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Parents divided over swastikas’ removal from ‘Sound of Music’ at California elementary school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

When Rolling Hills Elementary sixth-graders perform “The Sound of Music” this week, Nazi imagery will be omitted from the play.The decision to amend parts of the iconic musical set in 1938 Austria, Fullerton School District officials said, was because “the juxtaposition of powerful and destructive symbols with innocent children has the potential not only to spark controversy but also to attract individuals or groups with ill intent.”After a Rolling Hills parent expressed their concern about having their sixth grader wear a swastika in the musical, the FSD board decided to remove any Nazi images as well as the “Heil Hitler” salute from the performance, said Superintendent Bob Pletka. Swastikas are ancient symbols appropriated by Nazis that continue to represent hatred of Jews.“This was all about a safety issue,” Pletka said. “That is why we responded.”The move has garnered mixed reactions. While some parents and staff members support the decision, others worry that it’s censorship.“T...

Who is Ron DeSantis? Florida governor reveals few clues about what makes him tick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

DUNEDIN — The parents of the man who would be president live in a tidy, single-story ranch house in a Gulf Coast suburb of Florida.The three-bedroom, two-bath, concrete block house with a brick facade is the childhood home of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced his run for the White House on Wednesday night.The home’s landscaping is well-maintained, though with a browning lawn likely due to Florida’s recent drought. A gold Jeep Patriot and a black Toyota Prius are parked in the driveway. The Prius has an  “FSU Dad” bumper sticker and a Ron DeSantis campaign sticker.A welcome mat with an FSU logo is a second reminder of the other child, their daughter and DeSantis’ only sibling who died unexpectedly eight years ago. The governor has rarely spoken about her.A slender, elderly man in glasses and a dark T-shirt answers. He apologizes as he fends off a reporter’s attempts to find out more about his son’s evolution into an ambitious politician and conservative firebrand.“I’m afraid I’m not g...

ACC lights the path for Pac-12 to change its revenue model for CFP and NCAA Tournament cash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

Our realignment lesson for this month has become clear with a week to spare.Wait long enough to finalize a media rights agreement, allow the process to cross two calendar years, drag across 11 months, wade through a swamp of speculation and destabilization efforts and — presto! — permission structures appear on the horizon.Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported ESPN is being transformed into a streaming service, a momentous change in sports broadcasting that could increase the Pac-12’s comfort level with including a streaming component in its media rights package.This week, the ACC presidents approved a change in the league’s revenue model that rewards postseason performance. Schools that qualify for the College Football Playoff and thrive in the NCAA Tournament will receive a larger share of the postseason cash.Will the Pac-12 presidents do the same as they work through a new media rights contract? They should. Realignment has changed the game on the co...

Concord fatal stabbing victim is identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

CONCORD — A 65-year-old man who authorities believe was stabbed to death by his roommate last week was identified by authorities Thursday.David Navarro, of Concord, was bleeding from multiple stab wounds when officers arrived to a home near Port Chicago Highway about 4 p.m. on March 17. He died at the scene.The homicide was the second one this year investigated by Concord police.Officers arrested 38-year-old Nicholas Carson on suspicion of committing the fatal stabbing. Prosecutors have charged him with murder with an enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon, according to court documents.Carson remained in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $1.03 million bail, according to jail records. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on June 12.Authorities have not discussed the case, nor have they disclosed the exact street location where it occurred. Other court records for the case were not immediately available Thursday morning.Please check back for updat...

Lollipops you can hear, Doritos jerky: 4 top trends at Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

Louisa Chu | Chicago TribuneSweets & Snacks Expo is back, but the return is bittersweet.“It’s our last dance in Chicago,” said expo spokesman Chris Gindlesperger.Popularly known as the candy show, the trade event at McCormick Place is not open to the public.The expo becomes the center of the sweets and snacks universe this week, said Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications for the National Confectioners Association, which hosts the show, where 800 exhibitors and 16,000 people were expected to attend this year.“We’ve brought about $21 million to the city of Chicago each of the years that we’ve hosted here,” he said. Convention estimates typically include spending from attendees at hotels, restaurants, transportation and entertainment venues. “This is a community of everyone in the chocolate, candy, gum and mint categories, as well as snacks.”In 2020, the NCA canceled the show due to the pandemic, among 150 cancellations at McCormick Place with an...

Tensions boil over as Banko Brown funeral begins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Tensions briefly boiled over on Thursday at funeral services for Banko Brown, a 24-year-old transgender Black man who was shot and killed in April by a Walgreens security guard. The service was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco. After a few moments of people shouting, arguing and rising to their feet, things appear to have calmed down again.Organizers expected hundreds--if not thousands--of people from the community to attend.Happening now. Banko Brown’s casket just moved into Third Baptist Church in San Francisco. 24 year old was shot and killed last month by a Walgreens security guard outside store. No charges against guard which has upset many in Bay Area @kron4news pic.twitter.com/J993n5gVRi— Will Tran (@KRON4WTran) May 25, 2023Brown and the security guard got into a deadly confrontation inside a Walgreens store on Market Street. Brown was unarmed when the guard opened fire. San Francisco District ...

3 people killed when house explodes in South Dakota

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a house explosion that killed a young girl and her grandparents and left two young children hospitalized with burns. The house about 11 miles southwest of Fort Pierre exploded around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, Stanley County Sheriff Brad Rathbun said. The sheriff said 6-month-old Harper Hupp and her grandmother, LaDonna Hupp, 61, died at the scene. William Hupp, 66, died at a hospital.A Caring Bridge site set up for the family says a 5-year-old boy suffered burns over 10% of his body and a 3-year-old was burned over 25% of his body.The children’s parents were at work when the explosion occurred, Rathbun said. The home was completely destroyed. Rathbun said neighbors in the rural area heard the blast and alerted authorities.The South Dakota State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the explosion. Rathbun said foul play is not suspected.Source

On 3rd anniversary of George Floyd’s death, Biden stops GOP-led effort to block DC police reform law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday – the third anniversary of George Floyd’s murder – vetoed an effort led by congressional Republicans to overturn a new District of Columbia law on improving police accountability. The law was part of a push to reform policing nationwide and passed in the wake of the police killing of Floyd in 2020 in Minneapolis. Biden has said he supported many parts of the law, including the banning of chokeholds, limiting use of deadly force, improving access to body cameras and requiring training for officers to de-escalate tense situations. “The president has repeatedly said we have an obligation to make sure that all people, all Americans are safe and that public safety defends on public trust,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. She also highlighted how the new law was in line with efforts made by the federal government through executive order last year. The veto comes as Democrats in Congress have twi...

Sentencian a 18 años de cárcel a fundador de los Oath Keepers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

El fundador del grupo extremista Oath Keepers fue sentenciado el jueves a 18 años de prisión por orquestar un complot de una semana que culminó con el ataque de sus seguidores al Capitolio de los Estados Unidos en un intento por mantener al presidente Joe Biden fuera de la Casa Blanca después de las elecciones de 2020.Stewart Rhodes es la primera persona acusada en el ataque del 6 de enero de 2021 en ser sentenciada por conspiración sediciosa, y su sentencia es la más larga que se ha dictado hasta ahora en los cientos de casos de disturbios en el Capitolio.Es otro hito para la extensa investigación del Departamento de Justicia del 6 de enero, que condujo a condenas por conspiración sediciosa contra los principales líderes de dos grupos de extrema derecha que, según las autoridades, llegaron a Washington preparados para luchar para mantener al presidente Donald Trump en el poder a toda costa.Antes de dictar la sentencia, el juez le dijo a un desafiante Rhodes que él es una amenaza co...

Autoridades de El Salvador detienen a presidente del club Alianza y otros directivos por la estampida que dejó 12 muertos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:45:55 GMT

(CNN Español) — Autoridades de El Salvador informaron que detuvieron al presidente del club Alianza F.C., Pedro Hernández, en medio de investigaciones por la estampida del sábado que dejó 12 muertos, 88 aficionados hospitalizados y cerca de 500 heridos en el estadio Cuscatlán.La Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) aseguró este jueves en Twitter que giró órdenes de captura contra cinco personas, entre ellas otros gerentes y un encargado de llaves, por los posibles delitos de “homicidio culposo, lesiones culposas y estragos públicos”.Las puertas del estadio habilitadas para el encuentro “no eran suficientes para el número de aficionados”, indicó la Fiscalía, para indicar que además esos accesos no fueron abiertos con suficiente anticipación para un ingreso ordenado y seguro.Multan con US$ 30.000 al club Alianza por la estampida que dejó 12 muertos en El SalvadorLa FGR señaló que, al agotar las entradas para el partido en el estadio Cuscatlán entre Alianza F.C. y el C.D. Fas, ...