Latest news with #Gannett.com
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas recognized 101 workers with 40 and 50 years of employment
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly honored longtime state employees at a ceremony on April 28. The Kansas Department of Administration held the ceremony for employees who have been with the state for 40 and 50 years. There were 92 employees recognized for 40 years of continuous employment with the state, and nine employees recognized for 50 years of continuous employment. 'I multiplied all that and came up with a combined, staggering, 4,130 years of service, sitting in this room,' Kelly said. 'I want to take a moment to sincerely acknowledge your unwavering dedication to the state of Kansas.' Kelly also noted that the past five years has been challenging for state employees. She said Kansas's employees had to adapt to alternative working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and intense public backlash to public servants. 'I'm also aware that we are currently in an environment that tends to undervalue and undermine public service at both the federal and state level, jeopardizing the central services Kansans rely on, threatening critical agency objectives to keep our people safe and healthy,' Kelly said. After her remarks, all 101 employees were asked to walk to podium to receive a certificate recognizing their years of service, and take a photo with Kelly and their respective agency heads. Jack Harvel is a Statehouse Reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at JHarvel@ This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas gov. honors state employees at Capitol ceremony
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Do dolphins call N.C coastal waters home year-round?
Dolphins are common sights along the N.C. coast, delighting tourists and residents alike as the intelligent and often social animals move through the state's coastal waters and Intracoastal Waterway within an easy camera shot of shore. But do the marine mammals call the Tar Heel State home year-round? The most common species, especially around Wilmington, is the bottlenose dolphin, with Atlantic spotted dolphins also often seen in the state's coastal waters. Another common sighting, at least along the northern half of the N.C. coast, is the short-beaked common dolphin. Smaller harbor porpoises, similar to dolphins but a different species, also are sometimes spotted in coastal waters around the Outer Banks, especially during the cooler months. More: How can I see the statue in the Cape Fear River near downtown Wilmington? | MyReporter Researchers have divided N.C.'s year-round dolphins into three groups − the Southern N.C. cluster, centered around the Cape Fear; the Beaufort cluster, around Bogue Banks; and the Pamlico Sound cluster, up and around the Outer Banks and into the Chesapeake. While there isn't a specific number, biologists say several hundred dolphins call North Carolina home. More: This woodpecker found in North Carolina is no longer on the endangered list. Here's why. While individual dolphins and pods are known to migrate along the coast in search of food or to give birth, dolphins can be regularly spotted along the coast throughout the entire year. The summer months, when water temperatures heat up, often see dolphins getting more active and playful. But it is often the calmer fall and winter months when most tourists have gone home and boating activity thins out that dolphins will be more easily visible and likely to venture into coastal waters. MyReporter: Find the answers to all your questions in one place While a bit of luck is always important, patience is key, especially if you spot a dorsal fin and then have to wait a bit to see where it might emerge again. Binoculars also are a good tool to have, especially if trying to spot them from the beach or in a large body of water like the southern stretch of the Cape Fear River. And if you are fortunate enough to see one up close or if they come near your boat, officials stress that dolphins are wild animals and should be viewed from a safe distance and not disturbed. Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@ or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Do dolphins call N.C coastal waters home year-round?
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
University of Akron pulls plug on Rethinking Race series following Trump order to end DEI
The University of Akron's Rethinking Race series has fallen victim to an executive order by President Donald Trump that eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion programs. University spokeswoman Cristine Boyd confirmed via email Friday the event has been canceled for the first time in 18 years While UA "offers a variety of events for students and the community" Boyd said, "we must do so in the context of a state institution that is required to abide by law, regulations and guidance at both the federal and state levels, from which we receive funding." As a result of that guidance, she said, the university has decided not to budget for Rethinking Race this year. The Republican controlled Ohio state legislature also recently introduced Senate Bill 1, which would eliminate DEI programs — among other things — at public state universities as a way of curtailing "liberal bias" at public colleges. According to the university's website, "In 1997, President Bill Clinton chose Akron's town hall to discuss issues regarding race, becoming the first unofficial Rethinking Race speaker. Starting in 2007, Rethinking Race officially started at UA." The weeklong series has traditionally taken place in February as part of Black History Month commemorations. Last year's series occurred in November, and featured TV talk show host Montel Williams as the keynote speaker alongside a schedule of plays, documentaries and panel discussions. Williams delivered an address titled 'From Disparity to Parity: Combating Racial Inequities in Health Care." He told his audience that personal prejudices drive health care disparities, and only open-mindedness can close the gaps. "People don't want to understand people that are different; we need to figure out why," Williams. Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@ or 330-541-9413.
