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California Gov. Newsom signs law to slowly raise health care workers’ minimum wage to $25 per hour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour over the next decade under a new law Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday.The new law is the second minimum wage increase Newsom has signed. Last month, he signed a law raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour.Both wage increases are the result of years of lobbying by labor unions, which have significant sway in the state’s Democratic-dominated Legislature.“Californians saw the courage and commitment of healthcare workers during the pandemic, and now that same fearlessness and commitment to patients is responsible for a historic investment in the workers who make our healthcare system strong and accessible to all,” said Tia Orr, executive director of the Service Employees International Union California. The wage increase for health care workers reflects a carefully crafted compromise in the final days of the legislative session between the health care ...

Slow-moving autumn storm to switch precipitation phase to intermittent lake effect showers later Saturday into Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

The storm is focusing on the Illinois/Indiana shoreline as “full fetch” northerly winds kick up 6-12+ foot pounding waves, resulting in dangerous conditions near the lakeshore. Milder pattern may be taking shape beyond the 7-day outlookChicago's rain chances peak Saturday then slowly drop off heading into next weekLAKE-LEVEL UPDATEContinues lower than last year but modestly above the long-term average2023 ANNULAR ECLIPSEAn annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky. SOURCE:NASA/Bill DunfordThis conceptual animation is an example of what you might expect to see through certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar filter during an annular solar eclipse, like the one happening over the United States on October 14, 2023. Annular eclipses are fam...

'Vigorous' exercise, thermal pants part of Armstrong's escape plan, court records reveal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County court records obtained by KXAN investigators surrounding Kaitlin Armstrong's brief escape Oct. 11 during a trip to a medical facility, Ascension Orthopedics in Austin, outline months of planning before evading from two Travis County correctional officers on foot. Kaitlin Armstrong attempts escape ahead of Austin murder trial; will face additional charges According to the affidavit, Armstrong fled as she was exiting the rear entry doors of the doctor's office, was able to manipulate her left hand from the restraints and removed her black and white striped uniform pants. "She was wearing thermal pants underneath in an effort to disguise her appearance as an inmate," the affidavit states. According to the affidavit, Armstrong attempted to scale a 6-foot fence, which is when one officer grabbed her causing them both to fall to the ground. Armstrong was able to immediately separate from the officer and continued fleeing on foot for approximately one mile ...

Westlake holds on in top 25 battle with Dripping Springs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Westlake Chaparrals were tested by a feisty Dripping Springs team Friday evening but were able to hold on for a 27 - 14 win at Chaparral Stadium.No. 4 Westlake moves to 7-0 with the win while No. 22 Dripping Springs falls to 5-2. The Tigers jumped out to 14-7 halftime lead looking for an upset.The Chaps finished strong to stay unbeaten behind a strong defensive effort and quarterback Rees Wise leading the way on offense. Wise ran for three touchdowns. Heath McRee scored a touchdown on a blocked punt to seal it for the Chaps.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteThe game was streamed live on KXAN, as are all Westlake Chaparrals games. Westlake will now head on the road to battle Austin High while Dripping Springs returns home to face Lake Travis.

Texas Comptroller announces purchase of $20M in Israel bonds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the purchase of $20 million in Israel bonds, which will provide liquidity to Israel as it defends itself against Hamas, according to a news release from Texas Comptroller's office."Texas has long had a deep spiritual, political and economic connection to Israel and the Israeli people," Hegar said in the news release. "They are our friend and ally, and Texas supports their right to defend their people against these cowardly terrorists. We will stand with them, and we will provide them with the financial liquidity needed to respond to the atrocities we've all witnessed."Furthermore, since 1994, Texas has invested in Israel bonds annually, according to the comptroller's office. After this purchase, Texas will hold nearly $100 million in Israel bonds, the release said. Since Hegar has taken office, Texas has purchased $140 million in Israel bonds.The bonds, which will mature in five years, are fixed-rate and carry an in...

High school football roundup: Patzer scores three times as Forest Lake tops Eagan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

Forest Lake 35, Eagan 13: Leyton Patzer ran for three touchdowns for the Rangers (4-3). Carson Schwamb put Eagan (2-5) on top 7-0 before Forest Lake scored the game’s next 35 points.Mounds View 36, Park 10: Jacob Sampson ran for a 10-yard score and threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Nystrom as Mounds View (4-3) moved back to the right side of .500.Park (3-4) is essentially locked into the No. 7 seed in its section.Edina 14, Stillwater 7: Stillwater sophomore quarterback Nick Kinsey exited the game relatively early and the Ponies (5-2) didn’t score until late in the final frame.John Warpinski ran 29 times for 165 yards for Edina (4-3), which has now won three straight games.White Bear Lake 10, Roseville 7: Avian Atkin threw a 47-yard scoring strike to Isaac Kibagendi as White Bear Lake built a 10-0 advantage. Roseville (1-6) cut into the lead on Jamir Horton’s 72-yard interception return for a touchdown, but that’s all the closer the Raiders would get.Lakeville North 42, East Ri...

High school football: St. Agnes runs over St. Croix Lutheran

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

No matter the conditions, it’s hard to slow down Adam Hernandez and the St. Agnes running game.One week after three Aggies players rushed for more than 100 yards, Hernandez rushed for 160 and two touchdowns as St. Agnes improved to 7-0 with a 35-10 win over St. Croix Lutheran Friday night at a cold and rain-soaked Sea Foam Stadium at Concordia-St. Paul.Sophomore teammate Evonson Plamann finished with 120 yards rushing and a touchdown as well.“The biggest thing about our team is we stick to the run,” said Hernandez, a senior, whose team is ranked No. 5 in the most recent Associated Press Class 2A state poll. “That’s what we’re good at. It’s how we win games.”St. Croix Lutheran caught an early break Friday when the Crusaders recovered a fumble at their own 44 on the Aggies’ first possession. But the offense could not pick up a first down and they tried a fake punt.The pass fell incomplete, giving St. Agnes the ball back at the Crusaders 48. That set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Hernan...

Fridley man charged with fatally abusing 5-month-old son in March

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

A 23-year-old Fridley man has been charged with fatally abusing his 5-month-old son earlier this year, authorities said Friday.Aaron Michael Orlando Rathke, 23, was charged with murder in the second degree in connection with the March 2023 death of his infant son. (October 13, 2023, Anoka County Jail)The criminal complaint accusing Aaron Michael Orlando Rathke of second-degree murder gave the following details:Shortly before 7:30 p.m. March 1, Rathke and Ahnisah Simone Waters drove their son to the Fridley police department after he had stopped breathing. When they arrived at the police station, the infant did not have a pulse. Officers began CPR and the child was taken to Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Rathke told police that when he arrived home after work on March 1, he took the baby into the bedroom to change his diaper. When he did, the infant vomited and stopped breathing. Rathke did chest compressions but they were unsuccessful so he and the mother to...

Big crowds gather for Oktoberfest in Soulard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's time to "Polka" in Soulard. Hundreds gathered Friday in the streets of Soulard for Oktoberfest. Friday marked the start of the three-day celebration, which celebrates German heritage through music, food, beer, dancing and many other activities. Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated in Germany, but many in St. Louis are glad to have a piece of it at home. “We love to go to Oktoberfest. I lived in Germany for awhile so I'm crazy about them,” said attendee Ann Roads.   St. Louis youth football coach recovering after shooting, suspect charged The citizens of St. Louis have kept the Oktoberfest traditions in Soulard running strong for eight years. “There's a long German heritage in Soulard. Germans build Soulard," said attendee Theresa Schafer. Not only is this a celebration, but it is a fundraiser for the Soulard business community. All profits from Oktoberfest will be invested back into the Soulard businesses and community.  “Everything sold goes back to the neigh...

Denver housing market slowdown gives first-time buyers new opportunities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:40 GMT

September’s Denver Metro real estate market experienced a seasonal slowdown, with new listings, pending sales, and closed sales declining.Although closed sales dropped about 20% from August, prices held steady at a median of $585,000, according to September’s monthly report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.First-time homebuyers not tied to historically low-interest rates are leading the charge on purchases, said Libby Levinson-Katz, chair of the DMAR Market Trends Committee.“In many ways, this is the perfect market for first-time homebuyers to seize opportunities,” she said. “While interest rates are high, these buyers can negotiate instead of jumping into bidding wars where they might pay 10 percent over the asking price to secure a property like many did over a year ago.”Although the average close-to-list-price ratio is down year-over-year by almost 5 percent to 99 percent, more buyers want concessions like buydowns to reduce their ...