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Wisconsin university regents reject deal with Republicans to reduce diversity positions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The regents of Universities of Wisconsin narrowly voted Saturday to reject a deal with Republican lawmakers to freeze hiring for diversity positions, drop an affirmative action faculty hiring program at UW-Madison and create a position at the flagship campus focused on conservative thought.The regents voted 9-8 during an emergency meeting to reject the deal reached Friday after being brokered by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.“I don’t like this precedent,” Regent Dana Wachs said during the meeting. “We need to make this a welcoming environment.”Conservatives have long criticized the UW system as a bastion of liberalism. Democrats have accused Republicans of holding employees hostage by blocking pay raises. They argue that diversity initiatives enhance the collegiate experience and play a crucial role in identifying promising students who grew up with fewer resources. The fight in Wisconsin reflects a broader cultural battle playing out across the na...

The State Department OKs the sale of tank ammunition to Israel in a deal bypassing Congress’ review

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Going around Congress, the Biden administration said Saturday it has approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip.The move comes as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale” of the munitions in the U.S. national...

Quebec man charged with 2nd-degree murder after toddler’s death

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

MONTREAL — A 34-year-old Quebec man has been charged with second-degree murder after the death of a toddler who was found severely injured at a home daycare northeast of Montreal.Tomy Carranza Ladry appeared by video conference in a Montreal courtroom Saturday morning from Joliette, Que., where he is being detained. He was formally accused of causing the 18-month-old’s death between Dec. 4 and 5.However, Carranza Ladry’s case was postponed to Dec. 14, when he is expected to appear in court in Joliette.Earlier this week, police responded to a call about a child with serious injuries at a home daycare in L’Assomption, Que.The toddler died hours later in hospital.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2023.The Canadian Press

Thousands of revelers descend on NYC for annual Santa-themed bar crawl SantaCon

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Here come Santa Clauses. Again.Throngs of people dressed as jolly Old St. Nick descended on New York City for the annual SantaCon charity pub crawl on Saturday.The booze-fueled stroll, which included no shortage of Grinches, elves and other Christmas-themed costumes, kicked off at 10 a.m. in bars and clubs in midtown Manhattan. Revelers were expected to make their way downtown where the festivities end at 8 p.m. in local watering holes in the East Village. The organizers encouraged participants to donate $15 to enter participating venues, which they have said will go to charitable causes.Similar Christmas-themed bacchanals were slated in cities across the U.S. and Europe, from San Francisco and Cincinnati to London and Berlin, on Saturday. As in years past, transit agencies hoped to keep the revelry from causing too much chaos in the nation’s busiest train system. Commuter rail lines from New Jersey and the New York suburbs banned passengers from drinking on tr...

Sri Lanka experiences a temporary power outage after a main transmission line fails

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka experienced an island-wide power outage for several hours Saturday after a system failure in one of the main transmission lines, the country’s power and energy ministry said.The power outage began Saturday evening and continued for several hours.“Step by step restorations are underway and it may take few hours to completely restore the power supply,” said the ministry in a statement.Sri Lanka largely depends on hydro power for power generation, while coal and oil are used to cover the balance. During the dry season, the country is compelled to use more thermal power for generation of electricity.Sri Lanka experienced several hours of daily power cuts last year for several months due to plunging water levels powering hydroelectric dams. The power crisis worsened as Sri Lanka faced difficulty in importing sufficient stocks of oil and coal after the country’s foreign reserves were depleted during an unprecedented economic crisis.Sri Lanka plunged int...

Eagles security guard DiSandro banned from sideline for Sunday Night Football vs. Cowboys

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles security chief who was ejected in last week’s game for his role in a scuffle with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is barred by the NFL from the sideline for Sunday night’s game against the Cowboys, the team announced Saturday.Dom DiSandro is allowed to travel with the team and perform all other work duties when Philadelphia (10-2) plays at Dallas (9-3). But he is not allowed on the sideline.“This is an ongoing conversation with the NFL, and we are going to respect the restriction that is currently in place,” the Eagles said in a statement.DiSandro pulled Greenlaw off Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith and shouted at him after a reception in the third quarter. Greenlaw, who was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play, popped up and reached over two officials to put his hand in DiSandro’s face.Greenlaw was ejected. DiSandro also was told to leave and walked to the locker room to a roaring ovation from Eagles fans.“I know in Dom’s heart, he tr...

How did Saint Nicholas inspire the Santa Claus legend?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The white-bearded Christian saint whose acts of generosity inspired America’s secular Santa Claus figure is known worldwide — but Saint Nicholas' origin story is not.The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children.WHO WAS ST. NICHOLAS?St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey).“Much of the rest is legend. There’s not really a lot of hard historical evidence about St. Nicholas,” said the Rev. Nicholas Ayo, author of “Saint Nicholas in America: Christmas Holy Day and Holiday.”But whether the stories are true is not so much the point, said Ayo, an 89-year-old retired Notre Dame University professor named after St. Nicholas.“There’s no Santa Claus that lands on the roof, but there’s a desire in people’s heart for an unconditional love that doesn’t depend on your behavior, but the fact that you’re somebody’s child.” Will holiday travel be chaotic a...

WilCo constable announces campaign for Sheriff as the Republican nominee

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A Williamson County constable who has been working in law enforcement for nearly four decades announced he is running for Williamson County Sheriff as the Republican nominee. Precinct Three Constable Matthew Lindemann started his career in the 1980s as a corrections officer before joining the Texas Department of Public Safety as a state trooper in 1990. Nearly 30 years later, Lindemann retired as a Lieutenant in the Texas Ranger Division and then worked as an investigator with the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, according to the campaign announcement“Williamson County has been my home my entire life. My wife and I have raised our two children in this community, and now, my grandchildren are growing up here. Keeping our county a safe place to live, work, and raise a family is personal to me,” Lindemann said. “For 38 years, I have dedicated myself to protecting and serving Williamson County, and I hope to continue that service as yo...

Lake Elmo Airport’s new runway gets more use — and more complaints

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

The Lake Elmo Airport has drawn a few noise complaints since the completion of last year’s runway relocation and expansion project.During a three-month period this summer and fall, the Metropolitan Airports Commission received 4,291 noise complaints from 16 locations near the airport. During that same period in 2022, MAC received six complaints from four locations.“It was unbearable from April through the beginning of November, and we absolutely cannot tolerate another spring and summer like that,” said Mary Vierling, who lives near the airport. “We experience constant noise and buzzing. Residents cannot work from home, cannot sleep, and our pets are afraid to go outside.”On Wednesday, she reported that six airplanes were doing touch-and-goes at the airport, departing over Neal Avenue at 30-second to one-minute intervals. Those touch-and-goes — when an aircraft lands on a runway, then immediately takes off again, often as part of flight training — and an increased number of flyovers...

Your Money: Two last-minute tax moves for your stock portfolio

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:03:41 GMT

Bruce Helmer and Peg WebbThere’s still time to take advantage of tax rules affecting stocks in your taxable portfolio or brokerage account that could help you save on taxes next April. But remember that the end of the year is fast approaching, and it takes time for stock transactions to settle.Make sure you leave about 10 days or more to make sure all of your tax-driven sales or purchases are recorded in 2023.First, let’s review the rules around capital gains and taxes on dividend or interest income.• On short-term capital gains (that is, investments that are sold within 12 months of purchase) and ordinary income, you’ll pay federal income taxes at rates up to 40.8%. This rate combines the top income tax rate of 37% plus the 3.8% Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax on net investment income (the so-called “NIIT rule”).• Long-term capital gains taxes are levied at rates from 0% to 23.8%, depending on your income.• You’ll also pay taxes on stock dividends at rates from 0% to 23.8%, depending...