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In Mississippi, most voters will have no choice about who represents them in the Legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — After being in office for over a decade, Mississippi state Sen. Dean Kirby got challenged in the Republican primary. He won with 70% of the vote. That was in 2003 — and it remains the last time Kirby faced an opponent. The longtime Jackson-area senator is on the ballot again this year without either a Democratic or Republican challenger.While the length of Kirby’s uncontested streak is unusual, his situation is not. More than four-fifths of Mississippi’s legislative candidates will have no major-party opposition in the Nov. 7 general election. And more than half of this year’s winners will have faced no other Republicans or Democrats in either the primary or the general election. “I think people are happy with the state and the way things are going,” Kirby, Mississippi’s Senate president pro tem, said in explaining the lack of challengers. Though Mississippi represents an extreme example, it highlights a national decline in competition f...

Cybersecurity incident at Toronto Public Library leaves some services inaccessible

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

The Toronto Public Library (TPL) says they are addressing a cybersecurity incident that occurred Saturday that has left some services temporarily inaccessible or offline.Public computers and printing services are currently not available at all branches as well as the library’s website, “your account” service, tpl:map passes and digital collections.However, branches are open with wifi available and phone lines are working. In a statement, the library says customers can continue to borrow and return items “until further notice.”“As of now, there is no evidence that the personal information of our staff or customers has been compromised,” reads the statement.TPL adds that they are prepared for cybersecurity issues and quickly began taking measures to mitigate any impacts. They’re also consulting third-party experts to resolve the issue.“We do anticipate though that it may take several days before all systems are fully restored to no...

Ohio high court upholds 65-year prison term in thefts from nursing homes, assisted living facilities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld a 65-year prison term imposed on a central Ohio woman who pleaded guilty to stealing jewelry and other valuables from several dozen elderly residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.Former nurse’s aide Susan Gwynne pleaded guilty in 2016 to 46 of 101 charges, including burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. As part of a plea deal, she acknowledged stealing jewelry, watches and other items from residents of senior living facilities.Gwynne told the judge she began stealing items from patients’ rooms to support her cocaine habit while working as a nurse at an assisted living facility in 2004. She said she was later fired but kept going to facilities in Delaware County and Franklin County in her uniform and stealing from rooms. Investigators found more than 3,000 items at her home.The high court’s decision Wednesday follows a tangled history of appeals. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences, sa...

Mexico raises Hurricane Otis death toll to 43 and puts missing at 36 as search continues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Mexico raises Hurricane Otis death toll to 43 and puts missing at 36 as search continues.The Associated Press

Human remains found in field near Chicago high school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Human remains were found Saturday evening in a field near a high school in Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood, according to police.The remains were found around 6:15 p.m. near Curie Metropolitan High School in the 4900 block of South Archer Avenue, according to information from the Chicago Police Department. 15 shot at Halloween party in North Lawndale: CPD At this time, the remains are unidentified.Area One detectives are still investigating. Anyone with information should contact them.

New math formula aims to prevent child tantrums on airplanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Flying with a toddler can be a hassle, especially if tears start flowing and arms begin to flail mid-flight, drawing the stares of fellow airline passengers. To help parents out, a mathematician at Oxford University in the UK developed a formula aimed at preventing these mile-high tantrums.The formula calculates the amount of time it might take for a child to throw a fit so parents can delay it from happening 35,000 feet in the air.  14 essentials every pro traveler packs Dr. Tom Crawford, an applied mathematics professor, teamed up with credit broker Asda Money to devise the formula, unveiled on Oct. 20. "The formula comes as new research by Asda Money reveals children are most likely to have a tantrum 27 minutes and 48 seconds into a flight, with each tantrum lasting an average of 15 minutes and six seconds," the company said on its website. "To some, this can feel like a lifetime when trapped inside a plane with a screaming child and upwards of 200 p...

1 driver dead, another injured in 'practice session' at Daytona International Speedway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

DAYTONA, Fla. (WFLA) -- A driver is dead, and another was injured in an "on-track incident" during a practice session at the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.In a statement to Nexstar's WFLA, the Daytona International Speedway said the incident occurred during an Audi Club track rental session. The driver tragically passed after being taken to the hospital. “We are saddened by the passing of a driver after they were transported to an area medical facility following an on-track incident during today’s Audi Club track rental session. Additionally, our thoughts are with the driver who was injured during the same incident. Daytona International Speedway will coordinate with both Audi Club and local authorities during their investigation into the cause of the accident," Daytona International Speedway said. American hockey player dies after ‘freak accident’ during game The events that led up to the incident and the injuries the other driver sustained have not yet been released...

Tips for making Halloween more fun for kids with autism

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Halloween is fast approaching and, for most kids, it's a fun time filled with activities, dressing up and, of course, trick-or-treating.But for children with autism and other sensory disorders, Halloween can be overwhelming, and even scary, according to Elizabeth Rivera from Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers in Terre Haute, Indiana."A lot of our kiddos are a mix of both. Some of them like a lot of the sensory stuff. They like the lots and they like a lot of pressure, and, some would rather not," Rivera said. "They would rather be in their little bubble and need the quiet."For this reason, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers published a Halloween Guide for Kids with Autism. In the guide, experts offer tips for parents:Costume choices can make a big differenceWhen it comes to your child's costume, the fabric can make kids with autism or other sensory disorders uncomfortable."A lot of costumes have a very specific material," Rivera said. "So, if you know y...

Family, friends, co-stars react to Matthew Perry's sudden death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

(KTLA) — The entertainment world is reeling from the news of "Friends" star Matthew Perry's death with fellow actors, studio executives, and fans paying tribute to one of America’s most iconic sitcom actors. Perry, 54, died at his Los Angeles-area home on Saturday. His assistant, who was asked by Perry to run an errand for him, returned to find him unresponsive in his jacuzzi, TMZ said. No foul play is suspected.In a statement to People, Perry's family said they are "heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother.""Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend," the statement continued. "You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."Among the first to react to Perry’s death was Warner Bros. Television; all 10 seasons of "Friends" were shot at their studios in Burbank.  ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54: reports “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing,” the studio said on X, formerly T...

ACC launching new principal certification program next year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Community College is set to debut its principal certification program in January amid ongoing teacher shortages and anticipated losses of school principals within the Austin area in upcoming years.A 28-school district study conducted by ACC earlier this year found approximately 50% of districts reported having campuses with principals who will be retiring in the next three to five years. Come January, between eight and 12 cohorts will participate in the program's inaugural semester, said Rebecca Miller, ACC's program coordinator for the new principal certification program. Miller told KXAN that ACC was trying to attract the best talent to the program to help create a robust network of new principals available to serve in the Austin area. That is all the more critical, she said, given the ongoing shortages facing the education profession here in Texas as well as nationally.Those shortages can tie back to a slew of reasons -- from educational changes since the ...