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Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bonds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick strongly condemned antisemitism in the Texas GOP on Monday and announced that his campaign is purchasing $3 million in Israel bonds — the same amount that he received this summer from a group that recently hosted prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes.Patrick’s statement comes more than two weeks after The Texas Tribune first reported Fuentes’ meeting with the president of Defend Texas Liberty, a major donor to Texas Republicans including Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Fuentes’ appearance has set off a firestorm in the state, with top Republicans such as House Speaker Dade Phelan calling on their fellow party members to redirect the money they’ve received from the group to pro-Israel charities.The decision to redirect the $3 million is a reversal for Patrick. While a few Republicans followed suit, others — including Patrick — were defiant, framing the scandal as a one-off mistake or, in Patrick’s words, “a serious blunde...

TEA gives schools, parents extra resources related to Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid the Israel-Hamas war, the Texas Education Agency shared optional resources with Texas school systems "to help students talk about war and violence and better understand the conflict in Israel," the state agency said Friday.The TEA said the four optional resources can be used by parents and educators to support lessons and conversations with students about the conflict. "Parents and educators should determine which resources, if any, best fit the needs of their families and community," the state agency said. RELATED: How Texas is supporting Israel They include "How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War" from Common Sense Media; "What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?" for grades 9-12 from the Council on Foreign Relations; "Support for Classroom Discussion on the Hamas-Israel War" for grades 6-12 from the Institute for Curriculum Services; and "10 Ways to Have Conscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinia...

Biden launches 31 technology hubs nationally, including Minnesota MedTech 3.0 in St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

The Biden administration on Monday designated 31 technology hubs spread across the country — including St. Paul — to help spur innovation and create jobs in industries such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and clean energy that have previously clustered on the nation’s coasts.“We’re going to invest in critical technologies like biotechnology, critical materials, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing — so the U.S. will lead the world again in innovation across the board,” President Joe Biden said on Monday. “I truly believe this country is about to take off.”The hubs, chosen through a competitive application process, include “Minnesota MedTech 3.0,” or “MMT3.0,” to be led by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Economic Development Partnership, otherwise known as Greater MSP.Based in downtown St. Paul, Greater MSP plans to boost the state’s profile as a global center for “smart medtech” by...

Twins position breakdown: Third base

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

Royce Lewis’ return from a second knee surgery and subsequent emergence as a star-in-the-making was one of the most promising storylines of the Twins’ past season.Lewis, formerly a shortstop throughout his minor league career, adapted well to third base, and as the Twins look ahead into next season, that’s where they’re penciling him in. Selected first overall in the 2017 draft, Lewis figures to be an important part of the Twins’ core moving forward.2023 recapAfter a productive rookie season, the Twins headed into 2022 with Jose Miranda as their third baseman to begin the year. But Miranda, who was limited during spring training due to a shoulder injury, struggled immensely to begin the season.The Twins ultimately sent him down to Triple-A, only recalling him when they did because Lewis strained his oblique in early July. Miranda would quickly land on the injured list because of the shoulder. The last game he played was on July 9, marking what became a lost season for the 25-y...

Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels agree to long-term extension

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

Jaden McDaniels continued his work post-practice Monday at Mayo Clinic Square in downtown Minneapolis, putting in ample 5-on-0 work as he rehabilitates his calf back into form.Whether or not the 23-year-old wing is able to play in the Timberwolves’ season opener Wednesday in Toronto is still an unknown.Whether or not McDaniels will be in Minnesota for years to come is no longer a mystery.The Timberwolves and the young, defensive-minded wing agreed to a 5-year, $136 million extension Monday afternoon, just hours ahead of the league deadline. The move locks in McDaniels next to Anthony Edwards – who signed a max deal in July – as the youngest pieces of the franchise’s long-term core.Had no agreement been made, McDaniels would have gone to restricted free agency next summer. Minnesota almost certainly would’ve matched any offer another team made to the wing in that setting, but getting this deal done now certifies McDaniels’ long-term future in Minnesota, while avoiding any potential a...

Former Mayo Clinic doctor accused of fatally poisoning wife held on $2M bail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A 30-year-old Mayo Clinic physician who is accused of fatally poisoning his wife this summer is being held on $2 million bail after appearing before a judge in Olmsted County District Court.Connor Fitzgerald Bowman is charged with felony second-degree murder with intent but not premeditated. Judge Lisa Hayne ordered that he be held on $2 million bail provided he consent to GPS monitoring and not use or possess alcohol or controlled substances. Hayne also ordered that Bowman, who has been in custody in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center since Friday, can be released on $5 million bail without conditions.Connor Bowman (Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office)His wife, Betty Bowman, died on Aug. 20 after she went to an emergency room days earlier complaining of diarrhea and dehydration.The couple lived in Rochester, where Betty worked as a hospital pharmacist while Connor completed an internal medicine residency. Both worked at the Mayo Clinic.“We are awar...

Long Island woman renews interest in cold case investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A woman from Long Island is credited for the renewed interest in a Schoharie county cold case from 49 years ago. She moved to the county two years ago and her interest in the case has generated new leads and has reignited the community’s calls for justice for Kathy Kolodziej. Who murdered Kathy Kolodziej? That is the question many have been grappling with since 1974 when she was last seen alive at the vault tavern in Cobleskill – which is now a law office.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! It was Halloween night. Kolodziej was only 17 years old when she was murdered. She was from Long Island and was a student at SUNY Cobleskill. Tony Desmond was the state trooper who responded to the call when her body was found. “There’s only three of us still around living, the rest have passed away that were actually involved with that case when Kathy was first missing,” said Desmond.He’s glad to see...

Fire displaces Schenectady apartment building tenants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A fire has displaced dozens of residents at an apartment complex in Schenectady. An electric scooter containing a lithium ion battery was found inside the apartment where the fire started. MORE NEWS from NEWS 10The heat from flames sent residents of 736 Albany Street into the chill of the Schenectady streets Monday morning. Lori T. described the initial moments after the ignition. “You instantly hear the alarms go off in the building, and it's not an alarm that you can sleep through. About 8 o'clock this morning. I’m on the Albany Street side of the building, and I don't see any fire trucks out there. Then the fire trucks came, and they had crowbars in their hands, so this gotta be serious. Somethings going on" the tenant said. The Hillside Crossings Apartment resident says she even saw someone taking drastic measures to escape the fire.“There was a guy over top of me, that had an electrical scooter" said Lori. "And he was about to jump out of ...

Police ID man killed on Tesson Ferry while attempting to move dead deer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A man was struck and killed early Monday morning in south St. Louis County after exiting his vehicle to move a deer that had been struck by another driver.It’s rutting season at the moment—the time of year when deer are active early in the morning, at daybreak and at dusk.According to the Lakeshire and St. Louis County police departments, a deer was struck between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. along the southbound lanes of Tesson Ferry near Wolff Drive.A driver was struck after exiting his vehicle in the northbound lanes to move the deer.“Right now is the mating season for deer and a lot of other animals,” said Corporal Dallas Thompson, Missouri State Highway Patrol. “We are seeing a huge increase on deer strikes on our roadways, so we are seeing a lot of dead animal carcasses on the shoulders of the roadway, and sometimes they are out in the traffic lane.” When will Missouri see the first freeze of the season? Lakeshire Police Chief Tim Sullivan said the deceased m...

Woman’s remains identified in Aurora murder-suicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:24 GMT

The woman whose remains were found dismembered at the scene of an apparent murder-suicide at an Aurora apartment complex has been identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.The coroner’s office identified the woman as 62-year-old Elena Vonfeldt, according to a news release. Her death was ruled a homicide.Vonfeldt was reported missing by her son on Wednesday after she did not show up for appointments following a 7 a.m. housekeeping job at the complex in the Tollgate Overlook neighborhood, according to Aurora police.When officers entered the apartment where Vonfeldt was scheduled to work, they heard a gunshot and found 30-year-old Dwayne Jones dead as a result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jones was also identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Eastbound Colfax reopens after seven-vehicle crash, five people injured Crime and Public Safety | One dead, 19-year-old in custody...