Across the state of New York, this year’s Common Core English tests have reportedly featured a slew of brand-name products including iPod, Barbie, Mug Root Beer and Life Savers. For Nike, the tests even conveniently included the shoe company’s ubiquitous slogan: “Just Do It.” The brands – and apparently even some of their familiar trademark symbols – appeared in tests questions for students ranging from third to eighth grades, reports The Post-Standard of Syracuse . Over one million students were required to take the tests. Parents, teachers and school administrators have speculated that the kid-friendly brand names are a new form of product placement. Education materials behemoth Pearson, which has a $32 million five-year contract to develop New York’s Common Core-related tests, has barred teachers and school officials from disclosing the contents of the tests. Students and parents are not so barred, though, and many have complained. “‘Why are they trying to sell me … [Read more...] about Mandatory Common Core tests in New York just happen to be full of corporate brand names
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California’s COVID cases are lower than in other states that are more vaccinated. Why?
California, the U.S. coronavirus hot spot early this year, in recent weeks has recorded some of the lowest case rates in the country. How did that happen? And why does it appear to have reversed positions with states that fared better through the winter surge? One clear example is the New England states of Vermont and Maine. Relatively shielded from the worst of the nation’s previous surges, they have struggled against the delta variant, which has sent their case rates soaring. The two states have higher vaccination rates than California’s, experts say — but lower natural immunity. As horrific as the winter surge was, with hospitals overwhelmed and death rates hitting pandemic peaks, experts say California emerged from it with a relatively significant amount of natural immunity. And that, combined with vaccination levels that are above the national average, is now playing a major role in keeping case rates so low. Experts stress that case rates are just one data point — … [Read more...] about California’s COVID cases are lower than in other states that are more vaccinated. Why?
‘Enough Is Enough’: Thousands March To Demand New Gun Measures
76 Politics & Government Speaker after speaker across the U.S. called on senators to act following recent mass shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York. Associated Press , News Partner Posted Replies WASHINGTON, DC — Thousands of people rallied on the National Mall and across the United States on Saturday in a renewed push for gun control measures after recent deadly mass shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, that activists say should compel Congress to act. "Enough is enough," District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser told the second March for Our Lives rally in her city. "I speak as a mayor, a mom, and I speak for millions of Americans and America's mayors who are demanding that Congress do its job. And its job is to protect us, to protect our children from gun violence." Speaker after speaker in Washington called on senators, who are seen as a major impediment to legislation, to act or face being … [Read more...] about ‘Enough Is Enough’: Thousands March To Demand New Gun Measures
Colorado, now an abortion “safe haven,” prepares for new challenges
Fourth-generation Texan Leah Payne moved to Denver last year in the wake of a new Texas abortion law that imposed some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the nation. “We left our family, friends, sold our house. We couldn’t live somewhere where abortion access was constantly under attack,” Payne told The Denver Post. At 19, Payne, who was on birth control, got pregnant. She didn’t have insurance at the time and decided to have an abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic. “It was put out there as this big, bad thing that was traumatizing, but I never felt that,” Payne said. “Now, I’m 32, I’m a homeowner here in Denver and have a really successful career, a great partner, and I don’t think any of those things would have happened if I had not had an abortion at 19.” Payne chose her new home after learning about access to reproductive care in the state, and many Americans who woke up on Friday with fewer rights than they had a day prior may be forced to make similar … [Read more...] about Colorado, now an abortion “safe haven,” prepares for new challenges
Several accusers seek roles at Ghislaine Maxwell sentencing
NEW YORK (AP) — Two of four women who testified at Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial that she had a role in their sexual abuse at the hands of financier Jeffrey Epstein may be speaking at her sentencing or have their statements read aloud, court filings Friday show. Prosecutors told a federal judge in a letter that two of six women who testified or were mentioned during a December trial plan to attend the Tuesday sentencing of the 60-year-old British socialite and may speak. They are Kate, an ex-model from Great Britain, and Annie Farmer, who identified herself in court by name after speaking out publicly. Maxwell’s lawyer in a separate submission to the judge said other women wanted to speak, or have statements read at the hearing, who were not directly part of the case. The lawyer, Bobbi Sternheim, said the hearing “should not a bully pulpit for anyone who was not identified as a victim of the charged federal offenses and does not qualify as such.” Those individuals not among the … [Read more...] about Several accusers seek roles at Ghislaine Maxwell sentencing
FBI seizes disputed Basquiat artwork from Florida museum
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 9 The FBI raided a Florida art museum on Friday and seized more than two dozen paintings attributed to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat following questions about their authenticity. Orlando Museum of Art spokeswoman Emilia Bourmas-Fry said in a statement that they were complying with a warrant from the FBI for access to the ‘Heroes and Monsters’ exhibit, which is now in the government's possession. She added that no one on the museum's staff has been arrested. “It is important to note that we still have not been led to believe the Museum has been or is the subject of any investigation,” Bourmas-Fry said. “We continue to see our involvement purely as a fact witness.” According to a search warrant, federal art crimes investigators have been looking into the 25 paintings since shortly after their discovery in 2012. The controversy gained more attention … [Read more...] about FBI seizes disputed Basquiat artwork from Florida museum
Judge, Yankees agree to $19 million deal, avoid hearing
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees avoided an arbitration hearing Friday by agreeing to a $19 million, one-year contract, a deal that leaves the slugger on track to become a free agent after the World Series. Unable to agree to a long-term deal in talks that ended on opening day, the sides split the difference between the proposed arbitration figures they exchanged on March 22: $21 million by Judge and $17 million by the Yankees. Judge can make an additional $500,000 in award bonuses: $250,000 for MVP and $250,000 for World Series MVP. “Excited that that’s that’s behind us and we can leave that portion of the show alone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Telephone talks resumed this week, and the sides reached the deal just before they were to exchange written evidence they intended to present during a Zoom hearing before a three-person panel scheduled to start at noon EDT. The slugging outfielder is in the midst of perhaps his best season, batting … [Read more...] about Judge, Yankees agree to $19 million deal, avoid hearing
Business Highlights: Wall Street rally, airlines’ criticism
___ Stocks rally, driving Wall Street to a rare winning week NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks racked up more gains on Wall Street Friday, as the S&P 500 had its best day in two years and just its second winning week in the last 12 to provide a bit of relief from the market’s brutal sell-off this year. The benchmark index rose 3.1%, with technology and banks leading the broad rally. The S&P 500 notched a 6.4% gain for the week, erasing the brutal loss it took a week earlier, though it’s still close to 20% below its record set early this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.7% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq ended 3.3% higher. ___ After Roe, Dems seek probe of tech’s use of personal data WASHINGTON (AP) — With the Supreme Court ending the constitutional protections for abortion, four Democratic lawmakers are asking federal regulators to investigate Apple and Google for allegedly deceiving millions of mobile phone users by enabling the collection and sale of their personal … [Read more...] about Business Highlights: Wall Street rally, airlines’ criticism
Airline merger: Frontier sweetens offer for Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines on Friday added more cash and a larger breakup fee to its offer to buy Spirit Airlines, and the Spirit board repeated its preference for Frontier over a rival bid by JetBlue Airways. Frontier added $2 in cash to its previous offer of $2.13 in cash and 1.9126 shares of Frontier for each Spirit share. The Denver-based airline also raised to $350 million the amount it would pay Miramar, Florida-based Spirit if antitrust regulators stop the deal, matching JetBlue's proposed breakup fee. Spirit said that, given the sweetened terms, its board reiterated its unanimous recommendation that shareholders approve the Frontier offer at a special meeting next Thursday. Frontier's move was the latest gambit in a fight between Frontier and JetBlue to see who gets the nation's largest discount airline. On Monday, New York-based JetBlue raised its all-cash offer to $33.50 per share, or more than $3.6 billion. … [Read more...] about Airline merger: Frontier sweetens offer for Spirit Airlines
Mosaic, Bank of America fall; KB Home, Rite Aid rise
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Thursday: KB Home, up $2.26 to $28.49. The homebuilder's second-quarter financial results beat analysts' forecasts. Worthington Industries Inc., up $3.67 to $44.08. The metal manufacturer reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue. Accenture Plc., down 57 cents to $285.83. The consulting company gave investors a weak profit forecast. Rite Aid Corp., up $1.34 to $8.05. The drugstore chain raised its revenue forecast for the year. Apogee Enterprises Inc., up $2.09 to $39.96. The glass products company reported strong first-quarter earnings. Mosaic Co., down $4.79 to $45.24. The fertilizer maker gave investors a weak report on sales volumes for May. Hess Corp., up down $3.98 to $99.36. Energy companies slipped along with falling oil prices. Bank of America Corp., down 52 cents to $32.08. Banks slid along with falling bond yields, which they rely on to charge … [Read more...] about Mosaic, Bank of America fall; KB Home, Rite Aid rise