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Florida school system has closed investigation into teacher who showed Disney movie with gay character

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

(CNN) — The Hernando County School Board has closed its investigation into a Florida teacher who showed the Disney film “Strange World” to her fifth-grade class, according to a copy of the district’s final report provided to CNN by Jenna Barbee, the educator.Barbee said the Florida Department of Education’s inappropriate conduct investigation is ongoing.A first-year teacher at Winding Waters K-8 school, Barbee said she showed the 2022 film because it directly related to class curriculum, not because it portrayed Disney’s first openly gay character. The animated film tells the story of a family of explorers and Barbee said it was relevant to her lesson on ecosystems and the environment.Barbee was reported to the Florida Department of Education after a student told their mom, a member of the school board, about the film being shown. The school system subsequently opened its own investigation.The final report from Hernando County says, “The investigation was completed regarding the par...

In a new BMW sedan, drivers can change lanes using just their eyes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

(CNN) — In the new BMW 5-series sedan, unveiled Wednesday by the German luxury automaker, drivers will be able to change lanes on the highway just by looking to the side.The car’s optional Highway Assistant system allows drivers to go long distances on major highways without touching the steering wheel or pedals. This sort of feature is now offered by a number of major automakers, but BMW adds this novel capability: Drivers will be able to change lanes just by looking at one of the outside mirrors.Automated lane changes are possible in many similar systems but, ordinarily, the driver has to request it, or assent to the car’s suggestion for a lane change, by using the turn signal.With the new BMW system, if the car’s automated driving system suggests a lane change – say, if the car ahead is going too slowly – the driver only has to look at the corresponding side mirror and the car will do the rest. The system relies on a camera mounted behind the steering to monitor the directio...

Police: Teen arrested after stabbing leaves student with non-life-threatening injuries at Lynn Classical High School

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

Authorities say a 16-year-old student was stabbed at Lynn Classical High School in what police believe was an isolated incident.The Lynn Police Department said the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being stabbed in the back Wednesday morning.Police also arrested a 17-year-old male student after responding, stating in a news release that he had been “initially charged with Assault to Murder and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon on School Grounds.”“This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no information that would indicate a danger to any other students,” the department stated in an update.The teen victim was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. By noontime, the rest of the student body was dismissed from the high school.

Prosecutor: Work dispute appeared to lead to stabbing at Mattapan grocery store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

A man accused of stabbing a fellow employee at a Star Market in Mattapan appeared in court to face an assault charge filed against him.Trevor Charlton, 47, was arraigned in Dorchester District Court on Wednesday. The Hyde Park resident was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after the prosecution in his case claimed he picked up an object and stabbed a co-worker in the abdomen after they had a verbal fight on Tuesday afternoon.According to the prosecutor, the suspect had accused the victim of not doing his job at the Star Market on River Street.In court, the two sides appeared to disagree on what caused the victim to receive their injury. The prosecutor claimed that the victim was jumped by several employees and was stabbed so deep, his back tissue was sliced and he was unable to be stitched up.Meanwhile, a relative of the suspect claimed that the injury was a puncture wound, and that the victim received it when he hit something during the aforementioned fight.C...

Ravens free agency tracker 2023: Former Bear Angelo Blackson signs, adding depth to defensive line

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

Welcome to the Ravens’ free-agency tracker, which will be updated throughout the offseason.As of the start of the NFL’s new league year on March 15 at 4 p.m., teams can officially announce signings and trades. Here’s a rundown of who the Ravens have agreed to sign, who they’ve lost and who’s still on the open market:Free agent additionsDefensive tackle Angelo Blackson: The Ravens added depth to their defensive line on May 24 with the signing of the 30-year-old Blackson, who spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he played in 32 games, 12 of them starts.The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Blackson had 22 tackles in 15 games last season. He had a career-high 43 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in 2021.Blackson, a fourth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, also had stints with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. In coming to Baltimore, he reunites with Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, who coached him in Houston.Quarterback Josh Johnso...

Aaron Judge has conditioned Yankees to expect the unexpected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

Now in his fourth season of being Aaron Judge’s teammate, Gerrit Cole knows better than to doubt the slugger in a big spot. So when a question prefaced that it may be “unreasonable” to always count on Judge coming up clutch, Cole playfully debated the premise on Tuesday night.“Are you sure? Are you sure? I don’t know if it’s completely unreasonable,” Cole replied with a hint of amazement. “It seems plausible every time he gets to the plate.”That sentiment echoed throughout the Yankees’ locker room following Judge’s solo home run in the ninth inning Tuesday. The game-tying blast made it possible for the Bombers to win, 6-5, in extra innings.The bomb came with formidable Orioles closer Felix Bautista on the mound and Judge in an unfavorable 0-2 count. But Bautista threw an elevated splitter, and Judge ripped it 403 feet – even though he braced for a fastball.“I didn’t think I got it in the beginning, j...

Jets working out ex-Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

Matt Araiza’s attempt at a second stint in the NFL begins in New York.The Jets are hosting the former Buffalo Bills punter for a workout on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Araiza was released by the Bills in August 2022 after a civil lawsuit was filed accusing him and two of his former San Diego State teammates of being involved in a gang rape at an off-campus party in October 2021.The woman who filed the suit was 17 at the time of the alleged rape.On Dec. 17, it was reported that the 23-year-old would not be charged with a crime and Yahoo Sports reported that the transcript of a meeting with a deputy district attorney revealed that Araiza was not present in the room where the alleged crime occurred.“I am grateful that the District Attorney and the San Diego Police Department have discovered all the facts and found no criminal wrongdoing. I am excited to continue my NFL career,” Araiza said in a statement on Dec. 7, released by his agency JL Spor...

16-year-old student at Lynn Classical High School was reportedly stabbed in the back: ‘Extremely concerning incident’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

A 16-year-old student at Lynn Classical High School was reportedly stabbed in the back Wednesday morning, according to city officials who called it an “extremely concerning incident.”A 17-year-old stabbing suspect has been arrested, and Lynn Police are investigating the “isolated incident.” The male suspect has been charged with assault to murder and carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds.The victim’s injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, said Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson. The victim was transported to the hospital.“We share our sympathies for the victim and his family and hope for a speedy recovery,” the mayor said in a statement.Following the stabbing, the school entered into a lockdown mode.“The Lynn Police Department has apprehended the suspect and is investigating the circumstances surrounding this extremely concerning incident,” the mayor said.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Chelsea d...

Karen Read speaks for first time in murder case of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

The twisting and complicated murder case against Karen Read took yet another unexpected turn when the defendant, her voice quivering and tears in her eyes, spoke directly for herself on the steps outside Norfolk Superior Court.“It feels we’re the only ones fighting for the truth of what happened to John O’Keefe and me and my family, and my attorneys, and my team have marshaled every resource to get to the truth,” Read said, her attorneys David Yannetti and Alan Jackson at her side and her family behind her. “It just feels like no one else wants it.”When asked by a reporter at the steps, “And Karen, just to be clear, you didn’t do it?”“We know who did it,” she said. “We know. And we know who spearheaded this coverup. You all know.”“I tried to save his life,” she said, as her supporters at the step clapped and exclaimed. “I tried to save his life at six in the morning. I was covered in his blood. I was the only one trying to save his life.”At this point, a man on the street, who has s...

From the Archives: In search of ‘blubber’ and the elusive story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:27 GMT

Being obsessed is an occupational hazard. That’s why today’s archive entry is all about … blubber.A colleague said she once saw an item about whale blubber mentioned in the Herald around the time of World War I. I found it!There are other mentions, but the one I’ve been hunting for — yes, as if it were my white whale — ran in the Herald on Feb. 18, 1918. (The page is linked below.)Boston Herald Feb.18, 1918New Bedford, the Herald wrote, was banking on whale meat reviving the sinking industry. Blubber was all the rage for its oil, as history shows. But the meat of the whale was left for the sharks.This was all unfolding as World War I was still dragging on and meat was in short supply. (I’ve included page 1 from that day for historical context.)Boston Herald Feb. 18, 1918, page 1I owe you this “From the Archives” newsletter around noon every Wednesday. Projects galore are swimming around me as I jot this entry down. But, I had to ...