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In Nicaragua, Holy Week celebrations limited by government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Roman Catholics in Nicaragua had to hold traditional “Stations of the Cross” and other Holy Week processions on church grounds or inside churches Friday amid a ban on public demonstrations.Relations between autocratic President Daniel Ortega and the church have frayed to near non-existence since Nicaragua’s government proposed severing relations and sentenced a bishop to 26 years in prison.Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes told The Associated Press that celebrations were held throughout the country “near the churches.”“In absolutely every parish there were celebrations,” Brenes said, though he added they went off “not with all the intensity” of years past.Germán Miranda, one of hundreds of faithful who showed up for the procession at the Managua Cathedral, was one of those who found it less inspiring this year.He said Holy Week celebrations were better in the past when they wound through the streets of the capital. “It was better before, because it was freer.”M...

City to pay $500K to settle bikini barista dress code suit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A legal battle over a dress code for bikini baristas at coffee stands is ending after a city north of Seattle agreed to pay $500,000 to the owner and employees who sued over it six years ago. The Everett City Council voted unanimously this week to authorize Mayor Cassie Franklin to sign the settlement agreement with Jovanna Edge and employees, The Daily Herald reported. Plaintiffs had been seeking more than $3 million in damages and attorney fees. Under the agreement, the city will keep most of its rules for probationary licensing of coffee stands and other quick-service business but will no longer dictate that baristas wear at least tank tops and shorts. Instead the city will align dress code rules with an existing lewd conduct standard that makes it a crime to publicly expose too much of one’s private parts. Another provision mandates that business owners post materials for employees with information on how to seek help if they are being trafficked or otherwi...

2 men shot to death near beach in Mexican resort of Acapulco

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Two men, apparently Mexican tourists, were killed Friday and a woman was wounded in shooting not far from the beach in Mexico’s once-glamorous resort of Acapulco. Prosecutors in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero said the two men had been visiting a barbershop in the Puerto Marquez neighborhood. A witness said the victims had arrived in Acapulco the day before for the Easter week vacation. She said the victims were on two all-terrain vehicles when assailants rode up on a motorcycle and opened fire on them. The victims’ bodies were found still aboard the ATVs. There was no information on the condition of the woman, who was taken to a hospital before police arrived. Acapulco has been plagued by drug cartel violence since 2006, but in the first months of 2023 the violence has become worse. The Associated Press

Manor ISD announces new Superintendent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Manor ISD announced Robert Sormani will likely be its new Superintendent. Sormani has a doctoral degree in educational administration and has worked in education for 23 years, according to a Manor ISD press release. He worked most recently for Hutto ISD as its  Associate Superintendent. Before Hutto, he served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction in Manor ISD.Sormani was also a principal in Round Rock ISD for nearly a decade and spent five years teaching US History at Dobie Middle School in Austin ISD, according to a press release.  “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are elated to have a person of Dr. Robert Sormani’s character join us to lead our district.  We are confident in his ability to lead with passion, integrity and knowledge.  He is committed and dedicated to include students, staff, parents and community in making Manor ISD the best School District in Texas,” Manor ISD ISD Board President Monique Celedon was quoted saying...

Minnesota man sentenced for aiming laser at Delta flight over western Wisconsin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

MADISON, Wis. — A federal judge in Wisconsin sentenced a Minnesota man on Friday to two years in prison for aiming a laser at a Delta Air Lines jet in 2021, an act that prosecutors said disrupted the pilots’ efforts to land and putting passengers in “incredible danger.”James Link, 43, of Rochester, Minn., pleaded guilty in January.Laser strikes on planes and helicopters hit a record in the U.S. in 2021. Pilots reported 9,723 incidents, a 41% jump over the year before, according to Federal Aviation Administration figures. The FAA said it handed out $120,000 in fines in 2021. Violators like Link can also face up to five years in prison.According to the U.S. attorney’s office in Madison, the pilots of the Delta flight from Raleigh-Durham, N.C., to Minneapolis-St. Paul on Oct. 29, 2021, reported that their cockpit was lit up three times by a bright blue laser while they were at an altitude of 9,000 feet just west of River Falls, Wis. At the time, air traffic control had just instr...

Tyler Duffey returns to the Twin Cities as an Iowa Cub

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

By mere coincidence, former Twins reliever Tyler Duffey finds himself back in town as a member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on the same weekend of the Twins’ home opener. Should they meet up here again in just over a month, it will be by plan.Released by the Twins last August after 11 years in the organization, including eight years as a valuable member of the bullpen, the 32-year-old Duffey signed with the Cubs in the offseason with a goal of getting back to the big leagues. More specifically, when the Cubs visit Target Field on May 12 for the start of a three-game series, Duffey’s goal is to be part of the traveling party.“I fell into a place where I am really comfortable,” Duffey said prior to the Saints’ 6-2 win over the Cubs on Friday at CHS Field. “They’ve kind of said, ‘Just be yourself.’ You want to go where you have an opportunity. They have a lot of young guys have who have been called up, but they don’t have a huge veteran presence, especially in the bullpen. Nob...

Bennington police warn of dangerous batch of fentanyl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- The Bennington Police Department is warning residents of a dangerous batch of fentanyl in the area. Police said the warning comes after five overdose calls have been received since Monday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police said the overdoses are coming after someone used fentanyl with the brand stamps Dominos and Halloween on the packaging.Police said they have free harm reduction bags in the lobby of the police station. The bags include items such as narcan and fentanyl testing strips.

Successful first week for Upstate Canna Co.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.(NEWS10) - The first week is in the books for the Capital Region's first cannabis shop, and NEWS10 has all the details on how the business is already growing.Upstate Canna Co. owner, Don Andrews, says the launch was successful, with a line down the block. Andrews adds that they are ready to expand their operations. Adirondack Line returns to service “That's the overall end goal, to have three locations,” said Andrews.The shop employs 14 people with room for more.“We're in the process of hiring more. So, there's a lot of job opportunities coming up,” said Andrews.While they have been busy, he says keeping sold out products in supply is not a challenge.“We work closely with cultivators who are going to be within an hour, an hour and a half away. So, not too far away. So, we are selling out of things, but we are able to be restocked in a timely manner,” said Andrews. Swatting closes more New York schools With the newly found success, Andrews believes in giving back...

Electric ride-share scooters return to St. Louis with new restrictions  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - This weekend marks the return of Bird scooters to the downtown area. Lime scooters are also returning. There are new restrictions. Following complaints from St. Louis residents, the city put the brakes on its electric scooter ride-sharing program while leaders looked for ways to address concerns. “I’m glad to see there back, even with restrictions,” said Akeem Shannon, a downtown resident who was surprised to see the scooters back downtown on Friday. He believes the scooters help downtown visitors easily access nearby businesses.  Trending: Cardinals selling $9 tickets in one-day flash sale Friday “They can come to more local restaurants and ultimately spend more money in the city,” Shannon said. “That’s why I think they’re great.” David Gaines recently moved to St. Louis from Charlotte, NC, where he said residents shared concerns similar to complaints heard in St. Louis. “It just seemed like it was working against itself,” Gaines said.&nb...

Tower Grove beer garden returns, first day a success

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It didn’t take long for STL Barkeep to sell out on the first day of the Tower Grove Park Beer and Cocktail Garden.“This was a really crazy busy day,” said Samantha Dodd with STL Barkeep.About two-and-a-half hours after they opened up, it was cold outside.“We weren’t really sure what to expect, and we sold out of everything,” Dodd said.The beer garden is back for its second year in a row. STL Barkeep will serve cocktails and beer in collaboration with Schlafly Beer. Dodd said that the first day was “beyond my wildest dreams.”Jed Dale said he visited last year's beer garden about half a dozen times and says he’s glad it’s back again. Top Story: Fenton clerk recounts terrifying gunpoint robbery and assault “I’ll just grab a beer, sit by the pond have a nice solitary look at things,” he said.Amanda Spielman and her friends were able to grab one drink right before they sold out.“It’s so easy to get here and hang out, it’s great,” Speilman said.According to Dodd, there were ...