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Air conditioning concerns arise as Polk County Schools reopen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – Teachers and students in Polk County are facing a steamy situation as the academic year commences, concerns about air conditioning issues are gripping the region, prompting the Polk Education Association to take a stance.Amidst rising temperatures, the Polk Education Association has filed a class action grievance against the school board, addressing the alleged negligence in addressing air conditioning issues during the summer break. With the heat index soaring, the association’s move comes as a clear indication of mounting frustration.Throughout the scorching summer months, the Polk County School District seemingly had ample time to tackle the reported air conditioning outages that have plagued their educational institutions. In their bid to find a solution, the association is advocating the district to ensure that temperature control units are set to a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), a move that they believe would provi...

Latvian prime minister announces resignation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced his resignation Monday, days after his government coalition fell apart.Kariņš told his center-right New Unity party that he plans to submit a letter of resignation to Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Thursday and he invited the party to nominate a new candidate for prime minister.On Friday, Kariņš announced he was going to dissolve New Unity’s coalition with the National Alliance and the United List parties after they rejected his plans for a ministerial reshuffle, according to local media. When announcing his resignation, Kariņš accused the coalition partners of “blocking work for welfare and economic growth.”On Friday, Kariņš said he was already in negotiations with other parties, including the Progressive Party and the Union of Greens and Farmers, about a new coalition. He initially said he would remain in charge of the new government, saying he would devote all of his “time and energy to ...

Dunkin’ is releasing boozy versions of their iced coffees and teas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

New York (CNN) — It’s true: Dunkin’ is turning two of its most popular drinks into boozy beverages.After setting the internet abuzz last week, Dunkin’ will officially announce Monday the debut of Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas, which are both scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks.The two malt-based beverages, scheduled for an early September release, will feature eight flavors between them, all based on the chain’s iced coffee and tea flavors.Dunkin’ is joining a crowded field of soft drinks going hard. It’s part of the growing trend of ready-to-drink beverages hitting shelves as consumers crave new combinations of their favorite flavors.With the increasing competition, the category is growing: Sales of RTDs amassed more than $10 billion in US sales over the past 12 months, a 7% increase from the prior year, according to a new NIQ report.However, the Dunkin’ brand could help it stand out.“Like other well known non-alcoholic brands, Dunkin...

Oprah brings supplies at Maui shelter, calls for more aid to fire-ravaged evacuees

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about wildfires that have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters. Oprah Winfrey has visited an emergency shelter on the fire-ravaged island of Maui to highlight the plight of evacuees.Hawaii News Now reports that Winfrey said on her visit Sunday that it’s critical that aid gets to residents fast. The TV icon is also a part-time Maui resident.Winfrey warned that news crews will eventually depart from the destruction, while the world will move on. But she said that “we’re all still going to be here trying to figure out what is the best way to rebuild … I will be here for the long haul, doing what I can.”Winfrey spoke outside the ...

Coast Guard searches for 4 missing divers off the Carolinas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard said it is searching for four divers who disappeared Sunday off the Carolinas. The four men did not resurface after diving from a pleasure craft named Big Bill’s. The Coast Guard said Sunday in a news release that the vessel was about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Cape Fear, North Carolina, and about 63 miles (101 kilometers) east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.The many shipwrecks off the coasts of both states are a popular draw for divers. The area is known for hundreds of shipwrecks and is called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”The Coast Guard said it has sent several aircraft and boats to search for the divers. The Associated Press

A throng of interfaith leaders to focus on combating authoritarianism at global gathering in Chicago

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

More than 6,000 people representing scores of religions and belief systems are expected to convene in Chicago starting Monday for what organizers bill as the world’s largest gathering of interfaith leaders.For the Parliament of the World’s Religions, the week-long event marks a return to its roots – the organization was founded in Chicago in 1893. In the past 30 years, it has convened six times, most recently in Toronto in 2018.Past gatherings have drawn participants from more than 80 nations. This week’s speakers and presenters will represent Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Baha’i, Hinduism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Indigenous religions, paganism and other beliefs.This year’s theme is “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights,” with a focus on combating authoritarianism around the world. Topics on the agenda include climate change, human rights, food insecurity, racism and women’s rights. “We will take a stand for the rights we’re all at risk of los...

Rights group urges rapid international intervention to end spiraling gang violence in Haiti

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A human rights group urged the international community on Monday to intervene quickly to end spiraling violence by gangs in Haiti.The call by Human Rights Watch comes as Haiti awaits a response from the U.N. Security Council to its request in October for the immediate deployment of an international armed force to fight the surge in violence.“The longer that we wait and don’t have this response, we’re going to see more Haitians being killed, raped and kidnapped, and more people suffering without enough to eat,” said Ida Sawyer, the group’s crisis and conflict director, who visited Haiti to compile a report on the violence.The U.S. said earlier this month that it would introduce a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing Kenya to lead a multinational police force to fight gangs in Haiti. However, no timetable for such a resolution was given.“The main message we want to get across is that Haitian people need support now,” Sawyer said. “We heard again an...

How ‘the Montreal shuffle’ is destroying a city’s rental market

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

Earlier this year, a fire tore through an Old Montreal building killing seven people, six of whom were staying in Airbnbs at the time. The tragedy led to greater scrutiny of Montreal’s property market where traditional rental units are being carved up and turned into multiple short-term rentals, and a real estate manoeuvre known as ‘the Montreal shuffle’ is making these moves possible at scale.Ethan Cox is a senior editor and co-founder of Ricochet Media. He says that greed is driving the proliferation of short-term rental buildings, also known as “ghost hotels”, in Montreal. “You could rent out at the normal market rate and you’d still be making a fortune… but you just have to make that extra buck by exploiting international students, by putting stuff out illegally on the short-term rental market,” says Cox.So how does the scheme work? What is the proliferation of short-term rentals doing to a city once known as one of Canada’s best places to rent? What is the gov...

Italy marks 5th anniversary of Morandi bridge collapse with demands for justice for the 43 killed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy on Monday marked the fifth anniversary of the collapse of Genoa’s Morandi Bridge with a minute of silence and demands for justice for the 43 people who died in what authorities say was an example of greed-fueled negligence.Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini told relatives of victims, local residents and authorities at the Genoa commemoration that the people who plunged to their deaths weren’t victims of a flood or natural disaster. Rather, he said, they were “victims of greed, of people who didn’t do their jobs.”A huge section of the Morandi bridge broke off during a rainstorm on Aug. 14, 2018, when highways were packed on the eve of Italy’s biggest summer holiday, sending cars plunging into the dry riverbed below.Fifty-eight people went on trial last year, accused of manslaughter and other charges. They include former executives and technical experts of the company that managed many of Italy’s bridges and highways, as well as former officials of Salvini’s mini...

Rogers Sugar to spend $200 million to grow production capacity in Montreal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:59:17 GMT

MONTREAL — Rogers Sugar Inc. says it plans to spend $200 million to grow its production capacity at its plant in Montreal to help meet increased demand in Eastern Canada.The company says the plan will increase production capacity at the plant by about 20 per cent or 100,000 tonnes a year.The project includes an expansion of refining capacity with new sugar refining equipment and construction of a new bulk rail loading section in Montreal.The company will also expand its logistics and storage capacity in the Greater Toronto Area.Rogers Sugar says the increased production and logistics capacity is expected to be in service in about two years.The company says financing for the project includes support from the Quebec government in the form of loans from Investissement Quebec to the company’s operating subsidiary, Lantic, for up to $65 million.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:RSI)The Canadian Press