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DC Public Schools see slight improvements in 2023 citywide assessment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

In a report cosigned by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the District’s public schools’ latest statewide assessment numbers showed students made gains in both English and math.So, how did students do?Overall, the city’s public schools’ third through 12th grade students experienced a 2.6% gain in math and a 2.9% gain in English, according to results from the spring 2023 assessment.A third of students — 33.6% — are “meeting or exceeding expectations” in English and 21.8% of students achieved that same mark in math.The report noted that while no statewide assessments were given to students in 2020 or 2021, this year’s results remain lower than the 2019 results, alluding to the assumption that the shift to virtual learning during the pandemic harmed student achievement and is reflected in the results.The assessment ranks student’s academic achievements against the District’s “rig...

Investigation underway following police-involved shooting in Miami neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

Police are investigating a police-involved shooting in Miami after a situation unfolded, Thursday morning. Several Miami Police officers were at the scene of 69th Terrace just off 15th Avenue. In the early hours of the day, SWAT teams were also on the scene. Although details of the incident are limited, it appears that authorities attempted to get someone out of a home. Live video footage showed fire rescue crews taking a man, who had handcuffs around his wrists, out on a gurney and into an ambulance to transport him to a Jackson Memorial Hospital due to shortness of breath. The Department of Homeland Security was also on the scene, but it is unclear what their involvement is in this incident. Officials have been contacted for more information. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Krispy Kreme unveils limited edition pup’kin spice doggie donuts for National Dog Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

In celebration of National Dog Day this Saturday, Krispy Kreme is embracing the spirit of the season with limited-time “Pup-kin” Spice Doggie Donuts, ensuring that your furry friends can join in the fall-flavored festivities.Krispy Kreme’s “Pup’kin” Spice Doggie Donuts are available in a variety of four flavors. The four delightful flavors featured in this limited edition offering include Pup’kin Spice Original Glazed, Pup’kin Spice Cake, Pup’kin Spice Maple Peanut and Pup’kin Spice Cheesecake Swirl. Each biscuit is crafted to cater to dogs’ taste preferences while incorporating the quintessential fall tastes that many pet owners adore.Pet owners and enthusiasts can rejoice, as Krispy Kreme’s “Pup-kin” Spice Doggie Donuts will be available exclusively from Saturday through the following Thursday. So, mark your calendars and head over to your nearest Krispy Kreme location to ensure your furry friend doesn’t miss out on...

Ukraine revels in Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s demise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

KYIV — Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death in a Russian jet crash has been greeted in Ukraine with dark humor and jubilation.“I am thrilled that people who killed or were responsible for killing thousands of Ukrainians have died. And they will no longer kill any Ukrainian, nor will they escape punishment, which would be very likely if they survived,” Ukrainian media expert Otar Dovzhenko told POLITICO.Many others reacted with memes and sarcastic comments, after the fiery plane crash which apparently killed Prigozhin and a number of his top Wagner lieutenants.“Well, Prigozhin specifically asked to send him more weapons,” Ukrainian standup comedian Anton Tymoshenko joked in a Facebook post, connecting Prigozhin’s battlefield video demands for more weapons and one of the versions of what happened in the jet crash, that a Russian air defense missile shot it down.Prigozhin’s death was also widely cheered as a great present for Ukraine’s Indepen...

UK to confirm further delay to post-Brexit border checks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

LONDON — The U.K. will next week confirm another delay to new post-Brexit border checks on food coming from the EU — the government’s fifth delay of the new regime.The Financial Times reported on Thursday morning that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has signed off on the latest delay, due to fears that new red tape at the border will fuel inflation, and that the announcement could come as soon as later that day.A government official told POLITICO that there will not be an announcement Thursday, but indicated that the delay would be confirmed in an update from the Cabinet Office next week.Labour this week called the government’s handling of the issue“absolutely shambolic,” while business groups called for urgent clarity on the issue.The government’s latest plan was to roll out the first stage of Britain’s new border regime in October, with further stages implemented throughout 2024 that would see more checks on food and animal products entering the country from the EU.However, it ha...

How Moldova’s climate plans are entangled with separatists and Russian troops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

Moldova wants to introduce its own carbon tax to keep pace with the European Union’s climate legislation — but the effort is creating tensions with its Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, home to most of the country’s heavy industry.The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Measure (CBAM) is a border tax aimed at keeping bloc’s companies competitive by ensuring that rivals also pay a carbon price. It targets six carbon-intensive sectors highly exposed to international trade: aluminum, cement, iron and steel, electricity, hydrogen and fertilizers. Its transitional phase launches on October and goes fully into effect in 2026.That’s a big potential problem for Moldova, and especially Transnistria, which is a large exporter of iron and steel to the EU. A study by Carnegie Europe found the CBAM would “most likely lead to unemployment and reduced wages” and could put up to 2 percent of Moldova̵...

Cargo plane crash kills 2 during training mission near central Maine airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating the crash of a twin-engine cargo plane during a training exercise near a small airport in central Maine, which killed both people on board.The Beechcraft crashed in a field in the town of Litchfield at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The agency said the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation.The plane crashed “under unknown circumstances” about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) from Wales Airport, said Sarah Taylor Sulick, a spokesperson for the NTSB. Authorities had not identified the two dead as of Wednesday.The NTSB was just beginning its investigation on Wednesday, said Ralph Hicks, a senior investigator with the agency. The plane was configured for cargo, but it was being used for flight training at the time of the crash, Hicks said.“The investigator will document the accident site, airplane, and gather witness statements and any surveillance video that m...

Chicago Cubs are watching the standings in a tight NL wild-card race: 4 takeaways from their series in Detroit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

With their sights set on winning a division title, the Chicago Cubs weren’t focusing on the National League wild-card chase.Next week’s three-game series at Wrigley Field against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers should be a chance to narrow the 3 1/2-game margin between the NL Central rivals, and the Cubs have Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks set up to start.But beggars can’t be choosers, and if the wild card is the Cubs’ only path to the postseason, they’ll take it.“I probably check (the wild-card standings) this year more than in the past,” manager David Ross said with a grin Wednesday morning.Of course, there was no need to check them in 2021 and ‘22, when the Cubs were out of contention by this point.“This is what’s so much fun to me about baseball — getting into this time of the year and rooting against the teams around you,” Ross said. “It’s funny, with all candidness, I can&#...

‘I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone other than him’: Ken Williams and Rick Hahn on their time in the Chicago White Sox front office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

Ken Williams and Rick Hahn were together when the Chicago White Sox reached baseball’s pinnacle, winning the 2005 World Series.Williams was the general manager at the time and Hahn in the role of assistant GM. In October 2012, Williams became the executive vice president with Hahn becoming the GM.The Sox went through a rebuild after the 2016 season in the hopes of that ultimate success again. It didn’t pan out that way, with the team in a free-fall this season. The pair were relieved of their responsibilities Tuesday by Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.Both released statements late Tuesday, reflecting on their long tenures in the organization.“Rick Hahn, my friend,” Williams said in part of his statement. “We didn’t accomplish what we set out to do, but I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone other than him. He is one of the smartest people I know and I am confident, if given the chance, I will see him reach the pinnacle of success.“We man...

What’s next for the Chicago White Sox front office? A report lists Chris Getz and Dayton Moore as names to watch.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:44 GMT

Yasmani Grandal recalled going through front office changes early in his major-league career with the San Diego Padres.The catcher is experiencing it again as a veteran with the Chicago White Sox.“Usually that happens when a team doesn’t perform,” Grandal said Wednesday.The Sox announced an overhaul Tuesday, firing executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.“Definitely shocking,” Grandal said. “But the one thing I’ve learned in this game is that it’s also a business. Things like this happen all the time.”The Sox have followed up a disappointing 2022, where they went 81-81 and missed the playoffs, by taking a huge step back at 50-77.“We just haven’t reached that potential,” said shortstop Tim Anderson, who returned to the lineup Wednesday after serving his five-game suspension. “We have to continue to try to get better. We haven’t got to where we need to be.”The Sox won ...