After closures in some other states, institutions’ cemeteries were abandoned and became overgrown with weeds and brush. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week Neighbors get into argument before fatal shooting, Hampton police say Neighbors get into argument before fatal shooting, Hampton police say Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Vinyl records comeback continues: 2 stores open in Newport News, Hampton Vinyl records comeback continues: 2 stores open in Newport News, Hampton Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Trending Nationally Parachute ‘D.B. Cooper’ hijacker used in 1971 may have been found Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Florida. Here’s why Health providers dropping Medicare Advantage could affect coverage for 60,000 Minnesotans Transgender player on San Jose State women’s volleyball team can play at Mountain West tournament, judge rules Say hello to prison: Boston man convicted of attacking woman for not saying ‘good morning’
Organizers say two sailors have died in Sydney to Hobart yacht race amid wild weather conditions SYDNEY (AP) — Organizers said that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the yacht race, has said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies at 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home." He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. 'Baby Driver' actor Hudson Meek, 16, dies in a fall from a moving vehicle VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say 16-year-old actor Hudson Meek has died after he fell out of a moving vehicle in Alabama. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office says Meek was hurt on Dec. 19 while on a street in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham. He died two days later. The Vestavia Hills Police Department has not issued any public statements. Meek made his on-screen debut in 2014’s “The Santa Con,” and had roles in various TV series, including “MacGyver.” He was perhaps best known for his role in the 2017 film “Baby Driver,” in which he played a younger version of Ansel Elgort’s titular character. Bad Bunny announces a new album, 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny announced he will release a new album in early January. He announced Thursday that “Debí Tirar Más Fotos" arrives Jan. 5. It is his sixth studio album and follows in his tradition of releasing new music on unexpected dates. This time, it's a Sunday instead of the typical Friday album drop date. Bad Bunny announced the news on Instagram in a short video featuring Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales. He also released a new single, “PIToRRO DE COCO.” His last release was 2023’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.” Hwang Dong-hyuk on killing off his 'Squid Game' characters and wanting to work with Jake Gyllenhaal As season two of Netflix's hit series “Squid Game” returns Thursday, viewers can expect more untimely deaths for many of its characters. Its creator, writer and director, Hwang Dong-hyuk says whittling down the cast made him happy because less people were easier to manage on set. The show follows a deadly competition in South Korea that targets contestants who are heavily in debt and desperate for money. Hwang told the Associated Press in a Q&A that a third and final season has already filmed and it's better than season two. He also says his next project will be even darker in tone than “Squid Game.” Powerful thunderstorms rumble across Texas, delaying holiday travel DALLAS (AP) — Severe thunderstorms are firing up in parts of Texas and could trigger high winds, hail and potential tornadoes. More than 100 flights were delayed and dozens more were canceled Thursday at airports in Dallas and Houston. The National Weather Service says the greatest weather risk stretched from just east of Dallas, and between Houston and portions of southern Arkansas and western Louisiana. The risk includes the possibility of tornadoes, wind gusts between 60 and 80 miles per hour and large hail. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for several counties in southeast Texas, including the Houston area. NYC taxi driver was having a medical episode when he jumped the curb and hit people, police say NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say a taxi driver who hit six pedestrians when he jumped a curb in Manhattan on Christmas Day was having a medical episode at the time. An NYPD spokesperson would not elaborate on the type of type of medical episode but said Thursday no criminality is suspected at this time. The 58-year-old was taken to a hospital in stable condition for further evaluation. Also hospitalized after the yellow taxi drove onto the sidewalk across the street from Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square were a 9-year-old boy with a laceration to his right thigh, a 49-year-old woman with a leg injury and a 41-year-old woman. All were in stable condition. Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A pizza deliverer in Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office says that Brianna Alvelo has been charged with stabbing a woman in her motel room in Kissimmee, Florida, a short time after delivering a pizza to her on Sunday. The woman gave Alvelo $50 on a $33.10 bill, expecting change back. When Alvelo started walking away, the woman asked for money back, and Alvelo told her they didn’t make change. The woman got a smaller dollar bill from her boyfriend, and Alvelo’s tip ended up being $2. Friday's Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion, one of the game's top jackpots Americans still dreaming of a really big Christmas present can keep that dream alive during Friday’s Mega Millions drawing for a jackpot worth an estimated $1.15 billion. Friday’s jackpot will potentially be the fifth largest in the game’s history. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. But the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, and the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials. Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Christmas shooting at Phoenix airport leaves 3 people wounded, 1 stabbed PHOENIX (AP) — Police are investigating a Christmas shooting at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix that left three people wounded by gunfire and another person stabbed. Phoenix police say the evening shooting was related to a family dispute that happened at a restaurant outside the security checkpoints in Terminal 4. An adult female and two adult males were shot, leaving the female with injuries police describe as life-threatening. Police say the two men were in stable condition. Police say the people involved knew each other. They had a physical fight that led to one of them pulling a gun. A man and a girl were detained in a nearby parking garage.Haryana chief secretary Vivek Joshi on Sunday called upon senior officials of the Gurugram administration to ensure rapid resolution of public grievances with the help of modern technologies and expert services. Addressing a review meeting with Gurugram district administration officials, the chief secretary said that legal action should be taken against contractors or private firms failing to meet departmental standards. He said that no citizen should face issues related to basic amenities such as electricity, water and roads and that the problems of the people must be addressed promptly. The chief secretary highlighted the need to integrate advanced technologies into waste management and urban services. Joshi underscored the importance of collaboration among departments to ensure adequate public facilities for Gurugram’s residents, an official spokesperson said. Gurugram division commissioner RC Bidhan urged the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and municipal corporation (MC), Gurugram, to devise long-term plans in view of the city’s growing population. Projects on stormwater drainage, road maintenance, and sanitation were reviewed in depth during the three-hour meeting.
Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleThe next day, as Lucas went about his routine, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that followed him like a shadow. Every time he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a shop window, he was reminded of the selfish act he had committed. Despite his attempts to brush off his guilt, he found himself drawn back to the scene of the crime – the spot where he had callously discarded the stolen necklace.The recent airstrike conducted by the Israeli military in Syria has sparked a wave of reactions from various stakeholders around the world. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has issued a response to the airstrike, referring to it as a "temporary measure."
Rex Ridgeway said he’s volunteered at his granddaughter Joselyn’s schools since she attended kindergarten at El Dorado Elementary in the San Francisco Unified School District. When Joselyn graduates from Lincoln High School in the spring, Ridgeway will wrap up his terms as Lincoln’s parent-teacher association president, debate-team coach and chess coach, marking the end of an era in which Ridgeway has been a fixture within SFUSD as a volunteer, community organizer and education advocate. He chaired SFUSD’s Citizen Bond Oversight Committee and currently serves as executive vice president of the the California State PTA’s second district, its San Francisco chapter. Ridgeway has also served on the Student Success Fund advisory council, Lincoln High School site council and SFUSD’s recent math-policy focus group, which is charged with helping the district reimplement eighth-grade algebra. Ridgeway was one of a group of advocates who sued the school district to reintroduce the subject in middle school and then went on to lead a citywide campaign to place the matter on the March 2024 ballot, which passed. Needless to say, it has been a busy 13 years for the retired stockbroker. “When I started [volunteering at El Dorado], it was fun,” Ridgeway told The Examiner. “I had a lot of fun with the kids.” He said the PTA group then was “mostly moms,” and he was “one of the few if not only grandparents and certainly [only] African American.” Ridgeway said he felt compelled when his granddaughter entered kindergarten because he “had the time,” having just retired, but he was quickly discouraged by the lack of participation from other families. He said he recognizes it isn’t easy to devote time to volunteering, then or now, but that the consequences of not doing so can put students at a disadvantage. “Immediately, I saw that parents did not know what goes on in their kids’ classrooms, school sites and at the school district,” he said. “And then I found that the biggest challenge was keeping the Board of Education informed and, at the same time, held accountable to the decisions they were making.” Ridgeway pointed to SFUSD’s decision to stop offering eighth-grade algebra , which he said outraged many parents since it was implemented in 2014. His granddaughter was affected by the now-reversed policy and had to double up on algebra and geometry courses in ninth grade to qualify for more advanced courses later. “She’s always been good at math, so why should I let the school district mess over her academic career?” Ridgeway said. SFUSD officials said the policy set out to level the playing field and increase state-administered math-aptitude test scores among its Black and Latino students. Instead, Ridgeway said, underrepresented student populations were victims of the policy. He called getting the course back into middle schools one of his proudest moments. Ridgeway and his fellow organizers had the support of the majority of The City’s Board of Supervisors. Prop. G was placed on the March 2024 ballot , giving voters the chance to weigh in on whether algebra should be offered in eighth grade. It was approved by more than 80% of voters. “I take great satisfaction in that we’re righting a wrong for parents who maybe don’t even know that [the policy] ever existed, or that if you don’t take algebra I in the eighth grade, you can’t get into calculus later on,” he said. But much of Ridgeway’s work as a volunteer over the years has been focused on increasing both transparency from the district and participation from students’ families. As previous chair of the district’s Citizen Bond Oversight Committee, a state-mandated volunteer oversight group, Ridgeway helped put SFUSD’s bond spending under a microscope. He was recognized as CBOC Member of the Year in 2022 by the California Association of Bond Oversight Committees. The San Francisco Democratic Party named him The City’s 2024 “education hero.” Ridgeway was nominated for the award, which recognizes a resident education advocate or volunteer, by local party Chair Nancy Tung. “In years past, the party has honored retiring legislators, political figures, and elected officials,” Tung told The Examiner. “This year, I felt like we should be shining a light on the everyday people who have been working to make San Francisco a better place, [including in] education.” The gala committee selected Ridgeway “because of his steadfast commitment to public education and the betterment of it,” Tung said. But even as his granddaughter is set to graduate from high school, Ridgeway said there’s still work to do. The Student Success Fund Advisory Council is where his biggest challenge currently lies, Ridgeway said. With the recent passage of Proposition J, The City will now create an Our Children, Our Families initiative to track spending from the Student Success Fund, which provides grants to schools to implement academic excellence or social- and emotional-wellness programs. Nearly $20 million in Student Success Fund grants was available for schools to apply to earlier this year, but “approximately one-half of the schools [that qualify] did not apply,” leaving $11 million available, Ridgeway said. Those funds could support tutoring services, mental-wellness hubs and various other initiatives to benefit students, but many schools are missing the window of opportunity before applications close in 2026. The conduit between the Department of Children, Youth and their Families — The City department that administers Student Success Fund grants — and individual schools is the school site councils, state-mandated group s tasked with identifying student needs and areas of improvement at individual schools. “Every single [SFUSD] school has one, they are required by law,” Ridgeway said. He said Lincoln High School, where he serves on the school site council, is a “picture-perfect” example of what one should look like. “We have 12 members on the council, and four of them are kids,” he said. “I wish all of them could be like that. A lot of these schools in the Bayview and the Mission, they don’t have robust school site councils like Lincoln. But those [councils] are calling the shots.” The district’s new superintendent, Maria Su — who previously led DCYF — has been an engaging partner in his mission to publicize the Student Success Fund grant-application process, Ridgeway said. “There’s a tight tie there,” he said. “That’s going to help us make sure that other schools going forward get their money.” Ridgeway’s years of experience volunteering with SFUSD undoubtedly rubbed off on Joselyn, who was appointed by Mayor London Breed to The City’s Youth Commission. She has said she plans on studying business and finance in college. Ridgeway said he doesn’t plan to fully stop volunteering once Joselyn graduates. He said he hopes Su and the Board of Education are able to fix the district’s operating budget and focus on special education, “with the end goal of making SFUSD a place where parents believe that their kids will get a great education.” “Let’s do it,” he said. “The clock only ticks in one direction. There’s no going back.”