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Appeals court upholds admissions policy at elite Virginia high school

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

A divided federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of a new admissions policy at an elite public high school in Virginia that critics say discriminates against highly qualified Asian Americans.The 2-1 ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond overturns a ruling last year from a federal judge who found that the Fairfax County School Board engaged in impermissible “racial balancing” when it overhauled the admissions policy at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.The school frequently is cited among the best in the nation, and parents jockey and prepare for years to get their children admitted. But for decades Black and Hispanic students have been woefully underrepresented, while Asian Americans made up more than 70% of the student body. In 2020, the school board significantly revamped the admissions process, scrapping a standardized test that had been a linchpin in favor of a system that set aside equal number...

Grand Canyon’s Wilson has 12 strikeouts in last 478 plate appearances

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

Jacob Wilson came of age in baseball when the dictates of analytics removed the shame of striking out if it meant hitting more home runs.The Grand Canyon shortstop considers himself a throwback to the time when striking out equated to failure.“Striking out,” he said, “is not OK.”His numbers illustrate his mantra. The 21-year-old junior has been the toughest player in NCAA Division I to strike out for two years — 12 times in 478 plate appearances, an average of once every 40. Overall, one of every five plate appearances in Division I resulted in a strikeout the last two seasons.“It’s super important, something I take pride in,” Wilson said. “My strategy is to put in a competitive at-bat. Put the ball in play, be a hard strikeout and don’t be an easy out. That’s something my dad always tells me.”Wilson’s accomplishment harkens back to another era — Joe DiMaggio struck out 13 times over 622 plate appearances in 1941 and Yogi Berra whiffed 12 times over 656 in 19...

Biden picks new National Security Agency head, key to support of Ukraine, defense of US elections

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has chosen a new leader for the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, a joint position that oversees much of America’s cyber warfare and defense.Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the current deputy commander of Cyber Command, would replace Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who has led both organizations since May 2018 and was expected to step down this year, according to a notice sent by the Air Force this week and confirmed by a person familiar with the announcement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters not yet made public.If confirmed, Haugh will take charge of highly influential U.S. efforts to bolster Ukraine’s cybersecurity and share information with Ukrainian forces fighting Russia’s invasion. He will also oversee programs to detect and stop foreign influence and interference in American elections, as well as those targeting criminals behind ransomware attacks that have shut down hospi...

Elon Musk signals Twitter’s headquarters may not stay in San Francisco

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twitter might not keep its headquarters in San Francisco forever, its owner Elon Musk signaled Tuesday.Speaking virtually at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit in London, Musk gave a noncommittal answer to an interviewer’s question about whether the company will stay in the California city.San Francisco officials announced last week they are investigating Twitter after six former employees alleged that Musk’s team broke laws by turning the company’s headquarters into a “Twitter Hotel.” The idea was to create sleeping quarters for workers who were pushed to stay up late working on the social media platform after Musk fired or laid off nearly 80% of Twitter’s employee base. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection said it will be conducting an investigation into the new allegations.The former Twitter employees allege that Musk’s team ordered numerous changes to the company’s headquarters in a 1930s Art Deco building in downtown San Francisco t...

NFL, Goodell close to finalizing 3-year contract extension; new deal would end in 2027

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed Tuesday at the league meetings.Goodell’s current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league since replacing Paul Tagliabue in 2006.“That’s always good news,” Irsay told reporters in Minnesota, where owners finished their spring meetings. “I think we still have to rubber-stamp it so to speak, but it’s virtually done.”Irsay said he’s under the impression Goodell will retire after the extended contract expires and be involved in the development of a potential successor.“We’ll look for his contribution every way possible,” Irsay said.Goodell tried to downplay the topic and declined to confirm an agreement.“It’s not extended today, that’s for sure. I’ve been focused on other matters. It hasn’t been a point of focus for me,” Goodel...

Garcia gets into US Open that now tilts away from qualifying

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Sergio Garcia was left out of the PGA Championship, the first time in 24 years he was not eligible for a major. The day after Brooks Koepka won, the Spaniard made it to the next major through U.S. Open qualifying in Dallas.That was the third of 13 final qualifiers for the U.S. Open, to be held June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club. Already in the books are England last week and Japan on Monday, where Ryo Ishikawa was among three to advance.The other 10 are on June 5 — the Monday after the Memorial. Along with one more look at the top 60 from the world ranking, that will complete the 156-man field.But there are fewer qualifying spots than typically available. The USGA prides itself on being the most “open” of the majors. For three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 78 players who had to go through 36-hole qualifying — half of the field.The pandemic required some changes because of travel restrictions. But now that golf is back to normal, qualifyi...

Colorado delivery drivers suing Amazon for alleged 'dehumanizing and unlawful' labor violations

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Three delivery drivers in Colorado filed a class action complaint against Amazon Monday citing violations of labor laws and discriminatory practices in not providing bathroom breaks.The complaint alleges that delivery drivers are forced to urinate and defecate in bags and bottles in the back of delivery vans "all so Amazon can maintain its breakneck delivery schedules and record-breaking profits," according to a release from Towards Justice law firm. New Amazon palm readers to verify age, pay at Coors Field "I fought for this country in Iraq, but I had an easier time going to the bathroom in a combat zone than I did while working for Amazon," Ryan Schilling, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said in a release from the law firm.According to the lawsuit, he has had to use dog waste bags in the back of delivery vans to defecate on the job twice. "I knew that if I tried to stop to go to a gas station, I'd get yelled at and maybe lose my job," Schilling said.The violation of...

Colorado has sixth-highest resignation rate

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado's turnover rate is one of the nation's highest. Americans left their jobs in record numbers in 2021 and 2022 in a pandemic-era trend dubbed the “Great Resignation." Labor management firm TimeForge analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data in each state to find job resignation rates, or quit rates, to keep and eye on the trend. Colorado is among the states with the top 10 labor resignation rates, with 29 resignations per every 1,000 people, tied with Delaware for the sixth-highest rate. Alaska and Wyoming lead the nation in resignation rates, with 34 per 1,000 each. Resignations happen more among industries with odd hours and lower pay. The accommodation and food services industry has the highest rate nationwide, twice the average among all other industries at 5.7. The leisure and hospitality industry has a similar rate 5.3. Retail trade has the third-highest rate at 3.7.Colorado's resignation rate is high despite the economy being among the nation's bes...

Where can I ski in June in Colorado?

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It's late May, but after massive amounts of snow in many of Colorado's mountain communities, the ski season hasn't come to an end... Yet.As of this writing, on May 23 at 2:30 p.m., there are currently two ski areas that are open; Arapahoe Basin and Winter Park. Colorado will have a ‘broiling wet’ summer, Farmer’s Almanac says According to Winter Park's website, 48 of the 172 trails remain open. These trails, all located in the Mary Jane area, are largely intermediate and expert, but a handful of beginner trains and glades are also open.At Arapahoe Basin, only 14 of the 145 trails are still skiable. These trails are all easy and moderate trails accessible from the Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Express lifts on the front side. The Treeline terrain park is also still open, according to the mountain’s website.But will it last?According to Winter Park's website, while the main resort closed on April 23, Mary Jane will remain open "as late as possible." Lift ticket...

Courtside tickets to see the Nuggets play in the NBA Finals are on sale for over $20K

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:25:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers to win the Western Conference championship, sending the team to its first-ever NBA Finals in franchise history. Nuggets in the NBA Finals: Days and times for all games The finals are set to begin on June 1. So how should fans plan to buy tickets to the championship series?Are NBA Finals tickets on sale?Yes, sort of.Because the conference finals aren't over, there isn't a set opponent yet. However, they will play against either the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics.But with the way the NBA Finals are structured, it is guaranteed that at least two finals games will be played in the Mile High City. 11 teams have never won the NBA Finals: Could that change this year? As of Monday afternoon, a vast majority of the tickets available for Game 1 were resale.That means that someone else bought the tickets and was reselling them through Ticketmaster, the official ticket platform for the NBA.However, given that the opponent ha...