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Bill that would restrict access to gender-affirming care passes Texas Senate, heads to House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Senate Bill 1029, which would prevent state-funded health insurance from covering gender-affirming care (GAC), passed the Texas Senate this week and will soon head to the House for a vote. The bill was introduced in February by Republican Senator Bob Hall. It's one of 80 he's filed during the 88th Legislative Session. PREVIOUS: Texas Senate Bill aims to restrict access to gender affirming care, allow malpractice lawsuits for care Other bills filed by Hall include liability protection for providers and pharmacists who prescribe ivermectin to patients with COVID-19 (SB 301) and a bill to prohibit discrimination against people who choose not to get COVID-19 vaccinations (SB 308).Allison Chapman, a transgender activist and independent legislative researcher, told KXAN in February the bill “effectively bans” GAC coverage for children and adults in Texas.“I think the impact is going to be that doctors aren’t going to feel comfortable providing gender-affirming care,” C...

Sen. Ted Cruz introduces U.S. 'tranq' bill, sits down for a Q&A with KXAN

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced a bill Wednesday to enhance understanding of the street drug xylazine, or “tranq” – an animal tranquilizer increasingly showing up nationally in illicit drug supplies. Cruz and Welch introduced the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act to develop new tests for detection and establish better resources for the people working with the affected communities.  MORE: Xylazine, a sometimes deadly animal tranquilizer, detected in Texas supply Cruz talked with KXAN’s Sam Stark about how he hopes this new legislation will thwart the emerging threat so that xylazine won’t become as prevalent as fentanyl in the U.S. and Texas. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.  What is xylazine, and how rampant is it in the U.S. and Texas? “We're seeing that more and more law enforcement is encountering people who are taking a drug called xylazine,” Cruz said...

Lee Elia’s rant, 40 years later: How the Cubs manager’s 3-minute tirade became one of the most infamous speeches in history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

“I guess I lost it,” Chicago Cubs manager Lee Elia told reporters on April 29, 1983, hours after he made an epic rant ripping the team’s fans — a three-minute tirade peppered with more than 50 profane words including 30 “F-bombs.”Only a few reporters were present when Elia delivered the diatribe, but it soon became legendary after WSCR-AM 670 personality Les Grobstein captured it in full on his tape recorder.As the Tribune would later point out, Elia used four-letter words, 10-letter words and 12-letter words. These words are so filthy, even 40 years later, that Tribune editors will only allow an edited version to be included here. But unedited versions are out there — just Google Elia’s name.“It sounded like I was cursing the entire Cub kingdom,” Elia told the Tribune in 1987. “But that’s not true.”Here’s a look back at how Elia’s managerial frustration became one of the most infamous speeches...

Town of Milton announces refuse collection program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Milton and Twin Bridges have partnered to provide Milton residents with a town-wide refuse collection program. From April 29 to May 6, containers will be placed at the Town of Milton complex at 503 Geyser Road in Ballston Spa. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Residents can stop by from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents are asked to stay in their vehicles and follow directions from on-site personnel. The Town will verify the residency of participants. Acceptable items are as follows:Furniture: Sofa, Love Seats, Recliners, Tables, Chairs, Mattresses, Box Springs, Rugs/Carpets (4 feet or less, must be rolled), Patio FurnitureFixtures: Sinks, Toilets, Cabinets, Doors, ScreensMetals: Metal Doors, Pipes (4 feet or less), Fencing, Lawn Mowers, Weed Wackers, Trimmers (no gas or oil), Automotive parts (no gas or oil), Small Household Repair Materials, Small Metal ShedsItems not accepted are:Appliances: R...

NY State of Health partners with pharmacies to prepare for health insurance changes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan marketplace, announced they are partnering with pharmacies across the state. Their goal is to educate New Yorkers enrolled in public health insurance programs about impending changes to their coverage. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Enrollees in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan programs have not had to renew their coverage since 2020 due to continuous coverage requirements associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. However the December 2022 federal Consolidated Appropriations Act now require the state to resume eligibility redeterminations for over 8 million enrollees this spring. NY State of Health is attempting to increase outreach by working alongside the pharmacies Kinney Drugs, Shoprite Supermarkets, and Rite Aid in order to guarantee that participants don't suffer a gap in their coverage. Certified enrollment a...

City of Kingston to install two DCFC EV charging stations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Kingston will utilize a grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation's Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grant Program to install two electric vehicle charging stations at 2 Broadway. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The charging stations will be direct current fast charging EV stations open to the public. Currently, the City of Kingston has five locations with Level 2 EV chargers. Four more will come online in 2023. For a list of other locations around the region that also received grants for EV charging stations, click here.

Over 200 sellers coming to Greenwich antique fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

GREENWICH, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A county-wide antique fair is coming to Greenwich next weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, the Washington County Antique Fair comes to the Washington County Fairgrounds. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The antique fair is set to host over 200 dealers. On Facebook, the fair has encouraged dealers to share photos of hot items they will have for sale at the fair, getting results like vintage teapots and metal figures. The antique fair runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday. The show is one of two held annually at the fairgrounds, followed by one during the first weekend of August. Admission is $5 for the general public, $4 for those age 65 or older, and free for children under 14.

Cardinals cite logjam, lack of 'rhythm' behind Jordan Walker's return to minors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO - In somewhat of a shocking move, the St. Louis Cardinals optioned promising 20-year-old rookie outfielder Jordan Walker to the minor leagues on Wednesday. Walker burst onto the MLB scene less than a month ago after an impressive spring training run. He made his debut on Opening Day and began his career with a record-tying 12-game hitting streak.Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol told media members Wednesday said the decision was made, in part, due to a logjam of outfielders and young hitters, an opportunity he hopes will provide those at the top level more frequent opportunities. Trending -- ‘Weirdest St. Louis thing?’ Funny comments from FOX 2 fans “There is a need for some of these guys to go out there more often and get into a little bit of rhythm, and they just haven’t been able to do that because we do have five guys that are all deserving of playing every day,” Marmol said, pointing to guys often rotated like Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill. “But ...

Online argument leads to fatal teen shooting in a rural Missouri town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two young men were involved in a fatal shooting in a rural Missouri town. An 18-year-old man died during the incident and an 18-year-old woman was injured. Kaleb Ramsey and Tanner Watkins are charged with first degree murder, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.Police were called to Rotary Park in Sikeston, Missouri on Tuesday for reports of gunfire. That is where they found the victims and the suspects.Sikeston police tell WSIL-TV that the shooting was sparked by an argument on social media. The suspects and the victims agreed to meet at the park for a fight, which led to the shooting. Top story: Kim Gardner faces second contempt of court hearing The 18-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The injured woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries. The names of the victims have not yet been released by police.It did not take long for the 911 calls to be placed to police. The park is near a golf course, and officers wer...

Alarm helps St. Louis County Powerball player realize he won $1M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- You have around six months to claim any winning lotto ticket from a drawing in Missouri. That's why one player has an alarm to check his tickets every three months. That came in handy when he discovered he had a huge prize in his pile of tickets.The Missouri Lottery says that a player won a $1 million prize from the Powerball drawing on January, 2, 2023. It matched all five white-ball numbers drawn that evening. The ticket was purchased at the On the Run gas station in Rock Hill. It was months before the winner came forward. Top story: Kim Gardner faces second contempt of court hearing “I have an alarm set for me to check my tickets every three months,” the winner tells the Missouri Lottery. “So I didn’t know for a while.”His wife had a hard time believing him after he told her about the winning ticket. She thought it was a joke.The ticket was claimed at Missouri Lottery headquarters on March 29. The player plans on putting most of the money into his retirement saving...