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Former Miss Texas announces campaign for Texas House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

DALLAS (KXAN) — The first Asian American woman to win the Miss Texas crown is now hoping to add another title to her name: state lawmaker. Averie Bishop, who won the statewide pageant in 2022, made it official Tuesday afternoon that she's running to unseat a longtime Republican state representative in a competitive district located outside of Dallas. She posted a video on her social media accounts announcing her campaign for Texas House District 112, which includes the communities of Addison, Richardson and Sunnyvale in Dallas County. "We are tired of being left behind. We are through with waiting for Austin to protect our public schools, to take action in the face of climate change or give us access to basic human rights like health care," Bishop said in her video. "It's time for a change. It's time for the next generation of Texans to lead. It's time to remember every time we say y'all, it has to mean all."Bishop, 26, is running as a Democrat in the race. She said she would be the...

Tropical Depression Harold weakening south of Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

Editor's Note: This story is no longer being updated. Check the KXAN First Warning Weather forecast for the latest.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island, Texas at 10 a.m. Tuesday with winds of 50 mph. Harold has since been downgraded to a tropical depression as it weakens over land. KXAN: First Warning Weather Flooding rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are possible along the South Texas coast inland toward the Rio Grande Valley. So far, the reporting station at Corpus Christi has measured more than three inches of rain.Tropical Storm Harold's projected rainfall RainfallTD Harold sent welcome rain bands into Central Texas Tuesday evening, bringing parts of Austin our first measurable rainfall in a month -- and breaking Austin's 100-degree streak after 45 days of hot sunshine.The last measurable rain in Austin at Camp Mabry was back on July 22. On that day we picked up 0.01" which was just enough to end our previous dry ...

Texas women's basketball set for marquee Moody showdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas women's basketball is one of the premier programs in the country, especially with some of the success they've had as of late. But without much question, one of - if not the - biggest name program in the nation is the University of Connecticut.While the Huskies haven't won a national championship since 2016, they're still perennially one of the top teams in the nation. And now in 2023, UConn will make the trip to Central Texas."Obviously that name is very recognizable in the realm of women's basketball," Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer said. "Playing a team of that caliber early in the year certainly generates interest."Connecticut will play at Moody Center against Texas at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3. The game will be part of the Jimmy V Women's Classic.Schaefer referenced his goal of having 5,000 season ticket holders for Texas women's basketball and how they are yet to reach that goal. He hopes games like this will help attract fans for good."If you come see us play once,...

Event in Stillwater to celebrate Swiss heritage will include Appenzeller cheese and a 100-year-old beer keg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

An event to celebrate the state’s Swiss heritage will be held this weekend at the Washington County Heritage Center in Stillwater.The event, which will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, will include a screening of “In Adventura Americana,” a documentary that explores the journey of Swiss Romansh immigration to Minnesota. The documentary follows the adventures of two Swiss men who started in Stillwater, ventured to other parts of the Twin Cities, and, eventually, settled in Badus, S.D.Several of the filmmakers will be joining the event via Zoom from Switzerland for an interactive question-and-answer session.The event is hosted by the Washington County Historical Society, and Pat and Kathy Wolf, owners of Stillwater-based Joseph Wolf Brewing Co. The sisters are the great-granddaughters of Joseph Wolf. Wolf, along with his brother, Martin, came to Stillwater in 1855 from Trun, Switzerland, and started the brewery in downtown Stillwater in 1868.Swiss delicacies such as Appenzeller cheese, ...

Here’s our 53-man roster projection for the Vikings. Who stays? Who goes?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

There is less than a week until cut-down day across the NFL. Though some of the older players  leaguewide can’t wait for training camp to be over, some of the young players are still trying to make an impression. And there are only a few more days to do that for anyone on the bubble.As for the Vikings, they close out training camp this week by hosting a couple of joint practices with the Arizona Cardinals. Those workouts will be held at TCO Performance Center on Wednesday and Thursday, and should give the coaching staff more data points ahead of final cuts.Here’s our 53-man roster projection for the Vikings:Quarterback (2)Staying: Kirk Cousins, Nick MullensGoing: Jaren Hall, Jordan Ta’amuAnalysis: There’s no doubt that Cousins will be the starter this season and Mullens will be the backup. The main reason Hall gets cut is because he still has so much to learnt to play the position at the highest level. His inexperience has been on display in both preseason games so...

3M sets leadership team for health care spinoff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

Maplewood-based 3M on Tuesday named the executive leadership for the planned spinoff of its health care division.Bryan HansonBryan Hanson was named CEO of 3M’s Health Care Business Group, effective Sept. 1, according to a 3M news release. He comes to 3M from Zimmer Biomet, a medical technology company, where he has has served as president and CEO since 2017 and chairman since 2021. He also was an executive at Medtronic.“I am honored and excited to join 3M’s Health Care Business Group at such an important time in its evolution,” Hanson said in the release. “I have a deep respect and admiration for what 3M has built in health care — strong brands, quality products, commercial excellence, and customer-driven innovation. I look forward to working with the team to more deeply understand and realize the potential of our business as we accelerate our path forward, and build on a legacy of trusted leadership and medical innovation.”Carrie Cox was na...

Minnesota, Wisconsin to seek $1B from infrastructure law to replace Twin Ports bridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin announced Monday that their respective departments of transportation have requested federal funding to help rebuild the Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior.More than $1 billion is available through the federal Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law spearheaded by President Joe Biden.The Blatnik Bridge serves as a link between Superior and Duluth. Jointly owned and managed by WisDOT and MnDOT, the bridge provides a freight and commercial link to the Twin Ports and serves more than 33,000 vehicles per day.“The Blatnik Bridge connects the Twin Ports communities and economies of Duluth and Superior — it provides a vital route for regional commerce, tourism and emergency services,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in the announcement. “I’m proud to partner with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and out colleagues at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to rebuild and modernize this criti...

Walz announces director of state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that Greg Norfleet, a Massachusetts state official, will join the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development next month as the director of the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program.“Greg Norfleet brings a wealth of leadership and direct experience in establishing a successful state Paid Family and Medical Leave program,” Walz said in a statement. “I look forward to working with him as we build out a program that will support Minnesota’s workers and businesses, improve economic security for families, and make Minnesota an even better place to live and work.”Norfleet served as the deputy director for operations for Massachusett’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which was put into practice in 2021. Currently, Norfleet is the chief operating officer at the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.“Minnesota is a national leader for innovative legislation, and Paid Family and Medi...

Public safety ahead of SPAC, Travers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — From the Saratoga Race Course to SPAC holding events this weekend, the 30,000 population of Saratoga Springs will more than triple. The influx of tourists raises the issue of public safety. The Spa City is no stranger to tourism. It’s expected to come to a peak this weekend with the Travers Horse Stakes and Phish concert taking place at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. SPAC was previously evacuated on July 8 due to a false bomb threat. New York Park Police Lieutenant Frank McGarity says his agency is prepared should a similar situation occur. MORE NEWS from NEWS 10“In that one particular instance, we experience one of the scenarios. We dealt with it; we dealt with it in a safe manner. And since then, we're always learning,” said the Lieutenant.Should any medical emergencies arise, Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino, told NEWS10 that firefighters are trained to play a dual role.“Each and everyone of our firef...

Missouri Supreme Court vacancy: Commission announces nominees

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:35 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three Missouri appellate judges, two from the St. Louis court and one from Springfield, have been nominated to fill a vacancy on the state's highest court.The Appellate Judicial Commission has recommended Kelly Broniec, Michael Gardner, or Ginger Gooch replace Judge George Draper III on the Missouri Supreme Court. Draper retired earlier this month, the day before his 70th birthday.Under the state’s constitution, judges are required to retire when they turn 70. Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, appointed Draper to the bench in 2011. He is the second African American to serve on the court.The commission interviewed the 23 applicants and presented the three finalists to Governor Mike Parson, who has 60 days to fill the vacancy. If Parson is unable to choose a judge, the commission will make the choice. Standoff: St. Louis Justice Center guard held hostage Broniec is the current chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, and lives in Montgomery Cit...