Latest news with #Daniels'
Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Private school vouchers increase in NWI; eligibility universal in 2026
The number of students attending private schools with state voucher funding increased last year in both Lake and Porter counties, according to data in the Indiana Department of Education's recent Choice Scholarship report. The report showed 6,823 Lake County students used vouchers in the 2024-25 school year, a 506-student increase over 2023-24. In Porter County, 1,420 students used vouchers, a 302-student increase from the previous year. The local rate mirrors a rise in state participation as well, but it's not as dramatic as in past years. Data showed it rose 8.5% this year, compared to about 32% last year. About 76,000 students sought vouchers last year statewide to a record 357 religious, non-religious, or private schools, while about 982,000 students attended school in their local public school districts. Indiana's Choice Scholarship program began in 2011, under former Gov. Mitch Daniels, to enable low-income students in poor-performing districts to access higher-performing private schools with a state subsidy. Eligibility requirements were based on federal free lunch guidelines for the initial $15.5 million program. Daniels' successor, Mike Pence and Republican legislative majorities, escalated the voucher program dramatically. Today, most of the students who use vouchers have never attended public schools and next June, income requirements will be totally removed after legislation passed this year. The move toward universal eligibility was a priority of Gov. Mike Braun's legislative agenda. Republicans latched onto the voucher program, seeing it as a win for their constituency, while Democrats and teacher unions have criticized it for a lack of academic and financial accountability. They say it's undermining funding support for traditional public schools. More than 50% of Indiana's budget goes to education. Last year, the state spent $497 million on vouchers, $58 million more than in 2023-24. The report cites the average award at $6,536, but the average tuition costs for private schools rose to $8,368. A white, female elementary-aged student represents the average voucher user, according to the report. She lives in a metropolitan area in a household with more than four people with an income of $102,842. White students make up 64% of voucher users, while participation from Black (9%) and Hispanic students (18%) remained about the same. In recent years, enrollment in the Diocese of Gary's 20 Catholic schools has jumped by double digits because of the voucher program. Last year, Bishop Noll High School in Hammond attracted 578 students, and it received $4,213,856 in state funding. Noll ranked as Lake and Porter counties' top school in state funding, followed by Crown Point Christian at $4,179,007, Highland Christian at $3,329,407 and Andrean High School at $2,728,340. In Porter County, Victory Academy, in Valparaiso, received $2,211,765, followed by Portage Christian at $1,497,207. The School City of Hammond, the largest district in Lake and Porter counties, saw $11.7 million awarded in vouchers to students within its legal settlement area. To read the report, see:
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
Trial begins for Orlando May, accused of killing Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels
Opening arguments were presented Tuesday morning in the murder trial of Orlando May, accused of killing Southern Miss football player Marcus "MJ" Daniels. Daniels was shot and killed while sitting in his car, which was parked in front of his apartment in Hattiesburg on June 11, 2024. He was 21 years old and entering his senior season as a defensive back for the Golden Eagles. May, one of four suspects charged in Daniels' killing, is charged with capital murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, taking possession of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm and felony eluding law enforcement. His trial started Tuesday with jury selection at Forrest County Courthouse before 12th District Circuit Judge Robert Helfrich. "The State is going to prove that on June 11 a year ago, Marcus Daniels Jr. was sitting in his black Dodge Challenger outside his apartment … when the defendant and his three partners … saw movement in the vehicle," Assistant District Attorney Corey Cranford said in his opening. "He (May) shot twice into the vehicle and shot Marcus Daniels twice in the head." Defense attorney John Helmert told the jury they would hear a lot of confusing statements that he expects will create enough reasonable doubt to find his client not guilty. "Orlando May is presumed innocent," Helmert said. "And as you listen to the evidence and hear testimony from witnesses, you'll have a reasonable doubt about whether Orlando May committed the crime." Testimony from witnesses is expected to begin following a lunch break. Three others were charged in Daniels' death. Each pleaded guilty and may testify at May's trial. They will be sentenced at a later date. Allen Marcus Gardner and Shamir Green pleaded guilty in February to first-degree murder. Gardner also pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Other charges against Gardner and Green will be dropped upon acceptance of the pleas. Gardner, 18, and Green, 17, represent the second and third suspects to plead guilty to murder charges in connection to Daniels' death. Nytavion Shaw, 17, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October. Former Southern Miss beat writer Sam Sklar contributed to this story. Sklar is now the Mississippi State Bulldogs beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@ Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Trial begins for Orlando May, accused of killing USM's MJ Daniels
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Perspective and preparation: James Daniels eyes comeback with Dolphins
James Daniels is a student of the game. Before Miami Dolphins minicamp practices last week, he could be found flipping through his notecards brushing up on plays or updating his Notability app with his formations. Daniels just recently joined the team after signing a three-year, $24 million contract in March, an unforeseeable-although-exciting twist for the Dolphins' offense given Daniels' Achilles injury in the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts game in Week 4 of the 2024 season. But as he recovers from injury and looks to find his place on the Dolphins' line, he wants to keep things in perspective. 'I'm in a great position. [The] Achilles was unfortunate, but there's people in way worse positions, especially with what's happening in [Los Angeles],' Daniels said, citing the ongoing protests in Los Angeles over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations. 'I don't have to worry about my mom being deported, or my dad getting deported, or my wife getting deported. I've played a long time, I've made decent money, and so, there's a lot [of] bigger issues that people have on their plate. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy.' Daniels' sense of perspective might help explain why he has attacked his rehab — and his new playbook — with such intensity. Even while working his way back from injury, the veteran guard is making his presence felt on the Dolphins' offensive line, both in the meeting room and on the field during individual drills. And it's badly needed for the team. The Dolphins' offensive line struggled last season, contributing largely to the team's offensive decline. The unit gave up 43 sacks and failed to generate consistent push in the run game. The challenge grew steeper when five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead retired and dependable backup Kendall Lamm signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. '[Daniels is] a guy that has understood what his opportunity is here [and] understood how much we're counting on him,' head coach Mike McDaniels said Wednesday morning. While Daniels hasn't been cleared for training camp yet from his rehab, he's ready to step up to the challenge alongside rookie second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea. According to Daniels, he's 'excited' to see Savaiinaea's continued development. But where exactly each guy will go on the line remains unclear. Daniels could remain at right guard, where he played in Pittsburgh, earning a stellar 92.9 Pro Football Focus grade—second best among all NFL guards— in the four games he played in 2024 thanks to his dominant run blocking, no penalties, and just one sack allowed over 209 offensive snaps. If that's where he goes, he would likely team up with tackle Austin Jackson to form a strong wall on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's blind side. However, the Dolphins might also consider shifting him to left guard, where his experience with the Chicago Bears could support second-year tackle Patrick Paul, the leading candidate to replace Armstead. McDaniel's main priority for the offensive line as of now, he said, is figuring out where Savaiinea fits in the picture as a rookie and then filling in the gaps around him. 'For James, he's very capable of doing either side,' McDaniels said. 'But when you have a rookie in the mix, you have to settle that first — settle down the rotation and movement of people all over the place, so you can get a realistic evaluation.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The fantasy football stars are aligning for Jayden Daniels in 2025
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) If you're a fantasy football manager searching for some upside excitement in 2025, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders are impossible to ignore. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski dived into potential 'carnival offenses' for next season — teams with explosive, bankable playmakers and questionable defenses that force their QBs into shootout scenarios every week. In that landscape, Daniels' fantasy profile has never looked brighter. Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. Advertisement Both Harmon and Pianowski are bullish on the Commanders' ability to rack up points. As Matt says, Washington's offense is 'too big to fail' — a top-five or top-six unit is well within reach, especially given the creative influence of OC Kliff Kingsbury and the arrival of Daniels' dual-threat abilities. Daniels' rookie campaign in 2024 already teased fantasy stardom thanks to his dynamic rushing — Pianowski even predicted Daniels could run for 1,000 yards. For fantasy, that's a solid floor, especially when you consider how well Kingsbury managed to scheme up success for him late last season. While Harmon wishes they'd added one more pass catcher alongside Terry McLaurin (who is entering his age-30 season) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (age-29, with many miles already run), he's still buying the overall Washington package thanks to Daniels' talent. The backfield could use another playmaker, but the existing setup — combined with Daniels' rushing upside — still projects a ton of weekly fantasy value. Advertisement [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] There's some question about the pass-catcher depth for Daniels, but with Kingsbury's ability to manufacture offense and a narrow concentration of targets, the Commanders should keep finding the end zone. Pianowski remarked, 'They're going to try to outscore everybody ... there are going to be a lot of 30-27 games. Or they're going to be 40-37. I don't know. But there's going to be a lot of fun in D.C.' What makes Daniels especially appealing for fantasy isn't just the offensive weapons or scheme — it's the Washington defense. Both Harmon and Pianowski agree the Commanders' defense doesn't offer much resistance. Harmon notes there's 'not nearly enough juice up front from a pass-rushing standpoint' and 'the secondary is questionable.' In other words, shootouts and high-volume scenarios will be the norm. This is exactly what you want for a fantasy QB: forced volume, plenty of chances to rack up both passing and rushing stats and consistent comeback or high-scoring game scripts. Advertisement While there's plenty to love, both analysts wish the Commanders had added another playmaking receiver or running back to boost the ceiling further. They also note that while continuity at quarterback and coordinator helps, the receiver group's age and durability raise some long-term questions. Still, this doesn't really threaten Daniels' weekly upside in 2025. Based on Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski's discussion, Jayden Daniels is shaping up as a premier fantasy asset for 2025. He offers elite weekly upside, a packed schedule of shootouts and clear trust from his play-callers. If you're looking for a quarterback who can vault into the very top tiers, especially outside of the Allen/Jackson tier, Jayden Daniels should absolutely be on your shortlist. If you want fun, volume and fantasy gold at quarterback for 2025, target Jayden Daniels and enjoy the ride. Just be ready for the fireworks (and keep one eye on that Washington defense, praying it stays as leaky as ever).
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Daily Record
Who were Scots gangsters Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr shot dead in Spain
Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr - who were both major players in the Lyons crime clan - were killed at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia on Saturday. Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were among Scotland's most high profile underworld figures before they were shot dead at a bar in Spain. The pair - who were both major players in the Lyons crime clan - were killed at Monaghan's Bar in Fuengirola, Andalucia on Saturday. Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Jnr, 46, have been involved in a bloody rivalry with the Daniel group dating back more than 20 years. The gangland execution comes amidst a violent turf war that has been raging across Scotland since March. The Daniels and Lyons crime families have been linked to the fresh feud after a series of assaults, shootings and firebombings across Glasgow and Edinburgh. The war first erupted following a fallout between rival gangsters after a £500k stash of cocaine was reportedly swiped from under the nose of Dubai-based "Mr Big" known as Ross McGill. Spanish detectives have yet to confirm if the double murder on the Costa del Sol is connected to the recent violence, which has resulted in more than 30 arrests. However, the shooting on Saturday is the most significant gangland development since 2010 when Daniels' enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll was shot dead in an Asda car park. Ross Monaghan Monaghan first hit headlines when he was arrested as a suspect for the infamous Asda car park shooting in Robroyston. Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll, 29, had at the time been responsible for a series of so-called "alien abductions" across central Scotland. The kidnappings were described in such a way as the victims, who were tortured and robbed, told police they couldn't remember anything about their ordeal. Carroll attended a lunchtime business meeting in the supermarket car park on 13 January 2010. He was sat in the back of a black Audi A3 when a speeding Volkswagen Golf screeched to a halt in front of the vehicle. Carroll's two associates fled leaving him trapped in the back of the three-door car. Two masked men emerged from the Golf and opened fire, shattering the rear passenger windows. Carroll was shot 13 times in the head and chest in an attack that lasted 25 seconds. Monaghan was arrested in August 2010, just 10 days before his partner gave birth to their daughter. He spent six months on remand only to be acquitted of the murder in May 2012 after a judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Monaghan said at the time: "It's been a nightmare. I'm glad to get this over. I've always said it was nothing to do with me." Less than five years later Monaghan was shot in the shoulder outside a Glasgow primary school after dropping his child off. When the gunman opened fire, he was pushing a child's buggy on Muirdykes Road near St George's Primary, Penilee. Two associates of the Daniel clan were both cleared of the attack at a trial but were later convicted for other organised crime offences. Following the school shooting, Monaghan is believed to have moved to Spain. He was the owner of Monaghan's bar in the Costa del Sol, where he was slain. Eddie Lyons Jnr Some 18 years ago, Eddie Lyons Jnr survived a previous attempt on his life when he was ambushed by Kevin Carroll in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. It followed an incident which was widely credited with taking the rivalry with the Daniels to another level. Carroll allegedly used a 4x4 and a tow rope to topple the headstone of Eddie Jnr's brother, Garry, in November 2006. Garry was only eight when he died of leukaemia in 1991. The desecration of his grave marked a new low - and the following month two men in a blue Mazda pulled up outside a garage in Lambhill, in the north of Glasgow. Raymond Anderson and James McDonald put on old man face masks then walked into Applerow Motors, off the busy Balmore Road, and opened fire. The owner, David Lyons, took cover but his 21-year-old nephew Michael - Eddie Jnr's cousin - was shot dead. Steven Lyons, another cousin, was injured along with his associate Robert Pickett. The hitmen were enforcers for the Daniel crime clan, believed to have been led by the late Jamie Daniel. Eddie's father ended up in the dock four years later after he admitted racking up more than £250,000 in mortgage frauds by giving lenders fake income details. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard he bought property in East Kilbride and Cumbernauld by self-certifying on mortgage applications. Eddie Jnr and Monaghan later appeared before the same court but were cleared of a vicious street attack on three men outside a bar in East Dunbartonshire which took place in April 2016. The trial collapsed, however, when two of the alleged victims said they had no memory of what had happened to them. The pair remained close friends and had were understood to have just watched the Champions League final in Monaghan's Bar on Saturday night before they were shot dead at close range.
