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Some senators concerned about McConnell as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — During his first press conference since freezing in public, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reassured Americans he can still do his job."I'm going to finish my term as leader and I'm gonna finish my Senate term," McConnell said.Doubts circulated after the Republican leader appeared unable to move or speak in both July and August.The Capitol physician gave McConnell the green light to continue working and said he showed no signs of suffering a stroke or seizure."Dr. Monnahan's report addressed what concerns people might have, and some things that happened to me, did happen to me, and really didn't," McConnell said.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he is glad to see his Republican counterpart back in the halls of Congress."He's doing well," Schumer said. "We're working together well and I always wish him the best."But some of McConnell's fellow Republicans, like Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), are ...

ERCOT returning to normal operations, Texans still asked to conserve energy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the different ERCOT alert levels.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas canceled its emergency level alert indicating rolling outages were possible, due to low power reserves.Earlier in the day, ERCOT issued a conservation alert for Texans Wednesday evening due to potential "tight grid conditions," according to a press release. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levels ERCOT has several different Energy Emergency Alert levels, or EEAs. After Normal Grid Conditions, the levels are Conservation Alert level, then EEA 1, 2, and 3.Here’s what the alert levels mean:Conservation Alert: This is a voluntary request to reduce electrical use, ERCOT said. While ERCOT said it is not in emergency operations, it asks the public and “all government agencies to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.”Energy Emergency Level 1: Conservation is considered to be cri...

Scattered rain and cooler weather next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a stretch of record heat that lasts through the coming weekend, we are finally tracking promising signs of wetter, cooler weather next week.Record heat next four daysRecord high temperatures are in the forecast Thursday through Sunday in the Austin area, potentially reaching as high as 107° on Friday. This would be a tie for Austin's second-hottest temperature ever observed in September.Hottest September temperatures on record in AustinWetter, milder weather next weekAt last, we are tracking consistent signs of wetter, cooler weather next week. A shift in the heat dome, an early-season cool front and a little moisture from a Pacific hurricane will help bring up rain chances Tuesday through Thursday next week.This could be the most beneficial, widespread rain event in at least three months with 1-2 inches of rain expected in many areas. Stay with us as we monitor new forecast data over the next several days.Clouds, scattered rain and northerly winds behind ...

Hamline-Midway Library again cleared for demolition after St. Paul approves environmental review

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

When the city of St. Paul planned a complete demolition and rebuild of the Hamline-Midway Library at 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave., a coalition of neighborhood residents and historic preservationists objected. They successfully petitioned for the library, built in 1930, to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, and asked the state to require an environmental review of the project known as an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, or EAW.The city was designated the responsible government unit to conduct the EAW review of its own plans, from stormwater and zoning to historic resources in and around the site. Perhaps predictably, the city has found that a more intense level of scrutiny known as an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, is not necessary. That eliminates a major hurdle in front of both demolition and construction of a long-planned, $8 million new library in the months ahead.Undated courtesy image, circa October 2022, of a proposed design for the Riverview Library. ...

Western Minnesota sheriff cited for failure to yield in squad car, causing May collision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

A misdemeanor failure-to-yield charge has been filed against Swift County Sheriff John Holtz in a crash in western Minnesota that injured him and two others in May.Holtz, 54, of Appleton, was in a squad vehicle when the crash occurred east of Appleton.Court records show a single charge of failure to yield to a yield sign. The citation was filed Aug. 31 in Swift County District Court.No court date was listed in the case as of Tuesday afternoon. The charge says only that an appearance is required by Sept. 30.A letter from Holtz filed Tuesday asks that it be accepted as his plea of not guilty. It also states that he requests the arraignment be waived, that he waives the time requirements and he asks that a pretrial hearing be set.Holtz did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday from the West Central Tribune.According to an initial crash report from the Minnesota State Patrol, Holtz was driving a Swift County squad car northbound on 200th Avenue Southwest while a Subaru Impreza wa...

Arrest warrant out for man accused of videotaping women

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Saratoga Springs police said there is an arrest warrant out for Charles Ross. He is accused of videotaping women in the city while they were out for a run.About a week ago, a woman told NEWS10 that more than 20 years ago when she ran track at Saratoga High School, she was recorded without her consent. That video appeared on an Instagram account that was posted in May before it was taken down. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Police said the warrant for Ross is for a misdemeanor charge. "Our investigation is still ongoing. Our investigators are working diligently on bringing the matter to a successful close," Saratoga Springs Lt. Angela McGovern said. "So we do encourage people to continue to be aware of their surroundings when they're out in public. And if anything feels uncomfortable or frightening, they can always call us."Police also said they are allowing Ross to turn himself in.

Heroes Hideout closing shop in Colonie Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After four years in the Colonie Center Mall, a toy store is permanently closing its doors. Heroes Hideout was located next to Macy's in the mall. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The news of the closure comes less than a week after the store held a meet and greet for two former "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" stars, Catherine Sutherland and Walter Emanuel Jones.The store will close on Oct. 8 and then open a store at Crossgates Mall in November. During this time, the store will still be available online.

Albany officials give update on violence prevention

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany officials said current programs to prevent violence have been effective. The number of shootings reported between January and August of 2023 is 30 percent lower than this time in 2022.Calls for service have increased, but leaders said that is a good sign. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "We want people to call when they see something," Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. "If you see something, say something. And so, you know, the expectation would be that we would see an increase, at least initially, in the number of crimes reported because we want those crimes reported."The police chief said the department continues putting resources in so-called "hot spot" areas that have seen an increase in crime and will keep working with community organizations to prevent violence before it happens.

Saratoga Springs Police discuss safety concerns with a public forum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Saratoga Springs Police Department hosted the first of what will be many public discussions on public safety. Police Chief Tyler Mcintosh said the forum is meant to be “an informal discussion to potentially identify problems in the community that we’re not aware of.”And once they identify them, those who attend can discuss potential solutions.“With the objective of increasing the overall safety in the community,” Chief McIntosh said. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The forum included going over the police department's goals. Earlier in the year, the Police Reform Task Force Committee presented 50 points for the department to address. Police say they have been able to complete 37. However, there are still disagreements on how to handle the homeless and mental health situation.“Because we are in a state in our country that has not invested enough in mental health resources… A lot of times, you are cal...

Jewelry boutique has ribbon cutting in Troy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:48 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new fine jewelry store held its grand opening in Troy on Wednesday. The Troy Chamber of Commerce welcomed Apricot Fine Jewelry as its newest storefront in the Collar City. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The boutique offers customers original pieces, custom jewelry jobs, and repair and maintenance of old keepsakes. The owner said the idea for the boutique was to bring a European-style store with a craftsman touch.Apricot Fine Jewelers can be found on River Street in Troy and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday.