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Watchdog groups say lump sums in NY budget sketchy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Two watchdog groups are warning the public about where your tax dollars are going. The state proposed almost $15 billion set aside in the budget for what’s known as “lump sum” appropriation; these are pots of money the Governor and legislature decide how to spend at a later time.Rachel Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor for Reinvent Albany said the Governor and legislators would be able to distribute these funds without public accountability, "It doesn’t say who gets the money, where it goes, and it’s decided outside the regular budget process." Fauss said the Governor also has $8 billion in lump sums set aside for COVID emergencies which is not subject to the state comptroller. "But you know, the COVID emergency at least as declared by the state is over," explained Fauss. State budget will miss April 1 deadline She said the comptroller's ability to review contracts can be taken away through the state budget. This allows the Governor to bypass the bidding process...

New laundromat to open in Great Barrington

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (NEWS10) -- After being without a laundromat for more than a year, Great Barrington will now have a spot to do laundry. Laundry Land is expected to open as soon as late May. Check out the video above for details on the new laundromat. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox!

Albany Med lockdown suspect appears in court on Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Friday, Dino Savoca, 61, the suspect involved in the lockdown at the Albany Medical Center, appeared in court. Police said Savoca brought a BB gun and a shotgun to his mother’s hospital room and charged him with Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Menacing, and Kidnapping. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to court proceedings, Savoca barricaded himself and his mother in room C444. Two weapons including a shotgun were observed.During the lockdown, a negotiation team attempted to speak with Savoca but he did not respond to any questions or demands. When they were eventually able to enter the room, Savoca was allegedly uncooperative in leaving and had to be dragged out.Forensics collected the shotgun and observed that the gun was cocked. They removed the shell and confirmed that the gun was operable. Police: Albany med lockdown suspect’s mother has died The defense claims that Savoca did not...

TIMING: When to expect severe weather threats in your area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the St. Louis Metropolitan area to a Level-4 risk for severe weather Friday, with some Missouri and Illinois counties an hour-plus north at a Level 5 risk on a scale up to five.A tornado watch is underway through at least 8 p.m. in the St. Louis metropolitan area. There are also chances for thunderstorms and hail. The potential timeline for severe weather on Friday varies on your location. The most intense storm systems will be rolling in at the following times and areas...Noon to 6 p.m.: Troy, Missouri and other nearby areas to the north and west.3 p.m. to 8 p.m.: St. Louis metropolitan area and all counties surrounding St. Louis City and County.5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Much of the Metro East, including Vandalia, Sparta and nearby communities.In preparation, Some St. Louis area schools dismissed early Friday afternoon since high winds pose severe weather threats. St. Louis Public Schools, one of Missouri's largest school districts, is ...

No handcuffs but a mugshot: Trump to be arraigned Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will be formally arrested and arraigned next Tuesday in his hush money case, court officials said — an announcement promising the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.As the Manhattan court confirmed the timing on Friday, the streets outside had calmed from earlier in the week. There were no large-scale demonstrations for or against Trump, though tourists stopped to take selfies and throngs of reporters and police officers remained assembled.When Trump turns himself in, he’ll be booked mostly like anyone else facing charges, mugshot and all. But he isn’t expected to be put in handcuffs, he’ll have Secret Service protection and will almost certainly be released that day.In the meantime, his legal team prepared his defense while the prosecutor defended the grand jury investigation that propelled the matter toward trial. Congressional Republicans, as well as Trump himself, contend the w...

Brush fire breaks out in Jefferson County along hogback south of I-70 as wind whips Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

A wildfire is burning in Jefferson County along the hogback south of Interstate 70.No evacuations orders have been issued.Related ArticlesColorado News | Elbert County wildfire that forced evacuation of Simla largely contained Colorado News | Colorado wildfire burning on 1,100 acres near Florissant; 100 homes evacuated Colorado News | Wildfire burns about six acres on Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge property Colorado News | 125 fire in Elbert County near Simla has burned about 1,000 acres; evacuations have been lifted We’re responding to assist with a brush fire along the hogback south of I-70. Smoke is visible in the area of I-70 and C470. Hwy 93 is closed from I-70 to Morrison. pic.twitter.com/mXQQdRkJ2n— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) March 31, 2023The fire sparked Friday afternoon in windy weather and during a red flag warning on fire danger in the area.Smoke is visible and firefighters are ...

Loveland High School principal placed on administrative leave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

The Thompson School District has placed Loveland High School Principal Michael James on administrative leave following a chaotic start to the school day Wednesday that resulted in a canceled school day.The school district sent an email to LHS families and community members Friday afternoon, adding that Ferguson High School Principal Jason Germain would serve as interim principal effective immediately.Wednesday’s incident began when teachers were notified during a staff meeting of a threat to the school that police had investigated and determined was not credible.The school day continued, but several teachers left the school and advised students to do the same, according to two LHS seniors.School was eventually canceled shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.James addressed staff and students during the morning announcements the following day, calling the incident a learning opportunity and reiterating that there was no sign that any students or staff were in danger.Nancy Rumfelt, a...

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar downplays one-on-one discussions with players whose effort he questioned after loss to Wild

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar doesn’t want to name the players he called “passengers” after Colorado’s loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. The reason, to him, is that the one-on-one conversations he had with those players afterward weren’t as abnormal or alarming as he made them out to be in the moment.“Same process every game the whole year,” Bednar said Friday. “Same type of meetings. Same meetings. Same message.”He said players have been receptive and “always are” to his constructive criticism in the 48 hours following a 4-2 defeat in which the Avs (44-24-6) had a chance to overtake the Wild for first place in the Central. After the loss, Bednar said the Avalanche’s top players didn’t execute well, but he liked their effort and engagement throughout the game. “And then we had guys that didn’t work hard enough,” he continued. “I’m more critical on the guys that didn’t work hard enough.”At th...

Probe of deadly Black Hawk crash underway in Kentucky; Los Angeles native among victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

The nine service members who died in a crash involving two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters ranged in age from 23 to 36 and were from seven states, the military said in releasing the names Friday as an investigative team continued its probe of the incident.A military news release said the service members came from Florida, Texas, Missouri, California, North Carolina, Alabama and New Jersey. They were identified as:Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, TexasChief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, MissouriSgt. Isaacjohn Gayo, 27, of Los Angeles, CaliforniaStaff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, of Morehead City, North CarolinaWarrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, FloridaStaff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook, AlabamaChief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, of Rolla, MissouriSgt. David Solinas Jr, 23, of Oradell, New Jersey“This is a time of great sadness for the 101st Airborne Division. The loss of these Soldiers will reverberate through our for...

Disneyland memorbilla signed by Walt Disney sells for $12,500

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:12:36 GMT

An Autopia driver’s license, signed by Walt Disney, sold for $12,500 Thursday night at the Nate D. Sanders Auctions event. The Autopia driver’s license is from 1955, the same year Disneyland opened, and Disney’s signature can be seen written across the back of the license. The license initially belonged to a 10-year-old boy who visited the attraction during its inaugural year, according to a news release.An Autopia driver’s license, signed by Walt Disney, sold for $12,500 Thursday night at the Nate D. Sanders Auctions. (Nate D. Sanders Auction)The Autopia driver’s license is from 1955, the same year Disneyland opened, and Disney’s signature can be seen written across the back of the license. (Nate D. Sanders Auction)An Autopia driver’s license, signed by Walt Disney, sold for $12,500 Thursday night at the Nate D. Sanders Auctions event. (Nate D. Sanders Auction)The license also references the Autopia attraction as the “Richfield Autopia.” The Richfield Oil Corporation sponsored the ...