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Los Angeles schools, union leaders reach deal after strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Unified School District and union leaders said Friday they reached a deal on pay raises for bus drivers, custodians and other support staff after a three-day strike that shut down the nation’s second-largest school system.The deal includes a series of retroactive raises going back to 2021 as well as pay bumps this coming July and January that will collectively hike worker pay by about 30%, said Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99.The deal also sets the district’s minimum wage at $22.52; provides a one-time $1,000 raise for any worker who was employed in 2020 in appreciation of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic; and creates a $3 million educational and professional development fund for union members, district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said at a news conference. Free health care will be provided for any employee working at least four hours a day and their families, he added, calling the deal historic and unprecedent...

Six injured in blast at Pennsylvania chocolate factory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — Firefighters battled a blaze in Pennsylvania Friday after an explosion at a chocolate factory injured at least six people and sent a plume of black smoke into the air above West Reading.Berks County fire crews remained on the scene at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant Friday night about 60 mile (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, but few details had been released.Six injured people were taken to Tower Hospital in West Reading, NBC10 in Philadelphia first reported.Officials at Tower Hospital did not immediately respond to phone messages or emails from The Associated Press seeking comment.The explosion occurred shortly before 5 p.m. in a building at the plant at Second Avenue and Cherry Street. Debris covered roads in the area, NBC10 reported.West Reading police referred calls to the Berks County communications center. A Berks County emergency dispatcher told the AP Friday night that six people were injured but couldn’t confirm they had been hospitalized ...

Biden and Trudeau toast to friendship, hope and family at gala dinner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

OTTAWA — U.S. President Joe Biden stayed in Ottawa during his short trip north of the border, but the catering team from the National Arts Centre took him on a cross-Canada culinary tour Friday evening. The president and first lady Jill Biden were the guests of honour at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.Before dinner, the two leaders toasted the continued friendship and strong ties between the two nations. Trudeau, who spoke first for about nine minutes, cracked jokes about Canadian celebrities in the room who became famous after working in the United States — including actors Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Hayden Christiansen. “Joe and Jill, you may not know this, but there’s a proud tradition amongst Canadians where we watch movies and television and nod knowingly to each other, saying, ‘Americans don’t know this, but we know they’re Canadian,'̶...

Missouri man makes harrowing rescue in flash flood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

As heavy rains and flash floods doused southwestern Missouri Friday, Layton Hoyer wanted to get a closer look at the rising river levels. That is when he noticed an SUV caught in the flash floods near Granby.At first, Hoyer thought the car might have been abandoned, but flashing brake lights caught his eye. The lights were blinking as if someone was intentionally tapping the brakes. He got on top of the train tracks near the ditch where the SUV was trapped and saw someone inside. “I could see this elderly woman lying in this car trying to stay in the air bubble,” he said.The 33-year-old quickly called 911, but he said the woman didn’t have much time left as the car continued to sink. Hoyer tried to reach her car from the passenger side, but the current was too strong. He then waded through the cold water before he too was submerged and then lunged, grabbing onto her car.“I got a hold of the back door and started trying to pull the door open. But the vacuum on the door was so tight,”...

Navajo Tech 1st among tribal universities to offer PhD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

A university on the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. launched its accredited doctoral program, becoming the first among more than 30 accredited tribal colleges and universities across the country to offer such a high level degree.The program at Navajo Technical University will be dedicated to sustaining Diné culture and language. Diné is the Navajo word meaning “the people” and is commonly what tribal members call themselves.A celebration is planned on the Crownpoint campus in western New Mexico in April, and the school already started accepting applications for the fall semester.The offering marks a milestone for the university, which already has more than 30 degree and certificate programs spanning science, technology, engineering, business and liberal arts, Navajo Tech President Elmer Guy said.Guy told The Associated Press on Friday that he believes the program in which students will receive a Ph.D. in Diné Culture and Language Sustainability will have a profound i...

Judge rules against Little Village Discount Mall vendors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A judge overseeing the case involving the Little Village Discount Mall has ruled against the vendors. While the judge may not have ruled in favor of the vendors, many of them remain hopeful for an agreement between the mall's management and the property owners. Legal action filed against Little Village Discount Mall owner The vendors asked for an extension earlier this week after they received an eviction notice to be out by March 26."Even though we were not successful in the emergency injunction, we were able to get a little bit of an extension from the management and Novak so the mall will remain open this weekend," Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez said. The parties will reconvene on Tuesday to try to come to an agreement with two parts. Vendors at Little Village Discount Mall to be evicted, plan to fight back First, the organizers are asking for at least 60% of mall vendors to stay for the next 25 years. Who stays and who goes is to be determined. "The rationale will be in ...

Late season winter storm threatens a period of heavy, wind-whipped snow Saturday morning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

GREATEST STORM IMPACTS NORTH AND NORTHWEST OF CHICAGOFriday evening satellite loop of intensifying spring storm which will impact Chicago area first half of SaturdayAPPROACHING STORM SYSTEMApproximate precipitation type—timeline by region for storm systemLATE FRIDAY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAZARDSWinter weather advisories and winter storm warnings for parts of the Chicago area—flood and severe weather alerts well to the southFORECAST SNOW TOTALS BY SATURDAY AFTERNOONHeaviest snowfall is expected to fall across Lake and McHenry counties where a half foot or more slushy accumulation is possible — A subtle shift in the storm track could shift the highest amounts northwest or southeastSATURDAY AND SUNDAY MARKS 93 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CITY’S 6TH LARGEST SNOWSTORM ON RECORDDays are much longer and the sun is much stronger and higher in the sky but proof that the atmosphere is still capable of huge snow productionSATURDAY’S HEAVY, WIND-WHIPPED SNOW TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY 30-40 MPH WIND GUSTS...

2 dead, at least 10 hospitalized after immigrants found 'suffocating' inside a train car outside Uvalde

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two people are dead, and several others are injured after Uvalde Police said numerous undocumented immigrants were "suffocating" inside a train car, according to a UPD news release.At approximately 3:50 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a 911 phone call from an unknown person about the immigrants and the US Border Patrol was able to stop the train 2-3 miles east of Knippa, Texas, the release said.Approximately 15 immigrants needed "immediate medical attention," UPD said. Five of the immigrants were flown to San Antonio-area hospitals, five were taken to area hospitals and officials said their conditions were unknown.US Highway 90 was reopened at approximately 6:45 p.m., and the case remained under investigation Friday.

Austin's interim city manager reorganizes top leadership positions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Late Friday night, the City of Austin announced in a news release Interim City Manager Jesús Garza is reorganizing the city's top leadership positions "to prioritize the public's needs and ensure reliability of services for Austinites." The changes made will be as follows, according to a memo from the city manager to the department directors: The city's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will now report directly to the city manager. That will also mean the Fleet Mobility Services Director and Building Services Officer will report to the CFO A new executive position "of Strategic Communications and External Affairs" is being created and will report directly to the City Manager. That will mean the Intergovernmental Relations Officer and Chief Communications Director will report to that personSammi Curless, an advisor to the Assistant City Manager is being promoted to an Assistant City Manager Ken Snipes, currently the director of Austin Resource Recovery, will be on "speci...

Want to be a teacher? Marble Falls ISD will pay for your degree

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

MARBE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — With just a few months left of school, districts across Central Texas will start holding hiring events to fill any vacant teaching positions that need to be filled.As many teachers leave the profession, Marble Falls ISD is looking at ways to attract teachers and keep them in the district. One way they hope to do that is through the Love Inspire Teach Scholarship.“We are actually funding as a district some of our para professionals to receive a bachelors degree and certification,” said Yarda Leflet, the assistant superintendent for curriculum in Marble Falls ISD.“We want to invest in being able to fuel the pipeline for educators in our system,” said Leflet. “As you know not as many people are choosing to be an educator.”Misty Reid is a teaching assistant at Colt Elementary School, she is one of 10 participants in the program which allows her to work at the school and take online classes.”I love Marble Falls ISD,” said Reid. Teacher retention still a...