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Lawmakers must renew tax to fund Missouri's Medicaid program this session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Besides the budget, Missouri lawmakers are tasked with renewing an important multi-billion tax this year that funds the state's Medicaid program for more than one million people. The Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) program is a tax collected from medical providers like hospitals to support Medicaid, bringing in more than $4 billion. The last time the General Assembly was charged with renewing this crucial tax, lawmakers came back for a special session because they missed the May deadline. "There's no use in wasting any more tax dollars than we have to," Gov. Mike Parson said. "I just say get in there, get it done, and move on." SUV drives through home in south St. Louis County It's a key piece of funding for Missouri's Medicaid program. If it's not renewed, it could put the state's budget in jeopardy. "The FRA is an interesting conversation because nobody outside the building has any clue what it is relative to how big of a deal it is to ...

Request denied to dismiss lawsuit over Wentzville SD transgender bathroom policy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - A court denied a request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey against the Wentzville School District over a transgender bathroom policy.The lawsuit claims the district violated the state's "Open Meetings Law" by excluding parents from discussions about bathroom and locker room access for transgender students. How much snow will St. Louis get on Friday or next week? The board met last July to draft the policy in private, which defined how a transgender student could notify the district and request special restroom accommodations. Some residents are criticizing the board, saying they shouldn’t hide controversial issues from parents and taxpayers. Others say the two members who leaked the private conversation violated board policies and should resign.

After 47-point loss at Arizona, CU Buffs men’s basketball takes aim at Arizona State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

TUCSON, Ariz. — It wasn’t the first loss of the season for the Colorado men’s basketball team on Thursday night.Yet, to paraphrase the description offered afterward by head coach Tad Boyle, it most certainly was the first true butt-kicking suffered by the Buffaloes so far this season.Related ArticlesCollege Sports | Men’s basketball: Eddie Lampkin familiar with CU Buffs’ rivalry against Arizona College Sports | AP Player of the Week: Jaylyn Sherrod of Colorado had career-high 34 points in win over Utah College Sports | Final Pac-12 opener a key battle as CU Buffs men’s basketball hosts UW College Sports | Former CU Buffs guard Dom Collier starting coaching career The shorthanded Buffs have zero time for self-pity.After getting absolutely buried in Tucson against the 10th-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Thursday, CU will attempt to salvage a split of the trip through Arizona when it visits Arizona State on Saturday night.“We ...

Starbucks announces it won't be restocking viral pink Stanley cups

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

Fans of Stanley cups, the tumbler brand with a massive following, who couldn’t snag the viral pink Quencher cup may be out of luck. Starbucks confirmed to KTLA that it won’t be restocking the item.“We are seeing an enthusiastic response to the Starbucks x Stanley Quencher, and many stores have sold out. It will not be restocked,” the statement said in part.A view of the Starbucks x Stanley Quencher cup. (Starbucks) On Jan. 3, Starbucks and Stanley released the limited-edition cup, which was only available at Starbucks locations inside Target retail stores nationwide. Social media was flooded with videos of fans lining up and rushing inside Target stores to get the limited-edition item.The cup was released as Starbucks celebrated its new winter menu and expanded its “Bring Your Own Cup” rules. Sweethearts updates Valentine’s Day heart candies conversations to reflect ‘situationships’ Customers can now use their own cups at the drive-thru and for mobile orders. Previously, customers...

Video shows earthquake shake family's home, spook dog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, were jolted by a magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck Southern California Friday morning.Among them: Ernesto and Jeanie Moreira of North Fontana.The couple shared security camera footage from inside their living room which recorded the quake shaking their Christmas tree, holiday decorations and furniture – and frightening their dog, Coco.“He was so scared,” Ernesto told KTLA.Ernesto & Jeanie Moreira's dog, Coco, was startled by the magnitude 4.2 earthquake. Jan. 5, 2024. (Ernesto Moreira) North Fontana is only about two miles from the quake’s epicenter in the San Gabriel Mountains, so the Moreira’s home likely bore the full brunt of its force.No damage was reported to their home, or any other property across the Los Angeles area, and no injuries were reported, officials said. Latest California Earthquakes - Interactive Map The temblor, which struck at 10:55 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves across Southern California and was fel...

California hires security guards to monitor 10 Freeway following fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

Since an arson fire at a storage yard damaged a key Los Angeles freeway, security guards hired by the state have been keeping watch for smoke and other trouble at three additional sites beneath Interstate 10 that were leased to the same bankrupt businessman.Associated Press journalists visited the properties and saw wooden pallets and other hazardous and flammable material much like what fed the Nov. 11 inferno under the freeway, which is used by 300,000 vehicles daily. Rats scurried beneath cars, trucks and RVs in various states of repair as electrical wiring snaked across the ground.The state has subcontracted the security services as it fights to evict Ahmad Anthony Nowaid and scores of tenants subleasing through him in violation of his contracts with the California Department of Transportation (or Caltrans), according to court records.They are due back in court this month.Firefighters battle a massive fire near an overpass in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2023. (RMG)This phot...

10 busted in South L.A. prostitution sting, LAPD says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested 10 people Thursday in an area of the city that is considered a hotspot for prostitution and sex trafficking. The LAPD's Southeast Area Vice Unit conducted a sting operation Thursday afternoon using undercover officers posing as commercial sex workers. LAPD closes 2023 with 5 arrests in prostitution ring During the operation, officers arrested ten people for solicitation for the purpose of prostitution, who were all cited and released.They've been identified as Elmar Veliz, 23; Luis Pedro Pusul, 32; Alfred Steve Ramirez, 20; Marco Antonio Solano Jr., 33; Jesus Alberto Tamayo, 21; William Perez, 35; Rodolfo Martinez, 50; Billy Joel Hernandez, 24; Gerardo Arellano, 44; and Delby Josue Zuniga, 36.All ten are residents of Los Angeles, police said.The Southeast Area Vice Unit runs prostitution stings targeting sex purchasers and human traffickers along the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles, a region of the city notorious for illegal sex wo...

'World of Color-One' to return to Disneyland Resort

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

Disney’s “World of Color – One” will return to Disney’s California Adventure Park beginning on Jan. 19, the resort announced on Friday.The show, which debuted during the Disney100 celebration, is the first Disneyland Resort nighttime spectacular to feature characters and music from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, the Avengers and Star Wars all in the same production. Disneyland to resume Magic Key annual pass sales next week “World of Color-One” tells the story of how a “single action – like a drop of water – creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change,” a news release said.“Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration,” a water show, will be shown before “World of Color-One” during the resort’s Lunar New Year celebration. Lunar New Year at Disney’s California Adventure Park will run from Jan. 23 through Feb. 18."Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration" returns, presented before "World of Color – One" in Disney California Adventu...

NRA chief Wayne LaPierre steps down ahead of trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over allegations he treated himself to millions of dollars in private jet flights, yacht trips, African safaris and other extravagant perks at the powerful gun rights organization's expense.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial is scheduled to start Monday in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against him, the NRA and two others who've served as executives. LaPierre was in court this week for jury selection and is expected to testify at the trial. The NRA said it will continue to fight the lawsuit, which could result in a further shakeup of its leadership and the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee its finances.“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement re...

Letters: Violent crime | High-speed losses | Provoking liberals | Worst instincts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:01 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Increase penaltiesfor violent crimesRe: “Cop murder suspect has killed before” (Page A1, Jan. 4) and “Fourth suspect arrested in probe” (Page A1, Jan. 5).Just these two articles suggest that we could save many lives and reduce crime without spending any money for more police by keeping dangerous people in jail (which includes all the cops who commit crimes and get away with it).There is an easy solution: increase by five times the sentences for people who commit violent crimes or property crimes with a gun. Why don’t politicians do it?We’re stuck in this nonsense choice between fighting crime by adding cops and incarcerating homeless and addicted people or pursuing justice reform by keeping actually dangerous people out.Roberto GarutiWalnut CreekState should cut losseson high-speed railRe: “Let’s make California’s high-speed rail work” (Page A9,...