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Missing TxDOT reports about TxTag vendors highlight accountability shortfall

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A KXAN investigation found the Texas Department of Transportation failed multiple times to submit performance reports for companies doing critical work on its tollway system and other projects.Performance reports are graded evaluations – posted for the public to see – of state contractors’ work. The reports are supposed to create transparency in state procurement, promote good vendors, weed out bad performers and, ultimately, lead to better spending of tax dollars – when the rules are followed.But TxDOT isn’t always following the rules.TxDOT neglected for three years to submit annual evaluations for TTEC Government Solutions, a vendor with a five-year contract originally worth $145 million to handle toll system customer service, according to the Texas Comptroller's Office. TTEC’s work includes customer service for TxTag, which is TxDOT’s toll tag. EXPLORE: KXAN's multipart, viewer-driven 2023 TxTag investigations And within the years TxDOT forgot to submit its eval...

5 things to know this Tuesday, August 8

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, a passing cold front brings chances for spotty showers and isolated storms today. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A Hagaman native rocked the stage with his Nashville-based band “True Villains” on “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) on Tuesday, August 1. Also, the Columbia Blue Devils haven't played a game since June after winning their Class A state championship, but the celebration isn't over yet. The team will be honored by the New York Yankees on August 22. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. Northway northbound reopens after multiple crashes in Lake GeorgeThe northbound side of the Northway in Lake George reopened after a crash on Monday. The road was shut down between Exits 22 and 23 for about three hours after a crash involving a car carrier and a tractor-trailer that caused multiple secondary cr...

Boy or girl? Ed Sheeran's Arrowhead gender reveal wasn't quite 'perfect'

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Imagine getting one of music's biggest stars to reveal the gender of your baby. Now what if that superstar kind of got it wrong? That's what happened this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium as Ed Sheeran let the crowd and eventually all his fans know a Fort Leavenworth couple were having a girl. The couple revealed exclusively to FOX4 Monday, they're actually having a boy!"It's a girl," Sheeran said a video posted to his Instagram account that had nearly 200,000 likes as of Monday night."As the father of two daughters, it's very awesome," he went on to say. 58-year-old veteran serving again, starts first week as Kansas City officer But turns out there's a lot more to the story of Sheeran's first gender reveal done live on stage.Erica Garcia Gomez and Eloy Gomez danced to Sheeran's "Perfect" at their wedding. They got floor seats at Arrowhead and made a sign, hoping the music megastar might see it."We eventually were making our way up slowly. People would scoot over ...

Six Flags hosting back-to-school-drive now through Friday

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Six Flags St. Louis is helping Kid Smart Tuesday. It's the park's 14th annual back-to-school drive.From now through Friday, guests who bring five, new and unopened school supplies to the park will receive a coupon to purchase a one-day ticket for $19.99. Don’t be mesmerized – you should kill this dazzling bug The most needed supply items include notebooks, pencils, 24-count crayons, and markers.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessel tour taking place today

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is allowing people to tour the motor vessel Mississippi on Tuesday.It's part of the Mississippi River Commission's low-water inspection trip. The towboat is used to move barges and hold meetings for the MRC. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County The free, public tours are from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois.

Kirkwood hosting open house today surrounding train station improvements

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The city of Kirkwood is hosting an open house Tuesday afternoon about improvements to the train station.People can see drawings of the plan to extend the train station's canopy, similar to how it looked when it opened in 1893. The city of Kirkwood bought the building in 2002 after Amtrak threatened to close it. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County A non-profit foundation was created to raise $4.6 million for train station renovations. Tuesday's open house is from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

White Castle hosting bicycle raffle event today

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - White Castle is hosting an event Tuesday where dozens of St. Louis kids will go home with new bicycles.The restaurant is teaming up with the African American Business Contractors Association and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. They're raffling off nearly 100 bikes and helmets. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County The event is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the White Castle on North Kingshighway at Natural Bridge.

Volunteers needed to set up 'Christmas Wonderland' at Rock Spring Park in Alton, Illinois

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - The grandpa gang is looking for volunteers to help set up the 'Christmas Wonderland' at Rock Spring Park in Alton, Illinois. They need people to help set up wooden displays and hang lights throughout the park.Volunteers are able to work any time between 8:00 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. Work begins in early September. Don’t be mesmerized – you should kill this dazzling bug You can learn more at the meeting Tuesday at Meunstermann Pavilion in Gordon Moore Park. It starts at 11:00 a.m. 

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services hosting hiring event in Wood River today

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

WOOD RIVER, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is holding a hiring event in Wood River on Tuesday. It's at the Madison County Employment and Training Center from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.Illinois DCFS says several positions are open, including child protection, child welfare specialists, and daycare licensing representatives. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County Bilingual Spanish-speaking employees are also in high demand and may earn an additional 5% on top of their salary.

First 'Safe Haven Baby Box' in Missouri dedication today

Published Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:22:28 GMT

OAKVILLE, Mo. - The first 'Safe Haven Baby Box' in Missouri is being dedicated Tuesday morning.The program allows struggling parents to place a newborn in a secured incubator if they can't care for the child. Child shot and killed while playing with a gun in north St. Louis County The first one is at the Mehlville Fire District's 'Station 2' on Telegraph Road. Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe will be at Tuesday's dedication at 11:30 a.m.