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Handful of items left on Missouri Senate's to-do list in final weeks of session

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - There's one month left in the legislative session, and Missouri Senate Leadership said it has four big priorities left to accomplish before adjourning. Unlike last year at this time, senators on both sides of the aisle say relationships are still good in the upper chamber but with some major Republican priorities still on the agenda and the House pushing for the Senate to do more, it's possible that all could change. "The one thing we know about the Senate is it can change on a dime," Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton, said. "I come in here in a certain mood and it's easily changed within 20 minutes."The Missouri General Assembly is in the home stretch of the 2023 legislative session. With four weeks left, Senate Leadership said there are four big issues left to tackle, along with next year's budget.  Top story: Overland armored car robbery video reveals surprising actions "Some form of school choice because we have open enrollment, initiative petition refor...

Meow Wolf’s Vortex music festival returns to Denver with GRiZ, Remi Wolf and more

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

Meow Wolf’s signature summer music festival, Vortex, returns to Denver this summer, bringing with it eclectic art installations and top-notch performers.Related ArticlesEntertainment | New downtown bars, restaurants replace year-old El Tejano, Smash Face and Loaded Entertainment | Top 10 favorite LPs from Twist & Shout, Wax Trax Records and more Denver music experts Entertainment | How to celebrate 420 in Denver with music, munchies, beer, comedy and drink specials Entertainment | Denver’s fast-growing RiNo “music district” finds its groove amid vinyl renaissance Entertainment | “The Color Purple” at the Denver Center is a gorgeous and timely revival On Aug. 25-27, Vortex comes back to The JunkYard, a new-ish venue in Sun Valley that hosted the inaugural Mile High installment of the festival in 2022. According to an announcement Tuesday, Meow Wolf and Live Nation collabo...

Early morning fire kills several animals at Colorado Gators in Mosca

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

A large number of animals at Colorado Gators, a rescue park in Alamosa County, were killed in a fire early Tuesday morning.The fire, which the park reported about 4:30 a.m., was in the reptile barn, and most of the rescue’s snakes, lizards, tortoises, parrots and cats died in the blaze, park administrators said in a Facebook post.“We are devastated,” the post stated. “But there is positive to focus on. And we have hundreds of animals that are healthy that we still need to take care of. Prayers are appreciated. We will get through this.”No people were hurt in the fire, and several caiman, turtles and tortoises were rescued by the Mosca-Hooper Fire Department.The alligators and crocodiles outside the building were unharmed, as were all the animals in the fish building.Park administrators said the damage is extensive and the cleanup will take a long time, “but we will go on.”Related ArticlesColorado News | North Creek fire near Beula...

LAUSD, teachers union reach tentative labor agreement

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

The Los Angeles Unified School District and the union representing approximately 35,000 educators have reached a tentative agreement that will substantially increase salaries, both sides announced Tuesday morning.The agreement includes a 21% salary increase for all United Teachers Los Angeles members, reductions on class sizes and “increasing mental health and counseling services in order to better support the needs of students,” LAUSD said in a news release.It comes a month after a strike involving UTLA and the union representing bus drivers, custodians and teaching assistants shut down L.A. public schools for three days. The day after that strike ended, both sides reached a deal that gave SEIU Local 99 employees a roughly 30% pay increase.UTLA members who walked off the job in solidarity with SEIU Local 99 were not part of that agreement.“This agreement with UTLA is a necessary step not only to make Los Angeles Unified the district of choice for families but also the district of c...

Krispy Kreme, others offering discounts for Tax Day

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

Tax season is coming to an end Tuesday, and to celebrate, many restaurants across California are offering limited-time deals for customers.Even though most Californians received a federal tax filing extension due to the severe winter storms that plagued the state over the winter, anyone can take advantage of the deals and free items some restaurants are offering. Many California residents can file their taxes after the April 18 deadline BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse Anyone who visits a BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse location can receive $10 off any $40 purchase for take-out and delivery orders. Customers must use the promo code “10OFF40” at checkout to receive the discount.The offer is limited to one per person and can’t be combined with other discounts.Boston MarketBoston Market customers can get a Half Chicken Individual Meal complete with two sides, cornbread, regular-sized fountain drink and cookie for $10.40. No coupon is needed to redeem the deal.The Cheesecake FactoryCustome...

Two Teens Hurt in Motorbike Accident on Madison Street [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

Motorbike Crash near Watts Drive Left Two Teens InjuredBAKERSFIELD, CA (April 18, 2023) – Saturday evening, a motorbike accident on Madison Street left two juveniles hospitalized.The collision happened on April 15th, at around 8:15 p.m., on 1800 Madison Street, near Watts Drive.According to reports, the two teenagers were riding their motorbikes with no headlights on, when a car struck them. The impact of the collision left both of the teens with injuries.Responding medical personnel transported both teens – one with minor injuries and another with moderate injuries– to a hospital.Meanwhile, the involved driver stayed at the site of the incident and cooperated with the investigators.No further details regarding the Madison Street motorbike accident have been released to the public. Bakersfield Officials will provide more information once available.When driving, it is important to keep an eye out for motorcyclists. Check all your mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before m...

Child Pronounced Dead in Two-Vehicle Crash on West Riggin Avenue [Visalia, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

ATV-Truck Collision near Denton Avenue Left Young Boy DeadVISALIA, CA (April 18, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, a child was killed in a two-vehicle crash involving an ATV on West Riggin Avenue.The incident happened at around 3:00 p.m., at the 8000 block of West Riggn and Denton Avenue.Upon arrival, authorities determined that a Chevrolet truck crashed into an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) driven by a young boy.First responders to the site of the collision declared the child dead at the scene. At this time, officials have not released his identity to the public.Meanwhile, the driver of the truck stayed at the site of the incident and cooperated with the investigation.Police said that drugs or alcohol did not appear to play a role in the collision.At this time, police are asking anyone with additional information about the West Riggin Avenue two-vehicle crash to contact the Visalia Police Department Traffic Unit at (559) 713-4237.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during...

One Injured after Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up on Interstate 5 [Carlsbad, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

Traffic Collision near Palomar Airport Road Prompted Freeway ClosureCARLSBAD, CA (April 18, 2023) – Friday afternoon, a person was transported to a hospital following a multi-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 5.The incident happened on April 14th, at around 1:36 p.m. along northbound Interstate 5, near the Palomar Airport Road exit.According to the CHP, the crash involves at least three sedans, two vans, and a semi-truck. The impact of the collision left at least one person with injuries.At this time, the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.Meanwhile, paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.Following the collision, crews shut down the area surrounding the crash for cleanup and preliminary duties. At around 5:39 p.m., all the lanes reopened. Carlsbad Officials continue to investigate the cause of the multi-vehicle pile-up. Police ask that anyone with additional information regarding the multi-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 5 to p...

Tina Vital Pronounced Dead Following Three-Vehicle Crash on College Street [Woodland, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

Car Collision on Court Street Left One Woman Dead, at Least 10 InjuredWOODLAND, CA (April 18, 2023) – Saturday night, police responded to a fatal car accident that killed Tina Vital.On April 8th, officers were dispatched to the intersection of College and Court Streets involving three vehicles.Investigation showed that a 13-year-old stole a Honda Pilot from a family member and went out for a joyride.According to authorities, they spotted the Honda driving in an unsafe manner heading northbound on College Street from Main Street where they confronted the driver.Consequently, the officers pulled over the kid but they drove into the intersection causing a collision with two other vehicles.Unfortunately, Vital died at the scene, and her daughter, her son, and her granddaughter sustained injuries from the collision.Also, seven other people suffered injuries from the crash. The police stated in the report that the chase was only short.Meanwhile, the 13-year-old child was hospitalize...

7 tips for writing a great college essay from ex-Stanford admissions officer

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:00:56 GMT

At its core, Irena Smith’s job as an independent college counselor means being a writing coach. With a PhD in comparative literature, the former Stanford admissions officer helps her teenage clients pen the all-important essays they’ll submit with their college applications.Certainly, the essays should be well-written, but they should mainly tell a good story about who the student is as a person — their personality, passions, values, unique life experiences — as Smith writes in her book, “The Golden Ticket.”REALTED: Confessions of a college counselor: Pushy parents, teen misery and the futility of the Stanford dreamOften, writing a good story means means abandoning the idea that the essay should brim with self-promotion. A student can tell a more engaging narrative about failure or about the most vulnerable time in their life, Smith said. They could also write about situation that seems minor but that illustrates an important point about their interests or motivations.Wh...