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City of Austin settles lawsuit with pregnant 2020 protester shot with less-lethal round, woman receives $100K

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council approved a settlement Thursday with Saraneka Alexander, a then-pregnant woman who was hit with a non-lethal round during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.KXAN reported on Alexander's case previously, she gave us a different last name at the time.Alexander told us she was shot in the back, stomach and head with rubber bullets by Austin Police during a protest. She went to the hospital and her baby was unharmed, she said. PAST COVERAGE: ‘I was not hurt by protesters, I was hurt by APD:’ Pregnant woman shot with less-lethal round tells story “Pregnancy is already pretty hard, then add getting shot a few times to that,” Alexander said then. When asked why she was at the protest in the first place, she replied that she had to protest “because she was pregnant,” discussing problems with getting medical care for her prior pregnancies.The city said the settlement amount was for $100,000.“In exchange for this payment, Saraneka Alexander will release ...

Waterloo Greenway redesign underway

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The major park redesign along Waller Creek at the Waterloo Greenway began Wednesday. The Waterloo Greenway Conservancy said The Confluence would bloom at the spot where the Creek meets Lady Bird Lake.This is the second phase of the parks project along the creek. It runs up to 4th Street, and it would connect to East Austin and Rainey Street.According to the conservancy, construction on The Confluence would last two and a half years.Jesus Aguirre, the CEO of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, said the project would help improve the accessibility and ecological health of Waller Creek."What we are going to do here is bring the creek back, restore it in a way that is environmentally sensitive to everything that is happening, and allow folks to enjoy nature in what is one of the most rapidly urbanizing areas of the city."The first part of Waterloo Greenway opened in 2021, with Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater.

Senate medical transparency bill headed to House floor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

This report is an update to KXAN's "Medical Debt Lawsuits" investigation. Our team will continue to follow the bills during Texas' legislative session.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The House Public Health Committee voted out Senate Bill 490 on Wednesday. The legislation pushes for medical billing transparency by requiring itemized medical invoices for patients.The legislation – authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola – is headed to the House floor next. The bill would require hospitals and other providers that are requesting payment from a patient to send a written itemized invoice after providing a service.The majority of the committee voted in favor of the legislation, which had a substitute. The bill will have to go back to the Senate for final approval, if it clears the House.  READ: Texas Senate passes bill pushing for medical billing transparency The Texas Senate passed the bill last week. Hughes testified leading up to that vote about the importance of the...

Support businesses for Samsung semiconductor plant look to settle nearby

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — City of Taylor leaders said interest from businesses that supply or distribute elements that would support production at Samsung's semiconductor plant has increased and accelerated in recent months.Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell said those businesses include companies that make components crucial to the making of microchips. Williamson County enters cooperation agreement with Korean trade-investment agency Rydell was among Williamson County and Austin business leaders that traveled to South Korea last month for business partnerships between the country and Central Texas.On that trip, iMarket Korea, a distributor of semiconductor components, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rydell and the City of Taylor. While this MOU signing was mostly symbolic, Rydell said the company has purchased 44 acres of land in Taylor's business park.Mark Thomas, president and CEO of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation, said this business park is aimed to be a hub for s...

Loons’ goal-scoring drought unassisted by Sang Bin Jeong in new position

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

Minnesota United is in a predicament, and plenty of pieces are contributing to the problem.The Loons have scored only eight goals through nine games this season, sixth fewest in MLS. And MNUFC is creating even fewer opportunities with 99 total shots and 28 on target — both fourth fewest in the league.This lack of productivity is the main drag on the team’s four-game winless skid, the worst home start in franchise history and a middling 3-3-3 record.The issue is currently acute with the Loons stuck in a 212-minute scoring drought going into Saturday’s game at Vancouver. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, haven’t allowed a goal in four straight matches since a 1-1 draw in St. Paul on March 25. But they have their own scoring woes, with only seven goals this season and zero in their previous two matches.As head coach, Adrian Heath is primarily responsible for MNUFC’s attack. As a former forward, it’s his specialty on the pitch, but this isn’t the 20th century: the 62-year-old can’t get ou...

Rockin’ On The River announces 2023 lineup

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Local concert series Rockin’ On The River has announced their 2023 lineup. The first show is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The outdoor series is held at Riverfront Park in Troy, along the banks of the Hudson River. Each of the four shows will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this upcoming summer. Rockin’ On The River is free and open to the public. The concerts will also feature local vendors from the community. 2023 LineupJune 28: Neon Ave with Kristian Montgomery & the Winterkill BandJuly 12: Legacy with SirsyJuly 26: Conehead Buddha with Josh & TracyAugust 9: Skeeter Creek with Nick & Liam Headliner announced for NYS Fourth of July celebration The series is presented by the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. For more information on the shows, rules, and parking suggestions, visit Downtown Troy.

Hochul signs legislation to curb illicit cannabis market in NYS

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WETM) — "Sticker shops" and other unlicensed cannabis facilities might soon face penalties after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation aimed at illegal weed sales. The measure makes it a crime to sell cannabis and cannabis products without a license. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Part of the 2024 budget, the legislation would increase civil and tax penalties by empowering the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to take on unlicensed storefronts and trucks. OCM would assess civil fines for unlicensed weed businesses up to $20,000 a day for the worst offenders. According to the Governor's Office, this legislation will let the OCM inspections weed products and businesses like "sticker shops" that sell and give away cannabis as gifts. It would let the OCM seize untested cannabis and cannabis products from unlicensed businesses and seek court orders, closing orders, and removal...

Albany drag queens host "Drag Away the Stigma" event to stop suicide

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

ALBANY N.Y. (NEWS10) — Over a dozen Capital Region drag queens have partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the upcoming "Drag Away the Stigma" fundraiser. Across the country, drag queens have been in the spotlight as conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups push for legislation to restrict drag performances. Tennessee approved a bill to ban "adult cabaret performances" within 1,000 feet of schools, public parks, or places of worship on March 2, 2023. "It really does hurt your heart," Thomas Nolan, known in the Albany drag community as Sister Alphena Omega, said. "We love to do [drag]. And these people are being told if you do it, you're a criminal." Musicians fight threat of Tennessee anti-LGBTQ, drag bills Lawmakers in at least 15 states have proposed some form of legislation to restrict drag shows. In recent months, protesters have rallied at adult drag shows and book readings for children. Some believe the performers are inappropriate...

Judge extends suspension of Missouri AG's transgender rule

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A judge has extended her order barring enforcement of a unique rule pushed by Missouri's Republican attorney general that would require adults and children to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could receive gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery.Attorney General Andrew Bailey initially sought to implement the rule effective April 27, prompting a lawsuit on behalf of transgender people. St. Louis County Judge Ellen Ribaudo on Monday granted a temporary restraining order and originally scheduled a May 11 hearing on the lawsuit. Prosecutor from Kim Gardner’s office dies on I-270 A posting Thursday on Missouri's online court system shows that Ribaudo pushed back the hearing to July 20, following a joint request from both sides. The posting said the order will remain in effect until July 24 or until the judge rules on whether to grant a preliminary injunction.A spokeswoman for Ba...

What to know for the Cinco de Mayo Festival on Cherokee Street

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One of the city’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations returns this weekend.St. Louis’ Cinco de Mayo festival on Cherokee Street is set for Saturday, one day after the observed holiday. The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Cherokee Street between Nebraska Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. Organizers shared the following map, noting several blocks of Cherokee Street will be closed during Saturday's festival. More than 100 vendors will set up along six blocks of Cherokee Street, offering food, drinks and family-friendly activities in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The festival also includes artists, a mechanical bull, Lucha Libre wrestling, and two entertainment stages. Around 1 p.m., there will be a "People's Joy Parade" that runs down the street. At 3:30 p.m., there will be a "Battle de Bandas" event in which solo artists and bands play a variety of music styles. Grand stands are set up near the Nebraska Avenue and Jefferson Avenue entrances. As legal b...