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Pflugerville-based foster & adoption agency under state investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN)-- A social service agency based in Texas with branches across the state has lost its contract with the state and is being investigated for violating state code, The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services issued a termination letter to Lonestar Social Services on April 20, effective June 15. The agency was contracted with the state to help connect children and families for foster care and adoption. According to the Texas Health and Human Services website, Lonestar is based in Pflugerville, with branches in Dallas, Nueces, Smith, Lubbock, Bexar and Harris counties. In its letter, DFPS said Lonestar violated terms of its Child Placing Agency contract, finding it noncompliant with the following rules: The operation must have reasonable financial stability and solvency to provide servicesThe operation must provide services in accordance with contract requirements and Health and Human Services Child Care Regulation minimum standards for CPAsThe opera...

Letters: Cherry-picking data can’t change the facts of climate change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

True and falseTwo pieces in the Sunday, June 18, Pioneer Press made for an interesting contrast.One was Joe Soucheray’s column, which I invariably read. He indicated that nature is very powerful, which is absolutely true, but also that human influence on nature is negligible, which is false. He cherry-picks data, specifically that it was exceptionally hot for four days in 1956, thus implying that climate change isn’t really a thing, because of a hot spell 67 years ago.The other piece was a letter to the editor by Leslie Martin, who I do not know. Martin argues that the “climate catastrophe is here, scary as all get-out,” and appropriately credits the fossil fuel industry and its supporters for it. Martin challenges the Pioneer Press to do its job: “Tell the real story about the climate catastrophe and keep telling it because lives are literally at stake.”Martin’s comments reflect the understanding of the vast majority of scientists. Soucheray’s comments reflect, well, I’m not sure. ...

Mark Gongloff: Global heat records are falling. A little panic might be in order

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

Modern humans generally think of panic as unhelpful, triggering stampedes at concerts, collapses at cookouts and endless hours of therapy. But our species evolved panic as a kind of superpower to avoid being eaten. In certain circumstances, and in measured doses, a little existential dread can still be helpful.Take our rapidly changing climate.The planet could easily set a record-high average temperature in 2023, especially with an El Niño weather pattern kicking in later this year. We have already suffered through the hottest early June on record, with global land temperatures briefly touching 1.5C above the pre-industrial average. Ocean temperatures this spring have been the hottest ever at this time of year, in records going back 174 years.Many people, including myself, have warned against panicking about such stunning new highs, given the temporary nature of El Niño’s boost. Even if we temporarily hit 1.5C of warming this year, it will still be theoretically possible to av...

Byron Buxton in the outfield? ‘He physically can’t,’ Twins manager Rocco Baldelli says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

Twins star Byron Buxton has not played in outfield this season and it’s clearly taking a toll on him.The joy with which Gold Glove winner plays the game is most noticeable when he’s covering a seemingly impossible amount of grass to rob opposing players of extra bases. Buxton simply is not himself without that the ability to impact the game in that manner.He knows that better than anyone.Which adds to Buxton’s frustration as he continues to struggle at the plate. Before Tuesday night’s game between the Twins and Boston Red Sox at Target Field, the designated hitter had not garnered a hit since being reinstated from the injured list last week. The slump would be easier for Buxton to stomach if he were able to make his presence felt in the outfield.“That definitely takes your mind off of what you do at the plate,” he said Tuesday. “If I was to strike out, I went on defense, and I was like, ‘Ain’t nobody getting a hit.’ ”...

New York Air National Guard now assisting Titanic missing sub search and rescue operation 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- Governor Hochul announced on Tuesday afternoon that New York Air National Guard is now assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with its search and rescue operation for the Titanic missing submersible. The deep-sea vessel, named Titan, went missing Sunday morning with five people aboard after it headed towards a wreck site of the Titanic ocean liner in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach on Long Island, the 106th is one of three Air National Guard search and rescue units in the country and the only one based on the East Coast. The 106th flies fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and rescue helicopters and has a unit of pararescue jumpers who are trained to rescue people on the sea and on land. New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing is assisting the United States Coast Guard in the search an...

New York moves to protect doctors sending abortion pills into states with bans 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

The New York state legislature approved a bill Tuesday that will protect medical providers for serving those who live in states with bans on abortion.This law could expand the use of telehealth for those seeking abortions, especially those who are from states who have restricted access to abortion care. The bill will shield providers from out-of-state litigation by saying that New York officials will not help a state with an abortion ban that attempts to pursue legal action against a New York telemedicine provider that offers abortion to a patient living in a state with a ban.Those providers will be protected as long as they are in compliance with New York law, according to the bill. The bill states that no state or local government employee in New York “shall cooperate” with an individual or out-of-state agency “regarding any legally protected health activity in this state.”"As anti-choice extremists continue to roll back reproductive care across the country, New York remains a san...

St. Louis aldermen consider short-term rental reforms crime prevention tactic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

ST. LOUIS – After another violent weekend in downtown St. Louis, city leaders are talking about regulating short-term rental properties.There is momentum to get regulations passed, with some saying it's a way of tackling crime.Early Sunday morning, a 17-year-old was shot and killed and 10 others injured at teen party at an office space near Washington Avenue and 14th Street. Authorities say it’s unclear how the teens got inside the building.On Tuesday, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen discussed a pair of short-term rental bills. Missouri family finds relative 10 hours after hearing she died “We need to get into these places and inspect and regulate them,” Alderman Joe Vollmer (Ward 5) said. “You have a right to open a business. It's a privilege to do businesses in residential neighborhoods that put all their heart and time and soul into their property.”One bill would change the application and appeals processes, while another would affect how short-term rental properties are used.M...

Judge rules AG had no authority to question cost for initiative petition on abortion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Missouri judge on Tuesday gave the state's attorney general 24 hours to certify how much it would cost the state to put an abortion rights initiative petition on the ballot.Roughly half of the country has an initiative petition process, allowing voters to gather a certain number of signatures to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Last week, two Missouri Democratic lawmakers spoke with leaders from other states, telling them they believe the only way abortion becomes legal again in the Show Me State is through an initiative petition."That's why we see the GOP trying to make it more and more difficult for folks to have an initiative petition process that will successfully put this on the ballot, because they know this is what their constituents ultimately want," Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee's Summit, said. How many Missouri bridges need to be repaired or replaced? Depends who you ask A big priority for Republicans this past session was to make i...

Police seek help to identify suspects in downtown St. Louis mass shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Investigators with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and CrimeStoppers are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects involved in a weekend shooting in downtown that left one teenager dead and 11 other people injured.As noticeable damage still fills stretches of the office building near Washington Avenue and 14th Street, police are in search of suspects. In images released to the public, you can see the suspects armed with firearms.“When you cause a danger to the community, that kind of harm, no regard for life, they’re gonna go out and do it again,” St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said.The chief is hoping information shared on the region’s crime tip line could help authorities locate those responsible. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIG...

Wildfire breaks out in San Miguel County on Ophir Pass

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:34:26 GMT

Firefighters are battling a wildfire on Ophir Pass in San Miguel County near the town of Ophir.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | No criminal charges for Xcel Energy in Marshall fire, but civil liability another matter Crime and Public Safety | What started the Marshall fire? Boulder County set to announce findings of 17-month investigation The fire, about 50 feet by 100 feet in size, is burning on U.S. Forest Service land, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.On Tuesday afternoon a helicopter was dispatched from Montrose to work on the fire along with USFS crews and local firefighters. No structures are threatened.Ophir Pass Fire — @COStateFire on scene with helicopter resource. pic.twitter.com/VvMNXjcXUQ— San Miguel Sheriff (@SheriffAlert) June 20, 2023The fire is running away from the town and officials asked people to stay away from the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.