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TDSB asks Ford government to cover pandemic-related expenses or risk cuts to student services

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

The Toronto District School Board is asking the Ford government for more than $200 million to cover the cost of COVID-19 related expenditures, budget deficits, and underfunded employee benefits or risk cuts to student services and programs.In a letter addressed to Education Minister Stephen Lecce, the TSDB says it was forced to use almost $70.1 million of its reserve funds to cover the cost of additional staffing, remote and in-person learning, and other pandemic-related costs not covered by the Ministry.“We are writing to you today to request that the Provincial Government repay the pandemic costs incurred by the TDSB so that we can continue to deliver the programs and services that students require for academic success, safety and well-being,” reads the letter signed by TDSB chair Rachel Chernos Lin and TDSB director Colleen Russell-Rawlins.The board notes that while the Ministry did provide additional investments to school boards during the pandemic, education and chi...

'We’re stuck in the sewer': FDNY releases 911 call after 5 kids rescued from NYC storm drain

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

STATEN ISLAND, New York (WPIX) – The New York City Fire Department has released a recording of a 911 call that details how five children ended up in a storm drain in Staten Island.The five boys crawled into the storm drain around 6 p.m. Tuesday and got lost in the tunnel system, according to FDNY officials. In the 911 recording, dispatchers can be heard attempting to find out where the children actually are.“What’s the address in Staten Island?” the dispatcher says at the start of the call.“We don’t know," the child on the other end of the call says. "Yeah … we're stuck in the sewer.”In apparent disbelief, the dispatcher asked again: “You’re stuck where?”“In the sewer," the boy responds. Man rescued from under 2,000-pound safe FDNY dispatchers then tried to figure out which storm drain the children entered. The boys described a cemetery and a tunnel entrance near the Staten Island Zoo and Clove Lakes Park. "It’s like a tunnel where all the pipes are," one of the boys tells a dispa...

FBI: Illinois reported fifth highest number of cyber crimes in 2022

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) - The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released their annual internet crime report showing the number of complaints and estimated losses from cyber crimes in 2022.According to data in the report, 800,944 complaints were received by the IC3 last year, which represents a 5% drop in the number of complaints from the previous year. Despite a decrease in the number of complaints, they also reported an estimated loss of over $10.3 billion, which was a 49% increase from 2021's total. Google ad scams CenterPoint customer, police say Illinois had the fifth highest number of reported victims in 2022 at 14,786 and the seventh highest amount of loss reported at 266.7 million. Indiana had the 15th highest number of victims reported last year with 11,682 and the 28th highest in losses with over $73.6 million. And in Kentucky, 4,256 victims reported complaints to the IC3, putting it in 30th place, and residents lost an estimated $57 million, the 31st highest in t...

One of the oldest surviving Bible could be yours — for $30 million

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — One of the oldest surviving biblical manuscripts, a nearly complete 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible, could soon be yours — for a cool $30 million.The Codex Sassoon, a leather-bound, handwritten parchment tome containing almost the entirety of the Hebrew Bible, is set to go on the block at Sotheby’s in New York in May. Its anticipated sale speaks to the still bullish market for art, antiquities and ancient manuscripts even in a worldwide bear economy.Sotheby’s is drumming up interest in hopes of enticing institutions and collectors to bite. It has put the price tag at an eye-watering $30 million to $50 million.On Wednesday, Tel Aviv’s ANU Museum of the Jewish People opened a week-long exhibition of the manuscript, part of a whirlwind worldwide tour of the artifact in the United Kingdom, Israel and the United States before its expected sale, on Wednesday.OTHER TRENDING NEWS | ALDI launching clothing Wednesday for $10 or less“There are three ancient Hebrew Bibles from this...

Japan Wins World Baseball Classic, Beating All-Star Team U.S.A 3-2

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

In the thick of a housing crisis, is Austin's real estate market racially equitable?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)— According to researchers, there are systemic factors that affect racial equality in real estate. On Wednesday, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Austin led a discussion on principles set out to make living more equitable for Black and brown communities. Panelists discussed 10 guiding principles ULI compiled for developers, investors and others. "The 10 Principles for Embedding Racial Equity in Real Estate Development reflect ULI’s response to member calls for guidance on equitable development and the role the real estate industry has played in creating and perpetuating injustices, as well as workshop participants’ expertise and experiences, and ULI’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide," a ULI report said. Image from Urban Land Institute reportAccording the the ULI report, there are land use policies and practices that have created racial segregation. These practices have had a role in shaping inequal...

Grants being offered to Austin music professionals

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 will soon be available for local music professionals after the City of Austin announced $3.5 million in support through the Live Music Event Program. According to a release from the city, the program will offer grants for local professional musicians, bands, and independent promoters to produce and publicize awarded projects. Grant funds may be used to cover expenses for music events, studio and video production, staffing and professional services, merchandise distribution, music broadcasting, and more.Applications for the Live Music Fund Event Program will be open Tuesday, April 4 at 10 a.m. through Tuesday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Eligible applicants must live in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area -- which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties -- and must host the proposed activities in an Austin City Council District and/or Austin’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. Grants will be award...

Austin is a leader in air quality attainment

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Air quality is just one part of what people pay attention to when watching the weather, especially those who have respiratory illnesses like asthma. It is part of why the Clear Air Force of Central Texas watches our air quality — to make sure our levels of pollutants like ozone and fine particulate matter remain at levels better than what is accepted.Ozone is a colorless toxic gas. It is formed by oxygen through electrical discharges or ultraviolet light.Fine particulate matter or PM 2.5 are tiny particles that reduce visibility and often lead to a hazy sky. This happens when there is little or no wind moving the air. Is it a health risk? These fine particulates will travel into the respiratory area connected to the lungs. Some people experience irritation in their eyes, nose and throat. Lung function can be affected and can worsen medical conditions like asthma and heart disease. A study released by The Guardian revealed the 10 worst places for air pollution. Austin...

Texas lawmaker uses ChatGPT to deliver remarks on AI bill

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas lawmaker said he utilized an artificial intelligence tool to craft remarks Wednesday when he discussed a piece of legislation that would look further into the emerging technology's influence in the state. State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, had a chance to talk in support of House Bill 2060 during Wednesday afternoon's hearing of the House state affairs committee. The legislation would create a new, seven-person advisory council tasked with evaluating AI products and services used by state government agencies. Texas may create 7-person artificial intelligence advisory council When he got to the lectern, Capriglione shared with the committee members that ChatGPT, the AI system that can generate readable text on demand, wrote his prepared remarks. "Artificial intelligence, or AI, is transforming our lives in many ways," Capriglione said. "AI has the potential to solve problems that were previously unsolvable and create new opportunities for growth a...

Vikings reportedly reach agreement with receiver Brandon Powell

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:11:46 GMT

In a move that won’t do much to move the needle — namely because receiver Odell Beckham Jr. remains unsigned — the Vikings have reportedly agreed to a 1-year contract with receiver Brandon Powell.The reunion between Powell and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound receiver last played under O’Connell when the latter was the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.After going undrafted in 2018, Powell finally found his footing as a member of the Rams. Although used rather sparingly on offense — he had 24 catches for 156 yards last season — Powell has proven himself as a return specialist since entering the league. He handled the role of kickoff returner and punt returner for the Rams last season.It’s unlikely Powell becomes the kickoff returner for the Vikings next season considering Kene Nwangwu is among the NFL’s elite at that spot. But Powell figures to push Jalen Reagor for ...