As Xcel takes nuclear plant offline, it continues to reassure Monticello residents that water is safe

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

As Xcel takes nuclear plant offline, it continues to reassure Monticello residents that water is safe MONTICELLO, Minn. — Xcel Energy began shutting down its Monticello nuclear power plant on Friday after the continuing release of radioactive material the utility and regulators say is not dangerous but has prompted concerns among nearby residents.Xcel started the shutdown process, and after the plant cools over the next few days, workers will cut out a pipe that is more than 50 years old and had been leaking tritium-contaminated water, said Chris Clark, the Minneapolis-based utility’s president. The utility will then have the pipe analyzed in hopes of preventing similar leaks in the future, he said.Xcel had made a short-term fix to capture the leaking contaminated water and reroute it back into the plant for reuse until a permanent repair could be made next month. But Clark said plant operators discovered Wednesday that the container being used to catch the contaminated water had overflowed, resulting in a secondary leak that was determined to have reached the groundwater unde...

Groundbreaking for new, affordable home in Rotterdam

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Groundbreaking for new, affordable home in Rotterdam ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A groundbreaking ceremony took place for a new home in Schenectady County. Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County started to build a home on Cramer Avenue in Rotterdam.The property has been vacant since 2020 when a deteriorating home was demolished. The Capital Region Land Bank donated the property to Habitat for Humanity as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to affordable housing. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "There is a need for affordable housing in not only Schenectady County but in a lot of communities around the country, so it's really important to be able to have options like this for families," Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County Exec. Dir. Kathy Fernandez said. "Home ownership provides stability not only for the family but for the communities as well."This will be Habitat for Humanity's second home in Rotterdam. The first was completed in 2019.

New nominees for chief judge vacancy released

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

New nominees for chief judge vacancy released ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York state still needs a leader for it's court system, and the process to pick a new chief judge has taken a step forward. The state's commission on judicial nomination has released seven possible appointees for chief judge.Gov. Kathy Hochul must make an appointment by April 23. That candidate will be evaluated by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will make a recommendation to the full senate. The senate will then decide whether to confirm the nominee. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The nominees are Hon. Anthony Cannataro, Hon. Elizabeth Garry, Caitlin Halligan, Corey Stoughton, Hon. Shirley Troutman, Hon. Gerald Whalen, and Hon. Rowan Wilson.The previous nominee, Judge Hector LaSalle, had his nomination rejected by the full senate in February. A republican lawmaker filed a lawsuit over the process after the judiciary committee voted against advancing his nomination to the full senate. Some...

Adirondack Thunder hosting 'Stick It To Cancer' weekend fundraiser

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Adirondack Thunder hosting 'Stick It To Cancer' weekend fundraiser GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A massive fundraiser kicked off in Glens Falls on Friday. The Adirondack Thunder hosted their annual Stick It To Cancer weekend. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The fundraiser hopes to bring awareness to cancer prevention and raise money for local cancer programs. After Friday night's game, those who donate are invited to Paint the Ice. Fans can write a personal message or name of a loved one affected by cancer and seal them onto the surface for Saturday night's game. Event organizers said it's a weekend where the community can really come together."It's a very emotional time," Adirondack Thunder Dir. of Group Sales Jeff Casey said. "You kinda get people out on the ice that they paint the name and stand there for a second and reflect. You see the tears of joy and sadness. It's just a great emotional weekend for everybody." Supporting the Red Cross mission Not only are fans from all over the C...

Missouri House approves new round of income tax cuts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Missouri House approves new round of income tax cuts JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Just months after the General Assembly passed the largest tax cut in state history, the Missouri House approves another round of cuts. By a party-line vote, the lower chamber approved a proposal Thursday to reduce Missouri's income tax rate, cut the corporate income tax and eliminate the tax on social security. While some Republicans say it was a priority, Democrats warn this could hurt the state financially in the future. "It may be the largest, most irresponsible thing that we could possibly be doing at this moment," House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said after Thursday's vote. This tax cut package comes less than six months after the governor called a special session to lower the income tax rate. This session, it's priority for some GOP members to slash the rate again.  Top Stories: St. Louis lauds female firefighters, but denies promotions "This legislation will bring with it new jobs, higher wages and overall growth to our st...

Police ask public's help to track down thieves in University City break-ins

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Police ask public's help to track down thieves in University City break-ins UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. - Police are investigating two overnight break-ins that may be linked, and it was all caught on camera.Police asked for the public's help in tracking down the suspects.The surveillance video provided by the owner of Star Buds marijuana dispensary in Olive showed at least four suspects in hooded sweatshirts smashing their way through the front door to get inside. Top Stories: St. Louis lauds female firefighters, but denies promotions Chris Chesley, the manager at Star Buds dispensary, was able to call the police when he saw what was happening on the video, and they were there within minutes.“Last night, just after 2 a.m., I got an alert on my phone saying that our alarm was triggered," Chesley said. "I got on the phone with University City police to let them know that there is a future break-in going on. They got here extremely quickly. They were able to see the individuals exiting the parking lot and gave chase."Investigators said that once the thieves forced ...

Willow, a Rocky Mountain goat, dies suddenly at the Denver Zoo

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Willow, a Rocky Mountain goat, dies suddenly at the Denver Zoo Willow, a female Rocky Mountain goat, died suddenly Wednesday at the Denver Zoo.We're sad to announce that Willow, one of our female Rocky Mountain goats, passed away on the evening of March 22 after our animal care and health teams found her experiencing a medical emergency. pic.twitter.com/kK2806xXLF— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) March 24, 2023Animal care and health team members found Willow “experiencing a medical emergency” while she was miscarrying and she later died despite an hours-long effort to save her, the zoo said on Twitter.Related ArticlesColorado News | Denver Museum of Nature & Science ends COVID-era reservation policy for members Colorado News | 29-year-old giraffe born at the Denver Zoo euthanized due to failing health Willow, and two other mountain goats among the zoo’s band, were born in 2019 in Tacoma, Wash., according to the zoo. The trio from Washington was “rescued after being declared ‘nu...

Colorado attorney general warns of scams, fraud during busy tax season

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

Colorado attorney general warns of scams, fraud during busy tax season As the federal tax deadline approaches the Colorado Attorney General’s Office urges the public to be aware of scams and fraud related to taxes and tax filings.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Denver judge rejects plea deal for disbarred attorney Steve Bachar, calls it “a miscarriage of justice” Crime and Public Safety | 82-year-old Denver man charged with sale of fake Michael Jordan cards Crime and Public Safety | Consumers made 28% more complaints in Colorado last year, with retail problems on top again Crime and Public Safety | Disbarred Denver attorney Steve Bachar skips sentencing for felony theft, is now wanted on warrant “Whether you’ve already filed, you’re planning to file early, or you’re waiting until the deadline on April 18, Colorado taxpayers need to be on the lookout for scams at tax time,” Attorney General Phil Weiser stated in a news release. “Colorado usually sees an uptick in...

LAUSD negotiations continue as 3-day strike ends; no deal reached

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

LAUSD negotiations continue as 3-day strike ends; no deal reached More than 1,300 Los Angeles Unified School District campuses resumed classes on Friday following a three-day strike by union employees.After contract talks stalled and no agreements were reached, negotiations between the school district and the Service Employees International Union, Local 99, resumed at L.A. City Hall with Mayor Karen Bass mediating the talks. Local 99 represents around 30,000 teachers’ aides, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and other support staff.An SEIU board member tells KTLA that district officials have agreed to a 30 percent wage increase, but are pulling back on some stipulations, so no deal has yet been reached.SEIU Local 99 is asking for a 30% wage increase and better working conditions. LAUSD has offered a 23% wage increase over the next five years. SEIU said its workers on average earn around $25,000 a year. "We’re making sure both sides can try and reach an agreement,” said John Lewis, an LAUSD bus driver and bargaining member. “[Bass] is work...

California communities with the best public schools in 2023: Report

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:59:48 GMT

California communities with the best public schools in 2023: Report When it comes to buying a home, the quality of the area's public schools can play a major role in the planning decision — even if you don't have young children, proximity to quality districts can affect home values.Niche, a data site that specializes in education rankings, weighed a number of factors, including academic performance, diversity, parent/student surveys, sports, clubs and more to determine which communities in California have the best public schools in 2023.When it comes to the top 20 places in California, the greater San Diego area swept the top three spots, Niche found:PlaceMetro areaState2023 ranking2022 ranking2021 rankingRancho Santa FeSan Diego AreaCalifornia111Fairbanks RanchSan Diego AreaCalifornia222Del MarSan Diego AreaCalifornia333Los Altos HillsSan Francisco Bay AreaCalifornia465Solana BeachSan Diego AreaCalifornia544La Cañada FlintridgeLos Angeles AreaCalifornia657Palos Verdes EstatesLos Angeles AreaCalifornia799EncinitasSan Diego AreaCalifornia8712MoragaSa...