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'We're making progress on it': APD Chief gives update on improvements in handling sexual assault cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It's been five months since a report came out that detailed improvements the Austin Police Department needed to make with how it handles sexual assault cases. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Progress made but APD needs improvement in handling sex assault cases, report states The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) report was 182 pages evaluating APD's handling of sexual assaults reported to the department from 2012 to 2020. It found a variety of issues like interviews with victims, suspects and witnesses were often delayed or not happening at all. It also said detectives weren't able to get video evidence or take victims to and from interviews because they didn't have enough vehicles. 'It continues to be a priority'"We're moving forward on all the measures that came out in the PERF report," said Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Chacon said he doesn't have an updated list of improvements that have been made just yet, but that there are some in progress. One of them is the ...

SpaceX Starship launches, self-destructs over Gulf of Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX’s giant new rocket blasted off on its first test flight Thursday from Boca Chica Beach, but failed minutes after rising from the launch pad.SpaceX later said multiple engines on the 33-engine booster were not firing as the rocket ascended, causing it to lose altitude and begin to tumble. The rocket was intentionally destroyed by its self-destruct system, exploding and plummeting into the water.Elon Musk’s company was aiming to send the nearly 400-foot Starship rocket on a round-the-world trip from the southern tip of Texas. It carried no people or satellites; both the booster and spacecraft on top were to be ditched into the Gulf of Mexico.Plan for the launch. Photo: SpaceX websiteAfter the blast, SpaceX posted on Twitter, "As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation.""With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve...

Pearl Jam set to return to Xcel Energy Center for a pair of concerts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pearl Jam will return to St. Paul for the first time in more than eight years when they headline Xcel Energy Center on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program, which requires advance registration and is open through 7 p.m. April 25. Tickets will then go on sale at 10 a.m. April 28 through Ticketmaster. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced ticket prices.As usual, the band is selling “the majority of tickets to Ten Club members” who had already joined the fan club prior to the concert announcement. They’re also selling what they’re calling PJ Premium tickets through Ticketmaster. They make up about 10 percent of all seats, are located in “preferred locations” in the arena and are priced at market rate. All tickets are non-transferable, with listed prices including all additional fees.Formed in Seattle in 1990, Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut album, “Ten,” spawned three hit sing...

With cyclists in mind, MnDOT to unveil three designs for John Ireland Boulevard reconstruction by State Capitol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

In the spring and summer of 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will rebuild John Ireland Boulevard from the Minnesota State Capitol over Interstate 94 almost to Kellogg Boulevard, a $16.2 million project that will take its spans offline for most of the construction season.An undated architectural rendering shows one of three options for a rebuild of John Ireland Boulevard in St. Paul. In the spring and summer of 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will rebuild John Ireland Boulevard from the Minnesota State Capitol over Interstate 94 almost to Kellogg Boulevard, a $16.2 million project that will take its spans offline for most of the construction season. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation)The boulevard, which technically spans two bridges built in the mid-1960s, already has markings for in-street bike lanes. An open house on Tuesday will showcase three potential designs for the new bridge decks, which could stay roughly the same, add a...

Earth Day is Saturday. A city cleanup, sidewalk art, drain clearing, fashion show are among ways to get involved

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

With Earth Day on Saturday, various efforts in the Twin Cities are being made to raise awareness for the environment. Events include a citytwide clean up in St. Paul, the Adopt-A-Drain program, a sidewalk chalk art program and more.The whole family is invited to celebrate Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2023 by taking part in various volunteer opportunities and fun events, like the Pictures, Poems, and Play! sidewalk chalk event. Spend the day creating sidewalk art with the community! (Courtesy of Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association)For the whole familyThe Pictures, Poems, and Plays! sidewalk chalk art event is happening Saturday, all day long. The Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association in Grant is inviting community members of all ages to celebrate the earth by bringing bags to collect trash and bringing their own sidewalk chalk to create art. They ask that anyone participating wears bright colors, stays in groups, and to “fill the trail with pictures, poems, and playful ...

NYS Lawmakers to vote on Assembly map

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--After several meetings held around the state getting the public’s input, The Independent Redistricting Commission voting to send the final proposal on to the state legislature. The map is similar to the one that’s currently in place."I was fortunate," said Assembly Minority Leader, Will Barclay. "I think there is something like 17 districts— at least that’s what I heard, that don’t change at all. I happen to be one of them."However, some districts do change.The single most effected district was the 101st. We called it the snake district, some called it an abomination. But it was a very, very long, thin district that reached from as far as southern New York near Westchester, all the way up to the Syracuse area. Some places or many places only a single town wide," explained Charles Nesbitt, Vice Chairman of the Independent Redistricting Commission. That district belongs to Republican Assemblyman Brian Maher. In a statement, he said, “I have truly enjoyed getting...

Housing hold up in NYS Budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- It's the latest budget in 13 years. The 2023 budget is now 20 days past its April 1 deadline. On Thursday, Hochul signed the third budget extender to keep state operations funded and state workers paid until Monday. Lawmakers are struggling to come to an agreement on housing. Tenants, legislators rally at Capitol for good cause eviction "I hope, we’re at the beginning of the end. This has been the most policy laden budget that we’ve… that I’ve ever had to deal with," said Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Governor Hochul's budget proposal includes creating 800,000 new homes over the next ten years, an annual growth of one percent housing in upstate, and a three percent in downstate. The initiative would override local zoning laws which comes with some pushback from municipalities and lawmakers, like Senator George Borrello. "It's going to try to shoehorn hundreds of thousands of new units into very small areas, essentially it’s going to take a...

Is it legal to collect rainwater in Missouri & Illinois?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's that time of year when threats of storms and torrential rainfall are common around the St. Louis area. When it pours, you might be tempted to place a bucket, barrel or some sort of container outside to collect rainwater. Some people may do this in hopes to reduce their water bills or conserve local waters. Trending: Woman tracks stolen AirPods, but says St. Louis police can’t help Although the CDC advises against drinking rainwater (due to risks of harmful bacteria), there is no federal law against collecting it and reusing it for non-potable purposes. In fact, rainwater could be potentially used for the following tasks: Watering your garden, lawn or plantsCleaning garden toolsWashing your carBathingLaundrySince there aren't any federal regulations against collecting rainwater, it's left up to states to decide whether to allow it. Some municipalities may also have ordinances encouraging or prohibiting the practice as well. According to the World Water Reserve, th...

Man injured in south St. Louis City crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One person was hurt in a car crash in south St. Louis City early Thursday morning.Emergency crews had to cut the car to get the victim out. The crash happened on Ohio Avenue at Arsenal Street. Trending: Woman tracks stolen AirPods, but says St. Louis police can’t help The person driving hit a parked car trailer. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Preliminary information from hospital staff suggests he might survive.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thought he finally had difficult lineups decisions to make in Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then another last-second injury made a choice for him.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar joked about the uncharted territory where he found himself.Did it feel nice to finally be confronted with difficult lineup decisions after an injury-hounded regular season in which he didn’t have to make a lot? “Probably haven’t had to make any,” he said, laughing. “Never mind a lot of them.”By that night, the choice had already been taken away from him.With Cale Makar and Josh Manson back from injuries in Game 1 of the first round, the Avalanche suddenly had a surplus of defensemen. Someone had to be scratched. Nineteen Avalanche skaters warmed up at Ball Arena, including seven blueliners. But Jack Johnson participated in line rushes with the third pairing; Erik Johnson did not. In the official lineup sheet issued to reporters by the team, Erik Johnson was a scratch.Until minutes before puck drop, when Jack Johnson was ruled out with a lower-body injury. Erik Johnson played. ...