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New Mexico homelessness spikes as housing costs surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A tally of the homeless population in New Mexico shows an abrupt jump in the number of people living without permanent housing or with no shelter at all, according to the legislative agency focused on budgeting and accountability.A spot-count commissioned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on a winter night in January identified about 3,850 homeless people, 48% more than a year earlier, a report released Tuesday found.The count reflected many more unsheltered people — mostly in Albuquerque, where authorities are grappling with encampments on sidewalks and riverside parks.The change interrupts a gradual, decade-long decline in homelessness in New Mexico, which has the highest poverty rate in the western U.S., according to the nonpartisan research agency.“Poverty rates are high, labor participation is low. There is high substance abuse rates,” Kathleen Gygi, a program evaluator, told a legislative panel at the state Capitol. “These are all th...

Citing migrant influx, New York mayor asks court to suspend long-standing ‘right to shelter’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s mayor asked a judge Tuesday to temporarily set aside its long-standing “right to shelter” mandate, saying it could no longer meet its legal obligation to house every homeless person because of the arrival of tens of thousands of international migrants.The right to shelter has been in place for more than four decades in the city, after a court in 1981 required the city to provide temporary shelter for every homeless person who asks for it. Other big U.S. cities don’t have such a rule.But with the arrival of 70,000 asylum seekers since last spring, many of whom crossed into the U.S. from Mexico, the city has been challenged to find room for everyone in need of a temporary roof and bed.“It is in the best interest of everyone, including those seeking to come to the United States, to be upfront that New York City cannot single-handedly provide care to everyone crossing our border,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.“Being dishone...

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Vaughan, critical injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

York Regional Police say a man in his early 20s has been rushed to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in Vaughan on Tuesday night.Emergency crews were called to the scene near Major Mackenzie Drive West and Islington Avenue at around 6:11 p.m.Police say the driver remained on scene. Major Mackenzie Drive is closed between Islington and Pine Valley Drive. Police expect the closure to remain in place for several hours. MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION W ROAD CLOSURE:Major Mackenzie Dr W closed from Islington Ave to Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan– Vehicle and pedestrian involved– Pedestrian with serious injuries– Road will be closed for an extended period– Update to be provided when road reopened— YRP Duty Office (@YRPDutyOffice) May 23, 2023

Tinley Park mayor vows stricter protocols after flash mob incident involving 400 teens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — Days after Tinley Park police canceled the final day of the Armed Forces Weekend Carnival due to safety concerns stemming from a flash mob incident on Saturday, the city's mayor says stricter protocols are imminent. Tinley Park Mayor Michael GlotzIn a statement Tuesday, Michael Glotz addressed the May 20 event, which saw 400 teenagers converge at the carnival in response to a social media post. According to Glotz, the teens aimed to cause "general chaos by starting fights with each other and running through the crowd."Glotz added: "In addition to scaring a lot of families and young children who were trying to enjoy a fun night out, the incident resulted in a police officer being injured and our police department issuing citations to several out-of-town teenagers for fighting in public."Police on Saturday issued five citations. Most offenders were released to their parents and guardians. Glotz praised the quick response of police, adding that officers kept the sit...

CPD: Armed group commits 6 robberies at gas stations in 2-plus hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent out a community alert Tuesday after a group of males committed at least a half-dozen robberies at gas stations across the City in the span of little more than two hours.Police said a group of Black males in an older model white Toyota Camry committed at least six armed robberies at gas stations in Austin, the Lower West Side, Avondale, Humboldt Park and North Lawndale from 3:51 a.m. to 6:02 a.m. Tuesday.In each instance, the unknown offenders approach victims at gas stations and demand personal property at gunpoint.Police describe those in the group as being 16-25 years old, 5'6" to 5'8" tall, wearing black ski masks and clothing, and displaying a black handgun. Police: Woman arrested, charged after punching student at middle school Incident Times and Locations1100 block of North Cicero Avenue on May 23nd, 2023 at 3:51 a.m.300 block of South Cicero Avenue on May 23nd, 2023 at 3:54 a.m.1900 block of West Cermak Road on May 23nd, 2023 at ...

Target removes some LGBTQ merchandise from stores after threats to workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride Month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers.“Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work," Target said in a statement Tuesday. ”Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior."Target declined to say which items it was removing but among the ones that garnered the most attention were “tuck friendly” women’s swimsuits that allow trans women who have not had gender-affirming operations to conceal their private parts. Designs by Abprallen, a London-based company that designs and sells occult- and satanic-themed LGBTQ clothing and accessories, have also created ...

8-year-old boy hit by car, mother insists city make intersection where it happened safer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Friday, May 12, Kirsten Matetich was at a party with her husband when she got a harrowing phone call. “[A friend] called me to let me know that Ross had been hit by a car,” Matetich said. Ross, her 8-year-old son, had been walking home from a restaurant with his babysitter. They crossed the street at the intersection of Windsor Road and Winstead Lane, a MoPac Expressway exit lane in Tarrytown. Ross and his babysitter entered the intersection when the pedestrian signal indicated they could walk. But as they were crossing, a car turning left onto Windsor Road from MoPac slowly ran into them. While the driver should have yielded, the light was green, Matetich said. “When we arrived, there were two ambulances, police cars –  just sort of like a chaotic scene,” Matetich said. “It was really, really scary.”Ross was in a great deal of pain following the incident. But after a night in the hospital and several tests, Matetich said he is physically ...

Attorney General Paxton under investigation for whistleblower settlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas House lawmakers tasked with investigating legal and ethical violations announced Tuesday they are investigating the Office of the Attorney General.The House General Investigating Committee has been investigating Attorney General Ken Paxton's legal settlement with whistleblowers since March. Early this legislative session, Paxton requested the legislature approve $3.3 million of state money so his office could pay a settlement to employees that were terminated after they raised ethical concerns about Paxton's conduct. Four former top aides sued Paxton for wrongful firing and retaliation after they accused him of using his office to help Nate Paul, an Austin-area real estate developer and Paxton campaign donor.In a public hearing Tuesday afternoon, the committee issued a letter directing the attorney general to preserve all documentation relating to the matter."Please immediately suspend all of your destruction policies for all documents... relating the above ...

The Jayhawks and Bad Bad Hats will provide tunes for revived Grand Old Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

Local favorites the Jayhawks and Bad Bad Hats will headline the Grand Stage at the revived Grand Old Day June 4 on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue.Beer garden wristbands are $10 in advance from grandave.com. Youth wristbands are $6 and there’s also a $50 VIP option that includes two drink tickets, a swag bag, access to a premium concert viewing area, free food and other perks.Live music will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Grand Stage and five other areas.First formed in 1984, the Jayhawks found a national audience after signing with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings label and releasing “Hollywood Town Hall” in 1992. Critics praised band leaders Gary Louris and Mark Olson for their strong songwriting and rich vocal harmonies. But after 1995’s “Tomorrow the Green Grass,” Olson left the group. Starting with 1997’s “Sound of Lies,” Louris began introducing rock, power pop and other elements to the band’s sound.The trio Bad Bad Hats began making music in 201...

Twins’ injured list bulging at the seams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:45:21 GMT

The Twins on Tuesday placed Trevor Larnach on the 10-day injured list after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He joins 10 teammates on the IL, an impressive collection that includes key players such as second baseman Jorge Polanco, right fielder Max Kepler and right-hander Kenta Maeda.Injuries to key contributors derailed last season late, knocking the Twins out of contention in the American League Central over about two weeks in September. Minnesota entered Tuesday night’s game against San Francisco at Target Field 2-5 in their previous seven games.Sick with the flu for several days, Larnach was seen by a doctor on Tuesday.“We’ll see how he is in a few days,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “There was no way he was going to be playing any time in the near future. We need to get him off his feet and let him rest for a couple days.”Matt Wallner was recalled from St. Paul and the outfielder and was available off the bench. Over six big league games in April, Wallner, 25, was hitless in 11...