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DeSantis signs bill expanding state voucher program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

Governor Ron DeSantis made another bold move in the realm of education Monday, signing a controversial bill that expands the state’s voucher program. The Universal School Choice Legislation, as it’s called, will make state funds available to all students in Florida who wish to attend a private school, regardless of their income or ability.DeSantis signed the bill at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami during a news conference where he defended his decision. “The fact of the matter is our school districts perform better because they’ve embraced choice,” he said. “Our charter schools perform better because they have to compete for individual students. They’re not entitled to get anybody as a charter school and of course having private schools that can service the needs of parents so that a parent will take that scholarship and say, ‘You know what, I want to go to this particular school because of what they’re offering.’...

‘I feel surrounded with love’: Students raise over $30,000 for beloved lunch lady with ovarian cancer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A Drake University dining hall cashier is discovering just how much her student customers love her.“Brian, how are you?” shouts Marietta Jackson to a student heading in for lunch.When was the last time a lunch lady greeted you by name?“Hi, Anthony. How are you?” as another favorite student enters the dining hall.Jackson is no ordinary lunch lady. For 15 years, she’s been a powerful light that brightens the Hubbell Dining Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on the campus of Drake University. She makes everybody that passes her cashier station feel right at home.Pep rally held for beloved lunch lady “She is an amazing woman. She is always so kind. She takes care of us and always makes you feel special,” said Drake student Chris Davis.Jackson says with a laugh, “They love me. I love them. I’m their mom away from home.”“She knows everybody’s name. She lights up your day. Makes you feel welcome. You would never guess she is going through what she is goin...

Flags ordered to half-staff to honor 7 dead in plant blast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — The governor of Pennsylvania has ordered commonwealth flags flown at half-staff in honor of seven people whose bodies were recovered from the site of a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory.“West Reading, we stand with you — and we’ll continue to provide all of the support your community needs,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a Twitter post Monday, referring to the borough about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia where the R.M. Palmer Co. plant blast occurred at about 5 p.m. Friday.West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag, in a statement Sunday night, called it “a devastating loss” but said “we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days.”The Berks County coroner’s office on Monday morning identified two of the victims as 49-year-old Amy Sandoe of Ephrata and 60-year-old Domingo Cruz of Reading and said “additional forensic medical examinations” would be needed to positively identify the other five victims. Autops...

3 children killed in shooting at Nashville private school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Three children were killed in a shooting at a private Christian grade school in Nashville on Monday, hospital officials said. The suspect is also dead after a confrontation with police.All three children had gunshot wounds, officials said. They were pronounced dead upon arrival at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.It was not immediately clear whether anyone else was wounded in the attack.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A shooting at a private Christian grade school in Nashville wounded several people Monday, but their conditions were not immediately known, authorities said. The suspect is dead after a confrontation with police.The shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school for about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade. Students walked to safety Monday, holding hands as they left their school surrounded by police cars, to a nearby church to reunited with their par...

Finland on course for NATO membership after Hungarian vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

The Hungarian parliament ratified Finland’s NATO membership on Monday, putting Helsinki one step closer to joining the alliance but leaving Sweden waiting in the wings. Members of Hungary’s parliament voted by a margin of 182 to 6 in favor of Finnish accession.Helsinki now only needs the Turkish parliament’s approval — expected soon — to become a NATO member. Hungary’s move comes after repeated delays and political U-turns. Hungarian officials spent months telling counterparts they had no objections and their parliament was simply busy with other business. Budapest then changed its narrative last month, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — who has an iron grip over his ruling Fidesz party — arguing the point that some of his legislators had qualms regarding criticism of the state of Hungarian democracy. Finland and Sweden have been at the forefront of safeguarding democratic standards in Hungary, speaking out on the matter long before many of their c...

France braces for another day of mayhem and violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

PARIS — France is bracing for fresh chaos Tuesday with a day of protests planned against Emmanuel Macron’s detested pensions reform, and trade unions calling for a general strike.Protests last Thursday descended into turmoil with clashes between police and protesters, and scenes of violence across the country. In the wake of the unrest, which resulted in more than 450 arrests, the French president was forced to cancel a state visit by King Charles III amid security concerns.Public transport, universities, schools and public services are expected to be disrupted again Tuesday. The impact of the industrial action is being felt across all sectors and areas of public life. A rolling strike of waste collectors in Paris has meant that trash is still piled high in parts of the French capital, and a strike at refineries has led to fuel shortages at some petrol pumps.Despite widespread unrest, the French president pledged last week that he would not backtrack on the pensions reform which rai...

Patriots owner Robert Kraft launches antisemitism campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft faced the camera during a video call, pointing to a small, sky-blue lapel pin on his blazer.The pin is the symbol of a $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign launched Monday by the 81-year-old billionaire through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, aiming to raise awareness nationwide about soaring incidents of antisemitism online and in person. The campaign will feature emotive ads to be introduced by stars of top television shows such as NBC’s “The Voice,” and the “Kelly Clarkson Show,” and Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”“This little blue square represents the Jewish population in the United States – 2.4%,” said Kraft, who was raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, in an observant Orthodox Jewish family. “But we’re the victims of 55% of the hate crimes in this country.”The ads are intended to tug at the heartstrings of non-Jewish Americans, said Matthew Berger, the foundation’s executive director. One o...

2 firefighters injured in blaze at Ayer home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

Two firefighters were injured in a blaze on Wright Road in Ayer Monday morning. Officials say the fire broke out around 8:30 a.m. Firefighters were called in from surrounding towns to help battle the large flames. All the people who live in the home got out safely. Two firefighters are being treated for minor injuries and are expected to be okay. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Bill Belichick deflects questions on Bill O’Brien, Joe Judge and Patriots’ coaching changes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

In his first press conference of the offseason, Patriots coach Bill Belichick fielded dozens of questions about the state of the team Monday, including his remade coaching staff.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick offers 4-word explanation why should Patriots fans be optimistic New England Patriots | Broncos head coach Sean Payton nixes Jerry Jeudy trade talk New England Patriots | Time for a little Q & A with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick New England Patriots | NFL Notes: Re-setting Patriots roster needs with an eye toward the draft New England Patriots | Ex-Patriots WR Nelson Agholor signing 1-year deal with AFC rival In January, the Patriots hired Bill O’Brien to replace both Matt Patricia as the team’s offensive play-caller and Joe Judge as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Adrian Klemm, formerly an assistant at the University of Oregon and with the Steelers,...

Orioles one of six MLB teams to debut City Connect uniforms in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:45 GMT

The Orioles will be one of six Major League Baseball teams in 2023 to debut new City Connect uniforms, the league announced Monday.The Orioles will first play in the new threads May 26 against the Texas Rangers.City Connect is an MLB initiative for teams to have alternate uniforms based on aspects unique to each city. After this season, 20 of 30 MLB teams will have City Connect uniforms.The other teams scheduled to debut the alternates this year are the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Rangers.The Braves, the first team scheduled to play in their City Connects, released the design Monday. The jerseys are white with blue sleeves to honor the one Hank Aaron wore when he hit home run No. 715 to break Babe Ruth’s record.Last season, the Washington Nationals were one of seven teams to debut City Connects, with the gray and pink uniforms inspired by the cherry blossoms in Washington.The Orioles will become the second American League East club...