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What falling test scores mean for US students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

(The Hill) -- U.S. children's test scores in social studies, math and reading have all plummeted since the beginning of the pandemic, raising grave concerns about students' future.Eighth graders’ scores in U.S. history and civics were both down to where they were back in the 1990s, according to the Nation’s Report Card, released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Wednesday. Similar drops in reading and math skills were reported in the fall.The most obvious culprit for the drop is COVID-19, but experts also point to concerns such as the effect of culture wars in schools and the lack of resources for the subjects. According to the NAEP results, eighth graders had a 2-point decrease in average civics scores in 2022 compared to 2018. The scores are at the same level as they were in the 1998 assessment, the first year the civics assessment was conducted. U.S. history average scores for eighth graders fell 5 points in 2022 compared to 2018 and 9 po...

Cedar Park Police: Suspect in custody after barricading for hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – A person is in police custody after barricading themself in Cedar Park and refusing to come out for hours. The Cedar Park Police Department alerted people on social media Friday morning to stay clear of the area near the 1400 block of Main Street due to police activity. That's close to Costco and just west of 183A and Whitestone Boulevard. Police posted at 5:51 a.m. that they were responding to a call about a barricaded suspect. Police said in an update at 7:02 a.m. the suspect was in custody and the road would be reopened as soon as possible. CPPD did not specify what charges the suspect could face, if any.This is a developing story.

Rotterdam summer concert series lineup announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Rotterdam summer concert series schedule has been released. All concerts take place at the Rotterdam Senior Citizen's Center at 2639 Hamburg Street. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! LineupJune 5: The Dominant 5 Brass QuintetJune 12: Stormin' NomanJune 19: The DadtetJune 26: The Rotterdam Town Band and the Rotterdam Town Jazz BandJuly 3: The EvidenceJuly 10: The Joe Sorrentino BandJuly 17: The Rotterdam Town BandJuly 24: Michael Benedict Jazz VibesJuly 31: The Rotterdam Town Band and the Rotterdam Town Jazz BandAugust 7: The Epilogue TrioAugust 14: BossambaAll concerts are free. They will take place at the Senior Center rain or shine at 6:30 p.m.

Berkshire Humane drops cost of microchips for May

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) — Berkshire Humane Society is offering discounted microchipping throughout the month of May, in honor of "Microchip Your Pet Month." The trackers will go for $20 a pop—a $5 discount from the shelter's usual price. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The procedure is available by appointment only. To schedule, call (413) 447-7878. The discounted rate will also be offered at the society's new Wellness Clinic, at 289 Dalton Avenue. To make an appointment at that facility, reach out to (413) 203-4330.

1 charged in Albany County underage drinking sting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York State Police recently conducted an underage drinking enforcement detail in Albany County. Out of the 19 businesses checked for compliance, one allegedly sold alcohol to someone under 21 years old. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! During the enforcement detail, businesses are checked with a trooper in plainclothes, and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or give a false date of birth. One person was charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child, which is a misdemeanor.The following business was not in compliance with the New York Beverage Control Law Section 65:Loudonville Wine & Spirits, 475 Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville Accused shooter denied bail in Kaylin Gillis death The following businesses were in compliance:Smoker’s Choice, 448 Sand Creek Road in ColonieWest Albany News, 294 Sand Creek Road in AlbanyStewart’s Shop, 219 Sand Creek Roa...

Albany man facing felony child porn charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — An Albany man is in county lockup after troopers say they found child porn at his house. It happened on May 3, after a raid at Isaac A. Newberry's home. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Newberry, 41, is being charged with one count each of promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child. Both are felonies. He was arrested and processed at the State Police barracks in Latham. After being arraigned in Albany City Court, Newberry was sent to Albany County Jail. Bail was set at $5,000 cash, $5,000 bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond. FCSO: Man tased 4 times in fight with deputies His next court date has not been publicly announced. Troopers credited the arrest to a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney's deal with Missouri to step down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Kim Gardner sent her resignation letter to Governor Mike Parson Thursday afternoon. In the message, Gardner says that she will fight to protect the rights of people in St. Louis against "people outside the city."Part of her resignation letter says, "Stepping back is the most powerful thing I can do to stop these outsiders from taking your views and your rights. I wanted to help the people of St. Louis when I took this job, and that's still my north star. So, with a heavy heart but a firm decision, I'm retiring as your circuit attorney on June 1." Trending Stories: Cinco de Mayo: Local restaurants hope for return of pre-pandemic crowds We are finding out more about what went on behind the scenes before Gardner quit. Gardner has been talking to the Republican president of the Missouri Senate, Caleb Rowden of Columbia, and the Democrat leader of the minority in the Senate, John Rizzo of Independence, since the beginning of this week. We've heard that Gardner made a deal...

Denver weather: Balmy blue skies, breezy through weekend with possible afternoon rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Metro Denver residents face a breezy warm morning Friday day under blue skies, with scattered rain showers in the afternoon, possibly shifting to thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.Mostly dry weather is expected in Denver Saturday and Sunday, forecasters said. There’s a chance of rain Sunday afternoon. Light wind is expected at speeds around 10 miles per hour, increasing in the afternoon to 18 mph with gusts at up to 28 mph.The weather service issued a red flag fire warning covering southern Front Range cities and south-central plains through Saturday evening due to wind and dry air. Weather service officials advised residents to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could generate sparks.Scattered showers and storms will form this afternoon mainly over far northern Colorado. A few strong to severe storms will be possible in areas north and east of Sterling. Large hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph are the main threats. #COwx pic.twitter.com/FYpsSdkbDF&...

Hungry for pickleball? Chicken N’ Pickle opening two Colorado locations next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport, and Chicken N’ Pickle wants to keep up. The Kansas City-based restaurant and pickleball venue plans to open its first two Colorado locations in Parker and Thornton next year.“We love Denver, and we’re pretty proud to be a Midwest company with Midwest core values, plus the active lifestyle in Denver is a natural fit for us,” said Chicken N’ Pickle president Kelli AlldredgeChicken N’ Pickle, founded by Dave Johnson in 2016, has purchased 1.5 acres of land within the 14.5-acre Gatherings at Parker development at the intersection of North Jordan Road and E-470. The company also purchased three acres in Thornton’s The Grove business and shopping center at the intersection of I-25 and 144th Avenue.A rendering of Chicken N’ Pickle’s Parker location. (Provided by Yaeger Architecture)The company plans to break ground on both multi-level complexes, featuring six indoor courts and two covered outdoor courts, this year...

Letters: Demand lawmakers address these ballistic property taxes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Possibility of large property tax bills create concern, spark ideasRe: “Big property tax hikes in ’24,” April 27 news story“Unprecedented Gains” in home valuations will result in unprecedented property tax increases, reports The Post. That’s messed up. We homeowners have zero control over housing prices. We bought our houses because we needed a place to live. Why should we pay far higher taxes simply because the housing market has gone ballistic?The Post notes there will be “intense pressure on the legislature to provide relief” following these massive property tax increases. That sounds absurd: raising taxes on the one hand, which will necessitate providing “relief” on the other. How about gradually stepping up our home assessments over several years instead of all at once? That would allow us fixed-income seniors more time to adjust our budgets.I know that politicians have an insatiable appetite for tax dollars. The housi...