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Illinois resolution calls for SNAP benefits to all foster families, regardless of income

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A resolution being sent for a vote in the Illinois House would urge the U.S. government to give SNAP benefits to all Illinois foster families, regardless of income.Approximately 16% of all Illinois residents use food assistance programs like SNAP, the 6th highest in the nation, The Center Square reports.Last year, the federal government paid $5.6 billion in SNAP benefits to Illinois. Extra SNAP benefits set to expire for millions, including Illinois residents Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) submitted House Resolution 75 to the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee on Tuesday.“We’re losing a lot of foster parents because of the fact that they can’t get SNAP benefits unless they qualify, not counting these children that they take on,” she said.However, Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) argued that even millionaires would qualify to receive the benefits, if the federal government agreed to the plan.“I think that giving it an open-ended qualification or elig...

Harris traveling to Iowa for first trip to the state as VP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

Vice President Harris will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday for her first trip to the state as vice president.In Iowa, the vice president will meet with local leaders to discuss Democrats' fight to protect reproductive rights and participate in a roundtable, her office announced on Tuesday. Harris has traversed the country in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and has met with local leaders and advocates to discuss abortion issues. She has been the out-front face and lead messenger in the administration on pushing back on GOP-led state laws restricting abortion access and supporting states that have protected abortion access.Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has requested the state’s Supreme Court allow a law to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in most cases. Meanwhile, some Iowa Republicans have introduced a bill in the State House that would determine that life begins at conception.Harris, who ran against President Biden for the Democratic preside...

Family of man fatally shot sues APD officers for wrongful death, excessive force

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The mother of Anthony Marquis Franklin, a man fatally shot by APD officers on Jan. 15, has sued those officers, claiming body camera footage shows officers opened fire "less than a second" after her son had fallen on his back. Attorneys for the family said officers shot at Franklin when he was “on the ground crouched in the fetal position." Family of man fatally shot by police in January announcing lawsuit against APD officers The shooting occurred in downtown Austin just before midnight on Jan. 15, near Sixth Street and Colorado Street.Franklin's family and their attorneys, Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Nathaniel Mack III, held a press conference on Tuesday outside of the U.S. District Court in Austin."Mr. Franklin posed no threat to the officers. The video was clear," said Mack at the press conference. " But unfortunately, Mr. Franklin was gunned down by members of the Austin Police Department, we believe we know is unjustified. We're here today to showcase ...

Avoid the hustle and bustle: South Austin venues offer SXSW experience too

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  For two weeks in March, thousands of people come to Austin for the South by Southwest Conference and Festival.The festival offers music, conferences, movies and more, but it also offers opportunities for businesses all over Austin. How development, campaigns are impacting Austin’s live music industry "We are looking at somewhere in the ballpark of $300 million in overall economic impact," Matt Patton with Angelou Economics said.While many of the venues are in downtown Austin, surrounding venues, restaurants and shops also can see a bump in business."That really is a benefit to all our live music venues, even some of the impromptu venues," Patton said.The Far Out Lounge and Stage has been hosting bands during SXSW."If you don't want to go north of the river, there are plenty of places offering the same quality without all of the crazy down south," The Far Out Lounge and Stage General Manager Clayton England said.Happy Landing is a band from Nashville that played SX...

ABC Kite Fest returning to Zilker Park for its 95th year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A long-standing Austin tradition is returning to Zilker Park this spring for its 95th year. ABC Kite Fest will take place on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event includes activities for all ages, including kite contests, kite making and music concerts for children. The KXAN First Warning Weather team will be there, and attendees could also get their hands on some KXAN kites while supplies last. Spring things to do in and around Austin The festival was founded in 1929 by The Exchange Club of Austin with the goal "to foster creativity among children," according to its website. Proceeds from ABC Kite Fest go toward Communities in Schools of Central Texas and the Moss Pieratt Foundation. Learn more about the event online.

AP source: Cowboys to release 2-time rushing champ Elliott

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

The Dallas Cowboys plan to release running back Ezekiel Elliott, ending a seven-season run for a two-time rushing champion whose dominance faded, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday.Elliott will be designated a post-June 1 cut, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision hasn't been announced. The move will save Dallas about $11 million under the salary cap this season.While Elliott finished with 12 rushing touchdowns in a second consecutive playoff season for the Cowboys in 2022, his overall production never matched the value of a $90 million, six-year extension he signed to end a preseason-long holdout in 2019.As the quick start to Elliott’s career fizzled, 2019 fourth-round draft pick Tony Pollard emerged as the best playmaker for quarterback Dak Prescott in the Dallas offense. The Cowboys have placed the $10.1 million franchise tag on Pollard.Elliott has 8,262 career yards rushing, third on the Dalla...

Vikings get under cap but plenty of work still to do in trimming salaries

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

The Vikings got under the cap on Wednesday but that hardly means they’re done trimming salaries.All teams had to be under the cap number of $224.8 million by 3 p.m. Wednesday. The Vikings were able to become cap compliant after they on Monday restructured quarterback Kirk Cousins’ deal to save $16 million on the 2023 cap.The Vikings announced Wednesday they have agreed to terms with cornerback Byron Murphy, edge rusher Marcus Davenport and tight end Josh Oliver but none has signed yet. All those deals previously had been reported, and Minnesota now must fit the players under the cap.The Vikings also announced that they have re-signed restricted free agents Ben Ellefson, a tight end, and Kenny Willekes, a defensive lineman. A source said Ellefson was not given a restricted free-agent tender, so he signed for salary likely well less than the $2.627 million lowest tender amount. It is believed to be a similar situation involving Willekes.In order to sign Murphy, Davenport a...

Vikings display their relationship with Gophers at UMN’s Pro Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

The Vikings caravanned a large group of coaches and front-office staff from Eagan to the Gophers’ Pro Day in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The guests of honor were general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.It’s a 10-mile drive but a rare sight for such high-profile staff to come to the Gophers’ annual workouts. Previous Vikings GM Rick Spielman stopped coming to the U after 2015. A GM’s duties during the start of free agency can make it tough to attend.In the previous decade, most NFL teams sent one scout to the U, and the Vikings would usually bring a few to check out that year’s crop of talent.“One thing I love is the relationship we have with the Vikings,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said. “Since I’ve been here (starting in 2017), we haven’t had that close of a relationship.”Two weeks ago, Vikings staff also were on campus, and the Gophers’ staff will return the visit for Vikings organized team activities this spring. Gophers went to OTAs u...

State girls basketball 4A quarterfinal: Hopkins turns up intensity in win over Roseville

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

Roseville coach Tanysha Scott noted you have to do two things to succeed basketball, play defense and rebound. That’s particularly true when playing the state’s top teams — like Hopkins, which sports four Division-I players.If you don’t, Scott noted, “It can turn real quick. And that’s kind of what it did.”The top-seeded Royals closed the first half of the Class 4A quarterfinals on a 25-5 run to build a 30-point halftime lead on the way to an 81-40 victory over unseeded Roseville on Wednesday at Williams Arena. The defending state champs will meet fourth-seeded Stillwater in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday.“I feel like we came right in and did what we needed to do,” said Hopkins junior guard Liv McGill, who scored 24 points. “Just get that momentum for (Thursday).”What Hopkins (27-2) felt it needed to do Wednesday was anything possible to slow Roseville guard Kendall Barnes. The junior averaged 16.4 points a game this season, scoring 31 points in each of Ro...

Old World Pizza closes abruptly in Inver Grove Heights, but owner plans to reopen this summer

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:34:10 GMT

Popular Inver Grove Heights restaurant Old World Pizza closed abruptly over the weekend, amid a dispute with its bank following the August 2021 death of a co-owner. Its current owner said the restaurant could reopen elsewhere as soon as this summer.“After 50 years of serving pizza to our community and many loyal customers we want to thank you for your patronage over the years,” according to a statement posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We don’t know what the future holds but have enjoyed serving you.”Co-owner Jason Hines said he was surprised to find that Village Bank had locked down the building on Saturday, March 11. He knew the restaurant’s closure was on the horizon, as the temporary operating structure established in the wake of owner Craig Kristof’s 2021 death had dissolved. But Hines said his requests that Village Bank shutter the business on a mutually agreed-upon date, so Hines could close the restaurant and process final payroll on his own terms,...