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Round Rock ISD says budget concerns could lead to staff reassignments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock Independent School District's superintendent said inflation and budget concerns could lead to as many as 40 or more employees being reassigned to other roles by the end of the spring semester.Dr. Hafedh Azaiez, RRISD superintendent, said letters began distributing last week to employees that could be affected by these staffing changes. He also said a district-wide email addressing those staffing changes went out Friday afternoon.Concerned citizens sent copies of the aforementioned letter to KXAN using the ReportIt! tip line.The letter, dated April 6, 2023, read: "Due to a change in student enrollment and/or proposed budget cuts some campuses will need to reduce its staff. Unfortunately, the reduction will occur in your area; therefore, you have been placed on the surplus list."The letter went on to specify that employees can submit transfer and internal job applications to the district through May 26, 2023.Dr. Azaiez in a one-on-one interview Fr...

State Patrol warns drivers to watch out for motorcycles during Spring Flood Run on Saturday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

Thousands of motorcyclists are taking to the roads along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers Saturday for the Spring Flood Run, prompting the Minnesota State Patrol to warn drivers to be extra cautious.The rally attracts thousands of motorcyclists between the Twin Cities and Winona, Minn.The Flood Run began in 1965 when a dozen motorcyclists drove to Winona to assist with sandbagging during spring flooding there. Now held in the spring and fall, it raises money for Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul.Authorities are asking drivers and riders to be careful and aware to prevent any serious or fatal crashes during the run. Law enforcement will be out in force to help keep riders and motorists safe.According to the State Patrol, motorcycle fatalities in the state are the highest they’ve been in several years, with 70 motorcyclists killed so far this year. There were 56 deaths at this time last year, 48 in 2020 and 39 in 2019, according to the State Patrol.“Riding season has ...

4 dogs fatally maul man who was caring for them at Brooklyn Park home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

A 22-year-old man has died after four dogs he was caring for attacked him in the backyard of a home in the 5700 block of Halifax Avenue in Brooklyn Park on Thursday.The Hennepin County medical examiner identified the man as Dezmond Ray Thomas Trawick.Authorities say he was watching the dogs, which were identified as American pit bull terriers, at the house for a family member.The Brooklyn Park Police Department gave the following details:About 12:45 p.m., Thursday, a neighbor called 911 to report that a man being attacked by several dogs was yelling for help and couldn’t get up off the ground during the mauling. When officers arrived, they shot a less-than-lethal round that struck at least one of the dogs and caused all four of them to disperse and return to the house.Officers were then able to get to Trawick and provide first aid.Trawick had extensive bites on most of his body and most of his clothes were torn off. He died Thursday night after undergoing surgery.The dogs were...

Cleanup, investigation continues after fatal East Greenbush fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Cleanup continued on Friday after Thursday's fatal fire at Hanley Motor Home Park in East Greenbush. Police said one person was killed in the fire. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! East Greenbush Town Supervisor Jack Conway said a member of the local business community is paying for hotel rooms for those who have been displaced. "There's unsafe buildings there now, so we have to keep them safe," said Conway. "The Chief of Police is on top of the situation, she's monitoring everything. We're making sure that nobody's wandering in trying to find things or mucking about." Fatal structure fire closes down parts of Columbia Turnpike A section of Columbia Turnpike was shut down while crews responded. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

NYS school mascot regulations to be finalized

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Board of Regents is soon expected to finalize its proposed regulations regarding Native American mascot names and imagery. According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the Board is expected to formally adopt the proposal at its meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In November 2022, NYSED sent the ruling to all New York school districts, requiring those with a Native American mascot to find a replacement. The directive applies to mascots, team names, and logos.If schools want to keep their mascots, they must have expressed approval from a recognized Native American tribe. Those who do not comply with NYSED’s ruling are at risk of having school officers removed and state aid withheld. Schoharie Storm top mascot name after ranked voting Officials had to have a 60-day public comment period under state law before the regulations were officially adopted. S...

Missouri Senate approves five-day school weeks, exempting rural districts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nearly a quarter of all Missouri's school districts are only in session four days a week this year. Legislation moving forward in Jefferson City could require schools to go back to five days a week, but some districts would be exempt.The law allowing four-day weeks was passed more than a decade to help schools save money after the recession but now it's being used as a perk to hire and retain teachers. This week, the Missouri Senate passed a bill allowing home school students to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities in the local school district. Within that legislation, Democratic Senator Doug Beck, from Affton, added a provision, requiring five-day school weeks, unless approved by a vote of the people.  Top Story: Witness: Woman pumping gas seriously hurt chasing after stolen purse "I think the more contact students have with their teachers, like 174 days compared to 142 days, is critical to learning," Beck said Thursday after th...

David’s Bridal could shutter its stores, including six in Colorado, if a buyer isn’t found soon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

David’s Bridal, a national retailer of wedding and prom dresses, has informed state employment agencies around the country that it could lay off more than 9,236 employees, including dozens in Colorado, as it seeks a buyer to stave off closure.The Pennsylvania-based company listed all its U.S. stores without specific breakouts for each in a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) letter filed with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) on Friday. Included on that list were a half dozen Colorado stores:9270 Sheridan Blvd. in Westminster8680-B Park Meadows Center Dr. in Lone Tree100 South Abilene St. in Aurora7320 North Academy Blvd. in Colorado Springs4300 South College Ave. in Fort Collins632 Market St. in Grand JunctionAlthough the company didn’t say it would definitely shut down the stores, it is setting the groundwork for closures that would overlap with the peak wedding season. The dismissal of field or store employees could begin as soon ...

Cherry Creek office building fetches $12.5M after 48-year hold

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

A Cherry Creek office building has changed hands for the first time in nearly half a century.The building at 2702 E. 3rd Ave., which has three stories above a garden level, sold for $12.5 million on Tuesday, according to public records.The structure, which sports a midcentury modern facade, was built in 1966. Seller Jerry Wrench told BusinessDen he and his investors had owned it for 48 years.“That doesn’t happen often anymore,” Wrench said.The building was purchased by an entity affiliated with the family-owned Lario Oil & Gas Co., which is headquartered two blocks away at 260 N. Josephine St. A company representative said it’s the first Cherry Creek property Lario has bought outright, although the company has invested in projects, including the office building where it leases space. No imminent changes are planned.“Right now, we like the stabilized cash flow and the location,” the representative said.The building, sometimes also given the address 288 Clayton St., was designed b...

NBA Playoffs to include all four of California's teams for the first time

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

The NBA Playoffs will include all four of the league’s California teams, the first time the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are in the postseason since sharing statehood. The NBA has had four teams in California for 38 years, dating back to the Kings’ relocation from Kansas City to Sacramento. The Kings have called Sacramento home since 1985 and played at the original ARCO Arena until the second and now-demolished ARCO Arena from 1988 to 2016.The Kings now play at the Golden 1 Center, where they will host the Warriors for Game 1 of a first round series in the first-ever playoff matchup between the two Northern California squads. Here’s how all four California teams secured their spot in the playoffs.Sacramento KingsThe Kings are in the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons and are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a 48-24 record. The franchise also won its first Pacific Division title since 2003.Prior to the ...

'Snake burglar' arrested in Riverside

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:54 GMT

A serial burglar dubbed the “Snake Burglar” was arrested Wednesday for allegedly committing over 70 thefts throughout Riverside.The suspect was identified as Christopher Michael Jackson, 32, a local transient, according to the Riverside Police Department.Jackson’s signature move typically involved removing a windowpane to break into a local business and upon entering, he would crawl along the floor to avoid triggering the alarm system, police said.He would then cut open the business’ safe and take any money inside before fleeing.Since July 2021, police say Jackson was responsible for over 70 commercial burglaries throughout the Riverside area.Jackson had been arrested several times before and was recently sentenced to “six sentences of 16 months in jail after pleading guilty to 23 felonies,” according to arrest documents. “However, laws or orders pertaining to overcrowding in the jail system allowed him to only serve less than 10 days in jail.” Father murdered in Pomona freeway sh...