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'We are attorneys, not statisticians.' Travis County DA reviewing conviction data after KXAN reporting

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

Investigative Summary: The Travis County district attorney publicized a sharp increase in the conviction rate for violent, sexual and weapons-related offenses, but KXAN investigators found the formula used to calculate these statistics left some experts with questions. After KXAN’s reporting, the district attorney said his office is re-evaluating the method and trying to find the best way to present its data. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Flanked by supporters and other top county leaders, José Garza announced his re-election campaign for Travis County District Attorney with a strong message: “Across the street, they can play politics with our public safety, but here in this community, together, we choose to act.”As Garza called out the Texas Legislature for targeting prosecutors’ offices, he highlighted data on the successes of his office – particularly noting an increase in wins for cases of violence and family violence. “Over the last four years, we have increased the conviction rat...

Petition calls for four amendments to city charter in Taylor including council member pay, mayoral elections

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- A second petition was submitted to the city of Taylor this year that, if verified to have the right amount of valid signatures, would give voters the opportunity to vote on four new amendments to the city's charter during the May election. This petition is similar to the referendum initiative that was turned into the city in September. Both petitions are trying to reverse the controversial pay raise city council members gave themselves in August, but it takes things a step further. Gary Gola, one of the creators of the proposed charter amendments, said a referendum would overturn the ordinance that council passed to give themselves the pay raise, but the council could turn around and pass another ordinance in the future. "But if we choose to put it in the charter then the only way the council can change that compensation is with voter approval," Gola explained. He also said there is a difference when it comes to voting on a referendum and a charter amendment....

Mighty Texas Dog Walk raises money for local non-profit

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Dogs of all breeds took to the parade grounds at Camp Mabry Saturday for the 23rd Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk. KXAN is a proud sponsor of "Austin's biggest party for dogs."Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)Mighty Texas Dog Walk 2023 (KXAN: Kirsten Currie)The event raised money for the local non-profit Service Dogs Inc, which provides free service dogs to wounded veterans and other disabled Texans.

11/21/2023: Messy mix arrives this evening

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologist Jill Szwed.Happy Tuesday! The day is off to the coldest start of the season with temperatures dipping into the teens. The cold feeling will linger all day long. But unlike yesterday, clouds will dominate our skies. This is getting us set for a messy mix tonight.If you are hitting the road for grandma's house, you won't have any travel issues during the first part of the day. The messy mix of rain, snow, and sleet will arrive from the southwest between 4 PM and 7 PM. Travel conditions will deteriorate through the night, especially in the hills and mountains. A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for the Adirondack Park, most of the Green Mountain State, and the northern Berkshires.For valley locations: the burst of snow will transition to plain rain around midnight. The mix including heavier snow and mixing will continue through the night. All precip will taper off Wednesday morning.Snow will stick, at least for a time, around ...

NYSP: Schenectady man accused of having child pornography

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man was arrested after an investigation into child pornography possession. Malachi Fennicks, 19, faces several charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Fennicks was the center of the investigation stemming from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He's accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation.Charges:Promoting sexual performance by a childPossessing a sexual performance by a child 5 things to know this Tuesday, November 21 Fennicks was taken to Princetown State Police where he was arrested and processed. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Schenectady City Court later this month and was released.

Police investigating Soulard business break-in

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Emergency crews are responding to a south St. Louis City business break-in Tuesday morning. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter, Nic Lopez, captured footage of the scene located at 'Hammerstone's'on 9th and Russell,' where workers are currently cleaning the broken glass that would be burglars caused from the front door. Assessments rise for 97% of St. Louis County homeowners, but not county executive The manager shared that the thieves didn't get away with anyhting, as they fled with empty cash drawers. The business still expects to open later Tuesday. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Meager snow postpones one ski resort opening, limits acreage for others

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

Five more Colorado ski areas will open this week with limited terrain, but one is postponing its opening by a week or two “due to recent and forecasted warm weather.”Telluride Ski Resort, which had been scheduled to open on Thanksgiving, is now looking at Dec. 2 or Dec. 8, according to a post on its Instagram page.Steamboat, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte are slated to open Wednesday. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass will open on Thursday. That will bring the number of open areas in Colorado to 15.Most of the areas currently operating have had meager natural snowfall that is 20% to 50% below normal, and less than 6% of the trails are open at those areas. Steamboat officials said the resort will open Wednesday with 25 acres, which would amount to about 3% of its skiable terrain when fully open. Steamboat is at 52% below normal for snowfall.“We’re eager to kick off another incredible season at Steamboat and applaud our operations teams in their efforts to get the resort open,” ...

10 terrific Colorado-made stocking stuffers for under $35

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

Need help with your holiday gift list? The big stuff is all on you, but we’ve got a few ideas for stocking stuffers, and many of them are local. You’re welcome.Oso Rojo Hot SauceGrab a three-pack of delicious hot sauces from Denver’s Oso Rojo Hot Sauce, which you can build to your tastes from a selection of a six total. We recommend the Habanero Jellyfish, Habanero Mustard and Orange Ginger. $21 per three-pack. osorojohotsauce.com/s/order — Lily O’Neill(B Fresh Gear)B Fresh GearSome of the freshest gear in Colorado these days is also some of the most retro. B Fresh Gear, which was founded in Denver in 2012, sells 1980s- and ‘90s-style windbreakers, fanny packs, sunglasses, visors and other apparel emblazoned with loud graphic designs, neon colors and an early digital feel. One of the coolest items: a wide-ribbed corduroy hat with an 8-bit Tecmo graphic of an NFL quarterback dressed in orange and wearing No. 7 on his jersey. The hat puts a new-old spin o...

Turkey is cheaper, but inflation raised prices of other Thanksgiving fixings

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

The good news this Thanksgiving is that the price of turkey and eggs is down significantly this year. The bad news is the price of just about everything else is up.The bird flu swept through the country’s turkey farms in 2022, driving up the cost of the Thanksgiving meal centerpiece. The flu also helped boost the price of eggs.The toll on turkeys and overall inflation resulted in a record price tag of $64.05 for a holiday meal for 10 people in 2022, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The average total for this year’s meal tab is expected to be $61.17, slightly lower but well above the average of $53.31 in 2021 and up a whopping 25% compared to 2019, the farm bureau said.Shoppers might not know the precise percentages involved, but they’re experiencing the increases with every trip to the grocery store. Families having trouble making ends meet are particularly vulnerable as prices stay elevated, and food banks and anti-hunger programs are feeling the ...

Owner-opposed landmark application filed for South Park Hill home

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

In September 2022, a nearly century-old home in South Park Hill sold for the first time since the 1950s.The new owners paid $2.5 million, records show — for the land. They’d like to demolish the structure and build something much larger, plans indicate.But a handful of Denver residents are pushing to mandate preservation of the home.The property in the 5000 block of E. Montview Blvd., along one of the neighborhood’s stately corridors, is Denver’s latest setting for an owner-opposed landmark application. Three women who live nearby, with the help of the nonprofit Historic Denver, submitted the application earlier this month.“If this home is capable of being designated as a landmark, anyone buying or selling a home in Denver should be concerned,” said Mark Rinehart, who owns the home with his wife.The application comes months after the Denver City Council approved an owner-opposed landmark application for just the second time ever. A subsequent lawsuit filed by the owner of that...