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COVID-19 fraudster used stolen relief aid to purchase a private island in Florida

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

YANKEETOWN, Fla. (AP) — A freshwater spring bubbles amid the mangroves, cabbage palms and red cedars on Sweetheart Island, a two-acre uninhabited patch of paradise about a mile off the coast of this little Gulf Coast town.Pelicans divebomb nearby into the cool waters of Florida's Withlacoochee Bay and the open view westward holds the promise of dazzling sunsets.Sweetheart Island, off the coast of Yankeetown, Fla., is seen on Aug. 5, 2023. While Patrick Parker Walsh's private island ranks among the most unusual purchases by pandemic fraudsters, his crime was not unique. He is one of thousands of thieves who perpetrated the greatest grift in U.S. history. They potentially plundered more than $280 billion in federal COVID-19 aid; another $123 billion was wasted or misspent. (AP Photo/Julio Aguilar)Sweetheart Island, off the coast of Yankeetown, Fla., is seen on Aug. 5, 2023. While Patrick Parker Walsh's private island ranks among the most unusual purchases by pandemic fraudsters, his c...

Sherman ISD walks back 'Oklahoma!' decision, says sex will not be a factor in casting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

SHERMAN, Texas (KXAN) — A North Texas school district has taken back its decision to remove students from roles in an upcoming high school musical after community backlash, according to a press release.Sherman ISD previously said that students involved in Sherman High School's production of "Oklahoma!" could not act in roles that did not match a student's assigned sex at birth. This was justified, the district claimed, because of obscene content in the musical. PREVIOUS: Sherman ISD board blocks students from already-cast roles in 'Oklahoma!' production over students' assigned sex at birth "The version of the musical production originally scheduled...is intended for an older audience, and Sherman ISD strives to produce a musical suitable for all ages. After further review of the options available, the District plans to utilize a different version of the production," the district said.With a newer all-ages version to be used, the district said that it will allow students to act in ...

Report: Attempts to censor books surge

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Should some books be banned? It's a question that has some people saying "Yes," while others say "No.""There are things I can never experience, but I can go to the library and check out a book, and I can walk in somebody else shoes," said Former Llano County Librarian Suzette Baker.Baker lost her job after she refused to remove books that some people claimed were "inappropriate"."You can't deny someone access because you don't believe in what it says," Baker said.In a special meeting in April, the Llano County Commissioners Court discussed whether to "continue or cease operations of the current physical Llano County Library System," some claimed there were inappropriate books in the library that needed to be removed."These materials cannot be in the library. It has destroyed my family," said one speaker at the meeting.Several people speaking said they wanted some books removed."When you have sexually explicit material in an area where a 5-year-old can get a hold of i...

Childcare property tax exemption will relieve pressure, experts say more needs to be done

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved a resolution to implement a 100% property tax exemption for eligible childcare facilities just two days after Texas voters approved a proposition allowing the city to do so. Roughly 65% of Texans who voted Tuesday approved Proposition 2, which amended the state constitution to provide some financial relief to childcare facilities through property tax exemptions. In anticipation of the proposition’s passage, District 10 Council Member Allison Alter wrote a resolution to ensure eligible centers can receive 100% abatement by the time the 2024 financial year begins.  Proposition 2: Texans vote on child care property tax exemption “As federal funds expire, we are on the precipice of what experts call ‘a child care cliff,’” Alter said, referring to a Texas Association for the Education of Young Children survey reporting that "without more funding, up to 44% of child care centers in Texas could close their doors."“Our economy can...

One-day festival celebrates Black and Brown women entrepreneurs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — JUSTFest is back with its one-day festival celebrating Black and Brown women entrepreneurs in Austin.JUSTFest gives people across Central Texas the opportunity to meet Black and Brown women entrepreneurs who are often excluded by traditional financial institutions. Organizers say the festival is a way to honor these women’s resilient roots, which sometimes have to overpower the pavement of obstacles they face in order to see their small businesses flourish.JUSTFest will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Branch Park Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.The festival is open to the public, and attendees can enjoy family-friendly activities.Here's what organizers say attendees can expect:Small Business Market - Exhibiting dozens of local entrepreneurs, this market will feature Central Texas artisans, stylists, designers, massage practitioners and much more!Interactive Art Piece - Renowned Austinite artist Xavier Alvarado will lead the creation of a collaborative art piece wi...

Tommies quarterback Amari Powell starting to find himself through the highs and lows

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

St. Thomas redshirt freshman quarterback Amari Powell has an important appointment scheduled upon the team’s return to campus following Saturday’s Pioneer Football League game at San Diego.Win or lose, Powell will find an appropriate time to head for O’Shaughnessy Stadium, where he will sit down on the field and take 30 minutes to reflect on the happenings of the just-concluded week.The ritual has been in place since the third week of the season, following the Tommies’ 45-13 loss at Harvard, during which Powell threw a pair of interceptions and was replaced by true freshman Tak Tateoka.Powell lost the starting job to Tateoka the following week due to his penchant for turnovers, only to return to the field following a season-ending injury to Tateoka on October 14 in a loss at Drake. Powell has performed well in his “second chance” to lead the Tommies’ offense, and said his postgame meditations at O’Shaughnessy have proven invaluable.“Just submerse myself in my feelings and emotions,”...

High school football: Saturday state quarterfinal predictions

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

Here are a couple of Saturday’s top high school football playoff games involving East Metro teams:CLASS 5ASt. Thomas Academy (8-2) vs. Owatonna (8-2), at Woodbury H.S., 12 p.m.This is the same round that the Cadets lost to Mahtomedi in overtime a year ago. Oh, and it’s on the same field. So St. Thomas Academy should lack no motivation to come out and score a little vengeance, even if it’s against an unfamiliar foe. Both programs breezed through their respective sections. Owatonna has a strong passing game, which will give St. Thomas Academy’s defense a chance to show it is a better unit than it showed during the regular season. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 30, Owatonna 28Mahtomedi (6-4) vs. Chanhassen (10-0), at Apple Valley H.S., 1 p.m.Chanhassen sports one of the state’s top players in do-it-all star Maxwell Woods, who has run for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Storm cemented their current place as the top team in Class 5A with their thrilling vic...

Vikings preparing with veteran Sean Mannion as backup quarterback

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

Initially, veteran quarterback Sean Mannion was brought in last month to be a live arm for the Vikings in practice. At the time, fellow backup Nick Mullens was being placed on injured reserve, and rookie Jaren Hall was moving up the depth chart.Now, a month later, journeyman Josh Dobbs will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings when they host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Mannion will be his backup. Though he’s technically on the practice squad, Mannion will be elevated to the active roster at some point this weekend.It’s a strange time for Vikings quarterbacks as franchise player Kirk Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, Mullens is still on injured reserve with a back injury, and Hall is out with a concussion.The biggest reason Mannion was brought in last month was the fact that he had familiarity with the offense. He served as Cousins’ backup for a couple of seasons before being replaced. He’s back in that ro...

‘It wasn’t easy for us, but for some reason, I wasn’t afraid.’ On Veterans Day, a World War II veteran remembers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

100-year old World War II veteran Richard King talks about his experiences as a gunner on B-17 and later B-29 bombers at his Woodbury home on Friday, Nov., 10, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)100-year old World War II veteran Richard King in front a photo of him next to the B-17 he was a crew member on. King shared his experiences as a gunner on B-17 and later B-29 bombers. Photographed at his Woodbury home on Friday, Nov., 10, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)A group photo from 1945 of 100-year old World War II veteran Richard King’s B-17 crew while training at Ardmore Army Airfield in Oklahoma that hangs on the wall of his Woodbury home on Friday, Nov., 10, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)A biography of 100-year old World War II veteran Richard King created by his family on display at his Woodbury home on Friday, Nov., 10, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)100-year old World War II veteran Richard King talks about his experiences as a gunner on B-17 and later B-29 bombers at ...

Vikings left guard Dalton Risner prides himself on picking up his teammates. Literally.

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:59:52 GMT

You would struggle to find a player in the Vikings locker room more upbeat than left guard Dalton Risner. He carries himself with a sense of joy everywhere he goes, and naturally, that follows him onto the field.There was a particular play last Sunday in Atlanta that served as a perfect example. After tight end T.J. Hockenson fought his way for extra yardage after catching a pass up the left sideline, Risner was the first player there to pick him up. He had sprinted down the field so he could be in position to do just that.“That’s who he is,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s energy all the time. He’s just one of those guys. I knew when we brought him here that he would be a guy that would really thrive in this environment.”That’s exactly what Risner has done since signing as a free agent. After biding his time as a backup, Risner worked his way into the starting lineup last month when former starting left guard Ezra Cleveland suffered a foot...