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Texas Tribune, ProPublica give detailed analysis of Uvalde mass shooting response

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language.AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- The children hid. They dropped to the floor, crouching under desks and countertops, far from the windows. They lined up against the walls, avoiding the elementary school doors that separated them from a mass shooter about a decade older than them. Some held up the blunted scissors that they often used to cut shapes as they prepared to fight. A few grabbed bloodied phones and dialed 911. And as students across the country have been instructed for years, they remained quiet, impossibly quiet. At times, they hushed classmates who screamed in agony from the bullets that tore through their small bodies.Then, they waited. Waited for the adults, whom they could hear in the hallway. If they were just patient, those adults would save them.Hundreds of law enforcement officers descended on Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, that day in May 2022. They, too, waited. They waited for someone, anyone, to tell them wha...

New report finds US is losing in science, technology

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Leaders with the Science & Technology Action Committee (STAC) warn the United States is losing the race for global leadership in science and technology."The State of Science in America" report surveyed workers in five key sectors including health care, K-12 education, STEM, military/national security and business.“The biggest takeaway that I took from it was that there's a worry amongst this group of folks who are working in professions. Health care and education, the military, all of whom think that the United States is on a path or has already lost its competitive edge in science and technology," said Sudip Parikh with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.The STAC analysis looked into the obstacles it said are keeping the country from advancing in science and technology.“The number one thing that almost all of the sectors of workers identified is education, K-12 education,” said Parikh.“We have to do a better job of educating our children. If...

Teen pleads guilty to role in St. Paul homicide that prompted ‘no knock’ warrant at Amir Locke’s apartment complex

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

A teen has pleaded guilty to being an accomplice after the fact in last year’s murder of Otis Elder in St. Paul, a killing that prompted Minneapolis police to carry out a “no knock” search warrant in which Amir Locke was fatally shot by an officer.Feysal Jama Ali, 18, of Minneapolis, entered the plea to the added charge Monday in Ramsey County District Court in connection with the killing of Otis Elder, a 38-year-old father who was shot during a suspected marijuana robbery or attempted robbery on Jan. 10, 2022. He died a half-hour later at Regions Hospital of a gunshot wound to the back.In exchange for the plea, two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder will be dismissed at Ali’s sentencing, which is scheduled for March 27. Ali will be sentenced to a four-year prison term, with credit for time already served, the plea petition states.Locke’s cousin, Mekhi Camden Speed, then 17, shot Elder as he sat in his Chevrolet Tahoe in the 500 block of North Prior Avenu...

David French: It’s time to fix America’s most dangerous law

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

There is a land mine embedded in the United States Code, one that Donald Trump, if reelected president, could use to destroy our republic. But it’s not too late for Congress to defuse the mine now and protect America.I’m talking about the Insurrection Act, a federal law that permits the president to deploy military troops in American communities to effectively act as a domestic police force under his direct command. In theory, there is a need for a well-drafted law that permits the use of federal troops in extreme circumstances to maintain order and protect the rule of law. The Insurrection Act, which dates back to 1792 but has since been amended, is not, however, well-drafted. And its flaws would give Trump enormous latitude to wield the staggering power of the state against his domestic political enemies.These flaws are especially relevant because Trump and his allies are keenly aware of the act’s provisions and have long expressed interest in its use. Trump has publicly regretted...

Chris Churchill: Schumer calls out antisemitism on his own side

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

It is depressingly easy to find examples of politicians acting like, well, politicians. You know — pandering, getting fuzzy with the truth or doing what’s politically easy instead of what’s right.So it is worth noting when a politician speaks from the heart with illuminating clarity. That’s what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did last week in a remarkable speech calling out the dramatic rise in antisemitism since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.Schumer’s speech, written by the Democrat over the Thanksgiving holiday, was partly a history lesson and partly an explanation of how Jewish Americans see the world. He said he felt compelled to speak out because he’s the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in American history, a platform, he said, that comes with duty.“I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it,” Schumer said during the speech delivered on the Senate floor. “...

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra wraps 2022-23 season with $77K surplus

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra wrapped its fiscal year that ended June 30 with a balanced budget and an operating surplus of $77,600, the organization announced during its annual meeting of members Tuesday. The balanced budget is the 28th in the past 30 years and allowed the orchestra to expand its Rainy Day Fund to $4.54 million.The operating surplus is down from $163,393 last year. The orchestra has seen a shift away from corporate and foundation support and a 30 percent decline in ticket revenue compared to pre-pandemic. Post-pandemic, audiences nearly doubled in size, growing from 35,559 in the 2021-2022 season to 70,895 in the 2022-2023 season.“We define success as being able to deliver at a high level on our mission to the community while maintaining our financial health,” said managing director and president Jon Limbacher in a news release. “By that definition, this past season was indeed a great success.”Total operating expenses for the fiscal year were $10,565,362 and...

Wild’s Matt Boldy playing with ‘happiness and confidence’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

CALGARY, Alberta — Matt Boldy came out of the gate hard this season, active and effective in the Wild’s first two games with a goal and assist. But he was injured in that second game, a 7-4 loss at Toronto on Oct. 14.Upon his return from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for seven games, Boldy, like the rest of the Wild, struggled — without a goal and a combined minus-6 with six assists in 10 games. Minnesota was 2-6-2 in those games, and it cost former coach Dean Evason his job.The Wild seem to have found themselves under new coach John Hynes, and that includes Boldy, who has a pair of goals and is a plus-2 in three games headed into Tuesday’s 8 p.m. puck drop against the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.“When things aren’t going well for the team, individually, it’s mentally draining,” Boldy said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s tough, but it’s the best league in the world — you’re going to have times like that. It’s about getting through it. I think I’m just getting ...

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train pulling into the St. Paul’s Union Depot on Sunday for a good cause

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, a mobile food bank that travels by rail through Canada and the northern and central U.S. every year, will visit St. Paul’s historic Union Depot on Sunday.The free event will start at 5 p.m. inside Union Depot where there will be games and crafts for families, model trains on display, and concessions such as hot chocolate.The European Christmas Market, a separate event at the Union Depot, also will be open late Sunday to coincide with the train’s arrival. The train is expected to pull in at 6:45 p.m. and will feature a concert by musicians Tenille Townes and Breland starting at 7 p.m.Guests are encouraged to make a monetary or non-perishable food donation to the Holiday Train’s food shelf partner, Keystone Community Services, a community organization based in St. Paul that focuses on food shelves and crisis support for those in need, particularly young people and seniors.There are 500 VIP tickets also on sale for $10 and they gran...

In final budget debate, St. Paul council to scrutinize mayor’s plan to erase $100 million medical debt

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

The St. Paul City Council is poised this week to approve the mayor’s recommended city budget and tax levy, adding more hires in several departments amid a debate over whether to use $1 million in federal relief dollars to buy out medical debt for everyday residents, as requested by the mayor’s office.If approved by the council on Wednesday afternoon, the overall property tax levy will go up 3.7% next year, totaling $208.5 million.As for the city budget, “there’s some changes,” said City Council President Amy Brendmoen on Monday. “We’re increasing the fire department budget by $550,000. It’s enough to cover four firefighters beyond what was requested (by the mayor’s office). … I trust that the mayor and fire chief will determine the best way to deploy that.”Truth in taxation hearingsA final truth in taxation hearing on the city’s 2024 budget and tax levy was scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the counci...

New noise ordinance for Glens Falls

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:12:38 GMT

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Glens Falls City Common Council passed a new resolution that sounded good to them. And, mayor Bill Collins says the new law will modernize the current noise ordinance. It now will include a limit of 75 decibels, and all types of noise from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saint Rose students protest college closure, demand answers “Glens Falls is a 113-year-old city, and so, our code is full of laws that are outdate. And sometimes you can find rules and regulations you can drive a truck through,” said Collins He says the city is preparing for the changes.Your first violation will cost you $250.  Any violations thereafter that could cost you $500 or even get you one month in jail.  “We will have noise measuring equipment with both the police and the building and codes department. And the object isn’t to provide any of those fines. That’s what you could do if you’re found guilty,” said Collins. New efforts to combat Capital Region crime NEWS10 wanted to know ex...