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Williamson County statements give early look at state property tax relief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Tuesday, Williamson County began sending out property tax statements adjusted to show the impact of the state's proposed $18 billion property tax cuts for home and business owners. $18 billion deal reached: Texans to get biggest property tax cut in state’s history Proposition 4 is on the November ballot for Texans. If passed, it would deliver the largest property tax cut in the state's history by raising the homestead exemption to $100,000 and cutting school property taxes for average-priced homes.According to Governor Greg Abbott's Office, that would result in a reduction of $1,250-$1,450 to the average home's property tax. Those opposed to the measure say the relief bill will benefit homeowners at the expense of Texas public schools. ‘Is it sustainable?’ $12 billion to reduce school property tax rate Larry Gaddes, Williamson County tax assessor collector, said the county issued property tax statements with the presumption that Prop 4 will pass...

Meadows granted immunity deal in election interference case: ABC News

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows secured an immunity deal with special counsel Jack Smith in order to testify before a grand jury in the election interference case, ABC News reported.Meadows testified before a grand jury empaneled to hear evidence in the case on at least three separate occasions, the outlet reported, doing so after being granted immunity.The Hill has reached out to Meadows’s attorney for comment. Meadows reportedly told the grand jury that after former President Trump’s election loss, he repeatedly told the him that his claims of widespread fraud were baseless.That testimony would counter a claim Trump has repeated since losing the election — and that his lawyers defended as recently as Monday night.Meadows also told investigators that Trump was being “dishonest” with voters when he proclaimed victory on election night. That aligns with the testimony of Trump campaign staff who told the House committee investiga...

Cohen testifies Trump ballooned assets as cross-examination scrutinizes his credibility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

NEW YORK — Michael Cohen’s long-awaited testimony in the New York attorney general’s sprawling civil fraud case against former President Trump began Tuesday afternoon, when he described ballooning Trump’s assets at the request of his former employer.But the ex-Trump fixer’s proclivity to untruths came under harsh scrutiny by the former president’s legal team, who sought to undermine his credibility in objections and cross-examination.Cohen is a star witness in New York Attorney General Letitia James’s (D) case, testifying to its core allegation: The former president’s company engaged in decades of fraud by falsely inflating and deflating the value of its assets to receive lower taxes and better insurance coverage. Cohen’s past disclosures about Trump’s net worth helped spur her investigation.On Tuesday, the former personal lawyer came publicly face to face with his ex-boss for the first time since their relationship soured. When he first entered the courtroom shortly after noon, Tru...

Chance of rain and incoming cold front may limit Halloween sightseeing this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Thank you to our viewers for sending in their decked-out, spooky front yards and porches. The arrival of Halloween night is upon us, and we have loved seeing your decorated homes this season.From the orange and purple lights to the Halloween inflatables standing tall, this Halloween season is a sight to see from Rolla to west-central Illinois, but with rain in sight for the bi-state area through the weekend, any Halloween sightseeing may be limited to your vehicle.Periods of rain and a few thunderstorms remain in the forecast through early next week. Our next cold front is forecast to move in by Friday, making for a chilly weekend across the bi-state area. Afternoon highs and overnight lows look to remain below average from Saturday onward.If you have plans for trunk-or-treat activity Saturday night, don’t forget the raincoat or umbrella, or both! As well as that jacket.

Focused on healing, reflection on anniversary of CVPA mass shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS – It's been one year since the mass shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.On the morning of October 24, 2022, an armed ex-student entered the high school, killing a student and a teacher and injuring seven others before police killed him in a shootout.Classes were canceled Tuesday at the high school and the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, which shares its campus. All so students can focus on healing.The St. Louis Public School District declared Oct. 24 a day of remembrance for the victims.“No one understands what the healing process looks like and everyone heals differently,” School Board President Antoinette Toni Cousins said. “We always, as a board, try and make sure we are listening.” Missouri teacher accused of exchanging explicit videos with student Alexzandria Bell, 15, and Jean Kuczka, 61, were murdered in the attack around 9:10 a.m. that day. Investigators have not yet said how the gunman obtained the AR-style rifle used in the ...

Survivors of CVPA shooting still waiting on lawmakers to enact stricter gun laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - One year since the deadly school shooting at a St. Louis City high school and students and teachers are still waiting for lawmakers to strengthen the state's gun laws.Earlier this year, survivors of the tragic school shooting shared their stories, art and music inside the Capitol, remembering the student and teacher killed last October. The biggest reason for making the trip was their call to action; instead, many left disappointed."It's infuriating, it's exhausting, and it's just sad," Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, said Tuesday. "The kids just really came home angry."A tragic scene at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis City as a gunman opened fire inside, killing sophomore Alexzandria Bell, 15, and beloved P.E. teacher Jean Kuczka, 61."I got a phone call from my own kid's school, which is not far from CVPA, saying that they were under a lockdown and there was a shooting nearby," Merideth said. "I quickly made a couple of call...

Broncos S Kareem Jackson has suspension reduced to two games after appeal process

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson had his suspension for repeated unnecessary roughness fouls cut from four games to two after a Tuesday appeal hearing, the league announced.Jackson had his case heard Tuesday by former linebacker Derrick Brooks, one of two officers appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association to hear such matters.Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | After game-sealing interception vs. Packers, Broncos safety P.J. Locke’s time is now Denver Broncos | Upon Further Review: Broncos struggle in red zone vs. Packers, continuing recent trend Denver Broncos | NFL suspends Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games for string of unnecessary roughness penalties Denver Broncos | Broncos OLB Baron Browning provides energy and aggression in season debut vs. Green Bay Denver Broncos | Why Sean Payton ended up circling a sushi restaurant after his first home win as Broncos coach, wondering ̶...

AP sources: Tom Emmer withdraws as Republican nominee for House speaker, becoming the third candidate to fall short

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — AP sources: Tom Emmer withdraws as Republican nominee for House speaker, becoming the third candidate to fall short.

New regents’ policy requires CU Boulder to report on annual diversity goals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

The University of Colorado Board of Regents has updated its diversity and non-discrimination policy for the first time since 1973, a decision intended to make the university a welcome and accessible place for all.“I’m thrilled that we’re moving forward with this,” Regent Wanda James said. “I would like to see this be stronger, reflecting our support of the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do. This is once again the beginning of this conversation, not the end.”The updated version of Regent Policy 10A was approved on Sept. 8. It contains a commitment statement with new language and requires each campus to report on measurable diversity goals to the Board of Regents annually.The policy passed 7-2. Support for the policy was mixed, with two no votes and a portion of the Regents who voted yes to the policy expressing the desire for it to do more. Regent Ken McNulty and Regent Ken Montera voted no on the policy.“I think it’s important to recognize in any policy...

Pilot who tried to crash Horizon Air jet says he had taken mushrooms, complaint says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:52:08 GMT

An off-duty airline pilot riding in an extra cockpit seat on a Horizon Air flight said “I’m not OK” just before trying to cut the engines mid-flight and later told police he had recently taken psychedelic mushrooms as his mental health worsened, according to charging documents made public Tuesday.State prosecutors in Oregon filed 83 counts of attempted murder against Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, on Tuesday just before he appeared in court, with his attorney, Noah Horst, entering not guilty pleas on his behalf. Federal prosecutors meanwhile charged Emerson with interfering with a flight crew, which can carry up to 20 years in prison.According to a probable cause statement filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Emerson told Port of Portland police following his arrest that he had been struggling with depression, that a friend had recently died and that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before he attempted to cut the engines. He also said he had not...