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David Redman: American education and great white fables

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

Recent battles over how to teach history in American schools have focused on views of America’s domestic racism, but that’s only one piece of the problem of how we view history. Our pre-college curriculums and popular histories are filled with stories of great white men who single-handedly changed the world. This heroification, however, is often as much a made-up history as the stories of Marvel heroes in the movies. Many of these supposed ground-breakers were in fact preceded by generations of people including persons from other cultures and nations.We’re taught that one man, James Watt, an 18th-century Scot, is responsible for steam power — but steam power was being used 2,000 years earlier in Egypt. American Thomas Edison “invented” the light bulb a century after it was in development by inventors such as Alexander Lodygin from Tambov Governorate of the Russian Empire, Italian Alessandro Cruto and the African-American inventor, Lewis Howard Lat...

Stephen L. Carter: When a thumbs-up emoji gets a defendant a thumbs-down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

Social media is all atwitter — um, all a-X-er? — about the emoji at the heart of the federal court ruling allowing a securities suit to proceed against billionaire investor Ryan Cohen. To be sure, litigation following a corporate collapse sprouts like weeds, but in this case both my law professor and wordsmith sides are fascinated by the allegation that Cohen used an image of a smiling moon to boost the stock price of Bed Bath & Beyond, after which he started selling his significant stake.The law professor in me marvels at the way judges must now struggle with the collapse of formal language. The wordsmith despairs at … well, the collapse of formal language, the costs of which we will be some while counting.The lawsuit arises from events in August of 2022, when Cohen still held a massive position in Bed Bath stock. CNBC tweeted a link to a negative story about Bed Bath, illustrated by an image of a shopper:Cohen tweeted back, “At least her cart is full...

Lisa Jarvis: AI improves breast cancer detection. But will that save lives?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

A large, rigorous study in Sweden of artificial intelligence in breast cancer screenings suggests AI can help doctors detect cancers more efficiently. We need more such studies to determine when the technology has real value — and when it might have risks. And although the findings are incredibly promising, because Europe uses different processes and technologies for cancer screening, the U.S. needs to commit to running its own similar studies to guide doctors here.Previous large studies all looked back at old medical records to gauge whether AI was capable of detecting cancers as accurately as doctors can. This study is the first trial of its size to test AI in real time on real patients — and will one day tell the field whether it actually improves the health of women. All of this is critical information as the technology increasingly becomes integrated into health care.In the study, some 80,000 women in Sweden were randomly assigned to receive either a double reading,...

Letters: Is St. Paul leadership building a city that people want to live in?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

Share a little kindnessI read the obituaries. This is to everyone who read the memorial (Sunday, Aug. 6) for Brian Eldridge: Remember the Golden Rule and share a little kindness; especially to those less fortunate.Susan Rudisill, Wyoming A city that people want to live in?Is St. Paul leadership building a city that people want to live in?Recent census data show that St. Paul’s population decreased by 2.7% from 2020 to 2022. Downtown businesses are still not returning to in-office work requirements, putting small businesses at risk. Property taxes went up by almost 15% last year, and now they want to increase the local sales tax by 1%, making St. Paul the highest-taxed city in the state.Over the last five years, the City’s budget has increased by over 40% to $801 million.  The Parks & Rec portion of the budget has increased 26.9% over the same period to $68.4 million yet per Director Andy Rodriguez they have a $100 million maintenance backlog. Over the same period the Public...

Discovering Saratoga: Remembering Maple Leaf Mel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Racing fans near and far came together this week to remember Maple Leaf Mel, a 3-year-old gray filly who collapsed to the track during the Grade 1 Test Stakes on Saturday. Fans on social media raised more than $3,000 to purchase flowers to fill the empty stall that housed the late Maple Leaf Mel. Discovering Saratoga: Zippy Chippy turns 30 The New York Racing Association released a statement Saturday night saying Maple Leaf Mel had a “catastrophic injury to her right front leg,” and that she was “humanely euthanized due to the severity of the injury.” The following morning, Pretty Mischievous trainer Brendan Walsh delivered the Test Stakes flower blanket to trainer Melanie Giddings' barn.On Wednesday, a new filly moved into the late Maple Leaf Mel's empty stall. Her name is Mel's Baby Sister.

Former San Luis Valley DA sues his disbarred successor for $5 million over bogus felony charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

Alonzo Payne, former district attorney for the 12th Judicial DistrictFormer 12th Judicial District Attorney Robert Willett filed a $5 million federal lawsuit Tuesday against his successor and the district attorney’s office after he was wrongly prosecuted for embezzlement.Willett’s successor, the now-disbarred former district attorney Alonzo Payne, brought the felony charge against Willett in March 2022, days after Willett publicly called for Payne’s resignation. Willett claims in the lawsuit that the baseless charge was filed “as an act of sheer retaliation” for his public criticism of Payne.Payne resigned as district attorney for the 12th Judicial District in the San Luis Valley in July 2022 after an investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office found he repeatedly violated crime victims’ rights. He also was facing a recall effort led by the city of Alamosa. Payne was disbarred in September in part because of his investigation into and prosec...

Broncos camp rewind, Day 11: Russell Wilson-Courtland Sutton connection is growing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

Players AttendanceDid not practice: Physically Unable to Perform list — OLB Baron Browning (knee). Non-Football Injury list — DL Mike Purcell (knee).The following players did not participate on Wednesday: Safeties Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, wide receiver Brandon Johnson, tight end Chris Manhertz, outside linebacker Aaron Patrick, and cornerbacks Riley Moss, K’Waun Williams and Art Green.Simmons has missed three straight practices and was limited last Saturday. Wednesday marked the second straight day Manhertz, Williams and Patrick were sidelined. Moss has been out since July 31 after having core muscle surgery last week. Green did not participate for the first time this camp.Payton indicated that the injuries to McGlinchey (knee sprain) and Johnson (ankle sprain) suffered Tuesday were not long-term, but the former is likely to miss a couple of weeks.Top PlayWilson’s connection with Sutton continues to strengthen: As the Broncos get ready for their...

Disney+ is raising prices as huge losses continue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

It's a sign of how tough things are in the streaming world that Disney+ could lose more than half a billion dollars over the last three months -- and it's good news.Good? Yes, in light of the fact that Disney's flagship streaming service lose more than a billion bucks a year earlier.Even so, the $512 million lost in the second quarter underlines the challenges faced by Team Mickey in competing for subscribers in an ever-tightening market.Disney's direct-to-consumer division, which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, has lost more than $10 billion since late 2019, when Disney+ debuted. Disney fan visits all 12 Disney theme parks in 12 days, rides over 200 attractions Disney on Wednesday said it's raising prices for the ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu by more than 20% each.Beginning in October, the ad-free version of Disney+ will cost $14 -- double the price when the service was unveiled.The ad-free version of Hulu will cost $18, up from the current $15, making it more expensive ...

With Sondra C. Baker: the story so Far

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

At her core you’ll discover her sophisticated, worldly and uniquely versatile ability with people, from all walks of life. The heartfelt connections she makes, combined with her meticulous design aesthetic, are the driving force behind what has become her work and her identity. Her ability to relate across the room and across the world is palpable.She began her career in the 90’s in Los Angeles as an actress, appearing on signature shows like Cheers, Who’s the Boss and The Young and the Restless.  Her entrepreneurial drive was sparked during that time, when she recognized the demand for home delivery created by LA’s then burgeoning restaurant scene. She founded Why Cook? with two friends, LA’s first “high-end” restaurant delivery service. Sondra and her partners built a network of LA’s finest restaurants – when nothing like it existed in the city – and created a team and culture to support the growing business. In an industry and city not known for longevity, Why Cook? is still thri...

On and Off the Mat: Roy Dean’s Approach to Leadership and Personal Growth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:52 GMT

 Imagine a discipline that not only builds your physical strength but also sharpens your mind, fosters resilience, and enhances your leadership skills. This is not a hypothetical scenario, but the reality of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), a martial art that transcends the physical realm to shape the practitioner’s mindset and life direction. When we delve into the world of BJJ through the eyes of Roy Dean, a 4th degree Black Belt, who has dedicated his life to mastering this art and sharing its transformative power with others. From personal growth to business success, the principles of Jiu Jitsu can supercharge your life and leadership journey.In a world where physical fitness is often equated with gym workouts and running, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu emerges as a unique and compelling alternative. More than just a martial art, BJJ is a holistic practice that fosters not only physical strength and agility but also cultivates mental resilience, discipline and strategic thinking. It’...