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'Complex, intimate relationships': Travis County DA to address family violence prosecutions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County District Attorney's office plans to announce new policies aimed at centering the needs of family violence victims, as well as more details about its efforts to prosecute family violence offenses, at a press conference on Tuesday. Earlier this month, in a one-on-one interview with KXAN investigators, José Garza said these offenses, along with other violent crimes, were the priority for his office but were often some of the "most difficult" cases to prove. Is Travis County DA Garza dropping more felonies? Here’s what the data show During the interview, his office provided statistics showing it had secured more than 400 family violence convictions last year. His office said, when compared to the number of family violence cases it received in 2022, that brings its conviction rate up from 45% in 2021 to 83% in 2022, according to the office's analysis. Meanwhile, dat...

How many Project Connect light rail riders are expected under new recommendation?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following the Austin Transit Partnership's unveiling of its Project Connect light rail recommendation, officials are giving new insight into just how many riders they anticipate will use the system each day.ATP is the organization tasked with designing and construction Project Connect, a multi-billion-dollar mass transit system approved by Austin voters in November 2020. Among other transit upgrades, the program called for the creation of a light rail system in the capital city. Recommended Project Connect light rail plan unveiled On Tuesday, ATP announced it was recommending the 38th Street to Oltorf Street to Yellow Jacket Lane route as its preferred Phase 1 plan. The announcement comes after an initial reveal of five scaled-down proposals March 21, followed by a six-week community engagement period.On June 6, ATP, CapMetro and the City of Austin are poised to adopt an official Phase 1 light rail implementation plan.Under ATP's recommendation, the transit corpor...

Hutto singer could be crowned champion of 'The Voice'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

(KXAN) -- A Central Texas man has a chance to be crowned champion of the 23rd season of NBC's "The Voice" Tuesday night. Hutto singer Savion Wright — whose stage name is NOIVAS — earned a 4-chair turn with his blind audition. He immediately blew the judges away with his rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," a song Wright said deeply resonated with him, specifically with the loss of his brother, Alfred. MORE: Central Texas singer earns 4-chair turn on ‘The Voice’ NOIVAS is part of Blake Shelton's team and one of five finalists. He's joined by Team Blake's Grace West, D.Smooth with Team Kelly, Gina Miles of Team Niall and sister trio Sorelle on Team Chance, per NBC. The winner of this season will be named Tuesday night when the finale airs at 8 p.m. CT. To Wright, though, he's already a winner, he explained in a tweet Tuesday morning. "Thank you so much everyone for the love and support throughout this journey. The only reason I even did this show in the first plac...

Over 165,000 protests sent to Travis Central Appraisal District

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Property tax protest season is underway in Travis County, and the Travis Central Appraisal District is going through thousands of protests that property owners sent in for their 2023 appraisals. Marya Crigler, TCAD's chief appraiser, said the district is currently processing about 165,000 protests, which is on par with TCAD's protest numbers last year. The general deadline to submit protests was May 15. Crigler said certified estimates are expected to be ready in late July, and all protests should be substantially completed before Aug. 30. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Notices for 2023 appraisal value on their way to Travis Co. property owners The appraisal district saw a "rebalancing of the housing market" due to waning demand and increased supply. In 2022, TCAD saw "astronomical housing appreciation," but Crigler said that was not the case in 2023 because of a return to pre-pandemic normals. Home sale prices declined after peaking in May 2022, data shows. The number of Aus...

MN Legislature: Major funding increases for environment, recreation; No hikes for fishing licenses or state park fees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

State funding for the outdoor and natural resources will reach unprecedented levels in Minnesota thanks in large part to the state’s nearly $18 billion budget surplus.While the proposal to raise fishing license fees and state park fees was dropped, both of those areas will see large funding increases through the DNR as lawmakers opted to use the budget surplus and hold off on raising more fees. The exception is watercraft licenses, which are going up for the first time since 2007.A gray wolf, also known as a timberwolf or Canis lupus at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minn. (Pioneer Press file)Lawmakers also passed a bevy of natural resources policy changes, from addressing chronic wasting disease to transplanting elk to eastern Minnesota and requiring boat operators to obtain safety training certificates.The state is pumping some $1.6 billion over the next two years into clean energy, environmental, climate change, invasive species prevention, wildlife habitat, parks, f...

Law enforcement holds press conference on Clifton Park shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — At 3 p.m., officials are giving an update on the shooting of two officers Tuesday morning. Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo will appear alongside representatives from the DEA and FBI. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Watch the press conference here, and stick with NEWS10 for more on this story as it develops.

Primark, new clothing store in Crossgates, sets opening date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Primark, an international clothing retailer with more than 400 stores globally, is opening in Crossgates Mall. The store is set to open its doors on July 20. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Primark space will be more than 33,000 square feet and have the latest fashion trends, essentials, homewares, and gifts. The store will be located on the ground floor near Texas de Brazil.Primark is opening two other stores this summer in Green Acres Mall in Long Island and in The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  This will bring Primark to 20 stores in the United States. Primark hopes to have 60 stores in the U.S. by 2026. Warby Parker in Stuyvesant Plaza sets opening date "The reception we've received as we've joined new communities in the U.S. has been overwhelmingly positive, with lines of new customers waiting to meet us, so our team is so excited about the lineup of new stores we...

DEC: Angler rescued from capsizing rowboat on the Great Sacandaga Lake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

BROADALBIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On the evening of May 18, a 27-year-old from Amsterdam was rescued from a capsizing rowboat on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Several individuals were able to bring the angler a life preserver until DEC officials and first responders arrived. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Ranger Thompson secured a throw bag on shore and rowed out to the angler. Once the angler was secured with a life ring, the Broadalbin Volunteer Fire Department pulled them ashore. Ranger Thompson and good Samaritans helped pull the boat ashore. The angler was taken to a local hospital.

Schenectady Police name fatality in Crane Street homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department has named the fatality in Monday's Crane Street homicide in Schenectady. Police say Philomen L. Henry, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Around 11 a.m. on Monday, Schenectady police went to 953 Crane Street for a welfare check. Once there, officers found the woman who had been shot.Police say this investigation into this incident is still ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Schenectady Police Department's tip line at (518) 788-6566.

What fish can you eat from Capital Region waters?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With the warmer weather, many residents are getting outside and going fishing. While you can catch-and-release the fish you hook, bringing home and eating the fish is also an option, but it comes with some guidelines. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) offers advice on which fish and from what bodies of waters are suitable to eat fish from. The advice is also split into two categories: the general population and the sensitive population.The sensitive population includes people who can bear children under 50 and children under 15. The general population is everyone else. People who eat highly contaminated fish and become pregnant may have an increased risk of having children who are slower to develop and learn, said the NYSDOH. Where to go fishing in the Capital Region In most waters, people can eat up to four fish meals a month. However, some waters ha...