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In affirmative action and student loan cases, some see backlash to racial progress in education

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a Black student who was raised by a single mother, Makia Green believes she benefited from a program that gave preference to students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds when she was admitted over a decade ago to the University of Rochester.As a borrower who still owes just over $20,000 on her undergraduate student loans, she has been counting on President Joe Biden’s promised debt relief to wipe nearly all of that away. Now, both affirmative action and the student loan cancellation plan — policies that disproportionately help Black students — could soon be dismantled by the U.S. Supreme Court. To Green and many other people of color, the efforts to roll them back reflect a larger backlash to racial progress in higher education.“I feel like working people have been through enough — I have been through enough,” said Green, a community organizer. “From a pandemic, an uprising, a recession, the cost of living price going up. I deserved some r...

Los Angeles beats Dallas 79-61 behind Hamby, Ogwumike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dearica Hamby had 23 points and eight rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Dallas Wings 79-61 on Wednesday.Hamby scored 14 of her points in the third quarter to extend the Los Angeles lead to 61-51 entering the fourth. The Sparks held Dallas to 10 fourth-quarter points.Ogwumike reached 20-plus points for the fifth time in her last six games. Ogwumike also had two steals to pass Lindsay Whalen for 16th on the WNBA’s career list with 501.Jordin Canada added 15 points and six assists for Los Angeles (5-4). The Sparks shot 52% from the field, while Dallas went 25 for 69 (36%) with 17 turnovers.Kalani Brown set career-highs with 21 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas (5-5), which lost its first home game of the season. Satou Sabally secured her seventh straight double-double — to set a franchise record — with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Arike Ogunbowale added 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting.___AP sports: https://...

Texas court allows AG Ken Paxton’s securities fraud trial to move to Houston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton reads a statement at his office in Austin, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2023. An investigating committee says the Texas House of Representatives will vote Saturday on whether to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP/Eric Gay) Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton reads a statement at his office in Austin, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2023. An investigating committee says the Texas House of Representatives will vote Saturday on whether to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP/Eric Gay) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s long-delayed trial on securities fraud charges from 2015 will take place i...

Many of Italy’s elite turn out for ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s state funeral in Milan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Italy’s political, business and soccer elite bade farewell to former Premier Silvio Berlusconi with a state funeral inside Milan’s imposing Duomo cathedral on Wednesday, while thousands of ordinary admirers and soccer fans waved banners and chanted in the piazza outside.It was a fitting send-off for a man who made billions as a media mogul, upended the Italian political system as three-time premier and championed two winning soccer clubs.But even as Italians overwhelmingly agree that Berlusconi has left the greatest mark on Italy over four decades of business and politics, not all think it was for the best. It was a judgement that shadowed him even in death, as both his legacy and the pomp surrounding his funeral were hotly debated. Milan Archbishop Mario Delpini didn’t gloss over Berlusconi’s complicated legacy in his punchy eulogy, saying he was a businessman who found success and failure, a politician who won and lost, and a notoriety-seeking personality who had admi...

Text of the policy statement the Federal Reserve released Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Below is the statement the Fed released Wednesday after its policy meeting ended:Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a modest pace. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated.The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects remains uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks.The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5 to 5-1/4 percent. Holding the target range steady at this meeting allows the Committee to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy.In determining the extent of additio...

Fierce fighting in Myanmar between army, resistance fighters kills at least 26, groups say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Recent fierce fighting between Myanmar’s army and resistance fighters has killed at least 26 civilians, including six children, in an area east of the capital, according to reports Wednesday by a resident, a rights group and a medical assistance group.The fighting took place in Shan State’s Pekon township, a hotly contested area in the armed struggle that arose after February 2021 when the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover prompted widespread public protests, whose violent suppression by the security forces triggered an armed resistance that now spans much of the country.The recent fighting has focused on Mobye, a conglomeration of villages covering about 175 square kilometers (about 70 square miles) located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the capital, Naypyitaw. The area is between the capital and an area dominated by the Karenni ethnic minority group, which also has been fighting against the military-installed go...

Michelin Guide checking out Colorado's culinary scene

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The state's culinary scene is in the spotlight as the renowned Michelin Guide is expanding to Colorado. Michelin Stars are awarded in rank from lowest to highest of one, two or three. They are based on the "quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time," according to the Michelin Guide. While Michelin stars are the most popular and well-known, there are other awards the guide gives out. The Bib Gourmand is given to restaurants that offer great quality food at reasonable prices. Restaurants that display leadership in sustainability are eligible for the Michelin Green Star. Denver chef named finalist for prestigious culinary award The guide inspectors will be observing restaurants in Denver, Boulder, Aspen and Snowmass Village, the Town of Vail and Beaver C...

Box of mail found dumped in SW Miami-Dade trash can

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

Dozens of pieces of mail in a box were found dumped in a garbage can in a Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood. Surveillance video captured an alleged thief around 4 a.m. on Monday, sitting in a driveway for about an hour. “The person gets out of the car, it’s a man, and he takes this box and he dumps it in my garbage can,” said Razia Velez, who found the evidence. “What seems to be a whole neighborhood of stolen mail, I mean they went as far as ripping a mailbox apart.”Velez called 7News to share what happened.“This is really important stuff you know, this is people’s belongings, their information, their lives,” she continued. “This is a violation of all of us.”Velez said she called Miami-Dade Police who came to look at the box and that they reported it to the postal police. She hasn’t heard from them yet and wants to make sure something is done. “Still waiting more than 24 hours later, nobody’s contacted me or co...

Boston’s Juneteenth celebrations kick off at Embrace sculpture

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

Juneteenth celebrations kicked off Wednesday morning with the Embrace Inaugural Juneteenth Concert.The concert honors Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King outside of the new Embrace statue in the Boston Common.The concert is a new addition to the “Embrace Ideas Festival,” which celebrates art, culture and scholarship.Governor Maura Healey joined the celebration, emphasizing the holiday’s importance.“We’re proud that this community and this holiday have deep roots in Boston, and in Massachusetts, Juneteenth will be celebrated in countless ways,” Healey said at the concert. “Black history is American history. We will teach it. We will talk about it. We will embrace it.”To celebrate, there will be speakers, panels and musical performances all throughout Boston for the next several days. 

Salt Lake City begins to plan for future of unique ‘Hobbitville’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:33 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — Katherine Maus acknowledges that Allen Park is very different than the other parks she’s worked on.The 92-year-old private residence turned public park, affectionately known by Salt Lake City residents as “Hobbitville,” is a quiet sanctuary, almost hidden away from the city’s fast-growing Sugar House neighborhood. Its large trees tower over abandoned tiny homes and cabins that George Allen, the one-time president of a Utah zoological society, had constructed on his property for house students, professors, artists and anyone who needed a place to stay near Westminster Park decades ago.The land is also filled with aging statues and artwork with some of Allen’s favorite literary quotes printed on them. Visitors also can find wildlife milling through the open land as they wander through all of these different components that make Allen Park unique.“We have a lot (of parks) that are culturally rich but this is definit...