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Month: April 2024

Pennsylvania school district cancels actor’s speech over his activism and ‘lifestyle’

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania school district has canceled an upcoming appearance by actor and children’s book author Maulik Pancholy. The move came this week after district leaders cited concerns about what they described as his activism and “lifestyle.” Pancholy, who is gay, was scheduled to speak against bullying during a May 22 assembly

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Coalition to submit 900,000 signatures to put tough-on-crime initiative on California ballot

By TRÂN NGUYỄN Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A coalition backed by some of the nation’s largest retailers has announced it has collected 900,000 signatures to put a tough-on-crime statewide ballot initiative before voters in November. The measure would roll back parts of Proposition 47, a progressive ballot measure that reduced certain theft and

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US committee releases sealed Brazil court orders to Musk’s X, shedding light on account suspensions

By JULIA CARNEIRO Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A U.S. congressional committee has released confidential Brazilian court orders to suspend accounts on the social media platform X. The orders, disclosed late Wednesday, offer a glimpse into decisions that have spurred complaints of alleged censorship and suppression of free-speech from the company — and

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Google fires 28 workers in aftermath of protests over big tech deal with Israeli government

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer Google has fired 28 employees in the aftermath of protests over technology that the internet company is supplying the Israeli government amid the Gaza war, further escalating tensions surrounding a hot-button deal. The firings confirmed by Google late Wednesday came a day after nine employees were arrested during sit-in

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House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker grow

By STEPHEN GROVES, LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House congressional leaders are toiling on a delicate, bipartisan push towards weekend votes to approve a $95 billion package of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as several other national security policies. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson this week

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As syphilis cases among US newborns soar, doctors group advises more screening during pregnancy

By LAURA UNGAR AP Science Writer With syphilis cases in U.S. newborns skyrocketing, a doctors group is now recommending that all pregnant patients be screened three times for the sexually transmitted infection. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued updated its guidance to doctors on Thursday. They said the screening should be done at

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El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal to retire in June; Christina Sanchez to take office early

by Cindy Ramirez, El Paso MattersApril 15, 2024 Christina Sanchez, who was effectively elected as El Paso County attorney in March, will take the position seven months early. The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday unanimously accepted the resignation of longtime County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, effective June 7. The court also unanimously approved

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Maryland teen charged with planning school shooting after police review writings, internet searches

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — An 18-year-old Maryland high school student was charged with planning to commit a school shooting after investigators reviewed the teen’s writings and other material, including internet searches and messages. The student was arrested Wednesday by the Montgomery County Police Department. Court records show the investigation began after a person alerted police

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TEA appoints 2 conservators to help oversee Socorro ISD

by Claudia Lorena Silva, El Paso MattersApril 18, 2024 The Texas Education Agency appointed two conservators on Thursday to manage the Socorro Independent School District after a state investigation exposed widespread failings for improperly graduating students, failing to disclose a trustee’s potential conflict of interest with a vendor, and paying $283,000 in unauthorized stipends. The

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Pennsylvania House Dems propose new expulsion rules after remote voting by lawmaker facing a warrant

By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania House Democrats are proposing a process to determine if state representatives are “incapacitated” and to sanction or expel them. The rule change was proposed by Democratic floor leader Rep. Matt Bradford on Thursday. It’s being made in response to Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle of Philadelphia

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