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Texas A&M president retires immediately in wake of hiring controversy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp announced Dean Mark A. Welsh III will be acting university president after M. Katherine Banks submitted a letter late Thursday announcing she would retire immediately, according to a news release from Texas A&M.This comes after the Faculty Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to create a fact-finding committee into the mishandling of the hiring of Dr. Kathleen McElroy, a University of Texas professor and former New York Times journalist, the release said. Additionally, McElroy is a graduate of Texas A&M University.In June, the university announced the hiring of McElroy to revive the school’s journalism program, but that fell apart as the details of the job offer changed from a position with the possibility of tenure to a one-year professor of practice appointment, with the option to renew, according to the university.Banks denied knowing about the changes in the job offer at the Faculty Senate me...

With Edouard Julien red hot, Twins plan for Jorge Polanco to start getting work at third base

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

A couple years ago, the Twins approached Jorge Polanco, then a shortstop, and told him of their plans to shift him to second base. Friday, Rocco Baldelli had a similar conversation with the infielder, who is currently rehabbing with the Triple-A Saints.This time, the Twins had another move across the infield planned: Polanco will start to get some work in at third base while on his rehab assignment.“He’s always completely good for whatever’s going to help the team,” Baldelli said. “That’s what always comes out of his mouth. Every time I’ve approached him with anything, that’s the first thing he says.”And what’s going to help the Twins the most is having both Polanco and red-hot rookie Edouard Julien in the lineup.When Polanco came back from the injured list twice earlier this year, the Twins just optioned Julien back to Triple-A to make space for the veteran. But the rookie has been the team’s best hitter of late, prompting the decision to get Polanco, the better defender of the two...

Mahtomedi man pleads guilty to third-degree murder charge in teen’s drug overdose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

A Mahtomedi man pleaded guilty Friday to third-degree murder for selling pills that contained fentanyl and caused an Oak Park Heights teen to overdose and die.Jeremiah Eugene Palmore, 21, went before Washington County District Judge Douglas Meslow and pleaded guilty as charged in connection with the 17-year-old girl’s death in May 2021. Sentencing was set for Nov. 17.Jeremiah Eugene Palmore (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)A handcuffed Palmore was brought into the courtroom from the Washington County jail, where he has been held on bail since his arrest last October.“Did she die as a result of the drugs she obtained from you?” Meslow asked Palmore.“Yes,” he responded.According to the charges filed against Palmore last August, the girl’s mother called 911 on May 12, 2021, after finding her daughter lying face down in her bed.A bag of pills — stamped “M50,” which are frequently called “M boxes” — was found stuffed in the girl’s bra. Officers also found a “toot...

Cobleskill police resign, community has safety concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) – After most of the Cobleskill police officers resigned this week, residents voiced concerns about public safety. Officers are upset that the village is limiting their overtime while they are short-staffed.Once officers found out portions of the general fund tax levy would be allocated to other services and not the police department, that’s when they started resigning, according to Cobleskill Mayor Rebecca Stanton-Terk.In a press release she said 87 percent of the tax fund levy is used to fund the police department. She is working with local leaders to rebuild an affordable and efficient police department after eight officers resigned, leaving only three left in the department. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Stanton-Terk was not immediately available for an interview on Friday but responded to an email saying, in part: “We will be seeking qualified individuals to replace officers who unfortunately cho...

As Women’s World Cup fever hits, DirecTV/NextStar dispute keeps Front Range fans in the dark

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

Sports fans and sports bars across the Front Range have gotten used to carriage disputes that have denied viewers a chance to watch marquee events on television.Now it’s affecting the Women’s World Cup, with matches broadcast on KDVR-31 blacked out for DirecTV subscribers, including Friday night’s United States Women’s National Team opening match against Vietnam.The local Fox affiliate is one of many stations owned by NexStar Media Group that have been unavailable on DirecTV since July 3 due to a carriage dispute.Fox and FS1 have been the home of English-language broadcasts for the Women’s World Cup dating back to 2015, and the Men’s World Cup since 2018. At least 18 group-stage games and two Round of 16 matchups will be broadcast on Fox, in addition to everything from the quarterfinals on.Area soccer fans are finding different ways to work around the inconvenience, most notably by tuning into Telemundo (KDEN-25) or the steaming service Peacock, w...

Disneyland says guests shouldn't buy these tickets on eBay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

Disneyland fans who couldn’t get tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash, a popular Halloween party at Disney California Adventure, shouldn’t buy tickets to the event on any other site, Disneyland officials warn.Tickets to the sold-out event have been listed on sites such as eBay and Craigslist for hundreds of dollars. However, officials warn that tickets for the popular Halloween party can’t be resold or transferred to other parties. New nighttime entertainment coming to Rivers of America at Disneyland “Teams at the resort have an established process for investigating resold tickets, the result of which may be voided tickets where appropriate,” a Disneyland official told KTLA.The official Disneyland website echoes a similar message saying, in part, that “in the event that duplicate Disney eTickets are presented for theme park admission, Disney reserves the right to refuse entry.”General ticket sales for Oogie Boogie Bash sold out on the first day the tickets were available. Pre-sale tickets...

Man allegedly tried to light victim on fire at Thousand Oaks pizza shop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

A man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to light an employee on fire during a pizza shop attack in Thousand Oaks.The suspect was identified as Robert Haight, 61, by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.On June 25, Haight is accused of entering a Thousand Oaks pizzeria and “squirting lighter fluid on an employee” before attempting to set the employee on fire, authorities said. Man throws lighter fluid at worker in Thousand Oaks restaurant, chases him through business with knife: VCSO Haight then allegedly grabbed a large kitchen knife and chased the employee through the restaurant before the employee escaped through the back door.The suspect continued chasing the employee into the parking lot behind the restaurant. At that point, a second person tried to intervene and Haight allegedly squirted him with lighter fluid as well.The second victim fought back and defended himself before Thousand Oaks police arrived at the scene shortly after.“Haight was transported to a...

One Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Accident on I-80 [Reno, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

2-Car Collision near Mile Marker 27 Claims the Life of OneRENO, NV (July 21, 2023) – Wednesday morning, one unidentified person died in a two-vehicle accident on I-80.Reno Police responded to the scene around 7:15 a.m., after receiving multiple calls of a collision near mile marker 27.Upon investigation, one of the vehicles involved in the crash rolled over, leaving the driver dead at the scene.Furthermore, authorities temporarily shut down a portion of the roadway to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties. No updates have been made regarding the identity of any parties involved.Additionally, no other information about the other driver has been released at this time. More details about the two-vehicle accident on I-80 will be posted once made available.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased. May you find strength and comfort in the difficult days ahead.Losing a loved one in a car accident can devastate the emotiona...

Antioch officers claimed to be too injured to testify about racist texts, but were actually at ‘pool parties,’ ‘driving tractors,’ attorney claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

ANTIOCH — Five police officers linked to the Antioch Police Department’s racist texting scandal appear to be dodging subpoenas by falsely claiming that they are too injured to testify about the incendiary messages, an attorney claimed in court Friday.The officers appear to be living it up — attending “pool parties” and “driving tractors” — despite their assertions in sworn documents that they could not appear in court due to “industrial injuries,” attorney Carmela Caramagno told a Contra Costa County judge on Friday.The allegations came during the first in-depth court airing of the racist text messages — one of a series of scandals plaguing Antioch law enforcement. The contents of the text messages — and the officers’ habit of sending and receiving them with apparent impunity — rests at the core of a challenge the attorneys are making to charges against four men charged with multiple gang-related crimes — two of whom ...

Letters: Not targeting kids | Common crisis | Xfinity glitch | Bad food | Kindness shines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:43 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Tasty, colorful productsaren’t targeting childrenRe: “Stop cannabis industry’s efforts to target children” (Page A6, July 7).Have you ever noticed that adults like sugary and fruity flavors, mint, chocolate, gummies, etc.? Adults enjoy cartoon characters, animals, and artsy and fun images, too. Just because a company is selling these items doesn’t mean they are “targeting” children. Do we need to make everything intended for adults bland and unappealing to protect children?It is totally unfair to accuse cannabis companies of targeting children if they sell flavored vape pens or edibles with fun packaging, like this paper’s editorial did.Licensed cannabis dispensaries strictly ID their customers as their items are not intended for minors. Adults need to be responsible and keep their pot away from kids. Packaging requirements make it nearly impossible to easily open cannabis product...