Latest news with #TLC
Yahoo
15 hours 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.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Yorker who tried using yellow Prius as a fake taxi sued by NYC to be taken off the streets — for good
He's a real fake hack. A former New York City cabbie whose license was suspended more than a decade ago has been posing as a taxi driver — using his little yellow Toyota, The Post has learned. The city Taxi and Limousine Commission is now fighting to permanently seize George Caraballo's compact 2013 Prius due to his repeated violations, public records show. In the last six months, Caraballo has been dinged twice by the city for posing as an official yellow medallion driver, according to a civil forfeiture lawsuit filed by the TLC on Thursday. In fact, Caraballo's second violation came only two weeks after the hack driver pleaded guilty to the first, the Manhattan Supreme Court filing states. A TLC inspector first watched him drive his yellow hybrid hatchback to pick up a hailing passenger in Manhattan for a $26 ride in November, the suit states. Unfortunately for Caraballo, his fare was dwarfed by the $1,500 violation issued to him that night for 'operating for hire a vehicle that is not licensed by TLC.' Just 15 days after he copped to that first violation at a March administrative hearing, the counterfeit cabman was at it again, the suit states. On April 8, Caraballo picked up a group of four people in front of the iconic New Yorker Hotel near Penn Station for an $18 fare — under the watchful eye of a TLC inspector, the suit alleges. The knockoff taxi was immediately seized by the TLC, the suit states. During his second stint before the city Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Caraballo again pleaded guilty. But an attorney for the TLC argued that the commission should retain Caraballo's car while the city pursues its civil forfeiture case against him to permanently take possession of the bogus cab, records show. Caraballo apparently pulled the same stunt with a different car in 2020, 'evidence of the respondent's flagrant disregard for the rules,' the TLC lawyer said — calling the fake taxi driver a 'danger to the public.' His representative, Joseph Scifo — a non-lawyer who has been repping livery drivers in administrative court for over 40 years — argued that the Prius is set up as a yellow cab because it operates legitimately as a taxi in Rockland County. Hearing officer Patricia Cardoso found that the TLC had failed to show that keeping Caraballo's ride was 'necessary to protect the public,' and ordered that he get the vehicle back after paying a $2,000 fine — which he has since done, a TLC rep said Friday. The spokesperson said that Caraballo once had a license, which was suspended in 2013. Despite the car being released for now, Caraballo could still stand to lose it as the TLC's case progresses. Since he posed as a fake taxi 'on two separate occasions within 36 months, and the subject vehicle was used in the commission of both offenses,' the TLC argued in its suit, the Prius is 'subject to forfeiture.' The summons lists a Rockland County address for Caraballo on his driver's license, about 40 miles north from Manhattan, but shows that a Yorkville apartment is listed on his vehicle registration. When The Post knocked on the city address on Friday, a shirtless man who confirmed his name was George Caraballo said 'You got the wrong person.' 'I've never driven a cab before — I'm a retired guy,' the supposedly bogus Caraballo said, adding that he's never owned a Toyota Prius. Despite his protestations, the curious Caraballo inquired about the nature of the lawsuit and civil forfeiture. Scifo told The Post he wasn't sure whether that man was his client, or if the real Caraballo lives at the Rockland County — but had some advice, nonetheless. 'There's a lot of guys who are in the practice of bringing in cars from outside the city to earn extra money,' he said. 'Stop. You will be fined. You are breaking the law.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Emaciated dogs rescued in Auburndale animal cruelty case on road to recovery
The Brief A pair of dogs rescued from an animal cruelty case are on the road to recovery. Stella and Bella were seized from their owner, who was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of animal cruelty. Three days at the shelter, and Stella has already gained nearly eight pounds. AUBURNDALE, Fla. - A pair of dogs rescued from an animal cruelty case are getting some much-needed TLC. On Tuesday, Stella and Bella were seized from their owner, Bradford Thomas, 37, who was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony, and one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. READ: Auburndale's director of public utilities arrested for animal abuse after Great Dane found emaciated The backstory Stella, the nine-year-old Great Dane, and Bella, the 19-year-old terrier mix, are sisters. "They've been living together their entire life," said Det. Jacob Durrance with the animal cruelty investigations unit. Unfortunately, their home life wasn't the best. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "Both of them were severely emaciated and underweight," said Durrance. "Absolutely covered in fleas." Officers with the Auburndale Police Department and Polk County Animal Cruelty investigators rescued the dogs from Thomas' home on Diamond Ridge Drive. Thomas was a public utility director for the City of Auburndale. "Some witnesses saw their condition while they were outside, and, luckily, they saw something and said something," said Durrance. Dig deeper Three days at the shelter, and Stella has already gained nearly eight pounds. She weighs 68 pounds and a dog her size should weigh more than 100. MORE: Gov. DeSantis signs Dexter's Law, Trooper's Law targeting animal abuse "The owner's excuse was she was a picky eater, and she has absolutely proven that's not the case," said Durrance. She loves to eat anything we give her." Durrance said she must've been starving for at least three months. "We're lucky we got to her when we did, cause she didn't have very much longer to live in this condition," he said. Meanwhile, Bella has gained a pound. Both dogs are getting antibiotics, pain meds, baths and lots of love. "I've adopted my own dog from animal control here as a rescue, so I hope that Stella and Bella can get a nice, loving family and get adopted together as well," said Durrance. What's next Stella and Bella will be placed up for adoption eventually. In the meantime, there are a lot of dogs and cats looking for their forever home. The Polk County Animal Shelter hosts free adoptions every Saturday. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CTV News
21 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Barrie police help mama duck and her 10 ducklings make safe trip to waterfront
Two Barrie police officers empty a box of ducklings at the waterfront with mama duck waiting on Fri., May 30, 2025. It wasn't your average morning at the Barrie Courthouse, instead of the usual parade of lawyers, officers and paperwork, it was all hands - and wings- on deck as police officers turned their duty to serve and protect into a little animal TLC. Members of the Barrie Police Service and courthouse staff have been keeping a close eye on a determined mama duck who chose to build her nest in a planter near the courthouse entrance. Barrie ducks Two Barrie police officers and courthouse staff put newly hatched ducklings into a box on Fri., May 30, 2025, after mama duck made a nest in a planter at the building's entrance. (Barrie Police Service) On Thursday, her eggs hatched, revealing 10 tiny, fuzzy ducklings. By Friday morning, it was time for the new family to make their way to the waterfront, but navigating the streets of downtown Barrie isn't exactly duck-friendly. Barrie ducks Two Barrie police officers carry a box of ducklings with mama duck alongside to the waterfront on Fri., May 30, 2025. (Barrie Police Service) That's when police officers stepped in, gently carrying the fluffy new ducklings in a box to the lake with mama waddling her way alongside them. Barrie ducks Two Barrie police officers gently place newly-hatched ducklings on the beach at the waterfront near mama duck on Fri., May 30, 2025. (Barrie Police Service) 'Now all 10 ducklings are happily swimming,' Barrie police stated in a Friday post on social media.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
New Yorker who tried using yellow Prius as a fake taxi sued by NYC to be taken off the streets — for good
He's a real fake hack. A former New York City cabbie whose license was suspended more than a decade ago has been posing as a taxi driver — using his little yellow Toyota, The Post has learned. The city Taxi and Limousine Commission is now fighting to permanently seize George Caraballo's compact 2013 Prius due to his repeated violations, public records show. In the last six months, Caraballo has been dinged twice by the city for posing as an official yellow medallion driver, according to a civil forfeiture lawsuit filed by the TLC on Thursday. In fact, Caraballo's second violation came only two weeks after the hack driver pleaded guilty to the first, the Manhattan Supreme Court filing states. A TLC inspector first watched him drive his yellow hybrid hatchback to pick up a hailing passenger in Manhattan for a $26 ride in November, the suit states. Unfortunately for Caraballo, his fare was dwarfed by the $1,500 violation issued to him that night for 'operating for hire a vehicle that is not licensed by TLC.' Just 15 days after he copped to that first violation at a March administrative hearing, the counterfeit cabman was at it again, the suit states. 3 The TLC is accusing a man of using a yellow Toyota Prius similar to the one pictured, as a fake taxi so frequently that they're suing to take possession of the car. New York Post On April 8, Caraballo picked up a group of four people in front of the iconic New Yorker Hotel near Penn Station for an $18 fare — under the watchful eye of a TLC inspector, the suit alleges. The knockoff taxi was immediately seized by the TLC, the suit states. During his second stint before the city Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Caraballo again pleaded guilty. But an attorney for the TLC argued that the commission should retain Caraballo's car while the city pursues its civil forfeiture case against him to permanently take possession of the bogus cab, records show. Caraballo apparently pulled the same stunt with a different car in 2020, 'evidence of the respondent's flagrant disregard for the rules,' the TLC lawyer said — calling the fake taxi driver a 'danger to the public.' His representative, Joseph Scifo — a non-lawyer who has been repping livery drivers in administrative court for over 40 years — argued that the Prius is set up as a yellow cab because it operates legitimately as a taxi in Rockland County. Hearing officer Patricia Cardoso found that the TLC had failed to show that keeping Caraballo's ride was 'necessary to protect the public,' and ordered that he get the vehicle back after paying a $2,000 fine — which he has since done, a TLC rep said Friday. The spokesperson said that Caraballo once had a license, which was suspended in 2013. Despite the car being released for now, Caraballo could still stand to lose it as the TLC's case progresses. 3 TLC inspectors say they saw Caraballo pick up fares at least twice in his yellow Toyota Prius since November. Bloomberg via Getty Images Since he posed as a fake taxi 'on two separate occasions within 36 months, and the subject vehicle was used in the commission of both offenses,' the TLC argued in its suit, the Prius is 'subject to forfeiture.' The summons lists a Rockland County address for Caraballo on his driver's license, about 40 miles north from Manhattan, but shows that a Yorkville apartment is listed on his vehicle registration. 3 The fake cabbie's yellow Prius – similar to the one pictured above – is apparently used legitimately as a cab in Rockland County. New York Post When The Post knocked on the city address on Friday, a shirtless man who confirmed his name was George Caraballo said 'You got the wrong person.' 'I've never driven a cab before — I'm a retired guy,' the supposedly bogus Caraballo said, adding that he's never owned a Toyota Prius. Despite his protestations, the curious Caraballo inquired about the nature of the lawsuit and civil forfeiture. Scifo told The Post he wasn't sure whether that man was his client, or if the real Caraballo lives at the Rockland County — but had some advice, nonetheless. 'There's a lot of guys who are in the practice of bringing in cars from outside the city to earn extra money,' he said. 'Stop. You will be fined. You are breaking the law.'
