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The West Central Area Knights girls basketball team held their end of the year awards ceremony. Lexi Bright was the conference MVP, both Macy Grosz and Claire Stark were all-conference. Addison Staples and Mya Foslien were all-conference honorable mention.
Team awards included: Staples, chairwoman of the boards, Grosz, practice player of the year, Elizabeth Rustan, defensive dominator, Jayden Styba, rookie of the year, Kaitlyn Hansen, Knight award, Bright and Hansen were co-ms. hustle, Bright was awarded assists leader and floor general award.
“It was a very competitive schedule and fun experience as a coach and fan of basketball,” said Knights coach Eric Schoenbauer. “The Knights accomplished being one of the scariest teams in the section and conference to play. Not all goals were accomplished during the season, but one very important goal did get achieved and it was to get better every single day. The improvement came in forms as people, as players and as teammates, that was the best part of coaching!”
The team was also awarded the gold level for Academic All-State.
Discuss the news on NABUR, a place to have local conversations The Neighborhood Alliance for Better Understanding and Respect ✔ A site just for our local community ✔ Focused on facts, not misinformation ✔ Free for everyone | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/sports/wca-girls-hand-out-end-of-season-awards/article_b8644532-b9b4-11ec-a39b-27e213d01c56.html | 2022-04-11T23:22:24Z | fergusfallsjournal.com | control | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/sports/wca-girls-hand-out-end-of-season-awards/article_b8644532-b9b4-11ec-a39b-27e213d01c56.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A four-hour standoff between police and a man accused in a Sunnyside stabbing ended Monday afternoon with his arrest, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office said.
The man is accused of stabbing two people in the chest with scissors; they are being treated at area hospitals, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Casey Schilperoort.
The suspect barricaded himself in his apartment in the 300 block of North 16th Street, Schilperoort said. Sunnyside police requested a SWAT team and closed off 16th and 14th streets, North Avenue and the State Route 24-Sheller Road intersection.
The incident began about 10:10 a.m. Monday and ended with the suspect’s arrest about 2:20 p.m., said Schilperoort, who added that the suspect surrendered after a K9 was sent into the apartment.
One stabbing victim was taken to a Prosser hospital; the other was believed to be at a Sunnyside hospital Monday.
Police from Sunnyside, Grandview, Granger and the Washington State patrol were on the scene, Schilperoort said. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/sunnyside-standoff-ends-in-suspects-arrest/article_03b7fa85-2f85-59e9-8171-adec34ca1ed6.html | 2022-04-11T23:25:47Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/sunnyside-standoff-ends-in-suspects-arrest/article_03b7fa85-2f85-59e9-8171-adec34ca1ed6.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Updated: U.S. Highway 97 near Toppenish and State Route 24 reopened Monday afternoon, according to WSDOT.
***
Multiple spinouts forced the closure Monday morning of U.S. 97 southbound at milepost 57 near Toppenish.
Additionally, State Route 24 is closed from milepost 5 near Yakima to milepost 36 near the junction with SR-240 because of the wintry weather.
There is no estimated time of reopening for either route, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/state-route-24-and-u-s-97-reopen-in-the-yakima-valley/article_d5b8afd6-b9b6-11ec-adf4-3f3aceee533f.html | 2022-04-11T23:25:53Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/state-route-24-and-u-s-97-reopen-in-the-yakima-valley/article_d5b8afd6-b9b6-11ec-adf4-3f3aceee533f.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon authorities say they have found the body of a missing snowboarder buried in avalanche debris in a creek at the Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort.
Resort ski patrollers located 30-year-old Ryan Mather’s body in Heather Canyon on Friday and recovered the body on Saturday, Hood River County Sheriff Matt English said in a statement.
Mather, of Aloha, was last seen at the resort’s Shooting Star Express chairlift on Tuesday, which provides access to back country areas, the Oregonian/Oregon Live reports. His girlfriend reported him missing Tuesday evening and his vehicle was found in the resort’s parking lot.
Heather Canyon hosts difficult terrain and steep slopes and is used by advanced skiers and snowboarders. The area is considered “extremely difficult” double-black diamond terrain.
The sheriff’s office did not say what circumstances may have led to Mather’s death. Personnel from more than a half dozen agencies – including Portland Mountain Rescue, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Air National Guard – participated in the search. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/body-of-missing-snowboarder-found-at-mount-hood-on-saturday/article_6806660a-b9d8-11ec-81db-2ba6273e9007.html | 2022-04-11T23:25:59Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/body-of-missing-snowboarder-found-at-mount-hood-on-saturday/article_6806660a-b9d8-11ec-81db-2ba6273e9007.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – A growing list of South Carolina school districts are switching to ‘year-round modified’ calendars.
Under South Carolina law, a school district’s board can vote to change the district’s academic calendar.
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) monitors academic calendars statewide for compliance with state statutes and regulations. Currently, state law says the opening date for students must not be before the third Monday in August. There is an exception for districts operating on a year-round modified school calendar.
School boards can implement these calendars as long as they label the published calendar as a ‘year-round modified calendar’ and there is instruction for 180 days. With these calendars, most school districts begin class before the third Monday in August.
In a memorandum sent out to district superintendents in January, state education leaders wrote, “nowhere within state law does the SCDE have expressed authority over defining year-round modified school calendars; therefore, the SCDE does not define or approve year-round modified school calendars.”
According to the memo, schools operating these year-round calendars are only funded for 180 days of instruction and districts must have all statewide assessments completed before the statewide deadline.
They also wrote that when determining whether to operate a year-round calendar, district leadership and the local board of trustees should engage a broad and diverse group of community stakeholders.
During the typical ‘year-round’ calendar students would be in school for 45 days and then have two weeks off. Summer vacation would be shorter but there are usually more breaks throughout the year. There could possibly be remediation opportunities for students who are struggling during off-weeks.
The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee said they got some insight on these ‘year-round modified’ calendars from school officials outside of South Carolina. They said some of the lessons learned include collaboration with parents and community partners.
The committee says they are not making any recommendations to change state law at this time and were just looking for more information.
Supporters of these year-round calendars say it could lessen the summer learning ‘slide’ and help reduce staff burnout. Critics say the year-round calendar could increase costs and scheduling difficulties for families. | https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/how-why-more-sc-school-districts-are-starting-their-school-year-earlier/ | 2022-04-11T23:29:26Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/how-why-more-sc-school-districts-are-starting-their-school-year-earlier/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley says every delay on addressing climate change worsens the crisis.
Referring to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s peak carbon dioxide reading of 417 parts per million in 2020, Merkley told KLCC in a recent press call that global warming affects everyone, including Oregonians.
"It's fiercer forest fires, warmer forest fire season, more pine beetles, more acidity off the coast," began Merkley. "The devastation of our kelp beds, the diminishment of our trout and salmon springs, to the loss of our average snowpack and affects both irrigation water, groundwater, and effects of winter sports. We see it everywhere.
"We should have been acting –yes- more boldly 30 years ago, but we didn't.”
Merkley says the oil industry backs politicians who promote fossil fuels, so Americans need to vote them out of power in addition to supporting alternative energy.
Copyright @2022, KLCC. | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-11/merkley-calls-for-combating-climate-change-by-voting-against-candidates-funded-by-oil-industry | 2022-04-11T23:32:07Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/2022-04-11/merkley-calls-for-combating-climate-change-by-voting-against-candidates-funded-by-oil-industry | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
QUINCY, Fla. (WTXL) — The University of Florida is doing some research in Quincy about the potential uses of a mustard seed to be used in jet fuel.
Along with providing a clean energy source for planes, carinata waste will be able to be fed to cattle for feed.
Agricultural Scientist Sheeja George has been helping research the plants uses here in South-East. She said the benefits of the plant have the opportunity to help with clean energy, and put extra money in the pockets of farmers.
"In the winter, when they would otherwise not be making revenue, here's a crop that not only protects the soil in the winter from erosion and depletion of nutrients and weeds but it also provides additional revenue to the producer in the winter, so it was a win-win," said George. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/university-of-florida-ifas-researching-uses-of-carinata-oil-as-biofuel | 2022-04-11T23:34:04Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/university-of-florida-ifas-researching-uses-of-carinata-oil-as-biofuel | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state court judge has concluded that Democrat Abby Finkenauer cannot appear on the June 7 primary ballot for U.S. Senate, knocking off the candidate considered by many to be the party's best chance to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley.
Judge Scott Beattie filed a ruling late Sunday that overturned a decision by a three-member panel of state elected officials.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought forth by two Republicans, Kim Schmett and Leanne Pellett, who challenged the number of signatures Finkenauer's campaign collected, the Associated Press reported.
The panel concluded last week that Finkenauer's campaign had substantially complied with Iowa law requiring at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties.
However, Beattie said the law requires that each signature be accompanied by the date and some of Finkenauer's petition signatures didn't comply, leaving her with too few signatures.
The signatures in question were about three obtained from Allamakee and Cedar counties, CNN reported.
Finkenauer might appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
NBC News reported that a hearing before the Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled for Wednesday. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national-politics/leading-iowa-democrat-knocked-off-us-senate-primary-ballot | 2022-04-11T23:34:16Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national-politics/leading-iowa-democrat-knocked-off-us-senate-primary-ballot | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington’s wolf population grew in 2021 for the 13th consecutive year, showing a 16% increase from the previous year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said Saturday.
As of Dec. 31, 2021, the department said there were 206 wolves in 33 packs in Washington. Nineteen of these were successful breeding pairs. This is up from 178 wolves in 29 packs and 16 breeding pairs in the 2020 count.
“Washington’s wolves continue to progress toward recovery, with four new packs documented in four different counties of the state in 2021,” Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind said in a news release.
This is a minimum count, so the actual number of wolves in Washington is higher, the agency said. Since the department's first wolf survey in 2008, the state’s wolf population has grown by an average of 25% per year.
Four new packs formed in 2021, including the Columbia Pack in Columbia County, the Keller Ridge Pack in Ferry County, the Dominion Pack in Stevens County, and the Shady Pass Pack in Chelan County. The Naneum Pack was not located during the survey and was removed from the tally, the agency said.
Wolves were wiped out in Washington in the early decades of the last century. But the animals began to move back into the state earlier this century from Canada and Idaho. The return of the animals has sparked numerous conflicts with ranchers, especially in northeastern Washington state where most of the wolves live.
Eight of the wolf packs were involved in known livestock depredations last year, the agency said. Six of the eight were involved in two or fewer events each.
As a result of depredations, two wolves from the Columbia Pack were killed in 2021, one by the department and one by a landowner with a permit to lethally remove a wolf, the agency said.
“Although wolf-livestock interactions have remained consistent, we recorded the lowest number of livestock depredation incidents in the state since 2017 and removed the fewest wolves in response to conflict since 2015,” said the department's wolf policy lead, Julia Smith.
“We’re committed to promoting the proactive use of non-lethal deterrents to minimize wolf-livestock conflict," Smith said.
Since 1980, gray wolves have been listed under state law as endangered throughout Washington.
In January 2021, wolves were delisted from federal Endangered Species Act protection and the department resumed statewide management of the species. But this February, wolves were federally relisted in the western two-thirds of the state and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service once again took the lead role in their recovery in those areas. | https://www.krem.com/article/life/animals/washington-wolf-population-grew/281-a962c32c-fb91-4021-9abe-d143e032beae | 2022-04-11T23:34:22Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/life/animals/washington-wolf-population-grew/281-a962c32c-fb91-4021-9abe-d143e032beae | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Juneteenth is officially a paid holiday for city employees in New York City.
On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams announced the decision, calling Juneteenth "a time for reflection, assessment, and self-improvement."
It’s time for our city to finally do what’s right and officially designate Juneteenth as a city holiday. This decision is long overdue, which is why it will immediately take effect this year.
Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/W0yPmKTl5q
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 11, 2022
“As the second Black mayor of New York City, I know that I stand on the shoulders of countless heroes and sheroes who put their lives on the line to secure a more perfect union," Adams said. "Now is the time for me to do a small part and recognize one of our nation’s greatest wrongs."
Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday last year, is celebrated on June 19.
The holiday commemorates the anniversary of Union troops bringing the word to Galveston, Texas, in 1865 that slavery had been outlawed.
Then-President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
New York City is the latest city to recognize Juneteenth as a paid city holiday, including Phoenix and Chattanooga, Tennessee. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/new-york-city-mayor-declares-juneteenth-paid-holiday-for-city-employees | 2022-04-11T23:34:28Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/new-york-city-mayor-declares-juneteenth-paid-holiday-for-city-employees | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TACOMA, Wash. — A 15-year-old considered a prime suspect in a shooting and robbery at a Tacoma marijuana store was arrested in Kent by Seattle police on Monday.
The suspect was arrested outside of the Regional Justice Center. He was booked into Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center for first-degree murder.
Meanwhile, Montrell Hatfield, 16, remains at large and is considered to be armed and dangerous for his alleged involvement in the March 19 incident at World of Weed Cannabis Dispensary.
According to charging documents, Hatfield got into a physical altercation with Jordan Brown, an employee of the marijuana dispensary. Brown was allegedly shot and killed by Hatfield's 15-year-old accomplice.
When officers arrived on scene, they found 29-year-old Brown of Gig Harbor with a gunshot wound. Police tried to give Brown first aid but he died at the scene.
The 15-year-old arrested Monday faces charges of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree.
A bench warrant was issued for Hatfield, who has been charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The teens were previously arrested and charged in connection with a robbery at a pawn shop in Federal Way on Feb. 22. Both teens were charged with robbery in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree.
The incident at World of Weed was the third fatal shooting in connection to a marijuana store robbery within one week. A suspect in a pot shop robbery in Bellevue and a suspect in a pot shop robbery in Covington were both killed earlier in the week.
Dozens of marijuana dispensaries have been robbed in western Washington over the last several months.
Pot shops are forced to operate mostly in cash due to federal banking regulations, making them an appealing target for robbers.
Private security firms have reported an increase in requests for armed guards to help stave off robberies.
On a federal level, state officials are lobbying congress to pass the Secured and Fair Enforcement Banking (SAFE) Act, which would allow banks to get into the pot business. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/crime/teen-wanted-tacoma-pot-shop-robbery-arrested/281-3ec28955-f6b7-468a-b4c8-3f9d12c063bf | 2022-04-11T23:34:29Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/crime/teen-wanted-tacoma-pot-shop-robbery-arrested/281-3ec28955-f6b7-468a-b4c8-3f9d12c063bf | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is reinstating its indoor mask mandate after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so this spring.
This comes as COVID-19 outbreaks have popped up in recent weeks in parts of the Northeast.
Cabinet members, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Broadway actors and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut have all tested positive. Outbreaks at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University are bringing back mask requirements to those campuses as officials seek out quarantine space. In the nation's capitol, American University announced Monday it would also be bringing back masks.
Philadelphia's top health official announced Monday that confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city have risen more than 50% in 10 days, the threshold at which their local guidelines call for people to wear masks indoors.
The city is reporting more than 140 cases per day, a fraction of what it saw at the height of the omicron surge, and hospitalizations remain low. But Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the Philadelphia health commissioner, said the recent increase in infections indicates the city might be at the beginning of a new wave, and city officials are seeking to stay ahead of it by requiring indoor masking.
Experts believe the known infections are likely to be vast undercounts of how widely the virus is circulating because of home testing and those who are mildly sick not bothering to test at all.
Meanwhile, this comes as the federal requirement for masks on planes and public transportation is set to expire next Monday, April 18. But the White House's new COVID-19 response coordinator, Ashish Jha, said Monday on the "TODAY Show" that it could be extended again. He stressed that the decision is ultimately up to the CDC.
Large indoor gatherings with masks optional have led to infections, with a high-profile party in Washington, D.C., now seen as a possible super-spreader event.
In Washington D.C., the outbreak has been particularly high profile — striking multiple Cabinet secretaries and Congress members along with Mayor Muriel Bowser and the president of Georgetown University.
At least a dozen of those infections can be traced to the Gridiron Club dinner, an annual fixture of the D.C. social calendar that took place Saturday for the first time in three years. The dinner is an example of a return to near-total normality that’s taking place around the country, leading to a spike in positive tests, but not necessarily a corresponding spike in serious illnesses or hospitalizations. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-first-major-us-city-restores-mask-mandate-this-spring/507-f45e695c-8050-4138-aa33-635ea7a478a2 | 2022-04-11T23:34:35Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-first-major-us-city-restores-mask-mandate-this-spring/507-f45e695c-8050-4138-aa33-635ea7a478a2 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
(WASHINGTON) — The Pentagon’s latest assessment is that Russia is gearing up for, but has not yet begun, an intensified offensive in the Donbas.
A senior U.S. defense official said the Russians are moving more troops and materiel toward that area and are focusing many of their missile strikes there. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal U.S. military assessments.
The official said a lengthy convoy of vehicles that is headed south toward the eastern city of Izyum contains artillery as well as aviation and infantry support, plus battlefield command-and-control elements and other materials.
The official said the convoy appeared to originate from the Belgorod and Valuyki areas in Russia, which are shaping up as key staging and marshalling grounds for the Russian buildup in the Donbas.
The official said the Russians also are bolstering their presence in the Donbas by deploying in recent days more artillery southwest of the city of Donetsk. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/pentagon-says-russia-preparing-for-offensive-in-donbas-focusing-missile-strikes | 2022-04-11T23:34:41Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/pentagon-says-russia-preparing-for-offensive-in-donbas-focusing-missile-strikes | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
IDAHO, USA — The Idaho County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) confirmed the identity of the remains found near an abandoned camp in Colt Killed Creek in 1984.
The ICSO received confirmation that the remains found 37 years ago near the Powell Ranger Station Roger were those of Brian Bennett, 26, "Mr. Bones," from Oklahoma.
Bennett went missing shortly after he was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in the spring of 1982. His remains were found one year after ICSO deputies found an abandoned camp near Powell in 1983.
Deputies found some personal objects and determined the camp was abandoned the previous year, but no identification or remains were found on the site. In 1984, deputies returned to the camp after hunters found skeletal remains one mile from the abandoned camp.
For more than 37 years, many attempts were made to identify the remains of Bennett. The remains were first sent for a forensic examination at a San Francisco lab where anthropologists believe the remains were of a man in his 40s. In 1986, his skull was sent to a lab in North Idaho for a more exacting attempt at a composite image.
ICSO personnel started calling Bennett “Mr. Bones" after they felt he deserved some unique personalization. ICSO investigators continued researching and working to find the identity of "Mr. Bones" over the years.
In 2010, Mr. Bone's data was entered into the NamUs database to solve the case. The NamUs website helps improve access to information to help solve missing and unidentified person cases.
Throughout the years, lab staff tried to composite images showing the possible appearance of Mr. Bones. More images made in 1985 showed a more pronounced lower jawline of Mr. Bones' face than in previous pictures.
With the help of more available modern technology over the years, investigators continued to pore through national databases of missing persons, searching for a link to identify Mr. Bones. They noticed a few negative comparisons were made over the years, and it became apparent that Mr. Bones might not have been entered as missing in a national database.
In 2022, NamUs decided to fund genetic genealogy testing and samples of Mr. Bones that were sent to a private laboratory in Othram, and they found a potential family match.
ICSO investigators contacted Cheri Pope, Mr. Bones' sibling. Cheri confirmed she had a brother named Roger Bennett, who disappeared in early 1982. Cheri and her mother, Wilma Q. Bennett, provided DNA samples that found a 99.9% match between Wilma and Mr. Bones.
On April 8, 2022, Idaho County Coroner Cody Funke concluded that Mr. Bones was Roger Brian Bennett.
According to a press release by the ICSO, Bennett was between 26 and 27 years old at the time of his disappearance. He enlisted in the Air Force and worked in a role involving mid-air refueling. He enjoyed journalism and was a National Merit semi-finalist. Bennett was discharged in early 1982.
In the last letter the family received from Bennett, he said he was being discharged from Keesler AFB in Mississippi and planned to travel to Houma, Louisiana to look for work on an offshore oil rig.
As an adolescent, Bennett was interested in the Lewis & Clark expedition and wondered what it would have been like traveling with the expedition.
His remains will be returned to his family in Oklahoma after more than 37 years and hundreds of hours of investigation. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/idaho/remains-colt-killed-creek-37-years-missing-oklahoma-man/293-8c424388-f989-472a-958e-b83cf8bee244 | 2022-04-11T23:34:41Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/idaho/remains-colt-killed-creek-37-years-missing-oklahoma-man/293-8c424388-f989-472a-958e-b83cf8bee244 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The IRS is holding onto nearly $1.5 billion in tax refunds for an estimated 1.5 million people who have not yet filed their 2018 tax returns, and there's only about one week left to collect.
The deadline to get those delinquent 1040s to the IRS for most taxpayers is April 18. Those living in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 19.
"By law, there's only a three-year window to claim these refunds, which closes with this year's April tax deadline," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement on March 28. "We want to help people get these refunds, but they need to file a 2018 tax return before this critical deadline."
The median amount owed to taxpayers who haven't filed their returns is $813, according to IRS estimates. That means half of those refunds will be more and half will be less than $813.
The state with the highest potential median refund is Alaska at $969. The lowest is Idaho at $686.
In addition, some of those who did not file a 2018 return could be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which was worth up to $6,431 for that tax year. The EITC income thresholds for 2018 were as follows:
- $49,194 ($54,884 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children
- $45,802 ($51,492 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children
- $40,320 ($46,010 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and
- $15,270 ($20,950 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.
Forms 1040s, 1040-As and 1040-EZs for 2018 can be found on IRS.gov.
Those who are missing W-2s or other income forms and who cannot get them from employers, banks or other payers can use the IRS Get Transcript Online tool. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/irs-2018-tax-refunds-uncollected/507-fadeaee2-1489-4250-b721-d0bae3f11888 | 2022-04-11T23:34:47Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/irs-2018-tax-refunds-uncollected/507-fadeaee2-1489-4250-b721-d0bae3f11888 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FAIRFAX, Va. — A jury was selected Monday to hear a long-anticipated libel lawsuit Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, whom he accuses of falsely portraying him as a domestic abuser.
Depp sued Heard over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which Heard refers to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” The article doesn't mention Depp by name, but he says it clearly refers to allegations Heard made in other forums that she suffered physical abuse at his hands. Depp denies the accusations.
The lawsuit brought a little bit of Hollywood to a courthouse that has a long history of dealing with high-profile crimes, just not those involving movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some waving signs saying “Justice for Johnny,” joined other fans who waved pirate flags in recognition of Depp's signature role in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, waited outside the courthouse an hour before the hearing.
The courtroom in the city of Fairfax was closed to the public Monday, with limited closed-circuit access in an overflow courtroom. People lined up before 7 a.m. for the wristbands granting access. Both Depp and Heard were in attendance, but court personnel brought them in and out utilizing special access points that frustrated fans' ability to see them.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, has imposed a series of access rules to try to maintain decorum in the courthouse. Most significantly, neither Depp nor Heard are permitted to pose for photos or sign autographs in the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds.
Depp's fans have been vocal in their support, saying he has been falsely accused. Raylyn Otie, a Depp fan from Bluefield, Virginia, drove five hours to see the movie star. She was disappointed when Depp did not greet fans personally, as sheriff's deputies carefully limited fan access.
“I'm so disappointed. I came to give him flowers to show some support,” she said, bouquet in hand.
In a separate lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper, a judge dismissed the case, finding that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.
Heard has filed a countersuit against Depp that accuses his lawyers of defaming her at his direction.
Heard's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have the case moved to California, where the actors reside. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case here because the Post’s online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County. Depp's lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
A jury of seven, plus four alternates, was selected by Monday afternoon. The smaller jury is typical for civil trials in Virginia.
Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday morning. The trial is expected to last more than a month. A long list of witnesses includes actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Some witnesses are expected to appear in person, while others will testify via video link. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/johnny-depp-amber-heard-lawsuit-jury-selection/507-edbf415f-b2d3-4e88-9c01-c6e7263d8227 | 2022-04-11T23:34:59Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/johnny-depp-amber-heard-lawsuit-jury-selection/507-edbf415f-b2d3-4e88-9c01-c6e7263d8227 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Editor’s note: This article contains graphic content.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian military forces have launched full scale attacks in Kyiv suburbs, including Bucha and Irpin. In Bucha alone, more than 300 civilians have been reported dead in the attacks.
Even though gruesome videos and photos of dead bodies have been shared by news outlets including the Associated Press, Kremlin-backed media are denouncing the violent footage, claiming the videos are staged.
On April 7, Russia-24, a government-run television station in Russia, shared a video clip showing two individuals making adjustments to a mannequin that was wrapped in tape. The network claimed Ukrainians have been using mannequins to stage civilian bodies in an effort to exaggerate war casualties.
THE QUESTION
Does the footage aired by Russia-24 show the Ukrainian military using mannequins to exaggerate war casualties?
THE SOURCES
- Nadezhda Kolobaeva, a filmmaker based in Russia
- Television show crew members
- Google Maps
THE ANSWER
No, the video does not show Ukrainians using mannequins to exaggerate war casualties. It was actually behind-the-scenes footage from a television show being filmed in Vsevolozhsk, Russia.
WHAT WE FOUND
In the Russia-24 news clip, the broadcaster says in Russian: “Here you can see the preparations for the 'theater,' literally, of war activities in Ukraine. As you can see for yourself, it's not complicated. Two men in military outfits are wrapping this dummy in scotch tape, with the clear purpose of presenting it as a dead body.”
The clip referenced by the broadcaster was not taken in Ukraine, though. The video was actually a behind-the-scenes clip from the set of a television show being filmed in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, on March 20.
Nadezhda Kolobaeva is a first assistant director on the set. Kolobaeva asked VERIFY to use her real name and quotes in this report. She told VERIFY she found out about the Russia-24 segment when a colleague sent it to her via the messaging app Telegram.
“This video was supposed to discredit the Ukrainian Army by claiming the deceased in Bucha were actually the dummies, not the living people. Nevertheless, to my surprise, on that video I recognized my friends and colleagues working on the movie set. I was there at this very moment when this video was filmed,” Kolobaeva said in a video statement she sent to VERIFY.
Kolobaeva said the crew members were preparing the dummy by wrapping it with scotch tape in order to drop it from a high elevation, to simulate a person falling from a building onto a parked car. She posted footage from the TV set to Facebook and also sent additional videos and photos to VERIFY.
The crew members seen in footage provided by Kolobaeva are wearing the same clothing as the people featured in the clip that aired on Russia-24.
By using Google Maps, VERIFY could also confirm the location of filming was in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, and not in Ukraine like Russia-24 claimed. The buildings in the footage from the television set can be seen on Google Maps.
Kolobaeva said one of the crew members seen in the footage shared by Russia-24, is suing the network because he was seen on-air in connection to the false claim. VERIFY has reached out to the crew member for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Another crew member on the set also wrote about Russia-24’s “fake” video. They called Russian media’s use of this video “propaganda in action in an attempt to feed the audience more bull [expletive].” VERIFY is not linking to the Facebook post in order to keep the crew member’s identity safe, but we have confirmed its authenticity.
Kolobaeva told VERIFY she is worried about the repercussions of posting content publicly to social media in order to dispel the disinformation, but she is revealing her true identity because of the tragedy in Ukraine.
“I'm in Russia, I'm scared, but I have to be brave … My own personal destiny doesn’t matter. The lives of Ukrainians matter,” she told VERIFY.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/russian-tv-ukraine-dummy-video-from-tv-show-set/536-a2037184-4eeb-46f7-be99-006f31f5bf27 | 2022-04-11T23:35:06Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/russian-tv-ukraine-dummy-video-from-tv-show-set/536-a2037184-4eeb-46f7-be99-006f31f5bf27 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Banks and credit unions have been getting pushback for their long-standing use of overdraft fees, or penalties for covering a purchase when a customer doesn’t have enough funds in their account.
A user on Twitter wrote “it’s expensive to be poor,” alongside a meme that compared financial losses incurred by Americans in 2011 from both overdraft fees and burglary. The graphic claims the cost of burglary totaled $4.8 billion, while overdraft fees accounted for $30.8 billion in losses, a difference of more than six-fold. The post has been shared more than 14,000 times. Another post references the same numbers.
THE QUESTION
Did overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011?
THE SOURCES
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- FBI
- Moebs Services
- Bruce McClary, Senior Vice President, Membership & Communications, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
THE ANSWER
Yes, overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011.
WHAT WE FOUND
The meme’s data correctly shows overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011, a difference that nearly doubled by 2019, VERIFY confirmed.
VERIFY checked the sources listed at the bottom of the graphic: An economic research group called Moebs Services that studies overdraft fees, and FBI crime data.
The meme’s first statistic, which cites Moebs Services, says Americans paid $30.8 billion in overdraft fees in 2011. That report did indeed find banks and credit unions took in $30.8 billion in overdraft revenue during the fiscal year ending in June 2011. Moebs’ data was later cited in a 2013 report on overdraft fees published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The second data point cited in the viral meme is from the FBI. The tweet claims victims of burglary, or the “the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft,” as defined by the FBI, lost $4.8 billion in 2011. That’s true; the bureau's data from 2011 reports the same amount was lost in burglaries that year.
Burglaries differ from robberies and larcenies, which do not involve illegal entry into a home or building. The FBI estimates Americans lost an additional $6.4 billion to robberies and "larceny-theft" crimes in 2011.
Though the FBI has reported declines in burglary losses since 2011, banks’ revenue from overdraft fees has largely remained consistent. Moebs Services reported overdraft fees totaled $31.3 billion in 2020 and $32 billion in 2021.
Overdraft protection is not automatically the default for all bank accounts. Customers legally must opt-in in order for their bank to provide this service, which was originally “created in the spirit of convenience” when checks were mailed, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
But the CFPB also says financial institutions have become too reliant on overdraft penalties and similar non-sufficient funds fees (NSF), or charges for bounced transactions.
Since 2015, the agency has taken legal action against multiple financial institutions for deceptive or fraudulent overdraft practices and marketing and collected data on how these fees affect consumers. In 2021, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra announced the organization would pay close attention to banks that rely heavily on overdraft fees.
“Over time…banks figured out how to make even more money off depositors for the ‘privilege’ of holding their money. Rather than compete on the highest interest rate to attract customers, our nation’s largest banks now provide hardly any interest on deposits and charge billions in fees,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in an announcement about the initiative.
On April 6, attorneys general in 15 states plus D.C. urged JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo to eliminate overdraft fees, citing the charges’ disproportionate effect on people of color and low-income customers.
Some banks have already made changes. In January, Bank of America announced it would eliminate and reduce some fees related to low account balances. Citi announced in February it would cut overdraft fees altogether, following similar moves from Capital One and Ally in 2021.
But many experts say too many vulnerable customers are still falling prey to these fees. Critics say the charges, typically around $35, often push cash-strapped customers further into debt.
Some banks will continue to charge for every day the account remains in the negative, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC.) Without money to pay off negative balances, charges can snowball.
CFPB data shows less than 9% of bank customers pay 10 or more overdrafts per year, making up close to 80% of all overdraft revenue. Frequent overdrafters are also more likely to have a lower credit score, implying their access to credit cards is limited, the CFPB also concluded in a 2017 report.
“These overdraft fees are the same dollar amount for somebody making minimum wage as they are for somebody making a hundred thousand dollars a year. It is hitting people hard, especially those who are struggling the most right now,” said Bruce McClary, senior vice president for Membership & Communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC.)
Avoiding these fees can also be confusing when juggling low balances. It’s not always clear when recently-deposited funds will be available to cover pending charges, or when purchases will post to an account.
“Many large banks today penalize their own customers based on things outside their control like the difference between authorization and settlement, the significance of the timing gap between the two, the amount of time a credit may take to show up in the account, the use of one kind of balance over another for fee calculation purposes, or the order of transaction processing across different types of credit and debits,” Chopra said in 2021.
To avoid uncertainty, McClary recommends reading the fine print to understand the most cost-effective way to avoid fees. He also suggested setting up automated alerts that will send notifications when an account's balance is low. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/yes-overdraft-fees-cost-americans-more-than-burglaries-non-sufficient-funds-banks-credit-unions/536-13e7918d-cacc-46d0-8b89-fdb8dcd5007a | 2022-04-11T23:35:12Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/yes-overdraft-fees-cost-americans-more-than-burglaries-non-sufficient-funds-banks-credit-unions/536-13e7918d-cacc-46d0-8b89-fdb8dcd5007a | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SEATTLE — Former Washington State guard Noah Williams has committed to play at Washington. The Junior guard announced his decision via Instagram on Monday.
This comes six days after the Seattle native announced he was entering the transfer portal.
In his announcement on entering the transfer portal via Instagram Williams wrote "From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Coach Smith and the entire WSU Cougar family for showing me nothing but love and support my last 3 years out here in Pullman."
Now he is headed to the rival Huskies who the Cougars split their two game series with in the 2021-22 regular season.
In a Cougar uniform, Williams had a history of not liking the Huskies after not being recruited by his hometown team out of high school.
His most notorious Apple Cup moment came in his Freshman year when he hit game clinching free throws against the Huskies in Seattle to put the Cougs up four with five seconds to go. After the game Williams yelled to the crowd "this is my city!"
Williams third year in Pullman was expected to be a breakout year for the guard as he averaged 14.1 points, 2.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game shooting 41 percent from the field and 38 percent from three in the 2020-21 season.
But, it wound up being a down season for him in 2021-22 as he averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 assists and 3.1 rebound per game shooting 33 percent from the field and 26 percent from three. | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/ncaa/wsu/noah-williams-commits-wsu-rival-washington/293-01939643-31fe-495c-995b-f656b58e863d | 2022-04-11T23:35:18Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/ncaa/wsu/noah-williams-commits-wsu-rival-washington/293-01939643-31fe-495c-995b-f656b58e863d | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Via eFX comes this from GS:
- "Broad Dollar depreciation remains our medium-term view, however, as discussed in a variety of recent reports,"
- "In G10 our forecasts have been the most constructive on CAD, and we would see still USD/CAD shorts as the best expression of Dollar weakness,"
For bank trade ideas, check out eFX Plus. | https://www.forexlive.com/news/goldman-sachs-remain-bearish-on-the-usd-over-the-medium-term-20220411/ | 2022-04-11T23:39:09Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/goldman-sachs-remain-bearish-on-the-usd-over-the-medium-term-20220411/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby:
“We are aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine.
We cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
---
Earlier posts here for background to this: | https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-pentagon-says-cannot-confirm-russias-use-of-chemical-weapon-in-ukraine-city-mariupol-20220411/ | 2022-04-11T23:39:28Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-pentagon-says-cannot-confirm-russias-use-of-chemical-weapon-in-ukraine-city-mariupol-20220411/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DENVER — When the Dodgers traded for Craig Kimbrel, they got themselves a “turn-key” closer, ready to move right in.
“I mean, he’s been doing it for a long time so there’s not much to do,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “Just give him the ball and get out of the way.”
Kimbrel has taken the ball for six different clubs now – riding into the ninth inning for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox before this – and closed out 521 games (37th all-time). Only eight players have saved more games than Kimbrel (373) and half of them are in the Hall of Fame.
But the 33-year-old Kimbrel has gone through some rough patches in recent years and he is evolving in response.
Each of the past four seasons, Kimbrel has relied less on his fastball – still powerful at an average of 96.5 mph last season – and more on his sharp-breaking curveball. He once threw the fastball 70% of the time or more. Last season, he used it just 59% of the time.
“When guys hit the fastball you have to throw the breaking pitch,” Kimbrel said of the change. “I think the game – some guys’ swings have really shifted to hit the ball at the top of the zone. It’s where I’ve really gone a lot in my career and to combat that I’ve just had to throw my offspeed pitches more. When I do it effectively, it works just fine.”
Kimbrel attributes some of his struggles with the White Sox last season (13 runs on 18 hits in 23 innings) to his inconsistency throwing that breaking ball for strikes – though his discomfort pitching in non-closing situations speaks more loudly.
“I think pitching-wise, there were some pitches that I wasn’t landing, and I was getting myself into some counts where I had to attack a little bit more,” Kimbrel said.
“I think at times, not being able to throw my breaking ball for strikes when I knew they were gonna give it to me, not be able to do that, I think I kind of put myself into a hole. I had outings where I got out of it and threw just fine. And other ones that weren’t so well. And it’s really just staying in control and making sure I can throw all my pitches.”
Prior and the Dodgers’ staff know the numbers and what they show about the changes in Kimbrel’s plan of attack over the past few seasons. But there is a grace period before they offer Kimbrel their spin on how he uses his pitch mix.
“We’re aware of it. I think we kind of want to see where it plays out,” Prior said. “With most things, we do have this, like, orientation-type period where we know what our numbers say but we want to see what he feels and what he thinks. Then we try to merge and marry the two.”
The percentages only show one part of the picture, Prior said. The Dodgers plan to dig a lot deeper than that.
“When you look at it in a vacuum and you look at usages, that’s one thing. Then it’s breaking it down layer by layer,” he said. “Okay, when are those usages? Is it early (in counts)? Is it late? Is it middle? Is he ahead? Is he behind? Obviously, there’s a lot more nuances to it. One thing we never want to do is make it such a black-and-white thing. We have to really understand what he thinks about it, where his confidence level is in certain situations rather than be, ‘Hey, we want to restructure this completely.’ Unless we see it’s a real blatant thing like, ‘This is a really good pitch we’re not exploiting.’
“For us, over the next couple weeks we’ll kind of see how he pitches – is he using it more early? Is he using it more late? Just trying to understand the dynamic of that.”
The cat-and-mouse game that has prompted Kimbrel to adjust his game is a familiar one. The Dodgers also saw it with their previous closer. Kenley Jansen has tried to evolve in recent years, no longer able to rely exclusively on beating hitters with his cut fastball thrown to the top of the strike zone.
Kimbrel has maintained his velocity better than Jansen. But his recognition of how hitters have adjusted in recent years is one Prior shares.
“I completely agree with that,” said Prior, who joined the Dodgers as bullpen coach in 2018 before succeeding Rick Honeycutt as pitching coach in 2020. “Even just in my short time since I started here … you’ve seen a drastic change in hitting philosophy and the ability to teach how to get on top of balls and how to attack guys who are attacking the top of the strike zone. They’re doing a much better job of teaching and relaying to their hitters how to approach different types of pitchers, where before it was about groove your swing.
“You can’t live up there now. It was a similar thing with Kenley in years past. They’ve learned how to get on top of balls so you’ve got to do some different things – change eye levels, give them different looks to kind of throw them off the scent.”
Kimbrel said he “definitely” pays attention to all the increasingly sophisticated analytics that are available to pitchers – and that the Dodgers will, no doubt, use to try to maximize his performance. But that only goes so far.
“There are counts and tendencies that I want to pay attention to,” he said. “But at the same time, I can’t get too wrapped up in it. End of the day, I just got to lift up my foot, get balanced and go to the plate and hope they swing and miss.” | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/craig-kimbrel-dodgers-plan-to-collaborate-on-adjustments/ | 2022-04-11T23:42:28Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/craig-kimbrel-dodgers-plan-to-collaborate-on-adjustments/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
By YURAS KARMANAU, ADAM SCHRECK and CARA ANNA
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The mayor of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol said Monday that more than 10,000 civilians have died in the Russian siege of his city, and that the death toll could surpass 20,000, as weeks of attacks and privation leave the bodies of Mariupol’s people “carpeted through the streets.”
Speaking by phone Monday with The Associated Press, Mayor Vadym Boychenko also accused Russian forces of having blocked weeks of thwarted humanitarian convoys into the city in an attempt to conceal the carnage there from the outside world.
Mariupol has been cut off by Russian attacks that began soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in late February, and has suffered some of the most brutal assaults of the war. Boychenko gave new details of recent allegations by Ukrainian officials that Russian forces have brought mobile cremation equipment to Mariupol to dispose of the corpses of victims of the siege.
Russian forces have taken many bodies to a huge shopping center where there are storage facilities and refrigerators, Boychenko said.
“Mobile crematoriums have arrived in the form of trucks: You open it, and there is a pipe inside and these bodies are burned,” he said.
Boychenko spoke from a location in Ukrainian-controlled territory but outside Mariupol. The mayor said he had several sources for his description of the allegedly methodic burning of corpses by Russian forces in the city but gave few further details.
The discovery of large numbers of apparently executed civilians after Russian forces retreated from cities around the capital, Kyiv, this month already has given rise to widespread charges from Ukrainians and the West that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine.
Elsewhere Monday, U.S. officials pointed to new indications that Russia’s military is gearing up for a major offensive in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, switching its focus after Russian forces failed in their initial drive to capture Kyiv.
Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region since 2014, and have declared independent states. A major confrontation between the two countries’ fighters in Donbas would allow Russia to try to use its numbers and greater military might to capture more territory there. Western military strategists say Russia also hopes to force Ukrainian fighters out into the open in more conventional battles in the east, rather than the successful hit-and-run attacks Ukrainian fighters have often employed so far.
Russia has appointed a seasoned general to lead its renewed push in the eastern Donbas region.
A senior U.S. defense official said Monday that a long Russian convoy is now rolling toward the eastern city of Izyum with artillery, aviation and infantry support, apparently for the looming offensive.
More artillery is being deployed near the city of Donetsk, while ground combat units that withdrew from around the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas appear destined for refitting and resupplying before they position in Donbas, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal U.S. military assessments.
With their offensive in many parts of the country thwarted, Russian forces have relied increasingly on bombarding cities — a strategy that has flattened many urban areas and killed thousands of people.
Ukrainian authorities accuse Russian forces of committing atrocities, including a massacre in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, airstrikes on hospitals and a missile attack that killed at least 57 people last week at a train station.
In Bucha on Monday, the work of exhuming bodies from a mass grave in a churchyard resumed.
Galyna Feoktistova waited for hours in the cold and rain in hopes of identifying her 50-year-old son, who was shot and killed more than a month ago, but eventually she went home for some warmth. “He’s still there,” her surviving son, Andriy, said.
In Mariupol, about 120,000 civilians are in dire need of food, water, warmth and communications, the mayor said.
Only those residents who have passed the Russian “filtration camps” are released from the city, Boychenko said.
Ukrainian officials say Russian troops are confiscating passports from Ukrainian citizens then moving them to “filtration camps” in Ukraine’s separatist-controlled east before sending them to distant, economically depressed areas in Russia.
Boychenko said Monday that improvised prisons were organized for those who did not pass the “filtering,” while at least 33,000 people were taken to Russia or to separatist territory in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the United Nations children’s agency said nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have fled their homes in the six weeks since Russia’s invasion began. The United Nations has verified that 142 children have been killed and 229 injured, though the actual numbers are likely much higher.
Elsewhere, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he met Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for talks that were “very direct, open and tough.”
In a statement released by his office, Nehammer said his primary message to Putin was “that this war needs to end, because in war both sides can only lose.” Nehammer said he also raised the issue of war crimes committed by the Russian military and said those responsible “will be held to account.”
Austria is a member of the European Union and has backed the 27-nation bloc’s sanctions against Russia, though it so far has opposed cutting off deliveries of Russian gas. The country is militarily neutral and is not a member of NATO.
In other developments, the head of the separatist rebel government in Donetsk claimed Ukrainian forces have lost control of the port area of Mariupol.
“Regarding the port of Mariupol, it is now under our control,” Denis Pushilin, president of the Donetsk People’s Republic, told Russian state television, according to Russian news agencies. The claim could not immediately be confirmed.
But Mariupol’s mayor said fighting continues at the port. “It is difficult, but our heroic military holds on,” Boychenko said.
Both sides are digging in for what could be a devastating war of attrition.
Russian forces will likely try to encircle the Donbas region from the north and the south as well as the east, said retired British Gen. Richard Barrons, co-chair of the U.K.-based strategic consulting firm Universal Defence & Security Solutions.
The ground in that part of Ukraine is flatter, more open and less wooded — so the Ukrainian ambush tactics used around Kiev may be less successful, Barrons said.
“As to the outcome, it’s finely balanced right now,” Barrons said. If the Russians learned from their previous failures, concentrated more force, connected their air force to ground forces better and improved their logistics, “then they might start to overwhelm the Ukrainian positions eventually, although I still think it would be a battle of enormous attrition.”
In a video address to South Korean lawmakers Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy specifically requested equipment that can shoot down Russian missiles.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov claimed the military used cruise missiles to destroy four S-300 launchers near the central city of Dnipro on Sunday. He said the military also hit such systems in the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions.
The Pentagon said it had seen no evidence to support Russia’s claims. And Lubica Janikova, spokeswoman for Slovakia’s prime minister, denied Monday that the S-300 system it sent Ukraine had been destroyed.
Questions remain about the ability of depleted and demoralized Russian forces to conquer much ground after their advance on Kyiv was repelled by determined Ukrainian defenders.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said Monday that Ukraine has already beaten back several assaults by Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions — which make up the Donbas — resulting in the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery.
Western military analysts say Russia’s assault increasingly is focusing on an arc of territory stretching from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, in the north, to Kherson in the south.
A residential area in Kharkiv was struck by incoming fire on Monday afternoon. Associated Press journalists saw firefighters putting out the fire and checking for victims following the attack, and saw that at least five people were killed, including a child.
Oleh Synyehubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said earlier Monday that Russian shelling had killed 11 people over the last 24 hours.
___
Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Anna reported from Bucha, Ukraine. Associated Press Writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/mariupol-mayor-says-siege-has-killed-more-than-10k-civilians/ | 2022-04-11T23:42:53Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/mariupol-mayor-says-siege-has-killed-more-than-10k-civilians/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Workers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize an unfair labor practice strike in May, claiming they are understaffed, underpaid and dealing with inadequate COVID-19 protections.
The more than 2,000 employees — including nursing assistants, transporters, environmental service workers, plant operation employees, surgical technicians and food service workers — are members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West.
Strike-authorization votes were collected earlier this month with 93% voting in favor of a walkout. A union official indicated that would take place May 9-13, although an official notification has yet to be sent to Cedars.
Jose Sanchez, a lead transporter and chief union steward at the Los Angeles hospital, said the current minimum wage for workers there is a little over $17 an hour.
“Target and some of the fast-food places pay a lot more than that,” the 42-year-old Huntington Park resident said. “We believe employees should start at $25 an hour.”
A recent pay hike
In a statement issued Monday, Cedars said it raised minimum pay rates by more than $2 an hour last year without any request from the union. The hospital said it also provided a “thank you” bonus to all of its employees, including those represented by SEIU-UHW.
Sanchez said that pay hike boosted the minimum pay rate to $17 from $15 an hour. And the “thank-you” bonus, he said, was a $5 gift card to the hospital cafeteria.
The hospital’s most recent labor proposal includes a raise of $1 to $1.50 an hour, Sanchez said, adding that the hospital deemed that “the richest contract you will ever see.”
“They gave us until 5 p.m. March 30 to accept it,” he said. “They said if we didn’t accept it, we’d never see that offer again.”
In its statement, Cedars stressed that a strike vote is premature because negotiations for a new contract have barely started.
“At the beginning of negotiations, Cedars-Sinai offered to roll over the existing contract and provide each represented employee with substantial pay increases, averaging more than 15% over three years,” the hospital said. “Without asking its members, SEIU-UHW rejected Cedars-Sinai’s offer. The parties have since met for only two bargaining sessions.”
Yudis Cruz, a certified nursing assistant at Cedars, said it’s “shameful that right here in Beverly Hills, healthcare workers are struggling to support their families on $17 an hour.”
“Cedars should invest more in their low-wage frontline caregivers and less in highly paid executives that rarely interact with patients,” Cruz said in a statement.
Sanchez said the low starting wage, combined with the risks workers encounter in dealing with COVID-19 patients, causes many prospective hires to turn down work at the hospital.
And it has a ripple effect.
“We have hundreds of patients to transport a day, and if we’re short-staffed it creates delays getting them to their procedures and delays getting them discharged and admitted,” he said.
Safety protocols
Sanchez said COVID-19 safety protocols have been inadequate.
During the height of the pandemic, workers were told to wear masks in patient rooms but not in hospital hallways, he said. Employees now wear the masks in hallways, Sanchez said, but there are still instances of miscommunication where a transporter is moving a patient with COVID-19 but is unaware they are infected with the virus.
Cedars said it provided free lodging to employees during the pandemic to help assure the safety of their families, as well as reimbursement and reduced rates for backup childcare and adult/elder care, and pay protection for employees whose hours were affected by the pandemic.
Sanchez said understaffing at the hospital is taking a toll on workers.
“We’re rushed, stressed out and stretched thin,” he said. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/workers-at-cedars-sinai-medical-center-vote-to-strike/ | 2022-04-11T23:43:05Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/workers-at-cedars-sinai-medical-center-vote-to-strike/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A Florida woman was arrested this weekend for stuffing a 4-year-old boy inside a laundry dryer and activating the machine, according to a report.
Amber Chapman 35, was busted on child abuse charges after the boy told investigators that “Miss Chapman” put him inside a machine with some towels and that he “went around and around,” authorities said.
The tot was initially taken to an emergency room in February with bruising around his eyes, ears, shoulders and lower back.
The child told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that Chapman, of Eustis, opened the door at one point in the cycle and then closed it again to resume the tumbling.
A medical report on the case stated that doctors found his injuries to be consistent with the boy’s statements.
After gathering enough evidence to pursue the case, cops arrested Chapman this past weekend and she was later released on a $15,000 bond.
She faces a first-degree felony charge of aggravated child abuse. Local law enforcement officials did not release a motive for the abuse. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/florida-woman-busted-for-putting-boy-in-laundry-dryer-and-starting-the-machine/ | 2022-04-11T23:50:37Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/florida-woman-busted-for-putting-boy-in-laundry-dryer-and-starting-the-machine/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The goal for Joe Schoen is to get a good night’s sleep.
This time of year, the determining factor for what comes next whenever Schoen’s head hits the pillow is how confident and assured he is that his first NFL draft board with the Giants can hold up, no matter what unexpected developments may occur. Schoen is sitting on draft-day gold and did not even have to endure the losing it took — he was in Buffalo, winning — to gain such assets.
With the No. 5 and No. 7 overall selections on April 28, Schoen knows there are two players out there capable of coming and starting from Day 1. These will be the first two players under his watch to shape the direction of the franchise. Owning two picks so high in the first round leads to speculation about trading down, especially if there is a team out there desirous of moving up to land a quarterback. The Giants will certainly consider this, but it is more likely Schoen will sit tight, pick the highest-rated players on his board and not overthink anything.
“We haven’t discussed that,’’ Schoen said late last month about reports that the Giants explored trading down. “Really, honestly we’re trying to find, ‘Hey, who are seven players we like?’ If we find seven players that we like as players, as people, that’ll be good for the organization. I’ll sleep good at night.
“And then we’ll get into that, ‘Hey, maybe we need 10 guys, maybe we need 11, maybe we need 13,’ if we decide to move back depending on where we are. The roster continues to evolve. We’ll be open to listening, but it’s got to make sense to us. If there’s two players that we really like as people and as players, then again, I’m absolutely fine staying there, taking a guy that we like and I’ll sleep good at night.’’
With no trade-down, the Giants need to make sure they are comfortable and enthusiastic about seven players in the first round, knowing five of them could be unavailable to them. Less than three weeks before the draft, the early portion of the first round remains difficult to project, especially with so much uncertainty as to how this year’s quarterback class will come off the board. The first one taken might not be until the Panthers at No. 6. If a team wants to leapfrog the Panthers, the Giants sit at No. 5. If a team sees the Panthers go quarterback at No. 6 and feels compelled to move up to get the next-best option, the Giants sit at No. 7.
The Giants acquired the extra first-round pick (No. 7) by executing former general manager Dave Gettleman’s first-ever trade down. After the Giants during the 2021 draft saw the Eagles move in front of them to take the player they targeted, Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith, Gettleman traded from No. 11 to No. 20 and took receiver Kadarius Toney, who ended up having an extremely disappointing rookie season. The next three picks — Nos. 12, 13 and 14 — were linebacker Micah Parsons, tackle Rashawn Slater and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker — all players that would have instantly upgraded the Giants at those positions.
A trade-down this year would almost definitely bring back a future first-round pick and that could prove to be useful if the Giants are in the quarterback market in 2023. If the Giants get what they want and need at No. 5 — a player capable of starting at right tackle as a rookie — they could be tempted to drop down several spots in the first round to gain an additional pick this year and a premium pick next year.
After an upgrade at offensive tackle, the Giants could go many different ways with their second pick in the first round. Edge rusher, cornerback (especially if James Bradberry is traded or released), wide receiver and inside linebacker are all positions in need of a talent refuel and all but inside linebacker fill the requirements of high to mid-first round value.
“We have enough needs on the roster that I think you can go take the best player available,’’ Schoen said. “That’s how we’re going to set it. We’re not going to set it, ‘Hey, this guy is better than,’ we’re going to set it best football player 1-7 if we’re going to do it that way or 1-13, who’s the best football player. You’ll make some mistakes sometimes if you do it by need. I don’t think you can go wrong drafting good football players regardless where it is during the draft.’’
This sounds great in theory but “best player available’’ is always subject to internal adjustments. If the Giants have a quarterback graded as the No. 7 player in the draft, selecting him would open up a Pandora’s box of scrutiny directed at the documented comments from Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll and co-owner John Mara asserting their allegiance (at least for this season) to Daniel Jones. Taking a quarterback might be prescient as far as a 2023 insurance policy but would do nothing to enhance the oft-stated goal of providing Jones with as much as support as possible to make an honest appraisal of his worthiness as a franchise quarterback. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/giants-have-yet-to-discuss-trading-down-in-2022-nfl-draft/ | 2022-04-11T23:50:43Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/giants-have-yet-to-discuss-trading-down-in-2022-nfl-draft/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Rate it as the most truthful remark Knicks president Leon Rose made about his vision during Sunday’s interview with MSG Network.
Rose supported Julius Randle and his rough season, but later added, “With regard to opportunities that may come along, we’re very flexible.’’
The Knicks will be “very flexible” regarding Randle. His status ranks as the Knicks’ biggest offseason question — along with Rose’s ability to land a legitimate starting point guard in either a trade, draft or free agency.
Obi Toppin’s late emergence as a scorer, 3-point shooter and energizer has opened the eyes of coach Tom Thibodeau, who went as far as comparing him to his all-time favorite player Taj Gibson in regards to the intangibles and the bounce he brings to his teammates.
Trading Randle, if they can get equal value, would open up the starting spot for Toppin next season and perhaps create stronger team morale.
Those things matter to Thibodeau.
In response to Rose’s remark about Randle “not being comfortable” this season, Thibodeau responded, “Well, I don’t know if comfortable, but I think the big thing is, let’s not mistake how talented he is. He didn’t shoot the 3 as well as he did a year ago, but he’s still 20, 10 and five. That’s talent. That’s a lot of talent.’’
However, Thibodeau liked how the Knicks passed the ball when Randle wasn’t on the court in the final five games. Randle shut it down late with a sore quad.
If Randle was on the court late Sunday for “Fan Appreciation Night’’ after the game when Knicks players lobbed gifts into the stands, he wasn’t spotted by press-box observers.
If Randle skipped the season-ending ritual, it would’ve followed a pattern since his “thumbs-down” gesture to the Garden crowd in early January, continued with a media boycott, escalated with an altercation in Los Angeles with a laptop held by an assistant coach and culminated with Randle deciding not to the join his teammates for the national anthem or pregame lineup introduction at road games.
Garden fans chanting Toppin’s name when Randle was on the court had to be a blow to a player who, in fairness, lifted the Knicks to their first playoff berth in eight years a season ago.
“I think we had our ups and downs this year and when you’re that type of player, he’s gonna get criticism,’’ Thibodeau said. “I’m gonna get criticism. That goes with the turf here. So, you deal with it, come back, use it as motivation. I know one thing: Julius will be in the gym all summer.’’
If the Knicks can’t trade Randle for a fair package, Thibodeau may have to explore a small-ball package with Randle at center and Toppin at power forward. Thibodeau, though, hates it from a defensive standpoint.
There will be teams interested in the rugged Randle, whose four-year, $117 million contract extension begins next season at $23.7 million. That’s not an exorbitant number at all. Randle is at the top of all opponent scouting reports and is sensational steamrolling to the hoop when in the right frame of mind.
If the Knicks aren’t getting draft picks and a legitimate starter back, it may not be worth it — unless Randle formally demands a trade. The Mavericks would be an interesting scenario if the Knicks engage Dallas in sign-and-trade talks for free-agent point guard Jalen Brunson. Randle is from Dallas and usually wreaks havoc when he plays in Big D.
“We had new players, it was hard to develop chemistry right off the bat,’’ Thibodeau said. “But Julius is at his best when he’s running the floor, playing fast or attacking the rim. When he did that, he had a number of big games. He’d be the first to tell you that. When he does that and we spray the ball and it moves fast, we’re good. I’m hopeful that we’ve learned from the All Star break on.’’
Thibodeau had been skeptical about Toppin’s defense and 3-point shooting. During the middle of the season, Toppin stopped looking at the basket when he got the ball out deep. He closed the season at 30.6 percent from 3, but 46 percent in the last five games when he started after Randle sat.
The Randle-Toppin conundrum is going to vex Rose, Randle’s former agent, all offseason.
As will the point guard position after the Kemba Walker/Derrick Rose tandem turned into an unmitigated disaster. Rose was done in by an ankle surgery in December and Walker quit in February.
Meanwhile, Brunson, who’s father, Rick, was Leon Rose’s first client as an agent, is expected to be their top point guard target. The draft isn’t well-stocked with play-making point guards. The Knicks (37-45) are the lottery’s 12th seed with a 7.2 percent chance of vaulting to a top-three pick.
All things can be settled in the backcourt if Utah superstar combo guard Donovan Mitchell, the Westchester product, petitions for a trade. The Knicks would likely have to lose RJ Barrett in the exchange, but it could be a franchise changer.
Thibodeau, late Sunday night, didn’t want to get specific on needs.
“Unlike you [the media], I actually have to watch and dig into it,’’ Thibodeau said. “I could say that I have ideas, which I do. Some. But I want to make sure. I want to dig into it deep and formulate the plan for next year.’’ | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/julius-randle-obi-toppin-problem-hangs-over-knicks-offseason/ | 2022-04-11T23:50:49Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/julius-randle-obi-toppin-problem-hangs-over-knicks-offseason/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Issue: The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
Cheers to Ketanji Brown Jackson (“Ketanji on the Court,” April 8).
It is refreshing to see a level-headed person join the questionable Supreme Court.
It was ironic and almost comical during the proceedings to see members of the Republican Party questioning Jackson about going easy on sexual deviants, when quite a few members of their party that have this same issue hanging over their heads. So goes politics.
Kreg Ramone
Manhattan
We now have the first black female member of the US Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
I believe there should be an asterisk following her name because she was selected based upon the color of her skin, hardly a requirement for membership on the court.
Martin Rahm
Jackson, NJ
I’m not into politics, but I’d like to think if someone is picked for a job it’s because they’re the most qualified, not because of color or religion.
If Jackson was the most qualified, why is the fact that she is a woman and black being brought to everyone’s attention?
It takes away from her qualifications. Wish her luck in her new position — enough said.
John Buonagura
Stewart Manor
If there is an honor roll that includes members of Congress who act with the interest of the public at heart, it is occupied by Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney: three individuals who, despite the hyper-partisan environment which exists today, did the right thing in voting for distinguished Judge Jackson to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Despite the efforts to smear her — undertaken primarily by Republican firebrands Sens. Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham — Jackson emerged from the muck with her head held high.
Jackson is a highly distinguished, extraordinarily qualified candidate with no legitimate skeletons in her closet.
President Biden got his wish for the approval of Jackson to be bipartisan. The court and the country will be better for it.
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township, Pa.
With Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, Biden is still trying to portray himself as a “champion” of putting minorities on the court, which is a total farce.
As a senator in 2001, Biden helped kill the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit.
Estrada, a George W. Bush nominee, was definitely being groomed to become the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court. Not only that, but Estrada is a stutterer.
Biden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the committee’s former chairman, actively helped kill the Estrada nomination through a filibuster. The vote was never put to the full Senate, where Estrada most likely would have won confirmation.
Shame on you, Biden.
Hanh Nguyen
Arlington, Va.
Biden did it again. First, he picked Kamala Harris, considered the most liberal senator, to be his vice president.
Now the Senate confirmed Jackson as the first black woman to be on the Supreme Court.
Biden had said he would pick a black female, making color and gender his main criteria for selection to the high court.
When Jackson was asked by Sen. Marsha Blackburn to define what a woman is she could not and said she was “not a biologist.” Maybe a mirror would help.
It is well-known that Jackson was soft on convicted pedophiles, giving light sentences. How does a record of lenient sentences to pedophiles qualify a person as a Supreme Court justice?
Manny Martin
Manhattan
The Democrats rejoiced over Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation.
They overlooked the fact that she could not define what a woman is because she’s not a biologist. If she can’t define what a woman is, how do we know she is one?
Larry Penner
Great Neck
Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy and style. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/letters-to-the-editor-april-12-2022/ | 2022-04-11T23:50:55Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/letters-to-the-editor-april-12-2022/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Will President Joe Biden’s cri de coeur “Putin is a war criminal” become former President Barack Obama’s “Assad must go?”
Lofty words; noble intentions, for sure. But Obama came and went. Bashar al-Assad is still the president of Syria. That is partly because the American president allowed his initial “Assad must go” to evolve from moral outrage to policy obstacle as he shied away from conflict. Will his successor do the same, uttering high-minded words but producing little action?
Obama declared in August 2011 that “the time has come for President Assad to step aside.” By April 2015, a Washington Post analysis noted that “Obama’s determination to topple Assad remains one of the main points of friction between the United States and Russia in Syria.” And “Avoid that friction” replaced “Assad must go.”
Obama permitted Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was already a war criminal back then, to preserve his equities in Syria “to avoid friction.” He let his secretary of state, John Kerry, turn a cruel Russian ruse — decommissioning Syria’s chemical-weapons stockpile as a substitute for an American-led punitive military campaign — into a pretext for inaction. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, offered Kerry a fig leaf to disguise a complete lack of balls (pardon my French). It was a farce, as fig leaves go, because Assad continued to murder civilians with chemical weapons long after Russia had brokered the deal to remove them.
Putin learned his lesson well. America spoke with a big stick but no longer carried one.
Obama proclaimed his own red line, very publicly, on Syria’s chemical-weapons use. Assad, with Russia’s cover, tested his mettle and found it wanting. Russia doubled down on its support for its beleaguered Syrian ally, eager not only to regain its lost sphere of influence in the region but to show the world that America’s strong words were empty threats. With Russia in the Syrian skies, its fleet in Tartus and its boots on the ground, every pledge to prevent the next mass atrocity became subordinate to the need to “avoid that friction.”
Now here we are, in 2022, and Russia has invaded Ukraine, unprovoked. Moscow dehumanized its victims to fan the flames of hatred, motivating Russian soldiers to loot and massacre and Russian citizens to cheer the massacre. Meanwhile, the Kremlin quickly shut down any nascent domestic dissent and closed any media platform that dared criticize, as it used the old, true and tested totalitarian playbook to mobilize society.
Russia planned to decapitate Ukraine’s political leadership, intelligentsia, civil society, political opposition. Its military indiscriminately unleashed its firepower on civilian targets. It bombed hospitals and humanitarian corridors it agreed to open. Its troops relied on mobile crematoriums in the martyred city of Mariupol, hastily buried murdered civilians in mass graves and burned victims’ bodies after summary executions to cover up their war crimes.
Which brings us to Biden’s “Putin is a war criminal.”
His declaration is correct. The evidence overwhelmingly supports it. But US policy is not following through to that statement’s logical conclusion. The question must be asked then: Is the president’s statement akin to what commentators and concerned citizens allow themselves from time to time, given that their abundance of moral outrage is unburdened by the responsibility of leadership? Is it the lament of decency offended by a moral obscenity? Or is it policy?
Is “Putin is a war criminal” descriptive, prescriptive or aspirational? Will Biden do as his predecessor did, shedding crocodile tears while Syria smoldered? Or will the president leave no stone unturned until Putin, the war criminal, and his willing executioners face the earthly justice of a war crimes tribunal, as they deserve?
This is an honest question. President Biden is not Obama. His administration has done more for Ukraine than Obama’s ever did to rid Syria of Assad. The burdens the president carries and the risks he must confront as he antagonizes Russia are not diminished by the depravity of Russia’s crimes: Putin is not the tinpot dictator with a tinpot economy whom he defended in Syria.
But we need to know: Does “Never again” mean what the words suggest? Or do American presidents proclaim “Never again,” again and again, while they let Bucha and Mariupol become another Srebrenica, another Aleppo, another problem from hell they can care to lament but not afford to solve?
Emanuele Ottolenghi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Twitter: @eottolenghi | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/like-obama-biden-talks-tough-but-doesnt-stop-putins-war-crimes/ | 2022-04-11T23:51:01Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/like-obama-biden-talks-tough-but-doesnt-stop-putins-war-crimes/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A Bronx judge has yet to decide whether the teen charged with fatally shooting an innocent 16-year-old girl with a “ghost gun” goes on trial in adult court — so prosecutors weren’t taking any chances Monday.
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office asked the judge for a few days to present its arguments on why Jeremiah Ryan, 17, should go through the system in state supreme court as an “adolescent offender,” as opposed to being tried as a juvenile in family court.
While the possibility of Ryan being sent down to family court is highly unlikely given the seriousness of the charges against him, there is too much at stake not to make sure prosecutors’ position is iron-clad, legal experts told The Post.
As an adolescent offender in supreme court, Ryan would face up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charge against him, second-degree murder, they said. Had he been a year older, he would have been tried as an adult in supreme court — and faced the maximum of 25 years to life behind bars.
But family court is a whole different — and more lenient — scenario, the experts said.
If Ryan were tried as a juvenile in family court, his potential sentence on a murder conviction would be capped at five years in prison.
“It’s understandable why the Bronx DA’s Office would take every possible precaution to make sure that this individual is prosecuted in supreme court, given that it is alleged that he shot an innocent 16-year-old girl while she was walking down the street in broad daylight,’’ said Mark Bederow, a former Manhattan prosecutor-turned-prominent defense lawyer, to The Post.
The crime “is every New Yorker’s worst nightmare.”
A family-court route is highly unlikely in this case because under the law, a 17-year-old defendant accused of a violent felony would typically remain in supreme court if he or she displays a gun or causes “significant physical injury.”
“The chances of this matter being removed to family court are extremely slim,” another top defense lawyer, Jason Goldman, told The Post.
“Given the uptick in violence, especially with a surge in firearms, I’d be surprised if the DA thinks this matter is better off in a more forgiving, lenient family-court setting.
“This isn’t the case they will take a chance on.”
Ryan’s case is back in supreme court Thursday, when prosecutors will present their arguments to keep it there.
Ryan’s lawyer did not seek bail for his client Monday, so the teen will remain behind bars at Rikers Island, at least for now.
The young accused killer wore a green long-sleeved sweatshirt over a white t-shirt and gray sweater pants for the proceeding. He did not speak.
His mother, who was in the courtroom, declined comment.
Police say Ryan fired six rounds from a 9 mm Polymer 80 ghost gun during a street beef with rivals Friday afternoon near the University Prep Charter High School, mortally wounding Angellyh Yambo and wounding two other students walking by.
Ghost guns are untraceable weapons that can be assembled at home from parts purchased online — and are a disturbing trend in the city.
Ryan — who law-enforcement sources say has been suspected of helping local gangs hide guns since he was 12 — was arrested at his home nearby. Cops busted him after allegedly spotting him toss the gun out of the fourth-floor apartment inside a garbage bag.
He was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder and gun possession.
According to the NYPD, the department has seized 351 percent more ghost guns this year as of Wednesday compared to the same time period last year — or 131 vs. 29 of the weapons.
Police are still running forensics tests on the ghost gun Ryan allegedly had to confirm it was the weapon that killed Yambo — but detectives believe that it is. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/teen-suspect-in-bronx-school-slay-could-get-kid-glove-treatment/ | 2022-04-11T23:51:56Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/teen-suspect-in-bronx-school-slay-could-get-kid-glove-treatment/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — A group of Salve Regina University students went on a field trip for class on Monday.
Professor Sam Sacco’s econometrics class assessed spots of the Newport Cliff Walk that were listed in a 1993 Rhode Island Department of Transportation report as needing restoration work. The visit is part of a project to draft a grant application seeking funding from The Van Beuren Charitable Foundation, which would allow engineers to update the 1993 study.
The new study would detail which areas of the Cliff Walk are still in need of repairs, what needs to be done, and what the cost would be.
Sacco said the grant-writing course helps students with skills that can’t be learned through books.
“It’s a great example of experiential education,” Sacco said. “They’re certainly developing team skills, to developing grant-writing skills, research skills. And it’s an experiential education that is much better than being in a classroom.”
Among the spots visited by the students was the part of the Cliff Walk that collapsed in March, which was listed in the 1993 report as needing “structural” work. The estimated cost of the project at the time was $5,110.
Sophomore Mary Orena said their work analyzing the stability of the Cliff Walk started before a portion of it came crashing down. Once that happened, the class realized that getting funding for a new study was crucial because a collapse could happen elsewhere along the walk.
“[The grant application] was supposed to be focused on the entire Cliff Walk, not just this instead. While [the collapsed area] is a major point that we need to focus on, there are plenty more things that we need to repair and fix as as well,” Orena said.
The grant application will include engineering descriptions, remedial steps, cost estimates, drawings, and photos of critical locations, according to the university.
In addition to the economic impact the Cliff Walk has on Newport, restoring it is also meaningful for Salve students.
“Every single student at Salve has an area of the Cliff Walk that is near to their heart, that they go to every day,” Salazar said. “People are very, very drawn to it and brought together by it, so it’s definitely important to fix it soon.”
While analyzing the 1993 report is a crucial part of their class, the students are also looking ahead.
“Clearly we can’t go backwards, we can only go forwards, so now we can only just look at what we can repair, what we can fix, and how we can fix that as soon as possible,” Orena added. | https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/east-bay/salve-students-studying-safety-of-cliff-walk-as-part-of-class-project/ | 2022-04-11T23:55:42Z | wpri.com | control | https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/east-bay/salve-students-studying-safety-of-cliff-walk-as-part-of-class-project/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — A man will soon be sentenced after he was convicted of killing another man in New Bedford back in 2017.
After a two-week trial, a jury found 25-year-old David Antonetty Almestica guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in the stabbing death of 47-year-old Angel Camacho.
Prosecutors said the stabbing originated from a dispute over a drug transaction.
According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the two men met at a second-floor apartment on Tallman Street, with Antonetty Almestica intending to sell cocaine to Camacho.
When Camacho said he was unhappy with the price, Antonetty Almestica stabbed him three times, threw him down the stairs, then kicked him and hit him with a blunt object, prosecutors said.
Witnesses told police that Antonetty Almestica offered them cocaine in exchange for their silence.
In addition to second-degree murder, Antonetty Almestica was also convicted of witness intimidation and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The DA’s office said he’s being held until his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 22.
A second man, 47-year-old John Medeiros, would later be charged as an accessory to murder. Police said he’s accused of hiding evidence of the deadly stabbing. | https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/se-mass/man-found-guilty-in-deadly-new-bedford-stabbing/ | 2022-04-11T23:55:48Z | wpri.com | control | https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/se-mass/man-found-guilty-in-deadly-new-bedford-stabbing/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON (Nexstar) — Americans hold between $90 billion and $200 billion in medical debt. That’s why the Biden Administration says getting sick or taking care of loved ones who are sick shouldn’t be a financial hardship.
On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced new actions the federal government will take to help ease the burden of medical debt Americans face.
“No one in our nation should have to go bankrupt just to get the health care they need,” Harris said.
Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said medical debt often “forces families into making impossible choices: Do I pay off my debt? Do I purchase life-saving medication?”
HHS will evaluate the practices of medical providers and debt collectors and hold them accountable for harmful practices.
“Credit reports are now being used as a weapon to coerce people into paying bills that they don’t even owe,” said Consumver Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra.
The Biden administration also wants to reduce the impact medical debt can have on someone’s credit score.
The White House said these steps are important because one in three Americans have medical debt and it’s the largest source of debt collection in the US.
“For too many families some two-thirds of debtors medical issues, medical challenges and medical debt contribute to personal bankruptcy,” Becerra said.
The CFPB will also ramp up efforts to inform patients about their rights. The Biden administration also has ongoing efforts to help ease or even eliminate medical debt for veterans who are VA patients and qualify. | https://www.wpri.com/news/washington-dc/becerra-2-3-of-personal-bankruptcy-linked-to-medical-debt/ | 2022-04-11T23:56:00Z | wpri.com | control | https://www.wpri.com/news/washington-dc/becerra-2-3-of-personal-bankruptcy-linked-to-medical-debt/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The New Iberia Police Department is asking for help from the public identifying a suspect in a theft by fraud investigation.
On March 30, 2022, an unknown person went into Walmart located at 1205 East Admiral Doyle Drive and purchased a kitchen-aid mixer for $400. The woman then handed the receipt to a male suspect, who then went into the store and walked out with another Kitchen-Aid mixer for the same value without paying for it and using the same receipt.
If anyone can positively identify the male in the photo, contact Iberia Crime Stoppers at 337-364-TIPS, use the P3 app or simply dial **TIPS.
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Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers | https://www.katc.com/community/crime-stoppers/iberia-crime-stoppers-help-needed-identifying-suspect | 2022-04-11T23:56:00Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/community/crime-stoppers/iberia-crime-stoppers-help-needed-identifying-suspect | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Temperatures on Earth will shoot past a key danger point unless greenhouse gas emissions fall faster than countries have committed, the world's top body of climate scientists said Monday, warning of the consequences of inaction but also noting hopeful signs of progress.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change revealed "a litany of broken climate promises" by governments and corporations, accusing them of stoking global warming by clinging to harmful fossil fuels.
"It is a file of shame, cataloging the empty pledges that put us firmly on track toward an unlivable world," he said.
Governments agreed in the 2015 Paris accord to keep global warming well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit this century, ideally no more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet temperatures have already increased by over 2F since pre-industrial times, resulting in measurable increases in disasters such as flash floods, extreme heat, more intense hurricanes, and longer-burning wildfires, putting human lives in danger and costing governments hundreds of billions of dollars to confront.
"Projected global emissions from (national pledges) place limiting global warming to 1.5C beyond reach and make it harder after 2030 to limit warming to 2C," the panel said.
In other words, the report's co-chair, James Skea of Imperial College London, told The Associated Press: "If we continue acting as we are now, we're not even going to limit warming to 2 degrees, never mind 1.5 degrees [Celsius]."
Ongoing investments in fossil fuel infrastructure and clearing large swaths of forest for agriculture undermine the massive curbs in emissions needed to meet the Paris goal, the report found.
Emissions in 2019 were about 12% higher than they were in 2010 and 54% higher than in 1990, said Skea.
The rate of growth has slowed from 2.1% per year in the early part of this century to 1.3% per year between 2010 and 2019, the report's authors said. But they voiced "high confidence" that unless countries step up their efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the planet will on average be 4.3 to 6.3F warmer by the end of the century — level experts say is sure to cause severe impacts for much of the world's population.
"Limiting warming to 1.5C requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest and be reduced by 43% by 2030," he said.
Such cuts would be hard to achieve without drastic, economy-wide measures, the panel acknowledged. It's more likely that the world will pass 1.5C and efforts will then need to be made to bring temperatures back down again, including by removing vast amounts of carbon dioxide — the main greenhouse gas — from the atmosphere.
Many experts say this is unfeasible with current technologies, and even if it could be done it would be far costlier than preventing the emissions in the first place.
The report, numbering thousands of pages, doesn't single out individual countries for blame. But the figures show much of the carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere was released by rich countries that were the first to burn coal, oil, and gas beginning with the industrial revolution.
The U.N. panel said 40% of emissions since then came from Europe and North America. Just over 12% can be attributed to East Asia, which includes China. But China took over the position as the world's top emissions polluter from the United States in the mid-2000s.
Many countries and companies have used recent climate meetings to paint rosy pictures of their emissions-cutting efforts while continuing to invest in fossil fuels and other polluting activities, Guterres charged.
"Some government and business leaders are saying one thing but doing another," he said. "Simply put, they are lying. And the results will be catastrophic."
The report isn't without some hope, however.
Its authors highlight myriad ways in which the world can be brought back on track to 2C or even, with great effort, return to 1.5C after that threshold has been passed. This could require measures such as the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere with natural or artificial means, but also potentially risky technologies such as pumping aerosols into the sky to reflect sunlight.
Among the solutions recommended is a rapid shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy such as increasingly cheap solar and wind power, the electrification of transport, less meat consumption, more efficient use of resources, and massive financial support for poor countries unable to pay for such measures without help.
The situation is as if humanity has "gone to the doctor in a very unhealthy condition," and the doctor is saying "you need to change, it's a radical change. If you don't you're in trouble," said report co-author Pete Smith, a professor of soils and global change at the University Aberdeen.
"It's not like a diet," Smith said. "It is a fundamental lifestyle change. It's changing what you eat, how much you eat, and get on a more active lifestyle."
One move often described as "low-hanging fruit" by scientists is to plug methane leaks from mines, wells, and landfills that release the potent but short-lived greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. A pact forged between the United States and China at last year's U.N. climate conference in Glasgow aims to do just that.
"The big message we've got (is that) human activities got us into this problem and human agency can actually get us out of it again," said Skea, the panel's co-chair.
The panel's reports have become increasingly blunt since the first one was published in 1990, and the latest may be the last before the planet passes 1.5C of warming, Skea told the AP.
Last August, it said climate change caused by humans was "an established fact" and warned that some effects of global warming are already inevitable. In late February, the panel published a report that outlined how further temperature increases will multiply the risk of floods, storms, drought, and heatwaves worldwide.
Still, the British government's former chief science adviser David King, who wasn't involved in writing the report, said there are too optimistic assumptions about how much CO2 the world can afford to emit.
"We don't actually have a remaining carbon budget to burn," said King, who now chairs the Climate Crisis Advisory Group.
"It's just the reverse. We've already done too much in the way of putting greenhouse gases up there," he said, arguing that the IPCC's calculation omits new risks and potentially self-reinforcing effects already happening, such as the increased absorption of heat into the oceans from sea ice loss and the release of methane as permafrost melts.
Such warnings were echoed by U.N. chief Guterres, citing scientists' warnings that the planet is moving "perilously close to tipping points that could lead to cascading and irreversible climate impacts."
"But high-emitting governments and corporations are not just turning a blind eye; they are adding fuel to the flames," he said, calling for an end to further coal, oil, and gas extraction. "Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness."
Vulnerable nations said the report showed big polluters have to step up their efforts before the next U.N. climate summit in Egypt this fall.
"We are looking to the G-20, to the world's biggest emitters, to set ambitious targets ahead of COP27, and to reach those targets – by investing in renewables, cutting out coal and fossil fuel subsidies," said Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands. "It's long past time to deliver on promises made."
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/earth-firmly-on-track-toward-an-unlivable-world-un-warns-in-new-climate-report | 2022-04-11T23:56:12Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/earth-firmly-on-track-toward-an-unlivable-world-un-warns-in-new-climate-report | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
It's all hands on deck for Dr. Tracy Maione and her team at the Oz Animal Hospital in Chicago.
They're one of the thousands of animal clinics in the U.S. trying to keep up with a growing demand for animal care while navigating a nationwide shortage of veterinarians.
"Pretty much every veterinarian I know and every veterinary clinic I know of is dealing with a shortage right now," Maione said. "That means everyone is feeling the stress of just not having as much staff to make things go as smoothly as possible."
According to Mars Veterinary Health, with pet ownership on the rise, pet healthcare service spending is anticipated to grow 33% over the next decade. That means the industry needs to add roughly 41,000 veterinarians to the force by 2030 to meet the demand.
However, projected graduation numbers for veterinarians show that the industry will likely fall short. This is due in part to how few veterinary programs there are available and factors that limit some people from being exposed to the profession.
"Veterinary school is often a bit more difficult to get into just because we don't have that many schools," Maione said. "In certain communities, especially communities of color, there seems to not be enough applicants."
Veterinary programs require four years of schooling following the completion of an undergraduate degree.
The total cost of tuition can exceed $200,000.
But it's not just veterinarians that are in short supply. Many clinics are in desperate need of more veterinary technicians who play a critical role in the day-to-day care of animals.
"Technicians are like veterinary nurses of our industry," Maione said. "I'm really hoping that there's going to be more veterinary technical schools coming out because we really need our support staff."
The American Veterinary Medical Association is working to find ways to combat this worker shortage, and clinics are exploring new ways to reach their patients. But if those efforts are to succeed, Maione says owners need to be more understanding.
"We try our best to educate people that these are just not the times that they used to be," she said. "We used to be able to drop everything and see everyone's pet that day when they got sick. We certainly do the best that we can but it's a balancing act of that."
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/veterinarian-shortage-could-leave-75m-pets-without-medical-care | 2022-04-11T23:56:37Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/veterinarian-shortage-could-leave-75m-pets-without-medical-care | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BATON ROUGE – Seimone Augustus, a generational player who made a transformational impact on LSU Women’s Basketball, will become the first female student-athlete in school history with her own statue, the university announced Monday afternoon.
“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart,” Augustus said. “To leave a timeless legacy of inspiration for generations to follow is a lifelong goal, and with this announcement, I am humbly honored. Representing Louisiana has always been and always will be a driving force in my continued pursuit to greatness.”
Augustus, LSU’s most decorated female student-athlete, will join three other Tiger greats – Bob Pettit, Shaquille O’Neil and Pete Maravich – with statues outside the Maravich Assembly Center. Already cast, the Maravich statue will be unveiled in the coming months.
“A Seimone Augustus statue is befitting for a student-athlete whose talents, accomplishments, and impact will forever stand the test of time,” LSU Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said. “Seimone came to LSU as one of the most heralded recruits in school history, and she left a legacy on our campus, our state, and the sport of basketball that will never fade.
“Seimone was a singular talent who inspired basketball players across the world and helped transform LSU women’s basketball team into a national powerhouse. She will long be remembered as LSU’s greatest female student-athlete, and we are honored to recognize Seimone as one of the most iconic athletes to ever wear purple and gold.”
“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart,” Augustus said. “To leave a timeless legacy of inspiration for generations to follow is a lifelong goal, and with this announcement, I am humbly honored. Representing Louisiana has always been and always will be a driving force in my continued pursuit to greatness.”
No other LSU women’s basketball player impacted her team and sport more than Augustus. The Baton Rouge native and 2005 graduate of LSU helped lead the Tigers to three consecutive Final Four appearances and was named both National Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year twice. She’s also a two-time recipient of the Wooden Award and the Honda Award – the two most prestigious honors in women’s college basketball.
“Seimone Augustus is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. She has been successful at every level of basketball and what she did for this program and this university deserves to be recognized. I am proud we are able to honor Seimone with a statue where our fans will forever be able to reflect on her impact and greatness,” LSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey said.
She earned three first team All-America honors and earned the 2006 NCAA Class Award, which is given to the nation’s premier senior student-athlete based on achievement in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.
Augustus’ No. 33 jersey has hung from the rafters of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center since Jan. 26, 2010, when she became the first LSU female student-athlete to have her jersey retired.
Augustus is one of only five Tigers to top the 2,000-point mark, and she ended her career with 2,702 points, the second-highest total in program history.
In 140 games, Augustus and the Tigers went 121-19 and finished each season ranked among the top five teams in the nation. LSU lost back-to-back games only one time during her career, and the 121 victories stand as the most-ever for the program over a four-year span.
The Augustus effect helped LSU’s popularity in women’s basketball reach an all-time high as the Tigers averaged 5,227 fans for the 59 home games during her four-year career. Augustus and her teammates played before five of the six largest crowds to ever fill the Maravich Assembly Center, which included 15,233 against Tennessee in 2005 and 15,217 against the Lady Vols in 2003.
Augustus was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. In her 15-year WNBA career, Augustus won four championships and was named MVP of the 2011 WNBA Finals. The 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Augustus earned All-WNBA first team honors in 2012 and was a second team selection five times. She was an eight-time All-Star.
In 391 regular-season WNBA games, Augustus scored over 6,000 points and ranks among the league’s Top 10 all-time scorers.
On the world’s stage, Augustus won three gold medals (2008, 2012, 2016) as a member of the United States Olympic Team.
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Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers | https://www.katc.com/sports/lsu-sports/lsu-to-honor-basketball-legend-seimone-augustus-with-statue-on-campus | 2022-04-11T23:56:49Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/sports/lsu-sports/lsu-to-honor-basketball-legend-seimone-augustus-with-statue-on-campus | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Three suspected catalytic converter thieves evaded Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies during a high-speed chase up to the Santa Clarita Valley early Saturday morning, but were brought into custody after they crashed into a deputy involved in an unrelated pursuit.
The suspects were caught on a security camera targeting homes in the middle of the night and stealing catalytic converters. The homeowner did not want to be identified but said it appeared four men were involved, including two lookout drivers.
Sheriff’s deputies eventually located a minivan believed to be connected to the catalytic converter thefts that was driving on the 5 Freeway in Valencia. Authorities pursued the driver but the chase was called off after the driver took off at dangerous speeds.
A short time later, deputies responded to a call from Burbank police regarding a suspected stolen vehicle and another pursuit began on the 5 Freeway, this time in Newhall. The call was unrelated to the catalytic converter thefts, LASD said.
While assisting Burbank police, a crash occurred involving a sheriff’s deputy vehicle and the suspects from the earlier pursuit. Inside the suspects’ vehicle, officers said they found at least eight catalytic converters.
All three of the suspects were taken to a local hospital, along with the deputy involved in the crash, but no serious injuries were reported by authorities.
Authorities encourage residents to do what they can to prevent catalytic converter thefts. Some steps you can take include getting your catalytic converter etched, installing cameras on your property, and parking in well-lit areas or in a garage if possible. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/videos/suspected-catalytic-converter-thieves-crash-into-deputy-on-unrelated-chase-in-los-angeles/ | 2022-04-12T00:00:51Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/videos/suspected-catalytic-converter-thieves-crash-into-deputy-on-unrelated-chase-in-los-angeles/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Lt. Col. Ed Escobedo, deputy commanding officer of 120th Infantry Brigade, Division West - First Army, speaks appreciation remarks during the commencement of the Military Heroes Appreciation Concert held at North Fort Hood, Texas, Apr. 10. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Steven L. Wesolowski, Division West Public Affairs)
This work, Gatesville presents military appreciation concert [Image 16 of 16], by CPT Steven Wesolowski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. | https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7137954/gatesville-presents-military-appreciation-concert | 2022-04-12T00:05:50Z | dvidshub.net | control | https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7137954/gatesville-presents-military-appreciation-concert | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The EF3 tornado that ripped through Hamilton County two years ago destroyed hundreds of homes in its path. It's a day that local State Farm Agent Jonathan Hubler says he'll never forget.
Two years ago, he spent Easter night sheltered in his bathroom with his 3-year old daughter with no power to their home. Thankfully, their home was not damaged in the tornado, but they went without power for over a week.
He knew going into work the next morning, it was going to be busy, but it was worse than he could've ever imagined.
"When I came in that morning by the time our phones cut on at 9, we already had 75 claims that were filed the night before," said Hubler.
Hubler said nothing could've prepared his staff for the volume of calls they received. In total his office had 475 households affected by the tornado, 30 of them were complete loses.
Because of downed power lines, Hubler said calls and text messages were nearly impossible. With the roads littered with debris driving was also a hassle, so he parked his car and started walking to his client's homes.
"I was walking probably 8 to 10 miles in steps, just because it was actually easier to get around on foot than it was driving and so getting the checks and getting them in hotels which filled up quickly, was my number one priority."
He recalls how eerie it felt as he walked through the storm ruined neighborhoods.
"I literally just remember stopping and looking around and it still gives me chills to this day, I did not see another human being," explained Hubler
He and other insurance agents spent two weeks going out and helping people in any way they could, bringing essential items and food.
The tornado was a devastation that Hubler hopes he'll never have to go through again, but he says there was one bright spot in all of the darkness.
"Just the community feeling of everybody coming together to be there for each other, I will say that's the one thing I saw, you know I've always heard Chattanooga strong, but you've really kind of felt that, that day."
Hubler said it was also an eye opening moment and gave a life lesson he'll always remember. He stresses the importance of people sitting down with their insurance agent and going over their coverage to make sure they are fully protected and know exactly what their paying for. | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/insurance-agent-recalls-the-devastating-easter-sunday-tornadoes/article_499d35ce-b9c2-11ec-a41f-77f1990169b2.html | 2022-04-12T00:10:46Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/insurance-agent-recalls-the-devastating-easter-sunday-tornadoes/article_499d35ce-b9c2-11ec-a41f-77f1990169b2.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Another Covid-19 variant is on the rise across the United States. BA.2, a sublineage of Omicron, is responsible for more than three-quarters of the cases nationwide.
Twenty-seven states are seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases. Here at home, it's business as usual. Cases aren't on the rise, yet.
"It's not an if, it's a when but the big question marks at this point though are because we had such a bad BA.1 spike is what is this one going to look like because there is some cross-protectivity. So we had so many people get Omicron when it went around the first time, in our region that a lot of them between that and vaccination wafts will have some degree of protection," Dr. Jensen Hyde of Erlanger Medical Center said.
The BA.1 sublineage variant of Omicron spiked so quickly that the impact of the spread was significant. Dr. Hyde said as more variants develop, we will reach an endemic phase. This is how viruses live and protecting oneself is the best way to get to that phase.
"Viruses mutate. That's what they do. It's how they function. But for viruses to mutate, they have to replicate and for them to replicate they have to have susceptible hosts. So the reason you hear us all talk about vaccines is that you vaccinate people you decrease the likelihood that they'll become a susceptible host and if they are the virus replicates in their system for a much shorter time and therefore has less opportunity to drive production of variants," she said.
Some northeastern states are discussing reinstating mask mandates and taking other precautions with the B2 variant on the rise.
Dr. Hyde said we know masks are helpful to stop the spread and doesn't foresee those mandates back in place in our area.
She does suggest making the best decisions to protect your family.
"Masks are still a very useful tool particularly if you are using a high-quality mask, so you are thinking about if you've gotten away from wearing masks, particularly at places like grocery stores, movie theatres, if you happen to be in places in close proximity to people where you don't know their vaccination status, particularly in an indoor environment. You may be thinking about going back to wearing masks in sort of a risk-based way," Dr. Hyde said.
Health professionals say the best protection against all variants is to be fully vaccinated and boosted. | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/new-covid-19-variant-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s/article_fba43426-b9d0-11ec-9469-df4b1171e464.html | 2022-04-12T00:10:52Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/new-covid-19-variant-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s/article_fba43426-b9d0-11ec-9469-df4b1171e464.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Evacuations are in progress in New Mexico's Valencia County due to a fast-moving fire approximately two miles in length that is affecting a "few thousand people," according to fire officials.
In an interview with CNN, Fire Chief Matt Propp said the fire, which is zero percent contained, is currently affecting a "few thousand people in five different neighborhoods."
According to Propp, current winds are in excess of 50 mph which he said may cause the fire to affect additional people and neighborhoods.
"Multiple structures are threatened," he said.
The Valencia County Fire Department announced in a statement that residents who live in the area of Blue Sky, Las Chapulinas and Nighthawk Roads should evacuate immediately due to fire danger.
"Valencia County Fire Department and multiple agencies are responding to the Bosque north of Rio Communities," the statement said. "Stay clear of the area."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/fast-moving-fire-in-new-mexico-approximately-2-miles-in-length-affecting-a-few-thousand/article_9e004f59-1f9b-58b9-adbe-aff1b9990996.html | 2022-04-12T00:11:16Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/fast-moving-fire-in-new-mexico-approximately-2-miles-in-length-affecting-a-few-thousand/article_9e004f59-1f9b-58b9-adbe-aff1b9990996.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Fort Collins police investigate 6-year-old's shooting death, believed to be accidental
A 6-year-old boy died from what police suspect was an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday night.
Officers responded to a 911 call that came from a home in the 1200 block of East Lincoln Avenue just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a Fort Collins Police Services news release.
The 911 caller reported a 6-year-old child in the home shot himself, and officers and medical personnel arrived on seen shortly after. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The Larimer County Coroner's Office will determine the boy's cause and manner of death and release his identity at a later time.
"Tragic events like this have a lasting impact on everyone involved, including family, friends, and first responders. Words cannot begin to express the depth of our condolences for this devastating loss of a young life," Fort Collins Police Services Chief Jeff Swoboda said in the news release.
PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS:1 person killed in Windsor when Jeep hits group of pedestrians gathered for memorial
Police will provide an update to the public when the investigation concludes, according to the release. In the meantime, Swoboda said, "please keep everyone who's grieving in your thoughts and prayers."
Police said preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that the shooting "may have been accidental," but they did not share any additional details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Coloradoan is sharing the following gun safety tips as a public service.
Gun safety tips for parents and families
If you're a parent or guardian of a child and have firearms in your home, here are some tips on how to keep the children in your home safe.
- Keep guns out of reach and sights of children. Store them in a locked safe or container, and hide lock combinations.
- Store guns unloaded and store ammunition securely in a separate locked container.
- When a gun is not stored, keep it in your possession and control at all times.
- If a visitor has a gun, provide a secure place for them to store it while in your home.
- While handling a firearm, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, meaning pointed in a way so even if it accidentally goes off, it wouldn't injure someone.
- Use a gun locking device that makes the firearm inoperable while not in use, in addition to keeping it in a locked cabinet or safe.
- Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand safety guidelines concerning firearms:
- Seeing a gun in real life is different than seeing a gun on television, in a movie or video game — A gun in real life can be dangerous.
- Teach children to tell an adult and not touch a gun if they see or find one.
For more information on the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office Juvenile Gun Safety campaign, visit larimer.org/cja/juvenile-gun-safety.
Tips courtesy of the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office and the nonprofit Safe Kids Worldwide.
CRIME NEWS:RMNP rangers searching for suspect(s) who illegally took beloved bull elk's antler, skull
Sady Swanson covers public safety, criminal justice, Larimer County government and more throughout Northern Colorado. You can send your story ideas to her at sswanson@coloradoan.com or on Twitter at @sadyswan. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/fort-collins-police-investigate-6-year-old-boys-shooting-death-april-2022/7281846001/ | 2022-04-12T00:14:19Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/fort-collins-police-investigate-6-year-old-boys-shooting-death-april-2022/7281846001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
More I-25 closures are expected this week, but we have some good news about Kechter Road
There have been repeated closures of Interstate 25 in recent weeks as part of the North I-25 Express Lanes project, and this week will see more.
Crews will be installing a new overhead message board requiring a nightly closure of I- 25, according to a Colorado Department of Transportation news release.
The closing of northbound I-25 between Colorado Highway 392 and Harmony Road will take place 9 p.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Wednesday through 5 a.m. Thursday.
Northbound drivers will be directed to exit at Colorado 392 (Exit 262), turn right and continue east to Weld County Road 17/Colorado Highway 257 in Windsor. Drivers will then turn left and go north on Colorado 257 to Harmony Road, turn left and continue west to the northbound I-25 on-ramp.
Southbound lanes will not be impacted.
Crews in that stretch of the North I-25 Express Lanes project also are tearing up the old northbound lanes and bridges of I-25 in preparation of building the new southbound lanes and bridge.
The new northbound lanes in that stretch opened to traffic in December.
North I-25 Express Lanes project: Why does it seem to be taking so long?
Kechter Road on schedule to reopen in early May
CDOT said Kechter Road is expected to reopen on schedule in early May.
The road, which connects Larimer County Road 5 on the east side of the interstate to southeast Fort Collins, has been closed since Oct. 1. The closure has caused increased traffic congestion in the vicinity of I-25 and Harmony Road to the north.
Crews poured the bridge's concrete deck March 19 and are working on the bridge as well as roundabout to the west of the bridge at Kechter Road's intersection with the west I-25 frontage road.
The project includes installing a longer bridge to accommodate a widened I-25 underneath, the roundabout and new sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks and bike lanes in each direction.
The $750 million North I-25 Express Lanes project started in September 2018 and is expected be finished by the end of 2023.
When complete, the nearly 19-mile project from Fort Collins to Berthoud will add express lanes and inside and outside shoulders in both directions. It also will have replaced 17 aging bridges, reconfigured several interchanges and added public transportation, cycling and walking options.
Harmony Road/I-25 interchange: More development coming to the area
North I-25 Express Lanes project information
More information about this project is available at:
- Website: www.codot.gov/projects/north-i-25/johnstown-to-fort-collins
- Project hotline: 720-593-1996
- Email: northi25expresslanes@gmail.com
Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/i-25-road-conditions-closures-kechter-road-construction/7273934001/ | 2022-04-12T00:14:25Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/i-25-road-conditions-closures-kechter-road-construction/7273934001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Party City plans to move from Harmony Road to Midtown Fort Collins
Party City, that central hub for all things festive, plans to move to The Square in the heart of Midtown Fort Collins sometime this summer, leaving their longtime spot at Front Range Village.
The new store will sit just south of Trader Joe's in the 3500 S. College Ave. plaza. At 11,450 square feet, it will be slightly smaller than its current location at Front Range Village. But it will have more visible storefront along College Avenue than it does tucked back between Urban Air and Target at Front Range Village.
"They wanted to get better exposure and back to College Avenue," said Realtor Debbie Tamlin.
A Party City employee confirmed the store was moving but referred all other questions to the corporate office, which did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
RETAIL NEWS:Look who wants to move into the former JCPenney store in Midtown Fort Collins
Party America was formerly located on South College Avenue but moved when the corporation was purchased by Party City in 2005.
Once Party City opens, The Square, which began a major multimillion-dollar renovation in 2014, will be nearly full. The site had been allowed to age and become nearly empty before Trader Joe's and Sierra Trading Post leased space on opposite corners, leading to a plethora of new activity and reinvestment by owner Darrell Knudsen.
The renovations, coming about the same time as Foothills mall redevelopment, has led to a resurgence of sorts along South College Avenue and the Midtown corridor. It was one of the most highly anticipated renovations in 2014, a year that saw Costco, Sierra Trading Post, Conn's Home Plus and Dunkin' Donuts burst onto the city's retail scene.
With the addition of Party City, a small 4,600-square-foot space between Party City and Trader Joe's is all that remains to be leased, Tamlin said.
The Square now houses, among others, Gilded Goat, Square Beverage, Brown's Shoe Fit, The Sleep Store, Trader Joe's, Sierra Trading Post, Little Saigon Cafe and Runner's Roost.
The Midtown Business Improvement District is in the midst of plans to use some of its funds to beautify the area and make it a place people want to go and stay, not just drive through on the way to Harmony Road or Old Town.
RETAIL NEWS:Is the old Fort Collins Kmart about to be torn down for a new King Soopers? What we know
Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Contact her at patferrier@coloradoan.com. Please support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a subscription today. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/party-city-fort-collins-plans-move-harmony-road-midtown/7275267001/ | 2022-04-12T00:14:31Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/04/11/party-city-fort-collins-plans-move-harmony-road-midtown/7275267001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kendle Moore changes plan, will now transfer from Colorado State men's basketball program
It turns out Kendle Moore probably won't play a fifth season at Colorado State.
The senior guard announced in March he would use the NCAA option of a fifth year at CSU due to playing during the 2020-21 COVID season.
Now Moore says he's leaving CSU. The 6-foot guard announced on Monday that he's entered the transfer portal.
He will be immediately eligible and have one season left to play. He was CSU's starting shooting guard and was fourth on the team in scoring at 6.5 points per game this past season as a senior.
Moore started 119 games (third in program history) and has 153 career steals (second in program history) and 172 career 3-pointers (fourth).
His departure would continue an offseason of turnover for the Rams after making the NCAA Tournament. Moore, fellow super senior Adam Thistlewood, junior Dischon Thomas and freshman Jalen Scott have entered the transfer portal.
More:Colorado State men's basketball offseason recruiting, transfer tracker
In addition to the departures, the biggest question lingering in the offseason is whether reigning Mountain West Player of the Year David Roddy will leave for the NBA or return for his senior season. That won't be answered until late May.
The Rams have a plethora of open scholarships that will be filled with a mix of transfers and incoming freshmen.
Follow Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle. Coloradoan sports can also be followed on Twitter. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/mens-basketball/2022/04/11/csu-basketball-guard-kendle-moore-transfer/7279663001/ | 2022-04-12T00:14:37Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/mens-basketball/2022/04/11/csu-basketball-guard-kendle-moore-transfer/7279663001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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Activate your digital account | https://www.coloradoan.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coloradoan.com%2Fstory%2Flife%2Ffood-drink%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Ffort-collins-restaurant-maza-kabob-likely-close-after-owners-death%2F7275984001%2F&gnt-tng-s=1 | 2022-04-12T00:14:43Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coloradoan.com%2Fstory%2Flife%2Ffood-drink%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Ffort-collins-restaurant-maza-kabob-likely-close-after-owners-death%2F7275984001%2F&gnt-tng-s=1 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The only UK-based dry docking facility has been awarded a drydock contract for two P&O Cruises and Cunard cruise ships.
The facilities will be in use for 33 days, making it one of the biggest contracts the Belfast-based Harland & Wolff has landed. The company’s heritage includes work on some of the most iconic ships, including the famous RMS Titanic.
The works will boost the UK’s shipbuilding and maritime industry and include work to Cunard’s Queen Victoria and P&O Cruises’ Aurora. Queen Victoria will be the largest cruise ship to every drydock in the United Kingdom.
Two Ships Scheduled for Drydock
With many cruise companies opting to have their dry-dock works done in well-established shipyards in Germany, Italy, or the Bahamas, the fact that Harland & Wolff has been awarded a dry-dock contract for two cruise ships comes as a huge win for the Belfast-based shipyard.
P&O Cruises and Cunard belong under Carnival Corporation and work together under the Carnival UK banner. The company is a massive player in the international cruise industry, with more than 80 ships operating worldwide. Two of the cruise lines’ ships have been selected to undergo dry dock works at the Belfast shipyard.
Carnival UK, vice-president maritime David Varty said: “We are delighted to be able to have these two ships at a UK shipyard with such a long heritage and reputation and we very much look forward to supporting the UK maritime industry and working closely with the Harland & Wolff team on this project.”
The first cruise ship will be Queen Victoria, operated by Cunard Line. She will be the biggest cruise ship to dry-dock in the United Kingdom and the first and only Cunard ship to dry-dock in Belfast.
With a length of 294m and with space for 2081 guests, the 90,049 gross tons cruise ship will be a beautiful sight in the Belfast harbor. She will be in the yard between May 2 and May 19, 2022.
The second cruise ship for a make-over will be P&O Cruises’ Aurora, which entered service in May of 2000. Aurora has space for 1,878 guests, and with a length of 270m, she measures 76,152 gross tons. Aurora will be in the yard from June 9 through June 23, 2022.
Harland & Wolff Boost for UK Maritime Industry
The work that the shipyard will be undertaking during the 33 days the ships are in the yard include standard dry dock works such as repainting, maintenance of engines and propulsion systems, hull and propeller maintenance, and cosmetic work to the hotel interiors.
It will allow Harland & Wolff to show Carnival UK’s parent company, Carnival Corporation, that dry-docking is available outside of traditional options such as the Meyer Werft, Fincantieri, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Harland & Wolff, group CEO John Wood, commented: “Our facilities are ideally placed to capitalise on these types of large projects whilst we continue servicing our smaller but regular clients. We have now secured contracts in four out of our five markets; commercial, cruise & ferry, renewables and energy.”
Other cruise ships that have had work done at the Belfast shipyard include P&O’s Azure, Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, and Azamara Pursuit. | https://www.cruisehive.com/two-carnival-owned-cruise-ships-to-use-iconic-uk-drydock-facility/69694 | 2022-04-12T00:17:18Z | cruisehive.com | control | https://www.cruisehive.com/two-carnival-owned-cruise-ships-to-use-iconic-uk-drydock-facility/69694 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. —
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from UPS Security in Rhode Island recently saying it had found a package with thousands of dollars in cash sent by an elderly person in Kittitas County.
Upon deputy interview, it was reportedly discovered that the sender was the victim of a phone scam, asking for “bail money” for a supposed distant younger relative.
Through these measures, the money was apprehended and returned to the scam victim.
“Sadly, many scams and frauds against the elderly go undetected—adding up to billions of dollars each year,” said the KCSO press release. “Many such cases are never even reported—either because the elderly victim doesn’t know they’ve been scammed or because they’re embarrassed at having been victimized. Criminal scammers may also use intimidation tactics or threats to keep victims quiet.”
KCSO recommends that families keep in touch with elderly relatives and check on them to defend them from fraud. This includes specifically bringing up their finances to be sure nothing unusual is occurring. Encourage them to check with someone they trust before they send any money or personal information.
Be aware of common frauds and scams by looking at what is reported. The National Council on Aging has a list of popular scams and many scam alerts are shared online. Fraud.org shares trends that arise regarding scams.
It may also be beneficial to add your elderly relatives to the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/phone-scam-victim-located-in-kittitas-county-how-to-protect-elders-from-scams/article_69d04cce-b9ee-11ec-a535-07374e2bd89b.html | 2022-04-12T00:28:13Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/phone-scam-victim-located-in-kittitas-county-how-to-protect-elders-from-scams/article_69d04cce-b9ee-11ec-a535-07374e2bd89b.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -
UPDATE 2:15 p.m. -
YCSO says the man is in custody.
Sunnyside Police Department says the man would not come out of the apartment.
SWAT and SPD went into the apartment and tackled the man.
The two people stabbed are not dealing with life-threatening injuries.
UPDATE 12:51 p.m. -
Yakima County Sheriff's Office confirms the man is locked inside his own apartment in the Cristo Rey Apartment Complex.
YCSO says the man is refusing to come out and SWAT has been requested by Sunnyside Police Department.
16th St., 14th St., North Ave. and Highway 241 and Sheller Rd. intersection are closed near the scene.
Students at Sun Valley Elementary School and Sierra Vista Middle School are being released to their parents after locking down the schools during the police activity nearby.
YCSO is asking people to avoid the area.
The previous story is below.
Two people are recovering in the hospital after being stabbed by a man wielding scissors in Sunnyside.
Yakima County Sheriff's Office says a man has barricaded himself inside an apartment on the 300 block of N 16th street.
Several agencies are on scene talking to the man through a window.
YCSO says the two people that were stabbed are in a local hospital.
This is a developing story, which means information could change. We are working to report timely and accurate information as we get it. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/update-yakima-county-sheriffs-office-arrests-man-in-sunnyside-standoff/article_893c284a-b9c0-11ec-bc5c-8ffc6d61d7a1.html | 2022-04-12T00:28:19Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/update-yakima-county-sheriffs-office-arrests-man-in-sunnyside-standoff/article_893c284a-b9c0-11ec-bc5c-8ffc6d61d7a1.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
YAKIMA, Wash. -
Yakima County Hearing Examiner has approved the land use for a new surf park and RV campground.
The Hearing Examiner gives the go-ahead for Northwest Surf Parks, LLC.
For the document with the full decision, click here.
YAKIMA, Wash. -
Yakima County Hearing Examiner has approved the land use for a new surf park and RV campground.
The Hearing Examiner gives the go-ahead for Northwest Surf Parks, LLC.
For the document with the full decision, click here.
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Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/yakima-county-hearing-examiner-approves-land-use-for-yakima-surf-park/article_7de63b06-b9d5-11ec-af4f-338ec4067df3.html | 2022-04-12T00:28:26Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/yakima-county-hearing-examiner-approves-land-use-for-yakima-surf-park/article_7de63b06-b9d5-11ec-af4f-338ec4067df3.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WALLA WALLA, WA - The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Education Department, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, Nixya'awii Community School and the Whitman Mission National Historic Site welcome the public to their open house event for the historic construction of a Plateau Long Tent on Whitman College’s Ankeny Field on Monday, April 18, at 4:30 p.m.
The Long Tent will be symbolically located near Treaty Rock, site of the Treaty of 1855 in which tribes were compelled to cede much of their ancestral territory to white settlers.
Visitors can take part in additional programming designed to deepen their understanding of the Walla Walla Basin and Native American communities in the area, including talks, panels and presentations throughout the week of April 18-24. A full schedule of events is available online. Attendees must adhere to the Visitor Vaccination Requirement.
The presence of the Long Tent on Whitman’s campus is the culmination of many months of collaboration by the Long Tent Working Group, which comprises Whitman faculty, staff and students as well as members of local Native American communities. It builds on previous efforts to strengthen the relationship between Whitman and the CTUIR, including the landmark Memorandum of Understanding.
“The fact that we are establishing a piece of architecture like the Long Tent on a college campus in the United States is unprecedented and wonderful,” said Roger Amerman (Choctaw), a 1980 Whitman graduate and co-director of the event. “In modern times, you infrequently see the Long Tent architecture set up for only special events, and only in the Reservation communities. This will probably be the first and last time Whitman College students will see a long tent.”
Tribal leader E. Thomas Morning Owl (Umatilla and Kainai) will be CTUIR elder-in-residence, while Hereditary Chief of the Walúulapam (Walla Walla people) and CTUIR executive director Donald Sampson will lead the opening ceremony. Dignitaries and elders from local Plateau tribes such as the Cayuse, Colville, Nez Perce, Umatilla and Walla Walla will also participate, including Kat Brigham, chair of the CTUIR Board of Trustees.
Please note: Portions of some events may not permit filming or recording. Media and guests are asked to be respectful of speakers’ requests to put phones and cameras away.
For more information about the Long Tent, go to whitman.edu/the-long-tent. | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/whitman-colleges-open-house-for-their-new-plateau-long-tent-is-april-18th/article_617cf192-b9e6-11ec-b322-0f4495ff20c6.html | 2022-04-12T00:28:38Z | nbcrightnow.com | control | https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/whitman-colleges-open-house-for-their-new-plateau-long-tent-is-april-18th/article_617cf192-b9e6-11ec-b322-0f4495ff20c6.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Amir Locke shooting: More bodycam video released by Minnesota BCA
Warning: The following story contains graphic video and language.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released all investigative materials, including additional body-worn camera video, related to the Minneapolis police deadly shooting of Amir Locke during a no-knock raid in February.
The release of the materials comes after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday morning there is "insufficient admissible evidence" to support criminal charges against Mark Hanneman, the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed the armed 22-year-old Black man while conducting an early morning no-knock SWAT team raid.
New body camera video
Previously, the BCA had only released one officer's body camera footage. The reports released with Wednesday’s charging decision confirm that the previously released video was from the perspective of MPD Officer Aaron Pearson, who opened the apartment door with a key provided by apartment management for the SWAT team to enter.
The new video shows the moments before and after shots were fired from 11 other body cameras, including Officer Mark Hanneman.
Full Amir Locke report: Click here to read the full case file
Locke's cousin learned he was dead during police interviews
An interview transcript included in the case file shows the moments as Marlon Speed, who was sleeping in the next room over when Locke was shot, spoke with the BCA after the shooting.
The transcript shows Marlon Speed learned his cousin died while speaking with investigators for a brief period. During the interview, BCA investigators tell Marlon Speed that Amir Locke died after he was shot by officers.
"I seen the blood in the living room when I walked out," Marlon Speed recalled, later adding, "Y’all just shot him, y’all figure the rest out. If you’re not fittin' to arrest me, let me go bro. I ain't got shit to say."
"They ain't say shit, they just walked in, shoot their fuckin' guns, they damn near shot me and her. She jumped off the bed under the fucking blanket, had to tell her she can’t do that shit. They woulda shot her ass, she came up from under the blanket with nothin in her hands."
After giving investigators information on how to contact Locke's family, a distraught Marlon Speed ultimately ended the interview.
Officer Hanneman statement
Officer Mark Hanneman provided the following statement through his attorney to BCA investigators:
Background
According to the reports, two Minneapolis Police Department SWAT teams arrived at Bolero Flats downtown apartments around 6:37 a.m. on Feb. 2 and began executing the no-knock search warrants around 6:42 a.m. in two apartments on the 14th floor and one apartment on the seventh floor. The warrants were obtained in connection to a January homicide in St. Paul.
The SWAT teams, along with the paramedics on scene as a precautionary measure (a standard procedure according to the prosecutors' reports), had been briefed by St. Paul Police investigators on the case around 6 a.m. prior to the warrant's execution, the report states.
Investigators informed the SWAT Teams that the primary suspect lived in the 14th-floor apartment and spent a lot of time in his brother's seventh-floor apartment; that the suspects had recently made social media posts in which they were seen with multiple firearms; that the suspects were associated with multiple armed robberies and carjackings; and that the rifle used in the January homicide had not yet been recovered.
Hanneman was the third officer to enter the dark seventh-floor apartment, according to the report. Locke was sleeping wrapped underneath a blanket on the couch in the living room of the apartment when officers came in shouting "police, search warrant." Multiple officers, who said they could see movement from Locke under the blanket, are heard telling Locke to get on the ground and show his hands.
After Sgt. Troy Carlson kicked the couch, Locke falls off and onto the floor near the ottoman and begins to rise "crouched" from under the blanket armed with a gun, the report states. In Hanneman’s written statement (page 10-12 of the prosecutors' report), he said he pointed his handgun out in front of him as Locke "was brandishing (the handgun), and pointed it at me."
Hanneman wrote: "In this moment, I feared for my life and the lives of my teammates. I was convinced that the individual was going to fire their handgun and that I would suffer great bodily harm or death. I felt in this moment that if I did not use deadly force myself, I would likely be killed. There was no opportunity for me to reposition myself or retreat. There was no way for me to de-escalate this situation. The threat to my life and the lives of my teammates was imminent and terrifying."
The report states he "recognized" a threat to his life and "pulled the trigger three times." Hanneman wrote he saw Locke continue moving on the floor after he was shot, so Hanneman then jumped on Locke’s back, tackling him to the floor so that Locke was on his stomach while other officers moved Locke’s gun away.
Hanneman’s body-worn camera cuts out after he tackled and leaned against Locke. The officer had noted in his written statement that he believed the camera deactivated "during the struggle."
Officers continued to search the apartment, where they found and detained a man, identified as Locke's cousin, and a woman in the bedroom. In their statements to police, they said they were awoken from their sleep when they heard shouting. They thought people were breaking into their apartment until police entered their bedroom, and they heard gunshots fired. They also told police Locke had been staying at their apartment for a few nights.
Photo of Amir Locke, provided by Locke family attorneys
The SWAT team medics responded immediately, treated Locke and transported him to a nearby hospital. There, he was pronounced dead at 7:01 a.m. While Hanneman fired three shots into Locke's body, the medical examiner identified five gunshot wounds, suggesting some bullets may have passed through his body in one spot and re-entered at another, the report states.
Locke was never named on the warrant, nor was he considered a suspect in the homicide investigation. His death pushed city leaders to have to reexamine no-knock warrant policies. Prosecutors noted the "highly risky" and "violent nature" of the law enforcement tool in their charging decision. In Minneapolis, a new policy that began Friday requires officers to wait for a minimum of 20 seconds for all warrants after repeatedly knocking and announcing their presence before entering.
The police department confirmed Hanneman was placed on administrative leave after the deadly shooting, but returned to work on Feb 28 and is no longer assigned to SWAT team duties.
READ: FULL REPORTS ON THE FATAL POLICE SHOOTING OF AMIR LOCKE
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RELATED: Amir Locke's mother 'disgusted' after prosecutors' decide not to charge officer | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/amir-locke-minneapolis-police-shooting-body-camera-footage-bca | 2022-04-12T00:32:34Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/amir-locke-minneapolis-police-shooting-body-camera-footage-bca | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Chicago reacts after Biden announces plan to crack down on 'ghost guns'
CHICAGO - The Biden administration announced Monday new measures to crack down on "ghost guns."
The president says under the Gun Control Act, a ghost gun — or a firearm packaged in parts and assembled later — will qualify as a regular firearm and will be subject to the same federal laws.
In Chicago, local groups are more than happy with the president's announcement.
Ghost guns are turning up in the Chicago area in record numbers, so Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is applauding the president’s actions and also highlighting new ghost gun legislation that passed in Springfield just days ago.
Sheriff’s deputies showed FOX 32 an array of ghost guns that they’ve recovered over the past couple years — many of them in the hands of convicted felons on electronic monitoring.
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Dart says the number of ghost guns recovered by sheriff’s police jumped from four in 2020 to 21 last year, and is on pace to double again this year.
There were more than 400 recovered by Chicago police last year.
A ghost gun is essentially a weapon that has no serial number and is untraceable. It can be bought online and assembled at home.
Lawmakers in Springfield just passed new ghost gun legislation banning the purchase and sale of ghost guns in Illinois, and requiring that they be stamped with serial numbers to make them legal.
"Where that's an obvious problem is when it's used in a crime and the gun is then found either on somebody or on the ground, you don't know where the gun originally came from. So you don't know who bought it, maybe, because maybe the guy who bought it actually did the crime, or who sold it to him," Dart said. "And honestly, can you think of anything we need to trace more than guns? I can't."
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Gun rights groups are slamming President Biden's actions, saying it's obvious he couldn't get legislation through Congress so he acted unilaterally. | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-reacts-after-biden-announces-plan-to-crack-down-on-ghost-guns | 2022-04-12T00:32:40Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-reacts-after-biden-announces-plan-to-crack-down-on-ghost-guns | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
'SoHo Karen' guilty of felony hate crime but avoids prison
NEW YORK - Miya Ponsetto, the so-called SoHo Karen, pleaded guilty on Monday in connection with falsely accusing a Black teenager of stealing her phone at a New York City hotel back in 2020.
Under a deal with the Manhattan district attorney, Ponsetto pleaded guilty to one felony — second-degree unlawful Imprisonment as a hate crime — and one misdemeanor — second-degree aggravated harassment — and will serve two years of probation in her home state of California. Ponsetto is already serving probation there for an unrelated case.
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Ponsetto is required to continue counseling, follow probation rules, and avoid "further interaction with the criminal justice system," the DA's office said.
If she completes the terms of the probation, she will be allowed to withdraw her felony plea and then plead to a misdemeanor with time served, officials said. If she violates the terms of her probation or the plea deal, she could face up to four years in prison.
"Ms. Ponsetto displayed outrageous behavior. As a Black man, I have personally experienced racial profiling countless times in my life and I sympathize with the young man victimized in this incident," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "This plea ensures appropriate accountability for Ms. Ponsetto by addressing underlying causes for her behavior and ensuring this conduct does not reoccur."
Ponsetto was in the lobby of the Arlo Hotel in SoHo in December 2020 when she got into a confrontation with Keyon Harrold Jr., 14, and accused him of stealing her phone. Video recorded and posted online by Harrold's father shows a very agitated Ponsetto demanding the teen give her his phone.
The NYPD later released a security camera video showing Ponsetto frantically grabbing at Harrold as he tried to get away from her through the front door.
But her phone was found soon afterward in an Uber.
Police initially arrested Ponsetto in January 2021. Then in June 2021, the NYPD charged her with a hate crime.
Ponsetto is due in court on April 11, which is when she could accept the terms of the DA's plea deal.
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With The Associated Press. | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/soho-karen-miya-ponsetto-guilty-plea | 2022-04-12T00:32:53Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/soho-karen-miya-ponsetto-guilty-plea | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
If you can get pregnant or know someone who can, or if you can get someone pregnant or know someone who can, keep reading.
On Aug. 2, if you live in Kansas, you’ll be voting on whether to amend our Kansas state constitution yet again (it’s been amended 98 times), this time to take away the right to access abortion, in all cases, including rape, incest and to save the life of a pregnant woman.
In Kansas, abortions are already highly regulated. But if this proposed amendment passes, the majority in the Kansas state legislature can — and will — pass laws totally banning abortions in Kansas, with no exceptions. So, if a woman gets pregnant by her rapist, she can’t choose to have an abortion if this proposed amendment passes. If a young girl gets pregnant by her uncle, neither she (nor her parents) can choose to have an abortion if this proposed amendment passes. Or if a pregnant woman is at risk of death should the pregnancy continue (e.g., in the case of ectopic pregnancies), she can’t choose to have an abortion if this proposed amendment passes — meaning she can’t choose her own life over the life of an unborn fetus.
This amendment will pave the way for politicians in Topeka to ban abortion care to anyone who can get pregnant, including women, trans men and nonbinary folks.
How did we get here?
In 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court held that our U.S. Constitution protects the right to access abortion care, and the restrictions the government can place on that access depend upon in the trimester of pregnancy. Then, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), the Supreme Court reaffirmed the right to access abortion care, holding that the government cannot unduly burden that right.
In recent times, some current members of the Supreme Court have indicated a desire to either limit Roe (Chief Justice John Roberts) or overturn the case entirely (Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanagh). And that’s likely to happen in June when the Supreme Court decides Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Many legal scholars and observers believe the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs. If that happens, those who get pregnant will have no federal constitutional right to access abortion care.
Three years ago, though, anticipating the Court might overturn Roe, our Kansas Supreme Court held that our state constitution protects access to abortion care. The Kansas Supreme Court based the constitutional right to abortion access on our Kansas state constitution, rather than our United States federal constitution. That way, if Roe is overturned, Kansans would still have a constitutional right — a state constitutional right — to abortion care. This case is the reason the Republican-led state legislature is seeking to amend our state constitution — to strip Kansans of any constitutional right to abortion care and make way for a total ban on all abortions in Kansas.
The proposed amendment is on the Aug. 2 primary ballot, and the language of the proposed amendment is confusing. At first glance, the language seems to imply that, while women will lose their state constitutional right to abortion, there will be exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman. However, for those reading closely, the proposed amendment actually gives politicians in Topeka the power to ban abortion in all cases, even in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the pregnant woman. And those politicians in Topeka plan to do just that — ban all abortions, no matter the circumstance of the pregnancy. With almost certainty there will be no legal abortions in Kansas — no matter how she got pregnant or even if she might die from the pregnancy.
Everyone who is eligible to vote in Kansas should vote on Aug. 2. If you’re unaffiliated — meaning you don’t affiliate as a Republican or Democrat — you can still vote on this amendment. In other words, you don’t have to belong to a political party to vote on this proposed constitutional amendment. But you do need to register to vote (if you haven’t already) by July 12. You can also request a mail-in ballot if you don’t want to actually go to the polls. But you should vote on Aug. 2. A “yes” vote passes the amendment, and a “no” vote defeats the amendment.
Get registered, and vote on Aug. 2.
Professor Amii N. Castle, J.D., is a Professor of Practice at the University of Kansas Schools of Law and Business and a lecturer at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is also the faculty advisor of the ACLU of KU. | https://www.kansan.com/opinion/banning-abortions-in-kansas/article_277f75ee-b998-11ec-823d-cf4e1a8821a5.html | 2022-04-12T00:42:33Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/opinion/banning-abortions-in-kansas/article_277f75ee-b998-11ec-823d-cf4e1a8821a5.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kansas football gave fans their first look in 2022 on Saturday afternoon at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The preview kicked off with a brief live practice period before going into a 50-minute scrimmage, but the team didn’t keep score.
The scrimmage showcased a back-and-forth affair between Kansas’ offensive and defensive units. The offense found its rhythm for most of the game, creating a strong passing attack and placing emphasis on establishing a steady run game.
When the defense stepped up, it slowed that run game down and put pressure on the quarterbacks to force turnovers. Sophomore safety O.J. Burroughs' pick-six off freshman quarterback Ben Easters was Kansas’ defensive highlight of the day.
Junior quarterback Jalon Daniels led the first-team offense in both sections of the preview, while redshirt senior quarterback Jason Bean and Easters ran the second and third-team offenses.
Daniels had a solid performance by connecting with his receivers. Daniels believes trust between the quarterback and receivers is crucial to offensive success.
“I feel like as long as we give them a chance, I have faith that they’re going to go up there and come down with the ball,” Daniels said.
Bean showcased his running ability on Saturday while also progressing his passing game. He threw a touchdown to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Lawrence Arnold and had a rushing touchdown of his own.
However, there was another quarterback who had an impressive performance. Before the halftime celebration of Kansas men’s basketball’s National Championship win, senior guard Chris Teahan suited up in full uniform and pads. Teahan took the field before the end of the first 25-minute period and tossed a 65-yard touchdown strike to Arnold.
Teahan’s appearance electrified the crowd. Even sophomore running back Devin Neal said Teahan’s throw caught him off guard.
“I didn’t know that he [Teahan] had that in him, but hey, he’s a national champion and he can throw a football for us, so good for him,” Neal said.
Coach Lance Leipold said he was pleased with the way the players executed and felt that testing them in front of a crowd helps him and the coaching staff fully evaluate players.
“It's a different stimulus, and what we’re looking for and how you handle different things like your focus, concentration, trust and training,” Leipold said. “This is probably the best live evaluation that we can have because of the fans and music playing here.”
The Jayhawks look to continue their progress in summer workouts and fall camp before playing host to Tennessee Tech on Sept. 2. | https://www.kansan.com/sports/2022-kansas-football-spring-preview-provides-offensive-showcase/article_8bad264a-b9d1-11ec-b487-e326fac2f567.html | 2022-04-12T00:42:39Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/sports/2022-kansas-football-spring-preview-provides-offensive-showcase/article_8bad264a-b9d1-11ec-b487-e326fac2f567.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kansas softball hosted Baylor this weekend, but the Jayhawks continued their season-long struggles in the Big 12 Conference matchup. Kansas falls to 2-7 in conference play this season after going 2-1 in the series.
The Jayhawks jumped to a 3-0 lead by the third inning in game one, but things quickly unraveled in the sixth. The Bears loaded the bases early in the inning, and sophomore pitcher Kasey Hamilton soon walked in the first run. Baylor went on to score seven in the inning.
With two outs in the inning, Olivia Bruno’s error proved to be even more costly for the Jayhawks in the sixth to add on to the damage. Baylor tallied two more runs in the top of the seventh off junior shortstop Ashlyn Anderson’s error. Kansas couldn’t recover from its defensive mishaps, falling 10-3 in game one.
Game two was a closer fight, with the Bears putting themselves on the board first. Junior outfielder Josie Bower’s RBI single drove home sophomore outfielder McKenzie Wilson, giving Baylor a quick 1-0 lead.
Baylor held on to its early lead until the fourth. Sophomore designated hitter Savanna DesRochers led off the inning with a first-pitch double to right field. The Jayhawks came within striking distance after redshirt senior catcher Shelby Gayre followed with a single.
DesRochers then scored on a passed ball to put the Jayhawks on the board, and an RBI double from junior third baseman Madison Hirsch brought home two more to give Kansas a 3-1 lead.
However, the Bears battled back quickly. A double from Wilson brought home two runners, tying the game up at three. Sophomore pitcher Dariana Orme kept the Jayhawks from adding on another run in her complete game start.
The Bears added on just one run in the seventh, but that was all they needed to take game two, 4-3.
DesRochers’ start in game three was the biggest highlight of the Jayhawks’ weekend. DesRochers pitched a complete game for Kansas, only allowing one run on two hits and four strikeouts to help Kansas avoid the sweep.
At the plate, a three-run second inning was all Kansas needed to secure the win. Bruno led off the second with a solo shot down the left field line, and an RBI single sophomore utility player Lyric Moore gave the Jayhawks their early lead. With the help of DesRochers’ lights out pitching, Kansas secured the 3-1 win in game three.
Up next, Kansas (13-22) hosts UMKC (8-25) on April 12. First pitch against the Roos is set for 6 p.m. at Arrocha Ballpark. | https://www.kansan.com/sports/kansas-softball-continues-conference-struggles-against-baylor/article_80d09128-b9c0-11ec-b03a-cb6df22796a2.html | 2022-04-12T00:42:45Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/sports/kansas-softball-continues-conference-struggles-against-baylor/article_80d09128-b9c0-11ec-b03a-cb6df22796a2.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Cortex Innovation Community and Per Scholas, a technology training nonprofit, are collaborating to help create technology career opportunities for people of color and women with a 15-week cybersecurity program.
The free course, which will begin June 17, aims to prepare 20 participants for positions such as cybersecurity analyst, junior desktop technicians and technical support engineers.
People of color and women are underrepresented in the technology field because they have trouble getting hired and often cannot afford training programs, Per Scholas St. Louis managing director Charlie Mackey Jr. said.
“Historically, underrepresented peoples aren't working in the tech fields, because they're like, ‘Well, I have to go to the West Coast, or it's not available here,’” Mackey said. “By coming here, we can not only help bridge that gap, but also reframe it to where you can get that technology training right here, and then find a job here.”
Participants in the training program will learn how to set up computer networks and firewalls, troubleshoot IP addresses, identify network issues and defend against cyber threats. The program will also cover effective communication, customer service skills and how to document and submit technology requests tickets.
Mackey said business owners often say it's hard to find qualified applicants for tech jobs. He said in St. Louis, there are nearly 6,000 open technology positions.
With the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis and other technology companies moving to the region, there will be a demand for tech workers. Ensuring that there is a diverse pool of applicants could help boost the presence of people of color and women.
After completing the course, participants will be connected with potential employers by the cybersecurity program. Program directors will work with the trainees for two years to try to match them with careers.
This article was republished with permission as part of a content sharing partnership with St. Louis Public Radio.
The original article can be found here. | https://www.stlamerican.com/business/business_news/cortex-tech-nonprofit-to-train-people-of-color-and-women-for-cybersecurity-jobs/article_444234a4-b9cb-11ec-a0d5-8bf228455b49.html | 2022-04-12T00:45:37Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/business/business_news/cortex-tech-nonprofit-to-train-people-of-color-and-women-for-cybersecurity-jobs/article_444234a4-b9cb-11ec-a0d5-8bf228455b49.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
For the 11th consecutive year, St. Louis-based World Wide Technology (WWT) has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For® by Great Place to Work® and Fortune, this year ranking 71.
89 Percent of WWT employees say it’s a great place to work, 32 percent higher than the average U.S.-based company. Developing a strong workplace culture plays a central role in WWT’s commitment to helping customers, partners and the communities it serves achieve long-term goals and success. This recognition further acknowledges WWT’s continued efforts to invest in their employees and foster an inclusive work environment for all.
WWT and Edward Jones (#35) represent the St. Louis-based companies recognized on this year’s list. WWT is proud to call St. Louis home for the past 30+ years and, as a partner to hundreds of technology companies – including tech giants like Cisco, Dell, VMware, Microsoft and more – through its Advanced Technology Center, the company has made world-class technology services and solutions available to customers 24/7 creating “Silicon Valley in St. Louis.”
In addition to offering a great work environment for its own employees while also doubling in size roughly every five years – and still growing – WWT also offers its customers a unique staffing solution to address their own talent needs. With the rapid growth of digital technologies and the Great Resignation, this resource has been invaluable to WWT’s customers. The Strategic Resourcing service is one of WWT’s most efficient lines of business and has experienced 38% year-over-year growth. Being a great place to work has taken on a new meaning for WWT. | https://www.stlamerican.com/business/business_news/st-louis-based-companies-continue-streak/article_bbca52ec-b9c9-11ec-9804-eb68a63cb698.html | 2022-04-12T00:45:43Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/business/business_news/st-louis-based-companies-continue-streak/article_bbca52ec-b9c9-11ec-9804-eb68a63cb698.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The clock has run out on the high school girls’ basketball season, and it is time to recognize the 2022 St. Louis American “Fab Five” Girls All-Star Team. This year’s team includes much individual brilliance, and a lot of winning basketball.
The All-Star team features two tremendous point guards in Saniah Tyler of Incarnate Word Academy and JaNyla Bush of Whitfield. A pair of talented wing players, Sydney Harris of Edwardsville and Raychel Jones of Vashon, and an excellent forward in Eliza Maupin of Webster Groves round out the squad.
JaNyla Bush (Whitfield): The flashy 5’5” sophomore point guard led the Warriors to a berth in the Class 5 state championship game. She is a smooth ball handler who can break down defenders off the dribble and knock down 3-pointers. She averaged 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals while making 57 3-pointers to lead Whitfield to a 24-4 record.
Sydney Harris (Edwardsville): The 6’0” senior guard is a St. Louis American Co-Player of the Year. She led the Tigers to another tremendous season, which ended in the Supersectionals of the Illinois Class 4A state tournament. She was one of the state’s top perimeter shooters as she made 41 percent from 3-point range while making 97 triples. She averaged 23.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field for the 29-5 Tigers.
Raychel Jones (Vashon): After helping the Wolverines to a Final Four berth in the Class 4 state tournament last season, the 5’11” guard returned to enjoy a terrific junior season. She stuffed the stat sheet in leading Vashon to the Public High League championship. She finished the season averaging 24.4 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. She also registered several triple-doubles during the season.
Eliza Maupin (Webster Groves): The 6’3” senior forward led the Statesmen to its second consecutive Final Four berth and a third-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament. She could dominate the game at both ends of the floor with her scoring, rebounding and shot blocking ability. She averaged 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field and blocking 28 shots in leading Webster Groves to a 25-6 record. She will attend Kansas State next season on a basketball scholarship.
Saniah Tyler (Incarnate Word): The 5’7” senior point guard is a St. Louis American Co-Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She was the catalyst for a Red Knights team that finished 29-0 and won another Class 6 state championship. Nicknamed “Big Game” for her ability to produce in the biggest moments, she scored 24 points in the victory over Springfield Kickapoo in the state championship game, which was her high school swan song. The Kentucky recruit averaged 12.2 pints, three assists and two steals a game.
St. Louis American “Fab Five”
Second Team
Chantrel Clayton - 5’7’ Cardinal Ritter (Soph.)
Shannon Dowell - 5’10” O’Fallon (Jr.)
Shakara McCline - 5’6” East St. Louis (Jr.)
Trinnitti Matthews - 5’11” Francis Howell Central (Sr.)
Monet Witherspoon - 5’6” John Burroughs (Soph.)
RIP Boris Powell
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of St. Louis Boris Powell, the former professional boxer from St. Louis who died last week at the age of 57. The former heavyweight title contender was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2020.
A graduate of Vashon High School, Powell enjoyed a successful professional career, where he had a record 30 wins and two losses with 17 knockouts. He turned professional in 1991 and won his first 23 fights. On September 12, 1997, Powell defeated Richard Mason to win the vacant World Boxing Organization’s NABO Heavyweight championship. He also spent time in the ring sparring with several great champions in the heavyweight division including Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Evander Holyfield. | https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/sports_columnists/inside_sports/st-louis-american-girls-fab-five-basketball/article_5a445878-b9de-11ec-a471-db384bc942d5.html | 2022-04-12T00:45:50Z | stlamerican.com | control | https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/sports_columnists/inside_sports/st-louis-american-girls-fab-five-basketball/article_5a445878-b9de-11ec-a471-db384bc942d5.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Jury selection began on Monday in a long-anticipated libel lawsuit Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, whom he accuses of falsely portraying him as a domestic abuser.
The actor sued Heard over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which Heard refers to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." The article doesn't mention Depp by name, but he says it clearly refers to allegations Heard made in other forums that she suffered physical abuse at his hands. Depp denies the accusations.
The lawsuit brought a little bit of Hollywood to a courthouse that has a long history of dealing with high-profile crimes, just not those involving movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some waving signs saying "Justice for Johnny," joined other fans who waved pirate flags in recognition of Depp's signature role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, waited outside the courthouse an hour before the hearing.
The courtroom in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, was closed to the public Monday, with limited closed-circuit access in an overflow courtroom. People lined up before 7 a.m. for the wristbands granting access.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, has imposed a series of access rules to try to maintain decorum in the courthouse. Most significantly, neither Depp nor Heard are permitted to pose for photos or sign autographs in the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds.
In a separate lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper, a judge dismissed the case, finding that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.
Heard has filed a countersuit against Depp that accuses his lawyers of defaming her at his direction.
Heard's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have the case moved to California, where the actors reside. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case here because the Post's online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County. Depp's lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
The trial is expected to last more than a month.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 2022-04-12T00:47:56Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Biden administration announced a plan to freeze federal student loan payments through Aug. 31, extending a moratorium that has allowed millions of Americans to postpone payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
As CNBC reported, the U.S. Department of Education also plans to pull millions of borrower accounts out of default and mark those accounts as current as part of the plan.
Student loan payments were scheduled to resume May 1 after being halted since early in the pandemic. But following calls from Democrats in Congress, the White House wants to give borrowers additional time to prepare for payments. The action applies to more than 43 million Americans who owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student debt held by the federal government, the Associated Press reports.
We asked Anna Helhoski, who NerdWallet relies on as their authority for all things student loans, to go over some of the key angles that borrowers need to know to maximize their money and pay off their student loans faster.
What are the top “must knows” during this time?
"First, know that you don’t have to make payments on your federal student loans until September 1, 2022, unless the pause is extended again. Second, make a plan for your loans before the payment pause ends. If you think you’ll have trouble paying your loans by September, contact your servicer now to find out about your options before repayment starts. Your best option might be enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan, which will tie the amount you pay to your income. For those who have defaulted on their student loans, the Education Department is automatically returning those loans to good standing. If you can pay down your loans before repayment restarts, consider doing so as this will help you chip away at your principal faster while interest is not accruing."
Will interest have to be repaid back later?
"No. Federal student loans have not seen interest accrue since March 2020 and won’t until September 2022. There are no payments due and you won’t owe any back payments on principal or interest. That said, if you have unpaid interest from before the payment pause that had not yet capitalized, or been added to the principal, consider paying that off before the end of the pause."
Is there any way students, current or past, can negotiate down their principal amounts for either private or public student loans?
"In a vast majority of cases, the only way to lower your principal is by paying off your loans, for both federal or private loans. A student loan settlement is a rare, but possible option, but the servicer would need to agree to it. If you need to lower your monthly student loan payments, contact your servicer or lender to see what options are available to you."
What's something we should know about the Pathway student loan program and how that can help during this time?
"Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a notoriously challenging program to qualify for, but the Department of Education issued a waiver through October of 2022 to expand eligibility for past payments. Most importantly, under the waiver, more payments are being counted toward the 120 needed for forgiveness. If you’ve been making payments on loans that were previously ineligible for PSLF, but you’ve been working for a qualified employer, contact your servicer to see if PSLF is available to you and the next steps you need to take."
What's one part of this discussion that needs more emphasis?
"Don’t depend on broad student loan cancellation for your student loans. Even if debt cancellation happens, it’s most likely to be a set amount. That means if your entire balance isn’t canceled, you’ll still need to continue making payments until your entire debt is cleared. The best way forward is to make sure you have a plan for when payments restart. If you’re unsure how you’ll be able to make those payments, contact your servicer now to find out your options to keep your loan in good standing. That could be enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan or it could be taking a pause, with interest accrual, through forbearance or deferment. Avoiding default is key, it happens after 270 days without making a payment."
Anna Helhoski is NerdWallet's authority on student loans. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/millions-in-default-to-get-fresh-start-as-biden-white-house-enacts-student-loan-payment-pause-extension | 2022-04-12T00:48:03Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/millions-in-default-to-get-fresh-start-as-biden-white-house-enacts-student-loan-payment-pause-extension | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Tags: java2wtfp2\n\nQuestion: convert intarray of wifi to Wificard[x], is 6 int the size of xt6670 ? Is java wiffixx different？？\nAnswer my same Question here! :) 139\n 60 W_MARG=7 wolf: // 9*n;0 \n n+=0\n if ( W01== (MOSCOW) — Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr., who was twice sickened in incidents he suspected were poisonings, has been detained in Moscow by police, another prominent opposition figure said on Monday.
Ilya Yashin said on Twitter that Kara-Murza was detained on Monday near his Moscow residence. It was unclear whether he had been charged.
Kara-Murza was hospitalized with poisoning symptoms twice, in 2015 and 2017. A journalist and associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot and killed in 2015, and oligarch-turned-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in the first incident. He suspects he was poisoned but no cause has been determined.
Kara-Murza was taken to a hospital with a sudden, similar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed that he was poisoned. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed | 2022-04-12T00:48:09Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
For the first time in its 33-year run, "The Simpsons" featured a deaf actor and American Sign Language. The episode featured Lisa Simpson meeting the son of her favorite musician, who is deaf.
Actor John Autry II played Monk, the son of Bleeding Gums Murphy. The characters used American Sign Language to communicate throughout the episode.
The show's executive producer Al Jean says he was excited to be able to have a "first" after so many years on air.
@TheSimpsons Meet Monk Murphy voiced by @johnautryll in The Sound of Bleeding Gums, Sunday @8 An episode that makes me smile whenever I think about it. pic.twitter.com/PjmN8z9b8Q
— Al Jean (@AlJean) April 4, 2022
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.fox17online.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time | 2022-04-12T00:48:15Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Gregory Kistler Center welcomes Cooper, Brooks to care team
The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center welcomes new members to its team.
Leilaunee Cooper joined the waiver management team as a care coordination specialist. She is a recent graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership.
Cooper grew up in Van Buren and moved to Lavaca, where she has raised her family the last 22 years.
“I began a journey in 2016 to change not just my life, but to be the change in others’ lives. I believe the Kistler Center will allow me to meet that goal,” Cooper stated.
Adrianna Brooks earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University in May 2021. She completed an eight-week externship at The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center during graduate school. This experience not only helped her grow immensely as a therapist, but also established her love of working with the pediatric population.
“We are happy to have Adrianna back with us. She has a sweet disposition and outgoing personality and is a great asset to our speech therapy team,” said Jessica Kelley, team leader. | https://www.swtimes.com/story/business/2022/04/11/gregory-kistler-center-welcomes-cooper-brooks/7277624001/ | 2022-04-12T01:02:21Z | swtimes.com | control | https://www.swtimes.com/story/business/2022/04/11/gregory-kistler-center-welcomes-cooper-brooks/7277624001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Rep. Charlene Fite awarded child protection award
The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas has awarded Rep. Charlene Fite the 2022 Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award. The award is presented annually to a person who has made an impact improving the lives of children in Arkansas. She was presented the award at the CACar Child Protection Luncheon held April 1 at the Governor’s Mansion in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month, according to a news release.
Fite serves as the chairperson of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs. During the 2021 legislative session, Fite introduced HB1499 to change the way Arkansas supports child abuse victims. Her bill progressed through the Senate and was enacted by the governor as Act 975. This important legislation streamlines multidisciplinary teams comprised of child maltreatment investigators, prosecuting attorneys, medical and mental health professionals, and child advocacy centers (CAC) to best support the needs of child victims of abuse and neglect.
“Rep. Fite is a champion for children and helping them through support for the work of CACs. She was wise and invaluable as the lead sponsor through the Committee hearing and presentation before the House of Representatives of our bill.
"She excelled in the Senate Committee hearing and made plain the purpose and wisdom of the CAC legislation to extend our ability to grow and expand our mission of service to children in need of CAC. I am forever grateful to Rep. Fite for her enduring commitment to help children,” said the first lady of Arkansas, Susan Hutchinson.
In Arkansas, there are more than 65,000 calls to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline yearly, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or abandonment. Child abuse effects both genders, all ethnicities, and crosses all socioeconomic levels. To report child abuse in Arkansas, call 1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD or 1-800-482-5964
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas is a non-profit organization that supports child advocacy centers. CACs are community-based facilities, which use a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce trauma to child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. There are seventeen CACs across Arkansas, and in 2021, they offered services to over 11,200 children from all of Arkansas’ 75 counties. | https://www.swtimes.com/story/news/2022/04/11/charlene-fite-sen-percy-malone-child-protection-award-2022/7276760001/ | 2022-04-12T01:02:27Z | swtimes.com | control | https://www.swtimes.com/story/news/2022/04/11/charlene-fite-sen-percy-malone-child-protection-award-2022/7276760001/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
OCEAN CITY, Md.- Some Ocean City neighbors are calling for council member Mark Paddock to resign after, according to Ocean City Police, Paddack collided with another car Friday evening outside Ponzetti's in Ocean City. Paddack then went inside the restaurant and yelled at his son, prompting a response from Ocean City Police. Ocean City say Paddack's son was picked up by his mother and then Paddack was driven home by a sober driver. Neighbors in Ocean City like Vernon Smith say this behavior is unacceptable
"The longer you let this individual sit there the worse there is a stain on the whole city. And then once it leaves the city and goes to Annapolis then that's a much bigger issue. Then you're talking about tourism putting heads in beds and that's not what we need down here," said Smith. "For a council member, there should be respect for law. We need to say that this is not okay, we're tired of it and we need to move forward with a new councilman".
WBOC reached out to Mark Paddock numerous times for a comment on the incident but never returned any calls. In a statement to WBOC, an Ocean City spokesperson said, “The Town is aware of the incident that occurred this weekend with Councilman Paddack. The Ocean City Police Department responded and reported the actions of Councilman Paddack appropriately and within the boundaries of the law. Councilman Paddack did not receive special treatment. Much like our citizens, we [the Town] find this matter concerning."
Others like Angie Webester said she is frustrated about the incident but says she hopes Paddack moves forward from this incident responsibly.
"Everybody makes mistakes. It's okay. Everybody gets worn out and tired. But you know, if you can be big you can take control of you. You can say okay things, maybe things, too many things on me than what there should be. Step out in a graceful way and don't keep pulling more and more attention to you," said Webester.
Smith is urging any Ocean City neighbors upset over the incident to confront Paddack at the next council meeting on April 18th.
"I would like to get a lot of people down there who feel that this is wrong to kind of just be there. Know that the town supports you and that people who are on the council are reaching out and want us to be there and if we are there, I think our voices can speak louder than just Facebook comments letter to here and letters to there, we need to show up," said Smith.
Last fall, the Ocean City council censured Mark Paddack for an alleged racists Facebook message. Paddack said he never sent the message and that his Facebook account was hacked. | https://www.wboc.com/news/some-ocean-city-neighbors-call-for-council-member-resignation/article_ec2f2784-b9ea-11ec-92b8-73f24733ebe6.html | 2022-04-12T01:02:36Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/news/some-ocean-city-neighbors-call-for-council-member-resignation/article_ec2f2784-b9ea-11ec-92b8-73f24733ebe6.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MARINE FORECAST
by WBOC Meteorologist Dan Satterfield
SKIES SHOULD BE MAINLY SUNNY TUESDAY WITH A WEST BREEZE ON ALL AREA WATERS. CLOUDS WILL INCREASE, AND WINDS WILL TURN TO THE SOUTH AT 10-17 KNOTS WEDNESDAY. VISIBILITY WILL BE GOOD BOTH DAYS.
Atlantic Ocean:
Tuesday: W 10-15 knots. Seas: 3-4 ft.
Wednesday: S 10-18 knots. Seas: 3 ft.
Chesapeake Bay:
Tuesday: W 10-15 knots. Seas: 1 ft.
Wednesday: S 10-18 knots. Seas: 1-2 ft.
Delaware Bay:
Tuesday: W 10-15 knots. Seas: 2 ft.
Wednesday: S 10-18 knots. Seas: 2 ft. | https://www.wboc.com/weather/marine-forecast/article_5b0aeff4-b9d6-11ec-aa2a-13697e49318b.html | 2022-04-12T01:02:40Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/weather/marine-forecast/article_5b0aeff4-b9d6-11ec-aa2a-13697e49318b.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Forecast updated on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 4:05 PM by WBOC Meteorologist Dan Satterfield (AMS-CBM).
DELMARVA FORECAST
Tonight: Increasing clouds late. Spotty showers possible toward daybreak. Low 49-50°. Wind: S 4-9 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny to mostly sunny, breezy and warmer. High 77°. Wind: W 8-16 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear and mild. Low 54°. Wind: S 1-6 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, breezy and more humid. High 79-80°. Wind: S 9-17 mph.
Forecast Discussion:
Clouds will increase tonight as a milder air mass returns to Delmarva. We may see some very spotty rain showers toward daybreak but skies will become sunny Tuesday. Look for a west breeze and sunshine Tuesday afternoon, with much warmer temperatures. Afternoon highs will reach 77 across the area and that includes the beaches where the west wind will hold the marine layer well offshore.
Tuesday night will be milder and more humid with lows near 54 degrees. A south wind will bring in higher humidity and even warmer weather for Wednesday with temps. near 80 Wednesday afternoon. We will see some cloudy spells Wednesday, and it will be very mild Wednesday night. Look for lows in the low 60's as a humid air mass arrives. Winds will increase to 12-17 mph Wednesday afternoon and it will stay breezy Wednesday night.
In the long-range, Thursday looks windy, humid, and warm, with scattered showers late in the afternoon as a cool front passes. Look for temps. near 80 degrees ahead of the front. Skies will clear Friday, and it will be a cooler and less humid day with afternoon high temps. near 69 degrees. Clouds will bring some spotty showers Saturday with temps. near 69 degrees but skies will clear and it will be cooler Sunday and Monday with highest temps. around 63 degrees.
The average high for tomorrow is 64 degrees with an average low of 42 degrees. | https://www.wboc.com/weather/warmer-weather-coming/article_e0b5f834-b9d5-11ec-8cae-e76c9f57fa42.html | 2022-04-12T01:02:41Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/weather/warmer-weather-coming/article_e0b5f834-b9d5-11ec-8cae-e76c9f57fa42.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Big Bend Cares and Care Point can now take better care of your vision.
It's all thanks to their new Retina Vue technology.
Monday they gave ABC 27 a sneak peek at the new machine that makes critical vision screenings more accessible for low-income patients.
It helps in the fight against diabetic retinopathy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that is the leading cause of vision loss in working age adults.
"With the new retina view, we're going to be able to check on their retinas to make sure that they are having any progressive deterioration of retina, diabetic retina; to be able to diagnose, treat, and hopefully help retain people's eye sight," Stanley Khan II, board president of Care Point said.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye, and can cause blindness. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/big-bend-cares-care-point-unveil-retina-technology | 2022-04-12T01:05:30Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/big-bend-cares-care-point-unveil-retina-technology | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Jury selection began on Monday in a long-anticipated libel lawsuit Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, whom he accuses of falsely portraying him as a domestic abuser.
The actor sued Heard over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which Heard refers to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." The article doesn't mention Depp by name, but he says it clearly refers to allegations Heard made in other forums that she suffered physical abuse at his hands. Depp denies the accusations.
The lawsuit brought a little bit of Hollywood to a courthouse that has a long history of dealing with high-profile crimes, just not those involving movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some waving signs saying "Justice for Johnny," joined other fans who waved pirate flags in recognition of Depp's signature role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, waited outside the courthouse an hour before the hearing.
The courtroom in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, was closed to the public Monday, with limited closed-circuit access in an overflow courtroom. People lined up before 7 a.m. for the wristbands granting access.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, has imposed a series of access rules to try to maintain decorum in the courthouse. Most significantly, neither Depp nor Heard are permitted to pose for photos or sign autographs in the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds.
In a separate lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper, a judge dismissed the case, finding that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.
Heard has filed a countersuit against Depp that accuses his lawyers of defaming her at his direction.
Heard's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have the case moved to California, where the actors reside. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case here because the Post's online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County. Depp's lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
The trial is expected to last more than a month.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 2022-04-12T01:05:36Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Biden administration announced a plan to freeze federal student loan payments through Aug. 31, extending a moratorium that has allowed millions of Americans to postpone payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
As CNBC reported, the U.S. Department of Education also plans to pull millions of borrower accounts out of default and mark those accounts as current as part of the plan.
Student loan payments were scheduled to resume May 1 after being halted since early in the pandemic. But following calls from Democrats in Congress, the White House wants to give borrowers additional time to prepare for payments. The action applies to more than 43 million Americans who owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student debt held by the federal government, the Associated Press reports.
We asked Anna Helhoski, who NerdWallet relies on as their authority for all things student loans, to go over some of the key angles that borrowers need to know to maximize their money and pay off their student loans faster.
What are the top “must knows” during this time?
"First, know that you don’t have to make payments on your federal student loans until September 1, 2022, unless the pause is extended again. Second, make a plan for your loans before the payment pause ends. If you think you’ll have trouble paying your loans by September, contact your servicer now to find out about your options before repayment starts. Your best option might be enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan, which will tie the amount you pay to your income. For those who have defaulted on their student loans, the Education Department is automatically returning those loans to good standing. If you can pay down your loans before repayment restarts, consider doing so as this will help you chip away at your principal faster while interest is not accruing."
Will interest have to be repaid back later?
"No. Federal student loans have not seen interest accrue since March 2020 and won’t until September 2022. There are no payments due and you won’t owe any back payments on principal or interest. That said, if you have unpaid interest from before the payment pause that had not yet capitalized, or been added to the principal, consider paying that off before the end of the pause."
Is there any way students, current or past, can negotiate down their principal amounts for either private or public student loans?
"In a vast majority of cases, the only way to lower your principal is by paying off your loans, for both federal or private loans. A student loan settlement is a rare, but possible option, but the servicer would need to agree to it. If you need to lower your monthly student loan payments, contact your servicer or lender to see what options are available to you."
What's something we should know about the Pathway student loan program and how that can help during this time?
"Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a notoriously challenging program to qualify for, but the Department of Education issued a waiver through October of 2022 to expand eligibility for past payments. Most importantly, under the waiver, more payments are being counted toward the 120 needed for forgiveness. If you’ve been making payments on loans that were previously ineligible for PSLF, but you’ve been working for a qualified employer, contact your servicer to see if PSLF is available to you and the next steps you need to take."
What's one part of this discussion that needs more emphasis?
"Don’t depend on broad student loan cancellation for your student loans. Even if debt cancellation happens, it’s most likely to be a set amount. That means if your entire balance isn’t canceled, you’ll still need to continue making payments until your entire debt is cleared. The best way forward is to make sure you have a plan for when payments restart. If you’re unsure how you’ll be able to make those payments, contact your servicer now to find out your options to keep your loan in good standing. That could be enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan or it could be taking a pause, with interest accrual, through forbearance or deferment. Avoiding default is key, it happens after 270 days without making a payment."
Anna Helhoski is NerdWallet's authority on student loans. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/millions-in-default-to-get-fresh-start-as-biden-white-house-enacts-student-loan-payment-pause-extension | 2022-04-12T01:05:42Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/millions-in-default-to-get-fresh-start-as-biden-white-house-enacts-student-loan-payment-pause-extension | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
(MOSCOW) — Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr., who was twice sickened in incidents he suspected were poisonings, has been detained in Moscow by police, another prominent opposition figure said on Monday.
Ilya Yashin said on Twitter that Kara-Murza was detained on Monday near his Moscow residence. It was unclear whether he had been charged.
Kara-Murza was hospitalized with poisoning symptoms twice, in 2015 and 2017. A journalist and associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot and killed in 2015, and oligarch-turned-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in the first incident. He suspects he was poisoned but no cause has been determined.
Kara-Murza was taken to a hospital with a sudden, similar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed that he was poisoned. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed | 2022-04-12T01:05:48Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
For the first time in its 33-year run, "The Simpsons" featured a deaf actor and American Sign Language. The episode featured Lisa Simpson meeting the son of her favorite musician, who is deaf.
Actor John Autry II played Monk, the son of Bleeding Gums Murphy. The characters used American Sign Language to communicate throughout the episode.
The show's executive producer Al Jean says he was excited to be able to have a "first" after so many years on air.
@TheSimpsons Meet Monk Murphy voiced by @johnautryll in The Sound of Bleeding Gums, Sunday @8 An episode that makes me smile whenever I think about it. pic.twitter.com/PjmN8z9b8Q
— Al Jean (@AlJean) April 4, 2022
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.wtxl.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time | 2022-04-12T01:05:55Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
An official from the Bank of Japan on the data earlier. This, ICYMI:
Japan PPI data for March 2022: +9.5% y/y (vs. expected 9.3%)
Says:
- Japan's March wholesale price index is at 112.0, the highest since December of 1982
- wholesale prices rose 7.3% in the fiscal year 2021, this is the quickest pace of increases sine comparable data became available in fiscal 1981
What happens when the highest level of wholesale inflation in 40 years is shrugged off by the CPI: | https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/boj-comments-on-surging-wholesale-prices-index-at-its-highest-since-1982-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T01:06:12Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/boj-comments-on-surging-wholesale-prices-index-at-its-highest-since-1982-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Guangzhou is a China manufacturing hub and home to China's busiest airport.
- Closed itself to most arrivals on Monday
- primary and middle schools have been switched to online
- An exhibition centre was being converted into a makeshift hospital
- authorities will soon begin citywide mass testing | https://www.forexlive.com/news/china-covid-19-no-lockdown-has-yet-been-announced-for-guangzhou-yet-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T01:06:18Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/china-covid-19-no-lockdown-has-yet-been-announced-for-guangzhou-yet-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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Activate your digital account | https://www.swtimes.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtimes.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Fmeet-2021-22-all-river-valley-girls-basketball-team%2F7248981001%2F | 2022-04-12T01:06:22Z | swtimes.com | control | https://www.swtimes.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtimes.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fhigh-school%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Fmeet-2021-22-all-river-valley-girls-basketball-team%2F7248981001%2F | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Suzuki is speaking in general terms, but the between the lines message is him expressing concern about the rapid fall of the yen and a threat that authorities will take action if needed. We've seen this time and again during the yen's drop in past weeks.
- excess FX volatility and disorderly FX movements could have adverse effects on the economy and financial stability
- will adhere to G7 agreement on forex
- will respond to FX as appropriate while communicating closely with the US and other coutnries
I posted last week on one analysts thoughts on when intervention might get serious:
USD/JPY intervention unlikely ahead of 130
USD/JPY update: | https://www.forexlive.com/news/japan-finance-minister-suzuki-speaking-on-excess-fx-volatility-20220412/ | 2022-04-12T01:06:24Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/japan-finance-minister-suzuki-speaking-on-excess-fx-volatility-20220412/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Japan Producer Price Index for March.
+0.8% m/m
- expected 0.9+%, prior 0.8%
+9.5% y/y
- expected 9.3%, prior 9.3%
The idea with this indicator is the cost pressures faced by business will be passed along to consumers (in the CPI). This has not been happening to much of a degree at all though.
---
Producer Price Index data is published by the Bank of Japan
- is a measure of prices for goods purchased by domestic corporates in Japan | https://www.forexlive.com/news/japan-ppi-data-for-march-2022-95-yy-vs-expected-93-20220411/ | 2022-04-12T01:06:31Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/japan-ppi-data-for-march-2022-95-yy-vs-expected-93-20220411/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Down from the previous day's >26K---This from earlier:AEI says the real number of daily COVID-19 cases in China is circa 250,000 | https://www.forexlive.com/news/shanghai-reports-23342-new-covid-19-cases-for-april-11-20220411/ | 2022-04-12T01:06:37Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/shanghai-reports-23342-new-covid-19-cases-for-april-11-20220411/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Police in Fairfax County say two teens have been charged in the fatal shooting of a 73-year-old man at an ATM last fall, including a then-16-year-old police say pulled the trigger during a “night of crime” across Northern Virginia.
The accused shooter, who is now 17, has been charged as a juvenile with felony murder and robbery resulting in the death of another person and was not publicly identified at a news conference Monday afternoon announcing the arrests.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said the teen is being held on unrelated criminal charges in Baltimore County but expected him to be extradited to Virginia and eventually be charged as an adult.
Another teen, 19-year-old Timothy Kashaun Bradshaw, has been charged with felony murder and robbery resulting in the death of another person. Davis said Bradshaw, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, was behind the wheel of a stolen car and acted as the getaway driver.
At Monday’s news conference, Fairfax County police were joined by family members of Nelson Alexander, who was standing in front of a Wells Fargo ATM in Falls Church early in the morning on Oct. 20, when he was shot “in cold blood,” Davis said.
The shooting was captured on the ATM surveillance video. It showed a masked figure come up behind Alexander as he stood at the ATM. The video showed Alexander dropping his wallet in surprise, then turning to apparently tap out his PIN on the ATM when, for no apparent reason, the gunman opened fire, shooting Alexander once in the chest.
“Mr. Alexander never, never once resisted, not even a hint of resistance,” Davis said.
Alexander, who was known among friends and family as “Cooty Bird,” was discovered by a passerby and taken to the hospital, where he died three days later.
Alexander’s niece, Kendra Johnson, who spoke at the new conference on behalf of his family recalled her “Uncle Bird,” as a loving man who would have celebrated his 74th birthday a few weeks ago.
“He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved everyone that he knew,” she said.
She said the family members were “overjoyed” when police called to give them news of the arrest and she thanked detectives for their work. She asked for continued prayers for the family.
A $10,000 reward from Fairfax Count police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was offered, and police said tips from the public were instrumental in identifying the suspects.
Authorities also thanked neighboring police departments for their help, in particular Metro Transit Police. Surveillance video from a Metrobus near Seven Corners Shopping Center showed the two teens and another young man boarding the bus several hours before Alexander was killed. (Police said Monday the third young man seen in the bus video was not involved in the shooting.)
“Our detectives worked tirelessly on this case, tracking our suspects from this bus,” said Major Ed O’Carroll, bureau chief of the police department’s major crimes bureau.
O’Carroll said investigators were able to piece together a timeline from the video footage, showing the suspects in Alexander’s killing traveled from the Tyson’s area of Fairfax County to Alexandria, where they stole a 2009 Nissan Murano and headed back north.
“It was a night of crime. It was an entire night of crime,” O’Carroll said.
He added, “We know where they were throughout the night. We know they’re breaking into cars, and at 5:20 in the morning, they made a horrible mistake.”
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group. Reach him at jmoore@wtop.com. | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/two-teens-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-73-year-old-man-at-fairfax-atm/article_0cc2941e-b9ef-11ec-bf6d-e318211fb8fb.html | 2022-04-12T01:06:42Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/two-teens-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-73-year-old-man-at-fairfax-atm/article_0cc2941e-b9ef-11ec-bf6d-e318211fb8fb.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
EDDIE HOPE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
HYLTON 6, POTOMAC 5: The host Bulldogs won their first game of the season Monday.
Hylton (1-8) scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth when David Bowling was hit by a pitch, which brought in the run.
The game was tied 3-3 after the first inning before Potomac (4-4) scored two runs in the top of the second.
Moises Perez also had an RBI for Hylton.
Perez started the game and struck out nine in 4.2 innings. Chase Gillispie struck out four in the final 2.1 innings.
BATTLEFIELD 10, OSBOURN PARK 4: Ethan Owen, Carson Cho and Brice Shumate combined for 12 strikeouts and allowed five hits and one earned run in the Bobcats’ non-district win.
Owen was the winning pitcher. He struck out nine in four innings. Shumate earned the after going the final two innings.
Grayson Snead was 3 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. J.P. Williams, Cooper Harris, Kyle Zambrana and Austin Cardran each had two hits for Battlefield (7-1).
COLGAN 8, WOODBRIDGE 1: The host Sharks (10-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the first and then added their final five in the second.
Ryan Kennedy led Colgan with three RBIs. Brandon Cassedy (one RBI) and Brett Renfrow (two RBIs) each homered and Matthew Westley had two RBIs.
Renfrow struck out seven and allowed one run, two hits and three walks in 4.2 innings for the win. Evan Blanchard pitched the final 2.1 innings and struck out four.
OSBOURN 5, WASHINGTON-LIBERTY 4: Ryan Donahue was the winning pitcher. He struck out three, walked three and allowed two runs and five hits in 5.2 innings.
Noah Metz recorded the save, pitching the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit.
Matthew Haugh was 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs for Osbourn (3-5). Donahue was 2 for 4.
JEFF BAKER CLASSIC AT GAR-FIELD
UNITY REED 19, PARK VIEW 6: Selwyn Rio had four RBIs and Abbas Sahibzada had three to lead Unity Reed (2-5-1).
MINGO BAY TOURNAMENT
PATRIOT 12, GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN 5: The Pioneers scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Matthew Boyd was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and one run scored for Patriot.
Max Ehrhardt, Caleb Ramey and AJ Shepard each had two RBIs. Ernhardt recorded a homer among his two hits.
Jordan Capuano started the game for Patriot (3-1) and struck out six in five innings. He allowed two earned runs, five hits and two walks. Parker Hogge tossed the final two innings, striking out two. | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/prince_william/april-11-high-school-baseball-roundup-hylton-wins-its-first-game-of-the-season/article_81c39514-b9f0-11ec-b288-57f3fb9c23c3.html | 2022-04-12T01:06:48Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/prince_william/april-11-high-school-baseball-roundup-hylton-wins-its-first-game-of-the-season/article_81c39514-b9f0-11ec-b288-57f3fb9c23c3.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Washington Mystics selected former Colonial Forge High School basketball standout Shakira Austin No. 3 overall Monday night in the WNBA Draft.
A 6-foot-5 center, Austin spent the last two seasons at the University of Mississippi. She averaged 15.2 points and 9.0 rebounds a game this season for the Rebels in earning first-team, all-SEC honors for the second straight season.
Austin transferred to Ole Miss after playing her first two seasons at the University of Maryland. She was a second-team, all-Big Ten selection her sophomore season for the Terrapins.
Austin played for Colonial Forge her sophomore and junior seasons. As a junior, she averaged 18 points and 12.3 rebounds in leading the Eagles to the Class 6 state championship. She finished her high school career at Riverdale Baptist.
She was rated ESPN's No. 4 overall prospect and No. 2 forward coming out of high school.
Austin is the second player with a Stafford County connection selected in the WNBA draft. Brooke Point High School graduate and current Stafford High School head girls basketball coach Chay Shegog was a second-round pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/stafford/washington-mystics-select-former-colonial-forge-standout-shakira-austin-no-3-overall-in-wnba-draft/article_a6401618-b1c8-11ec-a02c-9379046ebcb7.html | 2022-04-12T01:06:54Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/stafford/washington-mystics-select-former-colonial-forge-standout-shakira-austin-no-3-overall-in-wnba-draft/article_a6401618-b1c8-11ec-a02c-9379046ebcb7.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Philadelphia will be reimposing its city-wide indoor mask mandate amid an uptick in cases of COVID-19’s omicron BA.2 subvariant, officials announced on Monday.
The mandate will go into effect next Monday, and requires masks inside “schools and childcare settings, businesses, restaurants, and government buildings,” the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said in a statement on social media.
“At that time, residents will be asked to report any business not complying with the mandate to @philly311” the department added.
Philadelphia will become the first major city to reinstate the indoor mask mandate after most state and local governments lifted restrictions after coronavirus cases plummeted following a surge in the winter.
According to PDH data, as of April 11 the city is averaging 142 new cases per day and 44 hospitalizations — a 50 percent increase from the previous 10 days. The increase triggered the city to activate the level 2 COVID-19 response system, which includes requiring masks indoors.
The mandate goes against current CDC guidelines, which lists Philadelphia County’s current COVID-19 transmission level as “low.” Under the low-level guidelines, masks are optional but recommended for those with symptoms, a positive test, or who have been exposed.
“Our city remains open; we can still go about our daily lives and visit the people and places we love while masking in indoor public spaces,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted Monday.
Nationally, the 7-day average for new COVID-19 cases has hovered around 26,000 since mid-March after dropping sharply from an all-time high of 806,739 on January 15, according to CDC data. | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/philadelphia-reimposes-indoor-mask-mandate-after-50-covid-19-spike/ | 2022-04-12T01:20:53Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/04/11/philadelphia-reimposes-indoor-mask-mandate-after-50-covid-19-spike/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
And you thought the Lakers’ last coaching change was a circus?
Remember, following Luke Walton’s 2019 firing Ty Lue was interested in the job but passed because he wanted a say in hiring his assistant coaches. (The other team in town sends its thanks, by the way.) And the day Frank Vogel was introduced as the new coach was also the day outgoing executive Magic Johnson unloaded on GM Rob Pelinka in an ESPN interview that included this gem about Laker front office functionaries:
“Too many people have too many opinions and too much power.”
It might be just as true today. Considering that HBO’s current series depicting the 1980s Lakers is so over the top, Lord help us if those screenwriters get hold of the current team’s ongoing drama.
Vogel was let go Monday morning as expected, a little less than 18 months after delivering the franchise’s 17th NBA championship. The move was made official just before 11 a.m. with a press release, but the twist of the knife came Sunday night when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had it on Twitter by the time the Lakers’ irregulars had wrapped up a stirring overtime victory over the Nuggets in their regular-season finale, leading to a very uncomfortable postgame presser.
Frank Vogel has coached his final game for the Lakers, a decision that’s expected to be shared with him as soon as Monday, sources tell ESPN. Lakers’ search expected to be lengthy and expansive with no clear initial frontrunner.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2022
Frank Vogel: “I haven’t been told s–t” following report from @wojespn that Lakers will fire him. https://t.co/nfBrLVShiS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 11, 2022
"I'm going to enjoy tonight, celebrate what these young guys did, and we'll deal with tomorrow tomorrow." Frank Vogel addresses the media regarding reports about his future with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/bZ61Rerpqp
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 11, 2022
“The man didn’t even make it to the (expletive) flight,” Denver’s DeMarcus Cousins mused Sunday night, as reported by The Athletic. “The NBA getting brutal, ain’t it?”
Cousins was a Laker for seven months before being waived in February 2020. He presumably knows how the organization works.
But here’s a hint that the Lakers’ problems go way deeper than a coach who was on a short leash to begin with: Rather than acknowledge the obvious at the official news conference on Monday afternoon – that the club, through that leak, basically humiliated the head coach before cutting him loose – Pelinka tried to weasel his way around the question of how Vogel’s dismissal was out in the public domain a full 14 hours before the official announcement.
“We don’t respond to unsourced media reports,” Pelinka said. “In terms of the timing, we’ll keep that to ourselves. … He factually heard about our decision in an in-person meeting (with) me this morning.”
Are you sure that was the first he’d heard of it, Rob? Don’t you think an apology for embarrassing him might have been appropriate?
Such parsing of the language is a small thing, true. But it’s typical of the way Pelinka has operated as general manager, and really the way the Lakers have done business over the last decade. Never take anything anyone in management says at face value.
Pelinka talked of hiring a “strong voice that’s able to inspire the players to play at the highest level of competition every night,” and someone capable of “holding everybody from the top player on our team to the 15th man to a degree of accountability.” At this point, given the way the last coach was treated – and given the Lakers’ preference of paying coaches below market value – anyone actually possessing those qualities might think twice before signing on, even with LeBron James on board.
Pelinka did guarantee that the next coach would be part of the collaborative process in assembling the 2022-23 roster. “There has to be strong alignment between the coach and general manager,” he said.
Pelinka tried to hastily add that Vogel did have a voice, but the implication was clear. The makeup of the roster, and its performance, showed minimal collaboration at best between coach and GM. In fact, reports have suggested – and Pelinka pretty well acknowledged on Monday – that there was significant collaboration between Pelinka and James and Anthony Davis in the assembly of the roster last summer. You can assume their agent, Rich Paul, also had input.
(There’s the solution: LeBron as player/coach! They’re already paying him, after all.)
This moment might have been coming long before the 6-18 post-All-Star Game record guaranteed that a team that began the season with championship aspirations would miss the playoffs (and, in a double-whammy, not even make the draft lottery because their first-round pick goes to New Orleans).
From the day the team offered Vogel a one-year contract extension last summer, the sense was that he knew he was under the gun. He accepted it and plunged in with both grace and diligence – through key injuries, a COVID-19 disruption at midseason, 41 different starting lineups and an uneasy relationship with big-ticket acquisition Russell Westbrook, who took passive-aggressive swipes at the coach to the end. That says a lot about Vogel, seemingly the one guy who didn’t run from accountability.
But the 2020 championship only papered over the layers of dysfunction that still seem to exist in Jeanie Buss’ organization. If 2019-20 was the sugar high, ’21-22 was the crash. Say what you want about injuries, or about James and Davis being on the court together in just 22 out of 82 games, but a roster with role players and guys who can tighten the screws defensively is more efficient than one loaded with veterans who couldn’t quite accept that they were no longer what they used to be.
At least Pelinka acknowledged as much during the course of his news conference: “I think our roster did not work. We did not have the season that our fans expect, and we have to fix those things.”
But is he capable of doing so? Pelinka assembled the 2019-20 championship roster, but any goodwill from that accomplishment has long since vanished. He enters this offseason with a salary cap-strapped roster, no 2022 draft picks and little motivation for anyone else in the league to lend him or the Lakers a helping hand.
Do you, too, wonder if the wrong guy got fired?
jalexander@scng.com
@Jim_Alexander on Twitter | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/alexander-frank-vogel-firing-another-sign-of-lakers-dysfunction/ | 2022-04-12T01:22:34Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/alexander-frank-vogel-firing-another-sign-of-lakers-dysfunction/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Daily COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb upward, and while hospitalization numbers remain low, health officials said on Monday, April 11, that they fear an eventual increase in patient volumes if previous pandemic patterns hold.
According to the county Department of Public Health, daily COVID infection numbers rose by an average of 3.1% per day over the past week. Over the past seven days, the county reported an average of 960 new cases per day, a 23% jump from the previous seven days.
The increase in cases has been blamed on rising spread of the infectious BA.2 subvariant of the virus. BA.2 is an offshoot of the Omicron variant that fueled a winter surge in infections.
County health officials noted that the average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus remains relatively low, at 1% as of Monday, but the rate has ticked up slightly over the past week. Also still low are the number of COVID-19-positive patients in county hospitals — 265 according to state figures, including 38 being treated in intensive care.
But officials noted that traditionally during the pandemic, increases in hospitalizations tend to come within weeks of a rise in infection numbers, followed by an increase in deaths. That pattern is already being seen in other parts of the country, including New York City. Philadelphia health officials announced this week they were reinstating an indoor mask-wearing mandate due to rising COVID numbers.
“The evidence is becoming clearer that given the current approved vaccines and the reality of a mutating virus, some of us will need to boost our immune systems a couple of times during the year in order to be optimally protected,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “This includes those infected with Omicron over the winter, since natural immunity against SARS-CoV-2 also wanes over time.
“As we celebrate the spring holidays, let’s do our very best to make use of the powerful tools at hand, vaccinations, boosters, testing, and masking, to keep ourselves and those most vulnerable to severe illness, as safe as possible.”
According to the county, which no longer reports COVID numbers on weekends, a total of 2,875 new infections were confirmed between Saturday and Monday, giving the county a cumulative pandemic total of 2,846,303. A total of 38 virus-related deaths were reported over the three-day period, raising the overall death toll in the county to 31,807.
Ferrer reported last week that BA.2 represented 47% of all cases in the county that underwent specialized testing to identify COVID variants, but she said the percentage is likely higher, since the data reflect cases from two weeks ago. During the previous week, BA.2 represented only 32% of infections, up from 16% the week prior to that. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/daily-la-county-covid-cases-keep-inching-upward/ | 2022-04-12T01:22:38Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/daily-la-county-covid-cases-keep-inching-upward/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
By Kim Chandler | Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Families with transgender teens sued the state of Alabama in federal court on Monday to overturn a law that makes it a crime for doctors to treat trans youth under 19 with puberty blockers or hormones to help affirm their gender identity.
The two lawsuits — one on behalf of two families and another on behalf two families and the physicians who treat their children — pose legal challenges to legislation signed into law Friday by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.
“Transgender youth are a part of Alabama, and they deserve the same privacy, access to treatment, and data-driven health care from trained medical professionals as any other Alabamian,” Tish Gotell Faulks, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, said in a statement. Faulks added that lawmakers are using children, as, “political pawns for their reelection campaigns.” Ivey and legislators face primaries next month.
Unless blocked by the court, the Alabama law will take effect May 8, making it a felony for a doctor to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to aid in the gender transition of anyone under age 19. Violations will be punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It also prohibits gender transition surgeries, although doctors told lawmakers those are not performed on minors in Alabama.
“The level of legislative overreach into the practice of medicine is unprecedented. And never before has legislative overreach come into pediatric examination rooms to shut down the parent voice in medical decision making between a parent, their pediatrician and their child,” Dr. Morissa Ladinsky, a medical provider and a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, told The Associated Press in an interview.
Ivey signed the legislation Friday, a day after it was approved by the Alabama Legislature. At a campaign stop Monday, the governor invoked religion when asked about her decision to sign the legislation.
“If the good Lord made you a boy at birth, then you are a boy. If the good Lord made you a girl at birth, then you are a girl,” she said. “We should especially focus our efforts on helping these young people become healthy adults just like God wanted them to be rather than self-induced medical intervenors.”
Asked if the law would survive a court challenge, she replied, “We’ll wait and see.”
The two lawsuits were filed by advocacy groups on behalf of families with transgender children, as well as by two medical providers. The children were not identified in the lawsuits because of their age.
“I know that I am a girl and I always have been,” one of the 15-year-old plaintiffs said in a statement provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama. “Even before I learned the word ‘transgender’ or met other trans people, I knew myself.”
In one of the lawsuits, parents described their fears that their transgender daughter, called “Mary Roe” in the suit, would harm herself or try to commit suicide if she loses access to the puberty blockers she began taking last year. “For Mary to be forced to go through male puberty would be devastating; it would predictably result in her experiencing isolation, depression, anxiety, and distress,” the lawsuit states.
Similar measures have been pushed in other states, but the Alabama legislation is the first to lay out criminal penalties for doctors.
In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the state’s child welfare agency to investigate as abuse reports of gender-confirming care for kids. And a law in Arkansas bans gender-affirming medications. That law has been blocked by a court, however.
Ivey also signed a separate measure that requires students to use bathrooms that align with their original birth certificate and prohibits instruction of gender and sexual identity in kindergarten through fifth grades. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/doctors-families-sue-to-stop-alabama-transgender-law/ | 2022-04-12T01:22:44Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/doctors-families-sue-to-stop-alabama-transgender-law/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will miss the rest of the regular season and postseason after undergoing successful wrist surgery, the team announced in a news release.
The Kings are in a tight playoff race, with just a two-point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights for the final automatic berth in the Pacific Division. They are in an even tighter position against the two strongest wild-card contenders, Nashville and Dallas.
Doughty, 32, sustained the injury in a March 7 victory in Boston and has not played since. Earlier in the season, the heretofore uncommonly durable Doughty had a knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks and also spent a stint in COVID-related protocols. Prior to this season, he had missed a mere 19 games across the course of 13 campaigns.
He had 31 points in 39 games this season, including 13 on the power play, and led the team in average time on ice.
Doughty joins defenseman Sean Walker among the Kings who won’t return this season. Doughty’s defense partner Mikey Anderson remained on long-term injured reserve but with hopes to return this season.
Initially, Doughty’s injury did not seem as serious as some among the multitude of others that the Kings were juggling. At one point, half their roster was sidelined.
Doughty had skated with the team, which does not typically portend a season-ending injury. But three weeks ago, General Manager Rob Blake made an ominous albeit less than definitive statement.
“I think we’ll exhaust every option possible. I mean, he’s out there skating now but not participating in drills and things,” Blake said on March 21. “That’ll be an assessment with the doctor in the next few days to understand the next step to see if he can come back and play.”
Drafted second overall in 2008, Doughty is the Kings’ all-time franchise leader in points, assists and games played by a defenseman. He competed in his 1,000th game earlier this year. In 2016, he won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Doughty has established himself as a selfless star and his fierce competitiveness has afforded him team success on every stage. He won gold medals at the World Junior Championships, World Cup of Hockey and twice at the Olympics. With the Kings, he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2012 and again in 2014. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/kings-drew-doughty-out-for-the-season-after-surgery/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:01Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/kings-drew-doughty-out-for-the-season-after-surgery/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Ventura County woman who falsely accused a Black teenager of stealing her cell phone and then attacked him in a New York City hotel lobby pleaded guilty Monday to unlawful imprisonment in the second degree as a hate crime, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced.
In December 2020, Miya Ponsetto was seen on video attacking 14-year old Keyon Harrold Jr., who was with his father, a musician, in the Arlo Hotel. Ponsetto said she thought he had her cell phone, but investigators later determined he did not.
Video of the incident quickly went viral, with many accusing Ponsetto of racially profiling the teen, an accusation she has denied. The incident also occurred as continued calls for racial justice and police reform were the highest they’d been in years due to the deaths of Black people — like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor — at the hands of law enforcement officials.
Related Story: Woman who falsely accused Black teen of stealing phone at Manhattan hotel arrested
The plea deal requires Ponsetto, 23, to follow the probation terms for a separate case in California, attend counseling and avoid further criminal incidents.
Related Story: Miya Ponsetto reportedly investigated in the smashing of Airbnb’s door on same day as hotel dispute
If she doesn’t comply, Ponsetto, of Piru, could go to prison for up to four years, prosecutors said. But if she successfully follows those terms, she can re-plead the felony charge to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Ponsetto’s attorney, Paul D’Emilia, said his client is grateful for the plea deal, and she has been “leading an exemplary life” since the incident.
“We are appreciative of the District Attorney’s thoughtful and empathetic approach to finding an acceptable conclusion, especially in light of the unreasonable pressure brought to bear by many voices not familiar with the more granular details of what occurred that evening,” D’Emilia said. “Ms. Ponsetto looks forward to her eventual final plea to the harassment charge, a plea that we feel more realistically reflects her actions that night at the Arlo Hotel. It is Ms. Ponsetto’s wish that Keyon Harrold accepts her regrets and apology for her behavior that evening, and that all involved can move forward with added insight and compassion.”
District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Ponsetto “displayed outrageous behavior.”
“As a Black man, I have personally experienced racial profiling countless times in my life and I sympathize with the young man victimized in this incident,” Bragg said. “This plea ensures appropriate accountability for Ms. Ponsetto by addressing underlying causes for her behavior and ensuring this conduct does not reoccur.”
The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/southern-california-woman-who-attacked-a-black-teen-while-falsely-accusing-him-of-stealing-her-phone-pleads-guilty-to-hate-crime-charge/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:07Z | pasadenastarnews.com | control | https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/04/11/southern-california-woman-who-attacked-a-black-teen-while-falsely-accusing-him-of-stealing-her-phone-pleads-guilty-to-hate-crime-charge/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Lafayette police are investigating cases of car drifting—one specifically in the Kohl's parking lot Saturday at around 9 p.m.
LPD says they received around twelve calls Saturday evening regarding drifting and say they are now working to crack down on these instances.
In a press conference Monday afternoon, spokesperson of LPD, Sergeant Robin Green, explained how the department plans to address the issue.
“We are going to be putting out more cameras in strategic areas to help with identifying these acts as they are happening and to help identify major people who are responsible,” Green said.
“This could cause a loss of control of the vehicle, which could entail some loss of life in serious injuries, significant damage to property, whether it be vehicles or somebody's business,” She added.
According to LPD, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle coming from the incident Saturday, but was unsuccessful.
“so I wouldn't call it a police case with the officer attempting to do a traffic stop. But due to traffic being on the roadway, the officer elected to decrease his speed in an effort to prevent any injuries or major damages. So the officer elected to go at a safer speed and that vehicle got away,” green said.
LPD says investigators are going to speak with businesses in the area to file trespassing documentation to prevent future instances.
“We are encouraging businesses that are noticing that this behavior is going on after hours in a parking lot. We want them to come in on call as we go to you to do a letter of criminal trespass. Because if you have that on file, and we get out there and you just like I'm just standing around, no, you're part of the problem as well. And so we're gonna cite you for criminal trespassing,” Green said.
No person or persons of interest are named at this time
According to LPD, you can receive misdemeanor charges if found committing these crimes but if an accident occurs from drifting the charge will be bumped up to a felony.
This is still under investigation.
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Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers | https://www.katc.com/news/lafayette-parish/lpd-cracks-down-on-car-drifting | 2022-04-12T01:31:37Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/lafayette-parish/lpd-cracks-down-on-car-drifting | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Animal Control officers being recognized this week
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) -Animal control officers are being recognized for their service to their communities this week.
The second week of April every year is recognized as National Animal Care and Control Officers Week.
Officers are recognized for the variety of services they provide for animals and communities including picking up strays, accepting surrenders from people who can no longer care for their pets, and of course housing and adopting animals.
Many officers and shelters also provide healthcare to sick and injured animals as well.
Pitt County Animal Services Director Chad Singleton says it’s nice to be recognized for a job that can often be dangerous. “There’s a tremendous amount of risk that the officers take in each and every day that they are out patrolling the communities picking up often times vicious dogs or vicious animals.”
The Pitt County Animal Shelter typically provides care for nearly 100 animals at any given time.
Copyright 2022 WITN. All rights reserved. | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/animal-control-officers-being-recognized-this-week/ | 2022-04-12T01:34:50Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/animal-control-officers-being-recognized-this-week/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Pitt County testing voting machines ahead of primary election
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) -Preparations are underway to ensure the accuracy of next month’s primary election.
The Pitt County Board of Elections is conducting logic and accuracy testing of voting machines in preparation for the May primary election.
Elections Director Dave Davis says all of the county’s voting machines will be tested over the next couple of days. He says none of the voting machines used in our state contain modems or are accessible by Wi-Fi.
During the testing workers will feed thousands of prefilled ballots into the voting machines to verify that they are accurately recording results.
Davis says, “With each voting machine you feed the ballots through, run a results tape, and make sure that those results match what the planned script was. That’s ensuring that the machine is counting ballots accurately.”
All 100 counties in our state are required to perform the testing ahead of the election.
Copyright 2022 WITN. All rights reserved. | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/pitt-county-testing-voting-machines-ahead-primary-election/ | 2022-04-12T01:35:22Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/pitt-county-testing-voting-machines-ahead-primary-election/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
South Carolina park ‘consistently’ being used for illegal sexual activity, police say
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities said they are investigating illegal sexual activity that is occurring “consistently” at a park in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said his agency has received numerous complaints about people having sex at Pelham Mill Park in Greer, South Carolina.
The incidents have occurred in the parking lot, in the woods and even out in the open, according to the sheriff. Despite arrests, the activity has continued, WHNS reports.
Innocent bystanders including children have witnessed the activity, according to the sheriff.
“Under no circumstance should a young child or community member who is trying to enjoy a peaceful day at a park have to be exposed to this sort of activity,” Lewis said. “We are continuing our efforts to patrol the area and to identify those who are blatantly exposing themselves and engaging in illegal sexual activity, but we also need the community’s help with reporting this suspicious behavior.”
Anyone who witnesses this activity is asked to call the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at 864-271-5210.
“More importantly, I want to speak to the people who are committing these acts and simply let them know that we are familiar with the apps you use to engage in this activity, we know your intentions, and to stop,” Lewis said. “There are appropriate places to engage in adult activities, and a public place is not that area. We must think about others when we act, and I ask the community to be considerate of one another and especially our youth.”
Copyright 2022 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ | 2022-04-12T01:35:34Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
This is Public Safety Telecommunications Week and we are shining a light on the great and important work of our local dispatchers.
Every day we see police cars, fire trucks, and EMT'S, flying down roads and rushing to scenes, but we often forget about the ones who direct them there.
Only a daily basis Hamilton County dispatchers take thousands of calls 24 hours a day to navigate emergencies with community members.
“When somebody calls 911 we have call takers that answer the phones, and the most important part that they get is your address. A lot of people do not understand, but we need the address first because we can not send you help unless they know where you are,” 14-year veteran dispatcher Chrystal Mitchum said.
Following that, Mitchum said they then need to know what is going on, so they can send the right agency your way.
That could be one or multiple of the 26 agencies that dispatchers work with.
“With that being said the most rewarding part is knowing that we get to help the people. One of the hardest parts of this job is not knowing the outcome,” Mitchum said.
As dispatchers continue to answer calls, making sure people are taken care of, and lives are saved. They are getting the needed love this week to keep them pushing.
“Yesterday was Hawaiian Day, and we had pizza delivered and got to wear Hawaiian shirts. Today is obviously Pajama Day, each day we have a different theme and different food that is provided for us, so that is nice, and we also have prizes at the end of the week I think,” Supervisor Morgan Jetton said.
This afternoon, Cop Church brought Jetton, Mitchum, and other firehouse subs for lunch today. This week, they will be getting free food from Buddy's BBQ and Olive Garden, free drinks from Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and even some gifts from Amazon.
“It is nice to be appreciated. I know sometimes we go unseen even though we are technically the first responder; we go unseen unheard most times. So, it is nice to have a week where people shower us with love,” Jetton said.
“It definitely makes you love being a dispatcher, a telecommunicator because you feel good to come to work, especially this week. It does make you feel warm and fuzzy inside,” Mitchum said.
Mitchum wants to remind people that dispatchers are here, although they will not be the ones showing up, they will be the ones sending help. | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/dispatchers-soaking-in-appreciation-week/article_c2f47bfe-b9d5-11ec-abac-578fd77d4431.html | 2022-04-12T01:42:20Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/local-news/dispatchers-soaking-in-appreciation-week/article_c2f47bfe-b9d5-11ec-abac-578fd77d4431.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
One teenager is dead after at least two teens took turns shooting at each other while wearing body armor, police in Belleview, Florida, said.
On April 3, the Belleview Police Department (BPD) received a call for a shooting at a residence. When they arrived, they found 16-year-old Christopher Leroy Broad Jr., who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he died, BPD said in a Facebook post.
The medical examiner's office said the cause of Broad's death was a single gunshot wound to the chest and the manner of death was listed as homicide, according to a probable cause affidavit.
During the investigation into the shooting, BPD "discovered evidence to prove" that Joshua Vining, 17, had "shot and killed Broad." Vining was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm, BPD said.
"Through the investigation, it was determined that Vining and Broad were taking turns shooting at each other while wearing a vest which contained a form of body armor," BPD said in the statement. "Vining shot at Broad while he was wearing the vest and he was struck."
Police said when they arrived, they found Vining doing CPR on Broad, according to the probable cause affidavit.
A second teenager gave police misleading information about the incident and was charged with providing false information to law enforcement, BPD said.
In the affidavit, police say a third teenager told them he "video recorded both shootings using Snapchat on his iPhone," saving the video of Vining being shot, but deleting the video of Broad being shot. A technician was able to recover the shooting of Broad, according to the affidavit.
Both Vining and the second teen facing charges for providing false information to law enforcement are being charged as adults, police noted.
CNN has not able to determine if either have legal representation at this time and could not reach them for comment.
Vining posted a $30,000 bond on April 8, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office inmate search website.
The second teen charged was released on a $1,000 surety bond on April 8, according to the county inmate search.
Belleview is located roughly 65 miles northwest of Orlando.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/one-killed-after-teens-take-turns-shooting-each-other-wearing-body-armor-florida-police-say/article_9fd441d6-c599-58de-a982-40a51ca82055.html | 2022-04-12T01:43:09Z | local3news.com | control | https://www.local3news.com/regional-national/one-killed-after-teens-take-turns-shooting-each-other-wearing-body-armor-florida-police-say/article_9fd441d6-c599-58de-a982-40a51ca82055.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
This is the final week for special shopping hours at Costco for seniors, healthcare workers and first responders. The company, which was one of the first to enact the hours in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, will end them starting Monday.
Since March 2020, Costco locations offered an extra hour of shopping from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those three groups. Seniors were considered those 60 and older. The extra hour ends as of April 18.
Back in July 2021, Costco announced plans to end the senior shopping hours, but reversed course just a few days later as COVID cases spiked around the country from the delta variant.
As far as mask regulations go, Costco said on its website that it follows the lead of local jurisdictions -- something it has consistently done throughout the pandemic.
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has largely run its course, causing local and state governments, as well as business, to back off their pandemic restrictions. But the new, more contagious version of omicron called BA.2 is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In rare cases, research shows BA.2 can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection — although it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease. Vaccines appear equally effective against both types of omicron. For both, vaccination plus a booster offers strong protection against severe illness and death.
Still, the increased infection rate has some places re-instituting restrictions. Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate on Monday after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c | 2022-04-12T01:44:46Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SEATTLE — Officials with Washington State Ferries acknowledge it is short staffed and in need of dozens of new recruits.
"It's not good, quite honestly. We don't have enough people to sail the vessels right now," Washington State Ferry spokesman Ian Sterling said on Monday as he stood outside the Seattle Maritime Academy. "We need to hire, train, and get people out on the water."
The admission comes after months of delays, cancellations, and unstable service on the water, whether it be in the San Juans, Bremerton, or Vashon Island.
Sterling also acknowledged that last year's mandates were an issue.
"That was certainly one factor, but even going into the pandemic we knew we were going to be short of employees," he said.
A March 8 report from the ferry system states staff shortages are "unprecedented" in the ferry system's 70-year history.
While stopping short of providing figures, Sterling said the Washington State Ferry system is competing with for-profit companies, particularly for engine room crews and that the system has hired "well over a hundred people in the last six months."
A lack of diversity, and age of the employees, were also cited as factors by Sterling and Dale Bateman, who runs the Academy in Ballard.
Bateman said a one-year program at the Academy costs about $10,000 and a graduate can make between $70,000-$80,000 a year to start. The Academy and Washington State Ferries are teaming up to sponsor open houses on Tuesdays to solicit interest. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, at 6 p.m.
In 2021, Washington State Ferries operated approximately 22,000 fewer sailings than 2019 - roughly 72% of pre-pandemic ridership. In January, ridership slightly decreased compared to January 2021 levels, according to the March 8 report.
Meanwhile, vessel availability has recovered, according to the March 8 report. However, availability remains at risk because of the aging fleet, according to the report. The ferry system had 24 vessels five years ago but now has 21 active vessels in the fleet. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/seattle/washington-state-ferries-staffing-shortages/281-90b8acf7-e911-4cea-83a2-cf6692672810 | 2022-04-12T01:44:52Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/seattle/washington-state-ferries-staffing-shortages/281-90b8acf7-e911-4cea-83a2-cf6692672810 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW YORK — Spokane native Lexi Hull was drafted by the Indiana Fever with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Hull joins an Indiana Fever team that has missed the playoffs since 2016. She will now be a centerpiece of the team's rebuild.
Hull was a senior but did have an extra year of eligibility due to COVID that she decided to forgo. She accomplished just about all she could in a Cardinal uniform, winning a National Championship in 2021 and earning All-Pac-12 honors three times in her four year college basketball career.
The 6'1" guard is coming off a standout senior year with Stanford where she averaged 12.5 points, 2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. She had arguably her best game of her career in the NCAA Tournament this year, when she put up 36 points against Kansas in the second round.
Hull was the two-time Washington Gatorade Player of the Year while at Central Valley High School and the three-time AP Class 4A Player of the Year. She won both a state championship and a GEICO High School National Championship her senior year in 2018. She also helped lead her team to a state championship in 2016. She had an overall record 102-6 during her time as a Bear. | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/wnba/spokanes-lexie-hull-taken-by-the-indiana-fever-with-the-6th-pick-in-the-wnba-draft/293-b35949b8-a950-44b5-b2f9-e9db621ae39d | 2022-04-12T01:45:10Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/wnba/spokanes-lexie-hull-taken-by-the-indiana-fever-with-the-6th-pick-in-the-wnba-draft/293-b35949b8-a950-44b5-b2f9-e9db621ae39d | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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