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DeSantis vows to revoke funding for COVID vaccines if elected in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

(The Hill) – GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he will revoke funding for COVID-19 vaccines if elected to the White House next year.“Certainly, we're not going to fund them,” he said in an interview with ABC. “I think that the Biden is spending billions and billions of dollars on these. So they've done studies. They have not demonstrated the benefit of the boosters.”DeSantis, who remains a strong opponent of mandating COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic measures, claimed that there isn't enough research to show whether the benefits of the new boosters outweigh the potential risks.  What are the side effects of the new COVID booster? President Biden said last month that he plans to ask for more funding from Congress for the development of a new coronavirus vaccine — a move that could face hurdles as a similar request to combat the virus was blocked by Congress last year. “I signed off this morning on a proposal we have...

Where the UAW strike stands one week in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The week after United Auto Workers members walked off the job, their protest could expand.Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the workers "have sacrificed" and are due a fair share of automakers' record profits."Particularly when senior executives and the CEO continue to get huge increases in their pay, workers believe they should have their fair share as well," Peters said.Ford, General Motors and Stellantis say they want to strike a deal by Friday to avoid an even larger strike. All three companies have offered better pay and benefits, but rejected the union's demands to increase pay by 40%, citing the high cost of making electric vehicles."Ford alone lost $4.5 billion on their EV line last year," Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said.He blamed Democrats' clean energy policies for putting autoworkers in a bind."This is a direct result of this radical climate agenda that the Biden administration has been pushing," Schmitt said. "And now it's having a real-life impact on...

San Antonio's first ever nonstop flight to Europe taking off in May

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — San Antonio International Airport just got a little more international. The airport is welcoming its first-ever nonstop flight to Europe beginning in May.German airline Condor will launch flights to Frankfurt, Germany, on May 17. The seasonal route will operate through Sept. 6."This a spectacular win for San Antonio," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. "This is the first time people in San Antonio will be able to fly from SAT to Europe nonstop and vice-versa. Germany is where San Antonio has the most demand for travel in Europe because of the cultural, historic, tourism, military and business ties."Nirenberg said the flight is expected to have an annual $34 million economic impact on the region.Tickets are already on sale. Flights will run three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.The airline previously operated nonstop flights to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, beginning in June 2016, but the route was canceled several years ago. LIST: Here are all the new...

Austin's Louis Shanks Furniture closing its stores after 78 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After 78 years, a family-run Central Texas furniture store is closing its doors for good. Louis Shanks Furniture announced on social media Wednesday it's going out of business, thanking its customers who have been around since 1945. The company's inventory must be liquidated as a result. A Furniture Today article confirmed the business will be closing both of its locations in Austin and San Antonio. ‘Oldest brewery in North Austin’ announces closure after nearly 15 years operating Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)The company has been in the same family for four generations, according to its website, and it all started with Louis Shanks, who went to work for the Kroehler Company after graduating high school. After spending time in West Texas, Shanks moved his family to Austin to try out retail, the website said. Yo...

Letran-Garcia is named new CEO for Interfaith Action

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

Liliana Letran-Garcia is the new CEO of Interfaith Action, a nonprofit made up of diverse faith communities working to support those seeking to achieve economic stability and mobility.Letran-Garcia will begin on Oct. 2.“Liliana has a strong commitment to social justice and community development combined with a deep understanding of the role the interfaith community can play in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality,” said Interfaith Action Board Chair Cyndi Lesher, in a statement. “She has proven leadership skills and incredible energy. We look forward to what she will bring to Interfaith Action.”She was chosen after a search by a committee of community leaders, board members, and staff — assisted by the firm ofBallinger Leafblad. There were dozens of applicants, according to Interfaith Action officials.Letran-Garcia previously served as vice president of Programs for Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). In that role she oversaw development and impleme...

High school football: Week 4 predictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

Here are some of Friday’s top high school football games involving East Metro teams:St. Thomas Academy (2-1) at Mahtomedi (2-1), 7 p.m.The rivalry game that could very well determine the Northstar-East-Maroon (got all that?) subdistrict championship, though Robbinsdale Armstrong could have something to say about that. Early-season losses leave questions about whether either program is “as good as it usually is.” For the winner, those queries will fade. For the loser, they’ll likely only intensify. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 23, Mahtomedi 20Woodbury (2-1) at East Ridge (1-2), 7 p.m.An intracity rivalry game again expected to draw a packed house, the duel also always carries massive section implications. Coming off back-to-back losses, East Ridge can ill afford another loss to a contending team if it hopes to host a playoff game later this fall. On the fun side, it’s a thrill to watch East Ridge’s Tanner Zolnosky and Woodbury’s George Bjellos sling the football around the fiel...

Local artist — and former Army bassoonist — named executive director of Franconia Sculpture Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

Alex Legeros, the new executive director at Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minn., photographed on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, on benches created in 1994-1995 by Fuller Cowles and Connee Mayeron in collaboration with inmates at the Minnesota Correctional Facility — Shakopee. (Courtesy of Franconia Sculpture Park)Alex Legeros spent part of 2016 at Franconia Sculpture Park creating a sculpture called “Sugar Shack.”He’s now spending time at the park near Taylors Falls in a new role: executive director.“Sugar Shack,” by Alex Legeros and Thomas Putzier. (Courtesy of Franconia Sculpture Park)He succeeds Ginger Shulick Porcella, who left in January to become executive director of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, Calif.Getting the job was the “chance of a lifetime,” Legeros said.“When people would tell me they had found their calling, I was always, like, ‘Huh. Really?’ But now I’ve found mine,” he said. “In the world that we live in, things feel like they can be too...

1 dead after bus carrying students to band camp crashed in New York: officials

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

NEW YORK (PIX11) ---- At least one person died and several others were injured after a bus carrying students from Long Island to a band camp overturned on a New York highway Thursday afternoon, officials said. The bus crashed on I-84 in Middletown at 1:12 p.m., police said. It was carrying students from the Farmingdale School District to a camp in Pennsylvania. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told NBC that there were around 45 people on the bus, mostly children. He said at least five people were badly hurt.“We were informed that there had been an accident with Bus 1 en route to Greeley, PA for Band Camp. Police and emergency responders on the scene, as well as district administration. We will provide another update when more information becomes available. We ask for your patience as we gather more details," according to a statement from the Farmingdale School District. Video taken from news helicopters showed the bus lying on its side in trees an...

Four years later: Remembering a crazy Cardinals comeback against the Cubs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

CHICAGO - Do you remember the 21st day of September? In 2019, during one of the St. Louis Cardinals' recent runs at postseason, they pulled off a thrilling comeback against the rival Chicago Cubs. The marathon featured six lead changes and 16 pitchers over four and a half hours, and the Cardinals outlasted the Cubs for a 9-8 victory. The marathon win was the third of four consecutive wins for the Cardinals in a Wrigley Field sweep of the Cubs. Late-game heroics lifted the Cardinals to triumph. In the ninth inning, as the Cardinals trailed 8-7, the Cubs called upon reliable veteran closer Craig Kimbrel. And in matter of minutes, on just two pitches, the Cardinals flipped the script with back-to-back blasts. 200 WINS! Adam Wainwright caps career with long-awaited milestone On the first pitch, Yadier Molina unloads for a game-tying home run. "First pitch, and a high fly ball. Left-center, at the wall. GONE!," said then-Cardinals lead broadcaster Dan McLaughlin. "He tied it, he tied ...

Mehlville School District on alert; after-school activities canceled

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:55 GMT

MEHLVILLE, Mo -- Due to the escaped inmate, the St. Louis County Police have instructed the Mehlville School District to implement a "secure" plan while they search for the inmate.During the "SECURE" procedure, all doors are locked, and students remain inside the building. Entry and release are closely monitored to ensure the safety and supervision of the students."SECURE" is implemented when there is a threat or hazard outside the school building. It leverages the security of the physical facility to provide protection. Throughout this procedure, all students and staff are brought inside, and all exterior doors are locked. Classes can continue without interruption within the building.All students and staff are safe, and classes are proceeding as usual without any disruptions. FOX2 will provide updates as more information becomes available or when the "SECURE" procedure is lifted.The school district is also canceling all elementary and middle school after-school activities. Y Club i...