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Cities sue Texas over 'Death Star' preemption law in latest power struggle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At a time when the Lone Star State is testing its authority limits with the federal government, some of the state's largest cities are challenging Texas' control over local entities, in the latest power struggle between Texas and its cities.The City of Austin said it is considering joining a lawsuit against the state over what opponents call the 'Death Star' law, which will prohibit local governments from passing ordinances that are stricter than state laws in several areas, including labor and environment.The new law will dismantle some local rules, like mandatory water breaks for construction workers, eviction moratoriums and protections against predatory lending.“The City of Austin supports the City of Houston in its legal challenge to HB 2127. Austin intends to provide legal briefing in the City of Houston case further along in the process," an Austin city spokesperson told Nexstar. San Antonio joined Houston's lawsuit on Monday, arguing the law violates ...

'Does no one care?' Vietnam Veteran buried in 'abandoned' black cemetery in Central Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)—There's a historic Black cemetery just outside of La Grange, in Fayette County that some feel has essentially been abandoned.It's where a Vietnam veteran, Donnell Phillips was laid to rest, along side others. Phillips is from Smithville, according to records. Donnell Phillips, Vietnam Veteran from Smithsville.Phillips headstone. Phillips headstone. The Mt. Olive African Methodist-Episcopal Cemetery is just off Highway 71, off a dead end road. It's easy to miss, if not for a small sign and American Flag. Cathy Kubicek said she left that flag so she could remember where the cemetery is at, and is now on a personal mission to improve its conditions. "Is it just because it's an old African American cemetery...does nobody care?," Phillips said. "It hurts my heart."Tombstones are chained behind this gate and barbed-wired fence, and the cemetery grounds are rugged and untrimmed. Kubicek went looking for the cemetery after watching the movie "We Are Soldiers," ...

St. Paul army veteran receives new roof on lifelong home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

A St. Paul veteran will sleep under a new roof tonight, thanks to a partnership between Owens Corning, Habitat for Humanity and Sela Roofing and Remodeling.Their latest project took place on the East Side of St. Paul in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood.824 Fremont Avenue is home to Paula Schilling, Lynn Warnecke, pitbull Buddy, several tomato plants and beagle Sweetie.The two-story home dates to the turn of the century, complete with Corinthian columns and dentil molding and sits on a corner plot encapsulated by a white picket fence.Childhood homeSitting in the shade of a birch tree and a tent, Schilling told the story of a home and a life.Schilling, who graduated from Harding High School in 1961, has lived in the home since 1945 and remembers riding bikes to Indian Mounds Regional Park and the well-known “lovers’ lane” behind the mounds.U.S. Army veteran Paula Schilling in front of her house in St. Paul as a new roof is put on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. “When I ...

Minnesota man used social media to sexually exploit girls, including one in Ramsey County, charges say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

A Minnesota man has been arrested and charged with soliciting girls through social media to make child pornography, and sexually assaulted at least one victim in Ramsey County, federal officials say.Caleb Vincent McLaughlin, 26, of Pine County, was charged last week in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis with soliciting, producing, receiving and distributing child pornography, and enticing a child to engage in illegal sexual activity.McLaughlin went before Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster on Tuesday and was ordered held without bail. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment on the charges.Starting around January 2019, McLaughlin used social media accounts and apps to solicit and direct Minnesota girls, between the ages of 11 and 16 years old, to create sexually explicit images and videos to send to him, according to the criminal complaint.McLaughlin used several aliases and Snapchat IDs, including “Jake Benson,” “Lift11” or “Tech4cm,” and sometimes pretended to be 17 years ...

Biden administration proposes new rules to push insurers to boost mental health coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that his administration is moving forward with new rules meant to push insurance companies to increase their coverage of mental health treatments.The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, would require insurers to study whether their customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and to take remedial action, if necessary. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that insurers provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care — though the administration and advocates argue insurers’ policies restrict patient access.“I don’t know what the difference between breaking your arm and having a mental breakdown is — it’s health,” Biden said in an East Room event highlighting the announcement. “We must fulfill the promise of true mental health parity for all Americans now.”The rules, if finalized, would force insurers to study patient outcomes...

Jace Frederick: Justin Thomas is grinding through his struggles, ready to regain his form at 3M Open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

Justin Thomas said all the right things during his pre-tournament press conference Tuesday, two days before the 3M Open tees off.He said he’s “excited” to be in Minnesota. He noted it’s “always fun” coming to a new place. He played nine holes at TPC Twin Cities on Tuesday and said the course is “in unbelievable condition.” And the people? Wow, even better.“Everybody here has been very, very welcoming, which is always great and a nice feeling,” Thomas said. “Unfortunately, with how some tournaments work in the schedule, I haven’t been able to come here in the past, but I’m glad that worked out for me to be able to come this year. Yeah, I’m excited for the week.”But, truth be told, it’s no secret Thomas would rather be at home this week, after playing a couple of weeks of links golf across the pond. That’s what he usually does, and that was the initial plan for his schedule this seaso...

Stay of execution granted for Johnny Johnson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A Missouri inmate set to be executed next week for the 2002 murder of a child has been given a temporary reprieve.In a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Tuesday granted a stay of execution for Johnny Johnson. This comes a month after the Missouri Supreme Court denied a request to overturn the execution.Johnson's attorneys also won the right to challenge his conviction based on grounds that he's mentally incompetent. Wednesday marks 21 years since Johnson beat Casey Williamson to death at the site of the old St. Louis Plate Glass Company in Valley Park. Williamson was 6. Johnson, who had been an acquaintance of the Williamson family, admitted killing Casey after she fought back when he attempted to sexually assault her. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News ...

Major Case Squad makes arrest in Berkeley homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A Ferguson, Missouri, man is in custody on a $1 million cash-only bond after being charged Tuesday in a recent homicide investigation.According to Jenny Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, the killing happened around 1:20 a.m. that morning outside a small strip mall on Frost Avenue, very close to North Hanley Road and I-170 in Berkeley. Berkeley police arrived to find the victim, identified Patrick Durley, shot to death in the parking lot. Durley was 30.The Major Case Squad was activated to assist with the investigation, and helped to quickly identify and arrest Robert Ericks Jr. for the crime.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Ericks, 41, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Families cool off from the dangerous heat at Citygarden splash pad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After she spent 40 years as a teacher, this was one of the top things Pearlie Dawson wanted to do in retirement: spend time with her grandchildren.“I brought my grandbabies out to keep cool instead of stuck in the house in this hot weather,” she said.Zair, Dawson's 1-year-old grandson, had a special day at the Citygarden splash pad on Tuesday. Trying out the various splash pads around St. Louis is a summertime must for some grandparents, moms, and families.“We really like it,” said Megan Sustar and Laura Sondag, enjoying the splash pad with their kids. “It’s a lot of fun. There’s a lot of kids playing. We’re used to the ones in Illinois, but this one is more natural kind of cool.” Heather Kullorn: St. Louis County babysitter missing for 24 years “We have one where we live in Swansea, and this is just a change,” Dawson said.Whether it's to the north, south, east, or west, whichever is best may simply be the most centrally located.A busy respite in the sweltering city of...

Police shooting investigation underway in Westminster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:50 GMT

An investigation into a police shooting Tuesday in Westminster is underway.Officer involved shooting 88/Lamar. PIO enroute to the scene. @ArvadaPolice #88lamar— Westminster Police (@WestminsterPD) July 25, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Police shoot, kill suspect at Englewood home, deploy drone, robot, gas and armored vehicle Crime and Public Safety | Police shoot suspect during tactical operation in Englewood Crime and Public Safety | Greeley police officers cleared of wrongdoing after fatally shooting man in April Crime and Public Safety | Man shot dead by Adams County sheriff deputy at Lakeside Inn on Federal Boulevard Crime and Public Safety | Officer and deputy involved in fatal Summit County police shooting identified The shooting happened in the area of West 88th Avenue and Lamar Drive, the Westminster Police Department said in a 5:28 p.m. tweet.The intersection is bounded by...