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Benefits could increase for retired Texas teachers in 2024

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10 this session, setting the stage for a cost-of-living adjustment to the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) at the start of the new year.It will become law in Texas unless vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott before June 18. Once the bill becomes law, it mandates an immediate one-time payment of $2,400 for TRS retirees and beneficiaries who are at least 70 years old. This payment is increased to $7,500 for those who are 75 and older. According to the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), 186,000 TRS retirees will receive $7,500 and 104,000 TRS retirees will receive $2,400.The total cost of these payments is estimated at $1.636 billion, according to the Legislative Budget Board.Voters to decide cost-of-living adjustmentSB 10 also lays out the legal groundwork for a cost-of-living adjustment to the TRS annuity. However, voters have the final say on whether to use state money for that purpose.On Election Day in November, a ...

Austin Energy will give you money to control your thermostat

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites could get money for letting Austin Energy adjust their thermostat.Austin Energy said it was offering an annual rebate for those who are enrolled in its Power Partner Thermostats program.On those days, the company said it would briefly adjust thermostat settings by two or four degrees to help offset high energy use, according to Austin Energy."The purpose of the Power Partner Program is to help Austin Energy customers with those smart thermostats basically control their energy use during the hot summer months. At the same time, it also helps reduce strain on our energy grid on those hot summer days when the demand is really, really high - and the energy prices are high because of that demand," Austin Energy spokesperson Matt Mitchell said.According to the Austin Energy website, as of June 1, new Power Partner applicants will receive a $50 bill credit for each eligible thermostat, plus an additional $25 annually for each thermostat that remains enrolled in t...

Canadian wildfires leading to historic U.S. air quality event supercharged by climate change

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 100 million people are facing air quality alerts as thick Canadian wildfire smoke streams into the northeastern U.S., leading to apocalyptic scenes in New York City similar to the infamous images from San Francisco during California fires in 2020.The thick smoke traveling southward degraded air quality in five U.S. states, sinking into the "unhealthy" range. As Yale Climate Connections writers Bob Henson and Dr. Jeff Masters wrote on Thursday, "At 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 7, the worst air in the U.S. was in Syracuse, New York, which had an hourly PM 2.5 AQI of 402 — well into the 'Hazardous' range. EPA warns that an AQI in this range will 'trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is even more likely to be affected by serious health effects.'"Meteorologist Bob Henson, Yale Climate Connections writer and author of "A Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change", joined the KXAN Chief Meteorologist live on KXAN News at 4 p.m. Thursday to ...

Scene of Truck Park gunfight was ‘chaos,’ St. Paul officer says at opening of shooter’s murder trial

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

Terry Brown’s murder trial began Wednesday with the aftermath of the mass shooting at Seventh Street Truck Park bar in St. Paul.In a St. Paul police officer’s body-camera video, people are seen huddled over the wounded. Some are yelling for help, others moaning in pain.“It was chaos,” officer Joshua Needham said when asked on the witness stand what he saw when he pulled up to the scene of the Oct. 10, 2021, shooting.Some of the 15 who were shot were lying on the sidewalk. Marquisha Wiley and others did not make it out of the bar and lie on the bar floor. Wiley, 27, was the lone person who died, struck by a bullet fired by Brown.“Fifteen people, 15 bodies, crawling, running, getting dragged across the floor with bullet holes,” Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Treye Kettwick told jurors during the state’s opening statement. “And one woman lying in a bar dead, all because two people decided to have a shootout in a crowded bar with complete disregard for everybody else.”Brown, 34, of St...

Film Score Fest offers 16 new, locally made short films with a live orchestra providing the music

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

Now in its eighth year, Film Score Fest will move to its largest venue yet Saturday: the History Theatre in downtown St. Paul.The local organization challenges participants to create new short films with music scores for the Film Score Fest Orchestra to perform live at the screening. Filmmakers and composers sign up and are randomly paired to work together on a 5-minute-or-less film, based on this year’s theme, time.The 16 short films run the gamut from dramas and comedies to documentaries and animation. Featured guest musicians include jazz pianist/composer Ken Takata and multi-instrumentalist/composer Khary Jackson.In previous years, Film Score Fest took place at a handful of other St. Paul locations, including Landmark Center, the Science Museum of Minnesota and Mears Park.Film Score FestWhen: 7 p.m. SaturdayWhere: History Theatre, 30 Tenth St. E., St. PaulTickets: $20 via filmscorefest.orgRelated ArticlesMovies & TV | ‘The Flash’ a fast-moving, Bat-tastic, u...

Hochul gives update on air quality across New York state

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Gov. Kathy Hochul gave an update Wednesday on the air quality across New York State. Far and wide, visibility is low, and haze and a smoky smell is pervading the Empire State due to Canadian wildfires. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The governor called the current decrease in air quality a "health and environmental crisis." According to the Air Quality Index developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an index of 0 to 50 is considered Good, and an index between 301 and 500 is Hazardous. Hochul said parts of the state have seen a level of over 400 in the last 24 hours. Brooklyn and Queens had the highest index in the state as of early Wednesday evening.The Air Quality Index developed by the U.S. EPA. (Graphic: NEWS10)An index at this level can cause health concerns, including irritation to the eyes and nose, coughing, and shortness of breath. The governor urged everyone to stay indoors, ca...

Mock simulation prepares St. Louisans for disaster response

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS - In the event of a natural disaster, St. Louis and surrounding areas are preparing through a natural disaster simulation, mimicking mass casualties and responses.The effects of a natural disaster can come in a matter of minutes. It is the National Disaster Medical System’s (NDMS) request to prepare in the event of a disaster response.From evaluating conditions and unloading the plane to loading the stretcher and transporting it on the ambulance, agencies joined together to prepare for disaster response at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport."We're doing patient movement, simulated from a hurricane that struck in Louisiana," said Derek McDonald, an emergency management director for Veterans Affairs (VA). Revisting Mike Shildt’s comments on his Cardinals departure Some, who have seen that exact situation, brought their previously learned skills and knowledge to Wednesday’s simulated natural disaster involving mass casualties.“Katrina, probably being the worst I’v...

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell to run for U.S. Senate

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell is running for U.S. Senate in Missouri. The Democrat said in his announcement video, "We need leaders who try to help, unlike Josh Hawley, who's in a rush to be famous."Bell would face Democrat Lucas Kunce in next year's August primary. According to our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kunce has already secured some early endorsements from labor unions representing firefighters, asbestos workers, and bricklayers.Bell, who grew up in north St. Louis County, became the county's first black prosecuting attorney in 2018 after defeating seven-term incumbent Robert McCulloch.

St. Jude giving away a new home, tickets on-sale tomorrow

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - It is time once again for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.The organization is giving away a beautiful home in Dardenne Prairie, valued at $700,000.The home has a four-bedroom, 2.5-bath, three-car garage, and more.Tickets go on sale Thursday. All proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.To find more information about the St. Jude Dream Giveaway, click here.

4 arrested in killing of security guard at illegal casino in North Hollywood

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:32:55 GMT

Four people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a security guard during an attempted robbery of an illegal casino in North Hollywood late last month, police said Wednesday.The suspects were identified as Steven Hans Dunkel, 23, of Glendora, Matthew Scot Riley, 29, of Panorama City, Michael John Blankenship, 52, of Oxnard and Rudy Javier Madrid, 26, of North Hollywood.Authorities believe they may be responsible for other armed robberies, “specifically to underground casinos,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release. Security guard shot to death at illegal casino in North Hollywood The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. May 31 at a nightclub along the 3300 block of Cahuenga Boulevard near Universal Studios.Responding officers found the security guard suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.Officers also discovered an illegal gambling establishment inside the building.A preliminary investiga...