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BPS leaders present mixed MCAS and accountability data, plan to ‘accelerate progress’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

The latest MCAS data shows BPS solidly on the path back from pandemic-era losses, district leaders presented at the Boston School Committee — but still a long ways from full recovery.“I think the story we’re going to share tonight, while there are some wins — and I appreciate the superintendent for naming some — it also tells a very uncomfortable story about the work we have ahead,” said BPS Chief of Schools and Accountability Drew Echelson, pointing to the need to “accelerate progress.”The state released 2023 MCAS and accountability data in September, with leaders announcing statewide “recovery is fully underway.” In terms of MCAS scores, BPS broadly lagged behind the statewide gains, but the district jumped on accountability targets, metrics like chronic absenteeism and English proficiency.Echelson pointed to four “key takeaways” from the data Wednesday: BPS is making substantial — 51% compared to a stat...

Biden says he had to use Trump-era funds for the border wall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

President Biden defended his administration’s decision to waive 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow for construction of roughly 20 miles of additional border wall, saying he had no choice but to use the Trump-era funding for the barrier to stop illegal migration from Mexico.Asked if he thought such walls work, he said flatly, “No.”The new construction was announced in June, but the funds were appropriated in 2019 before the Democratic president took office. Biden said he tried to get lawmakers to redirect the money but Congress refused, and the law requires the funding to be used as approved and the construction to be completed in 2023.“The money was appropriated for the border wall,” Biden said. “I can’t stop that.”Still, the waiving of federal laws for the construction — something also done when Republican Donald Trump was president — raised questions, particularly because Biden condemned border wall spending when he was running ...

Week 5 updates: Chicago Bears activate left guard Teven Jenkins from IR before tonight’s game vs. Washington Commanders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

The 0-4 Chicago Bears will play the 2-2 Washington Commanders on Thursday night at FedEx Field in a Week 5 matchup.Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (7:15 p.m., Fox-32, Prime Video).Teven Jenkins activated from IRThe Bears activated left guard Teven Jenkins off injured reserve Thursday, potentially clearing the way for him to make his first start of the season.Jenkins had been on IR since August after injuring his calf while the Bears were in Indianapolis for joint practices and a preseason game with the Colts. He had only three days of practice since being designated to return from IR.The Bears also elevated safety A.J. Thomas from the practice squad. Safety Eddie Jackson was ruled out for the third consecutive game with a foot injury and Jaquan Brisker was questionable with a hamstring injury.The Bears released quarterback Nathan Peterman to make room on the roster for the moves.The Chase Claypool sagaDuring a news conference Monday that was at times tense and awk...

Dan Rodricks: Birds and bubbly, Moore and Angelos, carry-on chaos and five other things nobody asked about | STAFF COMMENTARY

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

Nobody asked me, but nobody in Birdland should be even mildly upset with baseball experts who predict that the Houston Astros — and not the Orioles — will represent the American League in the World Series. The Birds are underdogs, and Orioles fans should be fine with that. Better to be underestimated than overrated, I always say. (Actually, I have never said that. But, now that I have, I declare it my intellectual property, all rights reserved. Any reproduction or other use of this phrase without the express written consent of this columnist is prohibited.)Nobody asked me, but maybe Gov. Wes Moore should put some distance between himself and Orioles CEO John Angelos until he signs an actual 30-year lease at Camden Yards. Moore seems to be more concerned with bright, shiny optics than substance when it comes to this lingering matter. Thus, the big reveal last week that a deal had been struck, with Moore and Angelos appearing in celebration — the governor far more...

FTX co-founder testifies against Sam Bankman-Fried, saying they committed crimes and lied to public

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

By LARRY NEUMEISTER (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors went to the heart of their case against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried on Thursday as the company’s co-founder began his testimony, telling a New York jury that he and Bankman-Fried committed financial crimes and lied to the public before the cryptocurrency trading platform collapsed last year.Gary Wang, 30, said he committed wire, securities and commodities fraud as the chief technical officer at FTX after also sharing ownership in Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency hedge fund that he and Bankman-Fried started in 2017 and eventually used to withdraw $8 billion in FTX funds illegally. He said Bankman-Fried directed the illegal moves.His assertions came on the second day of testimony at a trial expected to last up to six weeks as prosecutors try to prove that Bankman-Fried stole billions of dollars from investors and customers to buy luxury beachfront real estate, enrich himself and make over $100 million i...

These were the top baby names in San Diego County last year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The most popular names for babies born in San Diego County last year have been revealed.For boys, Mateo was the top name, and for girls, it was Olivia, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday. Two-hundred thirty-four boys were named Mateo, while 211 girls were named Olivia.In 2022, 139 boys were given the name Santiago -- a name that first made the top 10 list in 2020 but fell off in 2021. Disneyland offering discounts on kids’ tickets Last year, 129 girls were named Mila. It was the second year the name cracked the top 10 list -- the first time was in 2018.Both Sophia and Sofia have been on the leading list of girls names every year since 2010.The top 10 names for males and females are below:BoysMateoLiamNoahSebastianOliverBenjaminLucaSantiagoAlexanderJulianGirlsOliviaEmmaIsabellaMiaCamilaSophiaLunaMilaSofiaCharlotteSee the top baby names for each year dating back to 1996 on the county's website.

Harris, Breed, Pelosi pay tribute at Feinstein memorial service held at SF City Hall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A memorial service for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is to be held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable people will speak.The memorial will not be open to members of the public after Sen. Feinstein’s office previously said it would be. The service will be broadcast live on KRON4 and streamed on KRON On Thursday at 1 p.m. with special coverage beginning at noon. Speakers at Sen. Feinstein’s memorial service include:U.S. President Joe Biden (recorded)U.S. Vice President Kamala HarrisSan Francisco Mayor London BreedU.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerU.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy PelosiEileen Mariano (Sen. Feinstein’s granddaughter)California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in attendance but is not among the speakers.Sen. Feinstein will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony after th...

Protesters angry about Ramaswamy’s Ukraine aid comments ram his empty car in Iowa, campaign says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Protesters upset about Vivek Ramaswamy’s remarks in opposition to aid for Ukraine yelled and swore at the presidential candidate in Iowa on Thursday before jumping into a vehicle, ramming a campaign car and speeding off, according to his campaign.Ramaswamy spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said no one was in the campaign vehicle when it was hit in the central Iowa city of Grinnell, and no one was hurt in the incident. The campaign filed a police report, McLaughlin said.“Things clearly escalated,” McLaughlin said. “(Ramaswamy) is used to dealing with protesters and handled it very calmly. So he was maybe a little more calm about it than the rest of us.”Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur and the author of “Woke, Inc.,” was in Grinnell for a scheduled interview with Des Moines’ local CBS affiliate before heading to Des Moines to host a fall-themed, family campaign event. Campaign aides said Ramaswamy planned to go ahead with the event.The candidate...

Victoria ’embraces adventure’ for top spot on Condé Nast list of world’s best cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

VICTORIA — An award-winning travel magazine said British Columbia’s capital city tops its 2023 list of the world’s best cities.Condé Nast Traveller, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, said Victoria captured first place in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.Victoria and Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende, which ranked sixth, were the only cities in North America to make the list.Condé Nast Traveller said Victoria’s restaurant and nightlife scene is “something to be celebrated,” while the city “embraces adventure,” and “draws outdoorsy types.”Readers gave Victoria, San Sebastián in Spain, and Singapore the top three spots on the list, followed by Tokyo, Seoul, San Miguel de Allende, Cape Town, Sydney, Copenhagen and Oslo.Victoria also topped the list of the world’s best small cities.Condé Nast, which publishes numerous magazines, including Vogue, GQ and The New Yorker, said its Traveller magazine reaches more than...

Nigeria’s president faces new challenge to election victory as opposition claims he forged diploma

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:32 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s main opposition said Thursday it will present new evidence to support its court challenge seeking to overturn this year’s presidential election, saying it can show the declared winner provided faked academic credentials to authorities.President Bola Tinubu forged a diploma from an American university that he presented to Nigeria’s election commission before the February vote and should be removed from office, first runner-up Atiku Abubakar and his lawyer alleged in a briefing with reporters. They cited records obtained from the university in a U.S. court hearing and shared with The Associated Press. Abubakar previously has argued Tinubu should not be president because the election commission did not follow due process in announcing the winner and Tinubu was not qualified to run, citing allegations of dual citizenship and of a criminal indictment in the United States. Tinubu has denied those claims. He did not comment on the new allegation, but h...