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Walz signs $72 billion Minnesota budget: ‘We’re leaving no one behind’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

Major pieces of a $72 billion state budget DFL lawmakers passed during what could shape up to be one of the most consequential legislative sessions in recent memory are falling into place.Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday signed into law a dozen bills enacting a significant portion of what he and fellow Democrats call the “One Minnesota” budget. It’s a significant expansion of government spending backers say will reduce child poverty and make the state a better place to raise a family.Standing in front of Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers and state officials on the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday, Walz told a crowd that Minnesota wanted to see the end of partisan gridlock at the Capitol and elected DFL majorities to boost education funding, protect abortion rights and enact policies like paid family and medical leave.“It’s going to mean a fairer, more inclusive, better and more prosperous Minnesota,” Walz said. “We’re leaving no one behind.”With control of the Senate, House and gov...

State officials hope COVID vaccine mandate repeal will relieve staffing crisis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With a healthcare staffing shortage across New York, Governor Kathy Hochul continued the declaration of a statewide disaster emergency last month. Some workers had left their jobs over the COVID vaccine requirement. Some believe repealing the mandate will help with the staffing crisis. But Stephen Hanse from the New York State Health Facilities Association says it may not encourage everyone to return.“I’m aware of some individuals who pursued some careers or other avenues where they may not leave those new jobs,” Hanse said. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! When the covid vaccines were mandated in 2021, health facilities around the Capital Region encouraged their staff to vaccinate. Timothy Turbiak is an X-ray Technologist for a private practice, and he remembers how the mandate affected staffing.“We did a little shuffling around of employees who wouldn’t get the vaccine,” Turbiak said. “So, we made t...

Collinsville family get results after dealing with drainage problems

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - A Collinsville family was dealing with a mess—a drainage ditch in front of their home.It’s supposed to channel rainwater. The ditch gets clogged, and water collects in it, making it a haven for mosquitoes. The ditch stretches for nearly one hundred yards. Oftentimes, the stagnant water sits there for a month or more.Mark Levart said he asked the City of Collinsville to fix the problem, but nothing happened. For sale: Eccentric Fenton home hidden behind quaint exterior FOX 2 contacted the Collinsville city manager. He didn’t want to talk on camera, but did he promise to reach out to the resident to solve the problem.True to his word, the city manager met with the resident and began the process of fixing the problems with the ditch, which now looks different. The issue has been solved.Levart now says he’s more than satisfied with the results.

Pam Hupp investigation still sending ripples through Missouri courts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. – A judge made two decisions Wednesday involving former law enforcement officers accused of crimes connected to the Pam Hupp investigation.They happened while FOX 2 was with the man who served years of wrongful imprisonment because of the case. Russ Faria follows every development.Faria served more than three years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Instead of projecting anger over what happened to him, he’s turning it into action, as he refuses to miss the most minor of court developments.“I was fortunate. I could still be in prison right now,” he said. “The average time for an appeal in the state of Missouri is 10-plus years.”It will be 10 years this November when Faria was wrongfully convicted for the 2011 murder of his then wife, Betsy. Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen It was a murder in which Pam Hupp now stands charged. But that murder charge against Hupp came under a new regime in Lincoln County. The former prosecu...

Metro bus driver allegedly stabbed in Woodland Hills; suspect at large

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly stabbed a Metro bus driver Wednesday night in Woodland Hills.  Calls about the incident, located at Erwin Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, came in at around 5:15, officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said.  It is unclear what led up to the incident, but officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.  Footage from Sky5 showed a large police presence at the scene while authorities investigated. LAPD on the scene of an alleged stabbing of a Metro Bus driver in Woodland Hills May 24, 2023. (KTLA)LAPD on the scene of an alleged stabbing of a Metro Bus driver in Woodland Hills May 24, 2023. (KTLA)The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, with blonde hair and a thin build. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and black pants.  Authorities also said that a knife was used in the stabbing, but it’s unclear if the weapon has been recovered.  

The World Reacts To Death Of Rock Legend Tina Turner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

The rock and roll world lost one of its most iconic voices as Tina Turner, 83, died in her Switzerland home.The announcement was made through her official social media accounts Wednesday, with a message reading:“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow.“Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, took the music world by storm with her brother Ike Turner in the 1960s, when their single “A Fool in Love” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs charts and No. 27 on the publication’s Hot 100 List.In 1976, Turner went solo, hitting her stride in 1983 with her No. 1 hit “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” The song...

CCS, NCS baseball playoffs: Wednesday’s semifinal results, championship matchups

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

NEW: PREP SPORTS MAILBAGThe Bay Area News Group is introducing a high school sports mailbag in May. Get your questions in as soon as possible. Our debut edition is an open forum. Got questions about spring sports playoffs, coaching changes, an early peek at football season, etc.? Send them to [email protected]. Please include “mailbag” in the subject line.Central Coast SectionDivision IWednesday’s semifinalsNo. 6 Hollister 10, No. 7 Live Oak 0, 5 inningsNo. 5 St. Ignatius (17-11) vs. No. 1 Valley Christian (27-3) at Excite Ballpark, 7 p.m.Saturday’s finalNo. 6 Hollister (23-6) vs. No. 1 Valley Christian or No. 5 St. Ignatius at Excite Ballpark, TBAWednesday’s semifinalNo. 2 Bellarmine 5, No. 6 Serra 2No. 4 Leigh 9, No. 1 Aptos 1Friday’s finalNo. 4 Leigh (19-10) vs. No. 2 Bellarmine (19-12-1) at Excite Ballpark, TBADivision IIIThursday’s semifinalsNo. 3 Carmel (16-12) vs. No. 2 St. Francis SCP (18-9) at Hartnell College, 3 p.m.No. 4 Sacred...

Bay Area doctor gets two years in prison for possessing child pornography

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

MENLO PARK – A Bay Area physician was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for possessing child pornography, federal prosecutors said.In November 2021, a grand jury indicted Joseph Andrew Mollick, 60, of Menlo Park, on one count of possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 9.According to his plea agreement, Mollick admitted that he used the social media application Kik in August 2019 to upload an image of a man and a prepubescent girl having sexual relations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.Prosecutors said Mollick’s personal laptop computer also contained at least 2,000 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.In a court filing, Mollick identified himself as a medical doctor who has worked at Bay Area hospitals, prosecutors said.In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria ordered Mollick to pay a $25,000 fine and serve five years of supervised release, which will beg...

San Francisco police pursuit policy under scrutiny following fatal crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- An innocent bystander was killed and three more victims injured, after alleged carjacker Carlo Watson tried to avoid being caught by the police. He ended up in a violent collision with another vehicle at the intersection of 16th Street and Potrero Avenue in San Francisco Tuesday.San Francisco Police Department investigators say it was around 10 a.m. Tuesday when Watson allegedly carjacked a city-owned vehicle at Folsom and Mabini. A short time later, SFPD officers and deputies with the San Francisco Sheriff's Office spotted the vehicle at Kansas and 25th streets. That is where the vehicle pursuit began. San Francisco Mayor booed in UN Plaza, brick thrown in crowd "It's such an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere for both the police and the person being chased," said former SF Police Commissioner John Hamasaki. "We have a series of factors at SFPD that they're supposed to consider."San Francisco's police pursuit policy includes balancing the importance of apprehend...

Clemson routs Virginia Tech 14-5 after trailing in early innings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:34 GMT

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Caden Grice hit a grand slam in Clemson’s seven-run sixth inning and the Tigers rallied to defeat Virginia Tech 14-5 on Wednesday night in the ACC Tournament.Trailing 5-3 entering the sixth inning, Clemson (40-17) took the lead after two runs scored on an outfield error followed by Cam Cannarella’s go-ahead single. Grice’s slam capped the rally and was his team-high 15th home run of the season, giving him a team-high 58 RBIs.Clemson used seven pitchers, the last four of which did not allow a run over the final five innings. B.J. Bailey (2-2), the fourth pitcher, was credited with the win.Both Billy Amick and Riley Bertram had three hits and two RBIs for the Tigers.No. 3 seed Clemson will play sixth-seeded Boston College on Friday, with the winner finishing first in Pool C and advancing to the semifinals on Saturday.No. 10 seed Virginia Tech (30-23) finished last in the three-team pool.Carson DeMartini hit a two-run single and Sam Tackett drove i...