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Scientists challenge US wildlife director’s qualifications

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Dozens of scientists from universities and environmental groups are pushing for the removal of the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming she lacks the educational background required to run the agency despite securing Senate confirmation last year.The concerns over the credentials of service Director Martha Williams were outlined in a letter from 100 scientists sent Wednesday to President Joe Biden and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Williams is an attorney who majored in philosophy, and her critics claim she does not have the science-based education that federal law says is required for the position. Government attorneys have rejected allegations she’s not credentialed, but they have not disputed her lack of a science degree.There was no discussion of Williams’ educational qualifications during her Senate confirmation hearing. She was confirmed on a voice vote in February 2022 with bipartisan support. The call for her resignation o...

Consulting and legal jobs to reign supreme in 2050 employment forecast

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

The D.C. region is set to add 1 million jobs by 2050, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.In the next 30 years, the “professional and business services” sector is projected to gain more than 250,000 jobs.“That’s management consulting and legal services,” COG director of Community Planning and Services Paul DesJardin said. “It’s the full gamut of the incredibly talented workforce we have here.”The education and hospitality sectors are also expected to grow quickly in the next few decades. The forecast said schools will likely add more than 100,000 jobs by 2050. Hotels and restaurants will likely gain nearly 150,000 positions.These three sectors will account for 75% of job growth in the region, according to the report.(Courtesy Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)The forecast is the first of its kind since the pandemic, and it paints a positive picture for employment...

Dad says university failed to treat NFL veteran who shot 6

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The father of a former NFL player who fatally shot six people before killing himself two years ago is suing the alma mater where his son played football.An autopsy eventually diagnosed Phillip Adams with an unusually severe form of the degenerative brain disease commonly known as CTE that has been shown to cause violent mood swings and memory loss.Now, Alonzo Adams says South Carolina State University did not follow safety protocols or properly train employees to treat the sustained head trauma that his son suffered during a college career that lasted from 2006 to 2009.That alleged “negligence, carelessness, recklessness, willfulness, and wantonness” contributed to Adams’ death following the April 8, 2021, mass shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina, according to the wrongful death lawsuit filed March 31. Police found Adams with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.Sam Watson, a spokesman said South Carolina State University, said the institution doe...

Pure Cycle: Fiscal Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

WATKINS, Colo. (AP) — WATKINS, Colo. (AP) — Pure Cycle Corp. (PCYO) on Wednesday reported profit of $189,000 in its fiscal second quarter.The Watkins, Colorado-based company said it had net income of 1 cent per share.The water and wastewater services company posted revenue of $3 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PCYO at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PCYOSource

Vinícius, Benzema lead Real Madrid past Chelsea 2-0 in CL

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema struck yet again against Chelsea, leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 win in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday.Substitute Marco Asensio also scored for Madrid after Benzema had netted his sixth goal in five matches against the English club in the latest meeting between the last two European champions.Chelsea played the final half-hour with 10 men after Ben Chilwell was sent off for stopping a Madrid breakaway. It was a second consecutive defeat for new Chelsea interim coach Frank Lampard after he replaced Graham Potter amid the team’s disappointing results.The second leg is next week in London. AC Milan defeated Napoli 1-0 in the other quarterfinal match on Wednesday.Benzema opened the scoring by hitting the open net off the rebound of a save by Kepa Arrizabalaga after an attempt by Vinícius Júnior from close range in the 22nd minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.Benzema had scored four times against Chelsea in the last-e...

AC Milan beats 10-man Napoli 1-0 in Champions League QF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan beat Napoli for the second time in the space of less than two weeks — and this time with more at stake — as the Rossoneri won 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.Ismaël Bennacer scored shortly before the end of a first half that Napoli had dominated for long stretches. Both teams also hit the crossbar before Napoli midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off 16 minutes from time, following two yellow cards in quick succession.The teams will meet again in Naples next Tuesday with the winner to play either Inter Milan or Benfica in the semifinals. Inter won the first leg of their quarterfinal 2-0.While Milan’s victory was not as comprehensive as its 4-0 rout of Napoli when the two teams met in Serie A on April 2, it left the club in pole position to reach its first Champions League semifinal since it won the last of its seven titles in 2007.The match pitted the defending Italian champion against the team likely to...

Florida House expected to vote Thursday on banning abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

The Florida House could vote Thursday on a restrictive bill that would outlaw most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.The State Senate passed a version of the measure last week.If approved — it would head to the governor, who has already said he’d sign it into law.7’s Marisela Burgos is on her way to Tallahassee to cover the vote. Watch for her live reports starting tonight at 10.

Canine blood drive honors fallen Yarmouth police sergeant, K-9 partner

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

A first of its kind blood donation drive on Wednesday aimed to help dogs in need while honoring fallen Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean Gannon and his K-9 partner, Nero. Held at the Bourne Police Station, the first “Cape Cod Veterinary Services Canine Blood Drive” involved getting 15 canine donors screened to see if they qualified to help bank life-saving blood for dogs. “I just think on the fifth anniversary of Sean’s murder, it’s turned into an explosive day of goodness as is all the initiatives that have happened since his death,” Gannon’s mother Denise Morency Gannon said. Gannon’s father, Patrick Gannon said a shortage of canine blood poses a challenge when an animal needs a transfusion. Efforts on Wednesday, Patrick said, “will really help to bolster the blood bank’s supplies. Gannon was killed in a shooting in 2018 that also left Nero seriously injured. Laws at the time prevented emergency responders from treating Nero or transporting him to an ani...

Crews battle brush fire in Plymouth

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

Crews in Plymouth battled a brush fire Friday as experts shared ongoing warnings about dangerous fire conditions across much of the state. In a statement, Fire Chief Neil Foley said the fire burned through approximately two acres near Route 3. Foley said crews were initially notified about the fire around 2 p.m. Crews were able to knock the flames down after roughly 45 minutes, Foley said. The fire prompted temporary road closures on Route 3. Foley said off-duty firefighters were also among those called in to assist the emergency response. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Wednesday afternoon.The National Weather Service has declared a red flag warning indicating high fire danger across multiple days this week as a result of factors including wind and dry conditions. Crews have, indeed, been kept busy across Massachusetts in recent days battling flames in numerous communities. Officials have warned against any outdoor burning in the coming days,...

Chicago White Sox have yet to win a series after defense costs them again in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:37 GMT

Gavin Sheets turned one way and then the other before losing his footing and falling while trying to catch Ryan Jeffers’ fly to right field in the fourth inning.Jeffers reached on a triple and scored when Andrew Vaughn bobbled Michael A. Taylor’s check-swing grounder to first, eliminating any opportunity for a double play or a throw to the plate.The Chicago White Sox didn’t have the sharpest series defensively. While they weren’t charged with an error Wednesday, those moments were costly in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins in front of 17,658 at Target Field.“It was unfortunate,” Sheets said. “(Sox starter Lucas Giolito) had been jamming guys all day. Threw the ball extremely well. I thought (Jeffers) got jammed a little better, (I) took a hard step in and kind of got turned around with the ball fading into the wind. I feel terrible in that situation, especially with the way Gio is throwing the ball.“It’s frustrating. It’s ...