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Candidates face tricky balancing act on Trump at first GOP debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

Republican candidates attending the first GOP presidential debate Wednesday will face the challenge of having to separate themselves from former President Trump while also not alienating his devoted supporters.Trump said Sunday he won’t attend the debate, giving his rivals a chance to make the case for their respective candidacies without having to compete for attention with the former president.But the situation poses a conundrum for candidates such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R), who must be careful not to cross Trump’s supporters while also winning over at least a portion of them."If I were thinking of it as a strategic matter, I'd like to be able to emerge from this debate as the principal non-Trump alternative,” said Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist who worked on former President George W. Bush’s campaigns.Throughout much of the 2024 race so far, the Republican candidates have largely avoided direct cr...

Trump says he won't attend first GOP presidential debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

Former President Trump confirmed Sunday that he will not attend the first Republican presidential debate next week and left open the possibility that he would skip future primary debates, citing his sizable lead in national polls as a primary reason.In a post on Truth Social, Trump cited a CBS News poll released earlier Sunday that showed him leading the next closest candidate by 46 percentage points."The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more," Trump wrote. "I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!"Trump’s announcement, which capped months of speculation about whether he would participate, comes days after it was reported that the former president planned to sit for a pre-taped interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson instead of attending Wednesday's debate in Milwaukee.The fo...

How many hurricanes and tropical storms have made landfall in Texas?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you think of hurricanes in Texas, there are probably a few that come to mind: Harvey. Ike. Even the 1900 Galveston hurricane.Since 1850, more than 50 hurricanes have made landfall in the Lone Star State, and that's not including more than 50 tropical storms and depressions.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 109 tropical systems have made landfall in Texas since 1850. The most recent was Hurricane Nicholas, a Category 1 hurricane that came ashore in Matagorda County in 2021.Nineteen major hurricanes — those Category 3 or higher — have made landfall in the state. Ten of those were Category 3, while nine were Category 4. Texas has never had a hurricane make landfall in the state while at Category 5 strength.Hurricane Harvey was the most recent major hurricane to hit, striking near Rockport in 2017.The map below shows the location of each tropical landfall in Texas since 1850. You can toggle the data on and off by clicking on the color...

Buda wildfire under control, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows the top headlines for Aug. 21 from the KXAN News teamHAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A wildfire is under control in Hays County Monday, and firefighters are continuing to put out hot spots, Buda Fire Chief Clay Huckaby told KXAN.The Hays County Office of Emergency Services said Monday first responders responded to the scene of a fire between Robert S. Light Boulevard and Farm to Market 2770.Huckaby said the fire was located in the triangular area between Robert S. Light Boulevard and Farm to Market 1626 and FM 2770. As of 3 p.m., FM 2770 remains closed between FM 1626 and Robert S Light Boulevard.Hays County emergency officials are asking people to avoid the area near a wildfire in Buda. MAP: Tracking Central Texas wildfires Officials responded to a wildfire in Buda on Monday, Aug. 21. | Courtesy Hays County Office of Emergency ManagementOfficials responded to a wildfire in Buda on Monday, Aug. 21. | Courtesy Hays County Office of Emergency Managem...

New online portal shows crime and arrest data throughout Hays County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- People in Hays County can now access crime and arrest data for the entire county on one platform. It's called Citizens Connect, and the county said its the first of its kind in the state. In a news release from Hays County, it said multiple law enforcement agencies in the area have shared their computer database of crime activity. "The system, hosted by Tyler Technologies, boasts being the first in Texas to have all law enforcement agencies in the same county sharing data on a single Citizens Connect platform," the release said. The law enforcement agencies involved: The Hays County Sheriff's OfficeSan Marcos Police DepartmentKyle Police DepartmentBuda Police DepartmentTexas State University Police Department"This system provides the agencies with a more powerful analytical tool in their efforts to tackle crime in each jurisdiction," the release said. The county said it also addresses transparency with the community. "Through this unified effort, H...

High school boys soccer: Hill-Murray eager to chase state title, but plans to savor every moment leading up to it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

Hill-Murray boys soccer recently held its annual retreat at Hidden Pines Ranch in Mahtomedi, where players and coaches alike enjoy activities such as pickleball — Pioneers coach Jeff Zupfer noted the coaches are still undefeated on the court — nine square, and biking through the woods together before sharing a meal.The purpose is to spend time together away from the sport, and it consistently serves as one of the highlights of the fall.That was one of the first moments when senior midfielder Jacob Dinzeo started to get sentimental. That was his last retreat — the same is true for many of his teammates on a senior-heavy squad. Thursday’s game against Blake is the final season opener for those 12th-graders. Those are all special moments meant to be taken in and cherished.Hill-Murray had a magical season last fall. The Pioneers won their first 21 matches, allowing just one goal during the regular season before falling 3-2 to DeLaSalle on penalty kicks in the Class 2A state tournament f...

Transit advocates push for new option as MnDOT takes feedback on I-94 redesign ideas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is considering filling in the deep trench that is Interstate 94 between much of downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis to create an at-grade highway with dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit and other travel.If that sounds like a bold idea, many are underwhelmed. A coalition of alternative transit advocates wants to see the interstate ripped out entirely and replaced with a multi-lane, multi-use boulevard — an idea that MnDOT recently dismissed on the advice of their consultants.MnDOT last month released 10 different “high level” concepts, based largely on traffic analysis and other metrics reviewed by consultants WSB. The department’s project leaders and technical experts Wednesday will host the first of eight public meetings to get feedback on redesigning those seven miles of I-94.The Minnesota Department of Transportation is working on an effort titled “Rethinking I-94” to engage with those who li...

Fireworks to highlight Fort Plain Heritage Days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

FORT PLAIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Village of Fort Plain has released a slate of festivities to celebrate this year's Heritage Days. Celebrations kick off on August 24 with Wheelock Rides at Haslett Park. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Wristbands for the Wheelock Rides are sold for four-hour sessions. There will be all-day wristbands available for Saturday only. Tickets are available at Highwheeler Coffee, Center Street Station, and the Sportsman's Den. There will also be a local history presentation at the Fort Plain Free Library on the 24th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eileen Chambers will talk about prominent Fort Plain men and women of the 18th to early 20th centuries. The Street Fair is scheduled for August 26 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be vendors, games, live music, and a food court. Music lineup announced for Albany’s 2023 PearlPalooza Canal Street events on the 26th run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by the Willet...

Latest on legal battle over redistricting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---After New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission failed to agree on a set of maps, a lawsuit resulted in a court drawn map for the 2022 election. However, the legal battle continues."A group of Democratic voters have filed a new case in state court, arguing that the commission should pick up where it left off and get back to work and redraw the congressional map for use in next year’s 2024 congressional elections," explained Jeffrey Wice, an adjunct professor at New York Law School.The mid-level appelate court sided with Democrats in July."The Republicans and Democrats are arguing over whether there is a so-called stay or hold on the appellate division‘s ruling," said Wice. "Republicans claim that a stay is issued as soon as the appellate level decision comes out. The Democrats argue, there is no stay in effect and they proceed right away."The case is now pending before the state court of appeals, New York’s highest court. Former Republican Congressman, ...

Audition for American Idol on Zoom: New York auditions begin Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:22:13 GMT

NEW YORK (WSYR-TV) -- This is your chance to become America's idol. American Idol has announced that its New York auditions begin Wednesday, Aug. 23, and registration is now open.This year, American Idol is changing the game a bit for Season 7, making it easier for anyone to easily audition with virtual auditions. Producers are getting ready for a new season of “American Idol” New Yorkers can audition in a variety of ways, including the following:Posting a Social Media Audition Video to your preferred social media platform (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or Twitter)Uploading an audition video to the American Idol® Online Audition portal Virtually attending one of American Idol's “Idol Across America” video chat, virtual auditions via Zoom (the “Virtual Auditions”)Courtesy of American IdolCourtesy of American IdolTo audition, you must be 15 years old or older, born on or between June 2, 1994 and Feb. 15, 2009. If you were born before or after this window, you are not eligible to part...