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Why a $2.2 billion state funding increase isn’t enough for some school leaders

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

Minnesota school leaders cheered last month when top DFL lawmakers announced plans to increase biennial spending on education by $2.2 billion in their next budget.But the mood among superintendents and school board members has soured in the weeks since as they’ve calculated the potential costs of a range of progressive policy changes intended to benefit school employees.“A lot of folks had high hopes that with the united government in place, we’d get some things done at the Legislature this year,” Stillwater Superintendent Michael Funk told his board late last month as the Legislature’s omnibus education bills were being published. “Unfortunately, I think this is potentially one of the most damaging sessions I’ve seen since I’ve been a superintendent.”The Minnesota School Boards Association last week urged members to speak out against a House provision that would force districts to negotiate class sizes and staffing ratios with teachers unions. The group warned it would “bankrupt sc...

Other voices: Democrats find their Eden for 2024 national convention

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

The state of Illinois recently lost three Fortune 500 companies, and its population has declined by more than 100,000 residents in the past two years. Meanwhile, its largest city is a poster child for rampant crime and a failing public education system.How fitting — and deliciously ironic — that Chicago was selected last week to host the 2024 Democratic national convention.The symbolism is rich. Illinois is a one-party state dominated by public-employee unions. Property taxes are among the highest in the nation. The state’s government pension system is a monument to red ink, running almost $140 billion in the hole. According to the Tax Foundation, Illinois ranks 36th in the country for its business tax climate, worst in the region.State Democrats have one answer for most issues: higher taxes and more regulation. Politicians in Springfield are contemplating a new “wealth” tax and a revamp of the state’s income tax system that will separate citizens...

Skywatch: High-flying circling bears

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

Without a doubt, the Big Dipper is the easiest star pattern to see in our night skies even though it’s not an official constellation but rather the rear end and the tail of the constellation Ursa Major, otherwise known as the Big Bear.The constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (Mike Lynch)After evening twilight this time of year, the Big Dipper is perched upside down in the high northern sky. Ursa Major is one of the largest constellations in our night skies. The four stars that outline the pot of the Dipper make up the hind end of the Big Bear and the handle is the stretched-out tail of the Big Bear. How Its tail got stretched out is a big part of one of the stories about Ursa Major I’ll get to in a bit.Ursa Major’s head is made up of three dimmer stars that form a skinny triangle just to the left of the pot of the up Big Dipper. These stars aren’t as bright as the seven stars of Big Dipper but you should be able to spot them unless you have to put up with...

Ask Amy: Houseguest needs nosh; raids pantry

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

Dear Amy: I recently visited friends who moved to another state. I’ve known them for more than 20 years.This recent visit was my fourth visit to their new home.The problem is that my friend doesn’t seem to feel responsible for having food in her house for guests.This is the second time I’ve visited and have found myself buying my own food.The first night, she and I went to their club for dinner, after which we went to a supermarket because my friend needed some things for herself.I realized that if I wanted breakfast or a glass of wine, I needed to buy it.I try to be a generous and easy guest, so I picked up the tab at the supermarket (yes, I even bought rubber gloves for my friend, among other things!).I’m sorry I didn’t do a complete scouring of their pantry, because when you might expect to be offered some noshes before dinner, she offered nothing. I found myself scrounging in their closet for something to eat.My friend does have severe Crohn’s...

Horoscopes April 16, 2023: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, let go of the past

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jon Cryer, 58; Martin Lawrence, 58; Ellen Barkin, 69; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 76.Happy Birthday: Slow down, double-check your work and focus on the people who worry you. Look for alternative ways to deal with shared expenses and joint ventures. Back away from anyone who limits what you can do or tries to control your life. Make your home a place that offers peace and allows you to focus on what’s important to you. Let go of the past. Your numbers are 9, 17, 23, 26, 37, 42, 48.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans. Stick close to home, where you can spend quality time with the ones you love, or work on a pet project that brings you joy. Do what feels right and encourages you to improve your life. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Think about every move you make from beginning to end. Take the initiative, lend a helping hand and set an excellent example for others. Listen to suggestions and pick and choose what works best fo...

Bridge: April 16, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

“Don’t let Cy fool you,” Rose told me. “He may say Minnie is his punishment for something he did in a previous life, but he really regards her with resignation and affection.”Minnie Bottoms, my club’s senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy the Cynic has been Minnie’s chief victim.“I watched this deal in a penny game,” Rose said, displaying today’s layout.“Minnie was in a penny game?”“Her Social Security check came,” Rose said. “She was South, Cy was East. Minnie and North got to six spades, and West led the ten of diamonds. Minnie took dummy’s ace and let the queen of trumps ride. When West showed out, Minnie threw a club on the king of diamonds and led the ten of trumps. Cy’s king covered, and Minnie’s ace won. What do you think she did next?”“I can’t guess.”“You should,...

Word Game: April 16, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — REDUNDANT (REDUNDANT: rih-DUN-dent: Exceeding what is necessary or normal.)Average mark 41 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 59 or more words in REDUNDANT?TODAY’S WORD — REDUNDANT rant rate read rend rent rude rued runt earn dander dare darn dart date dater daunt dead dean dear dent drat dread dude duet dune dunned udder undated under unrated unread urea nature near neat nerd nude adder anent ante antre ardent aunt tanned tanner tare tarn tear tend tern trade tread trend true tuna tundra tune tuner turnTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Prope...

Police investigating after 15-year-old fatally shot in Providence, RI

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

Police are investigating a shooting in Providence, Rhode Island early Saturday morning that left a teen dead. Officers responding to a reported shooting found the 15-year-old suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police.He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Police say the teen was later identified as a runaway from New Hampshire.No additional information was immediately available. This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

One in life-threatening condition after stabbing in Kingston and Galloway area

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

One person is in life-threatening condition after a stabbing in the Kingston and Galloway roads area on Sunday morning.STABBING:Kingston Rd & Galloway Rd3:27am– reports of a man being stabbed– officers responded & located the victim with a stab wound– victim trans to hosp via emerg run– victim in life-thr cond– no suspect info– anyone with info, call police 416-808-2222#GO838290^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) April 16, 2023Police responded to a call at approximately 2:30 a.m. of reports of a man being stabbed.The victim was located with a stab wound and taken to a trauma centre with serious, life-threatening injuries.There is currently no information on the suspect.

Police say 5 people shot, 2 dead at cockfight in Honolulu

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:42:51 GMT

Two victims died after five people were shot during an altercation at a late-night cockfight Friday in Honolulu, police said. Honolulu police responded to a call about shots fired just past midnight Friday and were searching Saturday for a suspect believed to be in his 20s who allegedly shot the others who were attending the event, KHON-TV reported.“At the end of the fight a group of males started arguing and then it escalated to a physical altercation, at some point gun shots were fired hitting the five people who were in the immediate area,” Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON.Police said a 59-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male were pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital, KHON reported.Three men aged 38, 40 and 57 sustained gunshot wounds but were treated and released from a hospital, KHON reported.Police said the circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.“I don’t understand the circumstances from this, it could have stemmed from somethi...