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Auto strike settlements will raise costs for Detroit’s Big 3. Will they be able to raise prices?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — From generous pay and benefits to stronger job security, the United Auto Workers union won significant concessions in tentative settlements that have ended their strikes against Detroit’s three automakers.Now, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis are facing sharply higher labor costs, estimated by some analysts at exceeding $1 billion per year, per company. The automakers will try to absorb those cost increases through expense reductions and efficiencies while still aiming to post strong enough profits to please Wall Street.In addition, analysts say, the companies will likely try to offset their cost increases by raising vehicle prices for consumers. How much they’ll be able to do so, though, remains unclear. American auto buyers are already facing enormous price runups since the pandemic: The average new-car price has soared roughly 25% since the pandemic struck three years ago.Customers might assume that nonunion automakers, like Toyota, Tesla or Hyundai-Kia, w...

Alberta moves to strengthen legislation before proposed opioid class-action lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

EDMONTON — The Alberta government has introduced updated legislation that it says would help make sure anyone who contributed to the opioid addiction crisis is held responsible.Dan Williams, the minister of mental health and addiction, says the proposed changes aim to strengthen the province’s position in current class actions to recover opioid-related health-care costs and other damages.The legislation would make pharmaceutical consultants subject to potential legal action, clarify a definition of opioid products and amend a formula to calculate damages.Williams says the province would use any future damages to support those who are suffering from mental health challenges or for addiction recovery programs.In 2018, British Columbia filed a proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of Ottawa, the provinces and territories against more than 40 opioid makers and distributors. It accuses them of downplaying the harmful effects of this group of painkillers, misrepresenting the risk ...

Cameron tries to energize growing GOP base in challenging Democratic incumbent in Kentucky

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Looking to energize his party’s growing base, Republican Daniel Cameron picked apart Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s record Tuesday in Kentucky’s hotly contested gubernatorial campaign.Cameron took aim at the incumbent’s veto of transgender bills and handling of the pandemic while linking Beshear to the nation’s top Democrat in the White House.Campaigning in the heart of Republican territory, Cameron made a direct appeal to teachers, vowing to support an education system that stresses basics. He’s attempting to reclaim ground his party lost with teachers — whose voting clout helped vault Beshear into the governor’s office four years ago. Beshear says he has pursued an education-first agenda and is vowing to push for big pay raises for teachers and other public school personnel if he wins a second term.Beshear and Cameron, one-time law firm colleagues, are making closing arguments to voters ahead of Election Day next Tuesday...

Freeze Warning in effect for parts of Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first widespread freeze of the season is expected in portions of Central Texas tonight -- and across more of the area tomorrow night -- several weeks ahead of when we typically see it.Cool northerly breezes are still blowing Halloween evening, keeping temperatures much colder than normal for Oct. 31. Trick-or-treat plans should include a jacket, with temperatures falling through the 50s through 9 p.m., and the 40s thereafter.A Freeze Warning is in effect for Williamson and Milam counties, in addition to the entire Hill Country, for the first widespread freeze of the season in those areas Wednesday morning. The Freeze Warning does not include Travis County nor our eastern communities, although we expect a colder morning on Thursday when Freeze Warnings may be issued for more of us.Communities expecting a freeze should take steps to protect:PetsPipesPlantsPeople BLOG: First freeze of fall possible on Wednesday Temperatures warm steadily late this week into the w...

State calls use-of-force expert in APD officer's murder trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

Editor's note: The video above is KXAN's coverage of day 6 (Monday, Oct. 30, 2023) in Christopher Taylor's trial. AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors have nearly wrapped up their case against Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who is on trial for murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor's attorneys are likely to take over Wednesday morning. Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trial Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.Prosecution: Final expert witnessesThe jury heard from a use-of-force expert, Seth Stoughton, as a final witness for the state Tuesday. He is a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law and the faculty director of the Excellence in Policing and Public Safety program there. Stoughton has testified in several high-profile police trials previously as a use-of-force expert, he said. That incl...

Gov. Abbott announces statewide veterans hiring fair in November

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday a statewide hiring initiative for Texas veterans, service members and veteran spouses running through November.The 2023 Hiring Red, White, & You! hiring fair will operate from Nov. 1-17, per a news release. It's held in collaboration between the Texas Workforce Commission and the Office of the Governor alongside local workforce development boards, the Texas Medical Center and the Texas Veterans Commission, the release added.The hiring fair "connects military veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses with Texas employers seeking their exceptional skills and experience," the release read in part.“One of the many reasons our state is the economic engine of America is we continue to encourage employers to tap into the talent of our brave veterans who selflessly answered the call to serve our nation,” Abbott said in the release. “From leadership skills, high-quality professionalism, and mission-driven mindsets, Texa...

Starlink to host hiring event for Bastrop facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- Starlink announced on social media Monday it would host a hiring event on Nov. 4 to find new hires for its production facility in Bastrop. The satellite-based internet service provider, engineered by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is looking to "keep up with surging demand for connectivity around the world," per the social media post. Those interested in becoming a production associate are asked to sign up by 8 p.m. CT on Friday in order to attend the event.Job openings in Bastrop include wastewater treatment specialists, warehouse supervisors, warehouse specialists along with senior product and compliance engineers. A complete list of all Starlink jobs at its facilities is available online.The manufacturing site is located at 858 FM 1209 in Bastrop.

Steep physical decline with age is not inevitable. Here’s how strength training can change the trajectory.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

Raise your hand if you regularly find yourself walking up a flight of stairs. What about carrying heavy bags of groceries? How about picking up your child or grandchild? Most of us would raise our hands to doing at least one of those weekly, or even daily.As people age, it can become more and more difficult to perform some physical tasks, even those that are normal activities of daily living. However, prioritizing physical fitness and health as you get older can help you go through your normal day-to-day routine without feeling physically exhausted at the end of the day.It can also help you continue to have special memories with your family and loved ones that you might not have been able to have if you weren’t physically active. For example, I ran two half-marathons with my dad when he was in his 60s.I am an exercise physiologist who studies how people can use resistance training to improve human performance, whether it be in sports and other recreational settings, in everyday life...

South St. Paul man sentenced for part in deadly St. Paul funeral home gunfight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

A South St. Paul man has been sentenced to three years of probation and 90 days in the county workhouse for taking part in a deadly gun battle outside a St. Paul funeral home, where a family was mourning a relative fatally shot less than three weeks earlier that month in the city.Jesus Hernandez, 22, was one of four men charged with second-degree assault in connection with the Feb. 21, 2022, shooting at Simple Traditions by Bradshaw funeral home on the West Side.Jesus Hernandez (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)The shooting, which claimed the life of 28-year-old Agustin Martinez of Crystal, happened as mourners were gathered for the funeral for Casanova Carter, 26, who was killed at his West Side home on Feb. 1, 2022.Four other men were wounded in the funeral home gunfight, and houses and vehicles were struck by bullets.Murder charges have not been filed in Martinez’s death. A spokesperson for the Ramsey County attorney’s office said at the time charges were file...

Saratoga mayor candidate talks issues with News10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:29 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -  Voters in more the two dozen Capital Region cities and towns are deciding who will run their municipalities. Mayor races are on the ballot in four local cities.Perhaps the most contentious race is in Saratoga Springs. Three candidates are campaigning for the office that has been at the center of controversy and confrontation. But there are other issues facing the Spa City. Republican John Safford is trying to unseat the democratic incumbent Ron Kim. When it comes to homelessness, Safford says he has the experience and the contacts to unify the city."The hope is that the homeless task force can kind of put everything together," said Safford. Right now he says different people are doing different things but he adds, "I know all these people so I think I'm in a better position to put it all together and make it work."Safford is also taking on Chris Mathiesen, who lost to Kim in the June primary but is running on the One Saratoga party line. We sa...