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First lady Jill Biden receives official White House Christmas Tree

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – First lady Dr. Jill Biden received the 2023 White House Christmas Tree alongside military-connected families Monday afternoon. The 18-and-a-half-foot tall Fraser fir came to Washington, D.C. from Fleetwood, North Carolina.Sticking with tradition, the tree was delivered to the White House by a horse-drawn carriage. Dr. Biden called the tree “magnificent” before mingling with military families who were invited to the annual holiday event. President Biden celebrates 81st birthday pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys This year’s tree was presented to the first lady by siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church from Cline Church Nursery. The nursery was crowned the 2023 Grand Champion Growers in the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest.The tree will stand floor to ceiling in the White House’s Blue Room. Every year the room’s chandelier is removed to accommodate the tree’s full height, according to White House officials.

100+ schools undergo safety upgrades via Austin's 'Safe Routes to School' program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Safe Routes to School program has completed improvements at more than 100 schools in the city's jurisdiction, with a goal to hit all 137 schools in the city's jurisdiction by late 2024, program leadership told city officials at a mobility committee meeting Thursday. Of the more than 100 schools already attended to, over 400 projects have been completed. Those tend to center on enhancing mobility to allow students and their families to safely walk or bike to campus, with upgrades including sidewalks, curb ramps, shared-use paths, bike facilities and trails.Safe Routes to School comprises four programs, including the city's nearly 200-crossing guard network that services almost 100 schools in Austin. Elsewhere in its coverage scope is its infrastructure program, born out of 2016 Austin Mobility bond dollars. The infrastructure program received $27.5 million to be divvied up equally among Austin's 10 council districts to address and mitigate safety ...

Police investigating crash between semi-truck, train in Hutto

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — A crash between a semi tractor-trailer and a train in Hutto left no injuries on Monday, the Hutto Police Department confirmed to KXAN.At approximately 1:50 p.m., police responded to Highway 79 and County Road 132 for a report of the crash.Crews responded to a crash involved a semi tractor-trailer and a train in Hutto on Monday | Jordan Belt/KXAN NewsCrews responded to a crash involved a semi tractor-trailer and a train in Hutto on Monday | Courtesy Hutto Police DepartmentCrews responded to a crash involved a semi tractor-trailer and a train in Hutto on Monday | Courtesy Hutto Police DepartmentCrews responded to a crash involved a semi tractor-trailer and a train in Hutto on Monday | Courtesy Hutto Police DepartmentCrews were still on the scene at the time this was published. Hutto PD said it is still investigating the crash, which will impact traffic.Drivers are urged to avoid the area or seek an alternate route.

Ben Johnson put Gophers men’s basketball team through ‘Winners Week’ to prepare them for season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

When Dawson Garcia was named Big Ten player of the week last week, the forward from Prior Lake credited cardio workouts he and his Gopher men’s basketball teammates did during preseason.“I’m in a lot better shape this year to start the season,” said Garcia, who leads Minnesota with 18.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. “This is a big testament to the work we put in as a team in the offseason. We had a Winners Week, and I really think that helped out tremendously — as it did the rest of the guys.”That is music to coach Ben Johnson’s ears.In September, Johnson set up a week’s worth of difficult cardio workouts for before sunrise and basketball activities for the afternoon. The team broke into groups and kept score throughout one week, hence the name “Winners Week.”“Finding ways to get these guys to understand they are winners and develop that mindset,” Johnson said Monday. “… Especially when you haven’t won, you have to find wins every day to build that self confidence and to view yo...

Twins legend Joe Mauer of St. Paul debuts on Hall of Fame ballot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

Joe Mauer’s case for the Hall of Fame will be considered for the first time this offseason.The 2024 ballot was released on Monday, and long-tenured members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will submit their votes between now and the end of the year with results being announced on Jan. 23.Candidates must play in the major leagues for at least 10 seasons and be retired for five years to appear on the ballot. Mauer, who retired after the 2018 season at age 35, will provide a compelling case for voters.The St. Paulite was a career .306 hitter, a three-time Gold Glove catcher and a six-time all-star during his 15 seasons, all with the home-state Twins.Mauer, who was selected first overall in the 2001 draft, had his best season in 2009, when he was named the American League MVP. He hit .365 with a 1.031 OPS and a career-high 28 home runs and 96 RBIs that year. He is the only catcher in major-league history to win three batting titles, doing so in three of four seasons betwee...

Was that a dirty hit on Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs? It sure looked like it.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

The play call from head coach Kevin O’Connell was too cute at the time. There was no reason to have quarterback Josh Dobbs take a quick toss from tight end T.J. Hockenson in a short-yardage situation. Frankly, it wouldn’t have made much sense in any situation.The fact that Dobbs absorbed a shot in the open field and fumbled the ball in the process added insult to injury. He shouldn’t have been put in that position in the first place. Why willingly give him the ball way behind the line of scrimmage with defenders barreling down at him at 100 mph?The decision was rightfully criticized in the immediate aftermath of the Vikings’ 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night at Empower Field. Taking a closer look at the sequence, however, the Vikings have every right to be upset with how the officials handled themselves in that moment.There should have been a flag thrown as Dobbs appeared to be the victim of a dirty hit from Broncos safety Kareem Jackson. Not o...

Man who was missing after leaving medical center found safe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

The University of Minnesota Police Department has canceled a missing person alert for Steven Skinaway, 33, who was last Saturday seen leaving M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.Officials said Monday afternoon he’d been located safe and they thanked everyone who assisted and shared information to help find him.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | 2 teens critically injured in single-vehicle crash on St. Paul’s Greater East Side Crime & Public Safety | Woodbury woman is driving force behind city’s K-9 program Crime & Public Safety | Police chief’s first year: Tackling gun violence, recruiting officers, forging community links Crime & Public Safety | U of M police seek help finding missing man Crime & Public Safety | Cottage Grove selects deputy chief as new fire chief

Testing finds elevated lead levels in some St. Paul drinking water

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

St. Paul Regional Water Services makes it their goal that 90% of all home tap water testing come back showing lead levels below 15 parts per billion. This year, for the first time in decades, more than a dozen homes out of 105 residential samples revealed lead levels at least slightly higher than the threshold, which is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and aims to trigger stepped-up action against lead.“The last time we had an exceedance was over 20 years ago,” said Racquel Vaske, deputy director of St. Paul Regional Water Services, noting home tap water testing occurs every few years through a sampling method. “This is something that most of us working here have not experienced in our careers thus far.”The 13 homeowners have all been contacted for retesting. The water utility is working with them on next steps, such as providing information about how to clean their faucet aerators, flush their lines or get their lead service lines replaced at ...

Albany Rebels hosting Irish sports training session series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Rebels Gaelic Athletic Association announced they will be hosting a free series of indoor Irish sports practice sessions. The series will run from December through the beginning of April. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Rebels, who compete in the Midwest Division of the United States Gaelic Athletic Association, specialize in Gaelic football and hurling, both of which are traditional sports that are popular in Ireland. Gaelic football has similarities with rugby, soccer and basketball, while hurling is reminiscent of lacrosse. Anyone who has ever had an interest in learning about or trying out Irish sports is invited to participate. While free to attend, a majority of the sessions will be held at Afrim's in Colonie, which requires a yearly $15 membership and a signed waiver, both of which can be completed online or at the practice sessions. No. 1 Saint Rose shuts out SNHU, advances to ...

Where to do your holiday shopping around Glens Falls

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:43:42 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The cold weather is closing in, and everyone is wondering when the first snow will fall. You don't have to wonder about one thing - where to shop for Christmas presents. Local businesses and artisans are laying out their wares, with no shortage of offerings for anyone looking to bring home something special. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! LARAC Holiday ShopFriday-Saturday, Nov. 17 - Dec. 23Local artists and craftspeople selling special gifts and goodsLower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) Lapham Gallery, 7 Lapham Pl.Shirt Factory Holiday Open HouseTwo weekendsFriday-Sunday, Nov. 24-26Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 9-10Holiday items and gifts on sale from artisans and shops around the Shirt FactoryThe Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St. Business roundtable convening at SUNY Adirondack Festival of TreesFriday-Sunday, Nov. 24-2632nd annual holiday festival with fully decorated trees for sale, all benefitt...