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Records: Travis County judge sentences son for father’s 2022 murder

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A son convicted in the January 2022 murder of his father was sentenced to serve 20 years in state prison Wednesday.Travis County court records said 32-year-old Rico Manalang pleaded guilty to the murder the same day he was convicted and sentenced.In addition to the 20-year prison sentence,  Manalang must also pay $445 in court fees. RELATED: Police: Son killed father via ‘blunt force trauma’ while both living out of pickup According to a past KXAN report, Austin Police arrested Manalang in connection with the Jan. 23, 2022, death of his father, 59-year-old Joseph Manalang. At the time, both were experiencing homelessness and living out of a pickup truck.The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy revealed Joseph died of “blunt force trauma.”APD said Manalang was connected to his father’s death from “evidence seized inside the truck,” according to the previous report.Travis County jail records showed Manalang was booked into the facility Jan. 28, 2022. ...

Appeals court says state agency set electricity prices too high during 2021 winter storm

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A Texas appellate court surprised the electricity world Friday by ruling that the Public Utility Commission overstepped its authority during the deadly February 2021 winter storm when it raised the price of electricity to the maximum, $9,000 per megawatt-hour.The price was set that high on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 by the commission in charge of regulating Texas’ electricity in an effort to tell the market that more power generation was urgently needed. Its leadership believed that the financial tool meant to adjust the cost of electricity was malfunctioning as electricity generators had fallen offline and grid operators cut power to homes and businesses, the ruling explains.The price of electricity is fluid in Texas; it goes up when demand is high in order to incentivize more production and keep the grid from being overloaded. But the state’s electricity market monitor said in the aftermath of the storm that Texas overcharged retail electricity providers by $16 b...

'They're essential': Austin nonprofit hands out 60 computers to refugees

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Ramin Mohmand came to Austin from Afghanistan nearly six years ago. He said he was happy to end up in Central Texas but assimilating into his new home came with some challenges. “There are difficulties when you come [for the] first time from a different country as a refugee,” Mohmand said. “You don’t have bank history, you don’t have a work history, you don’t have a housing record.”  MORE: Want to help Ukrainian refugees? New site allows users to offer their homes “It's very hard to find housing, it's really hard to find a job on your own because you don't know how this job application will work,” he said. “It’s very difficult.” The Global Impact Initiative, an Austin Non-Profit established in 2020, tries to make adjusting to life in the States easier for refugees. Friday, the initiative handed out 60 computers to refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine and Venezuela.“[Computers] are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity,” said ...

St. Paul’s Grand Pizzeria closes, hints at something ‘new and exciting’ to take its place

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

Grand Pizzeria, the pizza spot next to Grand Ole Creamery in St. Paul, has closed.The restaurant, which served pizza for more than 10 years, announced its closure on social media and hinted that something exciting will take the place of the pizzeria.The social media post reads in part:“We want to express our sincere gratitude to our loyal customers who have supported us over the years. While we are sad to say goodbye to Grand Pizzeria, we are thrilled that a new and exciting concept will be taking its place. We can’t reveal too much yet, but we promise it will be worth the wait!“We invite you to come today and enjoy our delicious pizzas one last time before we close our doors. And don’t worry, we will be sure to keep you updated on our new venture, so stay tuned!“Thank you again for your continued support and loyalty. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for you next!”Attempts to reach the owners have been unsuccessful. We’ll let you know as ...

Loons finalizing deal for South Korean winger Jeong Sang-bin

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

The newest Loon has landed in Minnesota.South Korean player Jeong Sang-bin traveled from Zurich to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday and went through medical exams in Blaine. It was one of the final steps before Minnesota United can announce the 20-year-old winger will join the club on a permanent transfer from Wolverhampton in the English Premier League.Jeong has signed a three-year contract with MNUFC, plus an option year for 2026, a club spokesman shared. Jeong will occupy one of three Under-22 Initiative slots.“We have to do a good job of this,” Heath said Friday. “It’s no good spending the money we are — and the belief that we have a top player on our hands — if we are not going to make him feel comfortable day-to-day.”One of Jeong’s agents is going to stay in Minnesota for the next month or so to help him acclimate to the U.S. The club is also working on a translator for Jeong, one of the rare South Koreans to play in MLS.The Wolves brought in Jeong fr...

Mining company wants 120 acres annexed to Cottage Grove

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

A mining company that operates a rock quarry in Grey Cloud Island Township wants part of its land to be annexed into neighboring Cottage Grove.Holcim MWR Inc., formerly Aggregate Industries, filed an annexation petition on Thursday to have 120 acres annexed to Cottage Grove; the company owns about 600 acres in the township. A public hearing on the request will be 7 p.m. April 19 at Cottage Grove City Hall.The annexation petition lists several reasons for the request, including concerns that “the township form of government is not adequate to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community surrounding this property because of a shortage of staff and resources.”The annexation “would be in the best interests of the subject property because the existing levels of governmental services, including water, sewer, fire protection, law enforcement, street repair and land use approvals are inadequate for the property,” the petition states. “Furthermore, given p...

VSP: Road rage suspect ends up crashing into a ditch

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

POWNAL, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Pownal woman was arrested late Thursday night following a road rage incident around Route 7 and Mann Hill Road. According to the police, Tonya Florio, 42, hit another vehicle twice before leaving the roadway and getting stuck in a ditch. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Florio had three juveniles in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Vermont State Police charged her with Negligent Operation and three counts of Cruelty to a Child. Florio was released on condition to appear in Vermont Super Court, Bennington Criminal Division, on March 20.

Posthumous album set from 'Gangsta’s Paradise' rapper Coolio

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The estate of rapper Coolio plans to release a studio album later this year that the Grammy-winning hitmaker had been working on in the days before he died. “Long Live Coolio” will be the first posthumous album release from the “Gangsta’s Paradise” star and the first single, “TAG 'You It,’” dropped Friday featuring Too $hort and DJ Wino. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The raunchy single's video—that begins with Coolio and Too $hort in a boxing ring as various women gyrate—marks the last piece of visual content Coolio appeared in before his death from cardiac arrest on Sept. 28, 2022, at age 59. His career album sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, according to Luminate. He would be nominated for six Grammys overall.Coolio won a Grammy for best solo rap performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film “Dangerous Minds”...

Tens of thousands expected downtown Saturday for CITY SC, Battlehawks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Tens of thousands of sports fans are expected in Downtown St. Louis on Saturday between two evening games for St. Louis CITY SC and the St. Louis Battlehawks. For both teams, it will be their second home games of the 2023 seasons.The Battlehawks will host the D.C. Defenders at 6 p.m. at the Dome At America's Center. CITY SC will host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. CT at CITYPARK. Trending: Mother of Jefferson County detainee wants to visit son in ICU The Battlehawks drew more than 38,000 fans for their home opener last weekend, a record for a modern-era spring professional football game. Fans had a chance to watch from the 400s section of the dome last weekend, and it appears some tickets are still available for the 400 section for Saturday. St. Louis CITY SC drew more than 22,000 fans in the franchise's home debut on March 4. Another large crowd is expected again with potential history on the line. If CITY SC wins Saturday's match, they will become the first ...

Flags at half-staff on day of Hermann officer's funeral

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:52 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri flags are flying at half staff this Sunday to honor fallen Hermann Police Department Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith. He was shot and killed during an incident at a gas station on March 12. A funeral for the officer is being held this weekend.Flags at government buildings in Gasconade County will be at half staff on March 19. Acting Governor Mike Kehoe gave the order. Governor Mike Parson is on a trade mission to Sweden and Germany to promote Missouri business.“Detective Sergeant Griffith was a model officer, committed to honorably serving the people of Hermann, Rosebud, and Gasconade County,” states Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “This senseless act of violence is a solemn reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face each day to keep our communities safe, and the debt we owe them for their courageous service. Claudia and I continue to pray for Mason’s family and the entire law enforcement community during this difficult time.” Top story: Mish...