New Texas law punishes students caught vaping in school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 31, 2023AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) --- A new Texas law will increase punishments for students vaping on school campuses. House Bill 114 will go into effect Sept. 1. These new Texas laws take effect on Sept. 1 It requires students caught with vapes at the school to be placed in an alternative schooling environment, or Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).Dripping Springs Independent School District is one of the districts that recently updated its 2023-24 student code of conduct to reflect this change. According to the DSISD student code of conduct, a student must be placed in a DAEP if they: Sell, give or deliver an e-cigarette to another person Possess or use an e-cigarette themselvesIf the DAEP is full, a student can be placed in in-school suspension until space is available to transfer them. That rule also applies to students with marijuana, THC or alcohol. 'It's a lot'Previously, Hays Conso...

Drug safety activists rally outside Governor's Mansion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Activists rallied in front of the Governor’s Mansion Thursday in protest of Gov. Abbott’s policies regarding harm reduction and drug overdose prevention. August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day. The day comes after an increase in Fentanyl related deaths in recent years. In Texas, preliminary data shows a near 30% increase in Fentanyl related deaths from 2021 to 2022. One of the measures to combat this statistic increasing was HB 362; legislation to legalize Fentanyl testing strips — a small strip of paper that detects the existence of fentanyl in various drugs. HB 362, despite having overwhelming support in the Texas House, ultimately failed in the Senate. The bill’s failure to get passed shares disappointment with Sen. John Cornyn. Fentanyl testing strip legalization overwhelmingly approved by Texas House “I don’t really understand why legalizing the fentanyl testing strips would be controversial,” said Sen. John Cornyn. “I think it will save liv...

Vikings place Kene Nwangwu on IR with back injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

The Vikings have placed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu on injured reserve with a lower back injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday.Nwangwu has rushed for only 75 yards on 22 carries in two seasons since being drafted in 2021 out of Iowa State in the fourth round, but has found a role as the Vikings’ kick returner. In 17 games, Nwangwu has returned 53 kicks for 1,499 yards and three touchdowns.He is eligible to return this season but O’Connell would not put a timeline on Nwangwu’s recovery.“In conversations with Kene, he’s feeling better and better, and we’ll continue to work through that with him and try to get him back at some point this year,” the head coach said.Running back Ty Chandler is the front-runner to return kicks in the Vikings’ Sept. 10 opener against Tampa Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium.“I think Ty did some really good things in training camp any time, really, he had the ball in his hand,” O’Connell said.The Vikings will look at others leading up to next S...

Woodbury domestic assault call turns into arson investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

A domestic assault call early Sunday in Woodbury turned into an arson investigation after responding police witnessed an explosion followed by flames coming from inside the house.Officers were called to the house in the 1700 block of Manning Avenue around 1:35 a.m. for a report of a domestic assault, said Cmdr. John Altman of the Woodbury Public Safety Department.When they arrived, they discovered that a 34-year-old woman at the house had an active arrest warrant for domestic assault, Altman said. The woman was uncooperative, and she was arrested at the scene on the warrant, as well as for obstructing the legal process, he said.During the early stages of the investigation, officers and the involved parties were outside, standing on a long driveway, Altman said, when they observed an explosion followed by flames coming from the residence.“Persons on scene indicated there were no people inside the residence, but there may have been one dog inside,” he said.The dog wasn’t found a...

The latest on the Capital Region's Indigenous school mascots

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- As the 2023-2024 school year is about to begin, some Capital Region school districts have chosen new mascots and names while others are still in the process of getting rid of their Indigenous imagery. Around 15 districts in the area needed to change this imagery. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! In November 2022, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) sent a ruling to all New York school districts, requiring those with a Native American mascot to find a replacement. The directive applies to mascots, team names, and logos.In April, the Board of Regents officially approved the mandate. Over 100 schools in New York were affected by the ruling.If schools want to keep their mascots, they must have expressed approval from a recognized Native American tribe. Those who do not comply with NYSED’s ruling are at risk of having school officers removed and state aid withheld. What to know for the 2023 Capital Distr...

Troy Police to host Back-to-School Block Party

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Troy Police Department is hosting a Back-to-School Block Party at Geneva Pompey Park on September 2. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. and is open to all members of the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Members from the Community Police Unit will be handing out free school supplies to children while supplies last. There will be free food, basketball, prizes, and many fun activities and games. DJ Willow will be present, providing music.

Accidental fire causes major damage to Hillsboro home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

HILLSBORO, Mo. - An accidental fire caused major damage to a two-story home in Hillsboro last weekend, though no one was injured in the scare. The Hillsboro Fire Department shared a photo of damage Thursday via Facebook. A large blaze blemished a home in the 4900 block of Tree Ridge Trail. Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his own Tesla cameras Investigators say the fire burned through a garage, the second floor of the home and the roof. A photo shows much of one side charred in the aftermath, and the Hillsboro Fire Department says the fire resulted in "exterior siding damage." Fire crews used a hoseline to control the fire on Aug. 26 and later confirmed no one was inside the home as crews battled the fire. The fire was deemed "accidental" and not considered suspicious, according to the fire department.

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton hosting drive through food fair today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

FENTON, Mo. - SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton and the St. Louis Area Foodbank are hosting a drive-through food fair Thursday.It'll be at the hospital on Bowles Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., or until supplies last. Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his own Tesla cameras The event is free and open to the public, but it is first come, first served.

Sean Payton is getting the band back together in Denver. Can Joe Lombardi & Co. provide seamless transition?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

This isn’t Joe Lombardi’s first rodeo with Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Far from it.The Broncos’ offensive coordinator spent 10 seasons as a quarterbacks coach and two as an offensive assistant under the Super Bowl-winning coach in New Orleans. The countless hours in meeting rooms and on the sidelines means Lombardi is well-versed in Payton’s fiery attitude, unwavering self-assuredness and extreme attention to detail.In Denver, Lombardi is among seven coaches on the staff with a previous relationship with Payton.Payton’s reasoning behind adding some New Orleans flavor to his Broncos’ staff was simple: They know what he wants.And for Payton to be competitive first season in Denver, he needed coaches to deliver his expectations to the players while he’s busy with other obligations as he attempts a franchise turnaround.“When we have to make a decision, you have a good idea for what (Payton) wants to do,” Lombardi told The Post. “You are not always right, but you try to b...