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ACT reports record low scores on its college readiness exam

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

(CNN) — The average composite score on the ACT college admissions test dropped to their lowest levels since 1991, according to data released this week.The average composite score fell to 19.5 out of a possible 36 for the class of 2023, according to the nonprofit ACT.“This is the sixth consecutive year of declines in average scores, with average scores declining in every academic subject,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said in a news release.The proportion of what ACT calls “Covid cohort seniors” who did not meet any of the benchmark scores considered necessary to succeed in college reached a historic high of 43%.The average scores in math, reading and science were below the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, the nonprofit said.“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” Godwin said.ACT said just 21% of students met all four benchmarks – English, math, reading, science. The benchmarks are t...

Bishop Feehan puts up a wall, blanks Cardinal Spellman, 24-0

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

BROCKTON – In a matchup of strong Catholic Central opponents, it was the Bishop Feehan defense that came out on top on the road Friday.With five sacks and five forced turnovers, Bishop Feehan was able to shut out a potent Cardinal Spellman offense 24-0 at Potvin Field.“We have a tremendous amount of respect for Spellman,” said Bishop Feehan coach Bryan Pinabell. “They are a very well-coached team. They do a lot of good things on offense and going into it I knew we would need to have our best defensive game of the year.”The defense answered that call as they pressured Cardinal Spellman’s offensive line all game, including two sacks each for junior Reid Clemente and senior captain Sean Judge.“Judge is a big part of that, but so is Reid,” Pinabell said about the playmaking ability of his defense. “A lot of the sacks that were caused, Reid does not get credit for his pressure. Sean has been getting better week by week.”Judge also added a pick in the second half as well as two tackles fo...

Chicago Bears to honor late linebacker Dick Butkus with No. 51 patches on their jerseys and Soldier Field displays

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

Chicago Bears players will wear No. 51 patches on their jerseys for the remainder of the season to pay tribute to late Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus.The patch is one of several ways the Bears plan to honor Butkus, who died in his sleep at age 80 last week at his home in Malibu, Calif..At Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, the Bears will have an on-field display of his retired No. 51 jersey. A Butkus memorial will sit at the stadium’s South Courtyard by Gate 1, a space where fans can see his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust and receive a commemorative button. A locker-room display with a Butkus jersey will be at Gate 7.The Bears plan to have several in-game tributes, including airing old interviews with Butkus, who was a Chicago native, University of Illinois alumnus and five-time first-team All-Pro over his nine seasons with the Bears. Fans can record their own tributes to Butkus at chicagobears.com.Memories of Butkus have been abundant i...

Lynnfield, Tyler Adamo pass giant test and defeat host Amesbury

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

AMESBURY – It was Senior Night in Amesbury as the Redhawks took the field at Landry Stadium against Lynnfield in a huge CAL Small showdown of unbeatens, but it was a junior quarterback from the other sideline who stole the show.Pioneers quarterback Tyler Adamo threw for two touchdowns, both to Joey Cucciniello, and scampered for 24 yards for another as Lynnfield (6-0) stayed perfect with an impressive 24-14 win over Amesbury (4-1). Adamo and the Pioneers were well aware that all roads to a CAL title would have to go through a very physical Amesbury team which had won the last two crowns.“There were a lot of guys picking us to lose this game saying that you have to dethrone the king and we kind of took that personally,” said Adamo, who hit his favorite target with a pair of darts from 26 and 24 yards, respectively, while rolling out of the pocket.“It was kind of like a broken play and Joey came free in the back of the end zone,” said Adamo of the first score. “And the next play it wa...

Teen arrested after man killed in City Heights shopping center parking lot shooting

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a deadly shooting Thursday in the Castle neighborhood, authorities said.The shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. in a shopping center parking lot in the 3800 block of Marlborough Avenue, Lt. Adam Sharki with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said in a news release Friday.When officers arrived on scene, they found an unidentified 20-year-old man in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. First responders took the victim to the hospital, where he later died, according to police.Investigators determined the victim was sitting inside a vehicle parked in the lot when the shooter approached the car and shot through the 20-year-old's windshield. The suspect then ran to a vehicle and left the scene, authorities said. Person found dead in Mission Bay near SeaWorld Police believe the shooting was targeted.During the investigation, authorities identified the suspect as a 16-year-old boy. He was later arrested Thursday e...

California Gov. Newsom signs law to slowly raise health care workers’ minimum wage to $25 per hour

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour over the next decade under a new law Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday.The new law is the second minimum wage increase Newsom has signed. Last month, he signed a law raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour.Both wage increases are the result of years of lobbying by labor unions, which have significant sway in the state’s Democratic-dominated Legislature.“Californians saw the courage and commitment of healthcare workers during the pandemic, and now that same fearlessness and commitment to patients is responsible for a historic investment in the workers who make our healthcare system strong and accessible to all,” said Tia Orr, executive director of the Service Employees International Union California. The wage increase for health care workers reflects a carefully crafted compromise in the final days of the legislative session between the health care ...

Slow-moving autumn storm to switch precipitation phase to intermittent lake effect showers later Saturday into Sunday

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

The storm is focusing on the Illinois/Indiana shoreline as “full fetch” northerly winds kick up 6-12+ foot pounding waves, resulting in dangerous conditions near the lakeshore. Milder pattern may be taking shape beyond the 7-day outlookChicago's rain chances peak Saturday then slowly drop off heading into next weekLAKE-LEVEL UPDATEContinues lower than last year but modestly above the long-term average2023 ANNULAR ECLIPSEAn annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky. SOURCE:NASA/Bill DunfordThis conceptual animation is an example of what you might expect to see through certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar filter during an annular solar eclipse, like the one happening over the United States on October 14, 2023. Annular eclipses are fam...

'Vigorous' exercise, thermal pants part of Armstrong's escape plan, court records reveal

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County court records obtained by KXAN investigators surrounding Kaitlin Armstrong's brief escape Oct. 11 during a trip to a medical facility, Ascension Orthopedics in Austin, outline months of planning before evading from two Travis County correctional officers on foot. Kaitlin Armstrong attempts escape ahead of Austin murder trial; will face additional charges According to the affidavit, Armstrong fled as she was exiting the rear entry doors of the doctor's office, was able to manipulate her left hand from the restraints and removed her black and white striped uniform pants. "She was wearing thermal pants underneath in an effort to disguise her appearance as an inmate," the affidavit states. According to the affidavit, Armstrong attempted to scale a 6-foot fence, which is when one officer grabbed her causing them both to fall to the ground. Armstrong was able to immediately separate from the officer and continued fleeing on foot for approximately one mile ...

Westlake holds on in top 25 battle with Dripping Springs

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Westlake Chaparrals were tested by a feisty Dripping Springs team Friday evening but were able to hold on for a 27 - 14 win at Chaparral Stadium.No. 4 Westlake moves to 7-0 with the win while No. 22 Dripping Springs falls to 5-2. The Tigers jumped out to 14-7 halftime lead looking for an upset.The Chaps finished strong to stay unbeaten behind a strong defensive effort and quarterback Rees Wise leading the way on offense. Wise ran for three touchdowns. Heath McRee scored a touchdown on a blocked punt to seal it for the Chaps.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to sports@kxan.com and we'll get it on our websiteThe game was streamed live on KXAN, as are all Westlake Chaparrals games. Westlake will now head on the road to battle Austin High while Dripping Springs returns home to face Lake Travis.

Texas Comptroller announces purchase of $20M in Israel bonds

Published Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:58:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the purchase of $20 million in Israel bonds, which will provide liquidity to Israel as it defends itself against Hamas, according to a news release from Texas Comptroller's office."Texas has long had a deep spiritual, political and economic connection to Israel and the Israeli people," Hegar said in the news release. "They are our friend and ally, and Texas supports their right to defend their people against these cowardly terrorists. We will stand with them, and we will provide them with the financial liquidity needed to respond to the atrocities we've all witnessed."Furthermore, since 1994, Texas has invested in Israel bonds annually, according to the comptroller's office. After this purchase, Texas will hold nearly $100 million in Israel bonds, the release said. Since Hegar has taken office, Texas has purchased $140 million in Israel bonds.The bonds, which will mature in five years, are fixed-rate and carry an in...