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Student sues to wear Mexican and American flag sash at high school graduation

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A federal judge is weighing whether to let a Colorado high school student wear a Mexican and American flag sash at her graduation this weekend after the student sued the school district. The case is the latest dispute in the U.S. about what kind of cultural graduation attire is allowed at commencement ceremonies, with many focusing on tribal regalia. Denver Public Schools releases new version of safety plan Attorneys for Naomi Peña Villasano argued in a hearing Friday in Denver that the school district decision violates her free speech rights. They also said that it's inconsistent for the district to allow Native American attire, but not Peña Villasano's sash representing her heritage. The sash has the Mexican flag on one side and the United States flag on the other. “I’m a 200 percenter — 100% American and 100% Mexican," she said at a recent school board meeting in Colorado's rural Western Slope.“The district is discriminating against the expression of different cul...

Man killed in Boulder Police shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A man in Boulder is dead following a shooting with police officers after they were called to an alleged domestic violence situation.The man has been identified as 36-year-old Christopher Swanger, according to the Boulder Police Department. Just after 10 p.m. Thursday, officers with the Boulder Police Department were called to a home in the 1700 block of Baseline Road, in the Lower Chautauqua neighborhood, on reports of a domestic violence situation.According to BPD, the suspect in the domestic violence situation told the victim that he was coming to the house and was known to carry a gun. Officers were already at the home when the suspect arrived. 8 Aurora officers sued in violent arrest caught on body camera video Shortly after the suspect's arrival, BPD said there was a confrontation and the man pulled out a gun. Two BPD officers fired their weapons and the suspect was pronounced dead.No officers were injured in the shooting. Per policy, both officers have been ...

Driver uses police maneuver to force car off US 285

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KXRM) — The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office said a driver used a police maneuver to force another car off the road and caused a rollover crash on U.S. 285.Deputies said a rollover crash was reported around 7 p.m. Thursday on Mile Marker 135 on U.S. 285 north of Poncha Springs.Deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to the crash, finding a green sedan resting on its roof on the east side of the roadway. The vehicle's driver had been helped out of the car by a passerby. Student sues to wear Mexican-American sash at high school graduation The Sheriff's Office said a second car involved in the crash, a red sedan, was sitting on the southbound shoulder of the road.Investigators found the crash was intentional. According to deputies, the driver of the red sedan, 34-year-old Michael Whitcomb of Colorado Springs, was traveling north on U.S. 285 behind the green sedan.Whitcomb told investigators that the green sedan would not get out of his way and afte...

Gunman wanted in bar shooting

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Police need help identifying a man who was allegedly involved in a shooting at a Denver bar in the Westwood neighborhood.According to the Denver Police Department, the shooting happened on May 21 just after 9:30 p.m. at the Boogie Down Bar and Grill in the 5100 block of Morrison Road.The suspect was caught on camera holding out a gun and possibly aiming it at other patrons who were outside on the patio. Man killed in shooting involving Boulder Police officers No injuries have been reported from this shooting.Denver Police need help identifying the man pictured. He is wanted in connection to an alleged shooting at a Denver bar. (Metro Denver Crime Stoppers)Denver Police need help identifying the man pictured. He is wanted in connection to an alleged shooting at a Denver bar. (Metro Denver Crime Stoppers)Now, police want to identify the man in the video. He is described as the following:White manIn his 30s6 feet, 1 inch tallBaldHas tattoos on head, face, neckLast see...

Student killed in boat crash, surviving friend honored at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy’s graduation ceremony

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

A South Florida school paid tribute to a student who was killed in a 2022 boat crash, as well as a close friend who survived the tragedy, during a moving graduation ceremony.Wearing their cap and gowns, 208 girls took part in graduation night at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in South Miami, Thursday.The ceremony was a bittersweet one for the high school graduates, after losing one of her classmates earlier in the school year.A group of friends were returning from a birthday celebration during Labor Day weekend when they were involved in a violent boat crash near Boca Chita on Biscayne Bay.One of the passengers, 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez, lost her life in the crash. Ten others were injured.Thursday night, Fernandez’s parents walked down the stage to receive their daughter’s honorary diploma.“The fact that she was such a hard worker, and her work ethic and her grades and, you know, all the things that she wanted to achieve, she really didn’t talk about it that m...

Tom Hanks addresses America’s future in Harvard speech: ‘Truth is sacred’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

(CNN) — Tom Hanks called on Harvard’s 2023 graduating class to defend truth in a powerful commencement address on Thursday.The Oscar winner, who received an honorary doctorate of arts, joked he was receiving the degree “without having done a lick of work” other than playing a Harvard professor in “The Da Vinci Code” movies.“It’s not fair, but please don’t be embittered by this fact,” he said.“I don’t know much about Latin. I have no real passion for enzymes, and public global policy is something I scan on the newspaper just before I do the Wordle,” Hanks said. “And yet here I am closing — closing for Josiah, Pallas, and Vic,” he quipped, referring to the three student speakers who proceeded him..Hanks then pivoted to talking about “truth, justice and the American way.”“Propaganda and bald-faced lies will erode over time,” Hanks said. “Idolatry and imagery lose luster and effect.”He went on, saying, “Ignorance and intolerance can be replaced by experience in the wink o...

18-year-old who overcame obstacles gifted new car by Rotary Club of Weston

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

A South Florida teen received a generous gift and is being recognized for the obstacles he’s overcome.Jackie Knight was given a brand new car from Rick Case Honda in Davie, Friday.The 18-year-old had a rough upbringing after he was abandoned by his family when he was 1 year old.He also suffered from the death of his foster mother, which resulted in Knight being taken in by an agency that provides safe harbor for youths.Despite it all, Knight just graduated high school and was awarded a scholarship to attend Broward College.He now also has some brand-new wheels.“Cause you don’t always expect good things to come out. I’m a lucky person as is, so I always kinda give myself that benefit of the doubt,” Knight said. “Yeah, today might be a good day, it’s a lucky day. I’m trying to see if I can find any jobs that will require the car, which most of the time they usually hire. So as is, it’s to work, school, home, just making a life for ...

Mayor Wu signs Boston redistricting map, but court may need to weigh in too

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed the redistricting ordinance passed by the City Council, but the court may also need to get involved before the new voting lines go into effect.Given the pending lawsuit, the city plans to inform the U.S. District Court that a new map has been passed on Tuesday, a Wu spokesperson said Friday.No further action is needed on the municipal level, but the plaintiffs who filed suit against the City Council and the federal judge who tossed the map the Council passed last fall for constitutional violations may also need to sign off on the new redistricting ordinance.“I think the plaintiffs do have to weigh in,” said Glen Hannington, an attorney for the group of residents who filed the lawsuit. “I think we agree in principle that no map is perfect. But the plaintiffs’ concerns were heard loud and clear.“It seems that the Council has rallied and built consensus based on the redistricting principles and protecting communities of interest. That being said, where w...

Chicago Cubs avoid being no-hit, but little else goes right in a 9-0 loss — their 2nd straight 9-run defeat

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

The Chicago Cubs offense has been as unpredictable as the spring temperatures the last few weeks, switching on and off with little notice.They continued the trend Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, getting no-hit until the eighth inning of a 9-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.Hunter Greene pitched six no-hit innings for the Reds and struck out 11 of the 20 batters he faced, and the Cubs continued to look lifeless before Christopher Morel’s leadoff single off reliever Eduardo Salazar in the eighth spoiled the combined no-hit bid.“If he doesn’t make too many mistakes, he’s going to be tough,” Cubs designated hitter Trey Mancini said of Greene. “He’s got electric stuff and he showed it today. Got to tip your cap. Some days you get beat and beat pretty badly, and that’s what happened.”It could’ve been worse. The Reds knocked out 19 hits — including eight doubles — against Justin Steele and three relievers on a chilly a...

Yankees Notebook: Aaron Boone suspended for Padres opener

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:49:08 GMT

The Yankees will open their series against the Padres without their manager.Major League Baseball announced that Aaron Boone has been suspended one game after he was ejected from Thursday’s contest against the Orioles. Boone’s suspension, which he chose to serve Friday, comes with an undisclosed fine.Thursday’s ejection was Boone’s fourth of the season — which leads his contemporaries – and his third in 10 games. Based on MLB’s statement, Boone’s recent stretch – rather than just Thursday’s incident – contributed to the suspension, as the league’s release noted “recent conduct toward major league umpires.”“I don’t like that it’s happened a few times this week,” Boone said Friday before the suspension was announced. “I’d like to not get ejected, and hopefully I can start a long streak of not getting ejected. I’m not necessarily afraid to, but no, it’s no...