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Why two dozen KXAN journalists took on TxTag troubles … again

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another TxTag investigation? That’s the question I expected when we pitched this project. Concerns over the state’s tollway operations and billing system are nothing new. We’ve been telling such stories for at least the past decade. Each time, the Texas Department of Transportation has told us things are getting better and change is on the way. They’ve hired and fired vendors… again...

Director: TxTag vendors doing better, but still not satisfied

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The top official at the Texas Department of Transportation said he believes current vendors operating the state’s tollway systems are performing better than the previous ones, despite “documented deficiencies” with one company’s handling of back-office systems and millions of dollars in liquidated damages assessed to another business in charge of customer service and billing.“We had...

Money, politics and TxTag: Abbott donors on oversight board

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Investigative Summary: This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to us about resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who had contacted KXAN to resolve their issues, and state lawmakers renewed their approach to fixing future TxTag problems.AUSTIN (KXAN) — All five members of a commission tasked with overseeing the Texas Department of Transportation — and by extension, its troubled TxTag toll system — appear to have little or no prior experience with transportation but collectively donated nearly $1.5 million to Gov. Greg Abbott, who appointed them, a KXAN investigation found.The Texas Transportation Commission, or TTC, has the ultima...

Austin Energy crews help get power to Navajo Nation families

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Families in the Navajo Nation were able to turn on the lights in their homes for the first time after crews from Austin Energy travelled to Leupp, Arizona to instal nearly 100 power poles and more than eight miles of overhead wires.According to Tuesday's announcement from Austin Energy, 11 crew members and 10 trucks traveled 4,152 round-trip miles and worked for two weeks alongside Navajo tribal utilities and other public power providers from across the country.The crews left Austin on April 22 to work on the Light Up Navajo Project. According to Austin Energy, this is what crews accomplished: Holes Dug - 124Pole Installs - 96Transformer Installs - 12Meter Installs- 12Overhead Wire Installed (feet) - 2,216Total Miles Traveled - 4,152“Witnessing the pride and gratitude of the Navajo Nation for the work we did is something I’ll never forget,” said Norris Eason, an Austin Energy distribution electrician supervisor. “Bringing power to those that have ...

Water main break slows traffic at Elsmere Avenue

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

BETHLEHEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a water main break on NY 32 southbound at Elsmere Avenue in Bethlehem (NY 335) has slowed traffic. 511 NY reports that one right lane has been closed, and the Albany Water Department confirms crews are on the scene.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Anyone driving in the area should expect delayed traffic. Stick with News10 as more information regarding the water main break becomes available.

NYSP: Canajoharie man sexually assaulted child between '09-'19

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Canajoharie man was arrested on Monday for sexually assaulting a child between 2009 and 2019, with the abuse beginning when the child was under 11, according to New York State Police. Timothy Sanders, 55, faces several charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say on June 15, 2022, they received information about a potential past sexual assault of a child in Canajoharie. Following an investigation, police say Sanders sexually assaulted a child between 2009 and 2019, and the abuse began when the child was under 11. Charges:Predatory sexual assault against a childFirst-degree criminal sexual act DEC: Injured hiker carried over a mile to ambulance Sanders surrendered himself to Fonda State Police for processing. He was arraigned at the Palatine Town Court and is held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.

Months of frustration fuel final chaotic push at Colorado Capitol

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Long-simmering frustrations among Colorado lawmakers erupted into public view in a chaotic ending to the 2023 legislative session Monday night, as major legislation died and Democrats vented frustrations with their Republican colleagues and with each other.In the span of an hour, House Republicans walked out of the Capitol in protest of a late Democratic effort to rush through changes to state tax policy. Gov. Jared Polis’s sweeping land-use reform bill died. In a meeting of the entire caucus, some House Democrats publicly questioned their party’s achievements for the session and wondered aloud if it was worth working with Republicans.The chaos that unfolded in the legislature followed a grueling session of lengthy debates, previously rare weekend work, and a growing sense of acrimony among lawmakers in both chambers. Progressive lawmakers grew frustrated as their priority housing, gun violence, and substance use bills died in a Capitol that’s fully controlled by Democrats. Their mo...

Onset of warm weather means rattlesnakes are coming out of hiding

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Rattlesnake season has begun along the Front Range with the onset of warmer weather, so hikers are advised to be on the lookout, especially in open spaces in and adjacent to the hogback.Jeffco Open Space rangers posted warning signs at North Table Mountain recently after receiving several rattler sightings from park visitors, a normal occurrence this time of year.Related ArticlesOutdoors | It’s rattlesnake season on Front Range hiking trails. Here’s what you need to know. “In general, this is exactly the time of year when sightings increase, particularly on sunny, warm mornings,” said Mary Ann Bonnell, Jeffco Open Space visitor services and natural resources director. “The snakes are seeking good basking spots, and a sunny exposed trail surface is a great basking surface — until a park visitor comes along.“We always advise to keep your pets leashed, be aware of your surroundings, keep one ear bud out so you can hear the rattl...

Local sandwich chain opens newest location in east Denver neighborhood

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Parking just got a lot harder in a neighborhood strip mall at 14th Avenue and Krameria Street.Snarf’s Sandwiches, the much-loved 27-year-old local chain, opened its 25th location on Monday at 6245 E. 14th Ave. in Denver’s Montclair neighborhood.It’s just a few doors down from La Fillette, the popular former Hilltop bakery that moved and reopened as a restaurant in March — and immediately regained its avid following.Founded in Boulder in 1996, Snarf’s is known for its toasted subs and for finding locations in unusual buildings. In this case, company spokeswoman Helen Wood said, “We love old, unusual buildings. But, it’s very rare for one to become available in a spot that works for us. Fortunately, we’ve learned that we can be just as successful in other types of buildings … even strip malls.”But this particular strip mall, Mayfair Center, is actually a distinctive mid-century modern shopping complex with a 1950s aesthetic and an orange and g...

19-year-old died in Colorado jail cell from fatal medication cocktail prescribed by medical staff, lawsuit says

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:11:30 GMT

Maxted LawOscar CanasA 19-year-old died in a Colorado jail cell after taking a “fatal drug cocktail” prescribed to him by medical staff a few months before he was scheduled to be released, according to a federal lawsuit filed in his death.Oscar Canas died on April 18, 2021, in the Garfield County jail while serving a one-year sentence for misdemeanor drug possession. He left behind a 2-year-old daughter and an 11-month-old son, according to the lawsuit filed last month against the county.The nurse practitioner working in the jail, Joanna Kluender, prescribed Canas the antipsychotic medication olanzapine two months into his incarceration for symptoms of the anxiety and insomnia he was experiencing during his jail stay. Seven months after he entered the jail, Kluender prescribed Canas with Suboxone — a medication used to treat opiate addiction.But Canas was not addicted to opioids, the lawsuit states. Canas told jail staff when he was admitted that he wanted treatmen...