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First look inside Austin's recently purchased homeless shelter, former Salvation Army building

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin leaders allowed media members inside the newly renovated former Salvation Army homeless shelter downtown. The City of Austin will rent the building for a year and then agreed to purchase the shelter after that lease was up. City Council to vote on purchasing former Salvation Army Downtown Center for $15M The shelter will serve women and people who are transgender, according to City leaders. "A lot of the staff that will be here are also women and transgender so it gives our clients a change to interface daily with people who are similar to them and have similar experiences that they do," said David Gray, Austin's homeless strategy officer.David Gray, Austin's homeless strategy officer, shows media a gathering space inside the renovated 8th Street shelter (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)Inside the former Salvation Army downtown building, now being used by the City of Austin as a shelter for women and people who are transgender (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)Insi...

Judge reduces bond for man accused of murdering man in Manor parking lot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, a judge reduced the bond for a man accused of murdering another man in a Walmart parking lot in Manor last week.That man was later identified as Juan Acuna-Gaona, 26, of Manor, according to the Manor Police Department. Manor Police arrest suspect, identify victim in Walmart parking lot shooting Acuna-Gaona's bond was reduced from $250,000 to $50,000 on Wednesday.Juan Acuna-Goana, 25. Mugshot: Manor Police DepartmentAn affidavit for Acuna-Gaona detailed the events that led up to the shooting. Luis Frias-Hernandez, 19, of Elgin, was identified by Manor police as the man who died in the shooting. Affidavit: Man told police Manor parking lot shooting was in ‘self-defense’ According to the affidavit, the Manor Police Department got an anonymous tip that an employee called "screaming" her boyfriend killed someone in Manor.A statement from Acuna-Gaona's attorney said the shooting was justified, because he was protecting himself and his girlfriend.Police t...

Texas adds 23 on 1st day of early signing period, No. 5 class in country so far

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns added 23 players to the 2024 roster on the first day of the early signing period for Division I football programs Wednesday.Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said his staff, "did a heck of a job," when putting everything together. UPDATED: Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period "They recognized the needs we have on the team, some immediate and some long-term predicated on depth issues," he said, "and also players who fit who we are from their style of play and character. They fit our culture."The 2024 class includes four 5-star recruits according to 247Sports including Duncanville linebacker/edge rusher Colin Simmons and wide receiver Ryan Wingo out of St. Louis, Missouri. Other 5-star recruits are offensive tackle Brandon Baker from powerhouse high school program Mater Dei in Santa, Ana, California and late flip Xavier Filsaime from McKinney. Filsaime, a safety, had verbally committed to Florida ...

The mastermind behind the Tush Push? It might have been Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

It’s been a hot topic in the Twin Cities ever since the Vikings suffered a 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.On consecutive plays in overtime last weekend, the Vikings failed to execute the Tush Push, turning the ball over in the process. It was a shocking result considering the Philadelphia Eagles have turned the Tush Push into an unstoppable play over the past couple of seasons. It has become so dominant that the NFL might ban the modified quarterback sneak this offseason.It raises the question: Who first thought of the concept?As far as NFL Films is concerned, it might have been Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. The production company posted the origin story of the Tush Push on social media with Barr shown talking to Vikings teammate Harrison Smith on the sidelines in 2018.“You should put some big dude at quarterback and another big dude right behind him,” Barr said to Smith in the NFL Films video clip. “Then just push him.”Naturally, the Pioneer P...

Review: The musical version of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ is both garish and dull

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

Some 30 years after it first hit the big screen, the comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire” remains a fondly remembered classic by moviegoers. And it’s not the story — which requires a Herculean leap in logic to make basic sense — but the presence of Robin Williams, who was given a role perfectly suited for his wild, one-of-a-kind comic talents.The musical take on “Mrs. Doubtfire,” which runs through Christmas Eve at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre, makes the fatal mistake of attempting to recreate Williams’ manic spirit and comes across as a garish spectacle stuffed with dull gags and lifeless performances.The story follows voice actor Daniel (Rob McClure) whose carefree, live-in-the-moment attitude proves to be too much for his wife Miranda (Maggie Lakis), who asks for a divorce, even if it crushes the couple’s three children. Through a convoluted series of events, Daniel decides the only way he can spend more time with his kids is to don a wig, fat suit and frig...

Gophers lose and add one defensive lineman via transfer portal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

The revolving doors of the NCAA transfer portal took another turn and a half on Wednesday.Navarro College defensive end Eddy Toussom flipped his commitment from Minnesota to Alabama-Birmingham and signed with UAB on Wednesday.In the meantime, Central Michigan defensive lineman Quindario Lee of McKenzie, Ala., committed and signed with the Gophers.Lee, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, had 28 total tackles, seven for lost yards and three sacks in 11 games for the Chippewas last season. Lee was credited with 21 pressures and an overall defensive grade of 59.8, according to Pro Football Focus.Minnesota added six transfers overall on Wednesday, including quarterbacks Max Brosmer (New Hampshire) and Logan Fife (Fresno State), cornerbacks Ethan Robinson (Bucknell) and Jaionte McMillan (TCU) and running back Sieh Bangura (Ohio).Transfer portal trackerIncoming players (Previous school)Dec. 3QB Max Brosmer (New Hampshire)Dec. 10DT Jordan Guerad (Fla. International)RB Trent Howland (I...

While some cement their futures on National Signing Day, other standouts like Savion Hart of St. Thomas Academy are still waiting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

Thirteen East Metro football players signed on with Division-I football programs — including non-scholarship ones such as St. Thomas — on Wednesday, “National Signing Day” at the highest level of college football.Two Rivers defensive lineman Max Mogelson signed with UNLV, Hill-Murray defensive back Simon Seidl joined the Gophers and East Ridge offensive lineman Kene Anene signed with Kansas, among others.The Gophers rounded out the first wave of their incoming class. It was a day of celebration for many.But recruiting is far from over, as so many futures are yet to be determined. For instance, East Metro Player of the Year Savion Hart remains unsigned. The St. Thomas Academy star running back is patiently awaiting the perfect opportunity of where to play college football next season.It’s hard to think that hasn’t yet arisen. Hart ran for 2,642 yards and 39 touchdowns in the 2023 season. He recently was named MaxPreps state player of the year. He is Minnesota&...

Trudy Rubin: Why Ukraine can beat Russia and why that matters to America

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

One year ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a joint session of Congress. Lawmakers hailed him as a hero defender of democracy against an aggressive Russia, whose leader threatened Europe and the United States.This past week, GOP legislators — displaying no shame and offering no apologies — humiliated Zelenskyy. He had traveled to Washington to urge Republicans to pass a vital military aid package for his country. They stiffed him.The same Republicans who cheered Zelenskyy last December are now fast walking the U.S. toward the greatest (self-inflicted) military debacle of the post-World War II era. They are ready to hand Vladimir Putin a victory. They are also ready to abandon brave Ukrainians in the middle of battle as they fight to prevent Putin from swallowing them into a new Russian empire.Goodbye, U.S. global leadership. Onward, more military and political challenges to democracies — including ours. Every dictator — from Moscow to Tehr...

Mary Stanik: Upon reflection, reflecting … to see flashes of joy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.”These words attributed to Winston Churchill have been on my mind a lot as the year’s biggest holiday makes its final approach. Usually, I’m big on the rejoicing part of Christmas. This year, I’m joining countless others who aren’t feeling totally holly-jolly, old-Andre-champagne-TV-ads Christmas joyful. At least not in full. I’ll get to the not in full part soon.I’ve written for this paper about the twists, turns, and cross-country moves (plural) I’ve experienced since I became my now 91-year-old mother’s full-time caregiver following her June 2014 stroke. In late August, her decline went into red alert and my brother and I added our names to the list of those who have had to put a parent into skilled nursing. One month later, we had to put her into inpatient hospice.Now none of this was unexpected. And at 91 years and nine months, it can be said my mother not only had a very long life but, when measured in full, ...

Fedyk, Deryugina: Talks can’t end the Ukraine war, because Russia lies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:28 GMT

Following the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, Ukraine has suffered tremendously. Tens of thousands have died, and a quarter of the country’s prewar population has been displaced. Homes, neighborhoods and entire cities have been reduced to rubble.Some question the wisdom of Ukraine continuing to fight back instead of seeking to negotiate with Russia. President Vladimir Putin himself claims he “does not reject the idea of peace talks,” while prominent figures have called for negotiations, possibly involving a settlement to cede occupied territories in exchange for peace.Calls for Ukraine to have such talks rely on an assumption that Russia would negotiate in good faith. But, looking to history as a guide, this assumption is naïve. Russia’s actions over the last 31 years reveal a troubling pattern of frequent lying and breaking international agreements. Negotiations with Russia are therefore futile.Russia agreed to respect Ukraine’s territo...