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Colleges squirm under anti-diversity, equity and inclusion pressure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

(The Hill) -- Colleges are attempting to find ways to save their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as Republican-led states advance efforts to shut down the programs. Multiple red states have introduced or passed legislation targeting certain aspects of DEI in universities, from mandatory diversity statements to entire offices, causing confusion and fear for faculty and staff. Texas lawmakers Sunday approved a final version of Republicans' sweeping anti-DEI measure, sending it to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is expected to sign it, making Texas the second state to declare full-on war against the programs. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed similar legislation earlier this month.That move left Florida colleges scrambling.“I know that, for coursework and for some of the things, they're just changing the names of committees as opposed to, you know, doing away with them altogether,” said Allan Barsky, professor at Florida Atlantic University's Sandler Sch...

Americans owe $1 trillion in credit card debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

(The Hill) -- America's credit card balance has passed $1 trillion, or it's about to, depending on whom you ask. The average interest rate on a new card is 24 percent, the highest figure since the Reaganomics era.  A typical American household now carries $10,000 in credit card debt, by one estimate, another record.  If that doesn’t sound like a lot of debt, try paying it off. At $250 per month, with 24 percent interest, you’ll be making payments until 2030, and you’ll spend a total of $20,318, twice what you owed. And that assumes you never use the card again. “It’s hard to build wealth when you’re paying 20 percent interest every month,” said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate.com.  The nation’s credit card debt stands at $986 billion, according to the Federal Reserve. The figure has climbed by $250 billion in two years.  Some other estimates range higher. A WalletHub report put total card debt at $1.2 trillion at t...

Central Texas high school graduations get underway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – As the 2022-23 school year ends, high schools across Central Texas prepare to honor and celebrate their graduates. The following Austin ISD schools hold will ceremonies at Burger Activity Center: Crockett ECHS at 10 a.m. on Tuesday Eastside ECHS at 2 p.m. on Tuesday Austin HS at 7 p.m. on TuesdayNavarro ECHS at 10 a.m. on WednesdayMcCallum HS at 2 p.m. on WednesdayAkins ECHS at 7 p.m. on WednesdayTravis ECHS at 10 a.m. on ThursdayLASA at 2 p.m. on ThursdayAnderson HS at 7 p.m. on ThursdayNortheast ECHS at 2 p.m. on FridayBowie HS at 7 p.m. on FridayThe following Hays CISD schools hold ceremonies at Strahan Arena at Texas State University:Johnson HS at 2 p.m. on TuesdayLehman HS at 6 p.m. on TuesdayHays HS at 2 p.m. on WednesdayLive Oak Academy at 6 p.m. on WednesdayThe following Pflugerville ISD schools will hold ceremonies at the Pfield: Hendrickson HS at 8:30 a.m. on TuesdayPflugerville HS at 8:30 a.m. on WednesdayConnally HS at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday Weiss HS at 8:...

5 things to know this Tuesday, May 30

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend, and again thank those who've made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. According to Meteorologist Rob Lindenmuth, more heat is on the way to the Capital Region moving in from Central Canada and the Great Lakes as the week progresses. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A bus of 40 asylum seekers from New York City arrived in Albany on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Schenectady Police are looking for a potential suspect in the Pleasant Street homicide after naming the victim. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. First bus of Asylum Seekers arrive in AlbanyOn Sunday night, the City of Albany welcomed 40 asylum seekers after New York City decided to form a contract with the Ramada Inn on Watervliet Avenue in Albany. Mayor Kathy Sheehan says that the city has already been in contact with commu...

Gabe Gore set to take circuit attorney office today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The new St. Louis circuit attorney will be sworn in and with a backlog of thousands of case. Gabe Gore will certainly have his hands full.Governor Mike Parson appointed Gabe Gore less than two weeks ago. The governor's legal council, Evan Rodriguez has been serving as interim circuit attorney, and Tuesday, will officially be his last day. This all comes as Kim Gardner initially announced her resignation earlier this month.Gore lives, works, and raised his family in St. Louis, and those are some of the reasons why Governor Parson shared that he appointed the former federal prosecutor. He was a partner at the law firm Dowd Bennet and worked there for more than a decade, according to Gore's LinkedIn.18 candidates applied for the circuit St. Louis attorney job, and the governor narrowed it down to three finalists before his announcement of gore on May 19. The governor said that Gore was not a political pick, and it's important to mention this appointment is only temporary. ...

Sam Page to veto pedestrian road ban today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - FOX 2 learned St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will announce Tuesday morning he is vetoing a controversial the St. Louis County Council just passed.Page's Chief Spokesperson Doug Moore confirmed to FOX 2 that Page will announce at a news conference later Tuesday morning at the main county building that he is vetoing Bill 86. the bill has been generating a lot of debate since it passed the council earlier this month.The legislation, which was sponsored by council member Ernie Trakas, prohibits pedestrians from walking, running, sitting, or simply standing in a roadway when a sidewalk is provided.If a sidewalk isn't nearby, then people would be allowed to move on the left side of a roadway or on a shoulder facing traffic coming in the opposite direction.The bill passed the council by a narrow four to three vote back on May 16. Council member Trakas said the bill is all about improving public safety. However, others have raised concerns that the bill targets ...

Sam Page expected to veto bill that changes tobacco sales near schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - St. Louis County Executive Sam Page expected to veto another bill Tuesday that would change the law for tobacco sales near schools.In 2019, the St. Louis County Council passed a law prohibiting the sale of tobacco within 1,000 feet of a school. Stores that already sell tobacco are allowed to continue sales, but that exemption goes away if the store switches owners. Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire A new bill passed by the county council would allow stores to continue selling tobacco even if it was sold to a new owner. Page is expected to veto that bill, saying we must do everything we can to protect our children from the harmful effects of smoking.

Crews respond to vacant building fire in St. Louis City

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Emergency crews are responding to a vacant building fire Tuesday morning. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter Nic Lopez was at the scene, located on the 4200 block of West Cot Brilliante, where the vacant two-story building partially collapsed due to the heavy flames. St. Charles County mayors seek funding for regional homeless shelter Firefighters now have control of the flames and seek to investigate the cause. No injuries have been revealed. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Man injured in north St. Louis rollover crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One man was injured in a single-car rollover crash Tuesday morning in north St. Louis.That was around 1:45 a.m. on the North Kingshighway at Lexington Avenues in the Kingsway West Neighborhood. St. Charles County mayors seek funding for regional homeless shelter The cause of the crash has not been revealed. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Overnight fire damages Wellston home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A fire overnight heavily damaged a house in Wellston.That fire started around 12:30 a.m. on Stephen Jones Avenue near page Boulevard. The two-story brick home had heavy damage. Residents call for ‘problem’ warehouse to be torn down after massive fire No word of any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.