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Disabled rights protests before Paris Olympics draw pledges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Angry about decades of unmet promises, people with disabilities protested in France Wednesday by showing how difficult and frustrating it is for them to travel alone by train into Paris, delivering a stinging rebuke to government inertia before the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.President Emmanuel Macron, hosting a national conference on disabilities, conceded failures, noted slow progress, and promised concrete action for France’s 12 million people with disabilities, including ahead of the Games.“This world is not a parallel world,” Macron told the gathering. “I want this world to end being a world of silence, that people with disabilities be heard, be present and visible everywhere in our society.”He pledged 1.5 billion euros ($1.65 billion) to improve accessibility, targeting small establishments receiving the public — from restaurants to administrative locales and taxis, train stations and trains. Details, and a timeline, are to be worked out before the sum...

SEC spring wrap: 14 players to watch in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

The Southeastern Conference is losing some of its top quarterbacks, but there’s plenty of star power returning, including at running back. Here’s a look at some of the league’s players to watch coming out of spring practice:ALABAMA: CB/PR Kool-Aid McKinstryis the latest star in Nick Saban’s secondary after playing key roles in his first two seasons. He’s a first-team All-SEC cornerback who also ranked second nationally with a 15.8-yard punt return average. McKinstry is projected as a likely first-round draft pick next year if he turns pro. He had a team-high 15 pass breakups last season.ARKANSAS: RB Raheim Sanders ran for 1,443 yards last season, fourth-most in program history. The 6-foot-2, 237-pounder also scored 10 touchdowns and caught 28 passes. Sanders’ 6.5 yards per carry was the Razorbacks’ best since Felix Jones set the school record in 2007.AUBURN: RB Jarquez Hunter has excelled as Tank Bigsby’s backup the past two seasons and now figures to be the Tigers’ lead runner. The...

Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s town feels divide from rest of Montana

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

MISSOULA, Montana (AP) — In the college town of Missoula, pride flags are as common a sight as the peaks of Montana’s Rattlesnake Mountains. Even a downtown crosswalk is rainbow-colored.Often described as a blue island in a vast red state, Missoula sent the first openly transgender legislator in Montana history to the state capital. Its voters, fully aware that they are vastly outnumbered by conservatives statewide, were still shocked at what happened next.Their new representative, Zooey Zephyr, was barred last week from speaking on the floor of the Legislature by the Republican majority, which accused her of violating decorum by telling them they had “blood on your hands” for approving a bill barring gender-affirming care for minors. Later Wednesday, Republican leaders plan to vote on censuring or expelling Zephyr from the body.Zephyr was elected with 80% of the vote in November in her heavily liberal district, which runs through the oddly-aligned section of central Missoula known ...

Is growing Las Vegas big enough for 3 major pro teams?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas will become the smallest TV market in Major League Baseball if the Oakland Athletics relocate, and it will by far be the tiniest to be home to three major professional sports franchises.But Las Vegas is unlike probably any other market, as the presence of the NFL’s Raiders and NHL’s Golden Knights have shown.The city doesn’t just rely on the local populace to pack its sports venues, but also draws heavily on the nearly 40 million tourists who visit annually. That doesn’t mean the A’s would be an automatic success at the turnstile like the Knights and Raiders, but the club and MLB see that visitor count as an enormous advantage.“It’s a smaller market in terms of households and so forth, but I think it is clearly the fastest-growing market and clearly on the ascension in terms of interest from fans all over the country,” said David Carter, sports business professor at the University of Southern California. “So (the A’s) wi...

3 teens arrested after Colorado driver killed by thrown rock

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — Three teenagers have been arrested on first-degree murder charges in connection to the death of a 20-year-old Colorado woman, who was struck by a rock that investigators say was thrown through her windshield while she was driving.Alexa Bartell, of Arvada, was talking on the phone with a friend when she was hit by the rock northwest of Denver on April 19. After the call went silent, the friend tracked Bartell’s location with a phone app and found the woman dead in her car, which had crashed into a field, said Karlyn Tilley, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Bartell was killed by the rock and not the crash, according to Tilley.Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, all 18, were arrested at their homes in Arvada, Colorado, overnight Tuesday and Wednesday. Online jail records did not indicate if they have attorneys who can speak on their behalf.Investigators believe the attack is linked to several other similar incidents...

Former fire captain accused of multiple sexual assaults

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) -- A former Hygiene Fire Captain was accused of sexual assault after multiple women -- including two former subordinates -- came forward with allegations.Kamron Barnaby, 30, was arrested as part of the ongoing investigation, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.The investigation started after deputies were made aware of a sexual assault allegation by a former firefighter against Barnaby. During an investigation, four women made allegations of sexual assault against him. 3 high schoolers arrested in deadly rock-throwing crime spree Some of the alleged incidents occurred while on duty, during some of his scheduled shifts.Barnaby is employed by Mountain View Fire Rescue.MVFR released an official statement Wednesday and said a firefighter facing criminal charges was placed on unpaid administrative leave. The name of the firefighter was not given.Investigators believe there are additional victims and witnesses.Anyone with information was urged to contac...

Suspected car thief who led police on cross-county chase captured south of Sunrise Blvd.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

A suspected car thief is now in custody after leading police on a cross-county chase. Miami-Dade Police officers and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies joined forces in the pursuit of a stolen red Mercedes-Benz G Wagon heading northbound on Interstate 75, which crossed into Broward County, Wednesday afternoon. The pursuit started in Miami-Dade County, where two cars were reported stolen from a residence in the South West Miami-Dade.A second vehicle and the thief who stole it are still at large. According to police, the victim was pursuing the other suspected car thief in another car when he contacted police about the thefts. Toward the end of the chase, the G Wagon exited on Sunrise Boulevard and the driver fled on foot towards an apartment building on Northwest 12th Avenue and 77th Street. 7Skyforce hovered over the scene where officers with police dogs entered the building and captured the suspect. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on thi...

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Broward and Miami-Dade counties

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

Severe thunderstorms are expected to affect two South Florida counties. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, Wednesday afternoon. The thunderstorm watch lasts until 9 p.m. or until the NWS cancels it.Some effects expected from these storms include damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rain. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

School officials: Medway High School placed on lockdown amid investigation of reported threats

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

Medway High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday after school officials said threats were received, prompting a police investigation. In an announcement to the community, Medway Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Armand Pires stated that while all students and staff at the high school were safe, the facility was locked down around 2 p.m., and that no entering or exiting was permitted at the time as officers responded.“We know that this is unsettling and promise that we will keep you apprised,” Pires said. “Our student and staff safety is our primary concern.”Pires’s announcement also stated that “out of an abundance of caution and to allow for a full investigation,” all afterschool activities, including athletics, were cancelled.In an update, the superintendent detailed how the lockdown was put in place as a result of “threats that we received,” and that students were being readied for dismissal around 3 p.m.“We will cont...

Celtics VP of public relations Heather Walker dies at 52

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:09:57 GMT

Longtime Celtics Vice President of Public Relations Heather Walker has passed away. Walker lost her battle with glioblastoma Wednesday morning. She was 52. Walker’s passing was announced on social media accounts for the Move4Heather organization.“She isn’t fighting anymore and can finally rest,” the statement said. “She is with so many who have gone before her that I’m sure she was welcomed with open arms.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephen Walker (@move4heather)The Celtics also issued a statement, saying Walker boosted spirits and displayed exceptional courage throughout her battle. “Heather Walker was a boundlessly charismatic, giving, and selfless soul,” the team said. “Every room she entered was brighter for her presence.”“As anyone who knew...