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What’s in DC’s $20 billion budget for 2024?

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

The D.C. Council unanimously passed a $20 billion budget for fiscal year 2024 on Tuesday, which Mayor Muriel Bowser says is focused on preserving social services amid a difficult budget season.In a statement, Bowser celebrated the vote’s result, while acknowledging challenges in its passage.“The fiscal constraints of waning federal dollars combined with increased costs and the prolonged impacts of telework, including reduced commercial property tax revenues, created the most challenging budget in more than a decade,” Bowser said.The budget invests in the “future of D.C.,” Bowser said, with a focus “on preserving our robust social services and ensuring we can build on them for years to come.”The budget includes a temporary $40 million boost for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It adds millions of dollars in funding for renovating schools and building recreation centers, and directs money toward raises for teachers, emergency ass...

After a month on the run, 15-year-old ‘Baby K’ to have bond hearing in connection with armed school bus attack

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

Prince George’s County police in Maryland are trying to figure out how a 15-year-old eluded law enforcement for nearly a month after allegedly carrying out an armed attack on a county school bus on May 1.Federal law enforcement arrested “Baby K” on Tuesday, after members of the U.S. Marshals Service’s fugitive task force tracked him to the 6300 block of Baltimore Avenue in Riverdale Park, Maryland.“If we can prove that adults were helping a 15-year-old elude … the law, then that person should face the consequences,” said Prince George’s County Chief of Police Malik Aziz during a news conference Wednesday to discuss the arrest. “There’s accountability for everyone here.”Authorities said “Baby K” was one of three teens who police said boarded a Prince George’s County school bus during an after-school drop-off on May 1 at the intersection of Iverson Street and Sutler Drive. Police said the group attacked a student with a...

Need directions to the All England Club? Roland Garros? Roger Federer can guide you on Waze

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — Roger Federer knows a thing or two — or 20 — about making one’s way to a Grand Slam championship. Now the retired tennis star can help you find your way around town.Waze said Wednesday that Federer’s voice will be available to provide directions for drivers using the navigation app. Federer can be heard in English, French or German.The 41-year-old from Switzerland won 20 major tennis championships during his career, including a men’s-record eight at Wimbledon. Federer announced his retirement last year.Waze was founded in 2006. Its headquarters are in Mountain View, California.___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

What to know about the phases of Casa Bonita's openings

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — As the excitement around Casa Bonita's opening grows, we still don't have an official date yet. However, a few lucky fans will have a chance to be selected for the restaurant's "soft opening."On May 26, FOX31 got an exclusive first look inside the renovated restaurant. The highly anticipated menu was also rolled out with Mexican staples and of course the iconic sopaipillas. More than sopaipillas: What’s on Casa Bonita’s opening menu But the one thing missing from the new look inside Casa Bonita was an opening date. While we still don't know when the general public will be allowed inside, we do know the restaurant will open in phases.Soft opening phaseIn a public records request obtained by FOX31, the Lakewood Police Department outlined the first phases of Casa Bonita's opening. According to LPD, the first step will be multiple soft openings.Those openings will happen at specific times and days of the week and will be open to those who were selected in the lottery. ...

Alabama lawmakers seek to halt Space Command development in Colorado

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

(The Hill) – Alabama lawmakers are planning to introduce a provision in a major funding bill to halt new construction and leasing developments for U.S. Space Command (Spacecom) in Colorado as they fear a reversal of the planned relocation of the headquarters to their state.A spokesperson for the office of Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) confirmed the provision would block the Biden administration from spending money on future developments of Spacecom's temporary headquarters in Colorado Springs until an official decision is made on the relocation.The language is still being drafted, according to the spokesperson, but lawmakers expect it to be included in the annual funding bill passed by the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Report: Space Command may stay in Colorado due to Alabama’s abortion laws NBC News, which first reported the details, said Alabama House representatives of both parties have backed the measure, including Democratic...

School Board meeting shows split support for Florida teacher under investigation for showing Disney movie

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

HERNANDO COUNTY, FLA. (WSVN) – There was passionate debate at the Hernando County school board meeting over a Disney movie shown in class. Some parents criticized the teacher for showing “Strange World” which features a gay character. Jenna Barbee, a Hernando County teacher, is the teacher being investigated for showing the movie and she made the argument to keep her job in the form of a poem Tuesday night.“Right now as a collective, I will tell you we are failing. The system is broken, and the earth is wailing. Let the students read and learn. Let the teachers teach. Everyone deserves to be represented. And that’s what we need to preach,” said Barbee. Barbee says she selected the movie because it was about earth science, not because of the character in the movie. But a board member, whose daughter was present in that teacher’s class, said the teacher didn’t follow the procedure to get it approved.Some parents thought that the teacher ...

Fatal crash on US-27 in West Broward causes closure in both directions

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue is responding to a fatal crash on US-27 in West Broward.Crews were called to the incident around 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at Mile Marker 39 near the Twenty-six Mile Bend area.7Skyforce flew over the scene and observed a dump truck overturned at the scene. Traffic in both directions has been stopped.Please check back on WSVN.com for more details on this developing story.

Miami-Dade County cracks down on illegal dumping; felony arrests and fines served

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Solid Waste Management’s Special Investigations Unit recently conducted investigations into two cases of illegal dumping, resulting in felony arrests and substantial fines.In the first incident, officials discovered a man illegally dumping a boat and trailer along NW 105th Street, between NW 7th and 8th Avenue, through live-feed cameras. Officers arrested the man and he was required to cover the expenses of towing the boat for proper disposal. He was also fined $2,510 for violating the Florida Litter Law and faces felony charges. “Illegal dumping is an unequivocal crime, as evidenced by these two cases resulting in felony arrests,” stated Mike Fernandez, Director of DSWM. “Those involved were ultimately required to dispose of the items correctly, on top of receiving fines and facing arrest. The lesson here is to do the right thing from the outset to avoid trouble.”In a second case, a man was captured on live video...

On the edge of the Arctic, the West strives to control AI

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

LULEÅ, Sweden — Top European and American officials gathered in Sweden for tech and trade talks on Wednesday and tried to hammer out an answer to one of the toughest problems facing the world: how to police artificial intelligence.Over an hour-long lunch of cod loin and chocolate praline, officials from Washington and Brussels worked up a voluntary “code of conduct” designed to prevent harm, including from the most advanced artificial intelligence technology known as generative AI — like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. Within months, the tech has taken the public by storm, triggering hopes as well as anxieties for the future of humanity. While some have been thrilled by AI’s potential to generate computer code and solve medical problems, others fear it will put millions of people out of work and could even threaten security. “Democracy needs to show we are as fast as the technology,” Margrethe Vestager, Europe’s digital commissioner, told reporters a she entered the EU-U....

Closed airspace, limited overnights: Moldova hosts Europe’s leaders in Russia’s shadow

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:12:24 GMT

CHIȘINĂU — Gathering more than 40 European leaders in Moldova on Thursday will be a symbolic thumb in Vladimir Putin’s eye — a sign of collective commitment to join hands against Moscow.It’s also a major risk. Literally and metaphorically, the so-called European Political Community’s second summit is taking place in Russia’s backyard, a region Putin sees as part of Moscow’s sphere of influence. That makes getting several dozen world leaders in and out no easy task.  Moldova has closed its airspace for the duration of the summit and NATO surveillance planes will keep a watchful eye — a nod to the constant threat of Russian incursions. Access to the main airport has been restricted — a recognition of the myriad fake bomb alerts there since the start of the war. And most leaders won’t stay overnight — preferring to keep their visit to a minimum.The measures illustrate Europe’s daunting task as it tries to embrace a wider community of countries. The o...