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LIVE: Travis County flies LGBTQ+ Pride flag for third consecutive year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — County commissioners voted Tuesday to officially recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and they'll follow that with an event to raise the rainbow flag outside the Travis County building in downtown Austin. The proclamation they approved reads, "Travis County recognizes the critical need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice against the LGBTQIA+ community, and is committed to supporting dignity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community." Report: 1/5 of 2023 anti-LGBTQ+ legislation filed in US was in Texas The flag-raising ceremony is set to start at noon Tuesday at the Travis County Administrative Building, located at Seventh and Lavaca Streets in downtown Austin. KXAN will provide a live stream of the event in this story and on the station's Facebook page. This recognition comes after state lawmakers considered and ultimately approved a number of restrictions this year that affect the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. For instance, G...

'JU$TICE NOW': New campaign aims to address systemic economic inequalities in Austin-area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Justice Coalition has been a long-time advocate for equality, often speaking out about injustices in Central Texas and beyond. On Tuesday, it will officially launch its 'JU$TICE NOW,' campaign — a widespread effort to do something directly about some of the issues hitting marginalized communities the hardest. "The JU$TICE NOW Economic Justice Campaign represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to dismantle oppressive systems and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or socio-economic status, have equal access to economic opportunities," The Austin Justice Coalition said in a press release. "By centering the experiences and needs of historically marginalized groups, we will advocate for policies and practices that promote fair wages, affordable housing, equitable access to education and healthcare, and other vital resources."This new campaign will include public awareness campaigns, "grassroots organizing," and partnersh...

What's the latest on Travis County's mental health diversion center?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 13, 2023TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Back in late March, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to move forward with recommendations made by the Dell Medical School's forensic mental health report -- including the creation of a mental health diversion center.The report was the culmination of a 10-month project that looked at people within the Travis County Jail system with mental health and substance use disorders. It found that approximately 900 people with a "mental health identifier" reside in the Travis County jail at any given time, amounting to just shy of 40% of the jail's population.In March, Travis County Judge Andy Brown referred to the county jail as the largest mental health facility within the county.So, just shy of three months later: Where does work stand with the county's mental health diversion efforts?On Tuesday, county staff said they have set aside planning funds and begun site v...

Who is New York's favorite country singer? Per Empire Stakes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The sounds of the south have found their way north. Popular country artists such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and most recently, Zach Bryan have been performing to sold-out or near sold-out crowds in the Capital Region and beyond in recent years. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! While country music was made popular in southern states, it's found a home away from home in New York. EmpireStakes took note and decided to find out who New York's favorite country music artists are. Using Billboard.com's 2022 Top Country Artists on the year-end charts, as well as Google Trends to find the most searched country music artists in New York, EmpireStakes compiled a list of New York's top five favorites. WCSO: Saratoga man crashes stolen car, arrested 5. Luke BryanAward-winning country singer Luke Bryan finds himself slated at number five on EmpireStakes' list of most popular country artists in New York. Brya...

Two new farmers markets open shop in Adirondacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

LEWIS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Farmers' market season is in full swing, with markets in Glens Falls and Warrensburg getting outdoors and offering fresh tastes. Further into the Adirondacks, it's no different. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Two new farmers markets come to Essex County this weekend. Markets kick off in Schroon Lake and Port Henry, connecting local and regional growers and craftspeople with locals and visitors alike, as the Adirondack Park blooms with summer business.“The Port Henry Waterfront farmers market aims to connect local producers, makers, and crafters directly to consumers," said market manager Gabriel Jaquish. "Its unique Friday evening time provides a perfect way to relax, shop, and stock up on local products before a weekend of hiking, biking, boating, or camping.” The Port Henry Waterfront Farmers Market opens starting on Friday, June 16, at 36 Harbour Lane in Port Henry, between Bridgeview Harbor Marin...

Learn about the importance of the Battles of Saratoga

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

STILLWATER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Visitors to the region interested in learning about the Battles of Saratoga can stop at the Saratoga National Historical Site for free caravan tours. Tours will run every two weeks starting on June 13 until August 22. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! No registration is required. The tours will begin at the Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. Visitors will travel caravan-style in their own vehicles to selected stops. A Park Volunteer will tell stories about the Battles of Saratoga and talk about their importance. The guided tours last two and a half hours. Participants can leave at any time.

Police: 75-year-old woman missing since May 25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Police need help searching for a missing woman Tuesday morning. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are looking for 75-year-old Bettye Jean Smith-Hogan. She is 5'7", 160 pounds, with gray hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen at 9:00 a.m. at 920 Harlan Avenue. Police tie 12-year-old girl to overnight crime spree Her family discovered that she was missing after seeing that her belongings were packed, but there was no indication of where she was going. Smith-Hogan previously spoke about her plans to return to her hometown in Mississippi. She has also been diagnosed with Dementia and Schizophrenia.You are urged to call 911, or the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-444-5338 if you have any information. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Shots fired at St. Louis officers attempting to stop stolen vehicle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Authorities arrested one man accused of firing shots at St. Louis police officers overnight as they attempted to stop a driver in a stolen vehicle. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department says police arrested a 26-year-old shortly after the gunfire. The incident unfolded just before midnight in the 5000 block of Union Boulevard in the Mark Twain neighborhood. Police tie 12-year-old girl to overnight crime spree Investigators say two SLMPD officers were attempting to stop a stolen vehicle when they heard gunshots close by. They quickly stopped their patrol vehicle and left he car in response. A witness claimed that a suspect had pointed a gun toward officers from a bus stop and fired shots at their patrol vehicle. Police responded to the bus stop at the corner of Union Boulevard and Lillian Avenue and approached one man. They asked the man whether he had heard any gunshots, to which he said he did in the direction of a nearby Family Dollar store. Close ...

How Ty Hawkins deals with the stress of live TV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Ty Hawkins has come a long way in the past six years. After graduating with his master’s degree he has gone from a general assignment reporter to a daily morning anchor.“I got into journalism because my first interest came when I was watching the local news with my grandparents and just how engaged they were and how important it was to them, and it brought us together," said Hawkins. Hawkins holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Journalism from Boise State University, supplemented by a master's in specialized journalism from the University of Southern California. Through work, he has developed his skills in copywriting and video production. Police tie 12-year-old girl to overnight crime spree "I just fell in love with journalism and this is exactly where I pictured myself right now," said Hawkins. He has been with Fox 2/KPLR 11 for two and a half years now. "Most of my responsibilities now fall on weekday mornings. I was in night side reporter from Mon...

Illinois suburb of St. Louis ranked among least safe in US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:56 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you’re looking to move, you may have a number of aspects about the suburb you’re considering — what are the nearest schools like, is it a walkable area, how close is it to your job are all relatively common questions. You’re also likely wondering how safe the area is. As you may expect, there are a number of things that can impact the perceived safety of the suburb. SmartAsset, a personal finance website, reviewed 370 suburbs across the 100 largest cities in the U.S. and analyzed them based on multiple safety-related metrics: violent crime rates and property crime rates based on FBI data as well as rates of adults engaging in excessive drinking and deaths related to traffic accidents and drug poisonings from County Health Rankings. These are the 10 safest states in the US, data shows Overall, SmartAsset found suburbs on the East Coast and in the Midwest were among the safest. Suburbs in the West and South ranked further down on the list.Great Falls, Virgin...