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Teacher shot by her 6-year-old student reflects 1 year later

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) -- "A lot has changed." It's been a year since the classroom shooting in which a 6-year-old shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The incident that occurred on Jan. 6, 2023, shook the whole community. A 6-year-old boy, using his mother's handgun, pulled the gun out while inside his first-grade classroom and fired one shot at Zwerner, his teacher. The bullet went through her hand and into her chest. Zwerner said not only does she have physical scars from that day, but also emotional scars that will never go away. The mother of the child and owner of the firearm, Deja Taylor, was sentenced back in November in connection with the incident. Zwerner is now suing the school for not taking action that could've prevented the shooting. The former first-grade teacher said that since that day, it has felt as though her life has been put on hold. "I was moving forward in my career and looking forward to continuing my ...

Florida gets first-ever FDA approval to import drugs from Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved Florida’s plan to import certain prescription drugs directly from Canada, the first time a state has ever been allowed to do so.The approval marks a major shift in U.S. drug policy, and comes despite fierce opposition from the pharmaceutical industry, which is likely to sue. The FDA has also raised safety concerns about importing drugs from outside the U.S. because it can’t guarantee their safety.Individuals are allowed to buy from Canadian pharmacies, but states have long sought to purchase cheaper drugs directly from Canadian wholesalers.Prescription drugs are cheaper in Canada, as in most other countries, because the government can directly negotiate the price with drug companies. The approval marks a political victory for both President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate. Both Biden and DeSantis have been prioritizing lowering drug ...

San Marcos returning to Stage 2 drought restrictions Jan. 7

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of San Marcos will go back down to Stage 2 drought restrictions this weekend after an increase in water levels at nearby sources. The city went up to Stage 3 restrictions in July due to dropping aquifer levels. The change back to Stage 2 is in response to rising water source levels at the Edwards Aquifer and Canyon Lake, as well as increased water flows in the Comal and San Marcos rivers, according to the city. "We have received needed rain and improvement in the drought, which enables us to announce the move to Stage 2 drought restrictions,” says Director of SMTX Utilities Tyler J. Hjorth. “We still encourage our water customers to conserve where possible so that we can make the best use of our water resources.” RELATED | San Marcos to enter Stage 3 drought restrictions on July 2 as aquifer levels drop The city's Stage 2 drought restrictions are detailed below:Stage 2 drought rules limit the use of sprinklers to one day per week on the designa...

Cirque Italia performing at Barton Creek Square until Jan. 15

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cirque Italia has made its way to Austin, with shows scheduled now until Jan. 15 at Barton Creek Square, located at 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway.Organizers said Cirque Italia is a water circus, and this year’s performance follows Ringmaster “Clown Rafinha” on an epic pirate adventure to discover a buried treasure.At Cirque Italia, organizers said the audience would be taken on a journey through storms on the high seas, dreams of angelic aerialists, pirate fights and more.“You will see swashbucklers balancing upside down on a rum barrel, juggling knives, and even one having a run-in with a mermaid. Your jaws will be dropped, and you will be hanging on the edge of your seats with our suspenseful Crossbow act and our dangerous Wheel of Death performances,” organizers said.The circus said it continued to contribute to the modernization of the performing arts and the circus industry by abiding by a strict animal-free policy.Tickets for the show can be purchased onl...

Schmitt Music closes Woodbury, Apple Valley stores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

Schmitt Music in Woodbury permanently closed its doors on Wednesday.“We thank you for many wonderful years, and hope you will continue to visit our other Twin Cities locations,” company officials wrote in a post on the store’s Facebook page announcing the closure.The store, based in Woodbury Village, sold woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments and accessories.The company’s Apple Valley store also has closed.Repairs to instruments are being made at Schmitt Music’s Bloomington location, according to the post.Customers who have been taking private lessons will be contacted by a staff member or a lesson teacher, the post states. Anyone not contacted by Monday is asked to reach out to the Bloomington store.Schmitt Music also has locations in Anoka, Duluth, Rochester, Virginia, Eau Claire, Sioux Falls, Fargo, Omaha and Denver.According to the company’s website, Schmitt Music was founded by Paul Schmitt in 1896 in Minneapolis as a print music retail comp...

Loons pursuing Costa Rican central midfielder Alejandro Bran

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

A flurry of big MLS transfer news has come in this week, with Minnesota United conspicuously absent from comings and goings.While it’s not a blockbuster, the Loons are silent no more.MNUFC has made an offer to bring in Costa Rican central midfielder Alejandro Bran, a source told the Pioneer Press on Friday.The Loons’ proposal is a loan with an option to buy the rights to Bran, a 22-year-old currently with Herediano in Costa Rica’s Primera Division.Bran has played 1,072 minutes for Herediano in league play in 2023-24, according to wyscout. He has also played for Costa Rica’s national teams, including for the senior side in the Concacaf Nations League.The Loons re-signed defensive midfielder Wil Trapp this offseason and bring back Hassani Dotson and Kervin Arriaga in central midfield. Coming off a knee injury, Robin Lod might return to that role as well.BrieflyMNUFC said Friday its away match against Charlotte FC has been moved from April 20 to April 21. It will now be nationall...

Topgolf tees up plans in Woodbury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

It’s official: Topgolf is coming to Woodbury.The news that the popular driving range and entertainment venue is coming to the city was confirmed Thursday night at a neighborhood meeting for the project, city officials said.Personnel representing the company confirmed Topgolf plans to open a location in a new development near the southeast corner of the Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 interchange that will include a family entertainment center called Main Event.Topgolf officials on Thursday night identified Topgolf as the tenant for the “golf entertainment use” in the proposed development to be located in a nearly 14-acre parcel south of the former Hartford Life building, said Eric Searles, Woodbury’s assistant community development director/city planner. A development map identifies part of the land project as “golf entertainment” with a proposed use of “outdoor golf driving range.”Main Event, a family entertainment center that will include bowling, laser tag, arcade games and game...

NJ man accused of kidnapping in Vermont shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A New Jersey man has been arrested in connection to a shooting incident that took place in October 2023, in Shaftsbury, Vermont. Mohamed Hamdi, 32, faces several charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023, around 11:03 p.m., Vermont State Police responded to 218 Twitchell Hill Road for reports of someone being shot. Upon arrival, police found two victims, one suffering a gunshot wound.The man who was shot was airlifted to Albany Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. The second victim at the scene refused medical attention. DOJ: California man shipped meth to Capital Region Through an investigation, Vermont State Police say Hamdi and another man entered the residence and forced all the occupants into the basement. Both victims involved were allegedly assaulted while trying to leave the basement.Charges:Kidnapping (five counts)Aggravated assault (two counts)Mohame...

Two iconic St. Louis restaurants join forces to create BLT hot dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Two of the city's favorite local eateries have teamed up to create a unique combination of foods for a limited time only. Crown Candy Kitchen and Steve's Hot Dogs joined two of their most popular menu items to produce what they call the 'Crown Candy BLT Dog.' The hot dog on a bun is topped with tomato, lettuce and a pile of bacon. On top of that, the hot dog is drizzled with ketchup, mustard and mayo. The creation is only available until Sunday."It's (brings) a sense of community," said Andy Karandzieff, owner of Crown Candy Kitchen. "(We are) helping each other out." St. Louis Health Dept. recommends masks as flu, COVID, and RSV cases surge This isn't the first time the two have come together. When Crown Candy Kitchen faced difficult times after the height of COVID-19, Steve's Hot Dogs jumped in to help. Steve Ewing, owner of Steve's Hot Dogs, gave back 50% of sales to Crown Candy employees. "It's nice to be able to put these two neighborhoods together," said Ewi...

Colorado backs off proposed ban on religious instruction in state-funded preschool

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:52:41 GMT

Colorado officials leading the state’s new universal preschool program originally planned to ban religious lessons and activities during state-funded class time. Not anymore.In the latest round of proposed state rules posted publicly on Wednesday, they have removed an explicit ban on religious instruction during universal preschool hours. The rules, which would take effect next summer, are set to be considered by a state advisory committee on Jan. 11 and adopted in February.RELATED: Colorado Catholic preschools make their case at trial challenging nondiscrimination rulesThe new draft rules mark the latest in a series of flip-flops by state officials on the subject of religious education in its new $322 million preschool program. The state’s shifting approach stems partly from the program’s rushed rollout, and partly from a new legal landscape shaped by recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions permitting the use of public funds for religious education.Related ArticlesEducation | ...