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Oklahoma parents, faith leaders and education group sue to stop US’s first public religious school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A group of parents, faith leaders and a public education nonprofit sued Monday to stop Oklahoma from establishing and funding what would be the nation’s first religious public charter school.The lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court seeks to stop taxpayer funds from going to the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 last month to approve the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to establish the school, and the board and its members are among those listed as defendants.The vote came despite a warning from Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general that such a school would violate both state law and the Oklahoma Constitution.The Rev. Lori Walke, senior minister at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said she joined the lawsuit because she believes strongly in religious freedom.“Creating a religious public charter school is no...

Cubs make a second deal ahead of MLB trade deadline

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Less than an hour after getting the team some help in the infield and at the plate, Jed Hoyer made an addition to the team's pitching staff.This one helps bolster the bullpen as the team tries to make a run at the National League playoffs.Another Cubs Trade Ahead of the Deadline..The team has acquired reliever Jose Cuas from the Royals for outfielder Nelson Velazquez..Cuas has a 4.54 ERA in 45 games with four holds, 52 strikeouts compared to 21 walks. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/Q7VmTppl5R— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) August 1, 2023Just after acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals, the Cubs made a deal with the Royals to get relief pitcher Jose Cuas in exchange for outfielder Nelson Velazquez.This is the second move by the club since they decided to acquire assets to make a run at the postseason after winning nine of their last 11 games. Entering their game against the Reds on Monday night, the Cubs trailed Cincinnati by four games in the Nationa...

Luke Bryan invites Colorado girl with terminal cancer backstage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Country artist Luke Bryan invited a Denver-area girl backstage after he heard her story. Mary Stegmueller, 7, has been battling terminal brain cancer since she was 4 years old. She's a serious Luke Bryan fan, and she really wanted to see his show in Denver on Saturday. Northglenn girl with terminal cancer hoping for chance to meet Luke Bryan But she is immunocompromised and cannot stand for long durations, so her family thought the concert was off the table until an anonymous donor gave them a private suite for the show.Her family said they’re unbelievably grateful to the anonymous donor. Mary got a quick hug from the country star back in 2021 after a concert, but this time, she was hoping for another chance to have a conversation with him.Country artist Luke Bryan invited a local girl backstage after he heard her story. (Kristin Stegmueller)Country artist Luke Bryan invited a local girl backstage after he heard her story. (Kristin Stegmueller)Country artist Luke...

Harvest Season 2023: Texas vineyards race to pull grapes in scorching heat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) — Right now is the critical time to pick grapes in wine-producing regions across Texas.        Susan Johnson, owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard, surveys grapes. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington)Susan Johnson, owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard, surveys grapes. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington)West Texas produces the most, but Central Texas pumped out close to 2,000 tons just three years ago.The Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredericksburg said its workers are trying to move fast this harvest season due to the heat.Just as the sun comes up, a machine shook grapes off vines at Texas Heritage Vineyard. Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Texas Heritage Winery grape harvest. (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)"We have a total of about 15 acres of grapes," said Susan Johnson, the owner of Texas Heritage Vineyard.The industry brought in about $20 billion for the state in 2022. And there are more than 400 win...

Austin needs more than 1,200 hotel workers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Looking for a job in the hospitality industry?Now is the time to apply as Austin hotels are gearing up for a busy fall."For our food and beverage we are looking for front-of-house and back-of-house staff," said Allison Josefowitz, Hotel Ella general manager.Hotel Ella is looking to hire about 20 people to fill a number of positions."I think the industry as a whole is very competitive right now, so there are a lot of different properties that are looking to fill positions," said Josefowitz.According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Austin area has about 1,200 openings for hotel jobs.In a recent study the AHLA put out, they found more than 80% of hotels experience staffing shortages. Hoteliers are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies. Austin’s leisure and hospitality industry booming, 13.4% increase from last year Seventy-five percent of respondents are increasing wages, 64% are offering greater flexibility with hours, and...

Two records to end July

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The month ended Monday with a record-setting high temperature of 107° at Camp Mabry. The previous record of 106° stood for 103 years. The last 24 days of July (8th to 31st) had an average high temperature of 105.1°. Those 24 days are also in second place for most consecutive three-figure highs.It was thought that this July would not be as hot as July 2022 because of fewer 100°+ days. Last year's July had 29 highs in triple-digits. This year? 25. Still, the average temperature at Camp Mabry this July turned out to be a full degree hotter than last July. Thus, July 2023 will go down in history as the hottest July ever.July 2023 is the hottest July everA record high was also set at Austin-Bergstrom where the high was 104°. The former record was 103° first set in 1998 and tied in 2013.Every city with a high Tuesday exceeding 100°An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday for 11 of our counties, including Travis. This is for air temperatures at or above ...

Vikings pass rusher Marcus Davenport knows he has to be better than last season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

Vikings pass rusher Marcus Davenport knows last season wasn’t good enough. He somehow only posted half a sack for the New Orleans Saints, failing to finish plays despite getting close seemingly on a weekly basis.It’s something the 26-year-old Davenport has taken to heart after signing a 1-year, $13 million contract with the Vikings this offseason.Never mind that some of the advance metrics show Davenport might have gotten a little unlucky with the Saints at times last season. That doesn’t matter to him. He knows he has to perform with the Vikings this season.“I wasn’t completing,” Davenport said. “I wasn’t getting there. I didn’t do it enough. That stands out.”It should help that Davenport will get to line up opposite fellow pass rusher Danielle Hunter this season. It’s not hard to envision new defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting the most of out of that pass rushing duo. A major part of that, however, will be hinged on how well ...

‘I want to be a Viking forever’: Danielle Hunter back at practice with new contract in tow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

Vikings star pass rusher Danielle Hunter is a man of very few words. He always has been. He always will be.It’s something new defensive coordinator Brian Flores noticed right away about Hunter when he first talked to him.Fittingly, when asked Monday if he wants to finish his NFL career in Minnesota, the 28-year-old Hunter managed to make his point using very few words. He paused for a second, stared directly at the reporter, then replied, “I want to be a Viking forever.”That’s not exactly a guarantee after Hunter signed a new contract with the Vikings over the weekend. Though the deal could be worth up to $20 million this season, it lacks the term that Hunter’s representatives were looking for throughout the process.That means Hunter will be a free agent after this season. Not that he’s thinking about that right now“Whenever that time comes, that time comes,” Hunter said. “The big thing is I’m here now for my teammates and ...

Dozens of cats removed from Troy house

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Dozens of cats were removed from a home on Lincoln Avenue in Troy on Monday. A homeowner voluntarily gave up around 50 cats kept at the property.Police were initially conducting a wellness check when they found the cats were kept in unclean conditions. The animals were handed over to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Officers said they found several dead cats in the home. No arrests have been made. One official explained the importance of reporting similar situations to authorities."We're here to help in these sorts of situations, but if people don't call us and notify us, then we aren't able to come out and bring the right resources," Andrew Fiumano with MHHS said.Officials also said it could take a few days to remove all the cats from the property.

Deadline to apply for Albany PD exam is Aug. 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:51:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Police Department is looking to hire more officers, and the deadline to join the department is fast approaching. Tuesday, Aug. 1, is the last day to sign up for the department's entrance exam.The application fee and the residency requirement have been lifted, so applicants no longer need to live in Albany to work for the department. Leaders said it's a great way to be involved in the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Albany Police Department is a great police department to work for because the advancement opportunities, the people here in the community are amazing, and no day is the same," Albany Police Det. Megan Craft said.Anyone interested can find the application on the city's website.