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Law enforcement, TCEQ spar over extent of car emissions testing fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local law enforcement is in a war of words with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality when it comes to how widespread emissions testing fraud is across the state. After KXAN reporting, TCEQ said it wants to learn why investigators believe five million vehicles were illegally inspected in 2022 in a process known as "clean scanning" -- a scheme where fraudulent emissions tests are registered as official state records. The about-face call for a face-to-face comes after the agency's chairman called the calculations "a dramatic overstatement."Sgt. Jose Escribano (left) during a sting operation at the Travis County Tax Office. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) GET CAUGHT UP: Undercover sting shows depth of car inspection fraud "We need to step up and have a overdramatic response to this, OK?," said Sgt. Jose Escribano with the Travis County Constable Precinct Three Clean Air Taskforce. "Yeah, you may say it's overdramatic but, again, you don't have all the numbers. In m...

A gray and chilly weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Low rain chances are in the forecast for the rest of today and tomorrow. Most highs both days will peak in the upper 50s to low 60s. Highs will be below normal this weekend into early next weekAn upper-level low will move into northern Mexico west of El Paso Sunday afternoon to increase the chance of rain. By Monday the low will move northeast into the Texas South Plains with a higher rain chance. There may be a few isolated thunderstorms, otherwise it's really more of a rain event.Our next weather maker increases rain chances Sunday and MondayOn average about .50" to 1.00" will accumulate in area rain gaugesThe sky will stay overcast to, at times, mostly cloudy. A north wind will continue for the next several days keeping our lows in the upper 40s to low 50s and most highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.A warming trend begins Tuesday with the rain ending and the clouds clearing. Most highs will be in the low to mid 60s Tuesday, warming to near 70 Wednesday, and reachi...

$1M toward housing stability in Hays County, help with rent and utilities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hundreds of Central Texans will soon get the rental help they need. In Hays County, more rental assistance is on its way.A new partnership between the county and a local nonprofit will help create a housing stability program for the area. RELATED COVERAGE: New Hays County housing stability program in development The Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T), a San Marcos-based nonprofit that provides housing stability resources for Hays, Caldwell, Blanco and Guadalupe counties, will be leading the effort. "Residents of Hays County--they pay a higher percentage of their income towards rent than any of the surrounding counties around us," said BR3T Executive Director Elizabeth Wills. "They pay more than the national average. So our residents really do need rental assistance."$1 million for rental, utility assistance Hays County Commissioners approved the partnership on Tuesday. They allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the ne...

Gov. Abbott signs bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers at the governor's mansion on Friday afternoon.Senate Bill 7 will prohibit employers in the private sector from taking "adverse action" against an employee who does not want to get a COVID-19 shot. It would allow people to file a complaint at the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate alleged retaliation. Employers could face a fine up to $1,000 for each violation, according to this legislation.Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, who authored SB 7, emphasized the importance of medical autonomy when discussing his bill during the third special session.“This bill is about protecting individuals,” said Middleton during the third special session. “This protects individuals from losing their job if they don’t believe that COVID vaccine is right for them for whatever reason.” READ MORE: Texas Senate gives final approval to ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private empl...

Stillwater malt shop to offer free meal to veterans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

If you served — or are serving — in the armed forces, Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop in downtown Stillwater will serve you a free meal on Saturday, Veterans Day.The meals will be available between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. The restaurant is planning to serve more than 300 veterans this year, and numerous donors have come forward to pay for meals for spouses, said Cory Buettner, the restaurant’s owner.No proof of service is necessary, and veterans may choose from the entire menu, Buettner said.This is the 16th year that Buettner has offered the meals to veterans. Leo’s is named for Buettner’s father, who served in the Army during World War II.Former employees of Leo’s come back to the restaurant on Veterans Day to volunteer and help serve, Buettner said. “This is their favorite day to work,” he said. “There are a lot of handshakes, some hugs and some tears.”Second graders from Brookview Elementary School in Woodbury helped decorate the restaurant with “Letters to Our Heroes.”...

Advocates push for ceasefire in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — This week on Empire State Weekly, Israel's war with the militant group Hamas nears one month. This, as the federal government looks to increase humanitarian support to civilians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox!Mara Kronenfeld, the Executive Director for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) USA chapter explained the need is great among civilians in Gaza as Israel continues to invade the region, following an attack by Hamas. She explained that even though Israel agreed to daily pauses in their bombardment to allow humanitarian aid in and civilians to leave, the need is significant. "The number one message I have for viewers and for all those in the United States is to advocate for a ceasefire the killing has to stop and the other thing is the humanitarian access that's going in right now is a drop is a drop of aid in an ocean of need it is so small in terms of...

Winter Arts Festival returning to Glens Falls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council will be presenting the return of their annual Winter Arts Festival. The event will be held at the Queensbury Hotel on December 3.Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox!The festival will feature the handcrafted creations of over 50 artisans. Vendors will offer products ranging from jewelry and pottery to wood carvings and furniture. Crafts at the event will be reviewed by a jury of artists. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Musical with Glens Falls roots to tour in California The Queensbury Hotel is located at 88 Ridge Street in Glens Falls. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Veterans Voices: Honoring those who serve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Veterans Day is November 11, and people across the Capital Region are honoring and remembering the bravery and sacrifices made by the local members of the military. NEWS10 is also celebrating the men and women of the armed forces with a special, "Veterans Voices: We Honor and Thank Those Who Serve." We hear directly from local veterans in our community about the issues affecting their day-to-day lives and the many ways they connect with each other.Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox!For decades, veterans gathered for a drink or a little comradery at the local American Legion post. "It's not a bar, it's a lounge where we get together with our family and that's what the American Legion is to me, a family," said Larry Montello, who has been a legionnaire for 20 years. But post 9/11 military members are not joining the VFWs and the legions and their numbers are dwindling.Also, in the program, two local Vietnam War ...

26 YO vet leaves combat safe only to lose leg at home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A man enjoying civilian life between military tours ended up with a traumatic injury, but he is not letting that stop him. 26-year-old Markus Allman of Albany deployed to Afghanistan during the tail end of the war, where he served with the National Guard.“I am currently a 19 Delta recovery scout, basically the eyes and ears of the battlefield, reconnaissance. I report back to higher up. If we see an enemy, we will engage if necessary," Allman explained. Now he's the youngest person at the Schenectady Center nursing home. How did he end up here? — it's not what you think.A car accident in early September left Markus comatose for a week. He woke up to learn that one of his legs was amputated. Still, the young man who escaped combat unscathed, only to endure a traumatic injury while on leave, says he's lucky.Glenville WWII vet turns 103!“I feel like I'm not supposed to be here. I was given a second chance. I go back like I was before the inj...

Starbucks in Rivers Casino sets opening date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:04 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Starbucks is getting ready to open in Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady. The coffee shop is having its grand opening on Friday, November 17 at 10 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox!The new Starbucks is located near the Event Center between the entrance to the gaming floor and The Landing Hotel. According to Rivers, this will be the closest Starbucks to downtown Schenectady in the area.“At Rivers, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the property by bringing in new and exciting amenities,” said Rivers General Manager Joe Lodise. “Starbucks is a perfect complement to our current food and beverage offerings and, with its location outside of the casino gaming floor, will be accessible to guests of all ages, eventgoers, and our team members.” New clothing store opening in Crossgates Mall The 1500-square-foot Starbucks will be offering a complete menu including coffee, hot teas, blended drin...