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What are the chances Biden extends the student loan pause again?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

President Biden faces a ticking timer on the resumption of student loan payments by the end of the summer — but will he allow it to go off?The payments, paused amid the coronavirus pandemic, are set to begin either 60 days after the Supreme Court makes a ruling on Biden’s student debt forgiveness program or 60 days after June 30, the White House has said. Biden had also previously said the payments would resume at the beginning of 2023, and that there would not be another extension of the pause, which began under then-President Trump in 2020. Although the White House won’t discuss the possibility of a Plan B if the high court strikes down Biden's relief proposal, experts believe yet another extension of the loan payment pause is a possibility. “I definitely think this is on the table,” said Rebecca Natow, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy at Hofstra University and a higher education policy expert. Policy-wise, the move would put the Democra...

Texas STAAR Test is being redesigned — what you need to know

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Say goodbye to scantrons and bubbling in your answers as this year's STAAR Test is moving online.The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test is being redesigned to better align with what students are learning in the classroom. STAAR testing returns with slight change to school rating system "Hopefully these items look more like kids see day-to-day in a grade classroom," Lily Laux, deputy commissioner of school programs at the Texas Education Agency, said. "So students are asked to write short answers all the time, so students asked to write short answers, students graphing in response to a math problem, those kinds of things which hopefully allow students to more show what they know and also will allow for partial credit."This year, students will be introduced to new online question formats, cross-curricular reading passages and an evidence-based writing assessment."It has no individual student-level consequences so we really want students and other f...

Fentanyl testing strip legalization overwhelmingly approved by Texas House

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to legalize fentanyl testing strips. The bill will now head to the Senate.The test strips cost roughly a dollar and can be used to test drugs, powders and pills for the presence of fentanyl, which is significantly more powerful than other drugs and can be fatal. But under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, drug testing equipment is classified as drug paraphernalia, which currently makes it illegal for people to recreationally test."The people who sell fake pills containing narcotics aren't attempting to sell a product that kills their consumers," said Rick Cofer, an Austin criminal defense lawyer who has represented Texans who have been charged with possession or distribution of fentanyl. "Those who are arrested should be prosecuted vigorously and defended vigorously so that the system is fair, but empowering all Texans to test any pills that they may happen to purchase for the presence of fentan...

Daniel Perry's attorney files motion for new trial, court documents say

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 11, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Court documents reveal Daniel Perry's attorney filed a motion Tuesday for a new trial for Perry after a jury found him guilty of murder last week. Perry shot and killed protester Garrett Foster in July 2020 in downtown Austin. Perry's attorney said the shooting was in self-defense.Perry's attorney requested the new trial based upon grounds of excluded evidence, court documents said. The defense team stated in the documents it attempted to introduce evidence to show Foster's motive, states of mind and intent. Q&A: Daniel Perry was found guilty of murder. What happens now? The documents said there were other incidents in which Foster was the first aggressor and would "unlawfully" scare others who he believed might interfere with his objective to "take the streets."KXAN reached out the Travis County District Attorney's Office for comment. This story will be updated when we rec...

Rensselaer County to open new senior center in Troy

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Touted by county officials as one of the best in the entire state, the new senior center in Troy will open its doors following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The new center will replace the longtime senior center on Third Street and features state-of-the-art services and equipment. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “The new Rensselaer County Senior Center in Troy will be a dramatic step forward in our service to our seniors. The new county senior center in Troy will be a comfortable, accessible, and inviting place our seniors will look forward to visiting and the county will be proud to operate,” said County Executive Steve McLaughlin. The new center features an expanded kitchen that can provide hundreds of meals daily for home delivery, grab-and-go, and in-person dining. Other features include a room for movie screenings, a golf simulator, a bar for coffee and tea, and more. 5 things to know...

Two Albany residents arrested on gun and drug charges

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany Police arrested two individuals after executing a search warrant at 39 Trinity Place on Tuesday morning. Rasheeda Gaddy, 21, and Tazeek Johnson, 25, were taken into custody on drug and gun charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, the search warrant was issued as part of an ongoing investigation. Detectives recovered crack cocaine, a loaded 9mm handgun, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Gaddy and Johnson were each charged with:One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second DegreeOne count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third DegreeOne count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second DegreeThree counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third DegreeTwo counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second DegreeBoth suspects were arraigned at the Albany City Criminal Court. They were remanded to the Albany Count...

Saratoga man sentenced to 78 years to life for predatory sexual assault and rape

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Nathaniel Bradford, 37, of Saratoga, was sentenced in Saratoga County Court to an aggregate of 78 years to life. Bradford was convicted of nine charges relating to repeated sexual abuse against two victims under eighteen. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The crimes occurred in the Towns of Saratoga, Greenfield, and the City of Saratoga Springs. Bradford was sentenced on the following charges:Predator Sexual AssaultTwo charges of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a ChildTwo charges of Endangering the Welfare of a ChildThree charges of Rape in the Second DegreeCriminal Sexual Act in the Second DegreeOrders of Protection were issued for the victims and other members of their households. Bradford has imposed a charge of $1,435 and is required to provide a DNA sample.

'24,' 'Lucifer' actor named UAlbany commencement speaker

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Actor and director DB Woodside has been named University at Albany's 2023 undergraduate commencement speaker. Woodside will deliver the keynote address during the ceremony on Saturday, May 13. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Woodside earned a degree from UAlbany in theatre in 1991 before attending the Yale School of Drama. He best known for playing Wayne Palmer on the series "24."The actor is also known for his roles on "Lucifer," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Suits," “Single Ladies," “Parenthood," and “9-1-1: Lone Star.” Most recently, he appeared in Netflix's new series "The Night Agent."  New York Times bestseller named Russell Sage commencement speaker “We are thrilled to have DB Woodside return to campus as our 2023 Commencement speaker,” said UAlbany Director of University Events Christy Doyle. “His vast variety of acting, writing and directing projects, along with his New York City roots and...

Mississippi River to rise near St. Louis as northern snow melts

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The National Weather Service says that the upper Midwest will be seeing much warmer weather this week with some temperatures 30 degrees above normal. This is expected to lead to more snow melt and a rising Mississippi River. The water should reach the St. Louis area by the end of April.This may lead to minor flooding on the Mississippi River later this month. The National Weather Service says that the flooding may reach as far south as the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Top story: “Easter Miracle” for Lake St. Louis officer critically injured by suspected drunk driver It is still not clear how much flooding we should expect. The amount of rain in the forecast will have an impact on how much flooding to expect. Some rain is expected in the St. Louis area this weekend.The purple in this image is the remaining snow that is likely to melt and flow into the Mississippi River.

St. Louis suburb settles 'debtors' prison' lawsuit

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:48:00 GMT

(AP) - One St. Louis surburb will pay $3.25 million to settle a so-called debtors' prison lawsuit over allegations that thousands of people were unconstitutionally jailed and forced to pay fines and fees that provided millions of dollars for the town's coffers.The town of Maplewood agreed last week to the settlement of the federal class-action lawsuit. Maplewood was among several St. Louis County towns whose policing and court practices fell under scrutiny after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson in 2014.The Maplewood lawsuit, filed in 2016, alleges unlawful policing and economic injustice. The settlement money will be distributed among more than 7,000 people who were jailed and more than 20,000 who paid fines and fees from Nov. 1, 2011, through Nov. 18, 2021. Trending: Male bald eagle goes from babysitting rock to an eaglet at World Bird Sanctuary The suit accuses Maplewood of routinely violating constitutional rights through a “predatory scheme” of unc...