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Austin musician performing with Parkinson's Disease

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — We’re in the final stretch of Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. In Central Texas, the debilitating disease isn’t holding back 71-year-old Felix Pompa.The Austin-based musician is giving the gift of music to those in hospice care with terminal illnesses."I’ve been playing guitar all my life,” Pompa said. “Played in big bands, small bands and I've played with a lot of people."Back in the 1970s, the U.S. Army veteran avoided being deployed to the Vietnam War because his musical talent helped him a gig in the military, as a chaplain's assistant."I was very lucky with my music,” Pompa said. “It got me through it.”Nowadays, he’s volunteering his time serenading seniors."The most rewarding thing that I have done is volunteered my music and time to the people that need it most,” he said.Pompa volunteers with Blue Water Homecare and Hospice. The Leander-based business provides a wide variety of services for folks with less than six months left to live.Jennifer Pres...

Texas spends less on housing than most states. 5 solutions that could help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

Investigative Summary: Texas is behind only Nebraska when it comes to how much money the state spends on housing, according to University of Texas researcher. KXAN investigates at what's being done in the legislature this year to provide some relief, what policy experts say lawmakers need to focus on and how Travis County is using federal dollars to make a difference. EXPLORE: Austin voted for more affordable housing. What now? AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just south of the river, Foundation Communities is nearly ready to open the doors of one of its latest affordable housing projects, Zilker Studios. The seven-story building near Oltorf on South Lamar will soon be home to 110 single adults in need of housing and wrap around services. Many of its residents will be coming directly from homelessness. Newly-built Zilker Studios on South Lamar. The Foundation Communities building will be home to more than 100 single adults, many coming from homelessness (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) "The bi...

Two Texas 'Trump Train' participants settle lawsuit claiming they harassed 2020 Biden campaign bus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Two of the eight Trump supporters accused of participating in a “politically-motivated conspiracy” by closely following, honking at and slowing down a campaign bus for President Joe Biden on a Texas highway in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election have settled with former state Sen. Wendy Davis and three others on the bus.Lawyers representing the plaintiffs announced Thursday they have filed papers to dismiss Hannah Ceh and Kyle Kruger as defendants in the lawsuit. The case against the six other defendants remains pending.The terms of the settlement were not made public, but the two issued formal apologies for their involvement in the “Trump Train,” according to a press release from Project Democracy, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs.“Looking back, I would have done things differently. I do not feel that I was thinking things through at the time, and I apologize to the occupants of the bus for my part in actions that day that frighten...

The best public high schools in Texas, according to Niche

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

(Stacker) – As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in Texas using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses eight weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics and grades, but other factors include culture and diversity, health and safety, clubs and activities, resources, and surveys of parents, teachers and students. School...

3 mount campaigns for Troy City Council President

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Three candidates have now tossed their hats in the ring for Troy City Council President. A Democratic primary is in the works, while Republican Brad Lewis is looking to make his political debut. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Troy City Council Majority Leader Sue Steele is running on the Democratic side. Her campaign will focus on increasing public safety, shoring up the city's workforce, ensuring clean drinking water, facilitating open information exchange, and sensible economic development, she said. “I am running for City Council President because Troy needs an experienced leader with the steel and temperament to ensure public safety,” said Councilmember Steele. “As the current City Council Majority Leader, I am proud of the progress we have made to fund the programs that keep us safe while supporting work to bring greater collaboration and understanding between the community and law enforcement—...

Targeted attack claims life of St. Louis skateboarder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Yesterday afternoon, in the middle of the busy downtown area, a person on a skateboard was gunned down. The victim, whose name has not been disclosed, was a 30-year-old frequent skateboarder in Kiener Plaza. Police have eyewitness accounts of the incident, but there is no description of the suspect who fled the scene. Now, the police are using their real-time crime center surveillance cameras to try and find the killer. This is the 46th homicide that St. Louis Metro Police have investigated this year. Top Story: Targeted attack claims life of St. Louis skateboarder The incident occurred at 7th and Market, where the victim had tried to run away from the shooter before winding up in Kiener Plaza. Bommarito Automotive Group Skyfox was over the scene as the police got the call around 3:30 pm yesterday afternoon for the shooting. According to investigators, the victim was taking a break on a bench in Kiener Plaza when the shooter approached him, and the two started argui...

St. Louis clears brush blocking trash pickup after FOX 2 report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A FOX 2 exclusive report on the thick brush from abandoned St. Louis properties overtaking city alleys, blocking garbage trucks, and adding to the city's trash crisis brought an immediate response Thursday morning.Cameras obtained from FOX 2 captured garbage truck drivers pushing through alleyways that looked more like forests, trying to get to residents’ dumpsters. The dumpsters were hidden by thick brush, with filth piling up on the ground around them.By noon Thursday, the brush was gone, the dumpsters were exposed, and the alleys were passable again behind the 4400 block of Anderson. About two dozen city forestry workers, armed with a variety of chainsaws, completely changed the landscape.“When I heard them out here this morning, I was like, ‘Oh my God,'" said Allison Miller, a resident. Top Story: Targeted attack claims life of St. Louis skateboarder “It feels like you can breathe a little better when it’s clear. It is a very relaxing feeling,” said Alderwoman Lau...

New YMCA center in Centennial seeks to bridge generation gap with programs, events

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

A new YMCA center in Centennial aims to have youth and seniors cross paths and develop opportunities to create future symbiotic programs for the multi-generational communities.The 6,345-square-foot center, Centennial YMCA Center of Generations will have a soft opening in May with plans to be fully operational by the summer, according to officials. The center will operate in Streets at SouthGlenn mall, 6851 S. Vine St., a short walk from the SouthGlenn Library.“The YMCA specializes in providing a safe place for multi-generations who want to meet upwith friends, or make new friends, and engage in activities that are interesting and fun,” saidKimberly Armitage, YMCA Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Mission ofMetropolitan Denver.The new center, part of the YMCA of Metro Denver, will operate familiar programs like SilverSneakers, a wellness program for older adults and an array of other programs such as cooking classes, esports and Youth in Government.Armitage said the visio...

Former 19th-century school, 20th-century college now a Hilton hotel in downtown Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

Where a Hilton hotel now sits on Welton Street in downtown Denver was once the site of former Colorado schools – and close to 150 years of history.The Slate Hotel at 1250 Welton St. is the property’s latest iteration, with its past lives including the Emily Griffith Opportunity School and the Longfellow School. Part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, the four-star hotel nods at its legacy with features from its school days.Guests are first welcomed at a front desk built like a card catalog, with slate chalkboards behind it. The school’s original glazed block and terracotta-tiled columns remain standing, and the hotel layout still follows the original school corridors.Within its walls, the Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink restaurant serves literary-inspired cocktails like “Monte Cristo,” “Paradise Lost” and “Atlas Shrugged.”After the original Longfellow School was condemned, it eventually ended up in the hands of Emily Griffith, ...

Colorado elected officials across political spectrum want to be allowed to block people on social media

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:07 GMT

In a deeply divided Colorado legislature, lawmakers from either wing of the political spectrum found common ground Thursday: limiting the abuse they weather on social media.A bipartisan bill that would allow elected officials to block people and delete their comments on officials’ personal social media accounts cleared its first legislative hurdle Thursday, passing the House’s State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously. That’s no mean feat: The committee’s composed of some of the most ideologically distant legislators — and the most prolific tweeters — in the Capitol. But they united, for the moment, around HB23-1306, which would be the first such law in the nation, said Delta Republican Rep. Matt Soper, who’s sponsoring the bill with Denver Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod.“Make no mistake, social media is the wild, wild West,” said Herod, who has more than 20,000 followers on Twitter. “It wasn’t c...