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Texas officials announce state takeover of Houston’s nearly 200,000-student school district, one of nation’s largest

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas officials announce state takeover of Houston’s nearly 200,000-student school district, one of nation’s largest.Source

Arctic sea ice thins in 2 big jumps, and now more vulnerable

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

Climate change attacked crucial Arctic sea ice thickness in two sudden big gobbles instead of steady nibbling, a new study says.A little more than 15 years ago, sea ice quickly lost more than half its thickness, becoming weaker, more prone to melting and less likely to recover, according to the study that emphasizes the importance of two big “regime shifts” that changed the complexion of the Arctic.Those big bites came in 2005 and 2007. Before then, Arctic sea ice was older and misshapen in a way that made it difficult to move out of the region. That helped the polar area act as the globe’s air conditioner even in warmer summers. But now the ice is thinner, younger and easier to push out of the Arctic, putting that crucial cooling system at more risk, the study’s lead author said.Before 2007, 19% of the sea ice in the Arctic was at least 13 feet thick (4 meters) — taller than most elephants — but now only about 9.3% of ice is at least that thick. And the age of the ice h...

What will happen if medication abortion challenge succeeds?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

Medication abortions in the United States usually involve two different drugs.In the latest effort to limit abortion access, opponents of the procedure are seeking to ban one of those medications. If they succeed, only one of the pills would be available, but women would still be able to get abortions. Here’s a look at medications, efforts to curtail them and how clinics are responding. THE DRUGSThe Food and Drug Administration regimen for medication abortions involves two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. The drugs can be taken at home and are used in just over half of U.S. abortions.Mifepristone dilates the cervix and blocks the action of the hormone progesterone, which enables a pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol causes contractions that empty the uterus. Typically, mifepristone is taken by mouth first, followed by misoprostol a day or two later.Studies show medication abortions are safe and effective, though with a slightly lower success rate than ones done by procedure in a ...

Bank runs used to be slow. The digital era sped them up

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A bank run conjures images of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with anxious customers crammed shoulder to shoulder, desperately pleading with a harried George Bailey to hand over their money.The failure of Silicon Valley Bank last week had the panic but few other similarities, instead taking place on Twitter, message boards, cell phones and bank websites.What made the failure of Silicon Valley Bank unique compared to past failures of large banks was how quickly it collapsed. Last Wednesday afternoon, the $200 billion bank announced a plan to raise fresh capital; by Friday morning it was insolvent and under government control. Regulators, policymakers and bankers are looking at the role that digital messaging and social media may have played in the collapse, and whether banks are entering an age when the psychological behavior behind a bank run — mass fear from depositors of losing their savings — may be amplified and go viral quicker than bank officers and regulators can suc...

Bill to legalize sports wagering headed to Kentucky Senate

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill to legalize sports betting in Kentucky was advanced by a Senate committee on Wednesday, leaving its supporters still facing their biggest challenge as opponents mounted a last stand.The panel sent the measure to the full Senate, setting up a potentially dramatic vote on whether the state that’s home to the Kentucky Derby should let its residents legally wager on other sporting events.“The people of Kentucky want this,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said. “It’s time that we give them the choice — for free will, God-given free will — to engage in legal sports betting.”The bill’s Senate prospects are uncertain, due to a higher procedural hurdle to overcome. It needs a three-fifths vote in each chamber to pass, since it’s a revenue-producing bill in an odd-numbered year. The bill passed the House recently, but the Senate has been seen as the bill’s toughest test.It still needs to receive procedural readings in the Senate, meanin...

Reality star Todd Chrisley’s son Kyle charged with assault

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) — Kyle Chrisley, the son of reality TV star Todd Chrisley of the show “Chrisley Knows Best,” has been charged with aggravated assault in Tennessee, authorities said.The arrest comes just months after his father and stepmother, Julie Chrisley, were both sentenced to several years in prison for charges including bank fraud and tax evasion.Kyle Chrisley was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault in Smyrna, news outlets reported, citing Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lisa Marchesoni. Chrisley was booked in the Rutherford County jail and later released on $3,000 bond, Marchesoni said.The tight-knit, boisterous Chrisley family gained fame with the reality show, which was first recorded in the Atlanta area and later in Nashville. Smyrna is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Nashville.Federal prosecutors said the couple engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle. To...

Juez permite publicación de informe sobre presunto abuso sexual en Arquidiócesis de Baltimore

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

BALTIMORE — Un juez otorgó permiso a la Oficina del Fiscal General de Maryland para publicar una versión redactada de un informe de investigación que detalla las acusaciones de abuso sexual contra más de 150 sacerdotes católicos romanos y examina la respuesta de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore.Los funcionarios no precisaron cuando se publicará el reporte. Completado el año pasado, el documento ha permanecido sellado porque contiene información obtenida de funcionarios de la iglesia a través de citaciones del gran jurado, procedimientos que son confidenciales en Maryland. Sin embargo, los abogados del estado pidieron permiso a la corte para publicar sus hallazgos, y el juez de la corte de circuito de Baltimore, Robert Taylor, dictaminó el mes pasado que se debe hacer pública una versión redactada.El siguiente paso fue que Taylor revisara una lista de redacciones propuestas, que aprobó el martes. Una vez que el fiscal general haya hecho esas redacciones, su oficina puede publicar el inf...

Colorado in top 25 states for gun-related deaths

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

DENVER (Stacker) — When it comes to gun-related deaths in the United States, 2020 was unfortunately a banner year, recording the highest number of gun-related deaths ever in a single year, driven by a surge in firearm-related homicides.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent findings, overall firearm-related deaths rose 15% over 2019 numbers to reach more than 45,000 nationwide, while firearm-related homicides went up 35%. In terms of the national rate of gun deaths based on population, per-capita numbers actually decreased (13.6 deaths per 100,000 people) from their historical peak (16.3 per 100,000) set in 1974, largely due to the rise in the overall population—more than 100 million since the 1980 census. Nonetheless, both the number of gun-related homicides and suicides reached levels not seen since the early 1990s.Investigating firearm-related deaths also helps highlight public health crises, particularly as related to suicide. Suicides accounte...

Bobby Caldwell, ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’ singer and songwriter, dead at 71

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

(CNN) — Bobby Caldwell, the soulful singer and songwriter behind R&B hits like “What You Won’t Do For Love” and “Open Your Eyes,” has died, according to a statement from his wife, Mary Caldwell.He was 71.“Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years,” Mary Caldwell’s statement, shared on his verified Twitter account, read in part.She said Caldwell had been dealing with health issues for some time.Caldwell’s hit song “What You Won’t Do For Love” hit the Billboard 100 charts after its release in 1978. Artists including Tupac Shakur, Common and John Legend have all sampled his music.Questlove, who collaborated with Common on “The Light,” which sampled Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes,” shared a tribute to the late artist on Instagram, describing how he tried to work wit...

Georgia Tech to face Florida State in 2024 opener in Dublin

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:54:45 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech and Florida State will open the 2024 season in Dublin, Ireland.The Aer Lingus College Football Classic matchup announced Wednesday will mark the second time that two Atlantic Coast Conference teams have opened the season in Ireland. Georgia Tech beat Boston College 17-14 in the 2016 opener in Dublin.The game, scheduled for Aug. 24, 2024, at Aviva Stadium, will make Florida State’s first international game. Georgia Tech will serve as the home team.“This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes at Florida State and Georgia Tech to expand the reach of ACC football and play in front of an international audience,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said.Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said the game is “a unique chance for our student-athletes to experience a new culture, for our fans to support us at an incredible destination and for Georgia Tech to further promote our Institute, athletics department, students and alumni on a global stage.”Florida S...