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Property tax cuts hit the fast track as Texas Senate advances long-awaited agreement

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A key portion of an $18 billion legislative package to cut land-owning Texans’ property taxes received unanimous approval in the Texas Senate on Wednesday, moving the long-awaited compromise deal along a fast track to the governor’s desk after months of agonizing negotiations among the state’s top Republicans.The House is expected to vote on the legislation Thursday.The agreement, which was announced Monday, would lower taxes for the state’s 5.7 million homeowners and add a temporary cap on appraisal increases for some non-homesteaded properties.It would also cut franchise taxes for small businesses and send billions of dollars to school districts so they can cut their taxes for all property owners and shift a portion of their operations costs to the state. However, the package would give no new funding to schools.On Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 2, the property tax cuts bill, and Senate Bill 3, a franchise tax relief bill.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick a...

The Eagles add second Xcel Energy Center show on the band’s farewell tour

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

Due to overwhelming demand for tickets, classic rockers the Eagles have added a second show on their farewell tour in six cities, including St. Paul, where they will now headline Xcel Energy Center on Nov. 17 and 18.Tickets for both nights go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster. Neither the promoter nor the venue announced ticket prices. Several presales are currently happening for Nov. 17 and dynamically priced seats are available, including $1,750 tickets for the fifth row. Presales for Nov. 18 start at 10 a.m. Thursday. Steely Dan will open.One of the biggest bands of the ’70s, the Eagles performed what they said would be their final concerts together in 2015. Band member Glenn Frey died the following year, seemingly putting an end to the group.But in 2017, Don Henley — the sole founding member remaining in the band — hired country star Vince Gill and Frey’s son Deacon to join a new version of the Eagles alongside guitarist Joe Walsh and bassist Timothy B. ...

Baby swans to return to village of Manlius Swan Pond

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

MANLIUS, N.Y. (WSYR) — Manny, the lone adult swan from the manlius Swan Pond, is about to be reunited with his four babies for the first time since mate Faye was killed by three teens around Memorial Day, according to Police. An uncertain future now looks a bit more promising. Beloved swan from NY pond killed, eaten; 3 teens charged in her death "The babies are ours and Manny and that, and they belong here," said Sherry Denbleyker, a resident of Kirkville."I am hopeful now that we get them back soon," said Marcia Morris, a Manlius native.Many got their wish. The four cygnets are coming home to the Manlius swan pond. "The four babies have a permit now to stay here until January. We are going to apply to extend that for another year, because they are too young to breed next year. They will live happily on that pond for another year," said Michael Bean, the local biologist caring for the four baby cygnets. Beloved swan from NY pond killed, eaten; 3 teens charged in her death Bean s...

Albany man arrested with over 40 lbs of Cannabis

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday morning, New York State Police arrested Olandise L. Warren, 29, following a traffic stop on I-787 in Albany. Warren was charged with Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the first degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Troopers that stopped Warren discovered that he did not possess a valid driver's license. Further investigation uncovered 44 pounds of illegally possessed cannabis in the vehicle and a large amount of U.S. currency.Warren was arraigned at the Albany City Court. He was released under the supervision of the Albany County Probation Department.

Giant panda gives birth to squirming, squealing twins at South Korean theme park

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A giant panda delivered healthy twin girls at a South Korean theme park. Ai Bao gave birth to her cubs last Friday at the Everland theme park near Seoul, the park’s operator said Tuesday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! It released video of the birth and the mother caring for her newborns, as well as veterinarians examining the tiny cubs. They are the first panda twins born in South Korea, Samsung C&T Resort Group said. Both Ai Bao and her newborns are in good health, the resort group said in the statement.Decades of conservation efforts in the wild and study in captivity saved the panda species native to China from extinction, increasing its population from fewer than 1,000 at one time to more than 1,800 in the wild and captivity. The life expectancy of a giant panda in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 38. Cats overwhelm homeowner in Johnstown This...

Colorado man held in hourslong Las Vegas standoff faces kidnapping, fugitive charges

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

LAS VEGAS — A Colorado man jailed on kidnapping and other charges after a Las Vegas Strip standoff where furniture was thrown from a 21st-floor window at Caesars Palace also faces a felony charge as a fugitive from another state, records showed Wednesday.Matthew John Ermond Mannix, 35, of Golden, was arrested after he was accused of taking a woman hostage for more than five hours Tuesday and claiming that he had a gun, according to his police arrest report.“The male made threats to arriving security (that) ‘if they enter the room he will shoot someone,’” police said, and “advised arriving police officers and security, ‘if you don’t leave it will end badly.’”Through the door, the woman also told police the man had a knife, the report said.Police said a knife was found, but did not report finding a gun, and said Mannix identified the woman as his girlfriend. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance Wednesday on felony charges including coercion with the threat of force, d...

Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails ‘steps forward’ at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuania’s capital:What to know: — Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its NATO membership remains elusive— Turkey won’t ratify Sweden’s NATO membership before October, Erdogan says— Biden and Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war— Greece and Turkey pledge to ‘reset’ ties and bypass longstanding disputes— NATO’s Article 5 stands in way of Ukraine joining alliance while at war— NATO summit in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine and a response to Russia—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed “small steps forward” at the NATO summit in Lithuania that are moving his country closer to victory against Russian forces.As the two-day summit ended Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of receiving an array of weaponry — much of it Western-suppl...

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but NATO membership remains elusive

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, LORNE COOK and SEUNG MIN KIM (Associated Press)VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia’s invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.“The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children,” he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.“We will not wav...

4 arrested in separate sexual assaults in San Fernando Valley

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrests of four men in separate sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley and are seeking additional victims.The incidents occurred between June 28 and July 7, according to the LAPD.One of the suspects, 43-year-old Edgar Munoz, previously worked as an English teacher at Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley and other schools.Los Angeles Police announced several arrests related to sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley. July 12, 2023. (KTLA)He was arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in Chatsworth dating back to 2019, according to LAPD.Cedric Tinsley, 25, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a victim before taking off in the victim's car. He is being held without bail, police said. Two of the suspects had already been identified:Mario Orozco, 31, is accused of breaking into several homes and sexually assaulting victims in the Reseda area. He is ...

Arizona man targeted by J6 conspiracies sues Fox for defamation

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:55:05 GMT

By Oliver Darcy | CNNRay Epps, the Arizona man that conspiracy theorists falsely claim led an FBI plot to orchestrate the January 6 insurrection, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Fox News, accusing the right-wing channel and former host Tucker Carlson of defamation.“In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party,” the lawsuit said. “Eventually, they turned on one of their own.”Spokespeople for Fox News did not immediately return a request for comment. Neither did Carlson.The lawsuit from Epps comes after his lawyer demanded a retraction in March over the “fanciful notion” Carlson advanced on his show.In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, conspiracy theorists baselessly suggested that the assault was a so-called “false flag” operation staged by the federal government to make supporters of then-President Donald Trump look bad.As part of that conspiracy theory, so...