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A tweak to the University of Nebraska's logo shows how the once benign 'OK' sign has entered a 'purgatory of meaning'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

(THE CONVERSATION) – On April 17, 2023, the Nebraska Cornhuskers unveiled the latest version of their beloved mascot, Herbie Husker.Herbie’s left hand no longer forms the “OK” symbol. Instead, an index finger is raised to indicate that the team is No. 1.The change was made, University of Nebraska officials explained, because the universal symbol of approbation – curling the index finger to touch the thumb, forming an “O” – had become associated with white supremacy and hate speech.How did something as benign and commonplace as the “OK” hand gesture come to assume such sinister undertones? And what does the University of Nebraska’s willingness to change its mascot say about the ways in which ambiguous signs and symbols can take on a life of their own?A new way to hate?In 2015, Milo Yiannopoulos, Richard Spencer and other figures of the “alt-right,” a white nationalist movement, started using the hand gesture in posed photos of themselves. But it took off...

Alito says he has 'pretty good idea' of the identity of Dobbs decision leaker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

(The Hill) – Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the court’s majority opinion in the case that overturned Roe v. Wade last year, said he has a “pretty good idea” of the identity of the person who leaked the draft ruling.Alito said in an interview with two Wall Street Journal opinion writers that the leak of the court’s draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization last May, more than a month before the opinion was officially announced, “created an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust.” Chief Justice John Roberts directed the court’s marshal to launch an investigation to try to identify the person responsible for leaking the information to Politico, but the high court said in January that they were unable to find the source.  Ocasio-Cortez calls for Thomas impeachment after report of undisclosed gifts from GOP donor The Supreme Court overturned Roe in a 5-4 ruling in the Dobbs case last June. Roberts voted to uphold a 15-week abortion ban in ...

Police: 5 dead in Texas shooting, suspect is on loose with AR-15

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas man went next door with a rifle and began shooting his neighbors, killing an 8-year-old and four others inside the house, after the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep, authorities said Saturday.San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities were still searching for the 39-year-old suspect following the overnight shooting in the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Houston. He said the suspect, whom he did not identify, used an AR-style rifle in the shooting.Capers said there were 10 people in the house and that no one else was injured. He said two of the victims, all believed to be from Honduras, were found laying over two children inside.“The Honduran ladies that were laying over these children were doing it in such an effort as to protect the child,” Capers said.The confrontation followed family members walking up to the fence and asking the suspect to stop shooting rounds...

'What if it had rabies?': Raccoons running through Texas high school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin, Texas, school is dealing with some unwanted visitors who just won't go away."This is not the first time me and Noah have reported on raccoons in the school," said Morgan Eye who is a journalism student at McCallum High School.Noah Braun, who wrote a recent article about the raccoons said he has found articles from the past that show similar incidents. ‘Fast & Furious’ fans: How to earn $1K to watch every movie "There are articles you can find from the 90s, from the early 2000's — and even the 2010s —talking about this," said Braun.While there have been issues with raccoons in the past, recently the number of incidents has increased, according to journalism students at the school.A raccoon photographed at McCallum High School in 2022. (Courtesy: Francie Wilhelm)"Six catches and releases all in the span of three days is the most we have ever seen here at school," Eye said. EXCLUSIVE: Anheuser-Busch faces call to reaffirm support for trans communit...

Slow moving upper-level low pressure system to bring extended period of clouds, showery spells and unseasonably cool late April/open to May

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

FORECAST TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL THROUGH WEDNESDAY, MAY 3rdSlow-moving upper level low pressure system to keep extensive cloud cover and temperatures well below normal into next weekDAYS 1-15 AVERAGE TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES FROM NORMALMay to open cool, but hints at a milder temperature regime beyond the opening week of the new monthA “CUT-OFF LOW” PATTERN SETTINGGet ready for a very wet end to April. The pattern setting up is called a “Cut Off Low.” It’s a deep low pressure system which will be detached from the general West-East flow of the atmosphere. Systems like this can spin over one location for days, as this one will over the Chicago area. Unsettled weather is likely, with periods of rain remaining in the forecast through Wednesday. In addition, temperatures will also run nearly 20° below normal.APRIL TO END ON A CHILLY NOTE . . . Sunday, April 30 forecast high: 48°; Normal April 30 high: 65°Only 10% of April 30 in the past 81 years have logged a sub-50° highMost re...

Florida high school teacher arrested after 'making out' with student, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A teacher in Sarasota, Florida, was arrested Friday after investigators said she "made out" with a 17 year-old student.Police said they began their investigation after representatives from Sarasota Military Academy contacted detectives about rumors involving a student and Michele Little, 29.Little was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday.On Thursday, the student was interviewed at the Child Protection Center. Peanut butter and … pickles? New York Times Cooking spurs sticky conversation The student told officers that Little made sexual comments to him several times over several weeks.The student said he went to Little's classroom on April 17 during lunch. He said Little put a sign on her classroom door that stated she was testing/tutoring so the student would be the only one in the classroom.The student said he asked the teacher what she was doing after school that day and she told him that she was clearing up her room. In a "kidding fashion," the stude...

How to get to Eeyore's 2023 birthday celebration in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Saturday marks the return of a truly Austin-style event—Eeyore's Birthday! This is the 58th event to celebrate the classic literary character and gloomy friend of Winnie the Pooh.The organizers, the Friends of the Forest Foundation, have set up in the morning. Mark Boyden, the president of the foundation, said great weather is expected."Before Austin was a tech hub, Austin was a hippy haven,” Boyden said. “And for decades, Austin's crunchiest residents have gathered together in the park, and made Eeyore's birthday a high holy day on the Bohemian calendar."Eeyore's birthday will be held at Pease Park, and the City of Austin said it was offering a free shuttle from downtown since there would be no parking. The celebration is also accessible by taking the Shoal Creek trail.Admission to the event is free, and it runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Berkshire County man sentenced for drug trafficking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- A Berkshire County man has been sentenced for alleged drug trafficking. The Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office said Robert Jessamy was sentenced 8 to 10 years in state prison. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Jessamy surrendered for sentencing on April 26 after the court granted a stay to allow Jessamy to attend to family matters. The original sentencing date was scheduled in December 2022.In 2017, the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force began investigating an alleged drug trafficking organization in Berkshire County. Two people, Jessamy and another person, were identified as persons of interest.  Berkshire County man arrested on child porn charges After an investigation, police found that Jessamy was allegedly arranging the purchase, sale and distribution of large quantities of narcotics along with the other person. Through surveillance, police conducted a traffic stop and se...

Schnucks issues allergy alert for mislabeling of Culinaria Nut Mixes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS-- Schnuck Markets, Inc. has issued an allergy alert due to a mislabeling on select containers of Culinaria Nut Mixes. The Culinaria Cashew & Macadamia Mix products may not be accurately labeled and could potentially contain almonds. This means that the mix may not contain the ingredients listed as expected. Schnucks customers are urged to check for: Culinaria Cashew & Macadamia Mix, 9 oz. UPS 4131822428 Best by date: 2/02/25 Lot Code: 3033 A9 Culinaria Cashew & Almond Mix, 9 oz. UPS 4131822423 Best by date: 2/02/25 Lot Code: 3033 A9 Affected products may be returned to the nearest Schnucks store for a full refund or exchange. Customers with questions may contact the Schnucks Customer Care team at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400. 

Erik Johnson’s elimination-game-winning goal gives himself a chance to accomplish the one thing missing from his Avalanche resume: Game 7 victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:00:55 GMT

SEATTLE — A spoonful of his own medicine aided Erik Johnson on his way to the rink for the biggest game of the season.First-time teammate Evan Rodrigues has noticed that the Avalanche’s longest-tenured player has a “general aura” of levity. “No matter what the situation is,” Rodrigues said, “he’s always giving the room a laugh or keeping us upbeat.”So as Johnson strolled from the team bus into Climate Pledge Arena on Friday afternoon, backup goalie Pavel Francouz fittingly gave him an outrageous forecast that earned a toothless laugh from Johnson.“You’re going to get a hat trick tonight,” Francouz told the 35-year-old defenseman.Johnson didn’t score in 63 regular-season games. In fact, he led the NHL in most shots (98) without a goal.“I don’t know about that,” he told Francouz, “but thank you.”Francouz was mad at Johnson after Game 6 for only scoring once.Johnson of all Avs, o...