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Major investments are coming to Prince George’s. Is there reason to worry?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 GMT

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks took the stage in a ballroom at a College Park, Maryland, hotel on Wednesday, speaking for nearly 30 minutes about how much money had poured into the county over the last year — about what one would expect in the annual speech, dubbed the “State of the Economy.”It was a chance to brag to the local business community about the “over $1 billion of investments along our Blue Line corridor,” as well as how the “redevelopment at Cheverly unlocks a billion dollars in private investment,” after the old Prince George’s Hospital Center is demolished over the coming months.The county hopes to see significant amounts of work on that project conducted by small, minority-owned businesses based in the county, which would have the opportunity to buy into the project and share some of the profits in the future.“Everything we’ve done on economic development also has an eye toward equity,” Alsobrooks said after the speech. With that...

Wisconsin Republicans mum on potential UW budget cuts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Republican leaders weren’t saying Wednesday whether they would cut tens of millions of dollars from the University of Wisconsin budget after delaying a vote on the subject, a move that came after the Assembly’s top GOP leader said the plan was to cut funding for diversity and inclusion initiatives.Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told The Associated Press on Tuesday that UW’s budget would be cut by $32 million, the amount he said was to be spent on diversity initiatives. But after nearly seven hours of closed-door discussions, Republicans who control the Legislature’s budget committee could not come to an agreement late Tuesday night and postponed consideration of UW’s budget.Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu declined to comment when asked about the status of UW’s budget on Wednesday.“I’m not going to negotiate the budget through the press,” he told reporters. He walked away without responding when a...

Moore nominates three — including outgoing Prince George’s schools chief — to State Board of Education

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 GMT

Dr. Monica Goldson, the interim CEO of the Prince George's County Public Schools, will take the job permanently, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Tuesday. (Prince George's County Public Schools via YouTube)(Courtesy Prince George's County Public Schools) Dr. Monica Goldson, the interim CEO of the Prince George's County Public Schools, will take the job permanently, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Tuesday. (Prince George's County Public Schools via YouTube)(Courtesy Prince George's County Public Schools) This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced...

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

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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 Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:52 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...