Lawmakers are considering a plan to legalize sports betting in Colorado and ask voters to approve a tax on the betting that would be earmarked for water projects. Betting is currently allowed in casinos, but a bill introduced Thursday would expand it to a range of sports, such as collegiate basketball, and allow betting with online apps. The bill would also refer a measure to the November ballot asking voters for a 10% tax on net proceeds from sports betting, most of which would be dedicated to managing the state’s water supplies. The tax is projected to raise up to $10 million annually. The bill arrives with only about two weeks left in the session, but it already has support from key Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a ban on sports betting. Since then, 40 states and the District of Columbia have proposed or enacted laws to legalize, study or regulate sports betting, according to the National Conference … [Read more...] about Lawmakers eye sports betting tax to pay for water conservation
US Census Bureau estimates show Big Isle leads state in population growth
Hawaii News By NANCY COOK LAUER West Hawaii Today | Thursday, April 18, 2019, 6:01 p.m. Share this story Hawaii County population growth based on estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau Hawaii Islanders like to say they don’t just live on the Big Island — they live on the best island. The data seems to be backing that up, at least according to population movement. While people continue to leave Oahu, bringing the entire state’s growth rate into the negative zone, people are still moving to Hawaii Island, according to estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. ADVERTISING Some 1,480 more people lived on Hawaii Island on July 1, 2018, than the year before, bringing the total population to 200,983, according to census estimates. The 0.7% population growth, a slight downtick from the 0.9% average since 2010, was still the highest in the state, as was the nine-year growth of 8.4%. The population boost compares to an … [Read more...] about US Census Bureau estimates show Big Isle leads state in population growth
Review: Santana revives Woodstock vibes at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg
They didn't hold Woodstock in Florida on the eve of Good Friday '69. And they definitely didn't hold it in a converted soccer stadium. But if you closed your eyes and soaked in the bathwater-warm air Thursday night in St. Petersburg, it might not have felt too far off.Especially the longer you inhaled."Seriously, we feel you -- and you smell good, too," Carlos Santana told a sold-out crowd on the pitch at Al Lang Stadium. "That was some really good weed over there." Fifty years after his star-making turn at Woodstock, Santana, it seems, wasn't the only one looking to get frisky with space and time in St. Pete. A day after checking out memorabilia from his Woodstock appearance at the Florida Holocaust Museum -- part of an exhibit honoring his old promoter friend Bill Graham -- Santana turned back the clock for 6,200 fans in tie-dye, throwback Woodstock tees and the occasional pungent haze. They responded by dancing for nearly two hours beneath a nearly full moon, hippies at heart happy … [Read more...] about Review: Santana revives Woodstock vibes at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg
Ware, Charlton schools closed Friday due to threat of storms
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two school districts in Southeast Georgia have canceled school Friday because severe weather is anticipated. Due to the chance of high winds, tornadic activity, downed trees and power outages as a strong cold front passes Friday, the Ware County School District has closed all schools and its central office for the day. Related Headlines 2-3 hours of potential threat Friday prompts Weather Authority Alert Highest spring tides of the season The Weather Channel knocked off air by 'software attack' Staff will not be required to report to school. "Safety remains our top priority. Please like and share this message to help us get the word out," Ware County Schools posted Thursday on its Facebook page. Charlton County School System has also canceled school Friday. Superintendent Dr. John Lairsey said that since students are currently in the middle of state-mandated testing with the Georgia Milestones Assessment System and … [Read more...] about Ware, Charlton schools closed Friday due to threat of storms
Woman dies in St. Clair County after tree falls on mobile home during storm
A 42-year-old woman was killed Thursday night after a tree fell and pinned her inside a mobile home in St. Clair County as severe storms swept the area, the county coroner said.The woman, whose name was not immediately released, is the first confirmed death attributed to Thursday’s storms.Dispatchers received a call around 7:55 p.m. of a tree falling on a mobile home at 20945 Highway 231 in Pell City, according to St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell. The woman’s 10-year-old son was also in the mobile home, Russell said, but was not injured in the incident. … [Read more...] about Woman dies in St. Clair County after tree falls on mobile home during storm