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Easthampton School Committee chairwoman on Massachusetts superintendent ‘ladies’ email controversy: ‘I was insulted’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

The chairwoman of the Easthampton School Committee, who rescinded a job offer to a superintendent finalist because he called her and her assistant “ladies” in an email, has broken her silence, offering advice to the next finalist: Be more professional.Speaking out for the first time in the wake of her committee becoming a point of controversy, Cynthia Kwiecinski on Thursday told the Daily Hampshire Gazette she felt insulted for being called a lady, “a familiarity that he had not earned.”Vito Perrone, the interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools, used the term in an email that was going over three negotiation points after the School Committee had offered him the superintendent job on March 24.“It is true that I was insulted by the familiarity with which the candidate addressed me and the committee’s executive assistant in correspondence that was part of a salary negotiation,” Kwiecinski wrote in her email to the Gazette. “While I speak informally most of the time, if...

Jazz saxophonist, teacher Edward “Kidd” Jordan dies at 87

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jazz saxophonist and music teacher Edward “Kidd” Jordan died in his sleep Friday, surrounded by family at his New Orleans home, family publicist Vincent Sylvain said. He was 87.During his 50-year career, Jordan showcased his musical talents across New Orleans while also collaborating with music legends like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and more.Born in Crowley in 1935, Jordan moved to New Orleans at 20 years old and created “The Improvisation Arts Quintet” in 1975. The group produced a diverse catalogue of avant-garde music described as “an evolution of complimentary imagery moving together and apart, each artist becoming an ear, an eye and most of all a heart for the sake of the creative spiritual soul.”He was a music professor at Southern University of New Orleans, later becoming chairman of the university’s Jazz Studies Program. During his 34 years at SUNO, “he shared his vision of improvisation and encouraged students to find their authent...

Alberta premier offers new version of why she contacted accused before criminal trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is offering up a new version of why she engaged in a controversial phone call with a Calgary street pastor in which they discuss his upcoming criminal case related to COVID-19 public health measures.Smith told her Saturday morning phone-in radio show she took the call from Art Pawlowski because she thought it was going to be in the context of his role as the leader of another political party, the Alberta Independence Party.She says when the discussion veered into Pawlowski’s court case, she says she simply reminded him that she had tried to gain amnesty for COVID accused but was told by justice officials the cases must play out independently.The call was leaked to the Opposition NDP, which played it for reporters on March 29, prompting Smith to announce a week ago she will not discuss the issue publicly because she is considering defamation action and can’t talk on the advice of her lawyer.Smith had previously stressed there was nothing wron...

At least 44 people killed by jihadis in Burkina Faso’s north

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least 44 people were killed by Islamic extremists in multiple attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Saturday.Jihadis attacked Kourakou and Tondobi villages in Seno province, said Lt. Col. P.F Rodolphe Sorgho, governor of the Sahel region in a statement. Sorgho called the attacks on Thursday and Friday “despicable and barbaric” and said the government was stabilizing the area. He called on people to remain calm. The West African nation has been overrun by jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that’s killed thousands and displaced 2 million people over six years. Fighting has frustrated and divided a once peaceful population, leading to two military coups last year with each junta leader vowing to stem the attacks. But the violence is intensifying and spreading as jihadis blockade villages, preventing hundreds of thousands of people from moving freely. In February, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility fo...

Memphis Zoo bids farewell to panda ahead of return to China

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Visitors at the Memphis Zoo said goodbye Saturday to giant panda Ya Ya during a farewell party ahead of her departure back to China.Highlighted by Chinese cultural performances, the sendoff marked the end of a 20-year loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens that landed Ya Ya in Memphis. About 500 people attended the event, which featured a demonstration by the Tennessee Happy Kung Fu School.Ya Ya was born August 3, 2000 in Beijing. She was joined in Memphis under the loan agreement by Le Le, a male panda who was born July 18, 1998 and died in February ahead of the pair’s planned return to China.Ya Ya will likely head back to China at the end of month, according to zoo spokesperson Rebecca Winchester. The zoo says the pandas were key to research and conservation projects and helped people experience some of Chinese culture.The life expectancy of a giant panda in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as...

Pope Francis returns to public eye for Easter vigil Mass

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis returned to public view on Saturday, presiding over Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, a day after unseasonably chilly weather in Rome convinced the recently ailing pontiff to skip Good Friday’s nighttime procession at the Colosseum.The evening basilica service began in darkness. Then the basilica’s cavernous interior was suddenly bathed in light, reflecting the Christian beliefs that Jesus rose from his death by crucifixion and that goodness can triumph over evil. The 86-year-old pope is recuperating from bronchitis, which saw him recently hospitalized for three days. On Sunday, tens of thousands of faithful are expected to join the pope in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Mass and to listen to his speech about conflicts in the world at the end of Holy Week. At the start of the Easter vigil, Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair he uses to cope with knee pain, incised in the wax of a tall candle a cross, the first and last lett...

What does 1870s Comstock Act have to do with abortion pills?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A 19th century “anti-vice” law is at the center of a new court ruling that threatens access to the leading abortion drug in the U.S.Dormant for a half-century, the Comstock Act has been revived by anti-abortion groups and conservative states seeking to block the mailing of mifepristone, the pill used in more than half of U.S. abortions.On Friday, a federal judge in Texas sided with Christian conservatives in ruling that the Comstock Act prohibits sending the long-used drug through the mail.Here’s at look at the case and the law:WHAT HAPPENED?In a sweeping ruling, U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, said that the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone more than two decades ago violated federal rules. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the Donald Trump appointee said the FDA overlooked “legitimate safety concerns,” with the pill, which has been available since 2000.The Biden administration and mifepristone’s main d...

Show stopper: Singalong fans ejected, ‘Bodyguard’ halted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A British performance of “The Bodyguard” musical ended in unrequited love for some audience members who couldn’t refrain from singing along to the anthemic finale.The show at the Palace Theatre in Manchester screeched to a halt Friday when two unruly patrons were ejected for joining the lead in singing “I Will Always Love You,” the soaring, emotional ballad made famous by Whitney Houston. It was not supposed to be a singalong. Ushers carried signs saying, “Please refrain from singing” and announcements were made in advance that patrons would have a chance to join along at the end but not to sing during the show, said Tash Kenyon, an audience member.During the closing number, somebody shouted, “Does this mean we can start singing now?” Kenyon said. A tone-deaf voice projected from the balcony and competed with the vocals of Melody Thornton, a former member of The Pussycat Dolls. Laughter then turned to anger and confusion, Karl Bradley told the Manche...

Central Health to undergo performance review costing more than $845K

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to hire a consulting firm to conduct a third-party performance audit of Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district.According to a release, the new performance review would cost Central Health $845,200. RELATED: Central Health plans $90.5M medical complex for low-income, homeless healthcare services At the time of the last review in 2018, the performance reviews were planned every five years, with the next one scheduled this year.“Central Health welcomes an independent performance review, especially if it measures our progress since our previous independent, third-party performance review completed in 2018,” Central Health President and CEO Mike Geeslin said. “It’s vital that public entities such as Central Health, even the county and city, get a qualified, outside perspective to ensure they are continuously improving, growing, and thriving, to meet the needs of the people they serve.”Ce...

Texas Parks and Wildlife says to be careful eating fish from this Central Texas lake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:41 GMT

CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- Planning to go fishing this summer? Be aware of several fish consumption bans and advisories across Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has several active consumption bans and advisories for fish across the state.In Central Texas, there is one advisory for striped bass and longnose gar in Canyon Lake due to a mercury concern. TPWD said adults and children aged 12 and older should not eat more than two 8-ounce servings per month. Children under age 12 should not eat more than two 4-ounce servings per month. Additionally, no striped bass or longnose gar should be eaten by women who are pregnant, could become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Traveling outside Central Texas to fish? Other freshwater consumption advisories are in place in the Dallas/Fort Worth area; Houston/Galveston area; Northeast/Southeast Texas; the Panhandle; South Texas and the Valley area.Saltwater consumption advisories are in place for the Gulf of Mexico, in the Houston/Galveston are...