At some of Louisiana’s unapproved schools, $465 buys you a diploma

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

At some of Louisiana’s unapproved schools, $465 buys you a diploma By Sharon Lurye | Associated PressSPRINGFIELD, La. — Arliya Martin accepted her high school diploma with relief and gratitude.It was her ticket to better-paying work, she felt, after getting kicked out of high school and toiling for eight years at factory jobs to support her children.But Martin didn’t take any classes or pass any tests to receive her degree. She got it in July from a school where students can get a high school diploma for $465.Unlike public schools, formal homeschooling programs or traditional private schools, nearly 9,000 private schools in Louisiana don’t need state approval to grant degrees. Nearly every one of those unapproved schools was created to serve a single homeschooling family, but some have buildings, classrooms, teachers and dozens of students.While unapproved schools account for a small percentage of the state’s students, those in Louisiana’s off-the-grid school system are a rapidly growing example of the nation’s continu...

Walnut Creek man gets two years for ‘eavesdropping’ with hidden camera in Starbucks bathroom

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

Walnut Creek man gets two years for ‘eavesdropping’ with hidden camera in Starbucks bathroom MARTINEZ — A Walnut Creek man was sentenced to two years behind bars after pleading no contest to setting up hidden cameras in a Starbucks bathroom, court records show.Steven John Novelli, 55, pleaded no contest to three counts of eavesdropping with invasion of privacy in exchange for the two-year prison term. He received credit for time spent in jail before the deal was reached.The deal, finalized in late August, also required Novelli to register as a sex offender for 10 years and submit to post-release supervision. He is also ordered to stay away from the Starbucks in Walnut Creek where the hidden cameras were discovered.Novelli was originally charged with 83 counts, including child pornography production, after staff at the Starbucks discovered hidden cameras in the bathroom in separate incidents. The police investigation was aided by the fact that Novelli inadvertently caught himself on camera while adjusting the device, giving detectives a clear picture of his face in bot...

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in San Jose the week of Nov. 20

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in San Jose the week of Nov. 20 A house that sold for $2.8 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in San Jose in the past week.In total, 19 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million. The average price per square foot was $964.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Nov. 20 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.8 million, single-family house in the 2000 block of Jonathan Ave.The sale of the single-family house in the 2000 block of Jonathan Ave., San Jose, has been finalized. The price was $1,826,000, and the new owners took over the house in November. The house was built in 1949 and has a living area of 1,240 square feet. The price per square foot was $1,473. The house features three bedrooms and one bathrooms.Jonathan Avenue9. $1.9 million, detached house in the 800 block of Buchser WayThe property in the 800 block of Buchser Way ...

Mountain West power ratings: Boise State on top, SJSU climbs as the coaching carousel continues to spin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

Mountain West power ratings: Boise State on top, SJSU climbs as the coaching carousel continues to spin Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.And New Mexico makes three.The Lobos fired coach Danny Gonzales on Sunday, becoming the third Mountain West program to initiate a change. San Diego State and Boise State made in-season moves, while the Lobos waited until Gonzales’ fourth consecutive losing year was complete.We suspect there will be more moves to come in the conference.Nevada, for example, must consider its future under Ken Wilson.Could Fresno State’s Jeff Tedford or Wyoming’s Craig Bohl decide it’s time for retirement? (Both are in their 60s.)Could San Jose State’s Brent Brennan or UNLV’s Barry Odom get poached by Oregon State?More broadly, schools across the Mountain West are facing existential pressures in the after...

Former President Carter expected to attend wife’s memorial

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

Former President Carter expected to attend wife’s memorial By Eva McKend, Nick Valencia and Devon M. Sayers | CNNFormer President Jimmy Carter is expected to attend the memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, on Tuesday, his grandson told CNN.Carter’s grandson Jason Carter told CNN his grandfather is planning on traveling to Atlanta to attend the tribute service for the former first lady.A tribute service for Rosalynn Carter is scheduled to take place Tuesday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at the Emory University campus. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are expected to attend.Other expected guests include former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.Rosalynn Carter died peacefully at her Plains, Georgia, home on November 19 at the age of 96, two days after the Carter Center announced she was entering hospice care at home. Jimmy Carter, who...

San Jose Sharks sign one forward, send another to injured reserve

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

San Jose Sharks sign one forward, send another to injured reserve SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks on Monday signed forward Justin Bailey to a one-year, two-way contract,  and added him to their 23-man roster, and placed winger Filip Zadina on injured reserve.Bailey was with the Sharks on Monday morning and will be available to play against the Washington Capitals at SAP Center.Zadina had been considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury as he missed Saturday’s game with the Vancouver Canucks. Zadina, per Sharks coach David Quinn, had been dealing with the injury for some time before he left Friday’s game with the Montreal Canadiens after one period.Zadina had three goals and two assists in 20 and was averaging 14:00 of ice time per game, and his plus-minus rating was an unsightly -19 mark.“Under the circumstances, he’s done a really good job,” Quinn said of Zadina on Saturday. “I think every player is trying to find out what they’re going to be in the National Hockey League. No matter how old you are, as your career goes on from year...

Crash on 880 in Hayward blocks center lanes

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

Crash on 880 in Hayward blocks center lanes (KRON) -- A crash is blocking the center lanes of southbound Interstate 880 in Hayward Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP says that a severe traffic alert has been issued for the incident. Mob of armed robbers hold-up two individuals walking in Oakland Lanes are blocked north of West A Street in Hayward. Drivers are advised to expect delays and use alternate routes if possible. There is no estimated time for the roadway to reopen, according to the CHP.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

California gas prices going down, study shows 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

California gas prices going down, study shows  (KRON) -- It’s the perfect time to fill the tank. California gas prices exceed the national average, however, California gas prices are declining.  According to the American Automobile Association, the national average as of Monday is $3.25 and the California average is $4.90. Coastal flood advisory issued for parts of Bay Area California Gas Prices as of Nov. 27Regular: $4.90Mid-Grade: $5.11Premium: $5.27Diesel: $5.85California gas prices have declined significantly even within a month. The price of regular gas has dropped three cents since last week. In October, the average regular price in California was $5.33. The premium gas average price has reduced from $5.72 in October to $5.27 now. Diesel has gas dropped from $6.18 last month to $5.85 now. According to AAA, Mono County currently has the highest California gas price of $6.17. The AAA study reports that Sonoma County and San Francisco have the highest gas price average in the Bay Area. San Francisco’s average is $...

Virginia’s own bestselling author David Baldacci publishes ‘The Edge,’ latest in his ‘6:20 Man’ series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

Virginia’s own bestselling author David Baldacci publishes ‘The Edge,’ latest in his ‘6:20 Man’ series Author David Baldacci is out with a new novel. (Books & Authors Media Tours) Author David Baldacci is out with a new novel. (Books & Authors Media Tours) He was born in Richmond, attended Virginia Commonwealth University and got his law degree from the University of Virginia before moving to D.C. to practice law in the 1980s.Now, after publishing books in more than 80 countries and selling 150 million copies worldwide, author David Baldacci can be found sitting and writing at a restaurant in Vienna, Virginia.“There’s a little Greek deli, Plaka, near my office in Northern Virginia,” Baldacci told WTOP. “I go there a lot, I sit at the back table and I’ve written a lot of great stuff the...

The Steelers did a very un-Steelerlike thing by firing Matt Canada. The early returns were promising

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:30:23 GMT

The Steelers did a very un-Steelerlike thing by firing Matt Canada. The early returns were promising PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin isn’t getting ahead of himself. And he probably shouldn’t.For all the good vibes — particularly on offense — generated by Sunday’s 16-10 win over Cincinnati, a game in which the Steelers topped 400 yards for the first time in more than three years and moved the ball at will, the reality is there was nowhere to go but up following Matt Canada’s abrupt firing last Tuesday.“I’m not trying to paint with a broad brush and act like: ‘Eureka!’” Tomlin said after Pittsburgh improved to 7-4 and vaulted to the top of the AFC wild-card race. “We did what we needed to do to win today and we’ll keep pushing.”It’s not just coach-speak. Yes, Pittsburgh looked like a competent and occasionally dangerous offense for a full 60 minutes, a rarity for a half-decade. Yet the Steelers also faced the NFL’s 30th-ranked defense and failed to deliver the knockout punch, needing an onside kick recovery at the two-minute warning to ex...