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Oncor Electric received highest number of PUC complaints in 2022

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

KXAN (AUSTIN) — Public Utility Commission of Texas data shows it received more than 17,000 consumer complaints about electric providers in 2022. Oncor, which services nearly 13 million customers across the state and is the largest Transmission and Delivery Utility in Texas, accumulated the most complaints to the regulatory agency from 2020 to 2022, according to agency data. Austin Energy: Heat to blame for equipment failure, blackouts for thousands “Oncor is by far the largest TDU in the state,” an Oncor spokesperson said in a statement. “We have continuously prioritized reliability-related improvements and investments across our system, including automation and system hardening projects, particularly in planning for severe weather events.”Texas-New Mexico Power Company, which provides electricity to more than 260,000 Texas homes, and Entergy Texas, which provides electricity to 499,000 customers, had the next highest volumes of complaints sent to the regulatory agency in all of 2...

Paxton impeachment attorneys wrestle over trial rules ahead of Senate decision

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday, a Texas Senate panel is expected to present its proposed rules for how the upcoming impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will work.The anticipated release of recommendations from the seven-member Senate committee to the entire Senate is scheduled for Tuesday. The panel has broad power in forming how the Senate trial might operate, which could significantly impact Paxton's prospects of keeping his position in an impending trial, which Lt. Governor Dan Patrick vowed to begin by Aug. 28 at the latest. BACKGROUND: Texas House votes to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton While state senators — who will serve as a jury — will vote whether or not to convict or acquit Paxton, no aspect of the trial will include criminal charges. While attorneys have often compared the impeachment process to criminal trials in the judicial system, Texas lawmakers are only weighing Paxton's fitness for office. A Senate vote to impeach would mean immediate...

MPCA issues air quality alert for ozone in central, southern Minnesota

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert in the state — but rather than Canadian wildfire smoke, the offender this time is ground-level ozone.The advisory for central and southern Minnesota will be in effect from noon Tuesday until 9 p.m. Thursday.Ground-level ozone is expected to be high during the afternoon hours all three days of the alert. The air quality index is expected to reach the orange category, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.The MPCA says sunny skies, warm temperatures and low humidity will combine to create conditions favorable to ozone formation. The pollutants that create ozone will be transported by south winds from northern Illinois, northeastern Iowa, southwestern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.Ozone levels will be highest in the afternoon and early evening hours, when sunlight and temperatures peak. Levels will be lower in the morning, late evening and overnight.The air quality alert includes the Twin Cities, Brain...

Son of former Rep. John Thompson arrested in crash that killed five in Minneapolis

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

Officials have released the name of the man they arrested in connection with the death of four women and one teenage girl Friday night in South Minneapolis.Derrick Thompson, 27, was arrested and booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of murder Monday, according to a Minneapolis police spokesman.According to court records, Thompson has a string of convictions in Minnesota including fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, driving after his license was suspended, drug possession, weapons possession without a permit and giving a false name to law enforcement.He is the son of former state Rep. John Thompson, DFL-St. Paul.John Thompson, a first-term lawmaker, was defeated in the DFL primary last August in the wake of a number of controversies, which included questions about his official residence following a July 2021 traffic stop in St. Paul. In April 2022, then-St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell accused Thompson of abusing his official position after he allegedly tried to bul...

Families reflect on importance of this year’s Juneteenth

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS – On Monday, the city and surrounding areas gathered on Juneteenth, the observance of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.For locals walking around Ballpark Village today, it isn’t just about baseball, but remembering that in the early 1800s, the grounds served as the center for slave trade in the City of St. Louis. While the landscape has changed, the father of Michael Brown says the city still needs more unification."We've got a lot of work to do, but this is a start," said Michael Brown Sr.Brown believes the many events of celebration and unity taking place on Monday signify just how far we’ve come. Missourians frustrated state coming after them for overpaid funds For Twyla Lee, an organizer of the Juneteenth celebration at Dellwood Park in north St. Louis, it’s critical to educate and inform young people of history and create more awareness."There's not enough education on it," she said.For Tammy Cooper, she’s teaching her 15 grandchil...

George Frazier, former pitcher and Rockies analyst, dies at 68

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

CINCINNATI — George Frazier, a major league relief pitcher and colorful storytelling analyst for the Colorado Rockies from 1998 to 2015, died Monday in Tulsa, Okla.Frazier, 68, passed away after battling a recent illness, according to Drew Goodman.“In a game full of charismatic characters, George had a seat at the head table, ” said Goodman, the Rockies’ longtime play-by-play man for AT&T SportsNet who worked in the booth with Frazier from 2002-15. “He had more stories than anybody and you’d listen and walk away thinking, ‘No way that ever happened, but it’s funny as hell.’“Some of the stories were born in truth but there was a whole lot of embellishment involved. But that’s OK. Everybody loved George and he knew everybody. And he could talk. And he was a truly giving guy. He’d do anything for you.”Goodman and Frazier talked frequently, usually once a week.“The first game that we did together and...

Veruca Salt’s Louise Post says trailer containing all her musical gear was stolen in Denver

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

Musician Louise Post, the co-founder of the rock group Veruca Salt, said a trailer containing all of her musical gear was stolen in Denver.In an Instagram video, Post said she woke up Saturday morning to discover her trailer containing the gear was missing from a parking lot. She said she filed a police report.Despite the stolen trailer, Post continued with her show at Globe Hall in the city’s Globeville neighborhood Saturday night, the artist said.Post was in Denver as part of a tour for her first solo album, “Sleepwalker.” She said several people, including fellow musicians, stepped in and lent her the gear she needed to continue with the Denver show.Read the full story on Denver7.

Search efforts continue across Mount Baldy for Julian Sands 

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

Over 80 people led another search effort for the missing actor Julian Sands on Saturday, but he was not located and still remains missing. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, over 80 Search and Rescue volunteers, deputies and staff searched for the 65-year-old with the help of two helicopters and drone crews. Aviation resources conducted aerial search and assessment efforts over remote areas across Mount Baldy, and the drone crews searched areas that were inaccessible to ground crews, police said. “Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions,” SBSD said in a statement. “Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10 [or more] feet of ice and snow.” FILE - Actor Julian Sands attends the "Forbidden Fruit" readings from banned works of literature on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Search fo...

John Edward Alevizos Arrested, Gelvy Ortiz Hospitalized after DUI Pedestrian Crash on 26th Street [Santa Monica, CA]

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

35-Year-Old Driver Arrested after DUI Pedestrian Accident near Wilshire BoulevardSANTA MONICA, CA (June 19, 2023) – Friday, John Edward Alevizos was arrested and Gelvy Ortiz was hurt in a pedestrian crash on 26th Street.The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m., near Wilshire Boulevard on June 2nd.Per reports, 35-year-old Alevizos was driving a Volkswagen Jetta and veered off the road before slamming into a student sitting on the bus bench.Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Gelvy Ortiz with serious leg injuries. Paramedics transported him to UCLA Medical Center where he underwent a leg amputation.Following preliminary duties, police determined that Alevizos was under the influence. Officers arrested him for DUI causing injury.The loved ones of Ortiz set up a GoFundMe page to help with costs during this difficult time.Alcohol and other altering substances impair mental and physical performance. If you find yourself unable to safely drive, you can always request a Lyft, Ube...

Several Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Seventh Street [Long Beach, CA]

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:28:38 GMT

Injuries Reported after Five-Vehicle Collision near Pepper Tree LaneLONG BEACH, CA (June 19, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, a multi-vehicle crash on Seventh Street left five people hurt.Fire officials responded to the collision around 5:15 p.m. in the area of 7th Street and Pepper Tree Lane near Cal State Long Beach.Upon arrival, units discovered five vehicles in the wreckage, including one that had rolled over from the impact.Based on the report, firefighters rushed three people to a hospital with unknown injuries. Meanwhile, paramedics treated two people at the scene before being released.At this time, the identities of those involved in the crash have not been made public. The Long Beach Police Department continues to investigate the cause of the incident.Anyone with additional information regarding the accident is encouraged to contact Long Beach Officials as soon as possible.One small driving mistake can lead to a multi-vehicle crash. This is why it is important to drive def...