Arapahoe County representative to resign from Colorado House

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Arapahoe County representative to resign from Colorado House DENVER (KDVR) -- Rep. Ruby Dickson (D-37) announced Friday that effective Dec. 11, she will be resigning from the Colorado House of Representatives, citing the negative effect of the current politics on her and her family.District 37 covers Arapahoe County. In a statement released at about 10:38 a.m., Dickson thanked her supporters and constituents, calling their engagement "invaluable.""While I had high hopes of impacting policy to benefit future generations, and while I’m proud of our legislative accomplishments, it has recently become clear that the sensationalistic and vitriolic nature of the current political environment is not healthy for me or my family," Dickson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Should Israel funding be conditional? Bennet weighs in Dickson added that she believes the people of House District 37 need an effective representative, and she is "stepping aside now to allow someone more suited for the rigors of the current moment to step in."Dickson was sworn into o...

Denver changes housing site plans as House1000 deadline nears

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Denver changes housing site plans as House1000 deadline nears DENVER (KDVR) -- There have been a few changes to the city's efforts to house 1000 people in Denver since FOX31 last heard from Mayor Mike Johnston.His office announced two more homeless encampments will be closing soon, while yet another site has been removed a potential location for shelter. FOX31 Problem Solvers reached out to the city looking for answers. Mayor’s office to close 2 more homeless encampments, move hundreds indoors The Denver Mayor's Office released an update Friday morning saying encampments on 20th and Curtis Streets and 48th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard will be closed later in December.FOX31 asked the city when these encampments would close and where folks currently living there would be going. "For the safety and privacy of our unhoused neighbors we are not sharing details of encampment closure dates and destination locations currently," the city's Homeless Resolution Operations Center said in a statement.Additionally, the city is removing another site origi...

13th annual FOX31/Channel 2 Toy Drive kicks off with the Salvation Army

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

13th annual FOX31/Channel 2 Toy Drive kicks off with the Salvation Army DENVER (KDVR) — Even Woody and his pal Buzz Lightyear couldn’t hold a candle to this Toy Story.Thousands of toys are patiently waiting to be played with by thousands of boys and girls thanks to the 13th annual FOX31 and Channel 2 Toy Drive along with our partners from the Salvation Army, Macy’s, D.R. Horton and Hand and Stone.“This year, we’re helping over 5,000 children across Denver metro,” said Maj. Richard Pease of the Salvation Army.Every one of those 5,000 children will discover a brand new toy this year thanks to the annual FOX31 and Channel 2 Toy Drive — and you. “We need folks to go out and buy a new unwrapped toy for ages 12 and under. So for example, might be like this Lego set or this baby doll,“ Pease said. Denver weather: Chilly with mountain snow and a metro flurry From Dec. 1-20, donated toys will be gathered by the Salvation Army and then given to the parents and guardians, unwrapped.“We would like them unwrapped so that parents have the opportunity to wrap them,"...

Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom at the U.S. military’s defense technology hub in Silicon Valley on Friday to forge a new agreement to increase technology cooperation and information sharing. The goal, according to a joint statement, is to be able to better address global security challenges, ensure each can defend against rapidly evolving threats and to “contribute to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.”Austin met with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Grant Shapps, the British secretary of state for defense, at the Defense Innovation Unit headquarters. Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Austin said the eff...

US proposes plan to help the snow-dependent Canada lynx before warming shrinks its habitat

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

US proposes plan to help the snow-dependent Canada lynx before warming shrinks its habitat BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials proposed a $31 million recovery plan for Canada lynx on Friday in a bid to help the snow-dependent wildcat species that scientists say could be wiped out in parts of the contiguous U.S. by the end of the century.The proposal marks a sharp turnaround from five years ago, when officials in Donald Trump’s presidency said lynx had recovered and no longer needed protection after their numbers had rebounded in some areas. President Joseph Biden’s administration in 2021 reached a legal settlement with environmental groups to retain threatened species protections for lynx that were first imposed in 2000.Populations of the medium-sized wildcats in New Hampshire, Maine and Washington state are most at risk as warmer temperatures reduce habitat for lynx and their primary food, snowshoe hares, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documents indicate.But declines for lynx would be seen in boreal forests across the contiguous U.S. under even the most optimistic warm...

Man armed with a knife shot dead by officers in Elk Grove Village

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Man armed with a knife shot dead by officers in Elk Grove Village ELK GROVE VILLAGE — A man who Elk Grove Village police say was armed with a knife was shot and killed by officers Friday evening. Details remain limited but officials addressing the media said three officers were taken to a nearby hospital for observation following a response in the 200 block of Fern Drive. Elk Grove Village passes ordinance to help migrants while keeping community safe Police add that there is no existing threat to the community. Due to an active investigation, commuters are asked to avoid the area of Fern Drive and Ridge Avenue, however. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines This is a developing story. WGN's Andrea Medina will have more on the Evening News beginning at 9 p.m.

Judge rejects Trump’s immunity argument in federal 2020 election case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Judge rejects Trump’s immunity argument in federal 2020 election case (The Hill) — A federal judge on Friday rejected former President Trump’s argument that he is immune in his 2020 election subversion criminal case, while also denying his other constitutional defenses."Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong 'get-out-of-jail-free' pass, Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability," U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in the 48-page ruling."Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office," she added.Trump asserted the immunity defense in October, arguing all his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol are protected by presidential immunity. The former president faces four felony charges in the case, with Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's office say...

How to care for a real Christmas tree

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

How to care for a real Christmas tree (WSYR-TV) — If it's your first year getting a real Christmas tree or your 10th, there are some tips and tricks you might want to know when bringing a real one home.Not only is tree care important for the survival of your tree but it also helps prevent insect pests, diseases, or even house fires. According to Cornell University, it all starts when you pick the tree at the Christmas tree farm or lot.When picking out your real Christmas tree, you need to consider a few factors including if the tree has been stored away from the sun and wind or if it's been treated with anti-desiccant. Disney World’s Haunted Mansion finally adds fan-favorite character from Disneyland ride The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) also recommends considering what type of pine species you're picking because there's a difference between longer and shorter needle trees once cut."People choose a Christmas tree species depending on tradition and individual tas...

Two UT teaching assistants lose their positions after message about Palestine

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Two UT teaching assistants lose their positions after message about Palestine AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two University of Texas teaching assistants in the Department of Social Work were relieved after they sent an email to students through the UT message board system about the war between Israel and Palestine. The TAs said the message was intended to provide mental health resources to Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students. In a Nov. 22 letter to the TAs, Allan Cole, the Dean Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT, said the “material was unrelated to the course and inappropriate given the setting,” read the letter. “This is unacceptable,” it continued. One of the teaching assistants, Callie Kennedy, said she was approached by a student who asked if the class discuss the mental health needs of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students. She met with another TA, Parham Daghighi, and wrote the message with the approval of their supervising professor, she said.  "We were responding to a gap and willful neglect on the part of our university to meet the studen...

Rivals Westlake, Lake Travis face off for spot in 6A Division I semis Saturday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:53:47 GMT

Rivals Westlake, Lake Travis face off for spot in 6A Division I semis Saturday AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake came away with a 20-14 win over Lake Travis played Sept. 22, but when the district rivals meet on the gridiron Saturday at The Pfield, it'll mean much more.It's a Battle of the Lakes in the 6A Division Region IV final that kicks off at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KBVO, and here's how to find KBVO on several cable providers and over the air.AT&T U-Verse: Channel 1007 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)DirecTV: Channel 51 (HD) – Channel 909 (SD) (HD/SD)Dish Network: Channel 51 (HD/SD)Grande Communications: Channel 818 (HD) – Channel 18 (SD)Northland Cable: Channel 101 (HD) – Channel 10 (SD)Over the Air: Channel 14Suddenlink: Channel 107 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)Spectrum Cable: Channel 1215 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)A lot has changed since that District 26 matchup at Cavalier Stadium. For Lake Travis, head coach Hank Carter made a change at quarterback during a 24-6 loss to Dripping Springs, moving junior Chaston Ditta in from wide receiver for an injured Kadyn Leon. Whe...