DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has taken a step to actively bolster the safety of students on their journeys to and from school. The latest initiative, a $10 million allocation for fiscal year 2025, is set to enhance the current Safe Passage, Safe Blocks program. Through this program, four community-based organizations can increase their monitoring and engagement along routes frequented by students. Bowser’s office emphasized the link between the sense of safety and consistent school attendance. “The Safe Passage, Safe Blocks program goes hand in hand with our work to ensure students are in school every day, on time,” Mayor Bowser...

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released a new report detailing the landscape of psychostimulant-related offenses in federal courts during the year 2022. According to Office of Justice Programs , the document explores the breadth of federal arrests and convictions tied to drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine), MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), and other amphetamines. It comes at a time when the nation continues wrestling with issues of drug abuse and the legal responses to such offenses. A primary focus of the report is the classification of these substances under the Controlled Substances Act and the individuals involved in federal offenses...

Las Vegas residents can expect light winds and near-normal temperatures today, but the weather will worsen over the weekend. Unsettled conditions are expected Friday and Saturday due to a low-pressure system. Winds may gust over 40 mph, especially in the western Mojave Desert of Southern California, with isolated showers likely in higher terrain. A wind advisory has been issued for the Mojave Desert from 7 am to 7 pm on Friday, according to the National Weather Service . Today’s temperatures will be close to seasonal averages, with plenty of sunshine and light afternoon breezes. However, a trough moving inland tonight...

Seattle residents tired of dodging potholes may find relief in a new budget amendment proposed by Councilmember Rob Saka. Saka, who also chairs the Transportation Committee, has introduced a plan to improve the city’s approach to pothole repair. The plan will enhance how the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) tackles this bumpy issue. According to an article published by the Seattle City Council’s website , the amendment promises greater accountability and transparency for those reporting potholes in their neighborhoods. “Potholes are a concern for every district in Seattle, which is why I’m making it my mission to become the ‘King...

Philadelphia’s sports fan haven, Xfinity Live!, is gearing up for a comprehensive $15 million renovation, according to details released by The Cordish Companies and Comcast Spectacor. The revamp, which is set to be completed by early 2026, will introduce a host of new features including an upscale rooftop bar named AVA, an airy beer garden, and a refreshed PBR Cowboy Bar complete with outdoor stage for live performances. Additionally, the plaza will be transformed into a central two-story hub offering a variety of Crush drinks at the Crush bar and an upgraded turf area for community engagement, NBC Philadelphia detailed....

Baltimore’s Mayor Brandon M. Scott has disclosed a settlement in a lawsuit brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to enhance city walkways and curb access for all its inhabitants. This agreement, pending approval, will herald a sizeable investment in pedestrian infrastructure, as the City of Baltimore news announcement reported early today. Drawing from an official statement , the settlement details an unprecedented $44 million to be injected into the city’s sidewalks and ramps in a phased manner. Throughout four coming fiscals, beginning with $8 million for FY 25, the funding hopes to adequately accommodate the needs of those...

Two individuals from Chicago received substantial prison sentences for the sex trafficking of a minor and producing child sexual abuse material, as recent legal proceedings have uncovered their criminal activities. Geremy Glass, a 35-year-old male, was handed a 30-year sentence, while his co-defendant, Markita Tidwell, a 25-year-old woman, was previously sentenced to 19 years for her role in the depraved scheme. The convictions were a result of their despicable actions which began when they encountered their underage victim in Chicago. Per court documents, Glass and Tidwell’s scheme involved them luring the minor into their web where Glass took charge of...

Wright County Veteran Services is joining forces with the Veterans Benefits Administration and St. Cloud Veterans Administration Office to provide support for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances during their service. A PACT Act Claims Clinic is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Wright County Government Center’s Conference Room 1900, located at 3650 Braddock Ave. NE, Buffalo. The clinic aims to assist veterans in understanding the expanded coverage granted under the PACT Act—formally known as the Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act—which was enacted...

To drastically improve street safety, the city of Raleigh is calling upon residents to give their feedback via a new survey launched in affiliation with its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP). This ambitious citywide initiative, backed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, is in response to the pressing concerns arising from a significant number of traffic-related incidents. The CSAP is a structured strategy to staunchly reduce the number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. According to a report by the City of Raleigh, the need for such measures is underscored by the sobering...

St. John Vianney Catholic School in St. Pete Beach, a fixture in the community for over seven decades, is set to close its doors permanently at the conclusion of the current school year, according to announcements made to families and the public. This decision comes in the wake of the significant structural damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as detailed by WFLA , with flooding on September 27 leading to critical damage across the school’s systems, including electrical and HVAC. Since the damage occurred, the students of St. John Vianney have been attending classes at disparate locations—Cathedral School of...