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‘May the 4th be with you’ gifts for the Star Wars super fan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Star Wars fans have stayed true for nearly half a centuryIN THIS ARTICLE:Star Wars The Mandalorian Grogu RCStar Wars R2-D2 Popcorn MakerLego Star Wars Ultimate Millennium FalconReportedly, even George Lucas didn’t believe in the original Star Wars movie. There weren’t any sequels planned when the first film was released. It was a science-fiction movie that had a limited fan base. Lucas allegedly predicted it was going to be popular for a couple of weekends, but then die a quick death after the target audience had watched it. No one expected that nearly half a century later there would be new films and series announced and launched every year. And no one thought Star Wars would get its own day. Yet here we are, once again celebrating May the 4th.10 ways to celebrate Star Wars DayCelebrating Star Wars Day is a little like eating a peanut butter-filled chocolate cup — there’s really no wrong wa...

Motion denied for new Daniel Perry trial, sentencing starts May 9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Attorneys for former Army Sergeant Daniel Perry -- who was convicted last month of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin in 2020 -- was denied a motion for a new trial Wednesday in court. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death Sentencing for Perry will begin in court at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 9.Pushing for a new trial, Perry's attorneys said they believed evidence was left out that would prove Perry was not the initial aggressor in the murder of Foster. Perry's attorneys filed a motion for a new trial less than a week after Perry's conviction last month. READ MORE: Daniel Perry’s attorney files motion for new trial, court documents say They 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, state of mind and intent.During the hearing Wednesday in court, the defense said...

Texas professors petition for keeping tenure system as Senate ban bill advances to House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Senate Bill 18, which would remove the possibility of tenure for Texas professors, faces opposition from over 700 Texas professors, who signed a petition "to protect academic freedom and minority faculty."The bill is currently under consideration in the House. The version of the bill passed by the Senate on April 20 can be read below:SB00018EDownloadOther states, such as Georgia and Ohio, are also considering similar bans. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a new law that adds an additional review to the tenure system, which already has regular reviews built in to the process. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes ending tenure over critical race theory battle The bill is authored by 10 Republican Senators: Brandon Creighton, Donna Campbell, Pete Flores, Phil King, Lois Kolkhorst, Mayes Middleton, Tan Parker, Angela Paxton, Charles Schwertner, Kevin Sparks and Drew Springer. Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-The Woodlands"SB 18 eliminates the costly, unnecessary and antiq...

Is Ercot ready for the coming summer?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As temperatures continue to warm during this spring season it won't be too much longer before Central Texas begins its annual string of 90°+ days that eventually become days when the afternoon highs reach 100° and higher.It's during this time when concerns begin to surface by many regarding "the grid". On Wednesday, May 3 the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas held a press conference updating Texans on the status of the grid ahead of the approaching summer. Their reports were based on information from ERCOT's Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) and the Capacity, Demand, and Reserves (CDR) reports. They offer a broader insight into how prepared the grid is.Part of the Texas grid Courtesy: Getty ImagesPUC Chairman Peter Lake says a number of scenario analysis was done that included both best-case and worst-case scenarios. The SARA finding indicated the ERCOT grid is ready for this summer, that...

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has always proven himself. He’s ready to do it again.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

As an 18-year-old growing up in Michigan, Kirk Cousins remembers preparing for college without any knowledge of what lies ahead. He was the starting quarterback for Holland Christian High School at the time, and despite some moderate interest from some schools, he still hadn’t received a scholarship offer.“I’m going into my senior year with no scholarship offers,” he remembered. “I walked off the field the last game of my high school career with no scholarship offers.”After almost every game, Cousins remembers a local reporter from the Holland Sentinel asking different variations of the same question: How was he handling the sea of unknowns?“If you win football games, and do your part, and put your work in, the rest will take care of itself,” Cousins said. “That certainly happened in my high school career.”That mindset followed Cousins to his college career, where he won the job at Michigan State during his sophomore year and nev...

Most high school staff feel unsafe at work, St. Paul school district survey finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

Most employees who work in the district’s high schools feel unsafe on the job, according to a St. Paul Public Schools survey conducted two weeks after the February stabbing death of a student.Thirty-five percent of all district staff said they feel unsafe or very unsafe at work, but that number was 55 percent among high school staff.The survey is one of several efforts by the district to gather input on school safety following the hallway stabbing death of 15-year-old Devin Scott.The school board has held multiple listening sessions and parent meetings, and the district recently surveyed students and families, although the results are not yet available. The district declined an interview request about the staff survey, saying the information will be presented at a future board meeting.Since the Feb. 10 stabbing, spokeswoman Erica Wacker said, the district has added more security staff at Harding, increased hallway supervision, implemented a digital hall pass system and assigned a pa...

Authorities ID Anoka County driver who died after asking for help from crash scene

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

Authorities have identified an Anoka County motorist who died after seeking help from his crashed pickup truck Monday morning.James Arthur Liefert, 56, of Buffalo, Minn., crashed into a light pole off westbound 197th Avenue Northeast in Columbus just before noon, the Anoka County sheriff’s office said Wednesday. Liefert then called someone about the crash, and that person notified authorities.Emergency responders were sent to an area tracked through Liefert’s cellphone and found him in his truck, which was on its side along 197th Avenue near Coon Lake County Park.Life-saving measures were given, but he died at the scene.Related ArticlesLocal News | Coon Rapids man gets 32 years in prison for beating, slashing neighbor to death last year Local News | Driver strikes, kills pedestrian Saturday in Spring Lake Park Local News | Canine influenza causes Animal Humane Society’s Twin Cities shelters to close

NYS Budget finalized: What comes next?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--With the budget now over the finish line, the governor is focusing her sights on an issue that didn’t make it into the budget, housing."I had the conversations with the leaders about the time that they want now to let others digest the scale of the initiatives I proposed--- I put on the table that I believe are necessary. We need to go big. We need to be bold and ambitious," said Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday.The governor originally proposed adding 800,000 new homes over the next decade, but an agreement couldn’t be reached during negotiations. She said this would help solve the affordability crisis."The conversations will start in earnest immediately. That will be one of my top priorities," explained Hochul. "I don’t know if it will be accomplished in a session, but while the legislators are here, it gives us a chance to have conversations and I will be looking towards having more initiatives certainly in my next budget."Republican Senator, Jim Tedisco, ex...

Memorial Day events in the Lake George region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Memorial Day weekend means a lot of things around the Lake George and Glens Falls region. For many, it marks the start of a busy summer season. For many more, it's a time to remember the sacrifice of veterans - near and far. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Parades and other observances are on the way for Memorial Day weekend. Find out what's happening near you, and when:South Glens Falls Memorial Day parade6 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 26Parade starts at Main Street and Haviland Avenue, South Glens FallsParade led by local veteran Wayne "Beanie" Bruce serving as Grand Marshal. 7 p.m. wreath ceremony to follow at Veteran's Memorial Park. American Legion, VFW and fire department organizations to take part, joined by the South High Marching Band and the Gaelic Pipe Band.Memorial Day Party at Spring Brook Hollow FarmNoon - 6 p.m. Saturday, May 27Spring Brook Hollow Farm Distillery, 133 Clements St., Fo...

Lawmakers react to NY's official budget deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:20:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Some say better late than never - the $229 billion state budget was officially passed Tuesday night, around 11:30pm. It includes changes to public safety laws, education funding and more. Our Capitol Correspondent, Amal Tlaige spoke with lawmakers and has their reaction.  NY bans gas stoves in most new buildings, starting 2026 "Like with all budgets, there’s some good and there’s some bad and there’s 63 different perspectives out … in the Senate anyways," said Democratic Senator, John Mannion. He said some things that do work in this year's budget are changes to bail reform, which include removing the least restrictive means standard, giving judges more discretion and issuing non-monetary conditions for those with addiction or mental health issues. "For me, I was proud to lend my voice into the conversation and represent my constituents, and we have additional changes to those laws that are going to give district attorneys and judges the ability to keep our ...