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Top Texas A&M officials were involved in botched recruiting of journalism professor, who will receive $1 million settlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Several high-level Texas A&M University System officials — including the board of regents and the flagship campus’ president — were involved in discussions about how to handle a Black journalism professor’s job offer after conservatives criticized her hiring, according to an internal report released Thursday.The details of the report contradict former Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks’ earlier claims that she was unaware that the school had watered down its offer to Kathleen McElroy after pushback to her hiring. Banks abruptly retired last month amid turmoil spurred by the botched hiring.The report also confirms the unusual involvement of system-level regents, who are gubernatorial appointees, in a university-level hire. And the report confirms that university leadership tried to delay the announcement of McElroy’s hiring until after this year’s legislative session ended.Texas A&M also confirmed Thursday that it would pay $1 milli...

Second wildfire in Bastrop County grows to 38 acres, 90% contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 117 acres, 80% contained Officials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 38 acres and 90% contained, as of about noon Thursday. The Mesquite Field Fire has burned about 37 acres in Bastrop County and is 80% contained, according to officials. (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)While this fire didn't cover as much ground as Tuesday's Powder Keg Pine Fire, it still gave people quite the scare Wednesday. "My neighbor called and said there was a fire out here," said Paul Todd, whose farmland is close to where the fire started. "So I came out here as quick as I could. My thought was to get out here and make sure everything was okay, and everybody's house, whatever I could do...

In budget address next week St. Paul mayor to focus on spending priorities as city faces post-pandemic challenges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter will unveil key spending priorities, as well as a proposed property tax levy, during his 2024 budget address next Thursday at a real estate development site that’s become symbol of both the capital city’s promise and challenges.Hailed as a mixed-income, environmentally-sustainable rethinking of former Ford Motor Co. factory land, the Highland Bridge development has drawn well-heeled seniors to market-rate housing within walking distance of the Mississippi River, even as low-income apartments are built next door.A man-made water feature curves like a river walk under pedestrian bridges, bordering a new skate park, dog walk and multiple playgrounds. It’s a majestic site, with a new Lunds grocery store anchoring a corner along Ford Parkway, and yet a visible slowdown in apartment construction has created a palpable obstacle for both Highland Bridge and the city as a whole.With key exceptions such as a series of sizable apartment buildings ...

Discovering Saratoga: Simply Food by Maura

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - They say when one door closes, another one opens! That couldn’t be more true for Maura Pulver who is carving out a new path after the pandemic impacted her business three years ago.After more than a decade, Maura closed the doors on her beloved neighborhood spot, Five Points Deli, in 2020. That's when her catering business, Simply Food by Maura, was born. Discovering Saratoga: Taking you inside The Coat Room “The whole pandemic changed so much so when I finally made the decision to close the restaurant I was really sad because I knew I was going to miss a lot of the customers, but they’re finding me anyway,” said Maura.While she provides catering for events at the Elks Lodge, she also does private catering for weddings, baby showers, class reunions and much more. Simply Food by Maura operates out of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161. To contact Maura, visit her website.

Local university students chosen as award recipients for Prince Harry and Meghan's nonprofit charity organization

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Emma Lembke says it was a major surprise that her tech reform work earned a phone call from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.“I had one of the craziest surprise calls of my life with the Duke and Duchess,” Lembke said creator of Design It for Us. “Harry and Meghan called me to say that I was a grant recipient of the Responsible Youth Tech Fund, that is awarding over $2 million to youth groups who are seeking to better understand for a greater tech future.” The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund is backed by 14 organizations, and among them is the Archewell Foundation by Prince Harry and Meghan. Seniors feel ‘trapped’ in St. Louis apartment building because of broken elevators Lembke, who founded the 'Log Off' movement during high school and at Washington University, explained the origins of "Design It for Us" from her experiences at college.“We want to see greater algorithmic transparency,” she said. “We want to see young people’s privacy protected online, and we ta...

CU Buffs notes: Strong start to camp for receiver Xavier Weaver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

Colorado receiver Xavier Weaver catches a pass during football practice at the Buffaloes’ indoor practice facility on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (University of Colorado Athletics)Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis has a basic goal for the Buffaloes this season.“I want to get the ball into as many playmakers’ hands as often as possible,” he said Thursday after the second day of CU’s preseason camp. “However we’re going to do that, whether we throw it, we hand it, we pitch it, we shovel it, we hide it under someone’s legs and they hand it to someone else. I want to get the ball to our playmakers and utilize all their skill sets and get that speed in space as early and as often as possible.”That’s easier said than done, but the Buffs aren’t lacking in options.Quarterback Shedeur Sanders has put up big numbers the past two years at Jackson State and now he has a stellar group of receivers with the Buffs.Two days into camp, senior Xavier Weaver, a transfer fro...

Murder warrant issued in Aurora double homicide cold case from 2007

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

An arrest warrant has been issued in a cold case involving a 2007 double homicide in Aurora.The warrant for Alejandro Garcia-Loya, 35, states he is wanted on two first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Juan Ayala-Medina and Ignacio Zamudio-Estrada, according to an 18th Judicial District news release.On July 16, 2007, Aurora police officers, responding to a request for a welfare check, found the victims’ bodies inside an apartment in the 200 block of S. Jasper Circle, the release said. The family of Zamudio-Estrada had called the police after they’d not heard from him in several days and phone calls had gone unanswered. Both victims, who had severe blows to the head, were dead when officers arrived.Investigators determined Garcia-Loya had resided in the apartment after finding a utility bill for the unit under his name, the release said. DNA and fingerprint evidence was collected from Garcia-Loya’s room. Investigators also found a retail receipt in the room th...

CU Buffs’ Shedeur Sanders, Sean Lewis getting on same page

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

BOULDER,CO: April 5: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and offensive coordinator Sean Lewis during spring football practice on April 5, 2023, at the Buffaloes’ indoor practice facility. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)For the Colorado Buffaloes to have a chance to exceed the outside expectations this season, they’ll need a lot of things to come together and go their way.There may not be a bigger key to their success, however, than the working relationship between offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Sean Lewis and junior quarterback Shedeur Sanders.When head coach Deion Sanders was hired in December, he immediately announced that his son would be the Buffs’ starting quarterback. Then, he hired Lewis, the former head coach at Kent State, to run the offense that will be steered by Shedeur this season.After a spring and summer together, Lewis and Shedeur are getting on the same page.“I’m learning from him because I would say in the spring I looked at the offense a cert...

Theft suspects targeting Rite Aid stores arrested after Ventura County pursuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

Three organized theft suspects were arrested following a pursuit through Ventura County, authorities announced Thursday.The suspects were identified as Miracle Beaudion, 20, from Covina, Trejour Heard, 21, from Los Angeles and Kayla Stark, 22, from San Pedro, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.The suspects are wanted for a series of thefts targeting Rite Aid stores throughout the Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Los Angeles areas, authorities said.On July 31, patrol units responded to reports of a theft at a Rite Aid in an unincorporated Mira Monte community in Ojai.Victims said one suspect entered the store, filled several bags with merchandise and fled the area in a getaway car occupied by two other suspects.After noticing the suspect triggering the store’s security system, a citizen spotted the getaway car and began trailing the vehicle while relaying information to deputies.While driving, the citizen witnessed the suspects tossing items out the window. The recovered it...

Rider Dies in Motorcycle Collision on McGaw Avenue [Irvine, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:08 GMT

Rider Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Accident near Armstrong AvenueIRVINE, CA (August 3, 2023) – Wednesday evening, one rider was killed in a motorcycle collision on McGaw Avenue.Police responded to the scene around 5:37 p.m., near the intersection of Armstrong and McGaw Avenues.According to reports, the rider of a westbound motorcycle was approaching the intersection and crashed off the roadway for reasons unknown.As a result, the motorcyclist sustained major injuries and died at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identity.At this time, the circumstances that led up to the crash and the condition of the minivan driver are undisclosed. Officials are asking anyone with additional information about the fatal motorcycle collision on McGaw Avenue to reach out to local authorities as soon as possible.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased victim. May you find comfort and strength during this di...