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DeSantis-controlled Disney World district abolishes diversity, equity initiatives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Diversity, equity and inclusion programs were abolished Tuesday from Walt Disney World’s governing district, now controlled by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis, in an echo of the Florida governor’s agenda which has championed curtailing such programs in higher education and elsewhere.The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said in a statement that its diversity, equity and inclusion committee would be eliminated, as would any job duties connected to it. Also axed were initiatives left over from when the district was controlled by Disney supporters, which awarded contracts based on goals of achieving racial or gender parity.Glenton Gilzean, the district’s new administrator who is African American and a former head of the Central Florida Urban League, called such initiatives “illegal and simply un-American.” Gilzean has been a fellow or member at two conservative institutions, the James Madison Institute and the American Enterprise In...

Ukraine summons Polish ambassador over ‘unacceptable’ comments about gratitude

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

Ukraine summoned the Polish ambassador on Tuesday over “unacceptable” comments made by a senior official in the Polish president’s office, who said Ukraine was ungrateful for the country’s help.Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Polish ambassador Bartosz Cichocki to Kyiv to discuss the comments made on Monday by Marcin Przydacz, secretary of state in the chancellery of Poland’s president and head of the international policy bureau.“During the meeting, it was emphasized that the statements about the alleged ingratitude of the Ukrainians for the assistance of the Republic of Poland do not reflect reality and as such are unacceptable,” Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the foreign ministry in Kyiv, said in a press release.In an interview with Polish media, Przydacz spoke in favor of extending an EU ban on certain Ukrainian exports, saying defending the interests of Polish farmers was very important.  Przydacz also said Ukraine had received a lot of support from Pol...

New England Revolution coach Bruce Arena placed on administrative leave amid investigation into allegations of ‘insensitive and inappropriate remarks’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

New England Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena has been placed on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of “insensitive and inappropriate remarks,” the Revolution announced on TuesdayThe team in a statement said Major League Soccer is conducting the investigation.“The organization takes any allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and is working closely with the League and fully cooperating with its investigation,” the Revolution said.Major League Soccer’s communications department also issued a statement saying Arena had been placed on leave “pending a review into allegations that he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” Arena was named as the Revolution’s sporting director and head coach in 2019. In addition to the MLS, he has coached the U.S. Men’s National soccer team and spent 18 seasons coaching the University of Virginia in the NCAA.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online...

In exchange of minor-leaguers, Chicago Cubs trade Adrian Sampson and Manuel Rodriguez to Tampa Bay Rays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

Reallocating their minor-league depth and addressing reliever options is a clear priority for the Chicago Cubs’ trade deadline needs.After acquiring right-hander José Cuas from the Kansas City Royals Monday for outfielder Nelson Velázquez, the Cubs tapped into their minor-league arms for another pitcher. The Cubs traded right-handers Adrian Sampson and Manuel Rodríguez and international bonus pool space to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-hander Josh Roberson ahead of Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline.All three players have spent this season in the minors and are not on their respective teams’ 40-man rosters.Roberson, 27, has spent his entire career in the minors, the last two with the Rays. Walks have been an issue during his five seasons, but he has showed some swing-and-miss ability the Cubs must believe in.During spring training, Sampson was part of the No. 5 starter competition but struggled throughout camp. Injuries caused him to miss 2 1/2 months, returni...

Patriots must get creative replicating Devin McCourty’s range at free safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots have never wavered in their confidence that they can continue to succeed on defense without retired safety Devin McCourty, but they fully acknowledge there’s no replacing the “grumpy bald guy.”That’s what safety Adrian Phillips jokingly called McCourty on Tuesday after training camp practice. Phillips said the process of filling in for McCourty is “going well.”Phillips and fellow safeties Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Mills and cornerback Jonathan Jones have taken on bigger roles communicating in the defensive backfield. Phillips has seen the most snaps at free safety this summer, but other players like Peppers and Mills have seen time there, as well. But Phillips detailed why McCourty is such a unique player to replace beyond just experience and leadership.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots’ O-line already dealing with injuries, load management early in training camp New England Patriots | Patriots OT Tre...

Mortgage lenders vs. banks: Which is best for you?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

TJ Porter | Bankrate.com (TNS)Unless it’s an all-cash deal, most homebuyers turn to a mortgage to purchase property. There are many financial institutions that offer mortgages, including banks and independent organizations. Each has pros and cons.What’s the difference between a mortgage lender and a bank?A bank is a depository institution that typically offers various financial services, such as banking accounts, various types of loans — including mortgages — investing services and more. In contrast, mortgage lenders focus specifically on home loans for purchases and refinances, and some offer home equity products.Aside from the differences in product slate, banks often have more overhead to support branch locations (versus a mortgage lender that operates solely online, for example) and sometimes stricter compliance requirements. This can mean that their mortgages are more expensive in terms of interest rate, fees or both and might take longer to approve.On the flip side, mortgage l...

Revolution place Bruce Arena on administrative leave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

Veteran New England Revolution coach Bruce Arena has been placed on administrative leave by the team.The team released a statement Tuesday: “The New England Revolution organization has placed Coach Arena on administrative leave as a result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by Major League Soccer into allegations of insensitive and inappropriate remarks. The organization takes any allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and is working closely with the League and fully cooperating with its investigation.”

New York ‘reinforcements’ were necessary to support current MBTA employees, GM says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

MBTA employees who worked at the agency before a new general manager was installed by the Healey administration had “so many things on their plate” that outside hires with roots in New York were necessary, the head of the transit agency said Tuesday.MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng defended his decision to bring on four out-of-state transit veterans to manage stations, engineering and capital, infrastructure, and operations and safety. The four men have all served at one point in their careers in New York-based transportation roles and their combined pay in Massachusetts is nearly $800,000 a year.Current employees have “tremendous” institutional knowledge, Eng said during an interview with WBUR host Tiziana Dearing.“What I saw, though, was that they have so many things on their plate that we needed to bring in reinforcements to support the team that’s there,” Eng said when asked to respond to a Boston Herald columnist who questioned his hiring decisions. “This is not replacing...

Ana Castillo’s new book makes you see stories everywhere. Or maybe they’re ghosts.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

By Christopher Borrelli, Chicago TribuneAna Castillo reclined on the off-white gallery chair and I apologized for looking like a slob, but where I had to be next required more informal clothing, and so, I apologized —“For not dressing professionally?”Yeah, I laughed nervously, I’m driving to —“A baseball game?”She didn’t laugh but smiled flatly and I couldn’t tell if she was insulted or joking or not joking but kind of joking. I never do know. She wore white pants stylishly frayed at the cuffs and a white sweater beneath a denim jacket embroidered elegantly on the sleeves, a piece from a Spanish designer, but Castillo is not the type to give plugs and decides not to spill the label.I’ve never entirely gotten a handle on Ana Castillo. Though, to be fair, who has? One of Chicago’s best living writers (and a 2022 inductee of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame), she’s often mentioned in the same breath as that other great Chicana writer from Chicago, Sandra Cisneros. She writes haunting ...

USDA declares disaster in seven Massachusetts counties after heavy rains, floods

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:01:43 GMT

Federal agriculture officials declared a natural disaster in seven Massachusetts counties where farmers are still recovering from heavy rains and floods last month that caused at least $15 million in damages across 2,700 acres, the Healey administration said Tuesday afternoon.The declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture immediately opens up low-interest loans and the option to refinance existing loans for farmers that experienced losses caused by excessive rain and flooding from July 9 through July 16.A disaster was declared in Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Worcester Counties. Bordering counties — Dukes, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Suffolk — are also eligible for the loans, including those in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. More information is available online.Farmers in Massachusetts “should know that their government has their backs,” Gov. Maura Healey said.“Our administration is committed to using every opt...