Texas DPS to soon enact new commercial driver license testing initiative

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Texas DPS to soon enact new commercial driver license testing initiative Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said it was preparing to enact a new, modern commercial driver license (CDL) skill testing initiative following its recent approval.DPS said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approved the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) commercial driver license Skills Test Modernization initiative, and AAMVA has begun the process changes and training guides for states to implement the initiative.“The more robust CDL testing solution offers standardization with flexibility regarding changing roads and technology. The goal is to create a simpler and more effective testing process that best assesses an applicant’s readiness to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safely,” DPS said.The department said the initiative would deliver:Modernized protocols for CMV pre-trip vehicle inspection and bas...

Body found near trail in west St. Louis County, death deemed suspicious

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Body found near trail in west St. Louis County, death deemed suspicious ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Police are investigating a suspicious death Friday afternoon near a trail in west St. Louis County. Police say a man was found deceased in the area of 1 Lone Elk Park Road near Chubb Trail. Authorities responded to the area around 4 p.m. Friday. Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are handling the investigation. It's unclear what led up to the victim's death and authorities have not yet disclosed his identity. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

Flu is on the rise while RSV infections may be peaking, U.S. health officials say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Flu is on the rise while RSV infections may be peaking, U.S. health officials say NEW YORK — Flu is picking up steam while RSV lung infections that can hit kids and older people hard may be peaking, U.S. health officials said Friday.COVID-19, though, continues to cause the most hospitalizations and deaths among respiratory illnesses — about 15,000 hospitalizations and about 1,000 deaths every week, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The agency is also looking into reports of pneumonia outbreaks in children in two states, but Cohen said “there is no evidence” that they are due to anything unusual.As for the flu season, seven states were reporting high levels of flu-like illnesses in early November. In a new CDC report on Friday, the agency said the tally was up to 11 states — mostly in the South and Southwest.In the last month, RSV infections rose sharply in some parts of the country, nearly filling hospital emergency departments in Georgia, Texas and some other states. But “we think we’re near the peak o...

Broncos prepare for Texans QB C.J. Stroud: “It’s unusual what he’s accomplishing as a rookie”

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Broncos prepare for Texans QB C.J. Stroud: “It’s unusual what he’s accomplishing as a rookie” Russell Wilson understands what it’s like to set the league on fire in his first season. So when he said Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud “is having one of the best rookie years ever,” it might be wise to take the Broncos signal caller’s word for it.Stroud’s numbers through 11 games have been impressive. He is second in the league in passing yards (3,266), tied for seventh in touchdown passes (19) and has the eighth-best quarterback rating at 62.7.He added to his impressive resume when he was named the AFC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Month for November. Stroud is the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to win Player of the Month, joining the Browns’ Deshaun Watson.“It’s not luck, it’s who he is,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “Watching the tape — the reads, the accuracy, the poise — it’s all there. What you’re watching and what you’re reading — it’s for real.”But as much admiration Wilson and the rest of the team have for Stroud, the Broncos understand tha...

Chicago and other northern U.S. cities scramble to house migrants with coldest weather just ahead

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Chicago and other northern U.S. cities scramble to house migrants with coldest weather just ahead CHICAGO — Chicago is scrambling to house hundreds of asylum-seekers who are still sheltering on sidewalks, at police stations and at the city’s busiest airport as the cold weather sets in and with winter just around the corner.The country’s third-largest city announced a partnership with religious leaders this week to house 400 of the migrants in churches. But with nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing and chillier conditions still ahead, more than 1,000 were still living at police stations or at O’Hare International Airport as of Friday, according to the city dashboard.“As winter fast approaches, our need for greater collaboration and coordination grows. And that is why we are mobilizing Chicago’s faith community and our partners in the philanthropic community to meet this moment,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said at a news conference announcing the partnership.More than 23,000 asylum-seekers have been bused to Chicago from Texas since the start of the year, according to t...

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy hospitalized after shootout

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy hospitalized after shootout A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a trauma center following a deadly shootout on Friday.The incident happened at an ARCO gas station near Amethyst and Bear Valley Roads around 1:43 p.m., according to SBSD.Authorities received calls reporting a man who was armed with a gun. A sheriff’s sergeant was the first to arrive at the scene. The suspect immediately began firing at the deputy, striking him multiple times, officials said.The deputy returned gunfire during the shootout, eventually killing the suspect. The deputy, who has not been identified, was airlifted to the hospital with gunshot wounds.A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a trauma center following a shootout at a Victorville gas station on Dec. 1, 2023. (Venice Gamble)A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a trauma center following a shootout at a Victorville gas station on Dec. 1, 2023. (Venice Gamble)A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted ...

Police release video of shooting at Calabasas restaurant

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Police release video of shooting at Calabasas restaurant Warning: This video contains profanity and disturbing subject matter. We omitted footage that shows the actual shooting.Footage released on Friday shows the terror that unfolded in the streets of Woodland Hills and Calabasas when a homeless man first attacked someone with a machete and then ran into a popular restaurant where he was fatally shot by police.The incident took place on Nov. 1 when 911 dispatchers received a call from a man who said he had been attacked by another man with a machete at the McDonald's at Mulholland Drive near the 101 Freeway."I was able to get away from him, and then he kept attacking me," the victim told the 911 dispatcher.Benjamin Pritchard (LAPD)“We need to get in control of these homeless people,” he added. The man said he was not seriously hurt and did not require a paramedic. His attacker, later identified as Benjamin Pritchard, 35, had dropped the machete and was wandering through the parking lot of the busy shopping center when police arrived.Dash...

Southern California high school coach sentenced to 2 years in prison for sex crimes against student

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Southern California high school coach sentenced to 2 years in prison for sex crimes against student A former Southern California high school coach has been sentenced after pleading guilty to one felony count of sending harmful matter to a child, the Ventura County District Attorney's office announced Friday.Aaron James Mora of Oxnard was sentenced to two years in prison and is required to register as a sex offender for life. He also admitted to “special allegations that the victim was vulnerable and that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense,” a news release said.Mora, a former track coach at Oxnard’s Pacifica High School in 2022, pleaded guilty to the felony count on Oct. 17. Riverside detectives arrest two suspects involved in ‘skimming’ fraud The 25-year-old began texting an underage female student and sent inappropriate sexual images of himself to the victim, according to the attorney’s office.“It is critical that we protect children and vulnerable victims,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews said in a statement.“A coach is ...

The Heat Check: Las Vegas 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

The Heat Check: Las Vegas 2023 It’s time for the MJBiz Con Heat Check 2022. We dug through the suits to see who had the fire in Las Vegas this year. The new dedicated smoking section made it even easier than years past and we certainly weren’t disappointed. The best part was seeing the different flavors people brought from all over!Here they are, starting with Tomi from Lineage Technologies in Canada sparking a fat blunt loaded with hash too. LA’s own Shaggy Brown had some Rainbow Sherbert x Criminally OG from the Russian Assassin Boys.Eddie from Gold Leaf Packaging in Alabama had some prerolls with flower grown out by his clients at Constellation. Adrian from Farma Farms in Bakersfield had some great White Runtz for us to look at. Doodlez New York Cuban Haze x Sour Diesel Hash Hole from @lamarinaboyz, @whiteboyKev@doodlezny and @joethehardwayss.Sequoah Turner from Source was out to show off the locals wares, some lovely Dark Rainbows.  Tony from Mateel Botanicals in Humboldt showed us a lovely bay of Z from up n...

Trump lawyer: Trial during campaign would be ‘election interference’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:31:47 GMT

Trump lawyer: Trial during campaign would be ‘election interference’ By Kate Brumback | Associated PressATLANTA — An attorney for former President Donald Trump said Friday it would amount to “election interference” if his client is the Republican nominee for president while on trial in Georgia in the months running up to the general election.Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee opened the door for discussion on trial timing while considering requests by two of the former president’s co-defendants to delay certain pretrial deadlines. But he said he didn’t plan to make any immediate decisions on a trial date.District Attorney Fani Willis last month asked that all defendants remaining in the case — currently Trump and 14 others — be tried together beginning Aug. 5. Prosecutors have previously estimated it would take them four months to present their case, not including jury selection. That would mean the trial would be underway during the final months of the election campaign.“Can you imagine the notion of the Re...