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Nearly $30M in federal dollars funding Austin traffic safety upgrades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council voted Thursday to allocate a $22.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support its Safe Streets and Roads for All program, per a city news release.City officials said the money will be used by the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department to "begin developing and implementing grant-funded traffic safety projects across the city," per the release. City council approved the funding's use at more than 60 locations citywide, with specific project sites poised to be chosen "after further analysis is completed."Austin's funding allocation will cover:Major safety projects at 5-7 intersection locationsInstalling up to 10 pedestrian hybrid beaconsSupporting high-visibility crosswalk markings, street lighting, traffic signal improvements at dozens of city locationsFunding a safety education campaign mainly focused on roundaboutsThe federal funding extends from Congress' $5 billion available for Safe Streets and Roads for All ...

Serendipity appears set to bring Taylor Heise, Minnesota’s PWHL team together

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

Minnesota’s PWHL team got its first lucky bounce on Sept. 1 when it won a lottery for the first overall pick in Monday’s inaugural draft. It might have been a win for the nascent professional women’s hockey league, as well.That’s because the most exciting, skilled player available when the draft begins at noon CDT also happens to be a Minnesotan, 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award winner Taylor Heise, who led the NCAA scoring in each of her last two seasons with the Gophers.That’s good news for a start-up league hoping to pump immediate local interest into the product, and Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz, who wants to separate her team from a small, talented league with aggressive, creative play.All six of the league’s teams are “going to have skill,” Darwitz said. “We’re all going to be really good. I think that’s going to be the X factor. If we can allow our players to play free, to play authentic, I think it’s going to be the difference.”Certainly, Heise fits that bill.A smart, ...

19-year-old man going more than 100 mph on freeway later crashes, injures 2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

A 19-year-old male motorist sped past a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy at more than 100 miles per hour Saturday night before crashing into another vehicle and injuring two, authorities said.The deputy gave chase on Interstate 35W in Roseville at about 10:45 p.m. but lost sight of the vehicle when it exited at County Road D, according to Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Steve Linders.Soon afterward, a police officer spotted the vehicle speeding southward on Highway 88 with its lights off.Officers subsequently found the vehicle at Highway 88 and 29th Avenue NE in St. Anthony. It had crashed into another vehicle.Two people in that vehicle were hurt and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation, and was believed to be driving under the influence.He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Ed...

Twins pitcher Sonny Gray dominates White Sox in series-finale victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Sonny Gray was unhappy with his performance the last time out. He didn’t throw enough strikes, he said, he was constantly behind in the count and it all led to an earlier than usual exit for him.But there was little to find flaw with on Sunday when Gray responded with seven shutout innings to lead the Twins to a 4-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the series finale at Guaranteed Rate Field.Gray allowed five hits in his start, including a pair of leadoff doubles. He stranded both of those runners on third base. The Twins’ starting pitcher did not allow a walk in his seven innings of work, and was highly efficient, needing just 81 pitches.With the scoreless outing, Gray lowered his earned-run average to 2.84 on the season, a number that is second in the American League behind just Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.Gray received all the run support he needed from one swing of Edouard Julien’s bat. The rookie blasted his 14th home run of the season and third in his past six ...

Low Mississippi limits barges just as farmers want to move their crops downriver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa — A long stretch of hot, dry weather has left the Mississippi River so low that barge companies are reducing their loads just as Midwest farmers are preparing to harvest crops and send tons of corn and soybeans downriver to the Gulf of Mexico.The transport restrictions are a headache for barge companies, but even more worrisome for thousands of farmers who have watched drought scorch their fields for much of the summer. Now they will face higher prices to transport what remains of their crops.Farmer Bruce Peterson, who grows corn and soybeans in southeastern Minnesota, chuckled wryly that the dry weather had withered his family’s crop so extensively they won’t need to worry so much about the high cost of transporting the goods downriver.“We haven’t had rain here for several weeks so our crop size is shrinking,” Peterson said. “Unfortunately, that has taken care of part of the issue.”About 60% of U.S. grain exports are taken by barge down the Mississippi to New Orlea...

Shooting in Schenectady under investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department announced they are investigating a shooting that took place on Albany Street on Sunday afternoon. One person was injured in the incident. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On September 17 at 1:07 p.m., officers responded to the area of Quinn's Deli at 1114 Albany Street following reports of shots fired. Shortly thereafter, police received a call about a person being shot on Duane Avenue. During the investigation, police located the victim, an adult man, who had suffered a single gunshot wound. While being tended to on the scene, the victim confirmed the incident took place near Quinn's, before they were transported to Albany Medical Center in stable condition to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Johnstown The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Schenectady Police...

Man beaten, robbed and left naked in south St. Louis attack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man was beaten, robbed, and left behind naked Saturday evening during a violent attack in south St. Louis. Police say the victim, a 46-year-old man, suffered several lacerations and contusion, in addition to swelling in his face and eyes. The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. Saturday in the 3700 block of South Jefferson Avenue in the Marine Villa neighborhood. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motives Investigators say the attack started when an unknown suspect struck the victim with a metal club. The suspect reportedly instructed the victim to remove all of his clothing and hand over multiple shopping bags filled with personal belongings. The suspect got away with multiple items and headed toward an unknown direction. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is handling the case and has not yet disclosed any suspect information or a potential motive.

Teens rob man at gunpoint, steal his weapon in south St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A group of teens took off with a man's semi-automatic weapon after robbing him at gunpoint Saturday afternoon in south St. Louis. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the 2800 block of Meramec Street in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Investigators say the man was walking around the area when three teens approached him, and one of the teens asked him for a dollar. The man gave a dollar to the teen. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motives After that, a group of four teens huddled around him and one reportedly pointed an AR-style rifle at his chest. The victim raised his hands in the air, and the teens quickly rummaged through a bag across his chest. Investigators say the teens took off with the victim’s semi-automatic pistol, wallet, and his ID. No significant injuries were reported in this robbery. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is handling this investigation, but has not yet disclosed any arrests.

Hancock & Kelley: St. Louis homless camp, Illinois cash bail & Missouri sports betting push

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.John Hancock, Republican consultant, and Michael Kelley, Democrat consultant, discussed the following topics:A homeless camp on the lawn of St. Louis City Hall appears to be growing, and city officials have no plan to remove it with used toiletries in plain sight.  One woman is 7 months pregnant.  Her husband fears she may give birth in a tent on the lawn. The couple is protesting a lack of “coed” shelter space for married couples.           Cash bail is officially against the law in Illinois starting Monday. Suspected felons will be freed “en masse” unless a state’s attorney can show a judge clear and convincing evidence that a suspect poses a threat to a person or community and/or the suspect is likely to flee.   Missouri’s pro sports teams are launching an effort to put legalized sports betting on the 2024 ballot and let voters decide the...

Did you know Illinois has a state song?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:59 GMT

ILLINOIS (NEXSTAR) – Most people know what their state symbols are, such as the state flag, bird, or even plant. There’s one thing most people can’t recall, and that’s their state song.It’s no surprise that Illinois is one of 48 states in the nation with a state song. While almost every state song contains the name of the state in the title (with some adding a word or two for variety), Illinois is not one of those states. Its state song is titled “Illinois,” and its lyrics were written by Civil War veteran Charles H. Chamberlin in 1893. Verses were set to the tune of a song named, “Baby Mine” by Archibald Johnson. Want to hear the song sung yourself? Here's a YouTube link to a virtual performance by the University of Illinois' Women's and Varsity Men's Glee Club. The song’s lyrics can be viewed below:By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois,O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois,Comes an echo on the breeze.Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mello...