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Illinois operators warn of day care crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

Illinois day care operators fear a renewed focus on staffing requirements amidst an ongoing shortage of qualified workers could impact a parent’s ability to find a place to care for their kids.“We just don’t have the staff to take care of the children,” said Sarah Stoliker who is the president of the Illinois Directors/Owners of Child Care Centers.  Stoliker said many day care operators have been struggling to find qualified staff since before the pandemic.  Amidst the shortage, she said many have turned to assistant teachers as a backstop to supervise children.    Now, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is underscoring what’s known as the “3-Hour rule” which restricts the use of assistant teachers in rooms serving children age 2 and younger, requiring a certified teacher be present in the room. More from Investigates: Naked neighbor exposes cracks in indecency laws “[The rules were] never intended to allow teaching assistants to super...

Protesters stood outside Austin high school with anti-LGBTQ, abortion messages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As students were released from McCallum High School Tuesday afternoon, the district confirms roughly eight protesters stood outside with anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion signs. "The protesters were on the sidewalk but were blocking the buses, so they were asked to move," a spokesperson for AISD said. "Austin ISD Police officers were on-site to ensure everyone's safety, and the protesters left after about an hour."KXAN does not share photos or videos of possible hate speech as standard practice. Texas State student accused of setting fire to Austin synagogue arrested "Instead we need to be standing up and saying that everyone belongs, and this is a community for everyone," said Council Member Alison Alter of District 10. In July, Alter officially helped launch an anti-hate campaign called "We All Belong." The program came about after a series of hate speech incidents and a hate crime in which Alter's synagogue -- Congregation Beth Israel -- was lit on fire in 2021. We...

Drone, firefighting aircraft nearly collided in Caldwell Co. fire, Texas A&M Forest Service says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A helicopter delivering water to the 150-acre Barth Fire in Caldwell County nearly collided with a drone that came within feet of the aircraft, the Texas A&M Forest Service said in a news release Tuesday.The agency said drones are a serious safety hazard for both the aviation resources, as well as the firefighters on the ground and can cause a serious or fatal accident if they collide with firefighting aircraft. 150-acre fire in Caldwell County fully contained “Pilots have no way to detect a drone or know there is one present in the airspace until they see it,” said Jared Karns, Texas A&M Forest Service State Aviation Manager. “Suppression aircraft can respond to wildfires quickly, increasing the likelihood that a new ignition remains a small, manageable wildfire. Utilizing aircraft greatly enhances the state’s firefighting efforts, but they have to be able to fly in a safe environment.”Furthermore, aerial firefighting may be suspended until the drone leav...

Bullpen blowup dooms Twins in loss to Brewers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

MILWAUKEE — Single after single found the outfield, and by the time Dylan Floro’s turbulent sixth inning was over, the Milwaukee Brewers had scored five runs.Some of the contact was soft — and one of the singles was nearly nabbed by shortstop Carlos Correa — but at inning’s end, six singles had produced five Brewers runs. That turned a slim advantage into a large hole that the Twins couldn’t climb out of in a 7-3 loss on Tuesday night at Miller Park.Floro had come on in relief for starter Bailey Ober, who was pulled after five innings in which he gave up two runs — both on a Willy Adames home run in the first inning.Ober’s pitch count was in check — at just 78 — but the righty has breezed past the most innings he has ever thrown as a professional this season, and earlier in the day, manager Rocco Baldelli suggested the Twins might try to lighten the load on Ober “giving him a day or a shorter outing.”Perhaps, the early exit was for that reason. At the time he left, the Twins were pr...

Carleton comes off bench to lead Lynx past Dallas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

Bridget Carleton made the most of her increased playing time.Carleton tied a season-high with 14 points off the bench before being ejected, and the Lynx held on to beat Dallas 91-86 Tuesday in a game that got extremely chippy and close at the end.Minnesota (16-17) moved within two games of the fourth-place Wings (18-15) in the league standings with seven games to play, including a rematch Thursday in the Lone Star State.Up 85-79, Carleton was whistled for her second flagrant foul to end her night with 25.4 seconds left. Satou Sabally made three ensuing free throws — after a few fans behind the Lynx bench were escorted out — and Veronica Burton one of two to get Dallas within two points.Napheesa Collier made a pair of free throws with 22.1 seconds left, Arike Ogunbowale countered with a trey. And after a time out, Kayla McBride added two free throws.Ogunbowale had a good look for Dallas, but her shot went off the rim and was grabbed by Collier, whose two free throws with 8.1 seconds ...

Bennington police investigating serious Route 279 crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- Police are investigating after a serious crash on Route 279 in the town of Bennington Tuesday afternoon. The two-vehicle crash took place around 1:45 p.m. east of the US Route 7 connector after a Jeep crossed the center line and hit a truck with a camper attached to the bed. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The camper was thrown across the guardrails by the impact of the crash. The driver and passenger of the truck have non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Jeep was taken to Albany Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bennington Police Department at 802-442-1030.

Schenectady PD investigating multiple suspected fatal overdoses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Schenectady police are investigating multiple fatal overdoses that have taken place in the city over three days.The first fatal overdose took place Sunday afternoon, and two others occurred early Tuesday morning. Police said all three overdoses took place in the Hamilton Hill/Vale neighborhood any may have involved both injected and/or inhaled substances. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Two more suspected fatal overdoses took place in the Central State Street neighborhood on Tuesday evening. Police said the two individuals were located together and possibly snorted or inhaled the substance.Police ask that if you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse to reach out to one of the many services in the county for help, including those listed below:Catholic Charities/Project Safe Point – 24/7 Health Hub toll free # - 1-866-930-4999. Harm reduction services, overdose prevention (including nalo...

Guilderland IDA approves tax exemptions for Costco construction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) — During the public hearings in Guilderland, not everyone was excited about a new Costco opening up next to the Crossgates Mall. And many protested against the developer, The Pyramid Corporation, receiving huge tax breaks for a retail project.“We have very active residents who are concerned about projects,” Paul Pastore, a member of the Industrial Development Agency, said. “They voice their opinions, and I think they do so in a way that calls upon any applicant for this town to look at them with serious consideration about possibilities, changes, and tweaks.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! But during Tuesday night’s Guilderland Industrial Development meeting, those tax breaks totaling over $40 million were approved. William H. Smart mentioned during the meeting that the developers were able to submit all of the required paperwork for approval.“The applicants have demonstrated that they do qualify for...

Route 7 in Pittstown reopens after car crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

PITTSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Route 7 in Pittstown has reopened after a car crash Tuesday afternoon. New York State Police say the accident involved a wide-load commercial vehicle and two passenger vehicles. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police report three injuries. The extent of the injuries is unknown, but the individuals are being transported to the hospital. The Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office is assisting State Police.

North St. Louis County mayors band together in anti-crime fight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – An organization representing 24 north St. Louis County municipalities has announced a new initiative to take on crime on several fronts.Vinita Parks Mayor James McGee says it’s essential to act now.“It’s so important that we got everybody carrying guns, and it’s just the wild, wild west,” he said. “You have open carry, young people—13 (years of age)—carrying automatic weapons with extended clips.”Among the steps they’re working on: gun control legislation to address the issue of kids with guns. They want the legislation passed in all the municipalities, as well as on the St Louis County Council.McGee says the most important aspect of this is how the mayors are presenting a united front against crime. State climatologist: Heat causing high evaporation rates, no rainfall to place it “It’s important because crime has no boundaries,” he said. “Crime will be in Dellwood and Vinita Park, will be in Wellston, but we all have the same united front. If they come to ...