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State officials, workplaces trying to improve mental health among young Marylanders

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Declining mental health among young people is an ongoing issue, as lawmakers, workplaces and even local schools look for solutions to help kids and adolescents who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.DiLeonardo said that world events have contributed to issues in mental health among that generation and urged medical providers and local leaders to plan on incorporating mental health services that are sensitive to those needs, especially as Gen Z is expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030.“Every generation has a number of events that really affect the way that we view the world. Gen X, we have different ones than baby boomers, than the millennials, than Gen Z,” DiLeonardo said. “But think of the kind of overarching things that they’ve had to deal with: financial instability, ongoing conflict, and then non-stop access to the internet.”She pointed to active shooter drills in school, ongoing military conflicts and the 9/...

Matthews scores twice, Samsonov makes 18 saves in Maple Leafs’ 4-0 win over Predators

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — Auston Matthews scored twice, Ilya Samsonov made 18 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Nashville Predators 4-0 on Saturday night.Samsonov has 11 NHL shutouts. He got the start after Joseph Woll sprained an ankle Thursday night in a 4-3 victory in Ottawa.“Some shock,” Samsonov, who watched Matt Murray deal with a string of injuries last season, said of his teammate going down. “Not too fun to see.”David Kampf and Noah Gregor, into an empty net, also scored to help Toronto improve to 14-6-4. William Nylander added two assists, and John Tavares had one for his 998th career point.“We played, finally, 60 minutes — full game,” Kampf saod. “Every line rolling … hopefully we can keep it going.”Kevin Lankinen stopped 33 shots for Nashville. The Predators had won three in a row and nine of 11.“Didn’t play very good,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “I don’t think any of us played very good.”Kampf opened the scoring with 5:45 lef...

Chicago White Sox acquire veteran catcher Max Stassi from the Atlanta Braves

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

The Chicago White Sox teamed up with the Atlanta Braves for another trade Saturday, acquiring catcher Max Stassi and cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.Stassi, 32, has been on the move in recent days. He was dealt from the Los Angeles Angels to the Braves with infielder David Fletcher on Friday in exchange for first baseman Evan White and left-handed pitcher Tyler Thomas.Now he’s in line to provide catching depth for the Sox.It’s the second deal involving the Sox and Braves this offseason. The franchises paired up for a six-player deal Nov. 16 when the Sox sent reliever Aaron Bummer to the Braves for right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka, left-hander Jared Shuster, infielders Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake and minor-league right-hander Riley Gowens.Stassi missed all of 2023 because of stints on the injured list with a left hip strain and the restricted list due to a family medical issue.He has a career .212/.295/.361 slash line with 41 ...

What’s next for the Chicago Cubs after Shohei Ohtani agrees to a record 10-year, $700M deal with the LA Dodgers?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

The Chicago Cubs won’t be welcoming Shotime to Wrigley Field.Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a 10-year, $700 million contract, the biggest in Major League Baseball history. The Cubs were among the teams vying to sign Ohtani but for the second time fell short in their efforts to land him.Ohtani, 29, announced the deal on Instagram on Saturday, and his agent, Nez Balelo, confirmed the terms of the contract.“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player,” Balelo said in a statement.The Cubs were among seven finalists to sign Ohtani in 2017 when he made the jump from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB. In the lead-up to signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani also met with the Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants.At the time the Cubs were coming off their third consecutive year of reaching at least the National League Champi...

King tides to hit San Diego coast this week and Christmas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A warning for those who may be planning to go out in the water this month, high tides are expected to reach heights of over 6 feet along the shores of San Diego County through Friday and again for the full cold moon on Christmas, creating hazardous swimming conditions. With a new moon forecast for this week, happening specifically on Tuesday at 6:32 a.m. EST, king tides are expected for our coastlines, so swimmers and surfers should be vigilant. The high tides will also pay a visit on Christmas, just in time for the full cold moon, which peaks on Dec. 26. San Diego Zoo Safari Park works to protect heart of 51-year-old gorilla King tides can create extremely low tow tides as well.Higher than normal tides usually happen during a new moon or full moon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or during specific seasons. This week, it's from a new moon. We just had high tides at the full moon around Thanksgiving, that brought over 7 foot w...

Iran bans Mahsa Amini’s family from traveling to receive the European Union’s top human rights prize

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian authorities banned members of the late Mahsa Amini’s family from traveling to receive the European Union’s top human rights prize on her behalf, a civil rights monitor reported. Amini’s death while in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic.The U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday that authorities have refused to allow Amini’s father, Amjad, and two of her brothers to fly out to Strasbourg, France, to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Reports said only the family’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, would be able to travel to receive the award on their behalf. The EU award, named for Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is “the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work,” as per the EU Parliament website.Earlier in Sep...

Bangladesh opposition party holds protest as it boycotts Jan. 7 national election amid violence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters protested Sunday to mark International Human Rights Day, as the country gears up for a general election on Jan. 7 that the opposition says should be held under a non-partisan, caretaker government.The party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is boycotting the election, leaving voters in the South Asian nation of 166 million with little choice but to re-elect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League for a fourth consecutive term.At Sunday’s protest in front of the National Press Club in downtown Dhaka, opposition activists said they do not think a fair and free election can take place under Hasina’s watch. The gathering took place weeks after a massive opposition rally on Oct. 28 turned violent.The party’s decision to boycott the polls comes amid a monthslong crackdown that has reportedly seen hundreds of opposition politicians jailed and critics silenced, an allegation auth...

2 Southern California cities ranked 'Best Places to Live in the U.S.' by Money

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Finding the perfect place to settle down in that checks all the boxes can be a difficult task. Most renters and homeowners want a city that offers the best combination of low crime rates, excellent school systems, a thriving local economy, access to quality healthcare and more. In a new report by Money, researchers scoured the nation to find the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023 with two Southern California cities making the list: Irvine (#13) and San Diego (#22).Researchers considered a variety of aspects including the number of economic opportunities, quality of life, overall diversity, and the city's future trajectory.Irvine, CaliforniaNestled in the heart of Orange County, Irvine is a bustling community that offers an excellent range of job, school, community and entertainment opportunities. Residents have no shortage of access to world-class shopping and dining at nearby malls including the Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island.Outdoor enthusiasts ...

Video shows SoCal school crossing guard tossed in the air during crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Video captured the moment a school crossing guard was thrown into the air by a vehicle that jumped the curb and smashed into him in Lakewood.On Dec. 1, Eduardo Villalpando, 38, had just walked a group of children across the street when suddenly, a speeding driver slammed into him. As Villalpando was standing on the corner of Centralia and Pioneer Streets, a speeding Dodge Challenger slammed into a Honda Pilot SUV that was turning left at the intersection. The violent impact sent the Challenger barrelling into the street corner, through a cement shopping sign and directly into Villalpando who was propelled into the air by the nose of the vehicle.Villalpando’s left leg was completely severed and his right leg was severely injured. Although he survived the violent collision, he faces a long road to recovery ahead.Video captured the moment a school crossing guard was thrown into the air after a vehicle jumped the curb and smashed into him in Lakewood on Dec. 1, 2023. (SuperFin...

As expected, Serra falls to Mater Dei in CIF Open Division state championship game

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

MISSION VIEJO — One of the greatest teams in Central Coast Section history, a group of players led by a passionate and driven coach who knows how to motivate young men, took another shot at perfection Saturday night, another swing at the state’s top championship.But like the past two years, Serra fell short, a second consecutive unbeaten season ending in defeat against one of Southern California’s superpowers.This time, Mater Dei-Santa Ana took down the Padres, winning the CIF Open Division championship 35-0 at Saddleback College behind its all-star collection of major college talent. The final 11:50 was played with a running clock.The Open title was Mater Dei’s fourth, all since 2017, and second at Serra’s expense.A massive underdog on this stage for the third time in as many appearances, the Padres pulled out every trick in their book to keep Mater Dei out of sorts and ran down the play clock before snaps to shorten the game.It worked, to some degree.Serra trailed 14-0...