Latest news with #Jefferson
Technical.ly
12 hours ago
- General
- Technical.ly
From ‘useless' to unstoppable: Arts education empowers Baltimore students
The arts are not a luxury. To the contrary, arts education is vital to education itself. There is a body of research that makes this case unambiguously. Consider a 2022 study by Daniel H. Bowen, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, and Brian Kisida, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri. In their research of over 10,000 students at 42 schools, they found that exposure to arts education led to fewer disciplinary infractions, greater engagement in school, improved emotional and cognitive empathy, and increased college aspirations. But no academic treatise will ever be quite as compelling on the importance of an arts education as, say, Selyna Williams, a senior at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School. 'I never was like, 'Oh, I want to be an artist or anything like that.'' she told The Baltimore Banner. 'I didn't think I was capable of doing anything that good.' Nor will any study ever be quite as persuasive as Jefferson, a fifth grader at Abbottson Elementary School. 'I remember when I was six, I thought I was useless,' the young violinist told WYPR Radio, 'but when I started playing this thing, I felt actually useful.' 'I didn't think I was capable…' 'I thought I was useless…' And then they found the arts. For Selyna, it was her fourth-place finish in the ninth annual Courting Art Baltimore competition, which awards scholarships to high school students, a total of $20,500 to seven kids this year alone. The competition also offers wall space – exhibition at the Eastside District Court Building, bringing a splash of color and vibrancy to institutional corridors that usually bear witness only to traffic disputes and landlord/tenant battles. Jefferson, on the other hand, can trace the fact that he no longer feels 'useless' to a music program started largely out of pocket by two educators who were fed up with the lack of instrumental music education at their school. 'I bought a lot of stuff randomly,' music teacher Ariel Wirsching told WYPR, 'cheap little instruments from Target back in the day, anything and everything to put something in that room' Ideally, the voyages of self discovery made by Jefferson and Selyna would be unremarkable, the norm in a system that, by design, enabled young people to identify and explore the full range of their interests and talents. Unfortunately, we don't have such a system. Indeed, were it not for the inventiveness of the retired judge who founded Courting Art Baltimore and the scrappy determination of Wirsching and her former principal who scrounged for musical instruments, Selyna and Jefferson may never have found their artistry. And that would be a loss. So one hopes voters will keep in mind the criticality of arts education as they ponder their response to drastic budget cutbacks to the National Endowment for the Arts and the Department of Education. One hopes they will give serious consideration to the question of what we can and cannot afford as defense spending soars and ICE is awarded more money than it knows what to do with and America just saw a military parade roll through Washington at a reported cost of up to $45 million. One hopes the electorate will think of children like Selyna and Jefferson, young people struggling to come of age in an era that is conspicuously, even performatively, mean of spirit and short of sight. One hopes those voters will understand that the arts do not just uplift and ennoble us, are not simply a means of explaining ourselves to ourselves — although if they were only that, that would be plenty — but that they also are a means of success, a way up and out for young people living in limited spaces by limited means. Americans for the Arts, a 65-year-old non-profit organization with a mission to support the arts and arts education, would like us to know that low-income students who are 'highly engaged' in the arts are twice as likely to graduate college as their peers. And students of low socioeconomic status who are heavily involved in the arts drop out at a rate five times lower than other kids who share their socioeconomic challenges. Take it as a spur to demand a government of thoughtful priorities that will do right by our children. Because it bears repeating: the arts are not a luxury. Of course, military parades are another matter.
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Boston Scientific lifts annual profit view on steady heart devices demand
Medical devices are seen at Ochsner Medical Center in the New Orleans suburb of Jefferson, La., on Tuesday, Aug.11, 2021. (AP Photo/Stacey Plaisance) Boston Scientific raised its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, after strong demand for its heart devices helped the U.S. medical device maker beat second-quarter profit estimates. Shares of the Massachusetts-based company rose 2.3 per cent in premarket trading following the results. A rise in surgical procedures has benefited medical device manufacturers such as Boston Scientific, as it boosted sales and helped offset broader concerns about healthcare spending pressures. Analysts said hospital utilization trends were robust during the second quarter, with hospital checks pointing to high single-digit volume growth - well above the historical average. Boston Scientific's main growth drivers, Farapulse and Watchman, which use short high-voltage pulses to treat certain abnormal heart rhythm conditions, saw strong demand during the quarter. Farapulse, approved in the U.S. to treat certain patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation, competes with Johnson & Johnson's Varipulse and Medtronic's PulseSelect in the market for pulsed field ablation (PFA) systems. 'Cardiovascular end-markets remain robust,' Truist analyst Richard Newitter said ahead of the earnings, adding that Boston, followed by Medtronic, are in the best position at the moment to benefit from the growing and accelerating PFA market. Rival Johnson & Johnson last week posted strong medtech sales, aided by its heart devices, Varipulse and Trupulse. Boston Scientific expects 2025 adjusted profit of US$2.95 to US$2.99 per share, up from the prior view of US$2.87 to US$2.94 earlier. It posted adjusted profit of 75 cents per share for the second quarter, topping analysts' average estimate of 72 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company's cardiovascular unit reported quarterly sales of US$3.34 billion, surpassing estimates of US$3.20 billion. Revenue came in at US$5.06 billion for the quarter, topping estimates of US$4.9 billion. --- Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Vikings' Justin Jefferson Sends Strong Message to NFL
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Vikings were one of the best teams in the NFL last season. They finished the season with a 14-3 record, but were forced to play a road game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs despite having the second best record in the NFC. While they had a chance to win the No. 1 seed in the final game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions, being forced to play a road game was a tough pill to swallow. Justin Jefferson has now spoken out about that situation and has sent a strong message to the NFL about potentially changing how playoff seeding occurs. Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings gestures in the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings gestures in the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo byIn an interview with Yahoo Sports, Jefferson made his thoughts perfectly clear. Read more: Cam Newton Delivers Strong Words About Detroit Lions He did acknowledge that his team had a chance to earn home field advantage. However, he thinks that the NFL should take a look at how last season played out and consider changes to their current playoff format. "With the season that we had last year, to go and play away, it definitely was a little different. It definitely needs to go into consideration and something that we need to figure out because having 14 wins... normally doesn't go to play away in the playoffs," Jefferson said. "We definitely had the opportunity to play home field with the last game in Detroit, but even losing that, we still felt like we should've had home-field advantage. But even not having home-field advantage is never an excuse. It's something we had to deal with and we wish we would've had home field but it is what it is." Jefferson makes some good points. Entering the playoffs last season, the Vikings had a 14-3 record while the Los Angeles Rams were 10-7. Minnesota should have had home field advantage. Read more: Nick Saban's Coaching Future Receives Major NFL Update Unfortunately for the Vikings, the rules did not go in their favor and they lost the Wild Card game by a final score of 27-9. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Minnesota has gone through change. J.J. McCarthy is now the team's starting quarterback, replacing Sam Darnold. There are a lot of questions about whether or not the second-year quarterback can keep the Vikings as a top contender in the NFC. Thankfully, Jefferson is still locked in with Minnesota and he will be a huge part of deciding what kind of season the Vikings end up having. For more Minnesota Vikings and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
White House history: Did you know a president started National Ice Cream Day?
White House ice cream history is more than a tale of dessert – it's a reflection of American ingenuity. Picture this: a swelteringly unbearable Washington, DC summer. Now imagine stepping into the White House, where a cool scoop of ice cream awaits. For centuries, this frozen delight has been a staple in the Executive Mansion, charming presidents, first ladies, and guests alike. From Thomas Jefferson to Donald Trump, ice cream has dripped deeply into the fabric of the White House and presidential history, proving that even the most powerful people in the world can't resist a good scoop. Though ice cream's origins trace back to the second century B.C., it's as American as apple pie. Today, we devour an average of 4 gallons per person each year. In the White House, it's a treat that transcends politics and brings a touch of joy to formal state dinners and intimate garden parties alike. And that's not to mention first families or visiting grandchildren! Ice cream is a great White House tradition The story of ice cream in the White House begins with Thomas Jefferson, a man whose affinity for the frozen dessert began during his time in France. In 1806, Jefferson served ice cream at a White House Independence Day celebration, delighting guests with its cold, creamy texture – a rarity in the days before home refrigerators. Jefferson, whose menus sometimes even featured the treat served inside a warm pastry, had an icehouse built on the White House grounds to make sure ice cream was never in short supply. Dolley Madison also embraced the dessert with enthusiasm, serving it frequently during her time as first lady from 1809 to 1817. While she wasn't the first, she helped solidify ice cream's place as a White House tradition. Decades later, at Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration ball in 1865, flavors ran the gamut as guests enjoyed an elegant buffet that included vanilla, lemon, white coffee, chocolate, burnt almonds, and maraschino ice creams alongside other desserts. The crowd left little behind, proving that ice cream could take the cake even amid national turmoil. Opinion: White House hospitality is a form of diplomacy that has evolved over time By the 20th century, ice cream was a White House summer staple, as evidenced by a charming moment in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge enjoyed scoops at a garden party for veterans. The image of the famously reserved Coolidge indulging in ice cream humanized a president known for his stoicism. President Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month The establishment of the White House executive pastry chef position in 1979 marked a new era of creativity for frozen desserts. Roland Mesnier, who held the role from 1979 to 2004, often used sorbet – an ice cream-like dessert traditionally made with sugar, fruit juice or puree and water instead of dairy – in his elaborate final courses. For a 1984 state dinner honoring President Miguel de la Madrid of Mexico, Mesnier formed kiwi sorbet into cactus shapes filled with tequila-flavored mousse and adorned with pulled-sugar flowers and spines. A decade later, chef Mesnier went the full 'cream' route in his dessert at a 1995 state dinner honoring German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, serving coffee and hazelnut ice cream. Opinion: White House state dinners put America on display. They're crucial for US diplomacy. President Ronald Reagan, known for his love of jelly beans, also had a soft spot for ice cream. In 1984, he proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day – a 'sundae' celebration. Barack Obama brought a scooper's perspective to the ice cream narrative. As a teenager in Honolulu, he worked at a Baskin-Robbins. In a 2016 LinkedIn post, the president reflected on the job's lessons in responsibility and hard work, though admitting the endless free scoops somewhat but not completely dulled his taste for the treat. There was no shortage of ice cream devotees at the White House, though. At a 2010 visit to an ice cream factory in Columbus, Ohio, the then-vice president proclaimed, 'My name is Joe Biden, and I love ice cream. You all think I'm kidding – I'm not. I eat more ice cream than three other people … all at once.' Donald Trump's ice cream preference made headlines in 2017. As TIME magazine reported after a small Blue Room dinner for reporters during this first term, President Trump was served two scoops of vanilla ice cream with his chocolate cream pie, while his guests received just one. Whether intentional or not, the president's double scoop added a modern twist to the mansion's ice cream lore. White House ice cream history is more than a tale of dessert – it's a reflection of American tastes, ingenuity, and the human need for a little sweetness amid the pressures of leadership. During this National Ice Cream Month, the White House Historical Association will offer our own selection of ice cream delectables daily outside The People's House, our new education center across from the White House Grounds. Stop by and have a scoop with us! Stewart D. McLaurin is president of the White House Historical Association, a private nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, and is director of The People's House: A White House Experience multimedia educational center and museum.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
One of Colorado's biggest fire departments forecasts $500 million shortfall over next decade: "It's a big amount"
South Metro Fire Rescue, which serves nearly 600,000 residents in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, is forecasting a $20 to $30 million shortfall in 2026, followed by yearly budget shortfalls of $50 million a year for the next decade. The fire protection district says state property tax relief measures are forcing them to consider seeking tax increases or reductions in service. "It's a big amount," said Jim Albee, chairman of the board that oversees the nearly 800 member fire department. "Every dollar counts," said Albee who added, "we are going to evaluate every dollar." Albee and the department say their shortfalls are brought about by years of rising costs, inflation, increasing calls for service and new state legislation that reduces property taxes and caps property tax rates. The department derives 80% of its revenue from property taxes, according to Albee. But with 80% of the department's budget going to employee salaries and benefits, the department will likely reflect on its most recent contract, providing firefighters with a 10% salary increase this year, followed by increases the next two years that will bring the three-year salary increases to between 17.5% and 19%. By comparison, the Denver Fire Department agreed in May to a tentative two year contract with the city calling for a 5% increase next year and another 5% increase the following year. Albee said the larger salary increases are to make up for the previous contract, which granted 8% salary increases over three years. To address the looming budget shortfalls, SMFR is considering three scenarios: - Asking district residents to vote to increase their property taxes, something Albee says has not happened in 20 years - Seeking a .5% sales tax within the district which would generate an estimated $50 million for South Metro each year - Cutting services, which might lead to higher response times "We will look at everything," said Albee. He said preliminary surveys conducted by the department have so far indicated district residents are most in favor of the new sales tax, rather than voting to increase their property taxes or see fire service diminished with increased response times. The department has been widely known in the fire service as being "best in class," offering equal or higher salaries than other similar sized departments, and health and wellness benefits that are top tier. SMFR has on staff three strength and conditioning coaches, with the lead strength and conditioning coach earning $111,000 annually. Also on staff are: A chief of human performance who earns $239,000 An athletic trainer who makes $104,000 An e-learning specialist who also makes $104,000 There's also a cognitive performance coach, a health and wellness officer, a physical therapist and a wellness doctor who is paid $250,000 per year. Albee said he considers it "a duty of this department to make sure the people are taken care of as well as possible and we're taking care of first responders as well as they're taking care of us. It's what the market informs us is what's needed and necessary to attract and retain the talent we need to serve our community," said Albee. The South Metro board chairman said overall, these positions essentially are "cost neutral" as they pay for themselves by helping prevent injuries that would equate to lost time, or by helping rehabilitate injured firefighters and get them back to work faster than would otherwise be possible. But cutting benefits is on the table, said Albee, who said all expenses are being evaluated. He said by early August the department will begin making decisions about what direction -- or directions -- it needs to go to address its budget problems.
