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Lawrence County breaks ground on one of 3 planned broadband expansion projects

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ind.-- RTC Communications broke ground Tuesday on a fiber internet expansion project, one of three broadband projects planned for the county, all of which will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Lawrence County received $4.4 million in ARPA funds, according to Lawrence County Commissioner Dustin Gabhart. Gabhart said the money will be split for all three planned broadband projects. The county awarded RTC communications $950,000 of ARPA money for its project. The rest of the roughly $3.1 million will be split into two projects spearheaded by AT&T. The commissioner said each project must be completed within two years of breaking ground, and that the county will divvy out all ARPA funds by the end of 2026. He also said that 4,000 residents in some of the most rural parts of Lawrence County will benefit from all three projects combined, and that the projects would not be possible without the ARPA funds. State Sen. Eric Koch represents Lawrence County and cha...

Report: South Congress listed as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- What do Williamsburg in New York City, Venice in California and Austin's very own South Congress have in common?They were listed in an Architectural Digest report as the trendiest neighborhoods in the United States. The report titled "The Cost of Living in America’s Trendiest Neighborhoods (2023 Study)" detailed the price people pay living in those places.What are the trendiest neighborhoods?The trendiest neighborhoods were ranked from highest to lowest salary needed to afford rent:Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New YorkSouth End in Boston, MassachusettsGreenwich Village in New York CityMission District in San Francisco, CaliforniaVenice in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLogan Circle in Washington, DCWynwood in Miami, FloridaSilver Lake in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWest Loop in Chicago, IllinoisCapitol Hill in Seattle, WashingtonRiver North Arts District in Denver, ColoradoOld Fourth Ward in Atlanta, GeorgiaSouth Congress in Austin, TexasFishtown in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSouth...

How many units? Austin City Council to discuss proposed HOME initiative

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — How many units should be allowed on a property in Austin?This is a question Austinites will have the opportunity to discuss on Thursday as the city talks about proposed Land Development Code Changes.The HOME Initiative would make it legal to build up to 3 homes on a property, tiny homes also would be allowed on properties.The move comes as the city has discussed ways to make homes more affordable for years. While some are for the proposal, not everyone is sold on the idea of more units on a property."Say no to this proposal, say no to this proposal," chanted a group speaking out against the HOME initiative."The home initiative is dangerous to low-income renters and homeowners because it drives and spurs speculation, gentrification and irresponsible development," Carmen Llanes with Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) said. GAVA describes itself as a community group "working to improve the health of communities" in south Austin, according to its website.Property owners can a...

APD: Chief data officer arrested in connection with assault, family violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department's chief data officer was arrested over the weekend on an assault/family violence charge, the agency confirmed to KXAN Tuesday in a statement.On Sunday, Oct. 22, APD arrested Jonathan Kringen, 48, who "has been a City of Austin employee for three years," the statement said. Kringen works as a data analyst for the department.Jonathan Kringen, 48 | Mugshot provided by the Austin Police DepartmentAs per APD protocol, Kringen was placed on administrative leave "until further notice."No other information will be provided by APD as it conducts its "thorough investigation," the statement said.

Williamson County statements give early look at state property tax relief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:00 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 10:47:00 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 10:47:00 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 10:47:00 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 10:47:00 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 10:47:00 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...