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Lawmakers introduce bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) -- "We will stand with the LGBTQ+ community forever," said Hakeem Jeffries.Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined other lawmaker calling for better protections for LGBTQ+ Americans."Many live in fear that around the corner could be violence or bigotry or state-sanctioned hate directed at them, just for who they are," said Sen. Jeff Merkley.They say that's why congress needs to pass the equality act."It is not illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It's incredible," said Sen. Chuck Schumer.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says the bill amends the civil rights act to extend non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ community.Schumer continued, "They deserve peace of mind...knowing their rights will be protected in this country."Louisiana Senator John Kennedy agrees...life should not be harder for those Americans."I don't think people ought to be discriminated against because of an immutable characteristic, I don't," said Sen....

Severe storms moving through Hill Country, Austin metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin set an unofficial heat index record Wednesday afternoon as "feels like" temperatures soared to 117°. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. Excessive Heat Warning in effect until 9 p.m. WednesdayStrong to severe thunderstorms are moving into the area, capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. Frequent lightning is a significant danger in many areas this evening as well.Evening and overnight severe weather threat (SPC)A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for all of the Austin Metro, parts of the Hill Country and all of our Eastern Counties until 11 p.m.Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 p.m.Austin FC fans heading to the 8:30 p.m. game Wednesday should keep an eye to the sky and heed official warnings if storms threaten.1-2" of rain is possible in the heavier storms as they bring brief, welcome heat relief tonight. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July? A few isolated storms remain in the forecast Thursday and Frid...

The Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In shutting down its Mueller location

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In announced Wednesday it is closing down its Mueller location on July 5. The iconic local business will, however, open another spot to replace Mueller in several months. The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In has operated in Austin since 2009. The owner, Josh Frank, said it’s common for them to find an open site, set up some movie screens for a few years and then move on to another location. Since opening, they’ve operated from five different spaces, Frank said.  MORE: ‘It hurts so much’: Austin Blue Starlite Drive-in theater chain reports $20,000 in equipment stolen They were at the Mueller location for a little more than four and a half years; Frank said he is going to miss operating from there. “We became a part of the community, and we just love that community and the people,” Frank told KXAN. “It's this really great little part of town that we've been in where it still feels like old Austin,” he continued. Though July 5 ...

Jorge López said trip to injured list was Twins’ idea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

Going to the 15-day injured list for his mental health was the Twins’ idea, Jorge López said Wednesday.“It was more their decision. I just accepted,” López told reporters before a 6:40 p.m. first pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. “I think it’s something I really appreciate, to recognize that and work through that.”López hasn’t pitched since he surrendered three earned runs on five hits in the ninth inning of an 8-4 loss to Detroit on June 15. In 29 relief appearances this season, he’s 2-2 with a 5.00 earned-run average, and has given up 28 hits and walked 10 in 27 innings pitched.“This game is more mental than physical,” he said. “You work as much as you can to get your body and everything like that (in shape), but at the same time, you’ve got to do your mind. That’s what I’m trying to do every day, get my mind fresh and start clean.”The right-hander said he was letting his emotions get the better of him on the mound.“Just little stuff where bad outings, I’d st...

Twin Cities Jazz Festival and Twin Cities Pride among the big non-Taylor Swift events this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

Perhaps you’ve heard that global pop superstar Taylor Swift is coming to town to headline U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday and Saturday nights. More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend what’s become the biggest pop music tour of the century.But there are a handful of other big events taking place over the weekend fueled by warm weather and plenty of post-pandemic demand. Here’s a look at some other non-Swift options.AlabamaFans of classic country are in luck, as multi-platinum act Alabama is playing Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, with Eddie Montgomery, of Montgomery Gentry, opening. Alabama ruled the country charts in the ’80s with a breathtaking 27 No. 1 singles, including “Feels So Right,” “Love in the First Degree,” “Mountain Music,” “Touch Me When We’re Dancing” and “Southern Star.” Many of the songs crossed over to pop radio as Alabama toured relentlessly with stages reminiscent of those ...

Meat grown from animal cells? Here’s what it is and how it’s made

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

The U.S. government is allowing the sale of chicken made from animal cells.California companies Upside Foods and Good Meat were granted permission on Wednesday to sell their products by the Agriculture Department.Livestock doesn’t need to be raised and killed to produce this new type of meat, which proponents say is better for the animals and for the environment because land does not need to be cleared for grazing or growing feed.Currently, the U.S. uses over 1 billion acres of land for agriculture, or just over half of total land — the majority of which is used for grazing cattle.WHAT IS IT?It’s meat grown from the cells of animals in steel tanks. Though it’s known in the industry as cultivated meat, it’s sometimes called cultured meat, lab-grown meat or cell-based meat. There are more than 150 companies around the world trying to develop these food products. They’re working on a variety of meats: chicken, beef, pork and lamb.WHERE CAN YOU GET IT?At this point, you can’t buy these ...

43-year-old Missouri inmate dies awaiting execution for elderly couple's murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — A 43-year-old death row inmate in Missouri has died awaiting execution for murdering an elderly couple who caught him breaking into their home, prison officials said Wednesday.Jesse Driskill died June 12 at a prison in Potosi. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy is planned, said Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson Karen Pojmann.Driskill, from the town of Lebanon in southern Missouri, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 82-year-old Johnnie Wilson and his 76-year-old wife Coleen. Driskill was also convicted of sexually assaulting Coleen. Festus woman charged after meth found on floor of child day care The couple had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary when they interrupted Driskill burglarizing their home in Lebanon in 2010.He appealed the convictions, claiming his lawyers were ineffective. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld his convictions in 2021.No execution date had been set for Driski...

How delegates are chosen with no presidential primary in Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - For decades, Missouri voters have gone to the polls to vote in a presidential preference primary. But not anymore.If you were a Missouri voter in 2020, right before the start of the pandemic, you might remember heading to the holes to vote for your favorite candidate in the presidential preference primary. Last year, the General Assembly voted to do away with it. The state's top election official says that election was only for show anyway."What has changed is we are no longer misleading people to tell them, that if they vote in the primary, they will get to select the presidential nominee," Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said. "We've subsequently always had the primary and the caucus, but the caucus has actually made the determination about who would receive the votes from Missouri to be president."Instead of heading to the polls every four years to vote in a primary race, caucuses get to decide how delegates are awarded."Unless that primary determines who th...

Miles Mikolas outpitched as the Nationals cool off the Cardinals, 3-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the drizzle at first pitch developing into steady rain by the middle innings, Trevor Williams simply tried to throw a bunch of strikes and stay mentally tough.Williams outpitched Miles Mikolas in soggy conditions, CJ Abrams went 3 for 3 with a homer and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 on Wednesday to end a five-game skid.“When it's raining and you see rain in the forecast, it's easier to kind of shut your mind off thinking that we're going to get rained out,” Williams said. “For everyone to come and play and be locked in from the first pitch was huge for us.”With the rain getting heavier in the fifth inning, Abrams sent a 1-0 fastball from Mikolas (4-5) into the visitors' bullpen in left-center.“He was throwing those sinkers running away from me, so I was just trying to go the other way with it,” Abrams said. “I didn't think it was going to go out, but it left.”Williams (4-4) allowed five hits and threw 75 pitches while working into t...

Rappelling down 40-foot buildings to crime investigations, girl scouts are learning skills from first responders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A group of 24 girl scouts got the opportunity to work firsthand with first responders, learning the ins and outs of the job and picking up some of their skill sets.Camp Fury STL is helping the future of the force while empowering girls.Multiple Missouri police and fire agencies supported the camp, but the St. Louis County Police Department and Wellston Fire were the ones who taught the girls about public safety skills. Through the agencies, the campers are learning everything from search and rescue skills, crime scene investigation tactics, and confidence-boosting through adrenaline-driven activities such as aerial climbing, rappelling, canine tracking, and even extinguishing a live fire. Festus woman charged after meth found on floor of child day care On Wednesday, the Scouts left their saddled site at Camp Fiddlecreek to take on some work at the St. Louis County Police Crime Lab. It covered over 60 municipalities; the team at the crime lab taught techniqu...