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Federal judge issues permanent injunction on Texas drag performance law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) — A federal judge issued a permanent injunction Tuesday against a Texas law that would restrict and even criminalize drag performances, handing a legal victory to a local drag performer who joined four other plaintiffs in suing state leaders to block the law from taking effect. In his lengthy 56-page ruling, U.S. District Judge David Hittner concluded his order by saying Senate Bill 12 "is an unconstitutional restriction on speech," adding he believed it violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Hittner also wrote in his ruling that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and several other officials cannot enforce the law. His decision also came after he issued two temporary restraining orders to provide more time to announce his final decision. Check out more of KXAN's in-depth reporting on LGBTQ+ issues in Texas The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which helped represent the plaintiffs in this case, released a statement Tuesday afternoon celebrating the ju...

Swiss sportswear company to replace now-closed Lucy in Disguise on South Congress

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN reporting on the closure of Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds costume shop.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Swiss athletic company will replace the now-shuttered Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds shop on South Congress, bringing another international brand to the street. On, a Swiss sportswear company popular for its running shoes, is opening an Austin store in summer 2024, a company representative said. This is part of the company's expansion into the U.S.Exterior of former Lucy in Disguise shop (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)Popular costume store Lucy in Disguise announced it is closing by the end of 2022. (KXAN Photos/Andrew Choat)Costume store Lucy in Disguise closed last year after 38 years on South Congress. The store manager previously told KXAN the closure decision was led by pandemic challenges and supply chain issues.  PREVIOUS: Lucy in Disguise celebrates its final Halloween before closing More South Congress changesSeveral national and international ...

Travis County call for better transparency, briefing on I-35 expansion project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County commissioners approved Tuesday submitting a new letter to the Texas Department of Transportation outlining requests and concerns with the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project.TxDOT's I-35 expansion near downtown Austin is a $4.5 billion, eight-mile project expected to begin construction as early as mid-2024. In late August, TxDOT officials released its final environmental impact statement and record of decision, a required process through the National Environmental Policy Act for any projects incorporating federal dollars or participation.Commissioners first penned a letter in February outlining a slew of environmental and socio-cultural the project could have on residents and neighborhoods dwelling along the I-35 corridor. Within TxDOT's project, officials noted several of the impacted neighborhoods and displaced properties have a higher concentration of lower-income, non-white and non-native English speaking residents. PREVIO...

Francis Wilkinson: Democrats have to solve their Menendez problem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

Al Franken was an above-average senator from Minnesota who was driven from office in 2018 by his Democratic colleagues after several women accused him of touching them inappropriately or making them feel physically uncomfortable. Democrats opposing Donald Trump — then a confessed groper, later found liable for rape — did not want to have to defend the unseemly behavior of one of their own. Collectively, they applied sufficient pressure on Franken that he felt compelled to quit the Senate.Bob Menendez is a below-average senator from New Jersey who is now facing his second round of charges of public corruption. Democrats opposing Trump — whose corrupt practices in business and politics are fodder for Democratic campaigns — should not have to defend Menendez’s conduct. So his Democratic colleagues need to make him understand that the Senate would be better off without him.Menendez was indicted Friday in a 39-page howitzer from Damian Williams, the U.S. att...

Country star Morgan Wallen books June stop at U.S. Bank Stadium

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

Country star Morgan Wallen will return to U.S. Bank Stadium on June 20 and this time he’s the headliner.Those seeking tickets need to register in advance at registration.ticketmaster.com/morganwallen by the end of the day Sunday. Once registration is closed, fans will be randomly selected to receive a day and time of the presale along with a code to purchase tickets. VIP packages will be available at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 via vipnation.com. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced ticket prices.Wallen, 30, emerged in 2014 as a contestant on the sixth season of “The Voice,” but was eliminated during the playoffs. He released his debut EP the following year and scored his first major hit with 2017’s “Up Down.” Nearly every single he’s released since has landed at either No. 1 or 2 on the country charts.After releasing his debut album “If I Know Me” in 2018, Wallen hit the road and opened for Luke Bryan at Target Field that July. His sophomore effort, “Dangerous: The Dou...

2 students brought guns to Roseville Area High School in separate Monday incidents, charges say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

Two Roseville Area High School students were found with guns in unrelated incidents Monday, according to charges filed Tuesday.One case involved a gun with an extended magazine and no serial number, while the other involved a stolen gun and recent fights, court documents said.“While this is scary for all of us – adults and students – I have comfort in the work we are doing every day to reduce risk,” Principal Jen Wilson wrote in a message to the school’s families.On Monday morning, school staff found a .22-caliber handgun in a 17-year-old student’s backpack. Staff said the teen “had an ongoing disagreement with another student at the school and that fights had been reported off and on school property,” according to a juvenile petition. “The fight on school property had been broken up by staff and the participants separated.”Staff was “working to de-escalate a conflict among a very small group of students,” Wilson wrot...

Woodbury man sentenced to 120 days for using rifle to rob Mall of America stores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

A Woodbury man who admitted to robbing two Mall of America stores with a rifle last year has been sentenced to 120 days in the workhouse and three years of probation.Cartier Troy Alexander II, 29, had entered a straight plea in July to two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery. A third robbery count was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.Cartier Troy Alexander (Courtesy of the Bloomington Police Department)In exchange for the plea, Hennepin County prosecutors agreed to dismiss a third aggravated robbery count. Alexander’s attorney was also allowed to argue for a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines.Judge John Lucas granted the departure at Monday’s sentencing, staying a four-year prison term. In doing so, according to court records, he considered several mitigating factors, including that Alexander was found to be particularly amenable to probation and mental health treatment. The judge also noted that Alexander “lacked substantial capacity for judgment&#...

Schenectady County holds foreclosed property auctions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Schenectady County is hosting online auctions for over 25 foreclosed properties, including single-family, commercial, and vacant land. Auctions will close on October 20. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “Foreclosed property auctions offer a win-win for taxpayers by not only recovering lost revenue but also revitalizing neglected properties, ultimately boosting property values and local tax bases,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.The auctions can be found on the Collar City Auctions website. Schenectady County has put more than 425 properties back on tax rolls since 2008. The properties were either sold or redeemed by the tax-delinquent owner.

Lansingburgh CSD to offer veterans school tax exemption 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Lansingburgh Central School District's Board of Education has passed a resolution approving a school property tax exemption to eligible veterans with a primary residence within the district. The Alternative Veterans Property Tax Exemption will take effect in the 2024-2025 school year. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “Lansingburgh’s Board of Education is deeply honored and proud to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of the service members who fought for our country and now live within our community," said Board President Andrea Fairhurst. “We recognize the sacrifices they have made, and we are committed to demonstrating our gratitude by offering this tax exemption. Our community is truly enhanced by the presence and efforts of these selfless veterans, and we value the support from the residents of Lansingburgh School District in this endeavor.”The exemption will be available for individuals who ...

Kelce jersey sales jump nearly 400% after Swift attends Chiefs game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift caused an immense whirlwind after the music superstar was spotted at Arrowhead to watch the tight end play on Sunday. In fact, Kelce saw a nearly 400% increase in jersey sales after Swift's appearance, Fanatics told TMZ Sports. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! While Kelce is one of the most popular players in the league, he was outside the top 10 in jersey sales before Sunday's game against the Bears. "Yesterday, Travis Kelce was one of the top five selling NFL players and saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, including NFLShop.com," Fanatics said. Swift's impact cannot be overstated. The pairing has caused quite a spectacle—especially after being seen leaving the game together—not just across Kansas City, but all over.In video captured by WGN's Jarrett Payton, Kelce and Swift could be seen walking side by side after the Chief's 41-10 bl...