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Number of children receiving free summer lunches down by almost 45 percent: research

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

(The Hill) -- The number of U.S. children who received free summer lunches on an average day in July 2022 dropped considerably compared to the previous year, according to a report released by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). On an average day in last July, almost 3 million children received a free lunch through the federal Summer Nutrition Program, which gives free meals to low-income children. That was down 44.5 percent, or 2.4 million children, compared to July 2021.Summer breakfast saw an even steeper decline: 1.8 million children last year, down 62 percent from July 2021.“The drop in participation was driven in large part by Congress’s delay in extending the pandemic child nutrition waivers that allowed all communities to offer summer meals and provided operational flexibilities; the staffing challenges (both within the nutrition programs and summer educational and enrichment programs); and the supply chain disruptions,” the report says.  Students from ...

LeBron James’ son Bronny hospitalized after suffering cardiac arrest at USC practice, spokesman says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, was hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest while participating in a practice at Southern California on Monday, a family spokesman said Tuesday.The spokesman said medical staff treated the 18-year-old James on site and he was transported to a hospital, where he was in stable condition after leaving the intensive care unit.“We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information,” the spokesman said. “LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”Bronny James announced in May that he would play college basketball for the Trojans. He is an incoming freshman and was one of the top high school prospects in the country.Related ArticlesSports | Yankees, Mets enter Subway Series looking for more than bragging rig...

3M’s dark chapter deepens as CEO faces investors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

3M Co. has so many big problems on its hands that one veteran Wall Street analyst likened the conglomerate’s challenges to the Titanic — just after the iceberg.“We’re talking more about rearranging the deckchairs when you’ve got these big calamities bearing down on the company,” said Deane Dray, an RBC Capital Markets analyst who has covered 3M for nearly 20 years.That may sound like hyperbole for one of the longest-tenured components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average that generates more than $30 billion in sales and showers investors with $3 billion in annual dividends. Yet the magnitude of what 3M is confronting is immense.Wall Street expects 3M will post its sixth-straight quarter of declining sales when it reports results on Tuesday as demand continues to slump across much of its vast portfolio. The bigger worry is that potentially billions of dollars in legal liabilities will consume huge amounts of cash for years to come and put its cherished dividend at risk.The company, ba...

One vaccine for a century

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

In the aftermath of World War One, humankind was going through a rough time of deadly diseases such as Tuberculosis and various pandemics. Good enough, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was introduced in 1921, saving many.However, its effectiveness was limited, resulting in many to continue dying from TB, and this is due to a lack of adequate support in funding and research development on TB, especially because this disease affects primarily marginalized communities. Unsurprisingly, in 2023, we are still being administered a modified version of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin, one century later.Would it not be an issue of inequality and inequity in the health system? The solidarity of Global scientific cooperation drove the rapid development of safe, highly effective COVID-19 vaccines. In one year, 19 vaccines were approved. Although TB claims millions of lives despite being the deadliest disease, the lack of support and solidarity is at the root of this problem.However, there m...

Why NATO must continue to support Ukraine

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

The decision last week by the majority of U.S. members of Congress and senators to continue to fund Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself – $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine authorized by the House of Representatives – was a welcome reminder that despite increasing isolationist noise from some American lawmakers, most see support for Ukraine as in the interest of their country, and the West more generally.That $300 million was part of the annual defense appropriation but Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz both proposed amendments to remove this funding. Greene’s amendment lost 341 t,o 89 while Gaetz’s failed by 358 to 70, with a majority in both parties opposing such 1930s-style neo-isolationism.To grasp why isolationist sentiments are increasing, consider three common reasons given for opposing Western (including American, Canadian, and European) aid to Ukraine: Russia’s historical claim to Ukraine, past promises made by NATO and the United States, and...

Schow: Consultation with Albertans “paramount” in bid discussion for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAlberta’s new Minister of Tourism and Sport and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, Joseph Schow, has received his mandate letter from the Premier outlining his role and focus.In addition to a general requirement to support growth in tourism and sport in Alberta, Schow has also been tasked with working alongside his cabinet and caucus colleagues to establish the Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Fund which will enhance recreational facilities across the province by investing in small and mid-sized projects financed though the fund. The mandate letter stipulates that at least $80 million in funding will be allocated to this fund to support investments into projects such as indoor and outdoor arenas and rinks, indoor turf centres, and sports fields and courts.On July 18, for his first appearance since receiving the ministerial mandate letter, Schow attended a press conference to announce that the application period for the “Every Kid Can Play” (EKCP) ini...

Province now supporting applications for sport and recreation grants for low-income families

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsEligible Alberta families are now able to apply for grants through KidSport Alberta, for up to $350 per child in grants to help offset registration for sports and recreation programming.Minister of Tourism and Sport, and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, Joseph Schow announced on July 18 that the application period for the “Every Kid Can Play” (EKCP) initiative is officially open.As part of the EKCP program which was announced in April 2023, eligible Albertan families can apply for up to $350 in support to help offset registration fees for sports programming. A $3 million commitment from the Province will be directed to and administered by KidSport Alberta and provide direct financial supports to Albertan families.To overcome financial limitations, the EKCP program aims to improve affordability and access to sport, physical activity, and recreation (SPAR) programs for children across Alberta.Schow said during the July 18 announcement, “sport and physical acti...

Traffic Concern report says Yield or Stop okay

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsA report to council regarding traffic on two streets in Coalhurst says they could potentially use either Yield or Stop signs as speed control measures.During their regular July 18 meeting, Coalhurst town council discussed a report on traffic concerns along Aspen Road and Sundance Drive. Complaints were received by the Town in May and June regarding speeding, and council had directed administration to come back with a report on the issue.Data recording devices were installed at three locations: on Aspen Road between Greenwood Road and 50th Avenue recording traffic data in both north and southbound directions, and data from eastbound traffic on Sundance Drive between Sundance Road and 45th Avenue.“These devices were put into ghost mode, so there was no speed displayed, and they just collected the data,” said Kevin Lewis, director of operations for the town.The devices collected data from the Sundance Drive location from June 10-16 and June 29 to July 4...

Alberta re-examining an exit from the CPP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South [email protected] Alberta need an alternative to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)?Premier Danielle Smith, among others in the UCP, think that it does.Smith’s recent mandate letter to Finance Minister Nate Horner directed him to re-examine the idea, which has been strongly denounced by Rachel Notley and the NDP, while also releasing the government’s Alberta Pension Plan (APP) report on the advantages and disadvantages of exiting the CPP.Proponents of an APP argue the province’s younger demographics could support a plan that offers similar benefits for less than the CPP.Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter, on the other hand, wants to examine the numbers before making any endorsements for a made-in-Alberta pension plan.“I’m all about the numbers, whatever will make Alberta a better place – I am all about that,” said Hunter. “So when we get the final report, then let’s read through it. Let’s read through those, and let’s figure out as Albertans, what’...

Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions launch new branding as Alberta Grains

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:04:25 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) and Alberta Barley Commission (ABC) have unveiled their new branding for the newly-amalgamated commission.Recognizing the importance of collaboration and unity, the two farmer-directed organizations will share resources and serve Alberta’s grain farmers jointly under the commission’s new name Alberta Grains.The amalgamated commission represents the interests of over 18,000 of Alberta’s wheat and barley farmers. Now, as a united entity, Alberta Grains will leverage the strengths, resources, and experience of both the former AWC and ABC to create a unified voice for its members on matters such as economic sustainability, innovation, and growth in Alberta’s grain industry.Reflected in its new branding, Alberta Grains unveiled the merged commission’s new logo last week.  According to Alberta Grains, the commission’s new emblem, “is a symbol of the organization’s commitment and unified strength to the province’s crop sect...