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Gov. Greg Abbott says special lawmaking session will begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Gov. Greg Abbott has notified the Texas Legislature that a third special session will begin on Oct. 9.A Sept. 26 letter signed by Abbott and addressed to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, did not indicate the focus of this special session. But the governor has said repeatedly the next special session would focus on public education, including the issues of school vouchers and public school funding.Abbott’s decision comes nearly four months after lawmakers failed this year to either allocate new money to help school districts make ends meet amid rampant inflation and a volatile economy, or reach an agreement on “school choice,” a moniker for proposals that would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars to pay for their children’s private schooling. School choice has been one of Abbott’s top legislative priorities this year.Lawmakers are to return to Austin on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. This year’s regular legislative session ended in a st...

Why Marcus Foligno signed extension with Wild: ‘It’s the hockey’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

Marcus Foligno loves Minnesota, calls it home. Might stay here when his playing days are over. But right now, at 32 on an NHL team he thinks is growing something special, he loves winning more.Foligno signed a four-year, $16 million extension Friday that keeps him under contract through the 2027-28 season. Before it expires, he wants to win a Stanley Cup, and he thinks the Wild have a team that can do it, whether it’s this season or in the near future.“That’s the main goal,” Foligno said after skating Saturday morning with the group that won’t play in Saturday night’s preseason game against Chicago at Xcel Energy Center.“It’s great to live in Minnesota and the community and everything like that, but it’s the hockey for me and the role I have here,” he added. “I don’t think you’re going to build that back up anywhere else.”An alternate captain who is one season removed from scoring a career-high 23 goals and 42 points, Foligno is a key cog in what general manager Bill Guerin is build...

Gophers finish strong in 35-24 win over Louisiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

The Gophers shook off an early hangover on homecoming Saturday and finished strong for a 35-24 victory over Louisiana at Huntington Bank Stadium.It was the opposite formula from last week’s fourth-quarter collapse at Northwestern. Coughing up a 21-point lead on the road to the Wildcats last Saturday seemed to linger as Minnesota again struggled against a double-digit underdog.Louisiana took a 17-14 halftime lead, but Minnesota (3-2) took over in the second half and pushed the 11-point spread versus the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-2).Gophers coach P.J. Fleck put the Sun Belt Conference school away with a fourth-quarter decision to go for it on fourth down. With three yards to go from Louisiana’s 38, a play-action pass from Athan Kaliakmanis found a wide-open Daniel Jackson for a touchdown.That play call is what Fleck didn’t do against Northwestern last week, when he opted to punt and the Wildcats were able to complete a stunning comeback.On Saturday, Minnesota took a 35-17 lead with that play-t...

Without Darius Taylor, Gophers still run well in win over Louisiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

After relying on true freshman tailback Darius Taylor in the previous three weeks, the Gophers counted on three other ball-carries to run past Louisiana in a 35-24 win Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.Taylor, who led the Big Ten with 532 rushing yards through the season’s opening month, was out with a leg injury suffered at the end of the 37-31 overtime loss to Northwestern last week.Zach Evans, who did not have a carry in the opening four games, led the way Saturday with 15 carries for 85 yards and one touchdown. Bryce Williams also had 15 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, whileSean Tyler contributed 10 carries for 47 yards.Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis benefitted from the U’s new short-yardage play, where a quarterback sneak is aided by two tight ends and a running back pushing the pile. It’s been made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles. Kaliakmanis had 10 carries for 17 yards and a touchdown.The U also dusted off its wildcat package, with Cole Kramer getting a c...

State offers advice as student loan payments resume

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- September marked the resumption of federal student loan interest accrual. With loan payments being due in October, the New York State Attorney General's Office issued out some tips to New York borrowers on how to manage their federal student loans. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! As borrowers prepare for the upcoming payments, the state has also urged that New Yorkers be cautious of scammers impersonating as student loan servicers. Below are some recommendations that the Attorney General's Office suggests in order to be in the best position to manage your public federal student loan repayments: Make sure your contact information is updated on your loan servicer’s website.Update or set up your FSA account. Get an estimate of your upcoming payment amount, interest rate, and due date from your loan servicer.Check out DOE’s Loan Simulator to review your repayment plan options.Check if you are eligible for ...

Truck crash in central Illinois causes multiple deaths and ammonia leak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. (AP) — Federal regulators confirmed Saturday they are reviewing the crash of a semitruck carrying a toxic substance in central Illinois, resulting in “multiple fatalities” and dangerous air conditions that prompted the evacuation of area residents.Jennifer Gabris, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the agency is investigating the incident that occurred near Teutopolis.Firefighters, police and other emergency responders who converged on the scene late Friday were still on site Saturday to try to contain the cloud of anhydrous ammonia that emanated from the overturned tanker. Wainwright gets at-bat, huge ovation in series opener of grand sendoff “We have a lot of brave firemen, EMT, hazmat specialists, police officers that are working on this scene as we speak," Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said at a Saturday news conference.Authorities did not say exactly how many people were killed or injured.“I am sorry to say that we d...

Group takes off with gun, puppy and more in St. Louis armed robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Police are searching for five suspects who took off with a gun, a puppy, and several other items in a south St. Louis armed robbery Friday afternoon. The robbery happened around 2:30 p.m. Friday in the 4700 block of Michigan Avenue in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. Wainwright gets at-bat, huge ovation in series opener of grand sendoff Police say the situation unfolded when the victim, a 32-year-old man, allowed an acquaintance into his home. At some point, the acquaintance pulled out a gun and ordered the victim to the floor. After that, four other suspects entered the home and announced a robbery in progress. Some of them proceeded to strike the victim in the head before taking items and leaving the home. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

RTD bus involved in crash with “serious injuries” in Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

An RTD bus was involved in a crash with “serious injuries” in north Denver Saturday.#Traffic: #DPD is investigating a traffic crash with serious injuries involving a motorist and an RTD bus in the 4900 block of Race St. Three parties were transported to a local hospital. Race St is closed from 48th to 49th. Expect delays in the area. pic.twitter.com/3YbYR4aMtX— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) September 30, 2023The crash between the bus and a motorist happened near 49th Avenue and Race Street, The Denver Police Department reported at 1:04 p.m. on X.Three people were taken to a hospital.Race Street is closed between 48th and 49th avenues.

CU Buffs vs. USC quick hits: Shedeur Sanders runs out of time in masterful duel with Caleb Williams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

Initial observations from the CU Buffs’ 48-41 loss to the USC Trojans in head coach Deion Sanders’ first Pac-12 home game at Folsom Field on Saturday.Quick game: If it wasn’t clear after the first CU drive, it was abundantly so after the second. These coaches did not trust the Buffs offensive line early on. Nearly every Shedeur Sanders drop-back was two or three steps. Quick outs. Short button-hooks. Screens. And with good reason. This USC pass rush gets home on good offensive lines, and the Buffs have been shaky up front. The two times Sanders did drop back deep on the Buffs’ three first-quarter possessions — third-and-9 in USC territory on CU’s second drive, and third-and-5 on the CU 30 — pressure followed, with the latter resulting in his lone interception.Perfection needed: The end result of all those short-yardage throws? The Buffs’ margin for error was razor thin. A false start here, errant throw or drop there, and CU just didn’t...

No devices found after Lafayette Public Library evacuated due to bomb threat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:08 GMT

Lafayette police gave the all-clear Saturday after the Lafayette Public Library was evacuated due to an anonymous bomb threat.Lafayette Public Library Update: The search is complete at the library. No devices were found. The library has reopened.— Lafayette CO Police (@LafayettePolice) September 30, 2023Police reported the bomb threat at 12:41 p.m. on X, and reported the all-clear at 1:37 p.m.The library has reopened, police said.