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‘Epidemic of violence’ against transgender community highlighted in new report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights group, on Monday released its annual report on fatal violence against transgender and gender-nonconforming people in the U.S., describing the past year as an “epidemic of violence” targeting the community. At least 33 transgender and gender-nonconforming people were killed in the last 12 months, according to Monday’s report, released on Transgender Day of Remembrance. An overwhelming majority were young people of color, with Black transgender women disproportionately impacted.  FBI crime statistics show anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on the rise Most victims were killed by a friend, family member or romantic partner, the report said, and guns were involved in most cases. A 2022 report from Everytown for Gun Safety, a national gun control organization, found that known transgender homicides had jumped 93 percent over four years — from 29 killings in 2017 to 56 in 2021 — ...

'Suspicious item' reported at Austin airport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Law enforcement is investigating after a "suspicious item" was reported at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, officials posted on social media just after 4:30 p.m. Monday.Airport officials said traffic in the upper-level departures area is diverted to the commercial lane, with delays anticipated.This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

Report: Parents should be cautious of these toys ahead of holidays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report outlines the dangers of some toys ahead of the holiday shopping and gifting season. The 2023 Trouble in Toyland report warned specifically about smart toys and the "threats that come with some of them," the 55-page report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund said. "Multiple toys from major manufacturers have been discontinued in recent years after research from various groups showed that children’s voices, images, locations and other information was being improperly collected or hacked," the annual report said. Kian Zozobrado, the communications manager at TexPIRG Education Fund, said the report focuses on smart toys because they're a growing interest to families and the smart toy industry is growing. Some of the issues include privacy concerns and whether the toy connects to wireless internet or Bluetooth. This connects children to outside the home and potentially connects the children to other people, Zozobrado said. Parents should also talk to their children...

Karl W. Smith: How America can get its debt back under control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

With its $33.7 trillion of debt and trillion-dollar budget deficit, the U.S.’s deteriorating fiscal situation is impossible to ignore. To simply balance the budget, a 29% across-the-board cut in spending would be necessary, even if the tax cuts enacted by the Trump administration are allowed to expire at the end of 2025.Rising interest rates have made the situation even worse. Analysis by Bloomberg Economics’ Maeva Cousin and David Wilcox shows that what appeared to be a sustainable debt situation just a few years ago has become thoroughly unsustainable. No wonder Fitch Ratings joined S&P Global Ratings in stripping the U.S. of its AAA credit rating, and Moody’s Investors Service warned it may do the same.But while everyone is focused on the spending side of the equation, perhaps the way out of this debt quagmire is on the economic side.Related ArticlesOpinion | Jamelle Bouie: When it comes to disdain for democracy, Trump has company Opinion | ...

Trudy Rubin: It will take more than the Israeli military to beat Hamas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

Is it possible that Israel could win a military victory in Gaza and still lose the war?I understand the reason for Israel’s invasion of Gaza to destroy Hamas, which carried out a hideous terrorist attack murdering more than 1,000 civilians in one day. Any government would have done the same, especially since Hamas, which favors the destruction of Israel and all the Jews within, has publicly called for more such attacks.Yet even if Israel achieves military success — meaning the destruction of Hamas infrastructure and leadership and release of hostages — what comes afterward will define whether Israel has strengthened its security, or paved the way for the next version of Hamas.The definition of victory in Gaza cannot be measured just in military terms.Why so? I agree with Ami Ayalon, who headed Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, from 1995-2000. “Hamas is not just a military capability; it is an ideology,” he told me via phone from Is...

Gov. Hochul vetoes bill to reinstate limo safety task force

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--- The governor vetoed more than 30 bills that would have created and extended various commissions and task forces because they cost the state too much money.This included the limo safety task force, which was made up of state agency leaders, business owners, and family members who lost loved ones. It provided recommendations to the state as to how to make limos safer. However, the bills that would have made their recommendations law, didn’t pass both houses.Now, the governor is endorsing those bills as a part of The Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Act which includes:• Requiring a minimum $10,000 fine for operating a suspended limo and seizure of license plates.• Requiring limos be equipped with enhanced safety features: window break tools, fire extinguishers, and roll-over protection.• Prohibiting the operation of a limousine that is over 10 years old or has milage exceeding 350,000 miles, whichever is first."Hopefully we’re going to be able to put together...

Three people charged with Capital Region check scam

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three people have been arrested following an investigation into a check scam in the Capital Region, according to police. Jahquel Robertson, 28, of Troy, Anisa Figueroa, 29, of Troy and Erik Aponte Ortiz Jr., 30, of Albany, are all facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The investigation by state police determined that Aponte Ortiz was given a forged check by Robertson and Figueroa that was allegedly planned to be cashed at a financial institution in East Greenbush. Police intercepted Aponte Ortiz, placed him into custody and seized the forged check, additionally finding him to be in possession of a controlled substance. After the arrest of Aponte Ortiz, Robertson and Figueroa were stopped in a car together on I-787 in Colonie and were both taken into custody. Police located multiple fraudulent checks within their vehicle. Duanesburg woman arrested following stolen check investigation...

New facilities at Kelley Park to include pickleball, basketball courts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A revitalization project to construct three new pickleball courts and a full basketball court is underway at Kelley Park. Mayor Frank Rossi announced on Sunday that a new asphalt surface has been installed, thanks to the Department of Public Works, Evolution Construction Services, LLC, and Pompa Bros. Inc. Stone Quarry. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Village of Ballston Spa is also working with Saratoga County to get funding for new fencing around and inside the asphalt area. The new facilities are expected to open in the spring. Organizers will also look into creating an online reservation system for the courts. Residents can expect additional announcements as more progress is made.

Negotiators working on deal with Hamas to free hostages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- President Joe Biden confirmed Monday that a deal to bring home some of the hostages held by Hamas is getting closer. Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, said on “NBC’s Meet the Press” that negotiators are working to secure the release of hostages in exchange for more aid into Gaza.“Some of the outstanding areas of disagreement in a very complicated very sensitive negotiation have been narrowed,” Finer said. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Finer says Israel, the U.S. and Qatar have been negotiating a hostage release for weeks.Hamas is believed to have taken roughly 240 hostages during its deadly October 7th attack in Israel.“Hamas is holding the elderly hostage,” IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.Over the weekend, Israeli defense officials released new footage they say proves Hamas was using a hospital in Gaza for military activities, including holding hostages, something Hamas st...

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston still hasn’t named leaders for several critical posts, from sheriff to city planning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:50 GMT

Four months into his tenure as Denver’s mayor, Mike Johnston still has holes to fill on his administration’s leadership chart and is trailing his predecessor in building out his cabinet.Johnston’s slower pace of naming appointees — including several for key cabinet-level positions charged with helping shape public safety, development and infrastructure in the city — has caught the attention of political observers.“It’s surprising,” said Paul Teske, the dean of the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs. “Watching Mike over the years, he’s always had smart people working with him. He’s a very well-networked guy.”Of 60 appointed positions under the mayor’s control, 11 were either vacant or occupied by interim or acting leaders as of Friday, according to a list provided by the administration. Five of them are positions spelled out in the city charter.The missing pieces include permanent leaders fo...