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Project Connect expected to wrap initial light rail environmental review next fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Project Connect leaders outlined the next year of project development as the program's light rail system progresses through federal processes and review.Greg Canally, Austin Transit Partnership's executive director, said during a board meeting Wednesday the organization is continuing work on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the initial phase of light rail. That process is a comprehensive environmental review of the planned work and is required for any project that incorporates federal funding.For Project Connect’s light rail plan, the NEPA process will evaluate all the potential impacts due to both the construction and operations of the light rail, as well as ways to try and mitigate said impacts. Analysis areas include effects on biological and natural resources, neighborhoods, and socio-economic impacts as well as both cultural and historical ones.Jennifer Pyne, ATP's executive vice president of planning, community and federal...

79 DPS troopers graduate from final academy of the year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Last week, 79 new Texas Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the final Texas Department of Public Safety Academy of 2023, DPS said in a news release.The ceremony was held at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick giving the keynote address.“It is always a great honor to speak at the Trooper Academy Graduation,” Patrick said. “I have done so several times in the past. These men and women are joining what I believe is the best state police in the country. We owe them so much for what they do for us every day. As Lt. Governor, I have consistently pledged my unwavering support to the brave Texans in law enforcement who put their lives on the line to protect our great state. The Department of Public Safety is essential in maintaining the safety and security of our communities, and I am proud to stand with them in their commitment to upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of every Texan.”According to DPS, each of the recruits in Clas...

With eye on affordable housing, St. Paul City Council approves TIF districts for The Heights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

Convening as the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday gave initial approval to three tax increment financing districts at The Heights, the development to be constructed on the 112-acre site of the former Hillcrest Country Club.The TIF districts are intended to effectively free up property tax dollars that would otherwise flow into the city’s general fund, allowing them to be used instead on site to support affordable housing.“It’s really been incredible to have so many champions championing the Heights,” said Council Member Nelsie Yang. She noted the sprawling development is being assembled as both a carbon-neutral living community and a hub of future employment for local residents.“It’s going to take a lot for us to achieve the different goals we have toward affordable housing, especially deeply affordable housing … for all families, across all income levels,” Yang said.The JO Companies,...

Will Bunch: Liz Magill’s ouster at Penn will help the worst people take down free speech, higher ed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

A band of raiders never stops at just one scalp. Just minutes after the University of Pennsylvania’s president Liz Magill pulled the plug on her stormy 17-month tenure, under intense pressure for her handling of antisemitism questions on Capitol Hill, her chief inquisitor — GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York — was back on the battlefield calling for more.“One down. Two to go,” a clearly ebullient Stefanik posted on X/Twitter, urging on her dream of an academic Saturday Night Massacre that would also take down the two college leaders who testified last week along with Magill — MIT’s Sally Kornbluth and Claudine Gay of Harvard, which, in a controversy with more ironies than a Jane Austen novel, happens to be Stefanik’s alma mater.But what Stefanik promised on Saturday night, and what her allies are cheering on, goes well beyond a few high-profile resignations. She promised the current crisis — over what constitutes antisemitism on...

Mask mandates going into effect at NY hospitals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It's that time of year again. The holiday season is also cold and flu season. Officials in Warren County are taking precautions to fight some of the common illnesses during this period. Ginelle Jones Public Health Director for Warren County says don’t count COVID out yet. “As a community, we've kind of put COVID on the back burner, and it's not kind of a significant, but I can still cause a significant illness" Jones told NEWS10. The health official says there are currently 16 cases of COVID-19 reported to the county. "We are seeing illness severe enough to have people in the hospital, so my general recommendation is definitely to vaccinate,” Jones advised. It’s not just COVID. RSV and the flu which have similar symptoms are also spreading — so much so that The New York State Department of Health ordered unvaccinated healthcare workers to wear a mask in certain settings.Glens Falls Hospital took it one step further, requiring everyone visiting the facili...

LoHi sushi spot files for bankruptcy as owners battle in court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

Despite its penchant for raw food in the kitchen, Sushi Ronin is burning money in the courtroom.The LoHi sushi joint filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, nearly three years into a nasty legal battle between the business’ majority owner and initial investor, where each alleges misconduct and blames the other for the restaurant’s failure to ever turn a profit.“At this point, this lawsuit is just very, very vindictive,” said Alex Gurevich, Sushi Ronin’s majority owner.Chapter 11 bankruptcies are meant to allow a business to restructure and keep operating while paying creditors over time. But due to the restaurant’s steep debts — of which about $200,000 are lawsuit-related — Gurevich, who has an accounting degree from CU, said that closing and liquidating through Chapter 7 is not off the table.“The legal fees have exhausted this restaurant,” he said.Sushi Ronin has operated at 2930 Umatilla St. since 2016. But sales have been dropping in recent years. The restaur...

Point guard KJ Simpson putting on shows for CU Buffs against nation’s top point guards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

Isaiah Stevens from Colorado State landed on the preseason watch list for the Bob Cousy Award. So did Miami’s Nijel Pack.KJ Simpson did not.While the Buffaloes have higher aspirations than individual honors, it probably is no coincidence Simpson has enjoyed big games against the two aforementioned opposing point guards. Although Simpson wasn’t surprised he was left off the watch list for the award given to the nation’s top point guard, the snub nonetheless has provided a source of inspiration as Simpson looks to keep his hot start going when the Buffs host Northern Colorado on Friday night (6 p.m., Pac-12 Network).“Honestly, that’s just happened to me my whole life,” Simpson said. “No matter what I’ve done, it’s just never been enough. I’m real satisfied with it being like that. It just makes it the more sweeter. It makes me work harder. It makes me appreciate it a lot more.“It kind of sucks to be under-looked but at the same time, when I get the chance and ability to go against guy...

Woman to be charged in death of Boulder cyclist Magnus White

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

A Boulder woman will be charged in the death of 17-year-old Magnus White, after investigators determined she was likely asleep at the wheel when she struck and killed White while he was riding his bike on Colo. 119.Yeva Smilianska, 23, is facing one charge of vehicular homicide – reckless, a Class 4 felony, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday. According to a release, Smilianska was arrested and booked into the Boulder County Jail on Tuesday and appeared before a judge Wednesday for her hearing on advisement.Yeva Smilianska (Courtesy of Boulder County Sheriff’s Office)A judge signed off on an arrest warrant for Smilianska Tuesday afternoon, according to a news release.“The life of Magnus White was cut tragically short,” Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated. “His death is devastating for his family, friends, and the cycling community. Our office is committed to fighting for the right outcome.”Smilianska i...

Gahan, Gore honored with 'Depeche Mode Day' in L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, founders of the legendary electronic band Depeche Mode, were honored at Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, which was officially proclaimed as "Depeche Mode Day" in L.A.Depeche Mode just wrapped up two nights at Inglewood’s Kia Forum in support of their new album, Memento Mori, and will take the stage for two shows at Crypto.com area on Friday and Sunday.“We’ve always had a special relationship with Los Angeles,” said Gore. “It was really Los Angeles and New York [that] were the springboards for our career in America. The first stadium we ever [headlined] was here in Los Angeles, so another big part of our history.”The proclamation, which honors the band’s “musical genius and the enduring message of unity and love,” was presented by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez.Dave Gahan (left), Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (center) and Martin Gore (right) at a ceremony declaring Dec. 13, 2023 as "Depeche Mode Day" in Los Angeles. (KTLA)“Having sold more than 100 ...

Climate Resilience: United Barrier Technologies Tackles Global Flood Crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:21 GMT

Phil DeLaine, President and Bob MacKnight, Vice President of United Barrier Technologies, Inc.Climate change has changed to a climate crisis, increasing the need to innovate solutions to protect communities and their inhabitants against the destructive forces of extreme weather. Phil DeLaine and Bob MacKnight founded United Barrier Technologies (UBT), a small company with big and important ideas. Their patented AI-controlled railcar barriers help prevent flooding and minimize the costly destruction of property and the likelihood of deaths caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, and river overflowing. Their solution is a cost-effective, mobile, and highly reliable alternative to traditional technologies like levees and floodwalls.Market Opportunity and Current ProblemsThe prevailing market is dominated by two technologies: levees and floodwalls. However, these permanent structures are not only cost-prohibitive, with costs reaching $86 million per linear mile, but also pose many other ...