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Austin Public Library eyes new branches as part of expansion plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council voted to adopt the Austin Public Library's strategic plan Thursday, which includes proposals to both expand existing library branches while building four new locations within the system.The APL Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan cited Austin's rapid population growth as cause behind calls for "increasing the footprint of library spaces in the city," per a city news release. Austin City Council eyes changes after winter storm In addition to recommending four new branches, the plan also recommends projects to expand, replace and/or relocate more than half of APL's existing branches in the coming years.“Five and a half years ago, Austin opened a new world-class Central Library in downtown, and that building remains the crown jewel of the city,” APL Director Roosevelt Weeks said in the release. “However, our neighborhoods deserve world-class library facilities too. The plan adopted by the City Council today lays out a vision for gr...

Austin Police made 131 arrests, seized 61 firearms during SXSW time period

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- To curb violent crimes in Austin, the police department launched a Violent Crimes Initiative, which ran concurrently with the South by Southwest Festival. The operation, which was a collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies, was active from March 8 through March 18. APD seized a total of 61 firearms and made 131 arrests. During this initiative, officers were able to seize the following narcotics:3.5 Kg of cocaine/crack cocaine26.6 Kg of methamphetamine41.38 g of fentanyl/heroin98 lbs. of marijuanaIf you have information on individuals or groups of individuals who have illegal firearms, are committing acts of violence, or other crimes involving guns and drugs, please contact the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

Iowa governor signs gender-affirming care ban, bathroom law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a pair of laws restricting the bathrooms transgender students can use and banning gender-affirming medical care amid a flood of legislation nationwide targeting the trans community.Reynolds, a Republican, met with parents of transgender children to discuss the bills before signing them Wednesday, The Des Moines Register reported.“My heart breaks,” Reynolds told reporters. “I’ve sat down and met with them. It’s not easy. It’s not easy for me either. It’s not easy for our elected officials to make these decisions. So I just, I hope they know that.”Her endorsement of the laws, which took effect immediately, came just one day after Arkansas’s governor signed a similar bathroom law. And a bill in Idaho is awaiting its governor’s signature.In Iowa, the new law bars transgender students from using public school restrooms that align with their gender identity. Students will need parental consent for special accommodations...

ALDI sets opening date for new Brunswick location

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

BRUNSWICK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- ALDI is set to open a new location in Brunswick. The store is officially opening on April 6 at 662 Hoosick Road. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The first 100 customers on opening day (starting at 8:30 a.m.) will receive an eco-bag filled with samples of fan favorite ALDI products. Shoppers can also enter a sweepstakes from April 6 through April 9 for a chance to win a $500 ALDI gift card.“Our stores are designed to make grocery shopping smarter, faster and easier, and we’ve been voted the price leader for six years running,” said Aaron Sumida, Tully regional vice president for ALDI. Costco plans advance in Guilderland This is the first ALDI store in the Troy area. The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Another ALDI is set to open in North Greenbush near the corner of I-90 Exit 8 and Route 4.

Glens Falls down to four school mascot options

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Glens Falls City School District is rebranding. This week, students and the community at large have gotten a look at the four top contenders for the district's new mascot, as it says goodbye to Native American imagery, in accordance with state education guidance released late last year. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, the school released a survey to the public that students at Glens Falls High School got to see a day early. The survey asks for the community to choose their two favorite mascot options from a final four options generated over the last two months. Since early February, high school students and community members have engaged in thought exchanges and discussions to figure out what a mascot means to them - and what should represent their school."We've sought input from all of our stakeholders," said Glens Falls Superintendent Dr. Krislynn Dengler on Thursday. "We've gotte...

Northway exit 24 bridge replacement to cause months of detours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

WARRENSBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) — According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the Warren County Route 11 bridge over the Northway is being replaced. The project will close the bridge and the southbound exit 24 on- and off-ramps indefinitely. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The bridge replacement project starts April 3, with alternating lane closures in both directions. As work progresses, DOT will also give notice of occasional closures of the Northway between midnight and 6 a.m.The bridge, known as NY 915P, will be under construction and fully closed. Interstate-87 southbound ramps will also close, but northbound ramps will stay open to traffic. Though the closure is slated to last "indefinitely," detours are expected to be active to November 30. Costco plans advance in Guilderland Southbound off-ramp traffic at exit 24 must take a 16-minute detour to exit 23 and loop back around. Traffic from County Route 1...

Jana Elementary School shuts down after radioactive waste concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

FLORISSANT, Mo. - Jana Elementary School is expected to close for good, several months after concerns resurfaced over radioactive contamination around the school. The Hazelwood School District sent a letter to parents Tuesday stating that "there is no expectation that Jana Elementary will reopen." Environmental investigation consultants pointed out radioactive contamination at the school last year. Jana Elementary opened in 1970 and sits in the flood plain of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated with radioactive waste generated from the production of atomic weapons in the 1940s and 50s. Trending: Major St. Louis hotel sits empty for nearly a decade Renewed worries about contamination gained national attention in October, months after historic flash flooding slammed the St. Louis region. Jana Elementary closed down, and students have since moved to other buildings within the Hazelwood School District.The Hazelwood School District released the following statement, in part, to par...

Excessive rain expected near St. Louis tonight and into Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Temperatures are expected to fall today as a cold front slips from north to south. Rain will be limited to spotty showers at worst during the day. Temperatures will drop into the 50s, and maybe even 40s, north of I-70.Rain showers will move across the region 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. After 8 p.m. the rain will become quite heavy at times, especially in a band along the cold front. This is expected to be roughly along and just southeast of I-44 in Missouri and into St. Louis with the heavy rain spreading into southern Illinois near and south of I-70 overnight. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Heavy rain is likely overnight, especially along and south of I-44 in Missouri and I-70 in Illinois. The rain will begin to let up after 4 a.m. Several inches of rain are likely by sunrise Friday, resulting in flooding of rural roads, poorly drained urban areas, low water crossings and some creeks and streams. Expect at least some road closures late tonight into tomorro...

Southern Illinois man found guilty of stabbing acquaintance in the heart

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

BENTON, Ill. - A jury returned a guilty verdict Thursday against a Southern Illinois man accused of fatally stabbing an acquaintance in the heart nearly two years ago.The Franklin County State's Attorney's Office said Heath Dunning, of Eldorado, was convicted of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon, following a three-day trial.The murder took place on the evening of April 15, 2021. Prosecutors said Dunning and Dennis Martin were traveling on State Route 149 near New Lake Road. Top story: St. Louis car wash customers upset over monthly bills At the time, Dunning was driving Martin's van. The two men got into an argument about Dunning's route. Martin attempted to take the keys from the ignition, and Dunning responded by taking a knife and plunging it into his friend's chest. The knife slide between Martin's ribs and pierced his heart.Dunning parked the van in a nearby driveway and called 911. Paramedics arrived and declared Martin dead at the scene. Marti...

Viewer pics - National Puppy Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Thursday is National Puppy Day and there are a lot of people excited about sharing pics of their pets. We asked viewers to share their pics with us on Facebook and were overwhelmed with responses. This gallery has many pet pictures from FOX 2 viewers.