82 lottery The Thompson Education Foundation handed out over $23,000 in Great Idea Grants over the past two weeks, delivering funding to individual projects conceived of by individual teachers throughout the district. Teachers can submit applications for projects that often are hard to find funds for within a district operating budget, usually something unique and creative, like an “augmented reality sandbox” at Centennial Elementary School, which uses 3D modeling to apply a topographical map onto sand in a sandbox. The project, the idea of Joe Goldman, a special education teacher at Centennial, would allow students to carve their own rivers and lakes into a map by playing with the sand, shaping peninsulas and inlets into the ground and watching the 3D imaging fill them with water, and so on. “It helps take something like a map that can be a little bit boring and turns it into — well you can imagine how much more fun it would be,” he said, looking at a YouTube video of one such sandbox in action. Projects can be specific to a single classroom, can stretch across an entire school, or can be implemented districtwide, like one of this year’s grant recipients, “Do Kids Still Say That?” The program would fund paid internships for Thompson students to work with social media teams in the district to fine tune the language used in social media posts to better reflect the way that young people talk today, and make district communications more appealing and accessible to the students they serve. The grant program has undergone several changes since its inception in 1999. For instance, the grants were originally called “Creativity Grants” to reflect the creative nature of the projects they funded. After a number of years though, the TEF began to realize that potential applicants would sometimes assume that the grants were intended for creative arts, TEF Executive Director Kim Akeley-Charron said, and applications dipped. After the name change, applications spiked and a wider array of ideas were submitted. The organization also made an adjustment to its schedule last year, opting for an application process that begins at the start of the school year rather than at the start of the calendar year. This allowed teachers, often brimming with ideas at the end of summertime, to immediately apply for funding, rather than waiting until January, and also allowed the projects to begin in the spring of the same school year, rather than the beginning of the following school year’s fall semester. Over $200,000 have since been handed out to teachers looking to try something fun with their students, but who otherwise would be unable to without the funds to do so. Most of the projects are relatively inexpensive, typically a few thousand dollars, and the TEF sees itself as uniquely capable of providing the money required for staff to try new things. “These grants do allow teachers to do something beyond the norm,” Akeley-Charron said. “It’s interesting too, because when you’re looking at the budget, we award up to $5,000 if it’s a districtwide program, but budgets can be as low as $500. And it can still be a really amazing opportunity. So it’s not that everyone always asks for the maximum of what they could. Sometimes they do and they need it to implement, but sometimes it’s just that little bit of extra to do something really cool.” • Christine Bebout, Walt Clark Middle School, Project: STEM-X Support. • Laura Bess, Garfield Elementary School, Project: Grizzlies on the Move. • Bryan (Joe) Goldman, Centennial Elementary School, Project: Augmented Reality Sandbox. • JD Jacob, Mountain View High School, Project: Mountain View High School Broadcasting. • Jennifer Marlowe, New Vision Charter School, Project: Tiny Robots, Big Possibilities! • Amanda Moore, Thompson Valley High School, Project: Powerlift Students Up. • Lauren Schafer, Riverview PK-8, Project: Makey Makeys. • Susan Scott, TSD Career & College Readiness Department, Project: Do the Kids Still Say That? • Sharon Winter, Berthoud High School Intensive Learning Center, Project: Community Access Program. • Alex Wolfe, Turner Middle School, Project: ESS Community Outreach.11. SMU Mustangs 11-2 (8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season) What's next: at No. 6 Penn State, State College, Pa., Dec. 21, Noon ET Head coach: Rhett Lashlee (three seasons, 29-11 overall) About Lashlee: The 41-year-old is enjoying success in his first college head coaching gig and has guided the Mustangs to back-to-back 11-win seasons. He was offensive coordinator at SMU from 2018-19 before heading to Miami for two years and returning to take the head job. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year this season. Resume SMU notched ranked wins over then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pitt but really served notice while racking up 66 points in a win over TCU. The Mustangs lost two games by a total of six points: 34-31 to Clemson in the ACC title game and 18-15 to BYU. Postseason history This is SMU's first trip to the playoffs during the CFP era. The Mustangs have lost their past four bowl games, including two under Lashlee. The program had a memorable run in the early 1980s behind stars like Eric Dickerson and Craig James but numerous NCAA violations sank the Mustangs and they eventually served a two-year death penalty. The road to Atlanta SMU hits the road for the first-round matchup at No. 6 Penn State. The winner advances to play No. 3 Boise State (12-1) in the quarterfinals in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Names to Know QB Kevin Jennings He threw for 304 yards and three TDs in the ACC title game, his fourth game over 300 yards passing this season. Jennings had a strong regular season with 2,746 yards and 19 TDs in the air and four scores on the ground. He can hurt teams with his feet, proven by a 113-yard outing against Louisville. "What is new now is the amount of criticism I receive from everyone. I get a lot of comments and messages from people on social media always criticizing everything after each game," Jennings said. RB Brashard Smith Stellar runner averaging 5.9 yards per carry to go with 1,270 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. LB Kobe Wilson Stands out against both the run and the pass, leading the team in tackles (110) and adding three sacks and two interceptions. S Isaiah Nwokobia He has enjoyed an outstanding season with 91 regular-season tackles and three interceptions while patrolling the back end. He has nine career interceptions. DT Jared Harrison-Hunte A force with 6.0 sacks, one interception and 38 tackles. He's in his first season with SMU after four at Miami. He has 15 career sacks. --Field Level Media

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A white ex-police detective in Kansas died Monday in an apparent suicide just before the start of his criminal trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted Black women and terrorized those who tried fight back. Local police found Roger Golubski dead of a gunshot wound on the back porch of his split-level home outside Kansas City, Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said “there are no indications of foul play" in the 71-year-old's death, discovered Monday morning after a neighbor heard a gunshot. Fifty miles (80 kilometers) to the west, prosecutors and Golubski's attorneys were inside the federal courthouse in Topeka, where Golubski faced six felony counts of violating women's civil rights. Prosecutors say that, for years, Golubski preyed on female residents in poor neighborhoods, demanding sexual favors and sometimes threatening to harm or jail their relatives if they refused. He had pleaded not guilty. His death led U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse to dismiss the charges at prosecutors' request, though a second criminal case involving three other co-defendants remains. U.S. Department of Justice officials said it's “difficult” when a case cannot “be fully and fairly heard in a public trial,” but advocates for the women who accused Golubski of abusing them were angry, feeling that they and the community were denied a reckoning. “There is no justice for the victims,” said Anita Randle-Stanley, who went to court to watch jury selection. Randle-Stanley, who is not a victim in this case, said Golubski began harassing her when she was a teenager decades ago, but she always refused him. The heart of this trial focused on two women: one who said Golubski began sexually abusing her when she was a young teen in middle school, and another who said he began abusing her after her twin sons were arrested. Prosecutors said seven other women were planning to testify that Golubski abused or harassed them as well. And advocates for the women believe there are other victims who have either died or have been afraid to come forward. The allegations that Golubski preyed on women over decades with seeming impunity outraged the community and deepened its historical distrust of law enforcement. The prosecution followed earlier reports of similar abuse allegations across the country where hundreds of officers have lost their badges after allegations of sexual assaults. Some of the women and their advocates were upset that Golubski was under house arrest while he underwent kidney dialysis treatments three times a week. Cheryl Pilate, an attorney representing some of the women, said she has questions about how well the government was monitoring Golubski. “The community had an enormous interest in seeing this trial go forward,” she added. “Now, the victims, the community and justice itself have been cheated.” After Golubski failed to appear in court Monday, his lead attorney, Christopher Joseph, said his client “was despondent about the media coverage.” Joseph said he had talked to Golubski regularly, including Monday morning, and he was shocked to hear that his client had apparently killed himself. As for Golubski’s death, he said, “I don’t know the details.” This case against Golubski was part of a string of lawsuits and criminal allegations that led the county prosecutor’s office to begin a $1.7 million effort to reexamine cases Golubski worked on during his 35 years on the force. One double murder case Golubski investigated already has resulted in an exoneration , and an organization run by rapper Jay-Z is suing to obtain police records. Joseph had said lawsuits over the allegations were an “inspiration for fabrication” by his accusers. “We have to keep fighting,” said Starr Cooper, who was in the courthouse Monday to watch jury selection and said Golubski victimized her mother before her death in 1983. About 50 people had a short rally Monday morning in sub-freezing temperatures outside the federal courthouse in Topeka to show their support for the women accusing Golubski. They held signs with slogans such as, “Justice Now!” Lora McDonald, executive director of MORE2, a Kansas City-area social justice group, said participants learned that Golubski didn’t show up in court just as the rally began. They dispersed before prosecutors announced his death. They later joined Pilate in calling for an independent, outside investigation into Golubski's death. “Golubski terrorized an entire community and co-conspired with dangerous people,” McDonald said. “Our rally today was not just about Roger Golubski. Rather, it was about the department in which his criminal activity flourished." Pilate lamented that without a trial for Golubski, "In the eyes of the law he died an innocent man.” Max Seifert, a former Kansas City police officer who graduated from the police academy with Golubski in 1975, said Golubski's supporters will treat him as a martyred victim of unfair pretrial publicity. He contends the department condoned misconduct. “I feel that there is always going to be a cloud of mystery about this,” he added. Stories about Golubski remained just whispers in the neighborhoods near Kansas City’s former cattle stockyards partly because of the extreme poverty of a place where crime was abundant and some homes are boarded up. One neighborhood where Golubski worked is part of Kansas’ second-poorest zip code. Fellow officers once revered Golubski for his ability to clear cases, and he rose to the rank of captain in Kansas City before retiring there in 2010 and then working on a suburban police force for six more years. His former partner served a stint as police chief. The inquiry into Golubski stems from the case of Lamonte McIntyre, who started writing to McCloskey’s nonprofit nearly two decades ago. McIntyre was just 17 in 1994 when he was arrested and charged in connection with a double homicide, within hours of the crimes. He had an alibi; no physical evidence linked him to the killings; and an eyewitness believed the killer was an underling of a local drug dealer. In the other federal criminal case involving Golubski, that drug dealer also was charged with him, accused of running a violent sex trafficking operation. McIntyre's mother said in a 2014 affidavit that she wonders whether her refusal to grant regular sexual favors to Golubski prompted him to retaliate against her son. In 2022, the local government agreed to pay $12.5 million to McIntyre and his mother to settle a lawsuit after a deposition in which Golubski invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent 555 times. The state also paid McIntyre $1.5 million. The last name of a woman who says the ex-detective harassed her for years has been corrected. She is Anita Randle-Stanley, not Randel-Stanley. Hollingsworth and Ingram reported from Edwardsville, Kansas.None

A new report paints a bleak picture of the working conditions for social workers in Nova Scotia's child welfare system, saying they are feeling devalued and burned out. The report, prepared by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, exposes a litany of complaints from social workers who say they are struggling with excessive caseloads, chronic understaffing, low wages and insufficient training. "Our interviews reveal an essential workforce pushed to the brink," says the report released Wednesday. "Those we interviewed spoke of an acute crisis of mental health amongst child protection workers and a near-total lack of support available to them." Social workers told researchers that the lack of support from the provincial Community Services Department has left them in a state of distress because they are unable to provide compassionate, meaningful support for their vulnerable clients. Social workers told to improve time management "Given caseload overload, child protection workers simply lack the time required for effective ... care and intervention," the report says. "When concerns about time are raised, social workers are frequently told to improve their time management ... they are personally held responsible for the system's shortcomings." The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Community Services doesn't know how many cases its social workers are juggling N.S. social workers call out government's plan to offer one free therapy session The report, titled "Contradictions in Care," says these workers often face intensely complex assignments that involve children, youth and families with histories of trauma, racism and gender-based violence. "Given the psychological and emotional turmoil and moral distress described by our participants, we recommend unlimited mental health coverage and specific support for racialized workers," the report says. The research document is primarily based on recent in-depth interviews with 15 social workers, all registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers and currently or recently employed in the Community Services Department. Working amid a 'dearth of resources' The 90-page document also recommends the government enforce a caseload cap, build a more supportive work environment and provide more training and mentoring. It also calls on the department to do a better job of recognizing the social workers' professional values and professional standards. "All workers described feeling underappreciated, devalued and misunderstood by their employer, adjacent professionals and the public," the report says. "Social workers anticipate challenging work. Less anticipated, however, is the dearth of resources to support that work." Shortage of child welfare staff keeps some parents and children separated Nova Scotia government looks to lighten load of overworked child protection staff Alec Stratford, executive director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, said the persistent problems highlighted by the report point to "a workforce in crisis." "These are not the failings of individual practitioners but deep systemic flaws that fundamentally undervalue the provision of professional care, ultimately compromising the quality of support that families and children so desperately need," Stratford said in a statement. The report also calls on the province to boost wages, increase funding for resources and training, and establish an office for a provincial child and youth advocate, which already exists in other provinces. Conditions have 'direct negative impact' on children Jackie Barkley, spokesperson for the Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition, said her group has watched for the past eight years as working conditions have deteriorated for child protection workers. "The conditions of exhausted and overwhelmed child protection workers have a direct negative impact on the children and families the department serves," Barkley said in a statement. "We enthusiastically support this report as it adds to the body of research needed to create fundamental change." MORE TOP STORIES Reporters blocked from swearing-in ceremony for new Nova Scotia cabinet Port Hawkesbury rings up $2.9M surplus in mid-year update CBRM to lease new breathing gear for career, volunteer firefighters Auditor general says Halifax taking steps toward diversity and inclusion, but oversight needed Premier Tim Houston weighs in on GST holiday, property taxes for wildfire victims, MLA pay

Arsenal ’s Champions League run continued at a rampant rate with the Gunners thumping Monaco in a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Bukayo Saka’s brace and a late strike from Kai Havertz . Myles Lewis-Skelly stood out as one of the hosts' brightest stars with him making his first start , while Saka, whose importance is growing on a weekly basis, has been waxed lyrical about once again – but there is one player who should also make the headlines and that's Havertz. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Havertz’s transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal makes him the latter’s third-most expensive arrival. After assisting in his side’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on the weekend, the 25-year-old was replaced by Gabriel Jesus at the top of the tree until he entered the fray for the Brazilian in the 73rd minute. Mikel Arteta now has a very important decision to make. Plenty was made of Havertz’s arrival from fellow London club Chelsea in the summer of 2023, given the combination of his lofty price tag and his lack of potency throughout his time with the Blues. But his goalscoring aside, his off-the-ball presence is finally being felt. Inside Havertz's Influential Cameo vs Monaco Thrown into action with just shy of half an hour of regulation time to play, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star managed to make a terrific impact and even plundered his tenth of the season – and 23rd for the club – in the 88th minute. With the score poised at 1-0 and the home side chasing a two-goal buffer, Havertz’s link-up play between himself and his fellow teammates was pivotal to them seeing out a resounding victory in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Kai Havertz has only ever worn the number 29 shirt throughout his entire club career. Here's why. An assertive presence from the front, the 55-cap Germany international gave the Monaco defenders no space to breathe and was busy in and around the six-yard box. Havertz, widely regarded as one of the best players to have turned out for both Chelsea and Arsenal , took his chance well, too, as he turned in Saka’s driven cross from point-blank range. Havertz Statistics vs Monaco Minutes 17 Goals 1 Shots 1 Touches 13 Touches in opp. box 4 Accurate passes 8/9 (90%) Chances created 1 Overall rating 7.5 As highlighted above, Havertz was keen to get on target with his only effort on goal. Creating havoc in Monaco 's danger area - right in front of goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki - he took four touches inside their French side's penalty area and created the singular chance in just 17 minutes. His accuracy in passing (8/9; 90% completion rate) allowed the home side to retain possession as Adolf Hutter's men piled on the pressure in search of a winner. Irrespective of the data, he certainly passed the eye test with his tenacity and willingness to chase down opponents being the most impressive aspect of his 22nd appearance of the 2024/25 campaign across all competitions. Arteta Faces Centre Forward Conundrum Amid Havertz Run of Form Taking his 2024/25 tally to nine, Jesus’ goalscoring rate pales in comparison with his most recent Premier League strike being during a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. All told, the £280,000-per-week earner puts together a compelling case of being the club's answer to a serviceable centre forward. As mentioned, it is not only hitting the back of the net which the lanky forward is useful for. His tireless runs off the ball and chasing down every loose bit of possession, he makes the game much simpler for his fellow teammates, which, in turn, boosts morale. The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Arteta and his entourage, who continue to fight on all fronts this season, and having someone capable of working hard and adding goals to their seasonal tally could be the difference-maker - and Havertz should be first in the pecking order. From Rafael Leao to Declan Rice, here are the greatest players born in 1999. Jesus' lack of confidence in front of goal has been showcased for months now by the former Manchester City prospect's lack of numbers. It's not only statistics, however, that dampen the Brazil international's chances of succeeding in north London from here on out: it's Havertz's ever-growing importance. With Everton at home and back-to-back outings against Crystal Palace on the horizon, how many points the club manage to pick up between now and the turn of the year could solely depend on Arteta’s preferred option at centre forward. And if Havertz keeps Jesus out of the team, it could mean the Brazilian is facing a north London exit. All statistics per Sofascore - correct as of 11/12/24Regulation could put working families’ jobs on the line and imperil our supply chain

Trump seeks dismissal of hush money case, citing election victory Manhattan jury finds Trump guilty of falsifying business records to pay adult star Stormy Daniels Donald Trump has asked a New York state judge to dismiss the criminal case in which he was convicted in May on 34 felony counts related to hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, Reuters reported. In a motion filed Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers argued that continuing the case after his election victory would disrupt his ability to govern, as the charges would hang over him when he takes office on January 20. Trump’s defense team, led by Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, urged Justice Juan Merchan to vacate the guilty verdict and dismiss the charges, calling the case an unwarranted disruption by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. They argued that local officials like Bragg have no valid reason to cause such a distraction during Trump's presidential term. The motion was made public after Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing, originally scheduled for November 26, to allow time for Trump’s legal team to argue for dismissal. Prosecutors from Bragg’s office have agreed to the delay but indicated they would oppose the dismissal. The judge has not yet set a date for ruling or rescheduling sentencing. Trump’s lawyers also referenced President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, in their motion, calling it an "extraordinary condemnation" of the Justice Department's actions. They reiterated their claim that Bragg’s prosecution was politically motivated, alleging coordination with the Biden administration. The case stems from a $130,000 payment made to Daniels in 2016 to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records related to the payment, marking the first time a sitting or former US president has been convicted of a criminal offense. Trump faces additional legal challenges, including charges related to classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. China halts export of key minerals to US amid rising trade tensions Martial law will be lifted, announces South Korea President Yoon India eyes business ties with China after border row resolved Martial law declared in S Korea, troops try to barge into parliament