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House passes defense spending bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The House sent the annual defense funding bill to President Joe Biden's desk today without many of the priorities Republicans wanted to include.This bill is usually an easy pass, but two provisions related to abortion and transgender issues made it more divisive.Alabama Republican Congressman Mike Rogers supported the legislation saying, "Enacting the NDAA has never been more vital than today."The bill approves $886 billion in defense funding which is an increase of nearly $30 billion from last year.The sweeping legislation includes the largest pay raise for service members in more than two decades.But some Republicans, like Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz still opposed the measure over what it didn't include."This bill came back in far worse shape," he said.This summer the House passed a version with controversial provisions related to abortion and transgender health care access, but the Senate removed those.The changes made it easier for Democrats like New Je...

'Wonka' review: Timothée Chalamet becomes a movie star

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — It's been 52 years since Roald Dahl's iconic chocolatier Willy Wonka first treated audiences to a world of pure imagination, but a new generation of fans are about to meet a new candy man this holiday season. After a delayed release, "Wonka," the latest film from "Paddington" director Paul King, is finally out Dec. 15. The musical fantasy stars Timothée Chalamet ("Dune," "Call Me By Your Name") as a young Wonka long before the events of Dahl's 1964 book or its subsequent film adaptations.Chalamet heads a robust cast of seasoned talent that includes Olivia Colman ("The Favourite"), Sally Hawkins ("The Shape of Water," "Paddington"), Keegan-Michael Key ("Schmigadoon!") and Hugh Grant ("Paddington 2," "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves"), just to name a few. ‘Barbie’ leads Critics Choice Awards with 18 nominations It's difficult to review "Wonka" without first reviewing its star, as the film — which is successful — is successful thanks in great part to him. Desp...

Letters: What’s a negative $2.4 billion plus a positive $2.4 billion?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

Simple $2.4 billion mathAs a Mathematics Teacher (I capitalize) I taught simple arithmetic on what are the current grounds of the Minnesota Supreme Court. I guess it should have been Refresher Math for our legislators and our governor, too. Instead, they didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when the governor waved two documents. One showed a $2.4 billion surplus for the next year two years, for which he smiled, and a $2.4 billion potential debt for the following two years for which he lamented. He didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. He was in need of another $2.4 billion from us taxpayers to cover the future debt.My Mechanic Arts students would have immediately known the simple solution: Save the $2.4 billion for two years now and cover the $2.4 billion debt for the costs ahead. Simple math. Simple legislators and a simple governor who once was a teacher, but no longer remembers.We can’t keep spending what we don’t have. Save it and you can.Tom King, West St. Paul They could...

Texas men charged in Roseville ATM ‘hook and chain’ heist, a growing problem across U.S.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

Five Texas men are accused of using a stolen pickup and a chain to yank an ATM from its foundation outside a Roseville bank early Tuesday in a heist that was foiled by an alarm and an officer who pulled up to the scene.Law enforcement and banking security officials say these “hook and chain attacks” are gaining in popularity among thieves in the U.S. and rising to unprecedented numbers.Roseville Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams said Thursday the FBI is among law enforcement agencies working to see whether the Roseville suspects are tied to a Texas-based organized group known as the “Hook and Chain Gang” carrying out the thefts across the U.S.“The hard part is going to be whether these five guys are the gang or whether there are like 100 guys doing this,” Adams said.In the Roseville attack, one suspect was captured after he sped away from Great Southern Bank, across from Rosedale Center, in the stolen pickup and crashed. The others were tracked back to a nearby h...

Albany County Legislature adopts 2024 County Budget

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A $819.9M spending plan was approved by the Albany County Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year. The 2024 budget seeks to provide relief to taxpayers and deliver social and economic relief to those impacted by the pandemic. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! To aid the recovery of small businesses and local organizations, the legislature has designated $400,000 towards strengthening the economic landscape. The Advance Albany County Alliance will use the funds to spur growth, increase employment, and retain a robust workforce. $3 million is being invested in the Albany County Improvement Initiative, allowing the legislature to take collective action on issues. This includes development initiatives, which will improve the quality of life for residents. Albany County has also seen an increase in asylees this year. To help them settle and find work opportunities, $100,000 has been set aside for an asylee transporta...

Temple shooting suspect in federal court for new charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Mufid Fawaz Alkhader is facing a second charge: Conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Court documents allege he had a friend buy a shotgun for him back in November, that was later used outside Temple Israel in Albany hours before the first night of Hanukkah. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to those documents, Alkhader told police he wanted to buy a gun but was ineligible because of a prior order of protection or restraining order. He then contacted a friend, identified in the court documents at "Co-Conspirator #1," who agreed to purchase a shotgun for him. That individual told police they were given $700 cash to buy the gun and paid at least $200 to make the purchase, lying on the ATF forms in the process, which is a federal crime. According to police, Alkhader then used that shotgun outside Temple Israel in Albany on Dec. 7, leading to a lockdown of the temple, where ...

Celebrate the New Year with a Capital Region hike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is encouraging residents to get outdoors and celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike. These hikes are happening across the Capital Region on January 1, 2024. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The 13th annual event features staff and volunteer led hikes. The walks and hikes are free and most are family-friendly, ranging from one to five miles.First Day Hikes in the Capital RegionCat Mountain in Bolton LandingRound-trip distance of 4.1 miles and should take 2.5 hours to completeStarts at 9:30 a.m.Register by emailing [email protected] or calling (518) 338-8173Prospect Mountain in Lake GeorgeThree-mile round trip, meet at trailhead at 10 a.m.Register by emailing [email protected] or calling (518) 623-1268 by December 28Moreau Lake State ParkMoreau Lake State Park is offering a Nature Trail hike at 10 a.m. and a Mud Pond Trail hike at ...

Upside: Cohoes Fire Dpt. shares Christmas magic & presents to kids in need

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) — For over 40 years, an initiative from the Cohoes Fire Department—Cheer for Children—has provided toys to kids in need of some Christmas magic. Firefighters partner with the community, gathering gifts at multiple drop-off locations year-round. In addition to presents, the department sprinkles even more Christmas spirit through two yearly events.“The faces of the kids when they see Santa," Jack Daigneault, Retired Cohoes Firefighter, said. “It’s a big program. It’s a lot of work, but it’s very enjoyable when you see those faces on the kids.” This year, Cheer for Children has added an online holiday shop to its fundraising efforts. The store offers everything from Cheer for Children hoodies and coffee mugs to tree skirts and aprons. All of the purchase sales go toward purchasing gifts and upcoming events.On Sunday, December 17, the Cohoes-Waterford Elks Club and The Uniform Firefighters of Cohoes will host an annual breakfast with Santa Claus. The public is inv...

Defense bill clears Congress without compensation for St. Louis nuclear waste victims; Hawley vows 'this is not the end'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. House approved an $886 billion national defense policy bill on Thursday. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for review after clearing the Senate earlier this week.The latest-approved version of the National Defense Authorization Act does not include compensation for victims of waste around the St. Louis area. Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has been pushing to expand coverage under the annual defense bill's Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for several months. He previously proposed a RECA amendment to fund victims who suffered an autoimmune virus, a genetic disorder, or cancer from radioactive contamination in the St. Louis area that stems back to the World War II era. Hawley told FOX 2 on Thursday, with the annual defense bill clearing both legs of Congress, it's no longer possible for this year's bill to include compensation for St. Louis-area nuclear radioactive victims. "Because of the deal Congressional leadership made, they've closed up the...

The Headless Bat pizzeria to open in south St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A new pizzeria is set to open in St. Louis, paying homage to heavy metal fans. From the dish names to the dark-themed artwork, this is a place not meant for the faint of heart.The Headless Bat, a specialized restaurant in heavy metal, horror, and “everything generally awesome,” is coming to the Tower Grove South neighborhood in St. Louis. Situated where the London Tea Room used to be. The establishment is the brainchild of owner Rick Giordano.According to Giordano, “Ozzy Osbourne infamously bit the head off a live bat on stage, thinking it was a rubber toy. As the singer of Black Sabbath, he’s often considered the Godfather of heavy metal, so the name is kind of a nod to him. I also just think it’s a cool name, and it gives you a bit of insight into what to expect inside. If you get the reference or think the name is cool, you’ll probably enjoy it here.”A soft opening for friends and family is scheduled for December 15 and 16, with plans to open to the public the follow...