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House Republicans to move to kill education savings accounts in school finance bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As a tense Texas House prepares to debate a massive $36 billion school finance plan on Friday morning, rural House Republicans have filed an amendment to strip the controversial provision that would establish education savings accounts (ESAs).State Rep. John Raney, a College Station Republican and longtime opponent of any school voucher plan, has proposed the amendment to eliminate the entire section of the bill that would establish ESAs. About 15 other Republicans signed onto that amendment, setting it up for success if all Democrats vote for it.Lawmakers expect a relatively short day should that amendment pass. If the House passes a bill without education savings accounts, it would be dead on arrival in the Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would veto it. RELATED: School voucher bill to reach Texas House floor Friday for potentially pivotal vote Even before the debate began, House Bill 1 attracted criticism from both the strongest liberals and staunches...

Body of second missing Minnesota canoeist is recovered in northwestern Wisconsin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

After more than two weeks of searching, crews have found the body of a second southern Minnesota man who went missing while canoeing in northwestern Wisconsin last month.The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the body of 27-year-old Andrew DeRock was found Wednesday afternoon in the Minong Flowage in Douglas County.DeRock and 26-year-old Ryan Busch — both of New Ulm — had gone missing on Oct. 28 after their canoe capsized. Searchers found Busch’s body last week.The sheriff’s office said that weather conditions at the time of the incident were not considered a factor in the canoe capsizing, as conditions were calm and clear at the time.Authorities said weather conditions and underwater obstacles did hinder search efforts over the past couple of weeks. The search involved multiple agencies from across the region, including the St. Louis County Rescue Squad from Minnesota.Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard also acknowledged local businesses and residents in the Wascott, Wis., a...

Prominent Mayo Clinic physician sues, citing retaliation over media statements, whistleblowing report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Dr. Michael Joyner is suing his employer for “punitive” discipline actions against him for “problematic” statements to the media, “unprofessional” behavior and what he claims to be retaliation for his role in a whistleblowing report.Joyner, an anesthesiologist and physiologist, has worked at Mayo Clinic since 1992 and has become a world-renowned expert in his field. Named in the lawsuit are Mayo Clinic, Mayo CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia and Dr. Carlos Mantilla, who heads Joyner’s department. The suit was filed in Olmsted County District Court on Monday.Joyner is requesting a jury trial. He seeks damages in an amount to be established during the trial, and for an order for Mayo Clinic to cease its interference with his style of communication.Joyner was disciplined in March 2023 for cited reasons that included his use of “idiomatic language” in interviews with CNN and the New York Times. Those were described in his disciplinary letter as “problematic ...

After EPA criticism, state says it’s working on plan for southeastern Minnesota water quality

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says state agencies need to take additional steps to protect drinking water in southeastern Minnesota from nitrate contamination.The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health responded to the EPA letter on nitrates in southeast Minnesota, saying it would release a plan of action in 30 days.The EPA’s notice to Minnesota state agencies earlier this month came in response to a petition sent in April by environmental groups saying more action was required to protect water quality in the geologically porous “karst region,” which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties.The group consists of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Environmental Working Group, Minnesota Well Owners Organization, Center for Food Safety, Clean Up the River Environment, Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Mississippi River, Izaak...

‘It’s what you dreamt of’: Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson ready for game back home in Sweden

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

STOCKHOLM — The list of reasons Saturday night will be special for Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is wide and varied.For one, the Wild will be taking on his former team, the Ottawa Senators. Gustavsson broke into the NHL with the Senators before being sent to Minnesota in a July 2022 trade. This will mark the second time he has squared off against his former teammates.“They didn’t want me, so hopefully we can beat them tomorrow,” Gustavsson.Another reason?The Wild will be playing at Avicii Arena — the game starts at 5 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. CT —  which is a globe-shaped dome often used by the Swedish national team. Gustavsson has never played there.“It’s one of the most iconic buildings here in Sweden,” the Swedish netminder said.And most importantly, he’ll have a robust cheering section filled with some of the people he holds most dear in his life. Gustvasson’s hometown of Skellefteå is nearly 500 miles north of Stockholm, but he plans to have lots of friends and family members...

Accused kidnapper pleads not guilty to nine charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Accused kidnapper Craig Ross Jr. pleaded not guilty to nine total charges during an arraignment Friday in Saratoga County Court. Ross is accused of kidnapping a young girl in late September. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Ross was arraigned on Friday on a nine-count indictment handed up by a Grand Jury. Ross is accused of kidnapping a girl at a campsite in late September.Charges:First-degree kidnapping4 sexual assault charges2 sexual abuse chargesEndangering the welfare of a childAssaultThe girl was found alive on Ross' property after an extensive search. The next court date is set for Thursday, December 21. Stick with NEWS10 as we continue to follow this case.

Pat's Barn to host 9th annual Pottery Market

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Collar City Clay Guild will be presenting the ninth annual Pottery Market at Pat's Barn. The event is scheduled for November 18 and 19. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The market will showcase creations from dozens of regional artists. Works will range from functional pottery and ceramic art to jewelry and sculptures. The event will also hold a raffle featuring items from each potter. The market will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. ‘Rocky Horror’ actor coming to the Palace Theatre Pat's Barn is located in Rensselaer Technology Park Campus at 110 Defreest Drive. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Adirondack Winery raises over $16K for breast cancer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Every year, the Adirondack Winery comes out in support of breast cancer research and awareness through September and October. On Thursday, the winery announced its fundraising total for 2023's Drink Pink fundraiser. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The winery has announced more than $16,500 raised this year for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks, a regional chapter of a national initiative by the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser started in mid-September, with all wine sales donated until the end of October. “We are blown away by the support of our customers, staff, friends, family and community year after year,” said Adirondack Winery President and Co-Owner Sasha Pardy. “Giving back to the community is very important to us as a company and this disease has touched far too many people around us. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or customer – we want to be there to suppo...

Stillwater man accused of killing step-father

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

STILLWATER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Stillwater Police Department conducted a death investigation on Gurba Drive South in Stillwater. Police arrested Stephen Surin Jr., 29, of Stillwater, and is accused of stabbing his step-father. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The investigation lasted overnight into Friday. Mechanicville Police, Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Deputies, and NewYork State Police are also assisting with the investigation. Charges:Second-degree murderSurin Jr. was arraigned in Stillwater Town Court. He was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.

PETA St. Louis turkey billboard urges residents to go vegan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:39 GMT

ST. LOUIS – This Thanksgiving, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is encouraging everyone to consider a plant-based lifestyle and is giving away free vegan roasts near their new billboard. The distribution of vegan roasts is scheduled for November 17 at noon. PETA's billboard is on westbound I-64 along the Exit 38B/Jefferson Avenue off-ramp. PETA is promoting the "ThanksVegan" campaign with four bus shelter ads situated between the 1500 and 1800 blocks of Market Street. These strategically placed advertisements line the St. Louis Thanks-for-Giving parade route.PETA says that in the U.S. alone, approximately 46 million turkeys are slaughtered and sold for Thanksgiving each year. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about cruelty-free alternatives to traditional holiday meals.Turkey production peaked in 1996, when 302.7 million turkeys were raised for consumption. Turkey is enjoyed year-round in everything from sandwiches to chili, but Thanksgiving is a major holiday ...