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Social Security offering voluntary buyouts ahead of “significant workforce reductions” Social Security offering voluntary buyouts ahead of “significant workforce reductions” The Social Security Administration is offering financial incentives ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 to employees who choose to voluntarily resign from the federal agency, ahead of what they warn will be “significant workforce reductions.” A message sent out to employees Thursday stated that the agency will soon implement restructuring that includes workforce cuts and “massive reorganizations.” The SSA said that wholesale “abolishment of organizations and positions” could happen, as well as reassignments and staff cuts. Earlier this week, the Office of Personnel Management advised agencies to submit “reorganization plans” by March 13 and prepare for “reductions in force.” Thursday’s message offers all Social Security employees three options ahead of the agency’s expected cuts: voluntary reassignment “to a mission critical position,” voluntary early retirement, if eligible, or “voluntary separation incentive payments,” if eligible. Those who would take the voluntary separation incentive payment must opt in by March 14 and leave the agency no later than April 19. The option echoes the “fork in the road” or deferred resignation program from OPM, in which eligible federal employees could resign from their positions and retain full pay and benefits until Sept. 30. The incentive payments offered the SSA is dependent on an employee’s classification, or where they stand on the federal payscale. Those with a GS-8 or under would get $15,000, while those classified with GS-9 to GS-12 would receive $20,000. Those with a GS-13 or higher would receive $25,000. SSA notes that employees who opt in may be put on administrative leave through April 19 and must not have already opted into the buyout program offered by OPM earlier this year. Nancy Altman, the president of the advocacy group Social Security Works, told CBS News they fear employees may opt in to get the separation payment, and that it could already strain the benefits agency she said is in need of more investment to shorten wait times and open more field offices, not cuts. “If people don’t take it, then they’re going to be constantly looking over their shoulder, looking through their email waiting to see if they get fired,” Altman said. “It’s going to add stress, chaos and uncertainty.” Altman added that employees should first see if their severance pay from a potential termination could be more than what the SSA is offering for voluntarily resigning. Jill Hornick, a 33-year Social Security employee, noted that public-facing employees who work in field offices and handle claims at Social Security’s 1-800 number were told by former acting SSA Commissioner Michelle King that they were exempt from OPM’s buyout offer. “[King] knew it would hurt public service” if these hires were allowed to take the offer, said Hornick, who is also an administrative director at an Illinois local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees, which nationally represents hundreds of thousands of federal workers. “Because we’re at a 25-year staffing low.” Now that this separation incentive is available to them, Hornick said she has “no doubt” these frontline employees will take it, and warned that processing times for claims could “go through the roof.” “I have been trying to reassure [these] employees to take a deep breath. They’re terrified, scared to death they will not have a job tomorrow, and put a roof over their head. It’s just been one thing after another this week,” Hornick added. The incentive payments offer does not apply to probationary employees, who generally have less than a year on the job, and must have worked in the executive branch for at least three years. Those looking to retire early must opt in between March 1 and Dec. 31. To be eligible for early retirement, an employee must be at least 50 years old and have 20 years of “creditable service,” or have 25 years of creditable service at any age. The SSA has seen several changes in recent weeks. Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek was appointed to the role after the previous commissioner, King, was resistant to allowing staff with the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, get access to sensitive agency data. Earlier this week, two SSA offices were closed — the Office of Transformation and the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity — which resulted in 190 staffers being put on administrative leave. Aaron Navarro Aaron Navarro is a CBS News digital reporter covering the 2024 elections. He was previously an associate producer for the CBS News political unit in the 2021 and 2022 election cycles. Source link #Social #Security #offering #voluntary #buyouts #ahead #significant #workforce #reductions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shiori Ito: Japan’s MeToo icon is up for an Oscar Shiori Ito: Japan’s MeToo icon is up for an Oscar Shaimaa Khalil Tokyo correspondent Getty Images Shiori has become the face of the country’s MeToo movement When Japanese journalist Shiori Ito decided to speak up about her ***** allegations, she knew she was standing in the face of a society that preferred silence. “I’m scared…but all I want to do is to talk about the truth”, Shiori says in the opening scene of her Oscar-nominated documentary ****** Box Diaries. Shiori became the face of Japan’s MeToo movement after she accused a prominent journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi of *****. Her acclaimed directorial debut, based on her memoir of the same name, is a retelling of her quest for justice after authorities found the evidence insufficient to pursue criminal charges. But there is one country where it is yet to play: Japan, where it has run into huge controversy. Her former lawyers have accused her of including audio and video footage she did not have permission to use, which, they say, has violated trust and put her sources at risk. Shiori defends what she did as necessary for “public good”. It’s a startling turn in a story that gripped Japan when it first broke -the then 28-year-old Shiori ignored her family’s request to remain silent. And after her public accusation did not result in a criminal case, she filed a civil lawsuit against Yamaguchi and won $30,000 (£22,917) in damages. Shiori told the BBC making the film involved “reliving her trauma”: “It took me four years [to make the film] because emotionally I was struggling.” She was an intern at Reuters news agency in 2015, when she says Yamaguchi invited her to discuss a job opportunity. He was the Washington bureau chief for a major Japanese media firm, Tokyo Broadcasting System. Shiori claims she was ****** following a dinner in Tokyo with Yamaguchi, who has always denied the allegations. CCTV footage of an intoxicated Shiori being dragged from a taxi and into a hotel is part of the more than 400 hours of footage she edited for the documentary. Getty Images Yamaguchi has always denied the allegations against him The editing process, she says, was “really challenging. It was like hardcore exposure therapy.” When the film was released, the CCTV footage became a source of friction as Shiori’s team of ex-lawyers, who helped her win her lawsuit, slammed the documentary. They claimed it was unauthorised use of CCTV footage – and that she had violated a pledge not to use it outside of court proceedings. . Last week, her former lawyers – led by Yoko Nishihiro – held another press conference, saying her use of the footage posed challenges for other ******* assault cases. “If the fact that the evidence from the trial has been made public is known, we will be unable to obtain cooperation in future cases,” Ms Nishihiro said. Ms Nishihiro claimed that Shiori had also used unauthorised recordings, saying she only found this out at a screening of the film last July. This included audio of a police detective who eventually acted as a whistleblower about the investigation process – as well as a video of a taxi driver who provided testimony about the night of the alleged *****. Both of them, the lawyers argued, were identifiable and neither had given their consent to be featured in the film. “I’ve been trying so hard to protect her for eight-and-half years, and I feel like I’ve been completely torn apart,” Ms Nishihiro said. “I want her to explain and be held accountable.” Shiori had earlier acknowledged that she did not have the hotel’s permission to use the CCTV but argued that this was “the only visual evidence” she had of the night she was ********* assaulted. She added that including audio of the police detective was necessary because of “the cover up of the investigation”, adding that she was releasing the video “for the public good”. “We are standing in different points of view,” she said of the fallout with her former lawyers. “For me, [it’s for the] public good. For them, it’s ‘do not break any rules’.” There has been no official explanation as to why the film has not yet been distributed. Shiori has said that “Japan is still not ready to talk about [it]”, but its unclear how much of it is also due to legal hurdles. In her latest statement last week, Shiori apologised and said she would re-edit parts of the documentary to make sure individuals would not be identified, adding that a redacted version would be screened moving forward. “There are moments I wish I didn’t have to put in [the documentary]. There are moments I’m not proud of but I wanted to put all of it and to show we are also human,” she told the BBC. “No-one is perfect.” In the nine years since the assault, Shiori’s fight against Japan’s justice system has been well-chronicled in the media – and is something she says she wanted to detail in her documentary. She was met with a wave of backlash when she went public in 2017, receiving hate mail and online abuse. “People were telling me you’re not crying enough… you’re not wearing proper clothes… you’re too strong.” Some criticised the way she was dressed at the press conference where she first accused Yamaguchi – they said her shirt had been buttoned too low down. Shiori said she left Japan for a few months, fearing for her safety. Shiori’s case was followed by other high-profile cases. In 2023, former soldier Rina Gonoi also went public with her story, accusing three ex-soldiers of ********* assaulting her. This was also the year Japan passed landmark laws redefining ***** to include “non-consensual ******* intercourse” and raised the age of consent from 13 to 16. Gonoi eventually won her case but Shiori says it is proof that speaking up against ******* violence comes at a price, adding: “Is it worth going through this as a survivor seeking justice? It shouldn’t be this way. You have to sacrifice a lot.” For now it’s unclear if her film will ever be screened in Japan, but she says that its homecoming would be her ultimate prize. “This is my love letter to Japan. I really wish one day I can screen my film, and my family can also watch it,” she added. “That’s what I really hope for… more than winning an Oscar.” Source link #Shiori #Ito #Japans #MeToo #icon #Oscar Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Canada probes X’s use of personal data for AI models Canada probes X’s use of personal data for AI models Canada’s privacy watchdog has opened an investigation into X, the social media platform owned by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, on whether its use of Canadians’ personal data to train artificial intelligence (AI) models broke privacy rules. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said in a statement on Thursday that it launched the probe after receiving a complaint. “The investigation will focus on the platform’s compliance with federal privacy law with respect to its collection, use, and disclosure of Canadians’ personal information to train artificial intelligence models,” the statement said. The office did not provide any additional details about the nature of the complaint. An opposition New Democratic Party lawmaker, Brian Masse, said he had written to the privacy commissioner this week calling for an investigation into X. “I’m pleased to see the privacy commissioner agree to launch an investigation into X’s use of Canadians’ data,” Masse said in a statement. “Transparency and sunlight are crucial at a time when algorithms could be manipulated to spread misinformation,” he added. X did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The investigation into X comes at a time of increased tension between Canada and the United States over trade, border security and a digital services tax on US technology firms. President Donald Trump, who has tasked Musk with downsizing the US government, vowed earlier on Thursday to follow through on proposed 25 per cent tariffs on ********* and ******** goods from March 4 because deadly drugs were still pouring into the US from those countries. Musk, CEO of electric vehicle maker Tesla, is also the founder of artificial intelligence startup xAI. Following Musk’s 2022 purchase of Twitter and its subsequent renaming as X, the social media platform made xAI’s Grok chatbot available to its users. Grok is an AI assistant that helps users complete tasks, including answering questions, solving problems and brainstorming, X says on its website. Last week, xAI introduced Grok-3, the latest iteration of its chatbot, which is being rolled out immediately to Premium+ subscribers on X. Generative AI models such as Grok require lots of data to train and develop. Canada’s privacy legislation set out rules for how private-sector organisations can collect, use, and disclose personal information in the course of business, the privacy commissioner has said on its website. They include rules around consent, disclosure, retention and safeguards. Source link #Canada #probes #personal #data #models Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The International Space Station is too clean, scientists say The International Space Station is too clean, scientists say The International Space Station may be too sterile – and the astronauts on board could benefit from it being a little dirtier, according to a new study. When astronauts spend time on the ISS, they often experience immune problems, skin disorders and other conditions. That could be because the station has a much less diverse array of microbes than on Earth, a new study suggests. Those microbes that are around tend to have been carried there by humans. As such, there might be some benefit from astronauts “dirtying” the space station with more microbes from nature, researchers suggest. They compared it to the benefits found in gardening, which has been well-demonstrated to boost the immune system of those people who do it. “There’s a big difference between exposure to healthy soil from gardening versus stewing in our own filth, which is kind of what happens if we’re in a strictly enclosed environment with no ongoing input of those healthy sources of microbes from the outside,” said Rob Knight, from UC San Diego, in a statement. In the study, scientists worked with astronauts to swab 803 different surfaces on the space station. That is about 100 times more than the samples that have been taken in previous similar surveys. Researchers then created 3D maps that showed where the swabs were taken, what microbes they showed, and how they could be interacting with the chemicals found there. Most of the microbes came from human skin, they found. Cleaning chemicals were also found throughout the station. They found that the collection of microbes tended to be much less diverse than Earth, and were most similar to other highly sterile environments, such as hospitals. The work is described in a new paper, ‘The International Space Station Has a Unique and Extreme Microbial and Chemical Environment Driven by Use Patterns’, published in the journal Cell. Source link #International #Space #Station #clean #scientists Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World – The New York Times U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World – The New York Times U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World The New York Times‘Heartbreaking’: Fired USAID employee speaks out after gathering belongings from office CNNUSAID staff hold onto hope despite leaving their shuttered DC headquarters WJLATrump administration says it’s cutting 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts The Associated PressUSAID workers say goodbye to headquarters as Trump drastically cuts foreign aid Reuters Source link #U.S #Terminates #Funding #Polio #H.I.V #Malaria #Nutrition #Programs #World #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mardi Gras freedom cry against threats to rights Mardi Gras freedom cry against threats to rights Dressed in their finest feathers and leathers, Mardi Gras participants will bring a serious and global message to the 2025 parade. Source link #Mardi #Gras #freedom #cry #threats #rights Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amended lawsuit filed against FHP trooper accused of driving drunk, crashing into vehicle Amended lawsuit filed against FHP trooper accused of driving drunk, crashing into vehicle A Morgan & Morgan attorney filed an amended complaint Thursday against a Florida Highway Patrol trooper accused of driving drunk and crashing into another vehicle. Derrick Connell, attorney for the person in that other car, spoke exclusively with Investigative Reporter Ashlyn Webb about Alexa Morales-Raftari’s side of the story. Morales-Raftari is suing Trooper Wilfredo Febo, saying he got behind the wheel with an “intentional willful and wanton disregard” and “recklessness by his decision to drive while under the influence.” Connell filed a motion to add a claim for punitive damages against Febo. This updated suit comes after 9 Investigates reported Tuesday that Orlando Police Officers arrested Febo for DUI while the trooper was off-duty in March 2024. The charge was dropped after an Orange County judge said the officers were not credible and excluded nearly all evidence. “You can only imagine how she feels to see the individual that caused her so much pain not have any consequences at that point,” Connell said. Photos shared by the firm with 9 Investigates show both Morales-Raftari’s Nissan Rogue rear-ended and totaled from the collision. Febo’s Ram truck was also totaled with airbags deployed. Derrick Connell says this very ****** caused his client’s neck and back injuries including a herniated disk. She’s undergone several medical treatments and invasive procedures, he said. “She has in excess of $75,000 of medical bills today,” Connell said. “It’s been nearly a year since the ******. What has that year been like for her?,” Webb asked. “It’s been terrible. She’s had to suffer daily through these things. You know, having hope each day that maybe those injuries are going to get better with the next therapy, with the next doctor’s appointment, with the next injection,” Connell said. Derrick Connell says this lawsuit will hopefully give his client the justice and closure she wanted. A jury will be tasked with deciding if Trooper Febo was negligent after they have a chance to watch the very body camera video we aired on WFTV. “I have no idea how I ended up at fault in the ******,” Febo said. “Well, I’m telling you, you rear ended a vehicle in traffic,” an officer said. “How?” Febo asked. “How? You drove your truck into the back of theirs. That’s how,” an officer replied. Body camera video shows Trooper Febo declining to take field sobriety tests. “I refuse everything,” Febo said. “You’re refusing everything,” an officer asked. “Yes,” Febo replied. “Stand up,” officers said. “What? I’m trying. I’m not doing anything wrong,” Febo said. Connell says Febo’s responses to officers along with his refusal to take the field sobriety exercises will be strong evidence to the jury. “When a jury sees all of the things that they say, and whenever they get to hear about the smell of alcohol, when they get to see how he was acting, and then the fact that somebody who knows what those tests are meant to do, somebody who knows that those tests are typically, you know, pretty damning whenever you go to court. And he decided to not perform those. I think it’s telling,” Connell said. The pending civil suit is happening as FHP says there is an active internal investigation into Febo. “Do you think this trooper should still have a badge…If he was driving under the influence and caused a ****** that your client was involved in?” Webb asked. “Honestly, that’s not for me to say,” Connell replied. “Do I think that that is a horrible accident that could have been prevented with better judgment? Yes. Do I think that folks should be held to a higher standard whenever they are in that particular role and understand that? Yes.” We’ve reached out to Aaron Eagan, Febo’s attorney on this case, but haven’t heard back. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Source link #Amended #lawsuit #filed #FHP #trooper #accused #driving #drunk #crashing #vehicle Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stephen Curry drops season-high 56 points and 12 3-pointers, including buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt – Yahoo Sports Stephen Curry drops season-high 56 points and 12 3-pointers, including buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt – Yahoo Sports Stephen Curry drops season-high 56 points and 12 3-pointers, including buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt Yahoo SportsSteph Curry Makes NBA History in Warriors-Magic Athlon SportsWatch Steph drain wild halftime buzzer-beater in Warriors-Magic NBC Sports Bay AreaSteph Curry Casually Drains Prayer Beyond Half Court in Warriors-Magic Sports IllustratedStephen Curry Thrills NBA Fans with Shooting Onslaught in Warriors’ Win vs. Magic Bleacher Report Source link #Stephen #Curry #drops #seasonhigh #points #3pointers #including #buzzerbeater #halfcourt #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pastoralists and Graziers Association: RSM backs rescue deal and asks Police to investigate affairs Pastoralists and Graziers Association: RSM backs rescue deal and asks Police to investigate affairs Creditors will vote next week on a rescue deal for the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, while Police have been asked to investigate the lobby group’s affairs. Source link #Pastoralists #Graziers #Association #RSM #backs #rescue #deal #asks #Police #investigate #affairs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Protesters Rally Against Bill to End Protections for Transgender Iowans Protesters Rally Against Bill to End Protections for Transgender Iowans new video loaded: Protesters Rally Against Bill to End Protections for Transgender Iowans transcript Back transcript Protesters Rally Against Bill to End Protections for Transgender Iowans Advocates for L.G.B.T.Q. rights said Iowa would become the first state to remove broad protections for transgender people if the governor signed the bill. Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Transphobia has got to go. Recent episodes in U.S. & Politics Show more videos from U.S. & Politics Source link #Protesters #Rally #Bill #Protections #Transgender #Iowans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tesla investors furious at stock’s plunge turn tables on CEO Elon Musk Tesla investors furious at stock’s plunge turn tables on CEO Elon Musk Shareholders are using Musk’s own words against him, asking what five things he’s done for them in a reference to his DOGE team’s controversial email to federal employees. The stock dipped on Thursday for the sixth straight trading session. Tesla shareholders want Elon Musk to get a taste of his own DOGE medicine. Trump’s government efficiency czar sparked a backlash this past week when he demanded civil servants justify their paycheck by listing five things they accomplished in a week—a tactic he first used to thin the ranks at Twitter. With Tesla shares down heavily since the start of this year, however, investors are now turning the tables on their CEO. They have taken to Musk’s own social media site X to ask what he’s done for them lately. “Please share five things you did for Tesla shareholders this week,” celebrity photographer Jerry Avenaim posted on Wednesday, with a graph showing the poor performance of the stock. “Or are you working remotely? Asking for all of us.” Shares on Thursday dipped for the sixth straight session, falling 1.4% as of press time to once again underperform the Nasdaq tech index. Tesla did not respond to Fortune’s request for comment. The gibe stems from an ultimatum Musk sent this past Saturday: All federal employees were asked to explain what they accomplished last week. It ended with: “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” While he was certainly entitled to do that at Twitter, a company he owns, it rubbed U.S. government employees and the public the wrong way. Musk cannot be ordered to appear before Congress since he has no official role, but that also means his only authority is what the president affords him. Cabinet secretaries chafed at Musk’s intrusion and instructed employees not to answer, forcing the Tesla CEO to backpedal. First he said his expectations were very low (“The passing grade is literally just ‘Can you send an email with words that make any sense at all?’”) before then clarifying it merely sought to ensure basic bodily functions (“pulse and two working neurons”). On Wednesday, Trump sought to mend fences by openly praising Musk’s efforts to shave $1 trillion off the government budget in front of his senior officials. Story Continues On the one hand, Tesla shareholders have little to complain about. Their stock is still 14% higher than on the day of Trump’s election, despite news emerging that its auto business is under severe pressure. On the other hand, though, they can argue with some justification that Musk has contributed to all of that. Their CEO has comported himself poorly of late, even excluding his notorious salute at the inauguration. The market is also waking up to the risk that the first quarter at least will almost certainly disappoint. Recently the family values champion ignored ex-partner Grimes’s plea for help with a sick child of theirs even as he paraded their son around to her discontent. Then, alt-right influencer Ashley St. Clair published text messages in which he allegedly told her to keep quiet about their baby. Finally, he sought the early destruction of the International Space Station after trading barbs with an astronaut and former ISS commander. Shareholders can at least take some consolation that a refreshed version of the five-year-old Model Y finally celebrated its debut in China, according to a post on its official Weibo social media account. The vehicle accounts for two-thirds of all Teslas sold worldwide. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Tesla #investors #furious #stocks #plunge #turn #tables #CEO #Elon #Musk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nevada lawmakers prepare for Medicaid cuts amid federal budget talks – News3LV Nevada lawmakers prepare for Medicaid cuts amid federal budget talks – News3LV Nevada lawmakers prepare for Medicaid cuts amid federal budget talks News3LVSome Republicans fear Medicaid cuts could cost them their jobs The Washington PostTo make their numbers work, Republicans must slash health spending The Economist Source link #Nevada #lawmakers #prepare #Medicaid #cuts #federal #budget #talks #News3LV Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spacey Jane: Perth indie rock band announce biggest tour yet to support new album If That Makes Sense Spacey Jane: Perth indie rock band announce biggest tour yet to support new album If That Makes Sense Spacey Jane will set off on their biggest tour yet, where they will rock out to fans at 20 shows across Australia and New Zealand this winter to support their new album. The Perth band have just released two new singles — All The Noise and How To Kill Houseplants — with their third album If That Makes Sense out on May 9. The extensive tour will begin in New Zealand, stopping in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland before heading to Australia to play in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Fremantle. The band will play four back-to-back all ages shows in their hometown from June 26 at Freo Social. Spacey Jane will be joined by Aussie alt-pop artist Phoebe Go and band The Moving Stills (all shows excluding Fremantle). Camera IconSpacey Jane will play four shows in Fremantle in June. Credit: Supplied The anticipated If That Makes Sense sees the band explore new sound elements and sing about falling in and out of love and overcoming trauma. Produced by Mike Crossey (who has worked with The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Wolf Alice), the band also collaborated with songwriters Jackson “Day Wave” Phillips and Sarah Aarons ( who have written for Childish Gambino anf Miley Cyrus) to bring this project to life. The tour comes after Spacey returned to live shows last month when they played their first gig in 14 months at The Rosemount Hotel. The ********* became a sensation after the release of Sunlight, topping Triple J’s annual music poll with single Booster Seat and earning the ARIA for Song of the Year. Frontier Member presale kicks off on March 4 from 12pm local time before tickets go on ***** on March 6 from 10am local time. Tickets via frontiertouring.com/spaceyjane. Source link #Spacey #Jane #Perth #indie #rock #band #announce #biggest #tour #support #album #Sense Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mason High School student arrested following shooting threat, district says Mason High School student arrested following shooting threat, district says A Mason High School student was arrested after the district says he made a “significant verbal threat” at a bus stop Wednesday. Mason City Schools said in a statement the male student was arrested at the high school Thursday morning, adding that the threat was made toward some Mason Early Childhood Center students. In a previous statement on the day of the incident, the district said the student “allegedly felt they were being picked on and, in response, made a verbal threat to shoot up the school.” Several students reported the threat to administrators, while others used the phone or text tip line to report what the student had said, according to the previous statement. As soon as becoming aware of the incident, the district launched an investigation, reviewed bus camera footage and worked closely with law enforcement, which ultimately resulted in the student’s arrest. “We know that incidents like the ones we have shared this week can be unsettling, and we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” Thursday’s statement reads. “Our team is taking additional steps to reinforce a culture of safety, inclusion, and respect across all grade levels.” Mason City Schools spokesperson Tracey Carson told The Enquirer that while the district cannot disclose specific student disciplinary actions, students who make threats of this nature generally face suspension with a recommendation for expulsion. The district added that it’s working directly with the families impacted and is increasing support for the students involved. This includes increased supervision on all of the district’s buses, as well as providing “additional monitoring” on the route involved in Wednesday’s incident. Additionally, all of the district’s schools are offering lessons to help students “develop empathy and integrity, recognize and report harmful behaviors, and practice standing up for themselves and others in positive, constructive ways,” the statement said. If a student wishes to have a conversation with a member of the Prevention & Wellness team, contact Prevention & Wellness supervisor TJ Glassmeyer at *****@*****.tld. To report a threat, the district shared three ways the community can access its tip line: “Even if meant as a joke or out of frustration, threats—big or small—can lead to severe school and legal consequences,” the district said Wednesday. “Messages sent online, including group chats, gaming platforms, and social media are never truly private and can be misinterpreted.” Enquirer reporter David Ferrara contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason City Schools: Student arrested after making shooting threat Source link #Mason #High #School #student #arrested #shooting #threat #district Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Planetary parade: Mercury falls into line for rare seven-planet alignment – The Guardian Planetary parade: Mercury falls into line for rare seven-planet alignment – The Guardian Planetary parade: Mercury falls into line for rare seven-planet alignment The GuardianRare 7-planet parade happens Friday. Here’s how you can see it Fox Weather A Parade of Planets Is Marching Through the Night Sky The New York TimesKeep an eye on Venus to help spot the rest of the planet parade in the night sky, astronomers say CNN Source link #Planetary #parade #Mercury #falls #line #rare #sevenplanet #alignment #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'My grief is relentless': heartbreak over son's ******* 'My grief is relentless': heartbreak over son's ******* Daniel O’Shea’s mother has faced off with his killer during a pre-sentence hearing where she expressed her heartbreak at losing her son in a violent shooting. Source link #039My #grief #relentless039 #heartbreak #son039s #******* Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge overthrows conviction of owners of New Zealand island volcano where 22 died in an eruption Judge overthrows conviction of owners of New Zealand island volcano where 22 died in an eruption WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The owners of an island volcano in New Zealand where 22 tourists and local guides died in an eruption had their criminal conviction for failing to keep visitors safe thrown out by a judge on Friday. The ruling absolves the company from paying millions of dollars in restitutions to the families of those bereaved in the 2019 explosion on Whakaari, also known as White Island, and two dozen seriously injured survivors. Most of the 47 people on the island were U.S. and *********** cruise ship passengers on a walking tour, along with their local guides. The company, Whakaari Management — run by three brothers who own the active volcano on New Zealand’s North Island — appealed their convictions for breaching New Zealand’s workplace health and safety law in a three-day hearing last October at the High Court in Auckland. They were found guilty in a 2023 trial. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Responsibility for tourist safety probed The case hinged on whether the company — which granted access to the volcano to tourism operators and scientific groups, for a fee — should have been in charge of safety practices on the island under New Zealand’s workplace health and safety laws. Anyone in charge of a workplace must ensure management of hazards and the safety of all there, including at entry and exit points. Survivors told the trial in emotional testimony during the company’s 2023 trial that they had not been told the active volcano was dangerous when they paid to visit it. They were not supplied with protective equipment, and many were wearing clothing that made their horrific burns more damaging. In Friday’s written ruling, Justice Simon Moore ruled the company did not have a duty under the relevant law to ensure that the walking tour workplace was without risks to health and safety. He agreed with the company’s lawyers that the firm only granted access to the bare land through permits — and should not have been legally considered an entity that managed or controlled the workplace. The judge ruled it wasn’t unreasonable for the company to rely on tourism operators — who were licensed under New Zealand law — and emergency management and scientific agencies to assess the risks of activities on the island and manage safety precautions. A significant case for the tourism sector The case had far-reaching implications and changed the laws governing New Zealand’s adventure tourism industry, which is often based around outdoor thrills on or around the country’s many natural hazards. Operators must now take all reasonable steps to inform customers of any serious risks. The lawyers for the company said during last October’s hearing that if the conviction was allowed to stand, it would make other landowners reluctant to allow such activities to take place on their property for fear of being held responsible for the day-to-day decisions of tourism businesses operating on it — a suggestion rejected by the New Zealand’s workplace safety regulator, which brought the charges. Justice Moore said in Friday’s ruling that a too narrow or broad interpretation of the law governing who controls a workplace could have “profound” consequences. Others faced charges White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Māori name Whakaari, was a popular tourist destination before the eruption and was reached by boat or helicopter from the North Island’s Bay of Plenty. When the superheated steam blew in December 2019, it killed some instantly and left others with agonizing burns. The workplace safety regulator brought charges against a number of parties — including the company run by Andrew, Peter and James Buttle. Six entities pleaded guilty in 2022 and 2023 to the charges they faced, including five tour companies and New Zealand’s geoscience research institute, which monitors active volcanoes. Charges were dismissed against the Buttle brothers individually, along with two tourism logistics firms and the government emergency management agency. In March, those convicted were ordered to pay a combined total of just over 10 million New Zealand dollars ($5.6 million) in restitutions to the bereaved families and survivors. Almost half of that was due to be paid by Whakaari Management Limited. The company filed its appeal the same month. In his ruling, Justice Moore said he had not overlooked or minimized the “unquantifiable tragedy” of the episode. “The 47 people who were on Whakaari at the time it erupted should never have been there,” he wrote. The fact that they were revealed “multiple systemic failures.” The case, however, was decided on the particular law and facts and boiled down to relatively narrow legal questions, he added. Source link #Judge #overthrows #conviction #owners #Zealand #island #volcano #died #eruption Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scattered Pills Found Near Body of Gene Hackman’s Wife as Inquiry Continues – The New York Times Scattered Pills Found Near Body of Gene Hackman’s Wife as Inquiry Continues – The New York Times Scattered Pills Found Near Body of Gene Hackman’s Wife as Inquiry Continues The New York TimesOscar-winner Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were dead for some time, warrant shows The Associated PressGene Hackman’s Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Body Had Signs of ‘Mummification’ — Here’s What That Means PEOPLEGene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa’s harrowing 911 call revealed: Caller tears up begging for help Yahoo EntertainmentObituary: Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning Everyman actor with an edge, dies at 95 CNN Source link #Scattered #Pills #Body #Gene #Hackmans #Wife #Inquiry #Continues #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Outstanding leader for our club’: Fresh faces promoted to vice-captaincy role as Roosters change up their leadership group ‘Outstanding leader for our club’: Fresh faces promoted to vice-captaincy role as Roosters change up their leadership group The Roosters have locked in their leadership structure for the 2025 season, with James Tedesco remaining skipper while Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley have been promoted to new roles after the club lost a stack of experience. Tedesco has led the side since 2021 and will enter the new season with a couple of new deputies after Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves moved to the Super League. The experienced duo have been replaced by Collins and Radley who will serve as vice-captains as the Roosters turn to two of their most senior figures in a year where the top-eight credentials are already being questioned. The club may have lost a lot of talent but they have still managed to name a strong leadership group that includes Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher, Spencer Leniu, Sam Walker and new recruit Chad Townsend. “James has been an outstanding leader for our club. He is highly respected, and his professionalism and drive set the standard for those around him,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “Lindsay and Victor bring tremendous energy and commitment, and their leadership qualities continue to grow. “We have a strong group of players who understand what it means to represent the Sydney Roosters, and this leadership group will play a key role in driving our standards in 2025.” Source link #Outstanding #leader #club #Fresh #faces #promoted #vicecaptaincy #role #Roosters #change #leadership #group Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GJPD makes arrest in serious injury ****** GJPD makes arrest in serious injury ****** GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Thursday, the Grand Junction Police Department announced they made an arrest in a serious injury ****** that took place Jan. 31. The two-vehicle ******, which took place at the intersection of North 1st Street and North Avenue, happened when a white van traveling eastbound at high speed rear-ended a passenger vehicle stopped at a red light. The impact seriously damaged the passenger vehicle and both drivers sustained serious injuries. Street racing was not a factor in this ******. The driver of the van, identified as 37-year-old Ragnar Nickolas Kristl, received medical treatment for serious injuries sustained during the accident. A warrant was issued for Kristl’s arrest and he was taken into custody Feb. 21 without incident. Kristl faces the following charges: Vehicular assault – driving in a reckless manner resulting in serious bodily injury. Vehicular assault – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in serious bodily injury. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The driver of the passenger vehicle remains hospitalized. This case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Source link #GJPD #arrest #injury #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Washington leaders unite against proposed Medicaid cuts, warning of dire health impacts – KATU Washington leaders unite against proposed Medicaid cuts, warning of dire health impacts – KATU Washington leaders unite against proposed Medicaid cuts, warning of dire health impacts KATUSome Republicans fear Medicaid cuts could cost them their jobs The Washington Post Source link #Washington #leaders #unite #proposed #Medicaid #cuts #warning #dire #health #impacts #KATU Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former Rebels bikie near the top of NZ Open leaderboard Former Rebels bikie near the top of NZ Open leaderboard Former Rebels bikie Ryan Peake is making a real success of life as a professional golfer. Source link #Rebels #bikie #top #Open #leaderboard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Map: Where Medicaid Enrollment in the U.S. Is the Highest Map: Where Medicaid Enrollment in the U.S. Is the Highest In the stretch of rural Kentucky that borders West Virginia, voters reliably send Republicans to Congress. Representative Hal Rogers, who represents the area, did not even face a Democratic challenger in 2024. More than 40 percent of the population there relies on Medicaid, the public health insurance plan for low-income Americans. In eastern Louisiana, where Representative Julia Letlow, a Republican, was elected in 2024 by a wide margin, about one-third of the population is enrolled in the program. Share of population enrolled in Medicaid Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming have not adopted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. The New York Times And in California’s Central Valley, Republicans control a district where two-thirds of the population is on Medicaid, one of the highest rates in the nation, according to an analysis of federal enrollment data by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank. Some of those places could bear the brunt of steep Medicaid cuts that are expected to be central to Republicans’ budget plans. The budget passed on Tuesday night by House Republicans directs Energy and Commerce, the committee that oversees Medicaid, to cut spending by $880 billion over the next decade, which would amount to an 11 percent reduction in the program’s planned spending. In its 60 years, Medicaid has swelled from a small program that provided medical care to poor Americans receiving cash assistance to the largest source of public insurance. It covers 72 million Americans, about one-fifth of the population. It pays for about half of all nursing care in the United States, and 40 percent of all births. The program has grown especially quickly over the last 15 years, as millions joined through the expansion of the Affordable Care Act to cover healthy adults who earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty line, about $21,597 for an individual and $36,777 for a family of three. The rolls swelled again during the coronavirus pandemic, when Medicaid extended emergency coverage to millions. Republicans have not yet specified what policy changes they would make to Medicaid. Options discussed include requiring enrollees to be employed, or dialing down funding for the Affordable Care Act’s expansion, which made millions of adults eligible for coverage. A work requirement would be expected to cut Medicaid spending by about $100 billion over the next decade, as those unable to comply — or to file the correct paperwork showing their employment — would lose coverage. In a statement, Representative Rogers of Kentucky described claims his party would gut the program as “lies promoted by House Democrats.” “We are on a mission to cut waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars, so that we can protect the future of programs like Medicaid for years to come,” he said. Large cuts to Medicaid would likely hit dense urban areas that tend to vote for Democrats. The congressional district that covers part of the Bronx in New York, for example, has one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates in the country, with the program covering 67 percent of the people who live there. A district that covers part of Los Angeles has more than half its residents enrolled in the program. Medicaid enrollment rates, by congressional district Of the 10 congressional districts with the highest share of residents enrolled in Medicaid, nine are held by Democratic legislators. Districts with the highest Medicaid enrollment rates District Representative Medicaid enrollment Margin Calif. 22nd David Valadao 68% +7 N.Y. 15th Ritchie Torres 67% +55 Calif. 21st Jim Costa 61% +5 Calif. 37th Sydney Kamlager-Dove 56% +57 Calif. 25th Raul Ruiz 55% +13 Calif. 13th Adam Gray 55% +0.09 N.Y. 14th Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 53% +38 Calif. 34th Jimmy Gomez 53% — Calif. 29th Luz Rivas 52% +40 N.Y. 13th Adriano Espaillat 52% +67 Show 40 more + Note: Margin of victory not shown for representatives who faced another member of the same party on the November ballot. There are also pockets of the country that rely significantly on the program where voters favor Republicans. Of the 218 seats Republicans control in Congress, 26 are in districts where Medicaid covers more than 30 percent of the population, according to a New York Times analysis of federal enrollment data. All 26 of those representatives voted in favor of the House budget this week. Republican districts with highest Medicaid enrollment rates District Representative Medicaid enrollment Republican Margin Calif. 22nd David Valadao 68% +7 Calif. 23rd Jay Obernolte 47% +20 Ky. 5th Hal Rogers 44% Uncontested Calif. 1st Doug LaMalfa 42% +31 Ore. 2nd Cliff Bentz 40% +31 Wash. 4th Dan Newhouse 38% — Alaska At-Large Nick Begich 36% +2 N.Y. 11th Nicole Malliotakis 34% +28 La. 5th Julia Letlow 34% — La. 3rd Clay Higgins 34% — Calif. 20th Vince Fong 33% — La. 4th Mike Johnson 33% — Show 14 more + Note: Margin of victory not shown for Republican representatives who faced another Republican on the November ballot. Their districts are scattered across the country, from Alaska to West Virginia. The list includes the Louisiana district held by Speaker Mike Johnson, where 33 percent of residents are enrolled. All are in states that participate in the Medicaid expansion. Republicans have considered scaling back funding for that program, which would save the federal government about $500 billion over the next decade — but also leave people in many states without coverage. While President Trump has repeatedly said over the last week he would not cut Medicaid, Republican legislators don’t have many options for looking for those cuts elsewhere. Some have already expressed concern about cuts to the program. Last week, seven Republican members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference sent Speaker Johnson a letter warning that “slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities.” As the second Trump administration has gotten underway, health care has not been a top issue for the president’s voters. It ranked as the fifth-most-important issue to them in a January poll from The New York Times and Ipsos, behind immigration, the economy, inflation and taxes. In January, Michael Perry, a founder of the polling firm PerryUndem, conducted three focus groups with Medicaid enrollees who voted for President Trump, noting that most did not list health care among their top voting issues. When he brought up the idea that Republicans were exploring cuts to Medicare, some said they did not think the president would ultimately cut their health coverage because he would want to avoid a backlash. But other voters, he said, expressed concern. “They liked Medicaid, said it made a difference in their lives,” Mr. Perry said. “It wasn’t hard for them to put their finger on what Medicaid had done.” Source link #Map #Medicaid #Enrollment #U.S #Highest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Whale Watching Group Captures Stunning Video of 2,000 Dolphins Leaping Together in Rare Super Pod Whale Watching Group Captures Stunning Video of 2,000 Dolphins Leaping Together in Rare Super Pod A whale-watching tour company in Northern California captured rare footage of a dolphin super pod — featuring about 2,000 dolphins breaching off of the coast of Monterey. According to the Associated Press, Monterey Bay Whale Watch boat captain and videographer Evan Brodsky was sailing near Monterey Bay, about 100 miles away from San Francisco, on Friday, Feb. 21, when he encountered the super pod — which included the rare northern right whale dolphin. Source link #Whale #Watching #Group #Captures #Stunning #Video #Dolphins #Leaping #Rare #Super #Pod Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Consumer watchdog quits cases against firms accused of ripping off Americans – CNN Consumer watchdog quits cases against firms accused of ripping off Americans – CNN Consumer watchdog quits cases against firms accused of ripping off Americans CNNThe CFPB drops its enforcement lawsuits against Capital One, Rocket Homes and more The Associated Press Source link #Consumer #watchdog #quits #cases #firms #accused #ripping #Americans #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]