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Union sues over changes in teacher evaluations prompted by Texas takeover of Houston school district

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Days after Texas’ largest school district began its first school year under a state takeover, a teachers union has filed a lawsuit over changes being implemented in how educators will be evaluated.The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, came as Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath made rare public comments about the takeover of Houston’s school district since he announced it in March.During a meeting in Austin Wednesday of the Texas State Board of Education, Morath expressed his support for the work of Mike Miles, the new superintendent he chose to run the school district. Morath said that so far “a lot of very positive changes” have taken place. Morath had been criticized by some parents and teachers for not attending public meetings in Houston earlier this year that discussed the takeover.One of the changes being put in place is a new teacher evaluation system that will pay educators based largely on standardized test scores and their classroom performance.In its lawsuit,...

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell can continue with his work schedule, congressional physician says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The attending physician to Congress said Thursday that he had cleared Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to continue with his planned schedule after evaluating an incident in which McConnell appeared to freeze up at an event in Kentucky.McConnell, 81, remained silent for about 30 seconds during a news conference Wednesday, almost a month after he had a similar episode in Washington. In March, McConnell suffered a concussion and broke a rib after falling and hitting his head after a dinner event at a hotel.Dr. Brian Monahan, the congressional physician, released a brief statement saying that he had consulted with McConnell and his neurology team and cleared the senator to continue with his schedule.“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Monahan said.The Senate is scheduled to convene next week after an August break.McConnell’s office had said after the Wednesday incid...

Browns QB Deshaun Watson selected as 1 of 5 team captains on eve of 1st full season after suspension

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson is one of Cleveland’s captains.The Browns quarterback, who was suspended 11 games last season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, was one of five players elected by their teammates. Watson was banned by the league after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston.Along with Watson, All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, left guard Joel Bitonio, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and long snapper Charley Hughlett were selected in a vote announced after practice Thursday.Watson is the only new captain in 2023, and coach Kevin Stefanski said the honor is deserved.“Deshaun, it’s very, very natural for him to lead,” Stefanski said. “And I think he’s comfortable leading from out in front. I think he’s comfortable from leading and letting his teammates get credit. That’s just something he’s always done his whole life. And just the way he’s integrated hims...

Pittsburgh Steelers fortify secondary, sign former All-Pro DB Desmond King

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday signed former All-Pro defensive back Desmond King, fortifying their secondary on the eve of the regular season.King, 28, spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans, intercepting five passes and recovering two fumbles.King’s arrival gives Pittsburgh’s secondary another veteran to a mix that includes Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and cornerback Patrick Peterson, who arrived in free agency during the spring.The Los Angeles Chargers initially selected King in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. His breakout season came in 2018, when he was selected to the All-Pro team after intercepting three passes and swatting away 10 others.King was traded from Los Angeles to Tennessee in the middle of the 2020 season. He then signed with Houston in 2021.The Steelers open the 2023 season on Sept. 10 at home against San Francisco.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflSource

1 hospitalized after shooting at auto shop in Fort Lauderdale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

A shooting at an auto shop in Fort Lauderdale sent one person to the hospital.Fort Lauderdale Police units responded to a call about shots being fired near Northwest 10th Terrace and Ninth Street in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday morning.Responding officers arrived to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound.According to a witness, a shop owner was arguing with the victim before they opened fire.The victim was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be OK.The alleged shooter stayed in the area for questioning and is cooperating with detectives.An investigation is underway.

4 in custody after stolen vehicle crashes during brief pursuit in Fort Lauderdale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

Police have taken four people into custody after a brief pursuit ended in a crash in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. According to Fort Lauderdale Police, officers were pursuing a stolen dark gray 2019 Jeep Cherokee after it was spotted in the area of Davie Boulevard, off of 31st Avenue, Thursday afternoon. Toward the end of the pursuit, the Jeep crashed into another vehicle in the area of Southwest Third Street and 27th Avenue.7Skyforce hovered over the scene where the stolen vehicle was seen laying on its side. An occupant in the second vehicle suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment. A subject was also injured in the crash and was checked out by paramedics at the scene. After the crash, the three other subjects attempted to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended by police.Officers also found weapons and masks in the stolen vehicle. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this deve...

Police investigating after 2-year-old boy dies in Cohasset

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

Authorities are investigating what led up to the death of a child in Cohasset after police said a 2-year-old boy died from injuries suffered near a local auto body shop.State and local police, as well as members of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office could be seen on South Main Street as of around 3:30 p.m., with a number of police cruisers spotted and caution tape in place. According to Cohasset Chief of Police William Quigley, it was around 12:40 p.m. when a man rushed from Hajj Auto Service to the nearby police station while carrying his injured grandson, seeking help.Quigley said the child was soon taken to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced dead.“At this point, there doesn’t appear to be anything nefarious,” Cohasset Chief of Police William Quigley told reporters, describing the situation as a tragedy while asking locals to keep the family in their thoughts.“This is a family that’s been in town, has had this garage in town f...

More sun and warming into the weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

What a way to end the month of August! It’ll be cool tonight. More sun tomorrow. Temperatures make a gradual day-to-day warming trend into next week.It’s been a refreshing day in the 70s! Yes, breezy but that northerly wind helped to keep us comfortable with dew points in the 40s this afternoon. With lower dew points, light wind and clear conditions overnight, inland temperatures will cool off nicely. We’ll be in a range of the mid-40s for our coolest inland locations (Norwood) and more mild near 60° on the coast.High pressure is still around tomorrow promoting a bright day with mild temperatures. It’ll be another great day to be outside with temperatures in the mid/upper 70s inland. A northeast breeze will keep it cooler near 70° once again on the coast.Our Labor Day Weekend forecast looks fantastic! 80s inland and 70s on the Cape and Coast. Saturday will be our brightest day. Today marks the last day of Meteorological Summer. Meteorologists define each seas...

Residents pick through rubble, navigate clogged roads and live without power after Hurricane Idalia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida and Georgia residents living along Hurricane Idalia’s path of destruction on Thursday picked through piles of rubble where homes once stood, threw tarps over ripped-apart roofs and gingerly navigated through a maze of streets left underwater or clogged with fallen trees and dangerous electric wires.In Valdosta, a city of 55,000 in southern Georgia, resident Desmond Roberson, who took a drive with a friend to check out the damage, said that on one street a tree had fallen on nearly every house. Roads remained blocked by tree trunks and downed powerlines and traffic lights were still blacked out at major intersections. He said the few gas stations that were open had long lines.“It’s a maze. … I had to turn around three times, just because roads were blocked off,” Roberson said.Nearly all of the 600 tarps that officials had set aside to cover damaged roofs had been claimed by Thursday morning, said Meghan Barwick, spokesw...

Large-scale gambling ring uncovered in Milford after police raid backyard volleyball games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:32 GMT

Two people were charged after officials busted what appeared to be a large gathering for volleyball tournaments, but what Milford police said was a large-scale gambling operation.Police found cash and cards strewn across a picnic table, an illegal concession stand complete with a fryolator and alcohol, and gambling on volleyball games in a backyard of a Milford home, images provided by police to 7NEWS showed.“It’s really just got to stop. We just want it to stop,” said Deputy Chief Robbie Tusino of the Milford Police Department. “There’s better ways to make money.”Two were arrested and charged, including the homeowner of the house on Franklin Street, when the police searched the property and seized $10,000 in cash. Police were watching the situation for months, and neighbors were also complaining of the high volume of traffic. Milford police is also headquartered two houses down on the corner of Franklin Street.“There’s about a hundred people there every night,” neighbor Justin...