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State revenue drops nearly $2B in April, but budget-makers at the Capitol aren’t panicking

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — April’s plummeting general funds receipts — a drop of $1.84 billion from the previous year — is stunning in anyone’s estimation. But budget-makers at the state Capitol aren’t panicking.Compared with 2022, revenue fell a whopping 23% last month, driven by a drop of $1.76 billion in personal income tax, according to the legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.On its face, that would seemingly cause jitters and with one week left in the spring legislative session, it might historically be a call for the May money magic from days of yore that led to mountains of debt in the last two decades.The previous year’s number for comparison, $5.4 billion, was a record, fueled by an influx of capital gains taxes, collections of which are unpredictable, and because more days of the month fell on weekdays in April 2022, according to Eric Noggle, revenue manager for the bipartisan forecasting commission. $1.8B back to IL taxpayers: Gov...

Say goodbye to AM radio: Why carmakers are removing it from new models

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Your next car might be missing a button – the one to switch between AM and FM radio. Car manufacturers are increasingly opting to eliminate AM radio in their new vehicles.BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Volkswagen and Tesla, among others, have either already removed or plan to remove AM radio from at least some electric models. Ford is going even further, reports the Detroit Free Press, and ditching AM in all new cars – gas or electric. Car manufacturers typically cite electromagnetic interference as the reason for removing the radios from EVs. Electric motors can interfere with AM radio frequencies, making it sound staticky over the airwaves. But in a statement to the Free Press, Ford also said it's just changing with the times. Hobby Lobby doesn’t use barcodes: Here’s their explanation "A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio...

Austin to use Marshalling Yard as homeless shelter, doubling up at existing shelters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin intends to use the Marshalling Yard, near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, as a temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness, according to a new city memo. It's a part of a council-directed attempt to expand the number of shelter beds the city offers. According to the memo, a portion of the 70,000-square-foot building will be used for the shelter effort. It could create up to 300 additional emergency shelter beds. The goal is to use the shelter for roughly a year while more permanent shelter is created, the memo said. The city is also working to find a nonprofit to provide services at the shelter. The city will use roughly $9.1 million from American Rescue Plan Act funding to make it all happen. The city will host a virtual community information session and provide further details on the plan next month, the city said. The memo also announced Austin is making additional space at its Northbridge and Southbridge shelters by conv...

Lark Hall hosting production of Rent

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Capital District Arts Initiative is putting on a production of Rent at Lark Hall in Albany. The first show in the run of performances is set for June 8. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The beloved rock opera, written by the late Jonathan Larson, is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s "La Bohéme". The show tells the tale of a group of young underprivileged artists trying to persevere through the stuggles of life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village during the HIV/AIDS crisis. This production of Rent will cultivate an immersive environment, with actors moving in and around the audience to provide a bustling and free-spirited energy that matches the setting of the show. Lark Hall, which features a historic proscenium stage and unique mezzanine areas, is located at 351 Hudson Avenue, Albany NY. Tulip Fest crowns the new 2023 Tulip Queen The Capital District Arts Initiative is an all-inclusive movement w...

Best restaurants near Clifton Park, according to Yelp

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- If you’re looking for a place to get some great food in Saratoga County, you have quite a few options. These are the best restaurants in and around Clifton Park, according to Yelp. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! 10. La Fiesta Mexican RestaurantYou can view the menu on the La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant website.Rated 4 out of 5 (285 reviews)Price: $$Address: 15 Park Avenue in Clifton ParkTop review: "Great staff, good food. Nice atmosphere. Always delivers, never is a let down. Always greeted by a smiling face and seated promptly. Never have to wait for drinks or food." -- Christopher F.9. The Ugly Rooster CafeYou can view the menu on The Ugly Rooster Cafe website.Rated 4.5 out of 5 (129 reviews)Price: $$Address: 312 N 3rd Avenue in MechanicvilleTop review: "The Ugly Rooster is the perfect mom-and-pop breakfast and lunch experience! The food is so good, I will definitely come back here anytime I...

Schenectady County shuts down COVID-19 testing site at McClellan Health Campus

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Schenectady County is officially closing its COVID-19 vaccine POD and testing site at the McClellan Street Health Campus. The decision was made following the federal announcement that the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Vaccines will still be available for residents at Schenectady County's Public Health Services vaccine POD at the Schenectady Community Ministries. Lab testing will no longer be available in the county. “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve worked to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines and testing wereaccessible to all of our residents,” said Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich, Chairof the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee. “While we no longer offer lab testing, we want our residents to know many resources are still available through the county. No-cost COVID-19 vaccines are available at our Friday afternoon POD at SiCM a...

Corinth man arrested after stabbing at Cumberland Farms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

CORINTH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, a Corinth man was arrested on Friday following a stabbing at a Corinth Cumberland Farms. Zachary Tremblay, 39, is charged with second-degree assault. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Saratoga County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to reports of an assault/stabbing around 11:40 p.m. During their investigation, law enforcement says they found two adult males were involved in a physical altercation at Cumberland Farms.During the altercation, one cut the other on the neck with a knife. The injury was not life-threatening.The suspect, Tremblay, was found two days later by patrols. He was turned over to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit for further investigation. Fort Plain man arrested after pipe bomb investigation He was arraigned in the Town of Corinth and is remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility. H...

Dry days, fire possible in Washington County

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Rainfall hasn't come equally across parts of the North Country this spring. On Monday, Washington County put out a warning, declaring a heightened risk of fire spread due to dry conditions. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Albany office of the National Weather Service says that fine fuels have dried out across the eastern side of New York, due to a lack of rainfall in places like rural Washington County. Fine fuels can include any natural substance that can be ignited and consumed quickly by fire, including cured grass, fallen leaves, and twigs.In a social media post on Monday morning, the county reported a dry air mass with humidity hovering around 20 percent. In cases where a fire does get started on dead leaves or other materials, winds between 10 and 30 miles per hour could create ideal conditions for rapid spread and highly dangerous consequences. Washington County said the risk ma...

Baseball umpire assaults Missouri sheriff's deputy - Report

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

CAMDENTON, Mo. - Violence at a ballpark in southwest Missouri over the weekend ends with the arrest of an umpire and a deputy taking a trip to the hospital.According to Sgt. Scott Hines, a spokesman for the Camden County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened Saturday evening at Ballparks National on Kissick Way, near Macks Creek.A deputy arrived at the ballpark and spoke with the parent of a player who said an umpire shoved her during a disagreement.The sheriff's office claims the umpire refused to identify himself to the deputy and attempted to walk away. The deputy stopped the umpire, at which point he wrestled the deputy to the ground and put him in a chokehold. Weekend Chaos: Downtown St. Louis fights & shootings Hines said several spectators came to the deputy's aid, who was then able to take the umpire into custody.The umpire was identified as Neal Sidebottom.The deputy was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries suffered during the struggle.The Camden Cou...

Police: Baby found dead in Kansas City field

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:46 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a “small baby” whose body was found in a field in eastern Kansas City.Kansas City police were notified Saturday evening that a dead body was found in the field in open, uninhabited area, police spokesperson Sgt. Jacob Becchina said.Becchina told Kansas City media Sunday that the medical examiner will determine the baby's age, gender and cause of death. No new information was available on Monday, police said.The area where the baby was found is near woods frequented by homeless people, neighbors and police said. Weekend Chaos: Downtown St. Louis fights & shootings The case is currently a death investigation because so little is known about the circumstances.Becchina urged anyone with information on the baby's death to contact police. He said Kansas City police currently have no reports of missing babies that match this case.“I know every one of these investigators, they want to know what happened and what led to this...