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Pritzker signs law lifting moratorium on nuclear reactors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday lifting a three-decade moratorium on development of nuclear reactors in the state.Smaller nuclear reactors — those producing less than 300 megawatts of power — will be allowed beginning January 2026. Morris Republican Sen. Sue Rezin, the proposal's sponsor, argued that nuclear power is a critical part of the state's renewable energy portfolio. These Illinois cities rank among the worst-paying areas for teachers in the US: analysis “Illinois has a long, successful and safe history of nuclear energy generation,” Rezin said in a statement after the Democratic governor's action, which she said "will ensure that our state can remain a leader in the energy sector by offering us the ability to utilize the amazing advancements in new nuclear energy technology.”Rezin and the measure's House sponsor, Democratic Rep. Lance Yednock of Ottawa, are counting on the future success of so-called small, modular reactors ...

Kate Cox leaves state for abortion while case waits in Supreme Court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The 31-year-old Dallas woman at the center of a major challenge to Texas abortion ban was forced to leave the state for an abortion while her case awaits action in the state Supreme Court, the Center for Reproductive Rights said Monday.Last week, a Travis County court ruled Kate Cox could receive an abortion under the medical exceptions in Texas' ban. Cox received a fatal fetal diagnosis at 20 weeks of pregnancy called trisomy 18. The fetus is unable to sustain life, and Cox argued her health and future fertility would be at risk if she gave birth.But Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene, arguing the lower court abused their discretion by imposing a temporary restraining order on the state ban. The Supreme Court temporarily halted that order while they weigh whether to intervene, meaning that Cox had only a short window to obtain a legal abortion in Texas. State of Texas: Court temporarily blocks emergency abortion for Texas wo...

What are flu levels like in Texas?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the cooler weather comes an increase in the number of colds and respiratory illnesses spreading around Central Texas. But how does this flu season compare to the onset of last year's?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies December through February as peak flu season, with February often accounting for the highest volume of flu activity. While the overall impact and severity of strains vary each flu season, last year's peak in Texas happened in early December, according to data compiled by the Texas Department of State Health Services. How to brace for peak cedar fever season The highest positivity rate reported in Texas during the 2022-23 season happened in early December, where reports indicated a 24.5% positivity rate. That rate is determined by the percentage of flu tests that came back positive compared to the overall number of tests conducted.The 2023-24 flu season began Oct. 1. As of a Dec. 8 DSHS report, there are more than 4,700 posi...

Texas Attorney General: Death benefits awarded for fallen Operation Lone Star soldiers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said four lump-sum death benefits were awarded for fallen soldiers in Texas’ Operation Lone Star.Paxton said legislation was enacted that allows eligible active-duty military members and national guardsmen deployed for Operation Lone Star to be provided a death benefit.“The legislation provides that the surviving spouse, child, or parent will receive the benefit if the individual died while on active duty in connection with operations initiated to address criminal activity in the border region,” Paxton said in a statement.

Analysis: Hays CISD could double student body by 2033

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- More and more students are expected to enroll in Hays Consolidated Independent School District in the next decade. According to a demographic study, the district could more than double its student body by 2033. There is an agenda item listed for Tuesday's school board meeting to go over the Population and Survey Analysis (PASA). "Current PASA services include geocoding all students, projecting student population, providing grade-level projects, and providing a long-range plan," the agenda items aid. "In completing their work, they commit to spending an extensive amount of time in the District gathering information in person. Population and Survey Analysts (PASA), previously worked with Hays CISD in the early 2000’s."Three scenarios of growthThe analysis listed three growth scenarios for the district by 2033:Low growth: 40,505 students Moderate growth: 45,423 studentsHigh growth: 48,150 studentsIn a low growth scenario, the report said there would have t...

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson has ‘good chance’ to play this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

It seems as if the Vikings avoided anything serious when it comes to star receiver Justin Jefferson.After being ruled out a chest injury on Sunday in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old Jefferson was taken to a local hospital out of precaution. He was discharged in short order and arrived back at Allegiant Stadium in time to fly home with his teammates after Vikings escaped with a 3-0 win over the Raiders.Asked about the decision to send Jefferson to a local hospital, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that the training staff felt it was important to rule out any possible internal complications. The door is open for Jefferson to be back on the field when the Vikings play the Bengals on Saturday in Cincinnati.“I consider Justin day to day with a good chance to hopefully be with us playing,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing pretty well today. It’s just a matter of continuing to monitor any potential things that could arise. You know, what he’s like from...

St. Paul, Met Council seek letters of interest for downtown Central Station block

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

In downtown St. Paul, a block of mostly-empty land surrounds Metro Transit’s downtown Central Station on all sides. Bounded by Fourth and Fifth streets, as well as Cedar and Minnesota streets, the land is largely owned by the city of St. Paul and the Metropolitan Council, the metro’s regional planning agency.And in the eyes of both public bodies, it’s ripe for redevelopment.April 11, 2018 aerial photo of the Green Line Central Station in St. Paul. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)The city and Met Council are soliciting recommendations from developers who have big ideas for the 1.66-acre site, which hosts a vertical circulation tower from the light rail train platform to a skyway bridge.Letters of interest are due to the Met Council by 5 p.m. on Jan. 11.The Met Council intends to use the responses to inform a selection and evaluation process down the line for a formal request for proposals for redevelopment.Not submitting a letter of interest does not preclude a develope...

County Manager Ryan O’Connor trades Ramsey County for the Met Council

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

Ramsey County will soon be looking for a new county manager to replace Ryan O’Connor, who will be named this month as the next regional administrator for the Metropolitan Council.O’Connor’s appointment is expected to be officially approved by the full Met Council on Dec. 13. The seven-county metro’s regional planning agency oversees Metro Transit, solicitations for federal transportation funding, wastewater infrastructure, regional parks and trails, planning grants, a suburban Section 8 affordable housing program and other regional priorities.O’Connor had served as Ramsey County’s director of policy and analysis and deputy county manager before being elevated to county manager in July 2018, less than two years before the outset of the pandemic. When COVID-19 became a household word, he oversaw a breakneck pivot to transform county services, including setting up a range of emergency shelters for the homeless.“Given Ryan’s extensive background in su...

Albany man pleads guilty to fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man has pled guilty to defrauding a loan program intended to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Scott Solomon, 37, had been charged with two counts of bank fraud. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Solomon admitted to fraudulently applying for and was granted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans back in 2020 for two restaurants he formerly managed in Saratoga Springs. Solomon reportedly submitted false tax documents for each loan, lying about each restaurant’s payroll and number of employees. According to the USAO, despite the two businesses being non-operational at the time he applied for the loans, Solomon used the loaned funds, which totaled $163,993, in ways that were prohibited by the PPP. Solomon was also accused of fraudulently obtaining forgiveness for one of the loans, falsely stating to the lender that he had put a maj...

PHOTOS: Buc-ee's officially opens in Springfield

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:11 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Buc-ee's has officially opened in Springfield on Monday, Dec. 11.Tons of people were braving the cold on Monday for the grand opening. People were waiting in line to get in the Buc-ee's at 6 a.m. 5 things to know about Buc-ee’s opening in Springfield Buc-ee's employees gave out prizes and even the Buc-ee's mascot was there hanging out with the crowd and cheering.The store has aisles of food with thousands of snack, meal and drink options for travelers on the go. The beaver nuggets, Texas barbecue and homemade fudge are what the travel center is also known for.Check out the video below as Buc-ee's Pitmaster Randy Pauley gives OzarksFirst a look at preparing its famous barbecue. The travel center is also known for having the cleanest bathrooms and of course there are 120 gas pumps available to use.