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GOP states targeting diversity, equity efforts in higher ed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

Frustrated by college diversity initiatives he says are “fomenting radical and toxic divisions,” Texas state Rep. Carl Tepper set out to put an end to diversity, equity and inclusion offices in higher education. The freshman Republican lawmaker filed a bill to ban such offices. Three months later, he filed a new version of the legislation doing the same thing. The difference? Tepper switched the wording to align with a new model bill developed by the Manhattan Institute and Goldwater Institute, a pair of conservative think tanks based in New York and Arizona, respectively.Republican lawmakers in at least a dozen states have proposed more than 30 bills this year targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education, an Associated Press analysis found using the bill-tracking software Plural. The measures have become the latest flashpoint in a cultural battle involving race, ethnicity and gender that has been amplified by prominent Republicans, including former Presiden...

Officials respond after Missouri teen at wrong home is shot, prompting protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday addressed the shooting of a teenager allegedly by a homeowner after the 16-year-old visited the wrong home Thursday night.The city's chief of police and mayor as well as the Clay County prosecuting attorney gathered for a news conference that coincided with a protest organized by The People’s Coalition called “We Take Care of Our Own," held near the scene of the incident.Nearly 1,000 people marched to the home where 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot. Man dead in overnight shooting in Westport KCPD Chief Stacey Graves on Sunday promised a complete and thorough review.“I want everyone to know that I’m listening, and I understand the concern that we are receiving from the community,” Graves said. “The information that we have now, it does not say that it’s racially motivated," Graves said. "That’s still an active investigation, but as a chief of police, I do recognize the racial components of this case. I do r...

Backstory: An ode to wiffle ball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

In this piece from Backstory, Larry Potash gives us an ode to that sport of backyards and schoolyards — wiffle ball — seen through the eyes of a Chicago family that’s been playing each other for 30 years.Backstory airs Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and Sunday nights at 11 p.m. on WGN-TV and on the WGN+ app, available on Amazon, Roku, Apple TV, and any smart TV. Check out the Backstory podcast at WGNtv.com/Backstory via Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Here's what it takes to be middle class

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

(The Hill) – What does it take to be middle class? Roughly $82,000 a year in household income in San Francisco, $74,000 in Seattle and $60,000 in Washington, D.C., a new study says, but only $24,000 in Cleveland. Researchers at SmartAsset, the consumer finance site, tabulated the low and high end of middle-class salaries in 100 large cities and every state.  The analysis adopts a Pew Research Center definition of middle class: Americans whose incomes range from two-thirds to two times the median household income. (Pew also offers a nifty “Are you in the American middle class?” income calculator.) By applying Pew’s multiplier to city and state medians, the SmartAsset report reveals an income spread that defines what it means to be middle class in different parts of the United States.  These airlines have lost, damaged the most luggage: data “America’s middle class has many different faces,” said Jaclyn DeJohn, managing editor of economic analysis at SmartAsset. ...

This Georgetown neighborhood didn't want to clear-cut trees. The solution? Goats.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Toward the end of an old deer path leading down to the South Fork of Georgetown's San Gabriel River rests a herd of about 80 animals you wouldn't normally expect to see there. Goats.After three days on the job in the Wolf Ranch neighborhood, the herd took a late-morning break before resuming its work clearcutting the vegetation. Rather than bringing in heavy machinery or herbicides, the goats' teeth act as weedeaters; their manure as organic fertilizer. Goats resting near the San Gabriel River in Georgetown, Texas.Kyle Carr is the owner of Rent-A-Ruminant Texas. He brought the goats in after the neighborhood contacted him, telling him some of the property's natural space was getting overgrown, and they wanted help clearing it up for families to enjoy."We're dealing with different terrain, lots of hills and slopes," he said. "There are also rocky areas, and we're very close to a waterway. So (we're) using goats that are just designed to go into these types...

Trial starts for Georgetown man charged in connection to wife's disappearance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A jury trial begins Monday in the murder case of Julie Hall, who was charged in 2021 in connection to his wife's disappearance. Travis Hall, 50, faces murder and tampering with evidence charges in the disappearance of his wife, Julie Hall. PREVIOUS: Georgetown husband facing murder charge after investigation into wife’s disappearance Julie was reported missing in February 2021 after she was last seen at her apartment and did not show up to work as a Hutto ISD special education aide. Julie Hall (Georgetown PD Photo)The arrest affidavit said Hall lied multiple times about Julie's whereabouts and his actions leading up to and after her disappearance. The affidavit also said Hall deleted texts from his phone that detailed an affair he was having, and he used Julie's phone to send texts to lie about her status to her family. Texas Rangers also found a handwritten letter in the couple's apartment that said “I’m sorry! I killed your mother in her sleep.” The l...

Waterford Police looking for missing teen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

WATERFORD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Waterford Police are asking the public for assistance in looking for a missing 15-year-old girl. Lillian Bonhotel has been missing since April 14, according to Waterford Police. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Bonhotel stands at about 5'4" and weighs 100 pounds, according to police. She has brown hair with some pink in the front of her hair. She has brown eyes. Police say she was believed to be wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, gray leggings, pink Crocs, and possibly a black hoodie with a dark-colored backpack. Image of Bonhotel via Waterford PolicePolice say she was reportedly seen in areas of Colonie, Cohoes, and Waterford since she went missing. Police also say there have been reported sightings of her walking with a male teenager with bushy, blonde hair. Mont Pleasant Middle School students redirected amid bomb threat Anyone with information on Lillian's whereabouts is encouraged to contac...

Mont Pleasant Middle School students redirected amid bomb threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department and surrounding agencies are investigating a bomb threat received by Mont Pleasant Middle School. Police say at this time the school is unoccupied and students have safely been redirected to other Schenectady City School buildings. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say a thorough search is being conducted by officers and K9 units. Stick with News10 as more information on this incident becomes available.

Photos - Tornado damage in Hecker, Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

HECKER, Ill. -- An EF-1 tornado hit portions of Hecker, Illinois Saturday night. Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX Helicopter was above the town Monday morning. Storm damage is still visible with uprooted trees, roof torn off buildings, and homes missing walls.The fire department said 10 homes had moderate damage in Hecker, but nearly half of the homes in town either had shingles missing or trees uprooted. It’s going to take some time to put the town back together, but luckily no one was hurt.Preliminary assessments from the National Weather Service (NWS) show at least seven tornadoes touched down in areas south of St. Louis and across the river in Illinois on Saturday, up from earlier reports.

Officers investigating possible shooting and stabbing at Florissant business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:43 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A possible shooting and stabbing took place overnight outside a business in Florissant. It happened after midnight at "Al's Place," that's a bar and restaurant on Highway 67. More information from police about possible injuries has not yet been revealed.   Top Story: 7 tornadoes hit St. Louis region Saturday, National Weather Service says The glass on the front door was broken and police were searching the parking lot for shell casings. At least two people were taken into custody. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.