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Lawmakers concerned about threat China could pose to U.S. and the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Lawmakers from both parties say they're concerned by the steps China is taking to advance its ambitions."At the expense of U.S. and Democratic interests and therefore we must take a whole of government approach to meeting that threat," Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI.) said.Magaziner worries about the spread of Chinese propaganda to the rest of the world."Expand on the methods that the CCP is using to influence public opinion," Brown University Political Science Assistant Professor Tyler Jost said."Domestic propaganda has worked," Jost said. "It is easy to see how they would assume that those same types of propaganda would work on foreign audiences."Experts also say that to reinforce their propaganda, the Chinese gather data on anti-Asian hate in America"Which oftentimes calls out these types of events, both broadly in terms of race and specifically on anti-Asian racial issues," Jost said.Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) is concerned about how the U.S. responded to th...

Severe thunderstorms possible overnight with large hail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A cold front returning to the area overnight triggers scattered to numerous thunderstorms, some of which may turn severe and bring large, damaging hail. NEW BLOG: La Niña has ended — Here’s what’s next and when El Niño could begin The same cold front that brought a brief respite from the heat and humidity Wednesday evening returns Thursday night, but this time packs more a punch. Numerous thunderstorms are expected overnight, some of which may contain large hail. Keep your KXAN Weather App nearby with alerts enabled for your location should dangerous weather strike. We will keep you advised on KXAN.High-resolution radar forecast overnightSome areas may record 1-2" of beneficial rain from the stronger storms.Forecast rain totalsCooler weather blows in briefly Friday behind the front with high temperatures dropping to the 60s. A temperature roller coaster ride continues thereafter with very warm conditions Saturday, then a more extended period of cool spring weather...

Additional water restrictions possible this summer if dry weather continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New projections from the Lower Colorado River Authority show that if drier-than-normal weather continues, the combined water storage in lakes Travis and Buchanan may drop below a threshold that would trigger additional water restrictions in Austin this summer.Even with periodic rain events, much of Central Texas, including the Austin area, has stacked up a 16-20" rainfall deficit in the last year -- rainfall we should have received but haven't. This has led to low lake levels and severe drought conditions.12-month rainfall deficit (Southern Regional Climate Center)The dry, warm weather pattern led to record-low water inflows into the Highland Lakes in 2022. Even less water flowed into lakes Travis and Buchanan last year than it did during the record-hot 2011. And things have not improved. Water inflows so far this year have been even lower than the first few months of 2022.New projections from the Lower Colorado River Authority show that under continued dry or extre...

Other voices: Welcome to today’s housing bubble

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

“Oops! … I did it again” is a Britney Spears song, but it could also double as the federal government’s motto for housing policy.Starting in late March, the Federal Housing Administration will reduce mortgage-insurance payments on loans that it backs. The agency insures mortgages for borrowers with suboptimal — not good — credit. Some mortgages require as little as 3.5% down. Borrowers have to pay an extra 1.75% fee, which can be rolled into the mortgage. Borrowers also have to pay for mortgage insurance, which is an annual premium of 0.85% in many cases. The Biden administration will now drop that to 0.55%. On a $400,000 home, the average annual savings is $1,200.The appeal of this move is obvious. A rapid increase in mortgage rates has dramatically reduced the pool of available buyers — at least at these prices. The White House is looking to juice the market.On the surface, this looks as if the government is lowering costs in response to a...

Spring forward into daylight saving time on March 12

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Get ready to spring forward on March 12, at least one more time.Most of the U.S. will move the clocks forward by one hour on Sunday at 2 a.m. for daylight saving time, which will end on Nov. 5 of this year.The question is: Will this be the final time most Americans feel aggrieved over losing an hour of sleep?Daylight saving time is the result of a federal law applying to most of the United States; Hawaii, most of Arizona and U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean do not follow daylight saving time. In March 2022, the Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, removing the need to change clocks twice per year. The bill stalled in the House of Representatives but remains alive.With permanent daylight saving time, there is more sun in the evening hours. The trade-off is less daylight in the mornings, especially in the winter months.I wish the daylight saving time was permanent, I hate when it gets dark super early&mdas...

MN GOP lawmakers push for higher fentanyl penalties, new offense for carjacking as part of public safety proposal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Minority Republicans in the Minnesota Senate and House are pushing for a package of public safety legislation they say will fight crime by stiffening criminal penalties and strengthening police forces.Creating a new carjacking offense, boosting penalties for illicit fentanyl, and a new system tracking judges’ sentencing decisions are just a few proposals included in what GOP lawmakers are calling the “Safe and Sound Minnesota” public safety plan. But with Democrats in control of state government, little of their agenda has gained traction so far, save a few bipartisan items.Addressing reporters on the bill at a Capitol news conference Thursday, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, criticized Democrats’ approach to public safety as failing to hold wrongdoers accountable. One example, she said, was the DFL push this week to penalize car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai for design flaws that make their vehicles easier to steal, rather than doing more to go after thieves.“We w...

Class 2A boys hockey state quarterfinal: Edina 7, Moorhead 6, 2OT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

With two of the top goalies in the state between the pipes for Moorhead and No. 3 Edina in Thursday’s Class AA boys hockey quarterfinal, some expected a defensive battle.Not quite.Despite Kai Weigel in net for the Spuds, and Robbie Clarkowski between the pipes for the Hornets, the teams combined for 13 goals, and the Spuds erased a three-goal, third-period deficit in the final minute of regulation before Edina’s Charlie Sandven scored 2 minutes, 2 seconds into double overtime to seal a 7-6 Hornets win.“(Weigel) is really good, and Clarkowski has played really well, too,” Edina coach Curt Giles said. “And we go out there and it’s a 7-6 game. You see that coming?”Sandven’s shot, a long wrister from the right point, floated through traffic before finding the top right corner of the net.Edina’s top line of Bobby Cowan, Jackson Nevers and Ryan Flaherty combined for five goals and 11 points.“I love playing with Jackson, and Flahe...

Cut Social Security taxes? Here’s what MN lawmakers are considering.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Eliminating or reducing state taxes on Social Security and the best way to do it is a key issue under debate at the Minnesota Legislature that will undoubtedly be part of negotiations for the next state budget.Lawmakers, as well as the state’s seniors, are divided on what to do about the 348,700 households currently paying taxes ion benefits. Especially with the state projecting a $17.5 billion budget surplus.The House taxes committee heard testimony Thursday from residents on two proposals — to eliminate or modify taxes on benefits.Bill Raker, a volunteer with AARP Minnesota, testified in support of complete elimination of state taxes on benefits.“Social Security is an earned benefit. Historically, Social Security was designed as an antipoverty program, not a way to fund government,” Raker said.Bill Raker speaks in favor of a bill exempting Social Security income from taxes. Lawmakers heard testimony Thursday from residents on proposals to eliminate or modif...

Waste Management acquires Dakota County compost businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Waste Management of Minnesota has entered the world of composting with recent acquisitions.Specialized Environmental Technologies (SET) and The Mulch Store, an organics composting company, were acquired this week by Waste Management to offer sustainability solutions for its customers, according to a company news release.Included in the acquisition are SET’s compost sites in Empire, Burnsville, Shakopee and Minnetrista.“[Waste Management] will be contributing to a circular economy by managing food waste and other organic material in an environmentally responsible manner that seeks to maximize its resource value,” said Frank Fello, vice president for Waste Management’s upper Midwest area.Related ArticlesBusiness | Inver Grove Heights firefighters battle blaze at Mississippi River marina Business | Farmington driver, 17, dies after being rear-ended, pushed into oncoming traffic, officials say Business | Obituary: As Sister Arnelda, she taught ...

Multiple COVID variants found in New York rats: study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Three different coronavirus variants were discovered in New York City’s rat population, according to a new study. A release from EurekAlert on Thursday states that rats were found to be infected with the alpha, delta and omicron COVID-19 variants. Henry Wan, the principal investigator for the study and the director of the Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Missouri, said in the statement that the finds demonstrate why additional monitoring of COVID-19 in rat populations is necessary to keep track of a possible secondary spreading of the virus from animals to humans. “Overall, our work in this space shows that animals can play a role in pandemics that impact humans, and it’s important that we continue to increase our understanding so we can protect both human and animal health,” Wan said. The release states New York City has about 8 million rats, which also widespread across other urban areas in the United States. It notes that two previou...