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Staffing levels left out of final nursing bill as Legislature ends historic session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Facing a lobbying blitz from the Mayo Clinic and other hospitals Minnesota Democrats said Monday they only had the votes to pass a watered-down nurse staffing and safety bill.The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act that would have given nurses a say in staffing levels was replaced with the Nurse and Patient Safety Act, which aims to reduce workplace violence without creating committees to oversee staffing levels.It was the final bill approved by the Legislature before adjournment and passed with bipartisan support in both chambers.It also was a bit of a sour note for DFLers at the end of a legislative session that was historic by political and financial measures.DFLers pass their prioritiesDemocratic-Farmer-Labor Party members, with a narrow majority in both chambers, and Gov. Tim Walz enacted a progressive agenda with billions in new spending and taxes. Republicans had little recourse to stop Democrats plans after losing their narrow edge in the Senate during the 2022 election.The ro...

St. Louis neighborhood hires private security to combat crime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis neighborhood has come up with its own crime-fighting plan. FOX 2 obtained surveillance video from early Monday morning that shows the plan is working.It was just before 2:00 a.m. A crew of criminals was working a block near Francis Park in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood. They were checking car door handles, looking for something to steal. The new crime initiative kept them from getting very far.“We didn’t wake up. We didn’t even know about it until the next day,” said Tom Byrne, a resident.A security camera on his house is part of a network on more than 130 homes and businesses that send alerts to a private-duty police officer hired by the neighborhood. The officer made two arrests in the first few months of the effort and disrupted multiple crimes in progress.The suspects saw the flashing lights of the officer’s vehicle and left the neighborhood before they were able to check many cars. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting "The cameras ...

Running on roadways could be no more if St. Louis County ordinance is signed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has a week left to decide whether or not to sign an ordinance that would ban sitting, standing, running, or walking on county roads when a sidewalk is present.“In my neighborhood, people walk all over the streets,” Saundra Lowes said on Monday.She said she was shocked when the bill was first introduced.“Sidewalks are uneven sometimes, and it’s just more comfortable walking on the streets,” Lowes said.Ernie Trakas, a councilor in St. Louis County, introduced the bill. Last week, county councilors passed the proposed bill with a 4-3 vote. Cassidy Bringle is an avid walker and explains why some runners choose the roads instead of the sidewalks. Retired Post-Dispatch sports writer Rick Hummel dead at 77 “People may prefer to run in the roadways because it's better on their knees,” Bringle said.Bob Cymber said he loves running and could see an issue with how the ordinance is enforced.“I do see a fear of people who are actually...

St. Louis residents bring crime concerns to alderperson in town hall meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis residents and business owners took their concerns to the alderperson at a town hall Monday. The meeting was nearly full, as Alderwoman Cara Spencer and Alderman Rasheen Aldridge provided residents with updates on proposed bills in the city."I introduced a bill on Friday that will prohibit the open carry of firearms in our city. It does not touch concealed weapons," Spencer said.Crime and safety were a big concern for many residents at the event. People living in the city said there is a disconnect between the city's crime statistics and personal experience. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting "Residency is down by five percent over just two years. Why? Everybody in the room thinks it's crime," said Barbara Absher. "So it feels like there is more crime, and it feels more dangerous. People need to feel safe, or businesses will flee, and the economy will just tank."The meeting was also a place where residents got a chance to hear updates on sh...

AAA expects 3rd busiest Memorial Day travel period since 2000

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Memorial Day is next Monday, which can be a headache for some who will be traveling this weekend.One woman expressed her frustration with holiday travel."You want me to talk about that? I can’t talk about that. You can’t curse on TV!” said Simone Henry.However, you can do so from the comfort of your car, and Henry understands why holiday travel headaches would lead some to swear.“There’s more volume-wise, and then, I guess, maybe because they drive so long, kids in the back or whatever," Henry said. "People are not as…you can feel the tension. You can feel the tension.”  Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting “We’re expecting the third busiest Memorial Day travel period on record,” said Nick Chabarria of AAA Missouri.AAA projects that 42.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. Chabarria said 85 percent of travelers will drive to their destination, but air and cruise travel are up big overall from last year...

 Run for the Wall makes stop in Wentzville 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - Members of the Wentzville community put their support for veterans on display Monday. VFW Post 5327 welcomed hundreds of bikers traveling the central route of the annual Run for the Wall. Flags lined the streets, and supporters cheered as the bikers rolled in for the night. Laura Ricord is from Colorado and is making the cross-country journey. She said the support she has witnessed has been breathtaking. The run to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a way to honor those killed in action, call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action, and help veterans and their families heal. “Society, in general, seems to forget some of the sacrifices that are made by the vets when they sign that contract, and they go overseas," said Michael Bischoff, a combat veteran showing his support. "They take the actions they take to preserve the freedoms that we have." Retired Post-Dispatch sports writer Rick Hummel dead at 7...

Renewed sense of hope regarding St. Louis criminal cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS – While some criminal cases in the St. Louis justice system continue to see delays, not all are being met with the same tension and despair as in recent years.One delayed case was scheduled to proceed Monday as a trial. But unlike past delays, prosecutors from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office showed up this time.Victim Neekia Danfort said the circuit attorney’s office is also finally talking to her.“I feel good now,” Danfort said as she walked out of the courthouse with her oldest son Justin.“We actually had some people to call out to reach out to us and let us know, ‘Hey, I'm going to be your new attorney,’ so the communication got a lot better the communication got a lot better.” Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting Danfort’s son, Isaiah, was killed in January 2022 in the Carondelet neighborhood by a suspect with an AR-style rifle. He was 25.The accused shooter, Quinton Roberts, was supposed to go to trial in April, but no prosecutor showed up....

MetroLink asks public for help to pick new line for north St. Louis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo, - St. Louis County residents are being asked for their input on how to improve MetroLink, which is currently limited but in high demand.Following a recent streak of crime at MetroLink stations, safety has been a priority. Parts of increased safety options include real-time cameras, fencing, and adding a new kind of MetroLink that runs in the street like a trolley.On Monday afternoon, St. Louis County and MetroLink officials held the first open house to gauge how to improve accessibility for residents, specifically in north St. Louis County, where transportation is limited.According to a county survey with over 2,300 respondents, 10% of workers in those neighborhoods rely on transit, and over one-quarter of households don't own a car. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting "The one they have closest to me is not viable for me; it's not usable, it's not convenient, so I have to resort to traveling south," said Jordan Wilson, a county resident. "...

Keeler: “I know I would cry.” Nuggets’ takedown of LeBron James, Lakers rocked Ball Arena, brought longtime fans to tears.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Rick Driscoll kept the angels up late Monday. Even from a mile high, you could just about hear him dancing on Cloud 9, rocking a Carmelo Anthony jersey and waving his harp at Chick Hearn and Wilt Chamberlain.“He was a huge sports fan,” Denee Driscoll said as she watched her late husband’s beloved Nuggets clinch their first-ever NBA Finals from 1,000 miles away at a Ball Arena watch party. “And he would be thrilled right now.”Rick Alan Driscoll, lifelong Nuggets fan, passed away this past February. He went to eight or 10 games a year, blue and gold through thick and thin. As a member of Iron Workers Local 24, he gave the skyline his hands and Chauncey Billups his heart.“You know, it’s bittersweet,” Denee said softly before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and hated Los Angeles Lakers. “But it’s awesome.”Nuggets 113, Lakers 111. A 4-0 sweep. Los Angeles in tatters.This was for Rick. For all the Ricks everywhere, the grown men who wept with joy on Chopper Cir...

Nikola Jokic’s Game 4 triple-double punches Nuggets’ first trip to the NBA Finals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Nikola Jokic stood near halfcourt and unleashed a roar that had been years in the making.Late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s gripping Game 4, after one of Jokic’s sublime dimes found Aaron Gordon for a dunk, Jokic screamed at the history he and the Nuggets were approaching. Not four minutes later, in front of championship banners that Denver was only allowed to dream about, the Nuggets seized the Western Conference crown over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-111.Their victory punched Denver’s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals by virtue of its first-ever playoff sweep in franchise history.As James drove to the hoop in the final seconds, Jamal Murray got his hands on the ball in an attempt to thwart James. At the same time, Aaron Gordon soared over and appeared to block the ball. Game over, and Denver’s reserves stormed the court.Jokic, named the Western Conference Finals MVP, finished with a 30-point, 14-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, setting an ...