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Dear Abby: She makes Christmas a nightmare with her bizarre demands

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I have a sister-in-law, “Helen,” who has appointed herself as the final word on all family events. No other relative has any input into when, where, what, etc., regarding any family celebration. If it’s not her way, it’s the highway.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: If my wife calls me schlubby, can I point out she’s fat? Advice | Dear Abby: My wife says I’m too sensitive about her lovers Advice | Dear Abby: What can I do about my husband’s embarrassing sneeze? Advice | Dear Abby: My ex-wife says these kids are my grandchildren. I’m not so sure. Advice | Dear Abby: My brother has cut all ties, and I don’t even know what I did The biggest problem with Helen is she schedules everything on the date that fits her calendar without regard for anyone else’s. An example: We once celebrated Christmas in February because that worked best for ...

‘Always advertisements:’ Md. sees high turnover for superintendents, but is working to grow its own

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

In the world of education, July isn’t just a month of squeezing in beach weeks or backyard barbecues.It’s a time of transition for school districts, when new superintendents begin the work of settling in to demanding jobs, and in Maryland, those jobs will require them to work through the implementation of a long-term school reform plan called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.In Maryland, 12 of the 24 school districts in the state appointed new superintendents or interim superintendents in the past two years.Douglas Anthony is the Director of the University of Maryland’s Doctorate of Education and School System Leadership program and said the issue of turnover isn’t new. Anthony, whose experience includes working as a classroom teacher and administrator in Prince George’s County schools, calls the job of superintendent “the toughest in the school system.”A RAND report in 2022 showed 95% of superintendents surveyed agreed the job had gotten harder in the past decade, but that 85% w...

8 people found dead in a boat off Senegal’s coast and a search was launched for possible survivors

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Eight migrants were found dead after a boat capsized off the coast of northern Senegal as it tried to reach Europe, the government said.The bodies were recovered by the fire department and the navy and a search for survivors has been launched, Senegalese Interior Minister Felix Abdoulaye Diome said Thursday in the northern fishing city of Saint-Louis where the bodies were brought.The director of the morgue in Saint-Louis, Mourtalla Mbaye, told The Associated Press that approximately 155 people were on board and many of the survivors were injured and receiving treatment in a military zone in the city. Six bodies were brought to his morgue — all were men who drowned. It was unclear how many people survived and how many were still missing, he said.The boat, rescued Wednesday evening, comes days after seven others were found dead and 50 were rescued on a different vessel also bound for Europe and discovered off the coast of Saint-Louis. At least 90 people are feare...

Pirates host the Giants in first of 3-game series

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

San Francisco Giants (49-41, third in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-49, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Ross Stripling (0-2, 6.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 34 strikeouts); Pirates: Rich Hill (7-9, 4.87 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 91 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -125, Pirates +106; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series at home against the San Francisco Giants on Friday.Pittsburgh is 41-49 overall and 22-21 at home. The Pirates are 22-12 in games when they did not allow a home run.San Francisco is 49-41 overall and 23-19 on the road. The Giants have a 25-9 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Friday’s game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 21 doubles, three triples and nine home runs while hitting .265 for the Pirates. Jack Suwinski is 11-for-31 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.LaMon...

Brewers meet the Reds with 2-1 series lead

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (49-42, second in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (50-41, first in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (7-5, 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 102 strikeouts); Reds: Graham Ashcraft (4-6, 6.28 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 61 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -120, Reds +100; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers face the Cincinnati Reds leading the series 2-1.Cincinnati is 50-41 overall and 23-21 in home games. The Reds are 40-9 in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee has a 49-42 record overall and a 23-21 record in road games. Brewers pitchers have a collective 4.10 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.Friday’s game is the eighth time these teams meet this season. The Brewers have a 5-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer has 14 home runs, 42 walks and 51 RBI while hitting .277 for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz is 16-for-43 with four doubles, a home run and fiv...

Padres visit the Phillies to begin 4-game series

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

San Diego Padres (43-47, fourth in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (48-41, third in the NL East)Philadelphia; Friday, 6:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 89 strikeouts); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (0-2, 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -115, Phillies -104; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the San Diego Padres to open a four-game series.Philadelphia is 22-16 at home and 48-41 overall. The Phillies have a 15-6 record in games when they did not allow a home run.San Diego has gone 18-24 on the road and 43-47 overall. The Padres have a 21-10 record in games when they did not give up a home run.The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Alec Bohm has 15 doubles, nine home runs and 57 RBI for the Phillies. Nicholas Castellanos is 9-for-42 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.Fernando Tatis Jr. has a .288 batting averag...

Dodgers try to extend win streak, take on the Mets

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (51-38, first in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (42-48, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Julio Urias (6-5, 4.76 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Mets: Justin Verlander (3-4, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -125, Mets +106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to keep their four-game win streak going when they visit the New York Mets.New York has a 42-48 record overall and a 20-19 record in home games. The Mets have a 29-19 record in games when they record eight or more hits.Los Angeles has a 51-38 record overall and a 22-22 record in road games. Dodgers hitters have a collective .331 on-base percentage, the fifth-best percentage in MLB play.The matchup Friday is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo has 13 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 41 RBI for the Mets. Francisco Alvarez is 12-for-34 wi...

Cardinals host the Nationals to begin 3-game series

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

Washington Nationals (36-54, fifth in the NL East) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (38-52, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Trevor Williams (5-5, 4.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 68 strikeouts); Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (5-5, 4.23 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 78 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -245, Nationals +205; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Washington Nationals to begin a three-game series.St. Louis has a 17-25 record in home games and a 38-52 record overall. The Cardinals have gone 9-19 in games decided by one run.Washington has a 21-22 record on the road and a 36-54 record overall. The Nationals have a 23-9 record in games when they scored at least five runs.The teams meet Friday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals with a .284 batting average, and has 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 45 walks and 46 RBI. Willson Contreras is 17-for-33 with two home runs and five...

‘Kind soul’: Kentucky community mourns teacher, wrestling coach killed during trip to DC

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

When Oldham County High School Principal Natalie Brown attended her first wrestling event, the school’s coach, Max Emerson, sent her a message that same night.It was a simple gesture thanking Brown for attending the meet and emphasizing how much he appreciated the support. The fact he sent the note struck Brown, who described Emerson, also a social studies teacher at the school outside of Louisville, Kentucky, as a kind soul.Now, in the days since Emerson was shot and killed on Catholic University’s campus while visiting D.C., Brown said the tight-knit community is in mourning and shock. Emerson was a graduate of the school where he eventually returned to teach, and was a standout wrestler, once emerging as the state champion.Brown described Emerson as beloved by students.“He was very close with our wrestlers,” Brown said. “Some of our kids who were a little bit more squirrelly at times were always eager to listen to how Mr. Emerson would kind of direct...

¿Por qué celebra Francia su Día Nacional el 14 de julio? ¿Qué fue la Toma de la Bastilla?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:22:31 GMT

(CNN) — Cuando el Gobierno de Francia se atreve a dar la espalda al pueblo, las calles de París están en peligro: al menos desde la Toma de la Bastilla, en 1789, la protesta se ha convertido en uno de los mayores símbolos de la nación.De hecho, parece ser además una larga tradición en la historia del país. El pasado de Francia está salpicado por la sangre y el sacrificio de los manifestantes que han continuado un legado de disidencia y manifestación pública. Esta cultura de la protesta se remonta a los días de la Revolución francesa, y en la fortaleza parisina de la Bastilla, tomada por fuerzas populares el 14 de julio de 1789, se encuentra el comienzo de todo.Una tabla voladora acaparó los reflectores durante la conmemoración del Día de la Bastilla en FranciaEl Día Nacional de Francia, que se observa cada 14 de julio en honor a aquellos hechos, celebra la toma del poder por parte del pueblo frente a un gobierno tiránico. También es un recordatorio para el régimen actual de qu...