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Supporters, naysayers weigh in on push to phase out school choice in Chicago

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's public education politics could explode in the coming months and years. People on both sides of the school choice battle are digging in. In 2023, the movement for public education flexed its muscles. First, a Chicago Teachers Union organizer, Brandon Johnson, was elected Chicago's mayor.Then, last week, the Board of Education expressed strong support for neighborhood schools, passing a resolution calling to transition away from policies supporting charter, magnet, and selective enrollment schools.LATEST FROM TAHMAN BRADLEY: Johnson says migrants are being dropped off in Chicago without coordinationIt was a victory for public education advocates who’ve long complained that the choice system leaves children competing against each other for limited resources.The Chicago Teachers Union celebrated in a statement, saying, “Though selective enrollment was originally designed to desegregate the school district,  instead it has contributed to more segregati...

IRS to waive $1B in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS said Tuesday it is going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 per year for tax years 2020 and 2021.Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, which totals about $1 billion, the agency said.The IRS temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic, beginning in February 2022, and agency leadership says the pause in automated reminders is a reason behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties.“Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these reminders would have normally been issued as a follow up after the initial notice,” the IRS said in a statement.“Although these reminder notices were suspended, the failure-to-pay penalty continues to accrue for taxpayers who did not fully pay their bills in response to the initial ...

Austin FC's 2024 season starts at home, plays in-state rivals 3 times each for Copa Tejas

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC is hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 campaign and will start things anew at home for the 2024 season.The club released its entire 34-match schedule Wednesday and features 28 matches against Western Conference opponents with six matches against teams from the Eastern Conference.Full 2024 Austin FC scheduleVerde and Black's season opener is also its home opener, a 7:30 p.m. tilt with Minnesota United on Feb. 24. The battle for Copa Tejas gets kicked up a notch with three matches apiece against Lone Star State rivals Dallas and Houston. The regular season ending on Oct. 19, otherwise known as Decision Day when the playoff field is set. Austin hosts the Colorado Rapids on Decision Day, so perhaps a playoff spot will be on the line at Q2 Stadium.For the first time in franchise history, Austin FC will play the Philadelphia Union and NYCFC. Both matches are scheduled for Q2 Stadium with the Union coming to town March 16 and NYCFC on July 6. Austin...

Tommies football signs eight Minnesotans in 20-player recruiting class

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso officially welcomed 20 players to the Tommies family on Wednesday at the end of the early signing period.There are eight Minnesotans in the class, including 6-foot-7 offensive tackle Ethan Simms from Eden Prairie, whom Caruso called one of the Tommies’ top recruits. Aiden Horel, an offensive tackle from Prior Lake, also was a highly sought after player, Caruso said.Quentin Cobb-Butler from Woodbury was added as a return specialist. Mounds View’s Ben Hoiland joins the Tommies as a punter/kicker.The Tommies signed four linebackers, including Taran Blasy from Park High School, Charles Bern from East Ridge and Roman Johnson from Minnetonka. The Tommies took a big hit at the position, with two starters graduating and Jonathan Bunce and Seth Bullard entering the transfer portal.There’s a chance at least one of the incoming linebackers will see considerable playing time. The 6-4 Bern is a “huge dude,” Caruso said, who played on both sides of the ball ...

St. Paul schools athletic director resigns

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

A St. Paul Public Schools athletic administrator has resigned from his post.Monroe Denarvise Thornton’s last day with the school district was Nov. 18, according to documents released ahead of the St. Paul school board’s Tuesday meeting. His departure is described in human resources disclosures as a resignation.He did not immediately return a Wednesday call seeking comment on his resignation. Members of the St. Paul school board didn’t immediately return requests Wednesday for comment on the resignation.Thornton, 54, had been accused of sex discrimination and harassment by subordinates.Details on any possible separation deal, including severance pay or the reason for the resignation, were not immediately available Wednesday.There is no public record of Thornton facing discipline for allegations of harassment or discrimination based on sex, and the district had already closed investigations of the complaints against him when they became public this summer.No immediate plans to h...

Gophers lose one defensive lineman, add another via transfer portal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

The revolving doors of the NCAA transfer portal took another turn and a half on Wednesday.Navarro College defensive end Eddy Toussom flipped his commitment from Minnesota to Alabama-Birmingham and signed with UAB on Wednesday.In the meantime, Central Michigan defensive lineman Quindario Lee of McKenzie, Ala., committed and signed with the Gophers.Lee, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, had 28 total tackles, seven for lost yards, and three sacks in 11 games for the Chippewas last season. He was credited with 21 pressures and an overall defensive grade of 59.8, according to Pro Football Focus.Minnesota added six transfers overall on Wednesday, including quarterbacks Max Brosmer (New Hampshire) and Logan Fife (Fresno State), cornerbacks Ethan Robinson (Bucknell) and Jaionte McMillan (TCU), and running back Sieh Bangura (Ohio).Transfer portal trackerIncoming players (Previous school)Dec. 3QB Max Brosmer (New Hampshire)Dec. 10DT Jordan Guerad (Fla. International)RB Trent Howland (...

Senate adjourns until 2024 without deal on Ukraine, border security 

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

The Senate wrapped up its work for the year Wednesday without a deal on Ukraine funding or border security, and senators are not scheduled to return to Washington until Jan. 8.  A group of Senate and White House negotiators plan to hold virtual meetings over the Christmas and New Year’s break on an emergency foreign aid package, but Congress isn’t expected to vote on anything until next month.  The Republican-controlled House left town for the Christmas break last week.  The departure of both chambers marks the end of the most unproductive legislative session in the past 30 years, as Congress passed only 27 bills that President Biden signed into law.    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blamed the lack of accomplishments on former President Trump’s influence over the Republican-controlled House. “Under a Republican House majority this year, we saw a year marked by chaos, extremism and paralysis. There’s no question that divided government and MAGA extremis...

No charges for Denver officer who fatally shot man holding marker

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

The police officer who fatally shot a 36-year-old unarmed man in August while responding to a domestic violence call in south Denver was legally justified in using deadly force, according to a decision letter issued by District Attorney Beth McCann on Wednesday.Brandon Cole acted aggressively toward Denver police officers Steven Watson and Audrey McAndrews and they reasonably believed he was holding a knife when he confronted them, according to the district attorney’s office.Investigators later found Cole was holding a black felt-tip marker in his hand during the encounter that ended with McAndrews fatally shooting him as he ran toward her.“After carefully reviewing all the evidence in the case, I believe that Officer Watson’s use of force by the Taser and that Officer McAndrews’s use of deadly force were both justified based on Colorado law. Therefore, no criminal charges will be filed against either officer,” McCann said in a statement Wednesday.Investigators determine...

Broncos QB Russell Wilson has moved past Sean Payton’s sideline outburst in loss to Lions: “We are focused on beating New England”

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

Just like head coach Sean Payton, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has moved on from the sideline interaction between the two during Saturday’s 42-17 loss to the Detroit Lions.“We are focused on beating New England and playing a good game against them. Obviously, this game matters and that’s where our head is at,” Wilson said.Payton became a national headline after he was caught by the NFL Network broadcast yelling at Wilson after the Broncos were flagged for being offsides, which negated a touchdown late in the third quarter.Payton said after the game that his conversations with Wilson are “none of your business.” On Monday, Payton said he has a great relationship with Wilson but didn’t shed any more light on the situation except that he was frustrated by the flag on fourth down.On Wednesday, Wilson brushed off a question about whether he had a conversation with Payton about the outburst.“We definitely talked about the game plan for this week,” he said.Wilson added he hasn’t paid...

Heavier rain moves into Southern California

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:54 GMT

Bands of heavy rain moved into Southern California on Wednesday as part of an atmospheric river “event” that will continue through Thursday and could produce flash flooding.“A potent cold front is finally making its way onshore along the Central Coast this afternoon with rain rates around one inch per hour,” the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles said.  “This is a fairly slow-moving front and significant flooding is possible as it works its way east through the forecast area.” Check latest rainfall totals The highest rain totals through midday Wednesday were in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties where rainfall rates reached around one inch per hour in some isolated locations.The Weather Service is still forecasting two to five inches of rainfall throughout the storm for coastal areas and inland valleys of Los Angeles County, and five to ten inches in the foothills and mountains. Communities are preparing for potential street flooding and debris f...