saratoga, you think of the race track. But I think there's a lot of hidden corners. The shops like my mom said have a lot of unique stuff so I can find stuff here that no one when I go back to St. Louis no one else is gonna have” said Hennessy. The pair was visiting Lifestyles, one of three shops owned by Heidi Owen West, Vice President of the Downtown Business Associati...

Gun safety in the home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:03 GMT

FORT ANN, N.Y. (NEWS10) - As the investigation continues into the death of a local teen killed by a shotgun blast last week, NEWS10 is looking into the conversations surrounding gun safety in the home and around children. We spoke with firearm experts about their best practices and suggestions. More roadblocks for NY’s cannabis industry On August 16, a 14-year-old was shot and killed inside a home in Fort Ann.  A 17-year-old holding a shotgun and is now charged with second-degree Manslaughter and Reckless Endangerment. While the circumstances behind the incident are still unclear, it raises the question about gun safety among teens.Bill Parker has been a Range Specialist Officer (RSO) for nearly half a decade.  He says he taught his two young boys at the ages of eight and nine the importance of what a gun is capable of.“I didn’t want them to be curious about the gun. I didn’t want them to inadvertently find the gun and say how does this work and start messing with it,” s...