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Commission studies climate, culture in Missouri classrooms to combat teacher shortage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - With the start of the school year just weeks away, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations says districts are still struggling to find teachers. For more than a year, lawmakers, business leaders and educators have been researching what can be done to combat the teacher shortage. Last year, the focus was on teacher pay. Now, the commission is pivoting to culture and climate and the impact it's having in the classroom.  Mayor’s driveway: Expired plates and dealer tags "The stress of having to manage a classroom with more students exhibiting challenging behaviors, that seems to be sort of at the heart of the burnout," said Sen. Lauren Arthur, (D-Kansas City).A lack of educators been an ongoing struggle for years. It's why the State Board of Education created a Blue Ribbon Commission to study recruitment and retention. "I think we're going to see more teachers leaving if we don't get them the support that they need now," said Rep. Ingrid Bu...

Mike Johnston hires chief of staff as he prepares to take over Denver mayor’s office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Denver Mayor-elect Mike Johnston has announced the first high-profile hire for his incoming administration naming  Jenn Ridder, a veteran organizer of Democratic political campaigns, his chief of staff.Johnston announced Ridder’s hire on Friday. The incoming mayor called Ridder a dedicated public servant who is committed to his agenda of building a more equitable and vibrant city. She was a senior advisor to his successful mayoral run, according to a news release.“As we confront both big challenges and big opportunities, there’s no one better to help us steer the ship than Jenn,” Johnston said in a statement.Ridder, 35, is from Denver, graduating from East High School in 2005. The news release announcing her role in the incoming administration highlighted her love for skiing.Courtesy of Jenn RidderJenn Ridder will be Mike Johnston’s chief of staff after he takes to oath to be Denver mayor on Monday, July 17.Ridder’s professional background is in working...

At least one structure destroyed, evacuations issued as Reche Fire burns near Moreno Valley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

At least one structure was destroyed after a brush fire broke out in Moreno Valley Friday and evacuations have been issued, officials said.The Reche Fire was first reported in the 900 block of Reche Canyon Road in an unincorporated area of Moreno Valley, according to Cal Fire.The fire quickly grew from 5 to 50 acres. By 4:30 p.m., officials said it had burned 385 acres and was 0% contained.A burro grazes as flames get dangerously close during the Reche Fire in the Moreno Valley area on July 14, 2023. (OnScene.TV) At least one structure has been destroyed by the fire as flames got dangerous close to burros in the area, video from the scene showed.Northbound Perris Boulevard is closed at Heacock Avenue, Cal Fire officials said.An evacuation order was issued for the area south of Reche Canyon Road, west of Locust/Trust, north of Alta Vista and east of Reche Vista Drive/Perris Boulevard. Additionally an evacuation warning is in place for the area north of Ironwood, east of Perris Boulev...

Fast-moving wildfire breaks out in Riverside County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Firefighters are responding to a fast-moving wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on Friday.Named the “Rabbit Fire,” the brush fire is located near Gilman Springs Road and Jackrabbit Trail and ignited shortly before 4 p.m.The flames have spread to around 10 acres and are continuing to grow. Located in a grass and brush-heavy area, no nearby structures appear to be threatened.Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Firefighters are responding to a wildfire that erupted in Moreno Valley on July 14, 2023. (KTLA)Details remain limited and Riverside County firefighters are responding to the scene.The Rabbit Fire is located near multiple brush fires that broke out in the Inland Empire on Friday afternoon.This developing story will be updated.

More than $1.5 billion is up for grabs as lottery jackpots increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

More than $1.5 billion is up for grabs as jackpots for three California Lottery draw games continue to increase heading into the weekend.The Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated $560 million, the Powerball jackpot is $875 million and the Super Lotto jackpot is $76 million. The current Mega Millions jackpot is the seventh-largest in the game’s history. Three California Lottery players become instant millionaires from Powerball ticket, scratcher games The California Lottery, created to provide supplemental funding for California public schools, has raised nearly $172.5 million from lottery ticket sales, officials said.“Lottery players are used to the excitement when a jackpot creeps up toward a billion dollars, and right now, this is triple the fun,” Carolyn Becker, a California Lottery spokesperson, said in a statement. “Each game sees a sales boost when competing jackpots climb; it’s common for players to buy tickets for all of them when one or more jackpots get this high, and to...

One Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 10 [Sacaton, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Car Accident on I-10 Left One FatalitySACATON, AZ (July 14, 2023) – Thursday evening, police responded to a deadly two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10.According to the authorities, they arrived at the eastbound lanes of the Interstate and found a vehicle slammed into the rear of a semi-truck.Furthermore, they found one unresponsive person upon arrival. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity has not yet been released.Meanwhile, authorities advised motorists that traffic flow in the area might be delayed. They alternatively used the exit near Nelson Road.At this time, the police have yet to identify the factors that caused the incident. Further investigations are still active.Sweet James sends out their heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of the victim who are grieving over the loss of their loved one.Losing a loved one in an accident can have devastating effects on the emotional and financial well-being of those left behind. Let the wrongful deat...

Iowa law banning almost all abortions goes into effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

By Hannah Fingerhut and Summer Ballantine | Associated PressDES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy was signed into law Friday, forcing clinics to scramble to arrange out-of-state care for many women whose access immediately ended as a judge considered whether to temporarily put a hold on the law.A court hearing took place Friday, but the judge said his ruling on whether to halt the new law as the courts assess its constitutionality will likely not come until Monday at the earliest.Barely a mile away, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law in front of 2,000 conservative Christians.The new legislation prohibits almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. That’s a dramatic shift for women in Iowa, where abortion had been legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States and t...

Motorist rescued after plunging off cliff near Davenport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

DAVENPORT – Crews on Friday rescued a motorist who went over a cliff near Davenport, Cal Fire said.The incident was reported around 2:35 p.m. on Highway 1 between Scott Creek Beach and Greyhound Rock, according to the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit.Crews were preparing to rappel down the cliff when a Cal Fire helicopter arrived and quickly pulled the motorist to safety, Cal Fire said. No one else was in the vehicle.The motorist was taken to an area hospital in critical condition, according to Cal Fire.VEHICLE OVER CLIFF: Around 2:35pm, a vehicle went down cliff 300ft between Scott Creek Beach & Greyhound Rock off Hwy 1 in @sccounty. Firefighters set up rope rescue, but Copter 106 out of Alma Helitack Base @calfireSCU was able to pull 1 patient from vehicle quickly. MORE pic.twitter.com/ZtlTZ8zFts— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) July 14, 2023Check back for updates.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Santa Clara pedestrian seriously injured after being hit by...

San Jose tenants protest rent hikes, conditions at affordable housing complexes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Margarito Gomez and his family have lived in the same San Jose one-bedroom apartment for 17 years, struggling to afford their home amid frequent rent increases and infrequent maintenance fixes. On Friday, they joined about 50 protesters seeking attention for the conditions and costs of their low-income housing.They carried posters saying “Housing is a human right!” and “No more rent increase!” as they marched around the Orchard Glen Apartment housing complex, focusing their attention on the low-income apartment complexes owned by real estate developer KDF Communities.The protesters demanded rent rollbacks to June 2022 rates, updated appliances, renovation of common areas, better quality repairs and improved security. They sent a letter to KDF Communities with their demands and said they would take their protest to City Hall on Aug. 11 if they do not receive a response within two weeks.Gomez, 64, who is retired from construction work, lives in the apartment wi...

Letters: Fremont pride | Rewarding service | Merit not birth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.New Fremont parkis a source of prideSomething wonderful has happened in Fremont. A vacant building in a neglected neighborhood has become a happy and healthy place where neighbors are now meeting.Dusterberry Neighborhood Park is a magical place. My wife and I passed by to see the new park and we were amazed to see kids playing, families visiting, and seniors strolling or simply sitting on a bench. It’s as if the moment the ribbon was cut July 7, life and happiness gathered and flourished.Kudos to our Parks Department and everyone involved. I’m so proud to live in Fremont.Larry DavickFremontGrand jury service isa rewarding endeavorRe: Grand Jury insert, July 9.I recently concluded my one-year term as a civil grand juror for Contra Costa County. The Civil Grand Jury is not a courtroom jury.  Instead of listening to a trial and deliberating, the 19 members of the Civil Grand Jury investigate and report on t...