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McCallum grad leaving her mark with Texas rowing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Knifton grew up around rowing. Her dad, a Texas alum who rowed for the national team, tried to push the sport onto a hesitant Kaitlin. Eventually, he started to get his wish with Kaitlin in high school."My dad, he did have to bribe me to go to rowing practice," said Knifton, a graduate student. "He got me some Lululemon which at the time was all I wanted. And he would buy me JuiceLand every day before practice to get me to go."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersGrowing up with more of a passion for dancing, Knifton stayed on the rowing path as she grew up. She has helped power Texas to its first and second national titles in 2021 and 2022."I really dreamed of that moment," said Knifton. "That was a big reason I chose Texas. I wanted to be part of a building team and the first for something."The two-time first-team All-American has accomplished a to...

Texas' 88th Legislative Session: Which bills made it to the governor's desk?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 88th legislative session has been a busy five months. The Texas Senate and House of Representatives filed more than 8,000 bills and 3,400 resolutions. As of Thursday morning, only 848 bills and 3,168 resolutions have passed.Wednesday was the last day for both chambers to consider bills passed by their counterparts. Which bills died in the 88th legislative session? With less than a week before the last day of the session (Sine Die) approaches, which bills have moved on to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for him to potentially sign into law?Changed bills pending review A bill passed in one chamber can change, whether through amendments or committee substitutions, as it moves through the other. In order for a bill to advance to the governor's desk, the chamber that originally filed the bill has to approve those changes; if they don't, a conference committee is formed for further debate on it. HB 100: Districts in "dire straits" as they watch school funding fights in Tex...

Gov. Walz enacts paid family and medical leave plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

Minnesota is officially on the way to creating a tax-funded, state-administered paid family and medical leave program for workers.Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday signed a bill creating a state program that would offer 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave with a 20-week annual cap.All businesses would be required to participate or offer equivalent benefits. Benefits start in 2026.Low-wage workers often do not have access to the same benefits as higher-paid members of the workforce. Advocates say one-third of Minnesota workers — about 900,000 people — don’t have any paid time off. House Bill Sponsor Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-Mendota Heights, said the program will help eliminate economic disparities among ethnic and racial groups.The bill was a priority this session for Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers, who won complete control of state government in November.How it worksUnder the program, workers who use paid leave will qualify for compensation based on their ...

MN native Carolyn Wiger talks ‘Survivor’: ‘I had this mission to go out there and be myself’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

She didn’t start crying or howling like she did on TV, but talking to North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger on the phone turned out to be a lot like watching her compete on “Survivor.”She was animated, effusive and more than a little chaotic Thursday during a brief interview following her third place showing on the 44th season of the CBS reality show juggernaut.“Honestly, watching I always felt like, oh my gosh, there’s no way I could do this,” Wiger said. “I’m too weird. As I got more confident with myself, (I thought) I can do this. I had this mission to go out there and be myself, because I didn’t see enough people like me. You can play this game. There is no one way of playing.”The daughter of former state Sen. Chuck Wiger, the 35-year-old Wiger lives in Hugo, where she works in substance recovery. Friday, she celebrated her 14 years of sobriety in a social media post.She made it to the “Survivor” finale thanks to her tight alliance with Carson Garrett, a 2...

St. Paul: Shepard/Warner Road to reopen by 6 p.m. Friday, but Water Street remains closed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

Closed for nearly six weeks due to flood concerns, Shepard Road/Warner Road is scheduled to reopen between Eagle Parkway and U.S. 61 in St. Paul by 6 p.m. on Friday.Just more than three miles of the roadway closed to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on April 16 as Mississippi River waters climbed into flood range and eventually onto Shepard Road during the melt that followed Minnesota’s third snowiest winter on record. In downtown St. Paul, the river crested at 18.24 feet on April 27, which is more than a foot above major flood stage.After river levels dipped, heavy rainfall in southern Minnesota brought them back up again, causing the river to crest again at 14.9 feet, just short of moderate flood stage, on May 21. Those waters have since receded.According to the National Weather Service, downtown St. Paul river waters were measured at 11.3 feet on Thursday afternoon, well below minor flood stage, which is reached at 14 feet.Sibley and Jackson streets also will reopen Friday...

Crash victims' families react to Dennis Drue's release from prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The driver who killed two Shenendehowa teens and seriously injured their friends is once again a free man. After spending 9.5 years in prison for the alcohol and drug fueled fatal crash, Dennis Drue was released from prison, six months shy of his November conditional release date. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In 2012, motorist Dennis Drue killed high schoolers Deanna Rivers and Christopher Stewart and seriously injured their friends, Bailey Wind and Matt Hardy, when his Volvo struck their vehicle on the Northway. In 2013, Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison after admitting to being drunk and high at the time of the of the crash. The New York State Department of Corrections told NEWS10 Drue was released from Collins Correctional Facility in Collins, New York Thursday morning and will be supervised by the department of parole in Albany County.He was denied parole three times but was...

Alton man admits using note to rob Ferguson bank

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS - An Alton, Illinois, man appeared in federal court Thursday and admitted to robbing a bank in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2019.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Milton Randol, 35, robbed the Great Southern Bank in Ferguson on Dec. 13, 2019.Randol told the court he entered the bank that day and handed the teller a note that read, "Give me all the money [.] Don't pull the silent alarm or I will shoot." Randol handed the teller a bag. Mom: Son with disabilities restrained at school 75 times in four years The teller filled the bag with an undisclosed sum of money. Randol also stuffed money into his pockets before running from the bank.Randol's picture was recorded on surveillance video and circulated in the St. Louis media. His friends recognized him.Prosecutors said Randol moved to Texas and lived there for a year before returning to St. Louis, where he was arrested.Randol pleaded guilty to a felony bank robbery charge. He fac...

Mother of 10 among three killed in St. Louis County car crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - We are learning more about the three women killed in a north St. Louis County car accident Monday night. Among the victims is a St. Louis mother of 10. The victim’s family is mourning the loss of their loved one. The crash happened on New Halls Ferry Road, near Seven Hills Drive, around 9 p.m. Monday.Crystal Fowler, a mother of 10 was one of the victims, and her family said they are now relying on their faith. Trying to hold back the tears, the loved ones of the 49-year-old are coming to the realization they are going to have to say goodbye.Jasmine Harlan is Fowler's oldest daughter. Mom: Son with disabilities restrained at school 75 times in four years “I'm being strong for the rest of the family. I'm going to have my weak moments. I have to pass that to someone else,” Harlan said.Police said the other victims were 56-year-old Helene Seper and 57-year-old Sherry Person.Officials said it appears Seper, who was driving a Ford Fusion, had a medical condi...

RMNP’s Trail Ridge Road to open Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, which takes visitors from the east side of the park over the Continental Divide to the west side, has been cleared of snow and will open on Friday.The road, which traverses high alpine tundra with soaring panoramic views and tops out at an elevation of 12,183 feet, is one of the park’s primary attractions. With melting snow, visitors are warned that icy conditions could occur.The park’s timed-entry reservation system also goes into effect on Friday. Reservations for entry into that part of the park will be required from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.

Rockies rookie Brenton Doyle carted off field after crashing into center field wall in 9th inning vs Marlins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:29 GMT

One of the silver linings of the Rockies’ woeful season got carted off the field Thursday at Coors Field.Rookie outfielder Brenton Doyle crashed into the center field wall in the ninth inning while attempting to rob a home run by Jorge Soler. The ball was in his mitt but Doyle couldn’t come down with the catch as he crumbled to the warning track in pain.Doyle clutched his right leg multiple times while being tended to by trainers before briefly standing up on his own power and getting carted off.After the game, Rockies manager Bud Black said Doyle has a knee contusion and will hopefully avoid a trip to the injured list.Following Doyle’s exit in the ninth, right-hander Pierce Johnson gave up another two-run homer as the Marlins plated four runs in the inning to tie the game, 6-6.Coming into Thursday’s series finale, Doyle was hitting .239 with four homers and seven steals after debuting on April 24. Thursday was his first career game hitting in the leadoff spo...