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Traffic tickets can be profitable, and fairness isn't the bottom line in city courts where judges impose the fines

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

(The Conversation) - When city governments spend more money than they take in, officials often search for ways to generate revenue. One increasingly common source of money is traffic tickets. And research shows police officers issue more traffic tickets when cities are financially in a deficit.But police represent only one aspect of this revenue-generating system. Judges and their courts also use traffic citations to generate money for the cities that employ them.As scholars of public finance, we study how cities raise money to pay for their operations. Our new research indicates that judges in cities facing red ink often use their positions to maximize revenue from traffic tickets. They can do this by adding financial penalties to unpaid tickets. Judges often use the extra penalties to encourage people to pay.The process of generating dollars through traffic tickets, though, begins with the police.Revenue-motivated policingTraffic violat...

VIDEO: Otters spotted at Granger Lake

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Otters are usually shy, inconspicuous creatures that are rarely seen, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. But on Saturday, a KXAN viewer was lucky enough to spot a few.The viewer said the otters were seen swimming at Granger Lake, a reservoir on the San Gabriel River in Central Texas."Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the water," TPWD said.This story came from a ReportIt story tip. Send your own story ideas to [email protected] or through KXAN's contact page.

Patrick answers critics questioning Paxton trial process, campaign contributions

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) - The man who put the gag order in place for the impeachment trial against Attorney General Ken Paxton is speaking freely now and answering critics. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is defending the Texas Senate's process as "unbiased" while slamming the House's initial decision to impeach in late May.In a one-on-one interview, Patrick responded to claims that Republican senators' decision to acquit their former colleague was influenced by politics and money. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal said "the fix was in from the start." "Anyone that criticizes that process, well, that's on them because we did it right," Patrick told Nexstar in a one-on-one interview. He said presiding over the trial was "the most interesting and most challenging thing I've ever done." RELATED: State audit requested for ‘total cost’ of Ken Paxton impeachment trial Senators voted to find Paxton not guilty on every charge, mostly on a 14-16 vote. Patrick said after hearing the evidence he did n...

Minnesota’s PWHL team set to play home games at Xcel Energy Center

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

Minnesota’s new professional women’s hockey team appears to have found a home for its first season, Xcel Energy Center.According to multiple sources, a rental agreement between the X and Minnesota’s unnamed Professional Women’s Hockey League team is in its final stages, a big get for a league that has vowed to upgrade everything about professional women’s hockey, from pay to venues and marketing.According to the PWHL’s leadership group, run by Stan Kasten of the Los Angeles-based Mark Walter Group, the inaugural season is scheduled to begin sometime in early January and run for 24 games. BJK Enterprises, “a data-driven, people-focused investing, consulting and marketing firm” started by tennis great Billie Jean King, is a founding partner.Details are still being worked out, but Kasten said that because of promotional possibilities, primarily with the NHL, the league’s six teams likely won’t play all 12 of their home games in one place.Xcel Energy Center officially seats 17,954 for M...

Hundreds raise thousands for 27th Annual Buddy Walk

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On Sunday, community members and advocates celebrated the 27th Annual Buddy Walk at Schenectady Central Park to benefit the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center at the Center for Disability Services. The event has been promoting inclusion and awareness of those with Down Syndrome, but Anne Schnieder Costigan, Spokesperson for the organization, said this year will include a very special dedication.“This walk is dedicated to the memory of Chris Miller,” she said. “Chris Miller was a tremendous self-advocate. He also was a real Buddy Walk enthusiast, and he just embodied the spirit of this Buddy Walk. So we’re all going to be walking for him today and for all of the people with Down Syndrome that we support.”Kevin Cordella is a part of the United Ways Emerging Leader Program, and he said that he was happy to volunteer for the day with this team.“Great organization, great day, there’s a lot to do here. Pumpkins, arts, crafts, ice cream, everything, so we’r...

South Coast AQMD issues smoke advisory for Los Angeles area due to NorCal wildfires

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

Wildfires burning in Northern California are having a significant impact on air quality in the Los Angeles metro area. According to the South Coast AQMD, smoke from the fires is currently being blown towards the South Coast air basin, causing elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels throughout the region. The impacts of the smoke are expected to last through the end of the day Sunday, officials said. PM2.5 levels may approach or exceed “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” levels at times, and the highest particulate levels are forecast for Sunday morning and into the afternoon. The air quality index as of 7:35 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2023. (KTLA)Areas further away from the coast are expected to see the worst air quality in the region this weekend.“Even if you don’t smell smoke, there may be smoke in your area,” the South Coast AQMD said in a statement.  Winning $5.4 million Powerball ticket sold in Southern California Actions SoCal residents can take during period...

Drunk man arrested after shooting at non-existent home intruders

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

A man was arrested for discharging his weapon negligently after an early morning shooting in Simi Valley. According to a release from the Simi Valley Police Department, officers responded to a “suspicious incident” regarding a subject that rang a resident’s doorbell and then hid in nearby bushes just before 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The first responding officer arrived on scene and found the man, identified as 63-year-old Gary Laskowski of Simi Valley, crawling out from under bushes with a firearm in his hand. He was detained without incident. “The investigation revealed that the subject was under the influence of alcohol and thought intruders were in his residence,” SVPD said. “Officers located evidence of multiple rounds fired within the subject’s residence and garage from his own firearm.”  5 people found overdosed in Long Beach residence Additionally, officers found an additional bullet hole in the driver’s side door of a nearby parked vehicle that belonged to o...

5 people found overdosed in Long Beach

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

Five people were hospitalized after overdosing on drugs in Long Beach early Sunday morning, authorities said.Officers with the Long Beach Police Department responded to a home in the 800 block of Grand Avenue shortly after 2:50 a.m. Sunday morning to assist Long Beach Fire Department paramedics with “multiple patients in full arrest,” LBPD said in a statement.  1 dead, 2 wounded in shooting outside home in Wilmington First responders administered Narcan to revive the patients, who were identified only as four men and one woman. Their conditions and the substance or substances they ingested were not released.

Chargers scratch cornerback J.C. Jackson for matchup with Jefferson, Vikings

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson was a surprise scratch on Sunday for the game at Minnesota after not being listed on the injury report this week.Jackson played in about two-thirds of the snaps in the first two games. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract as a free agent with the Chargers before last season, has had a rough time with his new team after making the Pro Bowl in 2021 in his last of four years with New England. Jackson had nine interceptions in 2020 and eight in 2021, when he also led the NFL with 23 passes defensed.Last season, Jackson was sidelined after five games because of a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. He worked his way back to the starting lineup for the opener at Miami, when he had an interception and two pass breakups but allowed catches on three of the eight times the ball went his way for 98 yards and also committed a 30-yard pass interference penalty. The Chargers also held out former Vikings lin...

Europe keeps Solheim Cup after first-ever tie against US. Home-crowd favorite Ciganda thrives again

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:11:48 GMT

CASARES, Spain (AP) — With a big finish by home-crowd favorite Carlota Ciganda, Europe retained the Solheim Cup after securing a first-ever tie with the United States on Sunday.The U.S. needed a win to get the trophy back after two consecutive losses against the Europeans in the top team event in women’s golf. Europe has never won three in a row against the Americans.The teams split the decisive singles match to finish tied 14-14 with Europe doing just enough to keep the trophy. Ciganda, the only Spaniard in the European team, came up with two superb approach shots on the closing holes and made the short putts for consecutive birdies that secured the clinching 14th point for Europe.She beat Nelly Korda 2 and 1 for her fourth straight victory after sitting out the opening session on Friday morning. She was the only player to win four matches this week.Ciganda’s teammates raised her on their shoulders, and the celebration continued with champagne being splashed around by the Eur...