Panel picks 6 finalists for redesigned Minnesota state flag — and none have loons

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Panel picks 6 finalists for redesigned Minnesota state flag — and none have loons Members of a commission tasked with creating new symbols for the state of Minnesota on Tuesday selected six final designs for a new state flag, and five finalists for a new state seal.It’s another step toward the state replacing its symbols, which have long been criticized for their unmemorable design and depiction of white settlers displacing the area’s Native inhabitants.Minnesota’s State Emblems Redesign Commission whittled down the six final flag designs from more than 2,600 public submissions it received in October. They adopted finalists after about six hours of discussion Tuesday afternoon and moved on to state seal finalists.While the commission has more work to do, a few things appear certain at this point.One: barring a major overhaul, the new flag probably won’t feature any loons. While many submissions featured the iconic black-and-white state bird, none made it to the final picks.What will appear on the flag? All the final designs include the color blue and ...

Travelers brave the busiest travel season of the year

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Travelers brave the busiest travel season of the year COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Tuesday was the first day of one of the busiest travel times of the year. The Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday will be the busiest times to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday.One traveler at Albany International Airport said there were minimal disruptions with their flights arriving and departing on time. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We’re picking up one college kid then going to the other," Margot Gordon, who traveled from Chicago, said. "So it’s been busy but very smooth.”Albany airport was filled with hundreds of families and friends reuniting for the holiday. One mom continued her family's airport prank tradition for her daughter and grandkids.“Every year, when my daughter comes home with her two children, we always pull a prank," Linda DeLuke said. "One time, we came last year, we were all in Joe Dirt wigs. So we stand there just to see her reactio...

Colonie PD working to identify pedestrian in fatal crash

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Colonie PD working to identify pedestrian in fatal crash COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A pedestrian has died after being hit by a vehicle on Central Avenue Tuesday evening. The crash took place just after 6 p.m. in the area of Central Avenue and Mountain View Avenue.Police said the pedestrian was pushing a shopping cart, wearing dark clothing, and not near a crosswalk or traffic signal at the time of the accident. Rain and snow made visibility poor, and the driver did not see the pedestrian until after they had been hit, according to police. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The driver stopped immediately and called 911. The pedestrian was taken to Albany Medical Center where he died. Speed and intoxication are not contributing factors in the incident. No charges are pending.Police are working to identify the pedestrian. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call police at (518) 783-2744.

Regional Food Bank hosts pop-up pantry for seniors in Troy

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Regional Food Bank hosts pop-up pantry for seniors in Troy TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York hosted a pop-up food pantry for older adults in Troy on Tuesday. Staff and volunteers stopped by the John F. Kennedy Towers Senior Housing. The pop-up pantry program started during the COVID pandemic. The food bank visits different senior housing units each month to provide fresh, healthy food to people in need. Tuesday's donation took place a couple days before the Troy Turkey Trot, which raises money for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.Organizers hope to show the impact the race has on the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "And this is just one of the great programs that we run and the support we get from things like the Troy Turkey Trot go directly to support initiatives like this for us," Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci said."The runners are dedicated to help stamp out hunger and homelessness, especially on a day like Thanksg...

Rare photo of Troy Haymakers sells for over $19K

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Rare photo of Troy Haymakers sells for over $19K TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A rare photo of an historic baseball team from the Capital Region has a new home. A picture of the 1871 Troy Haymakers sold for almost $20,000. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! It went up for auction last week. Bidding started at $5,000. The final bid was $19,951.The Haymakers were one of the strongest teams in the National Association, which was America's first fully professional baseball league. The city continues to honor the team with a monument in Knickerbocker Park.

St. Peter's Health Partners joins CDTA Universal Access program

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

St. Peter's Health Partners joins CDTA Universal Access program ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Some employees of a local health care system can start riding the CDTA at no cost to them. Saint Peter's Health Partners joined CDTA's Universal Access Program. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! It allows businesses and schools to cover the cost of trips for employees and students. It's meant to make it easier for people to use public transportation and reduce reliance on cars.More than 40 organizations are part of the program.

St. Louis pot tax money goes up in smoke thanks to city hall blunder

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

St. Louis pot tax money goes up in smoke thanks to city hall blunder ST. LOUIS – It’s a mistake that could cost St. Louis at least $500,000, according to Alderwoman Cara Spencer.It’s not her mistake, but she was willing to talk about it with FOX 2.“This is unacceptable,” she said. “To fail to file paperwork, and now the city’s going to lose out on a good amount of revenue.”She’s disappointed after hearing city hall staffers mistakenly hit the snooze button on taxing recreational pot. The words only people in Missouri say The Missouri Department of Revenue told FOX 2 that it’s up to cities to notify the state when they pass a tax and that St. Louis failed to report that it passed a 3% pot tax in April. The tax was supposed to start on Oct. 1.The mayor’s office declined to talk on camera, but a spokesperson agreed the mistake was unacceptable. He said staff scrambled to file the necessary paperwork to avoid missing out on what could have been six months of missed tax revenue. Instead, he said, the city will lose three months of revenue and the tax on...

Police arrest suspect in pellet gun shooting of FOX 2 crew

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Police arrest suspect in pellet gun shooting of FOX 2 crew ST. LOUIS – There are calls to toughen state laws after suspects were caught on video shooting what appeared to be pellet guns at a FOX 2 reporter and photographer.The incident happened around 12:15 p.m. Monday on Spring Avenue near Chippewa Street in south St. Louis.A couple of suspects started shooting what appeared to be pellets from a passing car at FOX 2’s Andy Banker and Brian Ledford. Banker was struck in the head and torso but not seriously hurt. Brian was not hitPolice arrested the 17-year-old suspected driver on Tuesday. He’s being held in juvenile custody for assault.Police continued to search for two suspects firing what appeared to be gel-blaster guns from the car. The guns are made for airsoft games. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW ...

Clothing donation rack in St. Charles taken; community rallies

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Clothing donation rack in St. Charles taken; community rallies ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Suzie Sallee of St. Charles is known for her generosity. Sallee routinely helps those in need. For the second year in a row, she decided to place a rack of donated coats in her driveway.Sallee encouraged anyone in need to take a coat or to donate one if possible. She said it’s been heartwarming to see grateful visitors look up at her window and wave.“They’re so excited that they get a coat,” Sallee said.That warm feeling turned to heartache when that coat rack was cleaned out two weeks ago. Sallee decided to try again. She put out the rack last week, but said someone ran off with the donations.“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.Jose Jones, owner of Boxing Therapy in St. Charles, heard about what happened. Sallee was at the gym Tuesday helping with a turkey dinner giveaway. Jones informed her he’s having a clothing drive and offered to help Sallee make sure any coats she donates will land in the right hands. FOX 2 reporter, photographer victims of pellet gun drive-by...

Financial problems, lack of workers forces some Missouri birthing units to close

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:50:02 GMT

Financial problems, lack of workers forces some Missouri birthing units to close JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Within the past decade, seven birthing units have closed at hospitals across the state, leaving an impact on Missourians, especially in rural areas.Since 2014, roughly 20 Missouri hospitals have closed, leaving 50 rural counties without a hospital. Nearly all of those closures are because of financial problems or a lack of workers. It's the same reasons why hospitals are shutting down labor and delivery units."It has been something that has been happening for over the last decade or more," Dave Dillon, Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) communications director, said.Closing the doors of a maternity ward impacts more than just the birth. It affects both prenatal and postpartum care."It's not that people don't have a place to give birth; it's that they also aren't getting all that care around birth, too," Julia Interrante, statistical lead at the University of Minnesota Rural Research Center, said. "Some people leave rural areas that are that reproductive age. D...