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DeSantis signs measure expanding Florida death penalty law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

(The Hill) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Monday signed a bill that would make child rapists eligible for the death penalty in the state. “In Florida, we believe it’s only appropriate that the worst of the worst crimes deserve the worst of the worst punishment,” DeSantis said.Under the new legislation, child rapists get a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole and are eligible for capital punishment. The legislation goes against a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the court found it unconstitutional for states to use the death penalty as punishment for the rape of a child if the victim had not died.DeSantis's office said he's "prepared to take this law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule judicial precedents" which the Florida governor believes has "unjustly shielded child rapists from the death penalty." Federal judge rules Pennsylvania school district must allow After School Satan Club The bill was among a few the governor approved on ...

41% of LGBTQ young people contemplated suicide in the last year: survey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) - A new mental health survey out Monday from The Trevor Project shows 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously contemplated attempting suicide in the last year.The organization surveyed more than 28,000 LGBTQ people aged 13-24 nationwide.The survey also found that 81% of LGBTQ young people wanted mental health care in the past year, but of those, 56% did not receive any.“I know so many people who have attempted, who have suicidal thoughts,” said Alex Carroll, a member of the nonprofit NYC Youth 4 Trans Rights. “I think it’s shocking, but I think it’s the hard truth that everyone needs to know.”“I’m in that 41%, and once you’re in it, it’s really hard to get out of it, even if you have a super great support system,” said Kat Garcia, a member of NYC Youth for Trans Rights.“Middle school was a really tough time,” said Quinn Canales, a transgender college student who is also part of the non-profit. “I personally attempted twice because I was not able to get the proper help I ...

'A Taylor Treasure': Mrs. Lessie Givens reflects on 36 years of teaching pre, post-integration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

TAYLOR (KXAN)— If she knew then what she knows now, what would Mrs. Lessie Givens tell herself? What advice would she have for others? Would she survive the current state of public education, with teachers exiting the industry due to increased stress, politics spilling over into the classroom and what many call unfair compensation?Taylor ISD year book photo. (Photo: Taylor ISD).On National Teacher Appreciation Day, these are questions Reporter Jala Washington is dying to ask Givens ahead of a community celebration on Tuesday honoring Givens for her service inside and outside of the classroom. Lessie Givens yearbook photo, teacher at O.L. Price school. (Photo: Taylor ISD)She's known as a 'Taylor Treasure,' for shaping, molding and supporting young minds throughout the Taylor Independent School District for 36 years. You'll find the now 96-year-old retired teacher among her peers in a senior living community in Taylor. That's where what's being called a 'life service' will take place,...

Big Stacy Pool to temporarily close in May

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Parks and Recreation Department announced Big Stacy Pool would close between May 13-19 for its annual spring cleaning.The public municipal pool, located at 700 E. Live Oak St., is set to reopen on May 20 for normal operations. It's one of only five city-led pool facilities open year-round. Through June 4, Big Stacy is open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays for lap swimming only. From 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. during the week, the pool is available for recreational swimming. Both lap swimming and recreational swimming is open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.From June 5 to July 15, its hours will change to the following:Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., lap swimming only; 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., swim team use; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., recreational and lap swimmingWeekends: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., recreational and lap swimmingMemorial Day: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., recreation and lap swimmingIts operating hours will shift again between July 16 and Aug. 13:Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., l...

Met Gala 2023: Fashion highlights from carpet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

NEW YORK — Here are the latest updates on the 2023 Met Gala from from the carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and behind the scenes. This year’s theme revolves around late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.Live updates are contributed by Leanne Italie, Jocelyn Noveck, Beatrice Dupuy, Lindsey Bahr, Elise Ryan, Mallika Sen and other AP journalists.___IS RIHANNA AT THE MET GALA?Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” exhibition on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Yes! About an hour and a half after reporters were told to expect one more guest in about 15 minutes, Rihanna herself arrived at the Met Gala. She ascended the steps in voluminous white bedecked with rosettes that doubled as a hood, accompanied by A$AP Rocky in a kilt-type layer over jeans (reminiscent of mid-aughts Disney Channel couture).It’s just May and it’s alr...

MN Legislature picks four new University of Minnesota regents, including West St. Paul council member

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

Minnesota lawmakers on Monday night elected four new members to the University of Minnesota system’s governing board, a body that sets policies and tuition at five campuses.Newly elected members of the UMN Board of Regents include a nurse union leader, a former health care company CEO and Robyn Gulley, a West St. Paul city council member who works with the AFL-CIO.Interim board member Tadd Johnson, a former University of Minnesota Duluth graduate studies director, was elected to a full term. Johnson is the first Native American regent.The Board of Regents controls policy, curriculum, tuition and fees for the University of Minnesota’s campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and the Twin Cities. It also manages all university lands. Each odd-numbered year, all 201 members of the state House and Senate come together to elect one-third of the 12-member board to a six-year unpaid term. One member comes from each of the state’s eight congressional districts and four represent the...

Seasonal-centric job fair coming to Glens Falls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Glens Falls and Lake George region are looking to fill out the ranks at employers who need seasonal workers this summer. A job fair exclusively for seasonal jobs is set for next week at the Salvation Army. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, May 18, the Salvation Army of Glens Falls will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 37 Broad St. The fair is planned to include jobs in the hospitality, tourism, recreation, construction and landscaping industries. The fair has been planned in cooperation with the Warren County Department of Workforce Development and the New York State Department of Labor.“The Salvation Army is happy to host this seasonal job fair in partnership with Warren County Career Center," said Glens Falls Salvation Army Administrator Major Leo Lloyd. "We hope it is beneficial for job seekers.” Open house set for Glens Falls buses and trolleys Employers interested ...

Ballston Spa to display school art during May First Friday event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA) is holding its May First Friday event titled "School Art in the Community." Art from students in the Ballston Spa Central School District will be displayed around downtown on May 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Artwork by students from pre-K to high school will be at participating businesses. The Malta Ave Odyssey of the Mind team will also be holding an ice cream fundraiser in Wiswall Park, with all proceeds going towards their trip to World Finals.“We are thrilled to showcase the creativity and talent of our local students through this event,” said BSBPA President Christine Kernochan. “It’s a great way to celebrate our community and support our local schools.” Little Caesars coming to Market Street in Amsterdam Participating businessesNightWork Bread, 3 Science Street. Featuring the artwork of Ms. Hargad...

Narcan training announced for entertainment venue staff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On May 2, all entertainment venue staff can receive free Narcan training at the Palace Theater at 19 Clinton Avenue. The training was made possible by the Albany County Sheriff's Office, Palace Theater, and the Albany Medical Center. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Participants will learn how to administer Narcan and prevent or counter opioid overdoses. Training will begin at 6:30 p.m. Narcan will be available upon request for attendees to bring back to their places of employment. To RSVP, contact [email protected].

Report: What are the funniest states in the country?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- They say comedy is subjective, but according to a new report, it turns out New York seems to have it figured out. According to Shiny Smile Veneers, New York ranks as the second funniest state in the nation, with a total score of 93 out of 100, only trailing Massachusetts as the funniest. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Shiny Smile found the top 10 states who are most likely to get a laugh as follows.Massachusetts (95/100)New York (93/100)Illinois (83/100)Alaska (76/100)Ohio (76/100)Indiana (74/100)Rhode Island (73/100)Vermont (73/100)California (72/100)New Jersey (71/100) Garbage truck crash in Troy temporarily shuts down multiple roads As for the least funny states, Shiny Smile found the following shouldn't quit their day job.North Dakota (5/100)Wyoming (7/100)Arkansas (22/100)Alabama (22/100)New Hampshire (23/100)Maine (23/100)Mississippi (24/100)Idaho (28/100)Delaware (28/100)Florida (32/100)O...