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What gives? Even Ken Paxton trial plagued by Austin cricket infestation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While there are quite a few people at the Texas State Capitol right now who don't agree with one another, there is one group of visitors everyone seems to agree doesn't quite belong. "Morning, everyone. Please bring in the jury. I see the bagpipes are gone but the crickets are still here," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. While the Ken Paxton impeachment trial is historic, the cricket infestation fueling additional biblical chatter surrounding it -- is not, according to entomologists. A cricket near a Capitol reporter's shoe as they write a script on the Ken Paxton impeachment trial (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)"It's the season! The field crickets, which are the large black ones, typically tend to show up kind of late summer into early fall, but it's really going to be based on weather," said Wizzie Brown, an entomologist. Still, the crickets have been notable at the Capitol earning nearly as many posts on social media as the trial itself. From legislative staff posting about...

Ken Paxton trial: After closing arguments, what's next?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Closing arguments for the Ken Paxton impeachment trial finished a little before noon Friday, leaving senators to consider whether they will convict Paxton on 16 different impeachment articles.Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said after closing arguments that he has “no idea how long deliberations will take.”“If a decision is not reached by late Sunday night, I may take the option of sequestering you in the building,” said Patrick.Senators will vote separately on each article of impeachment. If two-thirds of the senators vote yes on an article, it will be a conviction, and result in Paxton being removed as attorney general. If there are not enough senators voting yes on an article, Paxton will be acquitted. BACKGROUND: What do the 20 Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton mean? If Paxton is convicted on any article of impeachment, it could trigger a second vote to permanently ban him from holding public office. Outlined in the rules for this impeachment trial, eac...

Feds charge 3 Twin Cities men in machine gun crime ring operating on Snapchat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

Three Twin Cities men have been charged by federal prosecutors in connection with a machine gun crime ring that was operating through Snapchat.The undercover sting operation resulted in the arrest and charging of Rafael Carter Wesley, 19, Kyrees Darious Johnson, 23, and Avont Akira Drayton, 22. Authorities said the three are from the Twin Cities but did not list their hometowns.A news release from the U.S. attorney’s office gave the following details:In March, police found out about a Snapchat group called “BLICCS&STICCS3” that they suspected was used in trafficking machine guns, other firearms and controlled substances in the state.Investigators obtained screenshots and videos of several members of the group selling, promoting or operating devices that convert a semiautomatic pistol or rifle into a fully automatic machine gun.An undercover officer infiltrated the group and made plans to purchase such a device, called a “switch.”Between March and Ju...

Twin Cities see freeway closures this weekend on I-35W and I-94

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, a stretch of southbound Interstate 35W between Minnesota 280 and Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and Roseville will be shut down so crews can make bridge repairs, remove graffiti, repair pavement and guardrails.The state Department of Transportation said the freeway will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday.A detour will direct motorists onto southbound Highway 280 to westbound I-94.During the same time period this weekend, westbound I-94 in Minneapolis will be closed between Interstate 394 and Interstate 694 as crews continue painting the Plymouth Avenue bridge over the freeway.Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 169.Visit 511mn.org for more information.Related ArticlesLocal News | Main Street in Stillwater reopens Friday Local News | I-35 single lane traffic begins Thursday in Washington and Chisago counties Local News | Metro Transit workers authorize potential strike in advance of next contract bargaining session Loc...

Twins balance playoff push, keeping players fresh and healthy for October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

CHICAGO —  The Twins haven’t clinched anything — not yet, anyways, though the magic number is within single digits — so they still have plenty to play for right now.But while they haven’t officially sealed up the American League Central Division title, they’re expected to in the coming days, meaning there’s a postseason to think about. That has led to a balancing act as the Twins both push for a postseason berth and also do what they can to make sure that their players are as healthy and fresh as possible come October.“I think we’re just going to keep operating for the most part the way we’ve been operating,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We haven’t really accomplished anything yet. Like a lot of teams, we’re all still kind of in the process of accomplishing what we want to do. So we’re not there. I don’t see us making any sort of meaningful changes in what we do.”But they did give shortstop Carlos Correa back to back days off as he deals with plantar fasciitis in his le...

Judge acquits Minneapolis man in St. Paul triple murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

A Minneapolis man accused of fatally shooting three people and wounding two others at a duplex on St. Paul’s East Side last year was acquitted by a Ramsey County judge Friday.Antonio Dupree Wright, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, looked up at Judge Kelly Olmstead as she read the verdict finding him not guilty of all charges against him.“There’s insufficient evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is the person who committed these heinous crimes. Therefore, I must acquit him of these charges,” Olmstead said, causing a noisy reaction from Wright’s supporters who’d gathered in the courtroom gallery.The verdict came nine days after written closing arguments were filed in the bench trial. Wright, 42, had waived a jury trial, allowing the judge to decide his guilt or innocence.Prosecutors had charged Wright with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, alleging he was the masked man who fired a Glock hand...

Lawsuit filed over eminent domain process in Guilderland Costco project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Another legal challenge has been filed over the proposal to build a Costco in Guilderland. Neighbors living next to the site have criticized the eminent domain process. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! They said developers did not give enough notice about plans to take a series of streets near Rapp Road. The Guilderland Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is still looking at independent appraisals of the roads to determine how much money they'll receive. The IDA has also approved tax breaks for the developers. Supporters of the project said it will generate tax revenue for the town and Albany County. Others have raised concerns about its potential impact on the Albany Pine Bush ecosystem. An environmental lawsuit in federal court is pending. Construction is scheduled to start in the spring.

SLU Hospital nurses plan one-day strike over patient safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A group of SLU Hospital nurses is planning a one-day strike later this month over patient safety. Nurses gave their employer (SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital) a notice Friday that they would plan a 24-hour strike in the near future. It's currently scheduled outside the hospital from 7 a.m. on Sept. 25 to 6:59 a.m. on Sept. 26. Special committee to study future of earnings tax in St. Louis, Kansas City According to a news release from National Nurses United, a group of SLU hospital nurses plan "to protest the administration’s refusal to address RNs’ deep concerns about patient care, safe staffing, and workplace violence." The news release further states that the strike follows a 94% authorization vote and was announced with a 10-day notice to allow the hospital to arrange "alternative plans" for patient care. Nurses did not announce any other intentions to strike beyond Sept. 26.“We care deeply about our community in the St. Louis area and we want to give th...

Colorado high school football: How Post Preps Top 10 teams fared in Week 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

Class 5A1. Cherry Creek (4-0) won at Arvada West, 42-0: Sophomore QB Brady Vodicka threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers in a 35-0 first half, and the Bruins defense submitted its first shutout of the season while forcing four turnovers. Next week: at No. 6 Regis Jesuit, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22.2. Pine Creek (3-0) vs. Denver East, 7 p.m. Friday. Next week: at Mullen, 7 p.m. Sept. 22.3. Columbine (3-0) at No. 5 Arapahoe, 7 p.m. Friday. Next week: vs. Fort Collins, 6 p.m. Sept. 21.4. Ralston Valley (2-1) vs. No. 6 Regis Jesuit, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Next week: vs. No. 7 Valor Christian, 7 p.m. Sept. 21.5. Arapahoe (3-0) vs. No. 3 Columbine, 7 p.m. Friday. Next week: at Rock Canyon, 7 p.m. Sept. 22.6. Regis Jesuit (2-1) at No. 4 Ralston Valley, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Next week: vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22.7. Valor Christian (1-2) at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Ga.), 5 p.m. Friday. Next week: at No. 4 Ralston Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 21.8. Grandview (2-1) vs. Fruita Monument, ...

High-speed chase through Eastern Colorado leads to fugitive arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

Eastern Colorado law enforcement officers arrested a fugitive from Utah after a high-speed chase through three counties on Thursday.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | No jail time for Colorado police officer who locked woman in SUV struck by train Crime and Public Safety | Disbarred Denver attorney Steve Bachar to plead guilty again after judge rejected first deal. He now faces up to 6 years in prison. Crime and Public Safety | Suspect arrested in 2 separate fatal shootings along Denver’s South Platte River Trail Crime and Public Safety | I-25 reopens in Pueblo after tractor-trailer truck rolls over Crime and Public Safety | Driver killed after his passenger’s gun “went off,” Aurora police say Lincoln County, Limon and Hugo law enforcement officials were informed that a man accused of shooting and seriously injuring a Utah police officer was traveling eastbound on Interstat...