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Maryland state superintendent faces criticism amid support of state school board leaders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.The Maryland State Board of Education must decide this year whether to extend a new contract to State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury, whose continuity or lack thereof could be especially important as he continues to help lead implementation of the state’s multi-billion-dollar education reform plan.Choudhury, who began his tenure as the state’s public schools leader in July 2021 to replace former superintendent Karen B. Salmon, receives praise for being “incredibly intelligent,” “very bright,” knowledgeable on policy and “committed to working on behalf of students.”However, he’s also viewed as a superintendent who works with a limited number of people and has alienated some education advocates and state lawmakers.Although Choudhury’s current contract with a base salary of $310,000 doesn’t expire until June 2024, the 14-m...

Paraprofessional accused of hitting kindergartner on multiple occasions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Poudre School District paraprofessional is facing several charges after being accused of hitting a kindergartner on a school bus on multiple occasions, the Fort Collins Police Services said Wednesday.Tyler Zanella, 36, allegedly hit the child, who has disabilities, on April 25, May 19 and May 22. Video surveillance from the buses was obtained by school resource officers who investigated the allegations. Airbnb blocking certain rentals on Memorial Day weekend Zanella is facing three counts of each of the following charges:crimes against at-risk juvenile – 3rd-degree assault3rd-degree assaultchild abuse – knowingly or recklesslyZanella was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Larimer County jail. Officers believe that there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information regarding this case or other cases involving Zanella to contact Officer Dexter Rowe at 970-472-3705.

Airbnb blocking certain rentals on Memorial Day weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Airbnb, in an effort to crack down on party rentals, has put some restrictions on one- and two-night reservations for the upcoming holiday weekend, the company announced Wednesday. The limitations will be in place both Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend for short-term full-home reservations in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. Those types of reservations are flagged as higher-risk, the company said. Denver has one of the highest shares of Airbnb listings Airbnb implemented a similar block last year over Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends, which the company said, showed a decrease in reported disturbances. "Over 300 people were deterred from booking entire home listings over Memorial Day weekend due to these defenses," the company said. The company is also encouraging neighbors of Airbnb rentals to report real-time disturbances if they believe a party is being thrown at the location.

Panthers advance to Stanley Cup Final, sweeping Hurricanes in Eastern Conference final 4-3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.

Not a cockapoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

She went to a pet store to buy a cockapoo for her other dog. She bought what was advertised as a cockapoo. But a couple of months later, it was clear, it was not, and when the pet store wouldn’t exchange the animal or return her money, she called Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.Yonique loves animals.Alright, let’s be more specific.Yonique Thomas-Smellie: “I love dogs. Always had dogs growing up. I get along with dogs more than any other animal, and I enjoy them.”Two years ago, her husband gave her Peeka as a gift.Yonique Thomas-Smellie: “He’s my little baby.”Yonique then began to worry Peeka was lonely during the day.Yonique Thomas-Smellie: “So we wanted a companion dog for him because we are gone for work the majority of the day, and he’s home by himself.”Yonique did some research and decided a cocker spaniel or poodle would be a good companion for Peeka. Then she saw an ad from a pet store, with a cockapoo puppy for sa...

3 Broward men arrested in Lighthouse Point break-in; homeowner says suspects stole firearms and valuables

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

Three men from Broward County were arrested after, authorities said, they broke into a home in Lighthouse Point and stole the homeowners’ rifle and gun. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Steven Terveus, 21-year-old William Luther and 18-year-old Clinton Brown were taken into custody following a short pursuit in central Broward.The suspects were spotted by BSO units driving a stolen white BMW SUV, which had been reported missing earlier this month in Fort Lauderdale. The same vehicle was seen leaving the scene of Tuesday’s burglary.Detectives believe the men pried open a side door after the homeowner had left for the day and proceeded to rummage through the belongings, taking an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.“I couldn’t sleep last night. It’s horrible,” homeowner Natalia Acosta said. Acosta said she’s still traumatized after the crooks ransacked her bedroom, stole guns and up to $20,000 worth of valuables.“Everythi...

Groups across political spectrum protest DeSantis in Brickell ahead of presidential campaign launch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

Protesters from different sides of the political spectrum gathered in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood to voice their opposition to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, hours before he officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign.The group of more than 100 demonstrators marched to the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday afternoon in the hours before his anticipated talk with Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces.Protesters said the last thing they want to see is a DeSantis presidency.“What we are fighting here in Florida is Ron DeSantis’ vision for America in 2024,” said Kaity Danehy-Samitz with Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida. “We’ve seen a mass repeal of human right, from LGBTQ children, abortion restrictions, anti-immigrant legislation. There’s no affordable housing. He’s not tackling the issues that real Floridians face.”The governor has held a supermajority in the Florida Legislature and has been able to pass the Parental Rights in Edu...

MPs accused of violent and sexual offenses face UK parliament ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

LONDON — MPs accused of serious criminal offenses could be banned from parliament under proposals due to be put before the House of Commons next month.The plan would see both MPs and members of the House of Lords who are accused of a criminal offense face formal risk assessments to consider whether they pose a threat to other people working on the parliamentary estate.These would be conducted by HR and other professionals, who would then make a recommendation to an “adjudication panel” of senior parliamentarians such as the deputy speakers of each house. The panel would rule on whether to accept or reject that risk assessment — and, if a finding that an MP or peer posed a risk was accepted, they would be barred from Westminster until the case against them was concluded.The risk assessment would be triggered once a member of parliament was reported by police to the authorities of either house of parliament. The proposals come amid mounting concern over errant MPs, following a number ...

Harassment claims hit Belgian MEP Kanko

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

The European Parliament has opened an investigation into allegations of harassment against the Belgian EU lawmaker Assita Kanko, according to documents seen by POLITICO. Kanko, 42, is one of the six vice-chairs of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and her policy specialisms include the EU’s migration policy. At stake is not just the reputation of one MEP or the well-being of her staff and former colleagues. Any potential sanctions against Kanko would put the spotlight once again on the European Parliament. There have already been two confirmed cases of harassment by European lawmakers so far this year. The reputation of the EU’s democratic decision-making body has also taken a battering in the past six months from the Qatargate corruption scandal. The investigation follows a complaint lodged in November 2022, according to the documents. Under Parliament rules, the opening of an investigation means the case has already gone thro...

They got Brexit done. So why are UK Tories still angry about immigration?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

LONDON — There’s a terrible habit the U.K. Conservatives can’t kick. It keeps coming back to bite them — and this week Prime Minister Rishi Sunak might become the latest victim.David Cameron began the trend with his fateful vow at the 2010 election to cut net migration to below 100,000 people a year. Every subsequent Conservative prime minister has made their own version of his failed pledge. None has come close to achieving what they promised.Brexit was meant to resolve the issue, ending the free movement of people from Europe and handing back control of U.K. borders to the government. Yet more than three years after Britain left the EU, the numbers are only going higher.Net migration to the U.K. reached a record 504,000 people in the year to June 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics, way above the giddy heights under Cameron that first triggered clamor for an EU referendum. And new stats released Thursday will show it soared higher still through the second ha...