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China's COVID role, Pentagon abortion policy: Pence town hall takeaways

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

(NewsNation) — Former Vice President Mike Pence emphasized his deep conservative values as he advocated for education policy change, backed support for a senator fighting the Pentagon and defended the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID pandemic during a NewsNation town hall Wednesday night.Pence has been on the campaign trail in the early primary states Iowa and New Hampshire as he looks to gain support in the 2024 Republican presidential primary race.He also went on the offensive at last month's first GOP debate, touting his experience in the Trump administration and engaging in several back-and-forths with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. He also defended — as he has consistently done — his decision not to reject Electoral College votes on Jan. 6, 2021, during the certification of the 2024 election.On the issues, Pence is a staunch opponent of abortion rights; supports continued U.S. military support for Ukraine; called for limits to the federal government’s role in educatio...

Gavin Roberts pleads not guilty in November 2022 north Austin murder case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man who is facing charges in connection with the death of an Austin man in November 2022 entered a not guilty plea this week as a trial date was set for the case.According to the Travis County 450th District Court, Gavin Roberts entered a not guilty plea, and the case will go to trial on Feb. 5, 2023. Affidavit details interview with suspect facing murder charge after missing man’s body found Roberts, 26 at the time of his arrest, is facing charges of murder and tampering with a corpse, according to officials.Justin Haden (Austin Police Department Photo) Justin Haden, 34, was last seen on Nov. 1, 2022 at The Domain in north Austin. He was reported missing on Nov. 7, 2022, according to law enforcement officials.A search warrant revealed that surveillance footage and cellphone records showed Roberts was with Haden the day he went missing. APD looking for man last seen at the Domain Nov. 1 Detectives with the Austin Police Department traveled to Colorado Nov. 30...

SAG-AFTRA Houston-Austin Local holds rally at The Domain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Members of Houston-Austin SAG-AFTRA rallied in the public square at The Domain in north Austin Wednesday.The handful of SAG-AFTRA supporters were there to strike in solidarity in response to the SAG-AFTRA National Board voting to unanimously call a strike back in July. This comes following the conclusion of the TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), according to the organization.SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) SAG-AFTRA strike at The Domain Sept. 13, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) "Performers are asking for minimum earnings to keep up with inflation and compensation thatreflects the ...

Listless Lynx routed by Connecticut 90-60 in playoff opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

The Minnesota Lynx are justifiably on the edge of playoff elimination.Connecticut scored a postseason franchise-record 16 times from outside the arc and basically had its way all over the court in dominating the Lynx 90-60 Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn., in Game 1 of the best-of-3 series opening round WNBA series.Lack of a consistent perimeter defense is one of many reasons the Lynx lost. One could easily add poor shot selection, turnover differential and uneven transition defense to that list.Kayla McBride scored 16 points to lead the Lynx.Game 2 is Sunday afternoon in Connecticut. If necessary, a deciding Game 3 would be Wednesday at Target Center.Operating much of the game with little room, Napheesa Collier scored 14 points for No. 6-seeded Minnesota. The other three Lynx starters — Diamond Miller, Tiffany Mitchell and Dorka Juhász — combined for a mere 10 points. Miller was 2 for 9 from the field.Third-seeded Connecticut had 28 assists on 33 baskets and scored 30 points off 19 L...

State law enforcement associations: School resource officer law needs clarity. House speaker says it’s clear.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

Interpretations of changes to Minnesota law about school resource officers continue to vary: The state police association’s attorney said Wednesday the law creates separate standards for use-of-force for SROs vs. patrol officers, while the head of the Minnesota House of Representatives said there’s one standard for all peace officers.State law enforcement associations underscored their calls Wednesday for a special legislative session on the SRO law. House Speaker Melissa Hortman said she’ll continue working with people who have concerns, though she doesn’t think a special session is necessary because she said state law is clear about reasonable force for officers.Only the governor can call a special session, and Gov. Tim Walz told Minnesota Public Radio News Friday that he wouldn’t call one for now. Imran Ali, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) general counsel, said he spoke with the governor’s office Tuesday and he “wa...

After four-year absence, White Bear Avenue Parade returns this Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

Despite financial difficulties, the White Bear Avenue Parade is back this weekend.It has been four years — 2019 — since the St. Paul East Side parade last took place. In 2020 and 2021, the parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And in 2022, financial concerns were the main reason for its cancellation, according to Lisa Theis, executive director of the Greater East Side Community Council.The biggest cause of financial stress was paying for the St. Paul Police Department to provide security.“We used to pay about $5,000 … but this year it’s about $14,000,” Theis said.Recent policy changes have required event organizers to provide the overtime pay for every officer “from commander to lieutenant,” Theis said.These nearly tripled expenses were the main reason Theis and the business association decided to shorten the route of the 2023 parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.The route has typically started going north up White Bear Avenue from Ivy Avenue before ending at Aldrich...

Albany Med receives $100K to support pediatric cancer research

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hyundai Hope on Wheels presented Albany Medical Center with a $100,000 grant on Wednesday. This year, the non-profit is celebrating its 25th anniversary with $25 million in pediatric cancer research and programmatic grants. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! This brings the organization's donation total to $225 million since 1998. Cancer survivors shared their stories at the gathering, and a very large check was presented.Children battling cancer at Albany Med got to participate in the program's signature handprint ceremony where they dipped their hands in paint and placed their handprints on a white Hyundai Tucson.

Girl's path to school: speeding cars, sex offenders, dangerous crosswalk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – From running through crosswalks to speeding cars by kids walking and biking to school, parents are calling for an immediate change before someone is hurt.Josh Waltz said some of the dangers started this school year when the Francis Howell School District implemented a new boundary policy.Students living within a mile of the district are not eligible for transportation. The district said the primary reason for the change is that there's a shortage of bus drivers.Waltz rides a bicycle with his 11-year-old daughter to Francis Howell Middle School every morning and afternoon."The bus does stop in front of our house, but she's not allowed to ride it," Waltz said. "We've been told my house is too close to the school."Need for speed in school zoneAlong the one-mile stretch of O'Fallon Road, cars zip by like they're not in a school zone.The speed limit is 20 miles per hour in the school zone, but our camera spotted the yellow flashing light that should be alerting ...

Wentzville community hopeful UAW strike can be averted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. – United Auto Workers across the country could soon be going on strike. That means there could be a work stoppage at the General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center.The deadline for a deal is Thursday night at 11 p.m. Central. On Wednesday, the union president said there’s been some movement, but the two sides are still too far apart.We won't know until Thursday night which facilities the United Auto Workers union plans on targeting with a strike. If no deal is reached by the deadline, walkouts could begin on Friday. Meanwhile, the staff at Stefanina's Pizzeria in Wentzville was busy Wednesday. They’re hopeful a potential strike at the nearby GM plant can be averted.

Hawley legislation takes aim at credit card companies and interest rates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Senator Josh Hawley is going after credit card companies with new legislation aimed at the high interest rates they charge cardholders.“Eighteen percent ought to be the cap. My bill would cap it across the board, all credit cards,” Hawley said. “Cap fees as well, so the credit card companies can’t come through the backdoor and charge you more. This is basic fairness for working people in this country.”The senator said his Capping Credit Card Interest Rates Act has already drawn the ire of credit card companies.“They hate it, of course. They predict the sky will fall. All I would say to all of that is 18% is a heck of a lot of profit,” he said. “I mean, just a few months ago, the average interest rate was below 18%. And now it’s up near 30%. So the idea they need to make 20, 30, 40% profit in order to be viable is just ridiculous.” Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News ...