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Changes to Florida transportation bill could target Disney's monorail system

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) - Proposed changes to a Florida transportation bill appear to target Walt Disney World's monorail system. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy will take up SB-1250, a general transportation bill that, if passed, would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to cover the cost of certain projects in rural areas and would allow law enforcement agencies to install automated license plate readers on state highways, as well as addressing some local transportation issues.A proposed amendment to the bill includes a line with specific language that appears to target the Walt Disney World monorail system. This comes amid Gov. Ron DeSantis' ongoing feud with Disney regarding its special taxing district established by the legislature in 1967, the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). DeSantis' problems with Disney can be traced to the company's opposition to Florida's HB-1577, which critics have called the "Don't Say Gay" law. In response, DeSanti...

Severe weather potential remains through Thursday morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The forecast of strong to severe storms later this afternoon and tonight is dependent on the atmospheric cap breaking. There was no sign of that happening early this afternoon. You can read more on that below.Today's severe storm threat.The early afternoon updated forecast did not change what we were seeing this morning, that the majority of whatever storms would occur would be during the late afternoon east of I-35.Strong storms possible after 5 p.m.The fifth update from the Storm Prediction Center did pick up on that thunderstorm threat. All of the area is under that slight risk of severe weather.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for strong to severe storms Tuesday afternoon & eveningThe biggest storm threat will be from large hail. Strong, potentially damaging winds are the secondary threat. All modes of severe weather possible Tuesday, but primary risk continues to be large hailForecast uncertaintyA cap in the atmosphere, acting as a lid on growing storms, could sup...

Pflugerville to study regional transportation needs for 5-year plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Pflugerville has launched a yearlong study to evaluate citywide and regional transportation needs.City officials are seeking public feedback on Pflugerville Connect, a study being conducted in coordination with CapMetro. Findings will help support the development of a five-year transit plan that addresses community demographics, travel patterns and future growth. MOST READ: Ancient Roman bust discovered at Austin Goodwill heading back to Europe Pflugerville Connect follows the city's adoption of a Transit Development Plan (TDP) in 2018, which outlined a goal of updating the plan every five years. By partnering with CapMetro, it opens the city up for future federal transit funding opportunities, a city spokesperson told KXAN.Currently, the city operates its Pfetch A Ride program, a rideshare system run in collaboration with Uber and Maruti. Previously, the city had partnered with CapMetro on a Metro Pickup pilot service."The study is curren...

UT ranks among best schools for graduate studies, according to U.S. News

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top university for graduate studies, according to a press release from UT. In the latest edition of “Best Graduate Schools” from U.S. News & World Report, out of this year’s batch of U.S. News graduate school rankings, 37 of the University’s schools, programs and specialties are ranked among the top 10 in the nation. When combined with previous rankings, it brings the university to a total of 53 graduate schools and specialty programs ranked in the top 10. The magazine ranks programs in alternating years.Four graduate programs were ranked No. 1 and six were ranked among the top 10. Overall, according to the release, UT Austin has top-10 specialties in more than a dozen colleges and schools and has four specialty programs ranked No. 1:No. 1:A...

High school graduation rate bounces back for MN, falls again in St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

The four-year high school graduation rate fell in St. Paul Public Schools for a second consecutive year while the state overall saw slight improvement.The class of 2022 spent the last months of their sophomore year at home because of the coronavirus pandemic and endured major disruptions as juniors. Yet, 83.8 percent of the state’s public school students graduated on-time – a year-over-year improvement of .3 percentage points after a .5-point drop in 2021.Black students and those receiving special-education services posted the largest gains, although those groups still graduate at rates well below average.“Our students and our educators and the school communities persevered through these challenging times,” Education Commissioner Willie Jett said Tuesday.Jett said huge amounts of pandemic aid from the federal government helped keep students on track. That money soon will be gone, but state lawmakers are expected to significantly increase state funding for education in the coming bie...

Gophers football adds transfer safety Rowan Zolman from Miami (Ohio)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

The Gophers football program added Miami (Ohio) transfer safety Rowan Zolman on Tuesday.Zolman, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, had six tackles, one interception and one pass breakup in nine games as a freshman last season. Pro Football Focus said Zolman played 135 total snaps last season, primarily on special teams.“Excited to announce my commitment to the University of Minnesota!” Zolman tweeted. “Than you to (head coach P.J. Fleck and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi) for giving me the opportunity to continue my academy and athletic career!”Zolman, of Churubusco, Ind., has three years of eligibility remaining for the U.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Where will Gophers players be picked in NFL Draft? College Sports | Gophers spring football game features explosive plays, late drama College Sports | ‘Leadership genius’: Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams’ high praise for Gophers’ P.J. Fleck College Sp...

Where to go in Glens Falls for International Museum Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Three museums in the Arts District of Glens Falls are set to celebrate International Museum Day next month. The World Awareness Children's Museum, Chapman Museum, and Hyde Collection all have their own offerings in the works for those who take advantage of the free admission. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! At each of the three downtown museums, visitors can get a passport for International Museum Day. Visitors can gather stamps, and enter to win free family memberships for future visits to each museum. “This is an opportunity for our community and beyond to see what our local cultural organizations have to offer," said Chapman Museum Program Coordinator Maureen Folk. "We feel fortunate to have three museums right here in Glens Falls, and they all offer something unique.” Glens Falls welcomes its Japanese sister city to town Offerings from the trio of museums include:The Chapman Museum will ho...

Cohoes man pleads guilty to distributing meth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Andrew O’Connor, 36, of Cohoes, pled guilty on Tuesday to selling meth in the city and conspiracy to tamper with records. He was arrested in June 2022.Police said O'Connor had drugs shipped to him around June 15, 2022. The package was intercepted by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). He admitted that he distributed ounce-quantities of methamphetamine in Cohoes in March, April, and June 2022. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! O'Connor also said that he also made arrangements to have a co-conspirator factory reset and remote wipe several of O'Connor's cell phones after he was arrested. Sentencing is scheduled for August. O’Connor faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million dollars, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life.

One-on-one: Albert Pujols talks baseball with Martin Kilcoyne

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Just last year, Albert Pujols embarked on his final run as a St. Louis Cardinals and reached 700 home runs. He's now enjoying retirement after 23 storied seasons in Major League Baseball. Pujols joined FOX 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne for a brief one-on-one conversation last week around his PGA Tour Champions celebrity tournament. It's a conversation you won't want to miss. Pujols reflects on his sendoff season, offers insight into a possible future in coaching and his hopes as the St. Louis Cardinals 2023 season moves along.

Former Missouri State Highway Patrol inspector admits taking bribes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A former inspector with the Missouri State Highway Patrol admitted Tuesday in federal court to accepting thousands of dollars in cash bribes over false vehicle certifications.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Larry Conrad, 67, worked as a supervisor motor vehicle inspector for the MSHP. It was Conrad's job to perform inspections at the patrol's Troop C facility in south St. Louis County. The inspections do not require a fee. If the vehicle passes, an inspector signs off on it and certifies forms, so owners can apply for a title with the state. Gardner won’t be held in contempt, judge rules However, Conrad would accept bribes ranging from $40 to $160 in cash to pass vehicles and lie on certificates to say vehicles had no damage. He'd do this whether he saw the vehicle or not. In one case, at least one car was not drivable.Conrad netted more than $14,000 as part of his scheme, prosecutors said. He'd text vehicle owners ...