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University presidents elevate free speech under new partnership

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

The presidents of a wide-ranging group of 13 universities are elevating free speech on their campuses this academic year, as part of a new nonprofit initiative announced Tuesday to combat what organizers call dire threats to U.S. democracy.The Campus Call for Free Expression will take different forms on different campuses. The campaign, created by The Institute for Citizens & Scholars with funding from the Knight Foundation is designed to cultivate the freedom of expression on campuses and help students work together to find solutions to complicated, divisive problems.“The national context of the deep political polarization, the inability of people to speak across difference in constructive and civil ways, it seems to me that colleges and universities need to be the institutions at the forefront of showing a better way to do that,” said Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University, which is participating in the initiative. The Institute for Citizens & Scholars first...

Boy, 8, dies after being shot by juvenile inside home on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

CHICAGO — An 8-year-old has died after being shot by another juvenile while inside a home on the city's West Side.The incident happened around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 3100 block of West Flournoy in the Garfield Park neighborhood.Police said an 8-year-old boy was inside a residence with another male juvenile when they found a firearm. According to police, the weapon discharge one time, striking the 8-year-old in the chest.The boy was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Man charged with murder after 50-year-old stabbed to death in Glenview No other injuries were reported. Police said the weapon was recovered on the scene.Area Four detectives are investigating.

A Chicago area village shows its support for Steve McMichael

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — As he continues the fight against ALS along with his quest to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a municipality in Chicagoland is rallying around "Mongo" this August.Homer Glen showed that support to Steve McMichael and his family shortly after a stay in the hospital in early August.The village in which the former Bears defensive tackle and his wife, Misty, reside in the southwest suburbs made known their desire to see McMichael join the greatest in the history of the game of football.(Courtesy: Misty McMichael)On August 9, Homer Glen's Village Board passed a resolution "with the purpose of wholeheartedly urging the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee to bestow the well-deserved honor of inclusion in the Class of 2024 upon Steve “Mongo” McMichael."This came after he'd been hospitalized with sepsis at pneumonia in early August, returning home after a few days. Misty McMichael was in attendance at the event and accepted a copy of the resolution f...

Baby alligator found in softball dugout at Florida school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A baby alligator was found in a softball dugout at a school in Polk County, Florida, on Friday.The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the gator was found in one of the dugouts at Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School."Today was the first day of school at Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School, and look who showed up to try out for the softball team," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook. ‘Never seen anything like it’: Wildlife photographer captures gator launching itself out of water School Resource Deputy Clanton provided a little "gator-aid" by helping the gator leave the dugout.Noting the rivalry between the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles, the sheriff's office joked that the deputy checked the dugout for a Seminole as well, but had "no such luck.""Would have been a nice matchup," the sheriff's office said.

Will Donald Trump show up at next week’s presidential debate? GOP rivals are preparing for it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

By STEVE PEOPLES and HANNAH FINGERHUT (Associated Press)DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — He says he won’t sign the pledge required to participate, but former President Donald Trump’s Republican rivals are actively preparing as if he will be onstage for the GOP’s first 2024 presidential debate next week.Former Vice President Mike Pence is hosting mock debate sessions with someone playing the part of the former president. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been participating in weekly debate prep sessions for several weeks with an eye toward drawing clear contrasts with Trump. And Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations, is planning to show she can stand up to bullies.In all, eight Republican candidates have met the Republican National Committee’s fundraising and polling thresholds required to qualify for the debate next Wednesday, Aug. 23, hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee. Trump is among them, although he has said publicly and privately that he’s...

Victoria Reinhardt, second-longest serving member of Ramsey County Board, to step down after 28 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

Victoria Reinhardt, the second-longest serving member of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, announced Tuesday morning that she would not seek re-election in 2024, creating a rare open seat for the position. By the end of her term, she would have served 28 consecutive years in the office.Reinhardt, who was first elected to the county board in 1996, represents District 7, which spans Maplewood, North St. Paul and White Bear Lake.Undated courtesy photo, circa September 2020, of Victoria Reinhardt, candidate for re-election to the position of Ramsey County Commissioner, District 7 in the November 2020 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Reinhardt, of White Bear Lake, holds a doctorate in public administration from Hamline University and wrote her dissertation on how to calculate cost savings of juvenile crime prevention programs, a formula she presented across the country. She was a founding board member and chairperson of the Recycling Association of Minnesota from 1989 to 1991...

Warren County Senior Picnic returning on September 27

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

WARRENSBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The annual Warren/Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging's Senior Picnic announced the return of the senior picnic after a pandemic-related hiatus! The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, at the Warren County Fish Hatchery at 145 Echo Lake Road. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The picnic begins at 10 a.m. with coffee and refreshments. Lunch begins at noon with hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, macaroni salad, watermelon, and strawberry shortcake.There will also be door prizes, games, raffles, and informational booths. Tickets for the picnic are $5 and can be purchased at any senior meal site in Warren or Hamilton counties or the Warren County Office for the Aging at the Warren County Municipal Center. Tickets must be purchased by September 13.A rain date is scheduled for Thursday, September 28. For more information, contact the Office for the Aging at (518) 761-6347.

SPD: Man flees after crashing into Schenectady liquor store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Schenectady Police responded to a car crash at the intersection of State Street and Brandywine Avenue, and at the same time got a call regarding a car crashing into Star Liquor on State Street. One person was arrested after fleeing the scene of the crash, according to Schenectady Police. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Monday, around 2:46 p.m., the Schenectady Police Department got a call regarding a crash at the intersection of State Street and Brandywine Avenue. At the same time, they received a call regarding a car crashing into Star Liquor, located at 1142 State Street. Police say witnesses at the scene reported seeing the driver flee the scene on foot. The driver, identified as Karam Lulu (30, Schenectady), was found quickly after and taken into custody. Multiple crews respond to Waterford structure fire Through an investigation, police say they found Lulu was involved in both reported c...

Multiple crews respond to Waterford structure fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

WATERFORD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Several crews responded to a structure on Third Street in Waterford Monday night. Firefighters from the Waterford Fire Department say there were no injuries. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! After the first crew responded, a second alarm was called for a working garage fire. Five units from the Waterford Fire Department responded, with mutual aid from Boght, Northside, Halfmoon, and Mechanicville Fire Departments responding along with Waterford Police and Rescue Squads. Waterford firefighters say the fire was knocked down within minutes before mutual aid arrived. Firefighters say they dealt with a small issue after another driver drove over one of their hoses. Images via Waterford Fire Department Law enforcement investigates fatal crash in Stillwater Luckily, crews were still able to put out the fire. Firefighters say the fire is currently under investigation.

Military plaques stolen from Jefferson Barracks Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Authorities are searching Tuesday morning for whoever stole several military plaques from a south county park. This all happened at and near the Veteran's Memorial Amphitheater at Jefferson Barracks Park off Bagby Road.Two of the plaques were reported stolen from the front of the amphitheater, but Tuesday morning all five plaques in the area representing different military branches were missing. St. Louis County Police confirmed for us that county workers took the other three plaques down, presumably as a precaution after the two plaques were stolen.Authorities said that the two plaques that were stolen from the front of the amphitheater were insignia logo plaques for the Army and Marines. County officials told FOX 2 that a memorial plaque dedicated to Wagner Electric employees who gave their lives during World War II was also stolen. A bench plaque for the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge was taken from the area as well. Road rage mystery solved as ghos...