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Walters: Pandemic closures weakened low-achieving California schools

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom is fond of rattling off statistics that prove, he claims, California’s enviable status as a national, or even global, leader in all things wonderful.He tends, however, to cherry pick his numbers rather than provide a full picture, as a recent Sacramento Bee analysis of his economic assertions on national television demonstrates.However, there’s one aspect of California society – perhaps its most important – that Newsom excludes from his episodes of braggadocio: how the state is educating nearly 6 million public school students.The sad fact is that California’s students fare poorly vis-à-vis those of other states when it comes to basic skills in language and mathematics, as underscored in a newly published report by the Public Policy Institute of California.California kids were lagging behind even before Newsom and other officials shut down schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and, the PPIC studies show, educational proficiency plummeted during the closures.When sta...

‘Pokemon Go’ marks 7th anniversary with a run-it-back celebration

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

“Pokemon Go” is in a weird place on its 7th anniversary. A few controversial moves have led some veteran players to leave the game, while at the same time, it’s looking to regain momentum that it has lost as its pandemic boost fades.Right now, it feels as if “Pokemon Go” has been treading water while the developer, Niantic, closes studios, reshuffles staff and closes projects such as “NBA All-World” and cancels others games. In a letter sent to staff, Niantic CEO John Hanke said, “The top priority is to keep Pokémon GO healthy and growing as a forever game.”Perhaps, that will begin with the game’s 7th anniversary party. The event mainly focuses on Kanto region Pokemon that were released at the game’s launch. Players will have a chance of encountering the original starters — Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Charmander, all with party hats. Pikachu will have a cake hat from the previous year. Each day will feature a differ...

Forget the unpacking, it’s summer party time

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

A brand new home means summer weekends can be even brighter and happier than ever before. All that’s needed for unforgettable weekends in the new-home community is some willingness, a little creativity and openness to meeting the neighbors.Whether you want to host indoor-outdoor events to meet the neighbors, birthday parties for the kids or quiet couple’s nights by the fire pit, the new home is the place to be.In advance of the first get-together, don’t worry if you haven’t yet finished decorating the new home. Avoid the temptation to make everything look perfect just because it’s new.In fact, some people might feel relieved to be hosted by another new owner who’s not afraid to leave things a bit undone. Neighbors might even ask each other for tips on decorating, furniture configurations or indoor-outdoor entertaining arrangements.Block parties or park outings  Start with the builder and the homeowners association (HOA), if applicable, to learn how easy it can be to get neighbors to...

Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assist system gets closer look as US seeks details on recent changes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

FILE - A Tesla Supercharger is seen at Willow Festival shopping plaza parking lot, Aug. 10, 2022, in Northbrook, Ill. On Monday, May 15, 2023, Delaware’s Supreme Court overturned a judge’s ruling upholding a decision by state officials to prohibit electric vehicle maker Tesla from selling its cars directly to customers. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)(AP/Nam Y. Huh) FILE - A Tesla Supercharger is seen at Willow Festival shopping plaza parking lot, Aug. 10, 2022, in Northbrook, Ill. On Monday, May 15, 2023, Delaware’s Supreme Court overturned a judge’s ruling upholding a decision by state officials to prohibit electric vehicle maker Tesla from selling its cars directly to customers. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)(AP/Nam Y. Huh) ...

Is that a Jolly Ranger or something else? Feds crackdown on cannabis-infused products that can fool kids

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Federal authorities are responding against cannabis-infused snack foods that resemble popular snacks marketed for children.The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have sent cease and desist letters to six 6 companies, stating that the sale of edible cannabis products packaged to appear as popular snacks is deceptive and illegal.“Companies must ensure that their products are marketed safely and responsibly, especially when it comes to protecting the well-being of children,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.Products under scrutiny include Stoneos, which resemble Oreo cookies, plus others resembling Doritos, Cheetos, Jolly Rancher and Nerds candy.The FTC and FDA stress that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of THC and instances of illness and hospitalization have been reported after consuming such products.“That’s why we’re issuing warnings to several companies sel...

Maryland panel OKs $2.9M compensation for wrongfully convicted man who spent 32 years behind bars

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, center, talks to Treasurer Dereck Davis during a meeting of the Board of Public Works, which approved $2.9 million in compensation, Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Annapolis, Md., for John Huffington, who was wrongly imprisoned for 32 years, including a decade spent on death row, for two murders he did not commit. Comptroller Brooke Lierman, who is a board member with Moore and Davis, is seated right. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)(AP/Brian Witte) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, center, talks to Treasurer Dereck Davis during a meeting of the Board of Public Works, which approved $2.9 million in compensation, Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Annapolis, Md., for John Huffington, who was wrongly imprisoned for 32 years, including a decade spent on death row, for two m...

Identifican a la mujer conocida como “La dama del río Nation” casi cinco décadas después de encontrarla flotando en un río, según la Policía canadiense

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

(CNN) — La Policía canadiense identificó a una mujer conocida como “la dama del río Nation”, casi cinco décadas después de que desapareciera y fuera encontrada muerta flotando en un río de Ontario, informó la Policía.Jewell “Lalla” Langford, cuyo apellido de soltera era Parchman, había viajado a Montreal en abril de 1975, pero nunca regresó a casa y su familia denunció su desaparición, dijo este miércoles la Policía Provincial de Ontario en un comunicado de prensa.Según la Policía, Langford, de 48 años, era conocida como “La dama del río Nation”, por el río Nation, en el este de Ontario, donde se encontraron sus restos el 3 de mayo de 1975.Identifican los restos de una mujer hallados en Nevada en 1978 gracias a la tecnología avanzada de ADNEn marzo de 2022, sus restos fueron repatriados a EE.UU., tras lo cual se celebró un funeral y un entierro, según el comunicado.Langford había sido estrangulada con un cable de televisión plano recubierto ...

El uso excesivo de marihuana está vinculado a complicaciones quirúrgicas y muerte, según estudio

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

(CNN) — El uso clínico excesivo de marihuana está relacionado con una variedad de complicaciones después de una cirugía mayor electiva, que incluyen coágulos de sangre, accidente cerebrovascular, dificultades para respirar, problemas renales e incluso la muerte, encontró un nuevo estudio.“Nuestros hallazgos complementan estudios previos que han identificado asociaciones significativas entre los trastornos por consumo de cannabis y las complicaciones perioperatorias”, escribieron los autores del estudio en el informe. El equipo de investigación pertenece al departamento de anestesiología, cuidados intensivos y medicina del dolor de la Escuela de Medicina McGovern, parte del Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Texas en Houston.¿Por qué? Fumar marihuana afecta el flujo sanguíneo en el cerebro y el cuerpo, disminuye la respiración y la temperatura corporal, contribuye a los bloqueos de las vías respiratorias, aumenta la presión arterial, aumenta la frecuencia cardí...

Officer shoots at suspects targeting homeless encampments with fireworks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — One officer in Lakewood fired a shot at suspects who were allegedly throwing fireworks at homeless encampments on Colfax.The Lakewood Police Department tweeted about a large police presence in the area of Colfax and Teller just after 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The area is in the Edgewood neighborhood just west of Sloan's Lake Park.FOX31's Jim Hooley is on the scene and spoke with LPD who said at least two suspects were driving down Colfax and throwing lit fireworks at homeless encampments. One person without housing who was targeted by the fireworks threw a rock back at the suspects and broke the back window of their vehicle. Do you recognize this man? He’s accused of stealing bras and panties LPD said they arrived on scene and began speaking to the people in the homeless encampment. At that point, the suspect's vehicle returned to the area. According to LPD, an officer felt threatened and one round was fired at the car. No one was hit by the gunfire, and no injuries have...

Denver weather: Pinpoint Weather Alert Day for severe afternoon thunderstorms

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's weather will feature another chance for rain and thunderstorms on Thursday. Pinpoint Weather: Severe weather outlook on July 6. A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for thunderstorms that could become strong to severe Thursday afternoon. The main threats will be large hail that could be golf ball to tennis ball-sized, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, locally heavy rainfall and the possibility of tornadoes, especially east of Denver.Weather today: Morning fog, afternoon storms Dense fog advisories are in effect along the Interstate 25 corridor until 9 a.m. Thursday. Visibility at times could be less than one mile, so plan for extra travel time this morning and remember to use low-beam lights when driving through areas with low visibility due to fog. Officer opens fire at suspects targeting homeless encampments with fireworks Pinpoint Weather: Daily advisories on July 6.Morning fog will be followed by early afternoon sunshine, which will help temp...