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Sandra Day O’Connor called a pioneer and ‘iconic jurist’ as she is memorialized by Biden, Roberts

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the Arizona rancher’s daughter who became a voice of moderate conservatism as the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, was memorialized by President Joe Biden on Tuesday as a pioneer in the legal world who inspired generations of women. Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts were among those who eulogized O’Connor at Washington National Cathedral. O’Connor retired from the high court in 2006 after more than two decades, and died Dec. 1 at age 93.The president, a longtime senator who once chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, began his remarks by recalling her 1981 confirmation hearing — a day that Biden described as momentous because of the history that she would make on the nation’s most powerful court.He called her “a pioneer in her own right” who shattered barriers in both the political and legal worlds, along with the “nation’s consciousness.” He said that ‘her principles were deeply held and of the highest...

Ontario elementary teachers officially ratify collective agreement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Elementary school teachers in Ontario will avoid any kind of strike action for the next three years, with members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) voting overwhelmingly to accept the tentative deal with the Ontario government. Permanent and occasional teacher members voted 90% in favour of accepting the agreement that was reached with the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and provincial government in November. In a statement from ETFO, President Karen Brown says despite the particularly difficult bargaining process, members dug in and have a fair deal because of it. “While this round of bargaining was exceptionally lengthy and difficult, ETFO members stood firm in the face of cuts, pressed for improvements to working and learning conditions, and won,” said ETFO President Karen Brown.“This agreement is proof that the legal bargaining process works when it’s allowed to unfold as intended. I want to thank members for their ...

How to check the avalanche forecast for your Colorado backcountry adventures

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Colorado Avalanche Information Center launched two new tools that will help backcountry explorers stay safe when venturing into Colorado's great outdoors.Backcountry hikers, skiers and sportspeople will be able to view forecasts for most of the U.S. Rockies. Over the last decade, an average of 27 people have died in avalanches each winter in the U.S. Denver metro could actually have a white Christmas this year According to CAIC data, there were nine fatal avalanches in Colorado so far this year resulting in 11 deaths. In the past decade, 64 people have died in Colorado avalanches.The website, avalanche.state.co.us, now offers a clickable map-based weather forecast published twice per day, as well as an accident explorer database.Detailed avalanche forecast for specific locationsThe weather forecast tab has four 12-hour periods to match the avalanche forecast. The weather forecast shown in the table is for the exact location selected on the homepage map. This l...

Rescue crews save 2 after boat sinks off Surfside

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Two people were rescued by crews after their boat sank off of Surfside. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, late Tuesday afternoon.7Skyforce hovered over the scene, where the boaters were placed on a fire rescue boat. According to fire rescue, the boaters were in the water for almost an hour. What caused their boat to sink is under investigation. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

IRS to waive $1 billion in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS said Tuesday it is going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 per year for tax years 2020 and 2021.Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, which totals about $1 billion, the agency said.The IRS temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic, beginning in February 2022, and agency leadership says the pause in automated reminders is a reason behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties.“Due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these reminders would have normally been issued as a follow up after the initial notice,” the IRS said in a statement.“Although these reminder notices were suspended, the failure-to-pay penalty continues to accrue for taxpayers who did not fully pay their bills in response to the initial ...

Investigation underway after body found in trash container in SW Miami-Dade

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

An investigation is underway after a body was found in a trash container in Southwest Miami-Dade, officials said. The body was discovered Tuesday in the area of Southwest 85th Street and Southwest 161st Place in West Kendall.7Skyforce hovered over the scene, where officers and personnel from waste management arrived at the scene.Trash collectors made the grim discovery as they were preparing to pick up trash and noticed legs protruding from the container.A home in the area had its garage opened and yellow tape was placed inside by officers. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

LGBTQ group, local leaders speak out against proposed state legislation targeting flag displays at government buildings and schools

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Harsh criticism of a proposed law filed Monday in Tallahassee coming from local leaders and the LGBTQ community. “This administration keeps boasting about how free and welcoming the state of Florida is. Yet, they keep focusing on things like this,” said Pride Center of Florida’s Robert Boo.The LGBTQ community is speaking out against a proposed legislation in the Florida legislature targeting flag displays at government buildings and schools. It would prohibit flying flags related to political topics, including sexuality, gender orientation and race.“I currently do not support HB901,” said Compass LGBTQ Community Center CEO Julia Seaver.The bill, sponsored by state Rep. David Borreo who represents Sweetwater, would limit where certain flags can be flown at government buildings and schools including pride or progressive flags.“As a gay Jew, I find I’m in double jeopardy…to me it’s fascist,” said one person who opposed the bil...

Quiet Week Ahead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

After a rough Monday, we have a nice quiet week of weather ahead. That’s great news for anyone trying to clean up from the storm and for river water levels to come back down. Northern New England took the brunt of the storm but there was obviously plenty of damage and flooding in southern New England as well. Every green box below is a river that is currently overflowing its banks.All the rain for northern New England was devastating for ski resorts, wiping out a lot of snow. Of course heading into a holiday week is bad news for not only ski resorts, but also for anyone who may have had ski trip plans this weekend or next week. Thankfully with the quiet week ahead, we’ll have cold air moving in which will make for better snow making conditions. The next few mornings will have temperatures down in the 20s (locally) meaning northern New England and the ski resorts will drop into the teens. Those are prime temperatures for making snow.With quiet weather prevailing, that mea...

Ex-gang leader seeking release from Las Vegas jail ahead of trial in 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

By KEN RITTER (Associated Press)LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former Los Angeles-area gang leader charged with murder in the killing of hip-hop music icon Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas is deriding the case against him as the product of speculation and second-hand testimony as he asks a judge to put him on house arrest ahead of his trial.A Jan. 2 hearing date was set Tuesday on Duane “Keffe D” Davis’ bid to be released on no more than $100,000 bail. His court-appointed attorneys wrote that the health of their 60-year-old client has deteriorated in jail and that he is not getting proper medical attention following a bout with colon cancer that they said is in remission.“His diet and lack of exercise in the jail, given his age and medical history, is negatively impacting his health,” deputy special public defenders Robert Arroyo and Charles Cano said in the bail motion filed Thursday before Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny.Davis, originally from Compt...

Massachusetts to receive more than $1 million from Google app store settlement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Google is in trouble, again, and Massachusetts will be receiving more than $1 million for the tech giant’s wrongdoings.Attorneys general from all 50 states as well as those from Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have reached a whopping $700 million settlement with Google over allegations that the company stifled competition against its Android app store.The settlement with the states includes $630 million to compensate U.S. consumers funneled into a payment processing system that the AGs allege drove up the prices for digital transactions within apps downloaded from the Play Store. That store caters to the Android software that powers most of the world’s smartphones.The remaining $70 million in penalties will be going to the states, with more than $1.4 million earmarked for Massachusetts, according to Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office.“For years, Google has harmed consumers and app developers alike by restricting consumer’s choices for app stores, do...