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Voters pass increase for retired public education workers, but future shortfalls likely to emerge

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas voters approved an amendment to the state constitution on Tuesday that will grant billions of dollars to the Teacher Retirement System for a cost-of-living adjustment.The win at the ballot box marks a victory for the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), and association executive director Tim Lee told KXAN it's a win retirees worked toward for years."This is one of those feel good moments where there's a bipartisan issue that had tremendous support in the legislative process," Lee said. "We are so fortunate, and we feel so good and thankful to the people of Texas that recognizes it's a big issue."The proposition approved by voters emerged as a consequence of the state legislature passing Senate Bill 10 in May. Lee spoke to KXAN in June, a week following passage. PREVIOUS Cost-of-living adjustment for retired Texas teachers passes "So many of our retirees, because they’ve been living in this high-inflation environment and they haven’t had regular raises o...

Former PiPresser, 2 others named to leadership posts at Star Tribune

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

The Star Tribune on Wednesday named Maria Reeve managing editor for daily news.Reeve, who previously worked as a reporter and editor at the Pioneer Press, will oversee the Minneapolis-based newspaper’s daily news operations, including a new team focused on breaking and trending news, according to a news release issued Wednesday.A native of Charleston, S.C., Reeve served as assistant managing editor of news at the Star Tribune before leaving the Twin Cities in 2019 to join the management team at the Houston Chronicle, eventually becoming the first person of color to serve as that newspaper’s executive editor.“I am beyond thrilled to be back in this newsroom and back in the Twin Cities,” Reeve said in the news release. “I’m looking forward to working with the many talented journalists across our newsroom — all with the aim of serving this community.”Also on Wednesday, the Star Tribune announced it had promoted deputy managing editor Eric Wieffering to managing editor...

Submissions for a new Minnesota flag and state seal are now available for viewing. Here’s where to find them.

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

One of the more than 2,600 designs submitted to the State Emblems Redesign Commission. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society)More than 2,600 designs for a new state flag and seal are now available for viewing.The state flag designs can be seen at serc.mnhs.org/flags. And, the seal designs are at serc.mnhs.org/seals.Eighty-five percent of the submissions are for the flag, while 15 percent for the seal.The flag designs include classic Minnesota elements such as trees, water, loons, the north star and even the pink lady’s slipper.One of the more than 2,600 designs submitted to the State Emblems Redesign Commission. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society)Many of those same components make up seal submissions.Later this month, the State Emblems Redesign Commission will select five submissions each for the new state seal and state flag.The commission will select one design — or a modified version — as the basis for each emblem.The 2023 Legislature establis...

Andrew Eastmond: Where are the responsible people when our politics needs them the most?

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

In recent weeks voters watched House Republican conference members shout down a press question about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. They saw protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza repeatedly interrupt Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony during a Senate hearing. They might be forgiven for asking the question, where are the responsible people when our politics needs them the most?This question was a theme of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings during his opposition to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party and is a focus of former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s new book about his time as a public servant. According to Bonhoeffer, true responsibility is a manifestation of selflessness, which arises from being a “deputy” who acts on behalf of others. It involves “what is necessary at the given place and with a due consideration of reality.” Responsible people are...

$45 Million for non-public schools to keep students safer

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---With a rise in Anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim threats, the state is allocating $45 million dollars to keep non-public schools safer."This funding is going to alleviate that burden whether that’s cost of guards extra cameras but really, I think the immediate need is for personnel to be a deterrent and making sure that nothing happens," Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS.The reimbursement money was originally supposed to be available for schools to apply for in April of 2024."We have been pressing to get this money out the door and not wait until April," Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of Senate Education Committee. "And actually have it get out without people applying, and now it’s gonna be on a per student basis. Every school that is a non-public school, not just religious schools, every non-public school that is organized under the State Education Department is going to get this money."Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said this isn’t enough."We...

Schenectady County to host free hazardous waste event

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Saturday, Schenectady County residents can bring household hazardous waste to SUNY Schenectady between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. The event is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The collection will happen in the back parking lot at 78 Washington Avenue. Schenectady County residents can register online or by calling (518) 388-4775. Below is a list of accepted waste and prohibited items:Accepted wasteProhibited itemsAntifreezeAuto fluids (other than motor oil and anti-freeze)BleachDrain decloggersFlaresFlammable adhesivesFluorescent lighting ballastsHousehold cleaning productsInsecticidesLawn and garden productsMercury (bulk)Mercury-containing products (thermostats, thermometers, sneakers containinglights, etc.)Paints, latexPaints, oilHerbicides, Pesticides, and vermin control poisonsPet flea controlPhoto chemicalsPool and spa chemicalsPropane tanks (1...

How breast implants saved double lung transplant recipient's life

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS – David "Davey" Bauer can thank his lucky stars for the surgeons at Chicago’s Northwestern Medicine and a pair of breast implants.When he was 21, Bauer began smoking cigarettes but later turned to vaping because he believed it was a better alternative.In April, Bauer began having shortness of breath and caught the flu, and his health deteriorated rapidly.Bauer's medical team in St. Louis contacted Northwestern Memorial Hospital.“We knew the current condition,” Dr. Rade Tomic, a pulmonologist at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, said. “In order to get him listed, we have to resolve the infection. The only way to resolve the infection is to take the lungs out.”It was determined Bauer would need a double lung transplant. In May, doctors created an artificial lung to keep him alive. But then, a breakthrough treatment was suggested involving breast implants. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. S...

Illinois considers potential spaceport in Quad Cities region

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

MOLINE, Ill. - New efforts could help Illinois pave the way for space travel from the Quad Cities region to infinity and beyond. The Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois, is conducting a study to determine if it can support a commercial spaceport. Spaceports are critical for space exploration and commercial spaceflight activities. They could be used for launching rockets, landing spacecraft, satellite deployment, research, and tourism. Iced tea DNA unmasks alleged ‘thirsty burglar’ in O’Fallon Planning for a spaceport could take decades, but space tourism is expected to grow in the 21st century. NPR Illinois reports that airport is considering a "horizontal launch" site, and only 10 such spaceports have been licensed by the FAA. "With a limited number of certificates being issued for spaceports, we want to seize the opportunity while it exists," reads a Quad Cities airport blog. It may sound a little silly, but [we] believe it’s short-sighted to think we’ve reach...

St. Louis County men plead guilty to two carjackings

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Two St. Louis County men pleaded guilty to charges in connection with two carjackings, a robbery, and a shooting in St. Louis County. On Wednesday, James Furlow, 20, admitted guilt for stealing cars at gunpoint, robbing an individual, and shooting a store clerk. Months earlier, on July 19, Monya Jones, 23, pleaded guilty to robbing someone. Results: November 7 Missouri Special Election Both men admitted in their plea agreements that Furlow carjacked a 2017 Kia Sorrento SUV at gunpoint on Dec. 26, 2021. Later that day, Furlow attempted to break into an ATM by shooting it while Jones waited in the stolen Kia. Investigators say Furlow and Jones robbed a Quick Mart in St. Louis County. Furlow admitted that he shot the store clerk in the mouth.   Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...

Big-box retailer closings leave St. Louis pharmacy deserts

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:46:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Big-box drugstores like CVS and Walgreens are closing thousands of stores across the country, including some in the St. Louis area. Some of the stores that are shutting down are in communities of color."What that does is it leaves a pharmacy desert," said Dr. Marcus Howard, Ph.D., founder and owner of GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness, a full retail pharmacy located at 5503 Delmar Boulevard in the Delmar DivINe building.Personal reasons led Howard to open GreaterHealth along Delmar Boulevard in the West End neighborhood. Results: November 7 Missouri Special Election "I had members of my family who had chronic conditions yet didn't trust taking medication," he said. "That inspired Howard to set out on a journey to change that by opening the first Black-owned pharmacy in St. Louis that is culturally responsive."Now that major pharmacies are closing stores, Howard is raising awareness and making sure people in the community know they still have access to medications. T...