Latest news with #Austin
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to end Texas Lottery Commission goes to Gov. Abbott
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Legislation to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is closer to becoming law. Friday night, Senators accepted House amendments to Senate Bill 3070, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. SB 3070 would allow lottery games to continue, but would abolish the TLC and hand over control of the Texas Lottery and Charitable Bingo to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The decision comes amidst a host of scandals for the commission, resulting in investigations from both the Texas Rangers and the Attorney General's Office. State Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, filed the legislation, after originally filing a bill to eliminate the lottery entirely. The final version of the legislation calls for the incoming Texas Lottery division of TDLR to undergo a sunset review to see how they're functioning under the new department. It sets a decision on whether to abolish the lottery completely in 2029.' 'Specifically, sunset will assess whether TDLR has sufficient tools to ensure the integrity of the game,' Hall said Friday on the Senate floor. Hall said TDLR will not pay out a lottery prize unless the winner submits forms required by the IRS, and that information is verified. The bill also calls for lottery mobile applications to end. If Abbott signs the bill into law, the lottery will have this summer to transition to TDLR before the TLC is abolished on Sept. 1. Because the TLC is up for sunset anyway, a Abbott veto would still mean the TLC is abolished on Sept. 1, but the Texas Lottery would go with it. After the vote earlier this month in the House, the commission issued a statement saying it will follow the direction of the legislature. 'The TLC is prepared to fully support the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with ensuring that a smooth, seamless and successful transition occurs for both the administration of the lottery and the regulation of charitable bingo,' the commission's statement read. Hall has previously said that he would prefer that the state get out of the lottery business altogether. On Friday, he suggested more legislation could come in the future. 'Senate Bill 3070 represents a new chapter in our efforts to protect Texans from a vice that takes advantage of the poorest people in our state. But this is not the end of the story,' Hall said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Uber Stock Is Still a ‘Top Pick,' Says BMO Capital Despite Tesla (TSLA) Robotaxi Jitters
Shares of ride-hailing and delivery giant Uber (UBER) fell roughly 5% in yesterday's trading. The decline follows news of Tesla's (TSLA) upcoming Robotaxi launch in Austin on June 12. Still, BMO Capital Top analyst Brian Pitz remains confident in Uber's long-term strategy and growth prospects. The five-star analyst sees the recent dip as a buying opportunity and reiterated his Outperform rating and $101 price target, calling Uber a 'Top Pick' in the sector. Confident Investing Starts Here: Uber's AV Plans and Valuation Signal Upside According to the analyst, the market has overreacted to Tesla's planned Robotaxi launch on June 12. Although the news drew headlines, Pitz notes that Tesla's rollout—limited to just 10–20 vehicles—is small when stacked against Uber's much larger plans. For instance, Uber's deal with Waymo, owned by Alphabet (GOOGL), will bring hundreds of autonomous cars to its app in the coming months. Uber also has active deals with May Mobility and China-based WeRide, which are set to roll out AVs (autonomous vehicle) in dozens of U.S. cities. BMO applauds Uber's move to ' drive international scale ' through its recent acquisition of Dantaxi, Denmark's largest taxi firm. The deal brings 3,500 drivers onto Uber's platform, and starting this summer, riders in Denmark will be able to book trips through the app. The firm expects this to 'increase adoption' by improving match rates and estimated time of arrivals (ETAs), while opening up more ways to use it at airports, during leisure activities, and for daily commutes. On the self-driving front, Pitz sees Uber as an AV winner. The company now works with more than 15 AV partners and plans to launch shared AV rides by 2026. These steps are already boosting usage in cities like Austin, where Uber sees steady demand. Importantly, BMO finds Uber's valuation compelling. With shares trading at 19x next-twelve-month (NTM) EBITDA, the stock is below its two-year forward average of 21x and significantly under the high end of 27x. That suggests meaningful upside potential if Uber continues to execute across global and autonomous growth areas. What Is the Prediction for UBER Stock? Overall, Wall Street is bullish on Uber Technologies' prospects, with a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 29 Buys and four Holds. The average UBER stock price target of $98.61 implies about 16.98% upside potential. See more UBER analyst ratings Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
UPDATE: APS cancels last day at Ellis, IJ over 'potential safety concern;' AHS graduation unaffected
May 30—Due to what was termed as a "potential safety concern," at Ellis Middle School, the Austin Public Schools District has made the decision to cancel the last day of school for both Ellis Middle School and IJ Holton Intermediate School. In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page made the announcement early Friday morning. "Due to the timing of this report and our need to fully assess the situation, we have made the decision to cancel the last day of school for Ellis Middle School students," Page explained in the letter. "Additionally, IJ Holton, due to its close proximity to Ellis, will also be closed to students." Citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Page said he was unable to go into details regarding the situation saying only that the district was working with law enforcement to investigate the threat's nature and that it is "taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our community." "All threats of violence — even those made in jest — are taken seriously and may result in student discipline, including possible expulsion and involvement of law enforcement," Page's letter said. However, later in the day on Friday, Page confirmed that the report of a possible safety threat had come in late Thursday evening. Austin Police Chief David McKichan confirmed that the district had reached out to the Austin Police Department, which continues to look into the threat. "Austin Public Schools received information about a potential safety concern involving students at Ellis Middle School. They did contact us to investigate, and that investigation is ongoing," McKichan said in a statement. "We do have two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to the school district. One of those is dedicated to the Ellis/IJH joint campus and is assigned this case. The other SRO, and any of our other staff, would of course assist as needed." Page has said that this incident had no bearing on Austin High School's commencement which took place as planned Friday night. The letter ended with Page urging parents or their students that if they hear of any threats to call 911 to report it.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: APS work will need to be done together
May 30—In a week that included yet another lengthy conversation regarding morale issues in the Austin Public Schools District it's worth remembering that this is not just a light-switch moment. It's clear there is a problem within the district, made painfully obvious at times through meetings and community discussions, and by now we're all pretty familiar with what many of these more important issues are. Teachers are feeling stressed, overwhelmed and that their voices are not being heard when it comes to these concerns. While the catalyst can be traced to involuntary teacher shifts within the district, the processes behind the current situation are branching off into other facets. Conversations within the district on how to better the situation are being shaded by frustration and impatience both within the district and in the community. It's an understandable reaction, as human beings as a species often tend to be impatient during a time where we have become used to having things at our fingertips. But underneath it all, it has to be realized by all sides that this is not a quick fix. Just as its been claimed that this has been simmering for at least a year, it will be equally long-lived in finding answers. That's an idea that's not likely to be popular, but that is the reality, despite some easy fixes that some might see out there. People want change now. They want to know that their kids are getting a quality education in an encouraging environment devoid of distractions. But this can't be a quick conversation, nor can it be an easy fix because in order to truly repair the damage, anything fixed has got to last. This can't be something that persists like an open wound. In order to do this, however, there has got to be transparency in the process. Yes, there will be some things that will require closed meetings, dictated by law, but any time the district can, it will need to be open and welcoming in its conversations. This past Tuesday, during its work session, there were indications this is heading in the right direction as board members and administration discussed viable ideas that could go a long ways in mending the issue at stake. But there is a responsibility by the public as well. It is bolstering that so many have taken interest in this issue. Naturally, they want to see this whole thing resolved, but we urge them to keep their eye on the prize. It is important to voice concerns and to question, but this is an issue that requires all voices to work collectively and committed. As we've stated, there is not one answer that fixes all types of scenarios to any of this. School board member Dan Zielke was exactly right that all parties need to be wary of pointing fingers, "because there are three more pointed back at you." Introducing factors that have little bearing on the issue at hand only invites complication for a matter that is plenty complicated on its own. We believe the district will get through this, one way or another. But how it does it is as important as the final fix itself. Hands have to be shaken in order to find resolution and the motivating factor has got to be the benefit of the students. There is no doubt that this is a charged situation and it will continue to be charged for some time to come. There will have to be some give and take by both sides, but we can go a long way in building confidence if we are willing to understand and accept that this will not be an overnight fix. By working together and openly as one community we can get to a lasting fix that will benefit it all.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man with alleged stockpile of weapons, ammunition charged with several counts of illegal possession
May 30—Allegations also included the making of bombs An Austin man has been charged with several counts of illegal weapons possession discovered during a search that turned up a stockpile of guns and ammunition he was keeping at his home. Jonathan Julio Nique, 22, was charged Friday with eight felony counts of receiving or possessing a firearm with no serial number, one for each weapon that had been discovered without the required number during the execution of a search warrant earlier this week. However, that was just the tip of the iceberg as law enforcement uncovered over 40 items that included everything from guns, gun parts and ammunition to computer towers and items allegedly used to make explosive devices. Of those materials, law enforcement secured 29 guns of various kinds including several that were 3D printed. Nique made his first appearance in Mower County District Court Friday morning on this and another case in which he was discovered entering the Mower County Courthouse with .22 caliber ammunition. He was arrested for that case at around 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning when he was arriving for a hearing, the same day that the search warrant was executed at his home in the 800 block of 14th Avenue SE. According to the court complaint, an Austin Police officer was alerted to the activity by a witness on May 24, who told the officer that Nique allegedly had been seen with what appeared to be a pipe bomb while making comments about making the bombs and blowing up a building if he wanted to. A pair of detectives met with the witness, along with another, regarding the report and were shown a picture that appeared to show a suspected pipe bomb. They also estimated that Nique had approximately 30 firearms at the house. The court complaint also reflects that the detectives had been told that Nique had allegedly used cocaine and that when one of the witnesses had asked "hypothetically" what buildings Nique was considering blowing up, he allegedly responded by saying the Gonda building, which is a Mayo Clinic facility in Rochester, the Olmsted County Government Center, Minnesota State Capitol building and a synagogue. The court complaint also reveals that the witnesses claimed Nique to have White Nationalist viewpoints and had made racist comments. Nique reportedly also has anti-law enforcement sentiments and had allegedly said he would not be afraid to shoot police if pulled over. During the search, law enforcement also recovered the supposed pipe bomb and while it did not have explosives in it, a container of nails was next to the pipe along with containers of smaller metal objects and powders. The bomb squad assisting with the search indicated the powder was likely from matchsticks. After Nique had been arrested Wednesday, he was questioned and indicated statements about blowing up government and religious buildings were only jokes, but when asked for an example said he didn't want to get into it, but they were jokes a person should not make. Nique's next court appearance is slated for July 17, which will be an omnibus hearing.
