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Districts in 'dire straits' as they watch school funding fights in Texas legislature

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

Austin (KXAN) – The Texas House on Wednesday postponed a Senate bill to create a school voucher-like program in the state. Senate Bill 9 was amended to include several measures that would have provided some increase to teacher salaries at a time when educators are quitting the profession in large numbers.The move means the bill will not pass this legislative session – and leaves House Bill 100 as the last viable bill in the Texas legislature that could provide a raise to teachers.House Bill 100, which was drastically changed in the Senate Commission on Public Education to include a school voucher-like program or Education Savings Accounts, and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, is now headed back to the House where representatives have expressed upset over the additions. The fight over school choice and teacher salaries playing out in the Texas legislature comes as school districts are establishing budgets and new wages for the upcoming school year.Many educators, according to school ...

Jace Frederick: Who’s the second-best team in the West? No one knows. It could even be the Timberwolves

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

The relative ease of Denver’s run through the Western Conference playoffs made it abundantly clear the Nuggets are currently far-and-away the best in the West.What’s far less obvious: Who’s No. 2?The Lakers were the other Western Conference finalist. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with the second-best record in the West. But there is a robust list of teams who can logically conclude they’re next in line heading into next season should Denver suffer injuries or falter.The Kings are clearly an ascending club that may have been derailed in the playoffs by De’Aaron Fox’s finger injury. Memphis fell in the first round, but did so while down two of its rotational big men. The Clippers concluded their first-round series without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Phoenix lost Chris Paul in Game 2 of its second-round series with Denver, and had little time to gel after making its seismic trade for Kevin Durant. Golden State is still the reigning NBA champion for another couple weeks. E...

With help from Giants, Twins unlock bats in 7-1 victory

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

Scuffling through a string of bad at-bats at crucial times while losing six of eight games, the Twins got a little help from the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.Rookie infielder Edouardo Julien hit a leadoff home run off Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani, and starter Joe Ryan pitched in and out of trouble for five innings as the Twins beat the Giants 7-1 in front of an announced crowd of 23,464 at Target Field.With the victory, the Twins avoided being swept, and falling to .500, for the first time this season after dropping the first two games of the interleague series.Ryan (7-1) allowed eight base runners on six hits and two walks, and twice put runners at second and third with no outs, but allowed only one run when his attempted start to a 1-6-3 double play went wide of Kyle Farmer, allowing Mike Yastrzemski to score from third base in the second inning.Ryan fanned four and lowered his earned-run average to 2.21.Minnesota broke open a tight game in the third inning, scoring a pa...

Columbia County declares state of emergency

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Wednesday, Columbia County joined a growing list of Capital Region counties to declare a state of emergency. Like with its neighbors, the decision came in response to a recent influx of migrant workers seeking asylum in New York City, which has reached capacity. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell announced on Wednesday that the state of emergency was coming into effect in order to "preserve public safety andhereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, andhealth of the citizens of the county." Emergency declarations allow counties to encourage hotels and other short-term residences to provide housing to asylum-seekers to come to the area. It also allows counties to seek support funding.In Columbia County, that assistance is significant. Murell said that a large homeless population has already called for...

Massachusetts schools consider cell phone restrictions

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) — The state's education department is encouraging school districts to restrict or ban cellphone use in schools. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said there is no mandate at this time. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Some schools here in western Massachusetts have implemented measures to mitigate phones in the classroom. According to a spokesperson for Springfield Public Schools, Central High School started a pilot program this year where cell phones were not accessible to students during the school day.Tajia Ramsey, a parent who also works in a Springfield after school program thinks, "Phones are a big distraction, we allow kids here to have phones, we give them time frames where they are able to use them, but once its not free play no more, its time to put it away, you need to engage, and its time to interact, listen and focus." Netflix to charge an add...

Troy man pleads guilty to attempted assault

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The husband of a woman who was shot in the neck in March has pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault. Tyriq Mansell, 27, was accused of having a loaded firearm and shooting the victim. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Sentencing is scheduled for July 19. Mansell is facing a sentence of up to 7 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision.

Jacobes Law: schools must notify parents if child is bullied

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Experts say one in every four students reports being bullied during the school year. Proposed legislation could require schools to notify parents when their child is being bullied, but the bill comes with some opposition. Court dismisses parents’ appeal in Saratoga Co. student suicide case Christine Taras read the note her son Jacobe left her before taking his own life, "Dear mom and dad, I’m sorry but I cannot live anymore. I just can’t deal with all the bullying… being called gay being told to go kill myself, I’m really sorry for all that I put you through ... I love you [signed] Jacobe Taras." Christine said she wasn’t aware of the extent of bullying Jacobe endured until after he passed away. Taras is supporting legislation in memory of her son that would require schools to notify parents if their child is bullied. "They don’t wanna go home and tell their parents what is happening and that can turn into a tragedy, that's why it is so important to let the...

Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - An assistant principal at Edwardsville High School faces criminal charges for allegedly having sex with a teenager she mentored. Prosecutors have charged Erin Hamilton-Foley, 50, with two counts of criminal sexual assault. Hamilton-Foley was arrested Tuesday after the Edwardsville Police Department received a report Monday that had a sexual relationship with a teenager. Bear struck and killed on I-55 near Festus The Madison County State's Attorney's Office says Hamilton-Foley “held a position of trust, authority or supervision” in relation to a 17-year-old victim, “being that she was an assistant principal… and his assigned mentor.”“It is a crime when adults in positions of trust, authority and supervision over our youths – let alone their own students – manipulate that power dynamic for sex,” said Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine. “We take such crimes seriously, and prosecute them accordingly. Such actions undermine confidence in our schools and tea...

Burglars break into St. Charles County vending business

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

FORISTELL, Mo. -- St. Charles County Police are asking for the public's help to find several burglars. They broke into Best Vending on Highway T on 4/9/2023 at around 1:30 a.m. He stole cash, a box truck, and snacks.Police believe that tow to three people were involved in this crime. They only have footage of one masked man.Call St. Charles County Detective Samantha Brown if you recognize him or have any information in this crime. Her phone number is 636-949-3000 ext. 2630.

The largest pet festival in the Midwest took over Tower Grove Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

Bark in the Park returned for their 28th anniversary, but this time in Tower Grove Park.This fun-filled day on Saturday, May 20th had a variety of activities for owners and their four-legged friends to enjoy. Bark in the Park raised over $97,000 for the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force, a team that works 24/7 to help animals in need.