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Do smartphones belong in classrooms? Four scholars weigh in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

(The Conversation) - Should smartphones be allowed in classrooms? A new report from UNESCO, the education arm of the United Nations, raises questions about the practice. Though smartphones can be used for educational purposes, the report says the devices also disrupt classroom learning, expose students to cyberbullying and can compromise students’ privacy.About 1 in 7 countries globally, such as the Netherlands and France, have banned the use of smartphones in school – and academic performance improved as a result, particularly for low-performing students, the report notes.As school leaders in the U.S. wrestle with whether or not to ban smartphones, The Conversation has invited four scholars to weigh in on the issue.Daniel G. Krutka: Use smartphones to encourage ‘technoskepticism’While the issue of smartphone use in schools is complicated, evidence suggests that spending more time on smartphones is associated with young people being less happy and less satisfied with life.Technology...

Former Hays CISD assistant band director sentenced on child porn, invasive recording charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, a former Hays CISD assistant band director was sentenced to state prison on charges of possession of child pornography, according to Hays County court documents.Documents showed that 33-year-old Tyler Dan Townsend received a 30-year sentence for 17 counts related to invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography for an August 2020 offense. RELATED: Hays CISD assistant band director arrested, accused of having child porn, recording students As a part of the sentencing agreement, Townsend was required to register as a sex offender.Towsend received a jail credit of two days that will apply toward his sentence, according to court documents.Court records showed 10 charges for possession of child pornography were dismissed.

1 dead after motorcycle crash in northwest Austin Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person has died following a motorcycle crash in northwest Austin Sunday afternoon.Austin-Travis County EMS said it responded to a crash around 1:19 p.m. Sunday in the 13100 block of North FM 620, near U.S. Hwy. 183. Officials tweeted CPR was in progress but ultimately, the adult patient died at the scene.Crews added closures are expected on multiple roadways in the area as officials investigate the crash. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

What are some weird car issues technicians are seeing during the Texas heat spell?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's no surprise that the summer months in Texas can do significant damage to your vehicle. But as Austin continues its second-longest stretch of 100° days in recorded history, car technicians are finding some unusual vehicle issues from the extremely high temperatures and heat indexes.Doc Watson works as a national training manager with Bosch Diagnostics. This summer, he said Bosch's teams of car technicians and vehicle specialists are seeing typical summertime issues, like dead car batteries and flat tires courtesy of the heat. ICYMI: Austin’s 22-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 2nd-longest in recorded history However, he said crews in Texas and along the west coast are recording unusual vehicle complications due to extensive heat waves, beyond the already high summer temperatures these regions traditionally see."People don't stop to think about wiper blades -- they don't need them until it rains, right?" Watson said. "You're driving around in 112° tem...

Max Scherzer trade doesn’t mean Mets are rebuilding, GM Billy Eppler says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

Trading ace Max Scherzer doesn’t mean the Mets are preparing to undergo a full-blown rebuild, general manager Billy Eppler insisted Sunday.Eppler said the front office isn’t punting on the 2024 season and expects to field a competitive roster, despite sending Scherzer to the Texas Rangers with another year left on his contract.“We took this opportunity to serve another goal of the organization, which is to enhance the farm system,” Eppler said Sunday after the trade became official. “But I do want to be clear: It’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale. It’s not a liquidation. This is just a repurposing of [owner Steve Cohen’s] investment in the club, and kind of shifting that investment from the team into the organization.”In trading Scherzer, the Mets received minor-league infielder Luisangel Acuna, the 21-year-old brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. and one of the Rangers’ top prospects. The Mets als...

Ulster County Canines unveils new dog park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The non-profit dog rescue Ulster County Canines in Saugerties has unveiled their new Woof Gardens Dog Park as part of an expansion of their facility. The park is curated by behavior professionals who offer advice and guidance, helping to maintain an enjoyable environment for all owners and their companions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Woof Gardens Dog Park (Ulster County Canines)The new space features a variety of terrain for running, climbing, playing and exploring, with plenty of shade and seating. The park offers memberships, with both daily and monthly use rates. UCC also provides public boarding as well as behavior and training support. The organization has plans for further expansion with the addition of an event space and a short nature trail over the next few months. Lake Champlain celebrates bicentennial with 200 paddlers Ulster County Canines is located at 3539 Route 32 in Saugert...

Denver police arrest driver after fatal crash on I-70 that killed passenger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

Denver police arrested a driver on suspicion of vehicular homicide Sunday after a fatal crash with a parked car on the shoulder of Interstate 70.Police officers responded around midnight to the crash on eastbound I-70 near Central Park Boulevard. The Denver Police Department said on Twitter, including in an update posted late Sunday morning, that a passenger in the vehicle that struck the parked car died in the crash.Maria Mayo-Campos, 25, the driver, is being held on investigation of vehicle homicide, DPD said. Department spokesman Sgt. David Abeyta confirmed that impairment of some kind was suspected.UPDATE: 1/2 This crash was involving a motorist and a parked vehicle on the side of the road. The passenger of the vehicle that struck the parked vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene. The Driver is being held for investigation of Vehicular Homicide.— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 30, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Tickets and arrests didn...

You can get into the national parks for free this week: Here's when

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — For five days this year, all national parks will be offering free admission to all visitors. One of those special days is nearly upon us. The National Park Service announced the 2023 free days late last year. There are more than 400 parks, monuments, seashores and other NPS lands, the majority of which do not require an entrance fee. For the roughly 100 that do, these free admission days open the gates to everyone. We've already had two free days this year: Jan. 16, which is Martin Luther King Day, and April 22, which was the first day of National Park Week. It was the most visited national park in 2022, but it isn’t exactly a park Now, on Friday, Aug. 4, we'll have another, which marks the anniversary of the Great Americans Outdoors Act. The act, GAOA, was signed in 2020 and brought bipartisan investments to "improve visitor experiences, bolster climate resilience, and invest in the economy by creating good-paying jobs" at the parks, the Department of the Interior ex...

Firefighters rescue crash-landed paraglider from Daly City beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

A paraglider crash-landed on a Daly City beach Saturday night, requiring firefighters to perform a cliff rescue around 7:30 p.m.Firefighters and paramedics stabilized the paraglider, who was then placed in a rescue basket and lifted up the cliff face by helicopter in the area of 130 Westline Drive. The paraglider was then transferred to an ambulance, according to the North County Fire Authority, which serves Brisbane, Daly City and Pacifica.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | 85-year-old pedestrian killed by a vehicle in Santa Clara Crashes and Disasters | 21 dead, 40 rescued in Philippines boat capsizing Crashes and Disasters | Uber headed to court after San Francisco bicyclist refuses $1 million settlement Crashes and Disasters | The death of the Obamas’ chef on Martha’s Vineyard is reportedly not suspicious, toxicology results take several weeks Crashes and Disasters | A man tried to sail from Californ...

The 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 AWD Prestige SUV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:00 GMT

What is a GV70? The GV70 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured in Montgomery, Alabama by Korean automaker Genesis, the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai. Introduced in 2021, this 5 seat SUV starts at $43,150 and is well equipped with a 300 HP turbo 4 cylinder engine and AWD all wheel drive as standard equipment.From there, prices go through four levels of trim, topping out with the Sport Prestige package, and like other Genesis models, the GV70 is big on value. It delivers a great driving experience, has a high quality interior and a long list of premium features for thousands less than a comparably equipped competitor. The GV70 was Edmunds Top Rated Luxury SUV for 2022 and the 2023 GV70 models are even better.The GV70 is now offered in an electrified model and it’s an all new electric vehicle. It has 2 electric motors, a front 160 kW motor, a 160 kW motor on the rear axle, with a combined rating of 429 HP horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The fuel economy com...