Opposing groups to have events on the importance of books at the Round Rock Public Library Saturday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Opposing groups to have events on the importance of books at the Round Rock Public Library Saturday WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) –  A conservative group from Williamson County is hosting an event Saturday at the Round Rock Public Library sponsored by Brave Books, a traditional and Christian values children's books organization. One Round Rock woman is hosting an additional event as a response.The founders of Brave Books started the organization to counter progressive books they say promote an “agenda to confuse and demoralize our children and make them hate their country and the values that it was founded upon,” according to the organization’s website. They’re sponsoring dozens of “See You at The Library” events around the country to “promote free speech in our libraries and schools,” according to its website. MORE: Texas tops list for most books pulled off shelf, report finds There are several of these events being held in Central Texas libraries, including one in Taylor, which will feature two well-known conservative figures – Brave Books author and Growing Pains actor...

Lowering property taxes among 14 constitutional amendments on your November ballot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Lowering property taxes among 14 constitutional amendments on your November ballot AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some of the legislation passed earlier this year by state lawmakers will require making additions to the Texas Constitution, so voters will ultimately go to the polls later this year to decide whether those will take effect. In total, people will see 14 proposed constitutional amendments appear on their ballot during the Nov. 7 election. They range in impact from the broadest statewide level to those affecting just certain counties. However, every Texas voter will have a chance to weigh in soon. State of Texas: Compromise at the Capitol sends property tax relief to Texas voters Here's a list of those 14 constitutional amendments and the order in which they'll appear on the ballot: Proposition 1 House Joint Resolution 126 will appear first when voters take a look at their ballot after a drawing Friday morning at the Texas Secretary of State's office placed it in the top spot. It proposes a constitutional amendment "protecting the right to engage in farming, ranchin...

ERCOT issues Weather Watch as forecast anticipates higher temperatures

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

ERCOT issues Weather Watch as forecast anticipates higher temperatures Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 4, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, issued a Weather Watch to begin Sunday that will last until Monday.ERCOT said the watch was due to forecasted higher temperatures, anticipated higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves.Grid conditions are expected to be normal and can be monitored online.This summer, ERCOT rolled out a new system to communicate grid conditions it calls TXANS — the Texas Advisory and Notification System. Keep on top of ERCOT grid conditions with new TXANs system A weather watch is an "earlier (approximately 3-5 days ahead) notification of forecasted significant weather and high demand." When one is issued, ERCOT recommends people monitor the grid conditions, but it does not indicate an emergency situation (that's what its emergency alerts do). The next step up is a voluntary conservation notice, which may ask people to use less power...

ADA update work for section of Hwy. 3/Robert Street to begin Aug. 14 in West St. Paul

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

ADA update work for section of Hwy. 3/Robert Street to begin Aug. 14 in West St. Paul Sidewalks will be closed on state Highway 3/Robert Street from Annapolis Street to Mendota Road in West St. Paul beginning on Aug. 14.Construction will begin at Annapolis Street on the west side of the highway working south. There will be some shoulder and lane restrictions for motorists and complete closure of sidewalks for pedestrians and motorists.The project will update sidewalks and ramps to meet American with Disabilities Act requirements. The ADA requires sidewalks to be at least 5 feet wide, with 7 feet preferred. Ramps must have a slope between 2.9 and 4.8 degrees.Crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Friday until mid-September, weather permitting.Other recent repairs along Robert Street include pedestrian inprovements along the Robert Street Bridge in 2020 and the bridge over the Union Pacific railroad in 2022. Repaving and sidewalk repairs are set for 2026-27 from Annapolis Street to Fillmore Avenue.MNDOT completed a project on state Highway 36 and H...

Joe Mauer’s playing career inspired younger Twins from Minnesota: ‘It made me realize it was possible’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Joe Mauer’s playing career inspired younger Twins from Minnesota: ‘It made me realize it was possible’ Caleb Thielbar had heard the whispers growing up — there was a kid in St. Paul who was an exceptional young athlete — but in those days, social media didn’t exist and there weren’t any YouTube highlights to watch, so Thielbar, a Northfield native, really didn’t have any clue how good Joe Mauer actually was until the latter broke into the big leagues with his home-state Twins.“I think we all knew, ‘Oh, this kid Joe Mauer is in Minnesota. He’s really good. Good football player, good baseball player,’ ” said Thielbar, a Twins relief pitcher since 2013. “But I think from a — knock on wood — Hall of Fame trajectory, we didn’t see that kind of thing because we would have had to go and watch him to see what he was doing.”Things changed quickly. By the time pitcher Louie Varland, currently with the Saints, was growing up in the St. Paul area, Mauer was an idol to baseball players across the state. Varland had a Mauer poster plastered on his wall from third grade through high school.Th...

Fringe review: “Allegro” moves but doesn’t soar

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Fringe review: “Allegro” moves but doesn’t soar Worth consideringA frustrated, somewhat self-serving, often catty young musician is followed around by a Disney-worthy soundtrack that can only be heard by those closest to him, lending (some) pathos to his jealous crush on his straight best friend, his estranged father’s heart surgery, his tortured relationship with his job, his sister, his bestie’s girlfriend… There’s legitimate poignancy and laugh-out-loud humor to be had in this well-meaning, swear-heavy melodrama, but everything needs to be picked up a notch for a show whose heavy-handed musical score is the literal point. The stakes — his roommate might move out, he might not become a theatrical sensation — seem a little low, but Garrison Shea’s freshman effort at writing, directing, composing and starring in his first Fringe show is still well worth considering.Presented by Garrison Shea at the Southern Theater; 4 p.m. Aug. 6, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 13Still...

Discovering Saratoga: Flower blanket tradition blooms at Saratoga

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Discovering Saratoga: Flower blanket tradition blooms at Saratoga SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Since 1994, Susan Garrett has been making flower blankets for champion horses at the Saratoga Race Course. Ahead of the Whitney Stakes Race on Saturday, NEWS10’s Cassie Hudson and Meteorologist Jill Szwed give us a sneak peek into the making of this Saratoga tradition.

Facelift coming to hockey arena's Heritage Hall

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Facelift coming to hockey arena's Heritage Hall GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Cool Insuring Arena, home to the Adirondack Thunder hockey team, is making some major updates to an aging space used for events. This year, Heritage Hall is getting a refresh. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The arena announced this week that a full remodel would be coming to the arena, which is used for meetings, live music, and whatever else the arena needs. As reported in the Glens Falls Chronicle newspaper, the $1 million project is set to be mostly complete by Sunday, Sept 10, save for an HVAC system to be installed later in the month. Cool Insuring Arena was able to raise about $850,000 through fundraising, including American Rescue Plan Act funding from both Glens Falls and Warren County. The arena plans to run a capital campaign for what remains. Alpine Bobsled closing at Six Flags Great Escape It's far from hockey season - but not that far. The Adirondack Thunder starts playing in October...

Latin Festival returning to Albany

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Latin Festival returning to Albany ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Latin Festival will be returning for its 26th year. The event will be held in Washington Park and is scheduled for August 26. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The celebration is dedicated to the promotion of Latino culture and initiatives, committing to the festival's mission of improving appreciation through inclusion. The event will offer a wide array of food, vendors and activities, as well as featuring performances by Lulada Club, Legacy Women, and Boricua Legends. Latin Fest is free and open to the public. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

'Insomnia Cookies' giving away free cookies this weekend

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:35:03 GMT

'Insomnia Cookies' giving away free cookies this weekend ST. LOUIS -- Free cookies seem to taste better. Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and Insomnia Cookies is celebrating by giving some of them away. The chain is known for serving warm cookies and other treats all day and late into the night.Get a free classic cookie with any in-store or local delivery purchase of $5 or more. This deal is good at all 240 locations nationwide from Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6. Seniors ‘running low’ on food, faced with broken elevators at St. Louis apartment building National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day pays homage to one of the most beloved treats worldwide. Observed on August 4th, this day indulges our taste buds with the combination of soft, chewy dough and the rich sweetness of chocolate chips. Whether enjoyed with a glass of milk, shared among friends, or savored in solitary bliss, the chocolate chip cookie holds a special place in the hearts of dessert enthusiasts everywhere. It can be a nostalgic experience that brings smiles a...