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Why are millions of kids missing weeks of school across US?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — When in-person school resumed after pandemic closures, Rousmery Negrón and her 11-year-old son both noticed a change: School seemed less welcoming.Parents were no longer allowed in the building without appointments, she said, and punishments were more severe. Everyone seemed less tolerant, more angry. Negrón's son told her he overheard a teacher mocking his learning disabilities, calling him an ugly name.Her son didn’t want to go to school anymore. And she didn’t feel he was safe there.He would end up missing more than five months of sixth grade.Across the country, students have been absent at record rates since schools reopened during the pandemic. More than a quarter of students missed at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year, making them chronically absent, according to the most recent data available. Before the pandemic, only 15% of students missed that much school.All told, an estimated 6.5 million additional students became chronically a...

Suicide rate hits all-time high in US last year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data posted Thursday.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which posted the numbers, has not yet calculated a suicide rate for the year, but available data suggests suicides are more common in the U.S. than at any time since the dawn of World War II.“There's something wrong. The number should not be going up,” said Christina Wilbur, a 45-year-old Florida woman whose son shot himself to death last year.“My son should not have died,” she said. "I know it's complicated, I really do. But we have to be able to do something. Something that we're not doing. Because whatever we're doing right now is not helping."Experts caution that suicide is complicated and that recent increases might be driven by a range of factors, including higher rates of depression and limited availability of mental health services.But a main driver is the growing availab...

Popular kiwi brand recalled in 14 states, including Illinois, over listeria threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A large fruit distributor has issued a voluntary recall for one-pound packages of kiwifruit.The fruit, sold under brand name Zespri, is being recalled by David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC due to possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious infection and illness. The recalled kiwi was grown in New Zealand and repacked for sale in North America by Zespri. The issue was detected after the Kentucky Department for Public Health conducted routine sampling on July 7. As of August 8, there had been no illnesses reported. (Courtesy of FDA)The recalled products were shipped between June 14 and July 7 and sold at retail locations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.Affected packages are printed with the UPC number 8 18849 02009 3, and the individual kiwifruit bear stickers with the code 9400 9552, according to an FDA ...

'Nothing left': Future unclear for residents who lost it all in Maui fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Retired mailman and Vietnam veteran Thomas Leonard lived in the historic former capital of Hawaii for 44 years until this week, when a rapidly moving wildfire burned down his apartment, melted his Jeep and forced him to spend four terrifying hours hiding from the flames behind a seawall.“I’ve got nothing left,” Leonard said Thursday as he sat on an inflatable mattress outside a shelter for those who fled the blaze that decimated the town of Lahaina. “I’m a disabled vet, so now I’m a homeless vet,” he added with a small laugh. Maui residents had little warning before flames hit town. At least 55 people died The fire that tore across the coastal Maui town and caught many by surprise has already claimed dozens of lives — a toll expected to climb — and burned more than 1,000 buildings. It has turned a centuries-old hamlet beloved by travelers and locals alike into a charred, desolate landscape.The devastation has resonated worldwide in part because tourists from...

'7 out of 10' homes have drought foundation problems

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the best type of grass for the Central Texas climate.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Drought has already been a contributing factor in our recent increase in wildfires, but more problems may be developing under your feet. What are the best grasses for Central Texas homes? The lack of rain in Central Texas is creating a shift in the earth below. Soil is contracting, drying up and pulling away from homes, leaving the foundation with room to move.Grass and soil pulling away from the foundation during drought in August 2023Steps separating from the soil outside of a Georgetown homeThat movement could cause either plumbing issues or cracks in the foundation.Joshua Trevino with G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair said fixing a shifted foundation could range from $10K to $50K depending on the severity. KXAN asked Trevino about the scope of that problem right now in Central Texas."It's pretty huge," Trevino said.It's not just homes that are having issues becaus...

Austin Public Libraries closed Friday; Cooling Centers impacted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin-Travis County EMS said Thursday all Austin Public Libraries would be closed on Friday, impacting cooling center locations across the city. ATCEMS said the libraries will be closed for staff training. Because of the closure, only one of the libraries will be available as a Cooling Center. The Terrazas Branch Library will be available as a cooling center from 12 to 8 p.m. on Friday, ATCEMS said. According ATCEMS, the libraries will reopen on Saturday.Here is a link to a map of the cooling centers that will be open on Friday.

ACSO: Rochester man accused of stealing rental car from Albany International Airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Rochester man was arrested on Thursday and is accused of stealing a rental car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the Albany International Airport. Antoine Witcher, 28, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, deputies from the Albany County Sheriff's Office responded to the rental car garage at Albany International for a report of a rental car in the process of being stolen. Deputies say Enterprise representatives claimed a Blue 2022 GMC Terrain was stolen from their rental inventory.With the help of OnStar, deputies were able to track the car after further investigation. Deputies say while talking to OnStar, they received "live information" and relayed it to the New York State Police working on the New York State Thruway. Car flips, one hospitalized in Shaftsbury crash Law enforcement says the car was located and stopped safely. The driver, identified a...

Illinois State Fair continues today after Thursday rain shut down rides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill - Hundreds showed up for the opening day of the Illinois State Fair on Thursday, but some were surprised to find that a lot of the rides were closed. The Illinois Department of Labor shared that due to the heavy rain on Wednesday, they weren't able to finish inspecting the rides.'Losing that whole day, the day before the fair, meant that a huge number of inspections couldn't happen, and we had to push a lot to today," explained. "So we're getting them all done today, making sure that every single ride, even if it's been permitted earlier in the year, gets a fresh inspection right before the fair. We wanted to just in an abundance have caution and make sure that we operate as safely as possible." St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases The fair continues Friday with Agriculture Day, where Illinois' farmers are highlighted for their work. Saturday is 'Kids Day,' so children 12 and under can get in free.Sunday is also 'Veteran'...

Mid-America Carpenters Union's Apprenticeship Program holding first graduation in 20 years today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Mid-America Carpenters Union's Apprenticeship Program is holding its first graduation in over 20 years Friday.They completed four years of classroom work and on-the-job instruction. Program leaders say there are half a million unfilled trade jobs in the U.S. due to many schools not discussing apprenticeships and encouraging students to go to college for other career options. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases They say union carpenters are the highest-paid workers in the construction industry and can receive their 4-year training free of charge.This year's graduates will receive their certificates at Union Station at 6:00 p.m.

'Tunnel to Towers Holes Fore Heroes' Golf Classic tees off today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:43:59 GMT

WATERLOO, Ill. - The 4th annual 'Tunnel to Towers Holes Fore Heroes' Golf Classic tees off Friday in Waterloo, Illinois.The event supports the 'Tunnel to Towers Foundation' and its mission to provide mortgage free smart homes to injured veterans and first responders. They also provide homes to gold star and fallen first responder families. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases During the classic, the 'Hero to Hero' Award will be given to honor someone local in the community who has made the ultimate sacrifice, either serving the country or the community. The golf classic starts Friday at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Annbriar Golf Course.