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Debt limit deal is in place, but budget deficit is still a multi-decade challenge for US government

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even with the new spending restraints in the debt limit deal, the U.S. government’s deficits are still on course to keep climbing to record levels over the next few decades.The projections are a sign that the two-year truce between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., might be only a pause before a far more wrenching set of showdowns over the federal budget. Why is the debt slated to keep rising? It’s due to the growing costs of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.Both Biden and McCarthy ruled out any cuts to Social Security and Medicare, two programs that benefit older voters, before their teams even began their budget talks. That omission reflects the politics around two popular programs as Democrats and Republicans prepare for next year’s presidential election. It also means the agreement finalized on Sunday keeps the risk of ever-escalating debt on the tabl...

Body of avalanche victim in Washington state recovered after being spotted by volunteer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — Search crews have recovered the body of a climber who was one of three killed in an avalanche on Washington’s Colchuck Peak in February.A search-and-rescue volunteer was on a personal trip to the mountain Monday when he saw the remains of 60-year-old Jeannie Lee, of Bayside, New York, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said.The volunteer climbed to the top of Colchuck Glacier and called dispatchers, who sent a helicopter and two other volunteers to assist in the recovery.Lee and two other climbers were killed Feb. 19 as they ascended a steep, snow-packed gulley on the 8,705-foot (2,653-meter) Colchuck Peak, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Seattle, amid risky avalanche conditions. Another member of their party was caught up in the slide, but had minor injuries and was able to hike back down.One of the victims, Seong Cho, 54, a Korean citizen residing in West Hartford, Connecticut, was located days later. But heavy snowfall helped prevent search...

Ontario police marks a century since the loss of its 1st officer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is marking the 100-year anniversary of its first officer killed in the line of duty.Sgt. John Urquhart, 33, was shot and killed on May 30, 1923, in North Bay, Ont.Sgt. Urquhart’s killing came following a 14-day-long manhunt for 21-year-old career criminal Leo Rogers who had escaped a courthouse two weeks earlier.Rogers fled the Nipissing District Court on May 16, 1923. He then shot and wounded North Bay Police Force Sgt. William McGovern a day later.Rogers then fatally shot North Bay Const. Fred Lefebvre on May 18.On May 30, 1923, #OPP Sergeant John Urquhart was killed in the line of duty. His life and sacrifice will always be remembered. #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/JszkwJTfPX— Thomas Carrique (@OPPCommissioner) May 30, 2023On May 30, Sgt. Urquhart and another police constable were approaching the rear door of a house in North Bay when Rogers fired shots through the door.Sgt. Urquhart was killed by the gunfire, leaving behind a wife ...

Which virus is causing congestion, coughing in so many? Here's a hint: It's not COVID

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

ALABAMA (WHNT) — It's not a COVID surge, but lately, another respiratory infection going around is leaving many people coughing and checking their temperatures.Excessive chest congestion, horrible coughs, fever and shortness of breath make up the symptoms of the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has similar symptoms to COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Despite the number of COVID and RSV cases falling this spring, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that nearly 19.6% of antigen tests and 11% of PCR tests were positive for HMPV, which was first discovered in 2001. That's a 36% increase from pre-pandemic numbers when the positivity rate was around 7%. RSV v. COVID v. flu: Here’s what you need to know While the warm summer months help cases of cold, flu and other respiratory viruses decline, the number of people suffering from HMPV is still higher than normal.According to the CDC, the virus can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in all ages, especially yo...

Capitol Closeout: A look at what happened, and didn’t happen, on top legislative priorities

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Hours after lawmakers adjourned sine die for the end of the regular legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott called them back to return Monday at 9:00 p.m. — in what he said will be the first of multiple special legislative sessions after chamber divisions got in the way of key Republican legislative priorities like property tax relief.“More must be done for the people of Texas. Many critical items remain that must be passed. Several special sessions will be required,” Gov. Abbott said.The Governor designated two topics for the legislature to address: property taxes and human smuggling. Only the Governor can convene the legislature outside of the regular session period, during which lawmakers may only pass legislation relating to topics the governor defines.A look at what happened and didn’t happen on top legislative priorities Cutting Property TaxesHouse and Senate leaders failed to strike a deal on legislation to lower property taxes after months of tense divi...

Attorneys for Austin officer win emergency court order to record grand jury proceedings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney José Garza must record his presentation of evidence to a special grand jury considering whether there is evidence that several officers used deadly conduct during the racial justice protests in May 2020. The officer's attorneys Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin filed an emergency motion asking the grand jury proceedings be recorded. A district judge signed the request and in a rare move has ordered that the district attorney must record audio of the grand jury proceedings related to the officers accused of deadly conduct. Sources tell KXAN the district attorney presented evidence against at least three Austin police officers accused of deadly conduct. KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorney's Office about the new APD officer cases, but the office told KXAN it could not confirm or provide a comment at this time. RELATED: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protests The new cases being presented Thursday comes day...

Gorillaz, Lil Yachty, others slated to play show at Q2 Stadium this fall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- London-based band Gorillaz has added an Austin show to their tour schedule this fall. Gorillaz will play at Q2 Stadium on Sept. 13 as part of a four-show series called "The Getaway." The Getaway will be the final run of the band's tour of its recent album "Cracker Island" and will feature artists KAYTRANADA, Lil Yachty and Remi Wolf. The Getaway will also make stops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston as well as Austin. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Presale for tickets will start Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m., and general onsale will begin Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. Last time Gorillaz performed in Austin was Sept. 30, 2022 at the Moody Center.

Gov. Walz signs bill to legalize marijuana, effective this summer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

Surrounded by dozens of cheering people in green clothes, Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill Tuesday to legalize recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21, making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize the substance for adults.“This has been a long journey with a lot of folks involved,” Walz said.Among them was one of the first governors in the U.S. to openly support marijuana legalization.“For me personally, it’s very wonderful to see a dream of yours over 20 years ago finally happen today, and I’m still alive to see it,” said Jesse Ventura, Minnesota’s governor from 1999-2003.Under the new law, cannabis will be legal by Aug. 1 to possess, use and grow marijuana at home. Possession of cannabis flower will be limited to 2 pounds (0.9 kilos) at home and 2 ounces (56 grams) in public. Other possession caps include 800 milligrams of THC in gummies and other edibles and 8 grams of cannabis concentrate.Retail sales at dispensaries will probably be at least a ...

Montgomery County sheriff holds press conference on arrest of wanted murder suspect

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Michael Darling, 44, of Gloversville was arrested over the weekend in Montgomery County, where he was wanted for murder. Watch in the player above as officials hold a press conference at 4 p.m. to discuss the case. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Darling was wanted for second-degree murder, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. Police say he killed his wife, Kristine Darling, in 2019 in Fort Johnson.Darling previously pleaded guilty to several weapons-related charges. He was incarcerated until May 8, when he was released from federal prison in Schuylkill

Most say limit, don't ban race in college admissions: AP-NORC poll

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:05 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Supreme Court decides the fate of affirmative action, most U.S. adults say the court should allow colleges to consider race as part of the admissions process, yet few believe students’ race should ultimately play a major role in decisions, according to a new poll. The poll found little divide along political or racial lines. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The May poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 63% say the Supreme Court should not block colleges from considering race or ethnicity in their admission systems. But those polled were more likely to say factors including grades and standardized test scores should be important, while 68% of adults said race and ethnicity should not be a significant factor.The poll reflects general support for affirmative action even as the future of the practice remains in doubt. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon ...