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Early-learning and child-care ministers promise to work together to improve workforce

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for early learning and child care say they plan to work together to address workforce challenges.Karina Gould, minister of Families, Children and Social Development Canada, announced the ministers agreed during a meeting in Iqaluit to develop a plan focused on recruitment, retention and recognition.Natalie Jameson, Prince Edward Island’s minister of Education and Early Years, says that is to include fair wages, good working conditions and professional development opportunities. All provinces and territories have signed on to Canada’s $10-a-day child-care plan with individual targets and the overarching aim to reduce licensed child-care fees to $10 a day by 2026.Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut have all reached that goal ahead of schedule while Yukon had achieved that average before signing on.Gould says there is still a need for more child-care spaces and the federa...

Las Vegas police officer’s brother testified against him about ‘desperate’ casino heist

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The younger brother of a Las Vegas police officer testified against him Thursday, painting a clear picture for the jury of how the two successfully stole more than $73,000 in a pre-dawn casino heist off the Strip.“Caleb told me that it was gonna be his operation and when it was happening I had to do everything he said because he had the knowledge and the skill,” Josiah Rogers said, referring to his brother’s work in law enforcement. Josiah Rogers admitted on the stand that he was the getaway driver in one of the heists, using an unregistered pickup truck with no plates. He said he knew his brother “desperately” needed money after a longtime struggle with gambling. While jurors scribbled down notes during Josiah Rogers’ testimony, Caleb Rogers avoided eye contact with his brother. Josiah Rogers has been granted immunity from prosecution for sharing details about how they rehearsed and then carried out the November 2021 robbery at Red Rock Casino.Prosecutors for the f...

$1.2M bail set for man charged with killing Tennessee surgeon remembered as skilled, beloved doctor

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A man charged with killing a hand surgeon at a Tennessee clinic was being held on $1.2 million bail Thursday as those who knew the doctor remembered him as a skilled and beloved medical professional who cared for his patients. Larry Pickens, 29, told a judge on Thursday that he could not afford the bail and wasn’t sure if he could afford a lawyer, the Commercial Appeal reported. He did not enter a plea. Judge Lee Ann Dobson told Pickens that a public defender would not cost him anything and set his next court date for July 20. Pickens was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the shooting of Dr. Benjamin Mauck at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in the Memphis suburb of Collierville on Tuesday. Police said Mauck was shot in an exam room and that Pickens had been at the clinic for several hours before the shooting.Authorities haven’t disclosed a possible motive for the shooting. The Collierville clinic remained closed Thursday, b...

Telus revises 2023 guidance, citing technology sector cost-cutting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

VANCOUVER — Telus Corp. revised downward its annual guidance for 2023, citing demand pressures as the technology sector looks to cut costs. The Vancouver-based company says it revised its guidance as a result of Telus International’s updated full-year annual outlook.As a result, Telus says it’s targeting consolidated operating revenue growth of 9.5 to 11.5 per cent, down from 11 to 14 per cent. Telus, which is the controlling shareholder of Telus International, says the spun-out company’s lower revenue guidance is due to anticipated demand challenges from certain clients in its technology vertical. Darren Entwistle, chair of Telus International’s board of directors, says the company has faced unprecedented and severe global pressures, particularly within technology as clients aggressively address cost structures, including through successive layoffs. Entwistle, who is also president and CEO of Telus, says Telus International in response is focused on its own ...

7 confirmed tornadoes after Wednesday night's storms: National Weather Service

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

CHICAGO — The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday a total of seven tornadoes after Wednesday night’s storms, in Oswego, Huntley, Barrington, Long Grove, and three touchdowns occurring in Elgin.The first Elgin tornado had a maximum intensity EF-1 and maximum wind speed of 100 mph. The track roughly started east of Rt. 47 and ended near the railroad tracks west of Villa Olivia Golf Course.The NWS says the second tornado in Elgin had a max intensity of EF-0 with max wind speed of 85 mph. The tornado began close to McDonald Road and ended along Hopps Road.A NWS team confirmed a third tornado after grounds were surveyed from Burr Ridge to Stickney. A EF-1 with max winds near 110 mph was identified.The fourth tornado confirmed by NWS was reportedly an EF-0 with a maximum wind speed of 85 mph in northeastern Oswego and eastern Boulder Hill Wednesday evening.NWS survey teams confirmed three additional tornados across McHenry and Lake County in Illinois. In Huntley, an EF-1 with max ...

CW strikes deal to air ACC football, basketball

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — High-profile college sports matchups are coming to the CW Network this fall thanks to a new broadcast deal with the Atlantic Coast Conference and production partner Raycom Sports.  On Thursday, the CW announced an agreement to air ACC football and basketball games beginning this September and running through the 2026-27 season. The action kicks off Saturday, September 9 with a matchup between the Pitt Panthers and non-conference opponent Cincinnati Bearcats. “We are thrilled to be adding The CW to our weekly television lineup for ACC football and basketball games,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “The CW’s national distribution will directly benefit our student-athletes, teams, alumni and fans.”In all, 13 football games will air on Saturday afternoons through the regular season. From December through February, 28 men’s basketball games and nine women’s games will air across the network, which is owned by the parent company of this website.&n...

Ken Paxton's defense and prosecution wrestle over rules ahead of impeachment trial

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With less than two months before the start of the Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, attorneys defending and prosecuting the case are taking their arguments over pretrial rules public.On Wednesday morning, Paxton's defense attorneys made a motion for pretrial scheduling order or conference with proposed discovery deadlines ahead of the trial. Discovery is the process in which legal parties exchange information about the case, in order for both sides to have an awareness of what witnesses and evidence might be presented or who will during trial.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who will preside as the judge in the case, complied with the request from Paxton's legal team, issuing a discovery order late Wednesday evening.Paxton impeachment pretrial discovery order from Lt. Governor Dan PatrickDownloadIn their request for official deadlines, Paxton's lawyers said "a scheduling order is necessary to ensure a full and fair trial," because of the ...

Camp for girls in Austin teaches about construction trade

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Girls in the Austin area began participating in a construction camp this week where they are learning about the construction trade and picking up some new skills along the way.Camp NaWIC started Monday and runs through Friday. Each day has been focused on a different aspect of construction work, according to organizers.On Thursday, campers learned how to pour concrete, solder and build their own cactuses.Campers said they have enjoyed the experience so far."I do think that it’s good to know as a skill just the information knowing how things are built — it's really good knowledge," camper Mauriel Coles said.Campers learn new skills related to construction trade (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Campers learn new skills related to construction trade (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Campers learn new skills related to construction trade (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Campers learn new skills related to construction trade (KXAN photo/Ed Zavala)Campers learn new skills related to construction trade (KXA...

St. Paul Parks and Rec, Parks Conservancy join initiative to bring equity to play spaces for children

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

St. Paul Parks and Rec and the St. Paul Parks Conservancy recently announced they have joined a national nonprofit effort dedicated to ending play space inequity across the country.The non-profit KABOOM!’s initiative is designed to “ensure that every child has an amazing place to play across the country,” according to the press release.St. Paul Parks and Rec and the conservancy plan to invest $7.5 million through a fundraising campaign to improve access to places for children to play.“Strong nonprofit partnerships are vital to the success and sustainability of our parks and recreation system,” said St. Paul Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez, in a statement. “We are excited to work with KABOOM! and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy to make our playspaces safer, more equitable, and accessible for all.”St. Paul has been recognized as having the second best city park system in the U.S., according to the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore rankings....

Beloved St. Paul Vietnamese eatery Ngon Bistro to close after 16 years

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:42:37 GMT

Ngon Bistro, the beloved University Avenue Vietnamese restaurant with French influences, will close after a 16-year run.The restaurant, which placed Vietnamese cuisine in a slightly upscale, and definitely cool, atmosphere, had loyal fans who raved about the ribeye pho, rabbit dumplings, serrano-pepper-braised pork pasta and more. Cocktails were delightful, too, and there was always something good spinning from the vinyl record player at the bar.Chef/owner Hai Truong took over the space in 2007 from his aunt, who ran Pho Anh there.It was always a bright spot in St. Paul’s culinary scene, and customers and neighbors mourned the loss on social media, where Trong posted the following message:“It’s been an epic run of 16+ years but we’ve made the difficult decision to close Ngon. Our last day of service will be Saturday, July 22nd. Stop in for one last meal with us.“Support your local small businesses & restaurants! See you again. Cheers, Hai.”Ngon Bistro: 799 University Ave.,...