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DeSantis says he would push to repeal Trump criminal justice reform if elected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

(The Hill) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday that if elected president, he would call on Congress to repeal the criminal justice reform bill signed into law by then-President Trump, his latest attack on Trump from the right.DeSantis, appearing on "The Ben Shapiro Show," criticized the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill passed in 2018 that reduced mandatory minimum sentences, expanded credits for well-behaved prisoners looking for shorter sentences and aimed to reduce recidivism.The Florida governor, who officially entered the 2024 White House race on Wednesday, called the legislation "basically a jailbreak bill." Five takeaways from Ron DeSantis’s glitch-ridden campaign launch "So one of the things I would want to do as president is go to Congress and seek the repeal of the First Step Act," he said. "If you are in jail, you should serve your time. And the idea that they're releasing people who have not been rehabilitated early, so that they can prey on people in our socie...

Stock car driver's husband charged after attack at Hickory Motor Speedway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

HICKORY, N.C. (WJZY) – Fans attending last Saturday’s weekly NASCAR-sanctioned race at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina may have gotten more than they bargained for — both on the track and in the spotter’s stand. Stock car drivers Landon Huffman and Annabeth Barnes-Crum only had a few laps left in the Advance Auto Parts Series event when Huffman performed a bump-and-run on the No. 12 car, after Barnes-Crum squeezed him to the wall. Barnes-Crum then attempted to strike back in return, but spun herself out instead.  Landon Huffman speaks with Nexstar's WJZY about the circumstances surrounding the attack on his father at last Saturday's race. (WJZY)Shortly after, Barnes-Crum’s husband and fellow stock car driver Jake Crum, who was acting as his wife’s spotter, allegedly went over to former driver Robert Huffman, Landon’s father and spotter, and attacked him.  “He was busted up,” Landon Huffman told Nexstar's WJZY on Thursday. “His nose was busted up. His eyes were beat up. Wher...

3 major animal shelters in Austin holding weeklong, joint adoption event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pets Alive!, Austin Humane Society and Austin Animal Center will hold a “300 Homes” adoption promotion beginning Saturday and running through June 4.APA! said the goal of the partnership was to find loving homes for 300 animals in just one week.“The adoption fees for most animals at all three shelters will be waived throughout the week, aiming to provide as many animals as possible with a second chance at a happy life,” APA! said.According to the shelters, the waived fees were to help encourage people to provide a second chance to as many animals as possible."The savings help families purchase all the supplies needed to give their new pet a cozy home," APA! said.Image of "Rascal" from Austin Animal CenterImage of "Cat Stevens," an adoptable pet, from Austin Animal CenterImage of "Red ," an adoptable pet from, Austin Humane SocietyImage of "Ringpop" from Austin Humane SocietyImage of "You're My Butter Half " from Austin Pets Alive!Image of Margie, a former Aust...

Top 10 deadliest tornadoes in Texas history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

TYLER, Texas (KETK) - Since the year 1950, there have been more than 9,600 tornadoes that have touched down in Texas, causing nearly $7 billion in damages, more than 500 deaths and over 9,000 people injured, according to the El Paso Times' Tornado Archive.The National Weather Service says on average 72% of all tornado-related deaths are in homes, with 54% of those fatalities being people living in mobile homes. The NWS also says people in mobile homes are 15 to 20 percent more likely to be killed in comparison to those in a permanent shelter during tornadoes.Listed below are the top 10 deadliest tornados in Texas since 1900, according to the National Weather Service:The Waco Tornado (1953)Civilian, Army and Air Force workers, bolstered by heavy equipment, start the gigantic task of cleaning up wreckage remaining in the downtown area of Waco, Texas, May 14, 1953, in the aftermath of the May 11 tornado. (AP Photo)The deadliest tornado in Texas history took place on Mother's Day in 19...

Highest-rated free things to do in Texas, according to Tripadvisor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

STACKER — Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.The cost of living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.Think about the most common entries on a vacation getaway itinerary: Sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet.The truth is: Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping yo...

Texas rated worst state for Military Retirees — Here's how you can show them love

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Texas has to step up its A-game, with Memorial Day around the corner.Financial guide website, Wallet Hub released data on the best and worst states for military retirees. The state was ranked #32 out of #51 making it one of the worse states for military retirees, WalletHub states."Many retirees face major struggles including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, disability, and homelessness, which are especially difficult to deal with during this period of economic difficulty," WalletHub said. Texas is known for its love and generosity, so how can we as Texans support our veterans? Here are some ways to help support veterans in Texas:Become a Student Ambassador Encourage your child's school to register or their teacher's classroom to help raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. WWP provides life-saving services to veterans injured mentally or physically in the war. Honor Their Courage was launched in 2020 as a Student Ambassador Program. Donate Ther...

Texas spellers gear up for 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - From May 30 through June 1, Texas will send the most competitors of any state to the Scripps National Spelling Bee for its 95th annual competition in National Harbor, Maryland. The 231 qualifying spellers, said the organization, include nine to 14-year-olds from all 50 states, as well as 11 from neighboring countries and territories. However, Texas will boast the largest contribution to the pool with 21 competitors. The high number of spellers isn't Texas's only distinction, either. Among the 21 headed northeast from the Lone Star State, Kirsten Tiffany Santos from Houston is among two returning finalists from the 2022 national competition, when she tied for fifth with Surya Kapu from Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Akash Vukoti from San Angelo is returning to the competition for a record sixth time. RELATED: Two Austin students head to Scripps National Spelling Bee As noted by the organization, Texas is also home to one of three special recognitions for t...

Literary calendar: Poems from a UMN professor and a Pulitzer winner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

RAY GONZALEZ: Professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota celebrates release of “Suggest  Paradise,” a collection of complex poems that embody the Southwest and the borderlands. He will be joined by Jose Felipe Ozuna, Merle Geode, Kathryn Savage and Michel Torres. Gonzalez, author of 16 books of poetry, has won three Minnesota Book Awards and received a 2017 Fellowship in Poetry from the Library of Congress. Free. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Milkweed Books bookstore in the Open Book building, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls. For reservation information go to: milkweed.org/event.LYNETTE REINI-GRANDELL: Discusses “Wild Things: A Trans-Glam-Punk-Rock Love Story.” 7 p.m. Thursday, June 1, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.NASH JENKINS: Presents “Foster Dad Explores the Cosmos.” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.LUIS ALBERTO URREA: Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his nonfiction “The Devil...

Boy scouts to honor fallen soldiers with Memorial day flags

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

In salute to fallen soldiers, the Boy Scouts of America, Western Los Angeles County Council,  annual Memorial Day flag placement ceremony is taking place at the Los Angeles National Cemetery on Saturday. More than 300 Boy Scouts of America will help place over 90,000 flags on grave sites during the ceremony at 8 a.m. The ceremony will include speeches from the boy scouts and other groups honoring service members who died serving the country during significant moments in history including World War I and the Civil War. “Civic responsibility is an important part of scouting so every scout needs to understand and recognize the sacrifice that folks have made for this country and how they can contribute to their service to the community as well,” says Lee Harrison, CEO of Boy Scouts of America, Western Los Angeles County Council. Following the ceremony, Harrison says the boy scouts will visit each grave, plant a flag, and take a moment to recognize the soldiers’ contributions. &nb...

One killed, three wounded in Oakland shootings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:23 GMT

OAKLAND — One man was killed and three other men wounded in separate shootings that happened within four hours Friday night in different areas of the city, authorities said.None of the shootings appear to be related, police said.An arrest was made in one of the non-fatal shootings, police said.The fatal shooting happened about  11:55 p.m. Friday outside in the 8400 block of International Boulevard.Officers responding to a gunshot detection system alert found a 37-year-old Berkeley man bleeding and unresponsive from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.  His name has not yet been released.Police don’t have a motive yet for the shooting and are trying to determine if the man was shot by someone who approached him on the street or fired at him from a passing vehicle. No arrests have been made.Police believe the man was in Oakland to attend a social function in the area.The killing is the 40th homicide investigated by Oakland police...