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More than 300,000 kids may lose childcare in Texas if federal funds expire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Millions of kids, including 305,976 in Texas, are at risk of losing childcare by September 30 when the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act expires, according to an analysis by the Century Foundation.“Congress has to act quickly to resolve the immediate funding crisis for childcare,” said Jamie Bussel with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a non-profit that says it's the Nation’s Largest Health Philanthropy.The Foundation is calling on Congress to extend the federal funds to help childcare providers who have relied on the money from the ARPA to pay rent, lower tuition rates for families and increase wages for workers. MORE: With thousands of child care programs at risk of closing, Democrats press for more money “More than 3 million children are going to lose access to childcare, over a quarter million of the childcare workforce will lose their jobs. And it's estimated 70,000 childcare facilities will actually close," said Bussel. “This has an incredibly significant imp...

Texas recognizes first Veteran Suicide Prevention Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is spotlighting resources for veterans as the state recognizes its first Texas Veteran Suicide Prevention Day.In the United States, the last reported average number of Veteran suicides per day was 17, in 2020. The highest average was in 2018, with 18.6 suicides per day. In light of this, Governor Greg Abbott and legislators designated today as Texas Veterans Suicide Prevention Day in House Resolution No. 12 during the 88th Texas Legislative Session.“Designating Sept. 22 as Texas Veterans Suicide Prevention Day will create awareness for Texans everywhere of the silent killer to our brave heroes who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and the steps that could be taken to prevent it,” said Sen. Bob Hall, a co-author of the House resolution and a member of the Senat...

How the Gophers build up Athan Kaliakmanis after ‘worst game’ vs. North Carolina

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

Athan Kaliakmanis sat in a padded chair inside Kenan Stadium last Saturday, but was not comfortable in his performance in the Gophers’ 31-13 loss to North Carolina.After his eighth career start, the redshirt sophomore quarterback answered eight questions over three minutes and 13 seconds. He was succinct and mostly said the same thing. Among his 37 total sentences, 26 related to him taking personal responsibility for the performance in some way, shape or form.“I’m very hard on myself; that’s on me. It is on me,” Kaliakmanis said after he completed 38 percent of his passes for 138 yards and one interception. “I didn’t play as well as I wanted to play. That was probably the worst game I’ve ever played.”He steered every answer back to how he felt he let the team down — including less-gloomy questions about the U’s comeback on both sides of halftime, another standout performance by freshman tailback Darius Taylor and learning while watching Tar Heels star QB Drake Maye from the opposite...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

Chargers at Vikings (pick ‘em)The Vikings, desperate to improve their running game, on Wednesday traded for disgruntled Rams RB Cam Akers. But there’s great concern he won’t fit in well in the Vikings’ locker room because he actually knows what it feels like to win a Super Bowl.Pick: Chargers by 3INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Cam Akers #23 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Rams at Bengals (-2½)Down 10 points on the last play of last Sunday’s game against the 49ers, the Rams kicked a meaningless field goal that served only to beat the 7½-point spread. L.A. coach Sean McVay opted for the controversial kick after asking himself “What would Pete Rose do?”Pick: Bengals by 3SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams reacts during the second half Seahawks a...

38 car parts distributing centers joining UAW strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - UAW President Shawn Fain just wrapped up his announcement on the expansion of their strike against the big three automakers - Ford, GM, and Stellantis.Fain explained significant progress in reaching a deal with ford, but shared that negotiations with GM and Stellantis are not as productive as they would like. UAW gave the automakers an 11:00 a.m. deadline Friday to show they're willing to make substantial progress in reaching a deal.Now fain has announced that due to lack of progress with GM and Stellantis - 38 parts distribution centers across 20 states for GM and Stellantis will join the 'stand-up strike.' Inmate who escaped Mercy South Hospital back in custody No Ford locations are included in the strike expansion.The original three plants that shut down last Friday will continue to strike. That includes the GM plant in Wentzville, employed by local 2250 UAW members.The other two Ford and Stallantis plants on strike are in Michigan and Ohio.

St. Louis Hispanic Festival this weekend at Soulard park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- This weekend, the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival returns to Soulard Park, located at 7th and Lafayette Ave., next to Soulard Farmers Market. The event spans from Friday, September 22, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at 10 p.m., to Saturday, September 23, running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and finally on Sunday, September 24, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.The festival has an array of features, including live performances by Latino bands featuring national, regional, and local talents such as Grammy nominee Frankie Negron, Los Capi from Mexico, Los Artilleros Mexican Band, Song de mi Tierra Colombian Band, Los Bassmenteers, and Inti llajta South American Band. For those who love the fusion of Latin rhythms and hip hop, there's Reggaeton Rewind Night, working with DJ Erik Sensation.Food enthusiasts can savor authentic dishes from local "mom and pop" food vendors, offering culinary delights from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and more. Traditional favorites like empanadas, tama...

BBB warns of Facebook Marketplace scams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Online marketplaces like Facebook are popular for buying and selling things. But, there's a problem: scammers trick people. Sarah Wetzel from BBB St. Louis wants to help Facebook users understand these scammers better and stay safe.“Facebook does have security measures in place, but what we’re seeing is that these scammers are pretending to be buyers,” Sarah Wetzel with BBB St. Louis, said. “They reach out to you about what you’re selling, and then they ask you for your phone number.”Wetzel says the scammer will then say they’re going to send you a six-digit code, so you can prove to them you’re a real seller. The BBB shared these examples of scam messages. You can see the scammer posing as a buyer following the playbook Wetzel described. She says to cut communication with anyone who asks to send you a code.“If anybody’s asking for your phone number and trying to communicate off of Facebook, that is a huge red flag,” Wetzel said.She also warns of scammers overpaying for ...

QuikTrip sells $50,000 winning Powerball ticket in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A winning Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was sold at QuikTrip, located at 702 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis. The ticket matched four of the five white-ball numbers drawn, in addition to the Powerball, during the drawing on September 16.The winning numbers for that draw were 8, 11, 19, 24, and 46, with a Powerball number of 5. The prize was claimed on September 18 at the Lottery’s St. Louis regional office.This Saturday, September 23, the jackpot stands at $725 million, making it the third-largest Powerball jackpot of the year. The estimated cash value of the jackpot is $345.7 million.

49ers fans attack each other in massive brawl at Levi's Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

A big fight took place in the stands at Thursday night’s NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.The San Francisco 49ers were taking on the New York Giants when a group of the so-called “Niner Gang” turned on each other.The video posted by @T_Stephenson1 on X shows what appeared to be a fight between two women when a male bystander grabbed the hair of one of the combatants and pulled her down.Another man then tried to get involved in the fight and ended up getting punched and kicked by the bystanders.Security guards appeared to arrive to get control of the situation at that point.It was unclear what started the brawl or if any disciplinary action was taken against any of the participants.The 49ers had much less trouble on the field Thursday night, easily beating the Giants 30-12.Violent altercations between fans appears to be turning into a trend this season. 49ers fans were involved in a fight earlier this month during a preseason game against the Broncos. A Patriots fan died fol...

'Let's get this deal done': Writers union, studios continue discussions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:10:17 GMT

Amid some optimism, the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are meeting again Friday in an attempt to end the multi-month strike that's halted much of Hollywood.Friday, the 144th day of the writers strike, marks the third day of this particular negotiating period after talks resumed Wednesday.While no resolution has been announced, the participation of entertainment industry leaders Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, Bob Iger of Disney, Ted Sarandos of Netflix and David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery shows "increasing pressure on the industry to get a deal done that would return thousands of entertainment industry employees to work," as reported in the Los Angeles Times.On Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signaled her own optimism that a deal would be reached soon."I'm very encouraged that all principals have come to the table for a second day to negotiate a fair agreement," she said in a statement. "The entertainment industry is a fu...