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1M already use Austin toll roads daily, and it could double by 2040

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Shelley Rutherford remembers struggling with northwest Austin traffic before toll roads were an option."We lived here when there was a four lane road, all these stoplights on (U.S. Highway) 183," she said. "And then they built the new 183, which was amazing, but it took like five years to build."And then came tolls. The first section of the 183A Toll opened in March 2007. Rutherford...

Play of the Week winner - Albany Academy's Geneo Savoca and Willie Kimbler

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Congratulations to this week’s winner of our Play of the Week poll, Albany Academy's Geneo Savoca and Willie Kimbler!Savoca made the barehanded play, and threw it to Kimbler at first, who made a great pick to get the out. The Cadet defense helped guide them to a win over Ichabod Crane. Vote here for this week’s Play of the Week poll!

Ukrainian media report explosion in Odesa, widespread air raid alerts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

A local Ukrainian official reported that an explosion was heard after a missile strike hit the Black Sea City of Odesa over night. Air raid alerts were also sounded in other parts of the country, including the capital of Kyiv.Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesperson for Odesa's military administration, announced on his Telegram account that "there has been a hostile missile attack"."Air defense works on the outskirts Kyiv!" The Kyiv military administration announced on its Telegram channel just after midnight local time on Monday (8 May). Stay in the shelters till the air-raid alarm sounds!Suspilne, the Ukrainian public broadcaster, also reported a blast followed by an fire in Odesa. In Kherson to the south there were explosions heard.

Ask Amy: After all these bad choices, my sister implies I’m obliged to help her

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Dear Amy: My question is about family obligations — both financial and emotional.My sister and I are both in our 70s and retired. She has made life choices that have left her alone and out of money with serious health issues. She has had multiple marriages that failed. She quit working at a young age (30s) due to health concerns.She has a social worker and gets some government help but still lives independently in an apartment she can’t afford.I believe that our mother, who is now dead, supported her for years.We live 1,000 miles apart. My sister has children who live near her: one who has not had contact with her in a decade and one who helps only when she feels she has to.I have been married for over 40 years. My husband and I both worked hard for decades and have a reasonable retirement income that may or may not last as long as we live.My sister has often expressed how she needs money, without actually asking for it. I have given her about $1,000 over this past year. I send cash...

Man charged with homicide over body found in car trunk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Jeffrey Dwight Locke, 50, was charged with one count of first degree premeditated homicide in the slaying of Glen McLean, 69, of Canton, Michigan.Locke was arrested in Dearborn after police received a tip about McLean being in his car.Jeffrey Locke (Photo courtesy of Canton Township Police) Police located the car and searched it, finding McLean’s body in the trunk on May 2.Locke was charged in 35th District Court on May 5. He faces life without parole if convicted.Police believe Mclean was assaulted at his residence in Canton.Information obtained during the investigation indicates that Locke had befriended Mclean several months prior  to, and would stay with him at his home on North River Woods Drive, assisting with repairs to multiple vehicles  owned by Mclean.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Cop accused of helping plan 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville decertified Crime and Public Safety | Woman, two police officers charged in...

California travel industry edges closer to a full recovery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

California’s travel industry is gaining on a record-setting 2019, according to a new report from Visit California, projected this year to surpass a pre-pandemic milestone as the industry heads toward a full recovery.The nonprofit organization, which promotes and tracks tourism in California, said travel-related spending in the Golden State grew to $134.4 billion in 2022. That’s a 31.7% increase from the previous year but down 7.2% from the $144.9 billion peak seen in 2019.SEE MORE: New rules would have airlines paying passengers if flights canceled, delayedANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 24: A sign advertises Downtown Disney near Disneyland on April 24, 2023 in Anaheim, California. Disney will lay off several thousand workers this week amid an overall push by the media giant to cut 7,000 total jobs in an effort to save $5.5 billion in costs. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The report also breaks out 2022 travel-related spending by county:Los Angeles County: $28.5 billion, up fro...

New rules would have US airlines paying passengers if flights canceled, delayed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

By David Koenig | The Associated PressThe Biden administration is working on new regulations that would require airlines to compensate passengers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the airline’s control.The White House said President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg would announce the start of the rulemaking process Monday.The rulemaking pledge continues a push by the Democratic administration to require airlines to improve customer service, and it comes just weeks before the start of the peak summer travel season.The aim of the rules would be, for the first time, to require airlines to pay compensation beyond a ticket refund and to cover expenses that consumers incur, including rebooking on another flight, if the airline causes a cancellation or significant delay.“When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” Buttigieg said in a statement.Airline-caused cancellations inclu...

Cop accused of helping plan 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville decertified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

The state’s law enforcement licensing commission decertified a former Woburn police officer accused of helping plan a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., a move that adds the cop’s name to a national database of decertified officers.It is the first time the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission has decertified an officer under a 2020 police reform law that was created and passed in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.New records released Monday show that former Woburn cop John Donnelly entered into a “voluntary decertification agreement” with the POST Commission that was signed by POST Commission Chair Margaret Hinkle last month.“The respondent John Donnelly has entered into a voluntary decertification agreement under which he has agreed to the revocation of his certification as a law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the entry of his decertification in the National Decerti...

Woman, two police officers charged in home invasion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Two Detroit police officers and a Warren woman were charged last week in connection to a Roseville home invasion last month.It is alleged that on April 11, Detroit police officers Brianna Cabano and Dayna Sears went with Warren resident Colleen Compton to the victim’s residence, who is also a Detroit police officer, and forced entry into his residence. The three women allegedly damaged his home and stole his property.Cabano, 29,  of Auburn Hills and Cabano, 29, of Warren were each charged with second degree home invasion, a 15-year felony; home invasion second degree conspiracy, a 15-year felony; malicious destruction of property between $1,000-$20,000, a five-year felony; and larceny in a building, a four-year felony.Sears, 21, of Southfield was charged with home invasion in the second degree; malicious destruction of property between $1,000-$20,000; larceny in a building; and accessory after the fact to a felony, a five-year felony.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | ...

Putin tells WWII event West is waging a ‘real war’ on Russia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday told his country’s traditional Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square that the West’s “untamed ambitions, arrogance and impunity” are driving “a real war” against Russia, while the Kremlin’s forces fired another cruise missile barrage at Ukraine.“Today civilization is once again at a decisive turning point,” Putin said at the annual commemorations celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. “A real war has been unleashed against our Motherland.”Putin’s remarks came just hours after the Kremlin’s forces fired its latest barrage of cruise missiles at Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than 14 months ago in what it officially refers to as a “special military operation.”Ukrainian authorities said air defenses destroyed 23 of the 25 missiles that were launched. The air force said in a Telegram post that eight Kalibr cruise missiles were fired from carriers in the Black Sea toward the east and 17 from strategic aircraft.Putin has ...