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Black and Latino students lack access to certified teachers and advanced classes, US data shows

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s Black and Latino students are at a disadvantage in nearly every measure of educational opportunity, with less access to advanced classes, counselors and even certified teachers, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Education Department.The findings reflect inequities that have lasting implications for students’ ability to learn effectively, go on to college and earn degrees.“In America, talent and creativity can come from anywhere, but only if we provide equitable educational opportunities to students everywhere,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said. The data was released as part of the Civil Rights Data Collection, a federal survey of nearly every public school in the nation. It was gathered during the 2020-2021 school year, when many schools remained at least partially closed for the COVID-19 pandemic. America’s education system has long had deep educational disparities. Nearly seven decades after the Supreme Court ordered sc...

Moms for Liberty removes two Kentucky chapter leaders who posed with far-right Proud Boys

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Moms for Liberty says it has removed two Kentucky chapter chairs from leadership positions after the women posed in photos with members of the far-right group the Proud Boys, one of several controversies that the conservative “parental rights” nonprofit has fended off in its rise to national prominence in public education.The two women, who had led local chapters in Boone and Campbell counties near the Ohio border, appeared in photos with several men dressed in yellow and black Proud Boys clothing at a Nov. 4 rally in Frankfort, the Kentucky capital. The photos, posted on Facebook by another attendee, show the women smiling in Moms for Liberty clothing, as one helps to hold up a flag that reads, “Appalachian Proud Boys Kentucky.” The former chapter chairs were removed because they “demonstrated a lack of judgement and misalignment with our core values,” the national Moms for Liberty organization posted Tuesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter...

Historic wreckage of plane discovered near Kamloops, B.C.: report

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The wreckage of a plane that authorities believe is decades old has been found south of Kamloops, B.C. The Transportation Safety Board says in a statement that it was made aware of the wreck and investigators have been in contact with Kamloops RCMP. It says it hasn’t identified which aircraft was involved in the crash. A notice on the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System says a hunter reached out to the Kamloops flight information centre after finding the downed aircraft. The notice says RCMP responded and verified the wreckage was at least 20 to 25 years old. It says there was no registration or other identifying marks visible on the wreck. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2023. The Canadian Press

New Hampshire defies national Democrats’ calendar revamp with Jan. 23, 2024, presidential primaries

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s secretary of state on Wednesday scheduled the state’s presidential primaries for Jan. 23, 2024, extending its century-old streak of going first despite national Democrats’ efforts to overhaul the nominating calendar.State law requires New Hampshire’s Republican and Democratic primaries to be held at least seven days before any similar contest and gives the secretary of state sole authority to set the date. Like his predecessor did for decades, Secretary of State David Scanlan, a Republican, waited for the dust to settle in other states before announcing his decision.Republicans will kick off the nominating process with the Iowa caucus on Jan. 15, 2024. New Hampshire’s primary eight days later will be a crucial opportunity for GOP candidates to show they can remain competitive against former President Donald Trump, the early front-runner for their party’s presidential nomination. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in particular has put New Hamp...

UNESCO urges Cambodia not to forcibly evict residents of Angkor Wat temple complex

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

PARIS (AP) — UNESCO is urging Cambodian authorities not to carry out forced evictions at the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex, after Amnesty International detailed the impact on evicted residents and accused the U.N. cultural agency of failing to challenge the Cambodian government over the issue.UNESCO has now ordered Cambodia to submit a new report on the state of conservation of Angkor Wat by Feb. 1, and says that it should include a response to Amnesty’s findings. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said Wednesday that living conditions for residents at the World Heritage site are a ‘’priority.”Amnesty said in a report Tuesday that the evictions of an estimated 10,000 families by Cambodian authorities since last year violated international and national law. It said that the evicted people have received little or no compensation and that the government’s two main resettlement sites have inadequate facilities in terms of roads, water and electricity supplies and sanitati...

Nikki Haley walks back her demand that social media ban anonymous posters after facing GOP backlash

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley on Wednesday partially walked back her proposed requirement that social media companies ban people from posting anonymously online for national security reasons, a stance for which she drew backlash from across conservative social media and some of her GOP presidential rivals.The former United Nations ambassador’s comments Tuesday to Fox News were quickly spread by the campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Both Haley and DeSantis are trying to resonate with GOP constituencies including parents worried for their children’s online safety as well as voters fearful of China’s influence in U.S. affairs. As they try to battle for a distant second place behind former President Donald Trump, Haley and DeSantis have accused each other of being weak on China in particular. “Every person on social media should be verified by their name. It’s a national security threat,” Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, said Tuesday on F...

Senate looks to speed ahead on temporary funding to avert government shutdown through the holidays

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate was pushing toward a swift vote Wednesday on a temporary government funding package as lawmakers sought to keep the holiday season free from any suspense over a government shutdown.Senators were trying to speed forward on the funding package one day after it passed the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. Passage would push a final confrontation on the government budget into the new year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, both top Republicans and Democrats in the Senate appeared ready to avert a shutdown and pass the temporary funding patch well before government funding expires Saturday.“No drama, no delay, no government shutdown. That’s our goal,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday morning.Senators were still negotiating how the bill could advance through the chamber, but Republican Whip ...

Anti-Cruelty Society asking for help to find 'Elvis' forever home after he's only dog not adopted

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

CHICAGO — The Anti-Cruelty Society is asking for help to find one of their beloved dogs a forever home.The animal shelter held a "Fall in Love" adoption event over the weekend where 61 pets found new families. Sadly, Elvis was not one of those animals.The shelter says Elvis was the only dog who did not find a family during the event. But with your help, the Anti-Cruelty Society is hoping to change that.Elvis is decribed to be an adorable and sweet 3-year-old pup who was originally brought to the shelter by the Field Services team as a stray dog. The shelter says he was limping and after a veterinarian took X-rays, they learned that he had a fractured pelvis. While in the River North shelter, Elvis underwent therapy and care, but he will still be prone to arthritis as he ages, according to the Anti-Cruelty Society.The shelter says Elvis has an incredibly affectionate personality, loves to cuddle and would do best as the only pet in the home. He is also potty-trained, crate-trained, a...

Suburban woman sues Frontier Airlines over damaged wheelchair

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

CHICAGO — A suburban woman is taking legal action against Frontier Airline over a damaged wheelchair.Last year, Shannon O'Brien was flying home from the Dominican Republic — but when she landed, her wheelchair was not on board.She said it was returned days later and badly damaged.O'Brien said during that time, she was bedridden until the wheelchair arrived, describing the wait as more than an inconvenience."My wheelchair is my legs. Without that, I can't be independent or successful," O'Brien said.She said she is completely dependent on the wheelchair due to a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which causes O’Brien to have minimal movement in her arms and legs. She needs the wheelchair to move, get to work and get around.On behalf of O'Brien, her attorney is suing Frontier Airlines for negligence, alleging physical and emotional injuries. He said this lawsuit is the first step in an effort to improve travel experiences for people in wheelchairs. Reward up to $150K off...

Video show terrifying moments as Bahamas tour boat sinks; US tourist dead

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:39:06 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A video shows the terrifying moments a ferry carrying tourists heading to Blue Lagoon in the Bahamas sunk Tuesday at around 10:30 a.m. A 74-year-old woman from Broomfield, Colorado, was killed, police confirmed to The Associated Press. She had been on vacation with her family when the boat sank. According to local Bahamas news outlets, the Colorado woman was able to make it to land but died "as a result of the incident." The cause of her death is unknown. Two other people were hospitalized after the incident. Kelly Schissel, a passenger on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, was aboard the two-tier ferry with over 100 other people heading to Blue Lagoon when she noticed something was wrong. Frontier Airlines launches $499 ‘all-you-can-fly’ annual pass Schissel said she was on the top deck when she heard people "freaking out" and saw water coming into the boat after the boat took a sharp turn."Well the Bahamas is off to a fun start… our ferry went dow...