Charles Blow: The other children in the DeSantis culture war

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Charles Blow: The other children in the DeSantis culture war ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s midday on Saturday in Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery, and just up an incline from an algae-covered pond a group of students encircle a grave. Many are holding a book — some clutching it to their chests the way a preacher holds a Bible.That book, “A History of Florida Through Black Eyes,” was written by Marvin Dunn, an emeritus professor at Florida International University, who is among those gathered. He quiets the group before telling the gripping story of the man beneath the tombstone. The man was Julius “July” Perry, a Black voting rights activist who was killed — arrested, then dragged from jail by a white mob and lynched — on Election Day in 1920 during the Ocoee Massacre, the culmination of a tragic chain of events set in motion, according to accounts, by a Black man attempting to vote.The stop at the cemetery was part of the second “Teach the Truth” tour, a field trip to historic Black sites in Florida, organized by Dunn in response to the threat to teachin...

Soo Kim: Due process denied: FCC Media Bureau kills diverse media ownership

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Soo Kim: Due process denied: FCC Media Bureau kills diverse media ownership I believe in the power of local news. Strengthening American democracy depends on more engaged and informed citizens at the local level. But in today’s fractured media environment, there are fewer credible options for consumers to turn to for their news. Local broadcast news can help fill this void.My company, Standard General, is acquiring local broadcaster TEGNA because I want to build a new company that will be a leader in preserving and enhancing community news, investing in newsrooms and programming targeted to local audiences and adapting in a rapidly changing technical and competitive environment.We’re ready to invest, but regulators in Washington, D.C. continue to hold us back.The Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau recently announced it would refer the proposed transaction between Standard General and TEGNA for review by an administrative law judge.This seemingly mundane regulatory action is an unprecedented overreach of authority that, if allowed to stand unch...

Wild extend points streak to 12 games with 5-2 victory at San Jose

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Wild extend points streak to 12 games with 5-2 victory at San Jose SAN JOSE, Calif. — Marcus Johansson, Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy scored in Minnesota’s three-goal third period, and the Wild beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 Saturday night.Jared Spurgeon and Frederick Gaudreau also scored, and Ryan Hartman and John Klingberg each had two assists to help the Wild extend their point streak to 12 games (10-0-2) — one shy of the franchise record — with their their fourth straight road win. Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves to improve to 18-5-4 against the Sharks.“I don’t think we’re getting complacent,” Spurgeon said of the streak. “After a game is done, we sort of push it aside and look forward to the next one. Everyone is contributing, whether it’s blocking shots or, you see the power play step up today to make some big plays for us.”The Wild remained two points behind first-place Dallas in the Central Division after the Stars won earlier Saturday night at Seattle.Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl each had a goal and an assist for San Jose, and Erik K...

Real World Economics: Medicare: A good idea that needs updating

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Real World Economics: Medicare: A good idea that needs updating Edward LottermanPresident Joe Biden last week released a fact sheet with his Medicare funding proposals prior to his proposed actual budget blueprint that includes details on this and all other programs.He wants to broaden income subject to tax for filers who earn above $400,000. Since 2013, this has included some, but not all, investment income beyond the “earned income” of wages, salaries and small-business and farm profits subject to FICA for decades.He also wants to reduce outlays by extending negotiation of drug prices and reduce costs to beneficiaries by limiting copays on common generic drugs.So — are these good or bad ideas?The adage “too little, too late,” comes to mind but is a bit harsh. “Better something than nothing;” “better late than never;” “at least we’re headed in the right direction” are better metaphors. Yes, Biden’s proposals are good; they also would delay the day of reckoning for Medicare’s checking account a cou...

Traffic stop leads to gun, drug arrest for Albany duo

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Traffic stop leads to gun, drug arrest for Albany duo ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man and woman were arrested on Saturday following a traffic stop on drug and firearm-related charges. Carlos Rosarosa, 46, and Francheska Dejesus-Melendez, 41, allegedly had 54 bags containing fentanyl at the time of their arrest. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, around 8:40 p.m., deputies from the Albany County Sheriff's Office pulled over a car for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Deputies identified Rosarosa as the driver and Dejesus-Melendez as the passenger. Through an investigation, deputies say they found a 9mm Taurus semi-automatic handgun, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and a second extended magazine loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition. The Taurus semi-automatic handgun was allegedly reported stolen out of Pennsylvania. Deputies say they also found 54 bags of fentanyl. Charges:Second-degree criminal possession of a weaponThird-degree criminal possession o...

Victim hospitalized after Cumberland Farms stabbing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Victim hospitalized after Cumberland Farms stabbing HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 22-year-old male victim was hospitalized on Saturday after an alleged stabbing at a Hoosick Falls Cumberland Farms. The suspect is in custody at this time, according to Hoosick Falls Police. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say around 7:19 p.m., they responded to the Cumberland Farms at 25 Church Street in Hoosick Falls for a reported stabbing. Police say the 22-year-old victim had a stab wound, and a tourniquet was applied to limit bleeding. He was taken by Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad to the landing zone at the Pittstown Fire Station. From there, he was taken via Albany Lifenet to Albany Medical Center. Police did not mention the victim's current condition. Police say the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office assisted them with the investigation and other incidents Saturday night.This is an ongoing investigation. Hoosick Falls Police are asking anyone with information regarding the...

Thieves target restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Thieves target restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita  A series of commercial burglaries took place in Rancho Santa Margarita early Saturday morning. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, two suspects were captured on video “entering an establishment by force” and accessing and stealing safes using power tools. "The two suspects used power tools to access locked safes and stole safes that were not properly anchored to the ground,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said. Anyone with information regarding this burglary is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-855-847-6227. 

Deluge from atmospheric river event continues into Wednesday 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Deluge from atmospheric river event continues into Wednesday  The storm system generated by the atmospheric river will dump more rain on Southern California beginning on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is being forecasted for coasts and valleys across the region, while mountain and foothill communities may see 3 to 6 inches of rain by the time the storm passes on Wednesday. “Monday will be dry, and yes it will be dry in time for the Oscars,” said KTLA Meteorologist Kacey Montoya. 20 to 30 mile per hour winds are expected throughout Southern California, with 30 to 50 mile per hour winds being forecasted for Antelope Valley and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County communities. “Impacts for San Luis Obispo County should not be as severe as the last storm,” NWS said. Little to no accumulation of snow is expected for this round of storms.  Los Angeles will see temperatures in the mid 60s this week, as will Inland Empire and High Desert communities.  Gusty winds are expected throu...

Sunnyvale’s NOVA Workforce Services gets $50k LinkedIn grant

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Sunnyvale’s NOVA Workforce Services gets $50k LinkedIn grant NOVA gets LinkedIn grantLinkedIn awarded NOVA Workforce Services a $50,000 grant. NOVA will use the funding to launch an outreach and advertising campaign about its services for job-seekers, particularly those whose who need help navigating the changing job market or need retraining for new occupations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.“This grant will improve NOVA’s reach into the community to increase our impact,” reads a statement from the Sunnyvale-based organization.To learn more about NOVA Workforce Services and to register for services, visit https://www.novaworks.org, email [email protected] or call 408-730-7232.Friends book saleThe Friends of the Sunnyvale Public Library are hosting a two-day book sale March 18-19 in the program room of the library, 665 Olive Ave.Sale hours are Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Friends members only at 9 a.m.) and Sunday, March 19, noon-3 p.m.Sale items include books for children and adults, movies on DVD and music CDs in English as we...

Santa Clara County Fire Department webinars help prep for wildfires

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:15:41 GMT

Santa Clara County Fire Department webinars help prep for wildfires Fire safety classesThis spring, the Santa Clara County Fire Department will hold several webinars to help prepare residents for the area’s unpredictable fire season. In April, the department will host information sessions on ways to reduce damage to the home during wildfires, as well as sessions on how to navigate evacuations during high-stress situations. In May, officials will teach residents about how to use home insurance as a “safety net.”An April 26 webinar on crime prevention and home fire safety is aimed at Cupertino residents and other communities served by county fire. The class will be taught in partnership with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.Participants will learn how to protect themselves against fraud and identity theft, what to do if they are a victim of a scam, personal safety and home security protection tips and how to identify suspicious activity and report it.They will also learn home fire safety tips and how to practice important safety habits to preve...