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Housing hold up in NYS Budget

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- It's the latest budget in 13 years. The 2023 budget is now 20 days past its April 1 deadline. On Thursday, Hochul signed the third budget extender to keep state operations funded and state workers paid until Monday. Lawmakers are struggling to come to an agreement on housing. Tenants, legislators rally at Capitol for good cause eviction "I hope, we’re at the beginning of the end. This has been the most policy laden budget that we’ve… that I’ve ever had to deal with," said Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Governor Hochul's budget proposal includes creating 800,000 new homes over the next ten years, an annual growth of one percent housing in upstate, and a three percent in downstate. The initiative would override local zoning laws which comes with some pushback from municipalities and lawmakers, like Senator George Borrello. "It's going to try to shoehorn hundreds of thousands of new units into very small areas, essentially it’s going to take a...

Is it legal to collect rainwater in Missouri & Illinois?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's that time of year when threats of storms and torrential rainfall are common around the St. Louis area. When it pours, you might be tempted to place a bucket, barrel or some sort of container outside to collect rainwater. Some people may do this in hopes to reduce their water bills or conserve local waters. Trending: Woman tracks stolen AirPods, but says St. Louis police can’t help Although the CDC advises against drinking rainwater (due to risks of harmful bacteria), there is no federal law against collecting it and reusing it for non-potable purposes. In fact, rainwater could be potentially used for the following tasks: Watering your garden, lawn or plantsCleaning garden toolsWashing your carBathingLaundrySince there aren't any federal regulations against collecting rainwater, it's left up to states to decide whether to allow it. Some municipalities may also have ordinances encouraging or prohibiting the practice as well. According to the World Water Reserve, th...

Man injured in south St. Louis City crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One person was hurt in a car crash in south St. Louis City early Thursday morning.Emergency crews had to cut the car to get the victim out. The crash happened on Ohio Avenue at Arsenal Street. Trending: Woman tracks stolen AirPods, but says St. Louis police can’t help The person driving hit a parked car trailer. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Preliminary information from hospital staff suggests he might survive.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thought he finally had difficult lineups decisions to make in Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then another last-second injury made a choice for him.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

Before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar joked about the uncharted territory where he found himself.Did it feel nice to finally be confronted with difficult lineup decisions after an injury-hounded regular season in which he didn’t have to make a lot? “Probably haven’t had to make any,” he said, laughing. “Never mind a lot of them.”By that night, the choice had already been taken away from him.With Cale Makar and Josh Manson back from injuries in Game 1 of the first round, the Avalanche suddenly had a surplus of defensemen. Someone had to be scratched. Nineteen Avalanche skaters warmed up at Ball Arena, including seven blueliners. But Jack Johnson participated in line rushes with the third pairing; Erik Johnson did not. In the official lineup sheet issued to reporters by the team, Erik Johnson was a scratch.Until minutes before puck drop, when Jack Johnson was ruled out with a lower-body injury. Erik Johnson played. ...

Pomona man indicted for importing meth from Mexico into Arizona: Officials

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

A 21-year-old from Pomona was indicted last week on a pair of felony charges: importation of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to a report released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, David Daniel Gallegos of Pomona allegedly applied for admission into the United States from Mexico at the San Luis Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona, on March 14. When Customs and Border Protection officers inspected Gallegos’ vehicle, they discovered 103 hidden packages within the vehicle’s doors, rear quarter panel and center console. In total, the packages weighed 104.47 pounds.  Is it safe to live in a house where meth was cooked? “The packages contained a white substance that field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine,” ICE said in a statement. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million and up to lifetime of supervised release. 

Charges against Alec Baldwin in fatal 'Rust' shooting to be dropped: Report

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

Prosecutors in the case of the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the film "Rust" are reportedly set to drop all charges against Alec Baldwin.The paperwork is expected to be filed soon by special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin without prejudice, Deadline reports.According to the publication, this could mean the case will be further investigated. Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the October 2021 deadly shooting of Halyna Hutchins at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The move comes weeks before a scheduled preliminary hearing on May 3. “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” said lawyer Luke Nikas in a statement to Variety. Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ movie to resume filming in spring Baldwin's codefendant, Hannah Gut...

L.A. County Public Health Department issues ocean water use warnings for several beaches

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

The warm weather and sunshine are starting to come back to Southern California, but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is cautioning those who plan to visit some county beaches to avoid the water. Ocean water use warnings have been issued due to high bacteria levels at several locations that exceeded health standards when last tested. The Public Health Department advises individuals to “avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters” at the following locations in L.A. County: Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach Santa Monica Pier Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach Strand Street extension at Santa Monica Beach Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey. Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas: Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove Marie Canyon storm drain at Puerco Beach Pena...

Prosecutors reportedly set to drop charges against Alec Baldwin

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

By Chloe Melas | CNNProsecutors in the “Rust” fatal shooting case plan to file a notice to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, his attorney, Luke Nikas, tells CNN.CNN has contacted the special prosecutor in the Santa Fe, New Mexico case for comment.Halyna Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer, was struck and killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun being held by Baldwin, while rehearsing a scene on the set of “Rust” in 2021. Baldin has pleaded not guilty.Director Joel Souza was also shot and injured.Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. Baldwin pleaded not guilty. An attorney for Gutierrez Reed has previously said she will plead not guilty and has maintained her innocence. A preliminary hearing in her case is set for May 3.Prosecutors already removed a firearm enhancement charge against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed, reducing a pot...

What’s at stake in California with Friday’s Supreme Court decision on abortion pills?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide Friday whether to allow lower courts’ restrictions on a medication abortion pill to take effect while legal challenges to its approval more than two decades ago play out.So what would that mean for California, a state where two out of three voters in November approved a state constitutional amendment declaring abortion a right, and where Gov. Gavin Newsom has championed abortion access?Q: What is the dispute about?A: A coalition of anti-abortion medical practitioners are challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, a key drug in medication abortions — at 54%, the most common method of abortion in the U.S.A U.S. District Court judge in Amarillo, Texas, halted the FDA’s approval of the drug on April 7. The U.S. Department of Justice asked the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans to put that decision on hold while the case proceeds. The appellate court April 12 allowed the FDA&#...

49ers prepare for busy NFL draft after long wait to start

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:32 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When the San Francisco 49ers finally get around to making their first draft pick, they’ll be on the clock for much of the rest of the draft.The Niners traded away most of their premium picks in next week’s draft in deals that brought them quarterback Trey Lance and star running back Christian McCaffrey.But thanks to a slew of compensatory picks gained by developing minority coaches and executives and by losing key free agents, San Francisco has 11 picks overall. Barring any trades, the 49ers will have three picks at the end of the third round starting with No. 99, three more in the fifth round, one in the sixth and four in the seventh round.Luckily for the Niners, they have had good success developing later-round picks into stars under coach Kyle Shanahan with some of the most noteworthy being tight George Kittle (fifth round, 2017), linebacker Fred Warner (third round, 2018), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (fifth round, 2019), safety Talanoa Hufanga ...