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Witness video shown in first day of APD officer murder case, no opening statements from defense

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN News Today’s morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements wrapped up Monday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.Previous coverage of the trial: Opening statements wrap up in murder trial involving APD officerJury selected in APD officer’s murder trialJudge grants mistrial motion in APD officer murder caseOpening statements After Taylor pleaded not guilty, attorneys representing him did not give opening statements. It meant the jury heard largely from prosecutors Monday. Prosecutors used maps, photos and screenshots of body-worn camera footage to walk jurors through the events leading up to Ramos' death in their opening statements. The state is working to...

'Bigger than the bed of a pickup truck': Round Rock ISD school makes enormous mum

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Hanging inside a Round Rock Independent School District high school is a 28-foot-long mum, which took the equivalent of nearly two days to finish, the school district said on social media.McNeil High School with Round Rock ISD students made an 'enormous mum' | Courtesy Round Rock ISDMcNeil High School with Round Rock ISD students made an 'enormous mum' | Courtesy Round Rock ISDThe 'enormous mum' took the the Floral Design classes in McNeil High School's Ag program close to 40 hours to finish, the district said.According to RRISD, the top of the mum is bigger than the bed of a pickup truck.Homecoming mums as a Texas customTraditional homecoming mums are made with faux chrysanthemums decorated with glitter, ribbons and trinkets. How did homecoming mums become a Texas custom? While its origins aren’t officially confirmed, many trace the decorative piece back to Missouri, where the wearing of homecoming mums became a tradition in the early 1900s. Those earl...

Where does Austin rank among the best cities for renters?

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Forbes Advisor released Oct. 16 its list of the most optimal cities for renters — and Austin ranks within the Top 10."Rent-burdened" tenants are defined as those who pay more than 30% of their income on rent, per federal government standards. Forbes Advisor analyzed 96 of the United States' most populated cities, using 23 different metrics to weigh out the most ideal renting communities.Considerations included average rental prices and unit sizes for one and two-bedroom rentals, year-over-year percent changes in average rent costs alongside the percentage of rent-burdened rents, crime rates and key amenities.Through Forbes Advisor's findings, warmer climate cities were more prevalent among its rankings. The report also determined that while some cities might have lower rent prices than those ranked high on the list, higher crime rates or lower median household incomes affiliated with these cheaper rent communities docked their overall ranking. TRENDING NOW: Burnet ...

Deadline for submitting Minnesota state flag, seal proposals is approaching

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

The deadline for submitting design proposal for the new Minneosta flag and seal the deadline is approaching.Proposals must be submitted to the State Emblems Redesign Commission by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30. The mailing address as well as additional information can be found at mnhs.org/serc.Those participating must be 18 years of age or older or have their proposals entered by a parent or legal guardian. Up to three designs each for the flag and seal can be submitted per eligible participantThe State Emblems Redesign Commission was established during the 2023 Legislature to bring forth a new design for the Minnesota state flag and state seal no later than Jan. 1, 2024.Previous submissions for state emblems initiatives should be entere through the official website. A total of five submissions each for the flag and seal will be chosen by the comission. The commission will then select one design (or modified version) to be used as a basis for each.The Minnesota Historical Society is...

Time to trick-or-treat at the Aviation Mall

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Terror at Target? Skeletons at Spencers? Halloween is on its way to the Aviation Mall. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Mall-O-Ween gives kids a chance to trick-or-treat across mall stores. On Halloween, Oct. 31, participating stores will welcome costumed kids with candy in hand from 5 to 7 p.m. Stores taking part across the mall will have signs in their windows, declaring "We Have Candy." Any kid on Halloween knows to wear a costume, but if any need an extra incentive, the mall has one. JCPenney will be hosting a costume contest for different age groups, with prizes in each category. Age groups include:5:30 p.m.: Ages 0-46 p.m.: Ages 5-86:30 p.m.: Ages 9-12 Scares and treats coming to Glens Falls City Park at Boo2You In addition to stores in the mall, nonprofit groups will be set up at tables with their own offerings. Groups giving out goodies include Southern Adirondack Independent Living, Kiwanis...

DEC encourages New Yorkers to help protect bats

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- To protect bats, the Department of Environmental Conservation is asking outdoor enthusiasts to refrain from visiting caves and mines during the fall and winter months. The DEC states that human visitations can be harmful as disturbances during their hibernation cause them to raise their body temperatures, thus depleting crucial fat reserves. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Individuals are asked to follow all posted notices restricting access to caves and mines. If you stumble across hibernating bats, the DEC says to leave quickly and quietly to minimize disturbance.There are two species currently protected under federal and state endangered species law. The Indiana bat is sparsely distributed across the state, and the northern long-eared bat is approximately one percent of its previous population. Both have been impacted by a fungus known as the white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than 90 percent...

Fire displaces Schenectady apt. bldg. tenants

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A fire has displaced dozens of residents at an apartment complex in Schenectady. An electric scooter containing a lithium ion battery was found inside the apartment where the fire started. MORE NEWS from NEWS 10The heat from flames sent residents of 736 Albany Street into the chill of the Schenectady streets Monday morning. Lori T. described the initial moments after the ignition. “You instantly hear the alarms go off in the building, and it's not an alarm that you can sleep through. About 8 o'clock this morning. I’m on the Albany Street side of the building, and I don't see any fire trucks out there. Then the fire trucks came, and they had crowbars in their hands, so this gotta be serious. Somethings going on" the tenant said. The Hillside Crossings Apartment resident says she even saw someone taking drastic measures to escape the fire.“There was a guy over top of me, that had an electrical scooter" said Lori. "And he was about to jump out of ...

Cohoes man pleads guilty to sexual abuse charge

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Cohoes man is facing two years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual abuse in the first degree. The Saratoga Springs Police Department began an investigation into the reported sexual assault on April 30. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Kevin D. Johnson, 38, will be sentenced in Saratoga County Court in January 2024. In addition to the prison sentence, Johnson will be sentenced to serve 10 years of post-release supervision and be required to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years.

ACSO, Watervliet try to fill Thanksgiving delivery gaps

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In years past, Equinox turned out more than 10,000 Thanksgiving meals, and provided delivery service to people who need it throughout the Capital Region. This year, with the news that they're cutting out delivery, other agencies in the area are stepping up to the plate. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We had a few brief moments of panic, where I'm like, 'wow, we could get inundated,'" said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.The Albany County Sheriff's Office usually prepares about 1000 meals for its annual Thanksgiving delivery. In trying to fill the new gaps, Apple said it’ll be more like 2,200 this year. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, volunteers will drive meals to people who can’t leave their homes, and anyone else who signs up. Local organization to host in-person Thanksgiving dinner again Apple said people looking to help out can volunteer to make deliveries. Sheriff's Office Secretary K...

Rigazzi’s sold to local ownership group

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:52:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Rigazzi's, the oldest operating restaurant in The Hill neighborhood, has been sold. And while the beloved Italian eatery is no longer a family-run business, it will remain a locally owned establishment.Corey Christanell and business partner Donn Ganim bought the restaurant from Joan Aiazzi, whose late husband, Mark, ran the restaurant with her until his death in 2013.Rigazzi's opened in 1957 at the corner of Daggett Avenue and Boardman Street. It was the brainchild of friends and business partners, Lou Aiazzi and John Riganti. The name of the restaurant is a portmanteau of their last names.Joan Aiazzi said she did not want to sell her family's restaurant to just anyone. "“It was important for me to ensure the next owner of Rigazzi’s was someone with deep ties to The Hill," she said. "...I can rest easy knowing they will keep the traditions we created on our little corner of The Hill alive and well, and I can’t wait to come back and enjoy a glass of wine on the guest side...