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Government shutdown: Which veterans' benefits may, may not be affected

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — As lawmakers continue to search for a deal that will help avoid the impending government shutdown, it's hard for many Americans not to worry about their federal benefits. Congress has until Sept. 30 to strike a deal to avoid the shutdown. While Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said Americans should not expect a shutdown, it's not clear that an agreement will be reached in time.When it comes to benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, those payments will remain unaffected if there is a government shutdown because they receive funding separately.But what about veterans' benefits? Moderate Republicans plot last-ditch shutdown plan with Democrats Many of the most crucial benefits and services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs will still be available. During a press conference Friday, Secretary Denis McDonough said Veterans Affairs is “working very diligently in preparation for a lapse in funding.” “…In the case of a shutdown, there would be no impact on...

FDNY deaths from 9/11 illnesses now equal those killed in the attack

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) - It's a number that nobody wanted to see repeated, but 343, the number of New York City firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, is now the number of FDNY employees who have lost their lives from illnesses related to that fateful day and its aftermath. The FDNY commissioner and union leaders alike said that number will only grow with time, which is why they also said it's imperative that resources to care for first responders from 9/11 stay fully funded.At a late morning news conference at his headquarters, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA) President Andrew Ansbro joined the leader of the city's other major firefighters' union, Jim Brosi of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA), to mark the milestone.They said the situation is tragic for their union members in general, but it feels all the more heartbreaking for the families of the recently departed."His life and his retirement was cut short," Ansbro said about Firefighter Rober...

'Combating mental health provider shortage': New Pflugerville facility seeks to serve veterans

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Mental health and the growing need for mental health services have become a frequent topic of discussion. Now, in Pflugerville, there's a new Family Care Center that hopes to primarily serve veterans, according to the healthcare system. "Family Care Center’s proximity to the needs of Veterans, active-duty military service members, military families and first responders in the area is no accident," Family Care Center said in a press release. "The founder, Dr. Chuck Weber, is a retired Lieutenant Army Colonel, and he founded the company to continue his efforts as a psychiatrist and bring support to the military community."According to a 2022 Metal Health America ranking, Texas is 33rd in the country for mental health care services for adults. This story will be updated by Reporter Jala Washington.

Year-round farmers market to open in The Domain

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you've got a hankering for fresh, local produce in north Austin, a new farmers market could soon be your go-to stop. The Domain is set to open a year-round farmers market in November. The website www.domainfarmersmarket.com said the market will be open weekends from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., rain or shine. "Our mission is twofold: to cultivate sustainable practices and to foster a sense of community while making shopping locally an engaging and enjoyable experience," the website said. "We firmly believe in the power of communities to support local businesses and savor the goodness of agricultural and specialty products. Our primary aim is to ignite community participation, building strong bonds between local farmers, skilled artisans, and cottage food producers."Interested vendors for the farmers market can apply online. According to its website, Domain Farmers Market cannot accept candle, soap, clothing or jewelry vendors at this time due to terms set forth by Simon Pro...

Saratoga Springs' PDT Market changes name, new focus on affordability

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- PDT Market, a specialty marketplace in Saratoga Springs, is going through some changes, including a name change. The market, bar and cafe is now known as Franklin Square Market. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! After founder and chef Adam Foti left on September 1, the Franklin Square Market management team, chefs, and staff started working together to keep the market running. Foti said he needed to focus his attention on his first business, PDT Catering.“These two distinct businesses, PDT Market and PDT Catering, each demand and deserve complete focus and attention,” said Foti in his departure note. “Splitting time between the two cannot, and does not, allow for an end product of which I can be proud, and which the customers of both deserve.” Comedian John Mulaney to perform in Troy, Kingston The market announced on September 18 that there would be significant changes happening in the coming ...

Police searching for missing Ulster County man

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

ESOPUS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Police are asking the public for help in finding Wayne Nickerson, 49, who was last seen around 5:30 p.m. on Monday in Esopus. According to state police, Nickerson is 5'6" with green eyes and blonde hair. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! State Police say Nickerson was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray pants while driving a green all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Anyone with information regarding Nickerson's whereabouts is asked to call the New York State Police at the Highland Barracks at (845) 691-2922.

Johnstown man arrested for making threat of mass harm

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York State Police, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force, arrested Cody J Keier, 28, on September 22. Keier was charged with making a threat of mass harm. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to police investigations, Keier posted a threat of mass harm on a social media outlet. Keier stated he was going to harm a large number of people in New York City.Police arrested Keier at his home. He was processed at SP Fonda and released with an appearance ticket to the Johnstown City Court on October 3.

Watch live: Old Jamestown Mall demolition starts today

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The demolition of Jamestown Mall begins Tuesday. It's been an eyesore and safety hazard for years.Jamestown Mall opened in 1973. It was forced to close down in 2014 after years of challenges. The demolition process will begin later Tuesday morning.Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter flew over Jamestown Mall on Monday.The St. Louis County Port Authority has accepted a bid from 'Target Contractors LLC,' based in South Carolina, for the demolition of the property. The building in the mall is just over a million square feet. Little boy at the center of pizza coupon scam in Illinois The mall has had several fires over the years. There was another large one in April where two firefighters were injured and the roof caved in. It's also had issues with squatters occupying the building.The abandoned property off of Old Jamestown Road and Highway 67 is estimated to be fully cleared by next summer. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will be there later Tu...

Crews starting upgrade project near Jefferson Ave. near new NGA site

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Major road improvements are underway right now along a main road very close to the new NGA West campus in north St. Louis. We’re talking about Jefferson Avenue between James Cool Papa Bell and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.Crews have been working along the half-mile stretch of Jefferson Avenue at 5:00 a.m. The first step is for crews to do what’s called 'milling' Jefferson Avenue. That means they are taking up about three inches of the current roadway, which is pretty rough condition then they will repave it with a new three-inch surface.Crews will do the southbound direction first then switch to northbound. They hope to finish both directions Tuesday. Nick Dunne, a spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura Jones, told FOX 2 that this work is part of a long-running infrastructure project around the new NGA West campus.Dunne said besides a new driving surface the improvements include new sidewalks, medians, streetlights, bike lanes, and more. Cloned voice, fake bondsman t...

Opinion: Without approval of major transmission projects, the West’s clean energy efforts will fall short

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

Last month, I joined President Joe Biden at a new wind tower manufacturing plant that just opened in Belén, New Mexico.The opening of this $55 million factory will create 250 advanced manufacturing careers for New Mexicans. These are the types of high-quality trades careers that you can build a family around.But it wasn’t too long ago that the company behind it — Arcosa Wind Turbines — was in the middle of difficult layoffs at their other facilities around the country.The company’s outlook changed dramatically when we passed the Inflation Reduction Act.Today, Arcosa’s manufacturing orders have surged above $1.1 billion, according to its CEO, allowing the company to expand to new facilities.Just days after President Biden’s visit, the major solar cell and panel manufacturer Maxeon announced it will open a new $1 billion factory that will create 1,800 new jobs in Albuquerque.These massive manufacturing plants in my state are proof that the investments that Congress passed in the...