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New Travis County program launches to divert youth from criminal justice system after family violence cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hidden behind bustling businesses and chaotic streets in south Austin, a turquoise house and a small greenspace offer a place to slow down and listen. Usually, the Amala Foundation uses the space to teach social-emotional learning skills and preventative mental health techniques to children and adults. However, on Tuesday afternoon, the Travis County district attorney joined representatives from local nonprofits and restorative justice experts from across the country — sitting in a circle and taking turns to speak. It's the same kind of practice the group will eventually use to help young people as a part of the Travis County Transformation Project. The Amala Foundation location in South Austin (KXAN Photo/ Chris Nelson)Leaders with the Travis County Transformation Project gather ahead of the program's official launch (KXAN Photo/ Chris Nelson) The pilot program, announced this week, aims to keep young people out of the criminal justice system and instead offer resou...

Vic Schaefer coaching influenced by family's military background

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Vic Schaefer started coaching as an assistant boys basketball coach at Milton High School in Houston back in 1985. Now nearly 38 years later, Schaefer is still coaching with a focus and fire."I want to be in place where there's a way we do things," said Longhorns women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer. "And it's the right way to do things, we all treat each other correctly."Schaefer's Longhorns are coming off a Big 12 regular season championship. His programs have a clear intensity that starts from the top. The determination is learned."I've felt the wrath of the colonel before," Schaefer said with a smile about his father. "I certainly wouldn't want to feel that again or want to disappoint him."Schaefer's father Charles was a World War II veteran. His mother Dorothy, or Dot, was a nurse in the navy. The Texas women's basketball coach knows the influence they have on his coaching style."The discipline piece, the attention to detail. Little things matter. I think all t...

Next St. Paul City Council will include 5 or 6 progressive women of color. Who will be council president?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

Here’s what’s known: five or six women of color will comprise the majority of the next St. Paul City Council, all of them self-described progressives.Isaac Russell’s late-night concession to Saura Jost in Ward 3 has almost cemented a diverse slate of candidates that ran with the backing of the St. Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, likely moving the seven-member council at least a step to the left.Here’s what remains unknown: Winners have yet to be declared in Ward 1 and Ward 7, the council races that drew the most candidates. Anika Bowie and Cheniqua Johnson led those races, respectively, on election night. Ramsey County Elections officials will reallocate ballots on Friday until a candidate breaks 50% of the vote.With 40% of the vote, Bowie had a healthy lead over James Lo, the next highest vote-getter in the eight-way Ward 1 race, who had 20% of the vote.“I am seeing this through,” said Lo, on Wednesday morning. In Ward 7, however, JohnsonR...

7 Thanksgiving movies to stream this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

Thanksgiving entertainment tends to be dominated by football and parades. Compared to Christmas, there are relatively few specials and movies dedicated to the holiday.But among the more limited options are some real icons you won’t want to miss. Here are seven of our favorites.A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” was created after the success of Peanuts’ beloved Christmas special. And while ABC owns the rights to the popular program, it won’t actually be airing on television this year. Instead, head over to AppleTV+ where you can stream it anytime.Planes, Trains and AutomobilesTraveling during the holidays can be stressful, as Steve Martin learns in this ’80s favorite. Desperate to make it home to his wife for Thanksgiving, Martin’s character teams up with John Candy for an unlikely travel companion. This hilarious film is available on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.Vanessa Williams and Michael Beach during the filming of R...

Minnesota United to hire Khaled El-Ahmad as new GM

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

Minnesota United will hire Khaled El-Ahmad as its new general manager, the Pioneer Press confirmed Wednesday morning. The news was first reported by The Athletic.El-Ahmad has been CEO for the past two years at Barnsley, a club in England’s third tier, which is called League One. He also has worked for five years as a Concacaf scout for City Football Group, which includes clubs Manchester City and New York City in MLS. He has further experience at Djurgardens in Stockholm and AaB Aalborg in Denmark.El-Ahmad was a candidate in October for the head of football position at Swedish club Hammarby, according to Yahoo.El-Ahmad, born in Uppsala, Sweden, also has Midwest connections. He attended Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was a captain and defender on the men’s soccer team. His nickname on the team was “coach.” He later became an assistant coach for the Marquette men’s team from 2006-08.MNUFC generated an internal list of candidates for its new GM position, likely t...

Police searching for missing teen from Rensselaer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Police are currently looking for a missing 15-year-old from Rensselaer who may be in need of medical attention. Police say Brianna Hanks was last seen on Kitty Court in Rensselaer on Tuesday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hanks stands at 5'5", weighs roughly 174 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the East Greenbush Police Department at (518) 479-2525 or 911.

Jury trial set for man accused of killing Hermann officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. - A man linked to the shooting death of a Hermann officer earlier this year could potentially face a death penalty sentence. His jury trial was officially scheduled Tuesday. Kenneth Simpson, 35, is accused of shooting two officers in the line of duty, including one fatally, last March in Hermann, Missouri. The officers were at Casey’s gas station when they tried to take Simpson into custody on outstanding warrants. Results: November 7 Missouri Special Election According to Missouri court records, a jury trial is scheduled from Jan. 20-Feb. 6, 2026, in Franklin County with Craig Hellmann listed as the judge. Although the shooting happened in Gasconade County, the case was transferred to Franklin County on Oct. 12 after a change of venue motion was granted. Simpson is currently jailed on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, and more. Recent court documents claim the murder “was outrageously or wantonly vile, ho...

This is the ultimate chocolate cake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

By Claire Saffitz, The New York TimesI once read an interview with French chef Alain Ducasse, in which he said, “Sugar is the enemy of chocolate.” Ducasse owns his own chocolate company, which makes extraordinary bars and truffles, so I’d be inclined to take his word for it, even if all of my experience as a baker didn’t back up his statement. Undoubtedly, excessive sugar dulls and masks chocolate’s singular flavor.Yet at the same time, sugar, in just the right quantity, brings chocolate to life, tempering its bitterness and bringing subtler flavors to the forefront. So when I set out to develop my ideal chocolate layer cake, my goal was to add just enough sugar to produce both a cake and a frosting that were flavorful but not noticeably sweet. The final cake had to be moist, but not heavy, and pack considerable chocolate flavor without being overpowering.For that, I skipped melted chocolate in favor of cocoa powder. Melted chocolate tends to dry out cake batter, and unless you’re u...

I-70 westbound closed at Vail Pass Summit due to crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

Interstate 70 westbound has closed at Vail Pass Summit due to a crash.#I70 westbound: Road closed due to a crash at Exit 190 – Vail Pass Summit. https://t.co/x9uxFQNOqV— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) November 8, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Eastbound I-70 reopens at Floyd Hill after sun glare closure Crime and Public Safety | I-70 in Aurora reopened after man seen in median “with a gun” taken into custody Crime and Public Safety | Potential for Floyd Hill sun glare closures on eastbound I-70 resumes Crime and Public Safety | I-70 eastbound reopens in Wheat Ridge after late-night crash Crime and Public Safety | I-70 westbound reopened at Eisenhower Tunnel The Colorado Department of Transportation reported the crash at 8:03 a.m.CDOT advised drivers to expect delays.

Democrats won big on abortion rights Tuesday. Here's what the results say for the U.S. going into 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:51 GMT

Democrats had plenty of good news to celebrate in Tuesday’s off-year elections and more evidence that they can win races centered on the national debate over abortion.Abortion rights supporters won an Ohio ballot measure and the Democratic governor of beet-red Kentucky held onto his office by campaigning on reproductive rights and painting his opponent as extremist. A Democrat won an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court after campaigning on his pledge to uphold abortion rights. And Democrats took full control of the Virginia statehouse, blocking Republicans from being able to pass new abortion restrictions and delivering a defeat to Gov. Glenn Youngkin that may douse any buzz about a late entry into the GOP presidential primary.The victories won't be enough to make Democrats feel secure heading into next year’s presidential election. The off-year elections have major implications in all of those states and provide a snapshot of American politics heading into 2024. But two big...