Latest news with #Diego
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California State University funding cuts threaten state's economic future
We both grew up in the Central Valley, currently raise our respective families in Fresno and serve as members of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. We joined the board because we care about students who aspire to better their lives through education, and who care about our hometown and our state. It is no secret that Fresno State has long been — and continues to be — a beacon of hope for residents in the Valley, with 58% of students coming from Fresno County and 81% from the broader region, including Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties. This school year, 5,991 students graduated from California State University, Fresno. More than just a number, these graduates represent a wave of possibility: they are first-generation college students, children of farmworkers, future nurses, teachers and engineers. They are the hope and promise of the Central Valley made real. It is because of those 5,991 graduates — and the nearly 125,000 across all CSU campuses this year — that we know we cannot afford to cut funding to the CSU, as is currently being proposed in the governor's budget. To the contrary, we must invest in the CSU and institutions like CSU Fresno that provide life-changing opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students and community revitalization in regions that desperately need it, like the Central Valley. Investing in the CSU isn't just the right thing to do, it's one of the smartest economic decisions California can make: A 2021 economic impact study found that every $1 invested in the CSU generates nearly $7 in return to the state's economy. At a time when California faces big choices, protecting the CSU means betting on a stronger, more equitable economic future. The CSU is one of California's most powerful engines of social mobility and workforce development, opening doors to better jobs, higher earnings and more opportunities to achieve a better quality of life. It educates nearly half a million students annually, many of them the first in their families to attend college. California State University graduates go on to become leaders in key industries like healthcare, education, technology and public service. One in 10 workers in the state of California earned their degree from one of our 23 CSU campuses. Most recently, 15 of the 23 CSU campuses were named as Opportunity Colleges & Universities by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (where Diego works). Additionally, CSU campuses accounted for nine of the top 10 spots on the College Futures Foundation Mobility Index and 16 of the top 50 spots on Third Way's Economic Mobility Index. Prior to the governor's May Revise, the CSU was facing a staggering 8% cut. The governor decreased that cut to a proposed 3% in the revision — an encouraging sign and acknowledgment that the CSU plays an essential role in driving California's economic vitality. But a 3% cut still amounts to a $143.8 million annual reduction, which is significant. This cut would also have long-term consequences. Cuts today don't just hurt students; they shrink the state's future talent pool, slow regional economic growth, and undermine long-term competitiveness. The cuts will lead to larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and reduced student support services, threatening student success and timely graduation rates, especially for our first-generation and low-income students. Faculty, staff and management positions are also at risk of being eliminated. Behind these layoffs are professors, teaching assistants, mental health counselors and other important individuals who students have come to know and trust for support. If we care about students, economic mobility, workforce readiness and the vibrancy of each region of our state, we must protect the CSU. Diego Arambula is vice chair of the board of trustees at the California State University and currently serves as vice president for Educational Transformation at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Yammilette 'Yami' Rodriguez is a member of the board of trustees at the California State University and works at the Youth Leadership Institute.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Forecast Snow Dump Boosts Queenstown Accommodation Bookings
Press Release – Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel Industry data shows boutique properties in central Queenstown reach 85% occupancy during school holiday periods. Families seeking accommodation for late June through mid-July should secure bookings immediately. With promising snow forecasts for this weekend, and Queenstown ski fields hoping to open 14 June, Diego Moyano of Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel urges families planning winter holidays to secure accommodation now as availability tightens across the alpine resort town for school holidays. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields have confirmed cold temperatures and snowfall expected this weekend, setting the stage for an excellent start to the 2025 winter season. The timing aligns with Australian and New Zealand school holidays from late June through July as snow-makers are humming to make the most of low Southerly temperatures. Trans-Tasman families face limited accommodation windows New Zealand private schools break for winter holidays from 28 June to 13 July, while Australian states commence school holidays from late June. Queensland and Northern Territory families enjoy the earliest breaks starting 21 June and 28 June respectively, coinciding with the beginning of the ski season. 'Families watching the forecast know this weekend's snow will create the foundation for fantastic skiing conditions throughout the holiday period,' says Diego, Hotel Manager at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel. 'However, accommodation in central Queenstown fills rapidly once families see positive weather reports.' Family-focused accommodation in short supply Unlike sprawling resort complexes, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel's 22 designer rooms create a cosy retreat for ski and snowboarders. The hotel, a finalist in the 2025 Lion Hospitality BNZ Business Awards, features undercover parking, ski equipment storage and dedicated drying room, maintaining the luxury ambience families expect from a 5 star hotel in Queenstown. According to Diego, the hotel's 90m² Tower Suite provides the ultimate Queenstown family accommodation retreat across two levels, featuring 270° alpine views and a full kitchen, enabling families to prepare their own meals (if not tempted by local eateries). The lounge and dining area opens to a private balcony, while two ensuite bedrooms offer queen size or single bed configurations plus a third guest powder room. Underfloor heating, gas fireplace and air conditioning ensure comfort after mountain days. For families preferring separate spaces, Diego recommends the Junior Suite with tasteful contemporary décor, a cosy gas fire, views from a private balcony, and free-standing bath.' 'Our complimentary evening canapés and drinks create a natural gathering space for families to share stories of their mountain adventures,' explains Diego. The setting overlooking a park surrounded by willows is a 2 minute stroll from town, with the adjacent park appealing to children – 'if you can get them off Wi-Fi,' he laughs. Book early to avoid disappointment Industry data shows boutique properties in central Queenstown reach 85% occupancy during school holiday periods. Families seeking accommodation for late June through mid-July should secure bookings immediately. 'The forecast snow this weekend will trigger booking activity from families who've been waiting to commit,' warns Diego. 'Those who delay risk missing out on their preferred dates. There are still a few spaces available.' While families wait for the snow, the team at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel wait with bated breath for the announcement of the award winners on 10th & 11th June. About Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel: The boutique hotel offers 22 designer rooms with personalised concierge service in central Queenstown. Overlooking Queenstown Park with views of The Remarkables or The Gondola, the property provides easy access to ski fields, dining, and alpine activities.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Scoop
Forecast Snow Dump Boosts Queenstown Accommodation Bookings
With promising snow forecasts for this weekend, and Queenstown ski fields hoping to open 14 June, Diego Moyano of Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel urges families planning winter holidays to secure accommodation now as availability tightens across the alpine resort town for school holidays. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields have confirmed cold temperatures and snowfall expected this weekend, setting the stage for an excellent start to the 2025 winter season. The timing aligns with Australian and New Zealand school holidays from late June through July as snow-makers are humming to make the most of low Southerly temperatures. Trans-Tasman families face limited accommodation windows New Zealand private schools break for winter holidays from 28 June to 13 July, while Australian states commence school holidays from late June. Queensland and Northern Territory families enjoy the earliest breaks starting 21 June and 28 June respectively, coinciding with the beginning of the ski season. "Families watching the forecast know this weekend's snow will create the foundation for fantastic skiing conditions throughout the holiday period," says Diego, Hotel Manager at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel. "However, accommodation in central Queenstown fills rapidly once families see positive weather reports." Family-focused accommodation in short supply Unlike sprawling resort complexes, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel's 22 designer rooms create a cosy retreat for ski and snowboarders. The hotel, a finalist in the 2025 Lion Hospitality BNZ Business Awards, features undercover parking, ski equipment storage and dedicated drying room, maintaining the luxury ambience families expect from a 5 star hotel in Queenstown. According to Diego, the hotel's 90m² Tower Suite provides the ultimate Queenstown family accommodation retreat across two levels, featuring 270° alpine views and a full kitchen, enabling families to prepare their own meals (if not tempted by local eateries). The lounge and dining area opens to a private balcony, while two ensuite bedrooms offer queen size or single bed configurations plus a third guest powder room. Underfloor heating, gas fireplace and air conditioning ensure comfort after mountain days. For families preferring separate spaces, Diego recommends the Junior Suite with tasteful contemporary décor, a cosy gas fire, views from a private balcony, and free-standing bath.' "Our complimentary evening canapés and drinks create a natural gathering space for families to share stories of their mountain adventures," explains Diego. The setting overlooking a park surrounded by willows is a 2 minute stroll from town, with the adjacent park appealing to children – 'if you can get them off Wi-Fi,' he laughs. Book early to avoid disappointment Industry data shows boutique properties in central Queenstown reach 85% occupancy during school holiday periods. Families seeking accommodation for late June through mid-July should secure bookings immediately. "The forecast snow this weekend will trigger booking activity from families who've been waiting to commit," warns Diego. "Those who delay risk missing out on their preferred dates. There are still a few spaces available." While families wait for the snow, the team at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel wait with bated breath for the announcement of the award winners on 10th & 11th June. About Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel: The boutique hotel offers 22 designer rooms with personalised concierge service in central Queenstown. Overlooking Queenstown Park with views of The Remarkables or The Gondola, the property provides easy access to ski fields, dining, and alpine activities.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Family offers $50,000 reward for information as University of Oklahoma student vanishes in Taiwan
The family of a University of Oklahoma student who went missing while on vacation in Taiwan has offered a $50,000 reward after officials reportedly called off their search. Diego Dorantes Sanchez, 23, vanished from Da Bai Sha beach on Green Island at about 12.15 p.m. local time on Friday, according to his family. The anthropology student from Hidalgo, Mexico, was snorkelling with three friends off the small volcanic island, branded 'snorkelers' paradise' for its vibrant coral reefs, which is situated about 20 miles east of the main island. Sanchez's friends, along with several snorkelers and scuba divers who were present near the group, began their search at about 1 p.m. after realizing the student had disappeared, the family told OU Daily, the University of Oklahoma's student newspaper. The Taiwanese Coast Guard was alerted, but adverse weather conditions delayed search efforts, the family said. Sanchez's family told the student newspaper that the agency conducted its search limited to Green Island. However, experts assisting in the search, who have analyzed possible drift paths, believe Sanchez could be near Yonaguni and Ishigaki, two small Japanese islands in Okinawa Prefecture, approximately 150 miles northeast of Green Island. Friends and family called for cross-national cooperation between Taiwanese and Japanese officials and local communities to begin coordinated search and rescue efforts. 'We urge everyone with access to these areas to please search and report anything that may help,' the family said. While friend Natalia Fabry told KOCO News: 'If you can please go to your shores and look for anyone who may be waiting for rescue. If you have a boat or you're a sailor or fisherman, if you're a diver, if you have a helicopter, anything, anyone, please help us.' However, officials concluded their search for Sanchez on Monday, according to an update posted by friend Luis Castro on a GoFundMe page set up to support the search efforts for the missing student. Sanchez's family, who are now in Taiwan, is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his location, according to the fundraising page. '+72 hours have passed since Diego was reported missing,' read an update posted Monday. 'Therefore, Taiwanese government has stopped the thorough search. Diego's family has decided to offer a $50,000 reward (group of people, organization, government, anyone) to intensify the search. His family has reached Taiwan.' The Independent has contacted the Taiwanese Coast Guard for more information.
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Dangerous Drumnadrochit dog's owner loses appeal against conviction
A woman who claimed her German Shepherd was a 'good-natured' pet after it bit a delivery driver has lost a bid to overturn her conviction. Janet MacFarlane's canine, Diego, attacked the worker through a gap in the gate of her home in Drumnadrochit, on April 14 2023. Inverness Sheriff Court heard how the man needed stitches after the incident. She was charged with having a dog dangerously out of control following proceedings in September 2024. Sheriff Sara Matheson ordered Diego to be muzzled and kept on a lead and muzzled when in a public place – she also ordered MacFarlane to pay Diego's victim £600. The conviction prompted MacFarlane's legal team to go to the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh, where they argued that the judge failed to follow the correct legal tests in her decision to convict MacFarlane. The Sheriff Appeal Court heard that if Sheriff Matheson had followed the correct interpretation of the law, MacFarlane would have been acquitted. But in a written judgement issued by the court on Wednesday, Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar KC, rejected defence arguments and upheld the conviction. Sheriff Principal Anwar, who sat with colleagues Appeal Sheriff Iain Fleming and Appeal Sheriff David Young KC, said their colleague had acted correctly. She added: 'We shall… refuse the appeal.' During proceedings, the delivery driver, who wasn't named in the judgement, told the court that when he arrived at the property the dog was initially called away by MacFarlane's husband. He said he did not notice the dog returning as he passed the parcel over to MacFarlane – but it was at this point that he was bitten through a gap in the gate. In evidence, the man recalled: 'I said to the lady: 'Your dog had just bitten me and she shrugged and walked away.'' The court heard that the entrance to MacFarlane's property featured three signs warning visitors about the four-legged residents, including one that said: 'Beware of the dog, it may bite, you have been warned.' She said six-year-old Diego was a 'beautiful, good-natured dog' who had 'never bitten anybody'. 'He is a more laying on his back with his belly getting tickled kind of dog,' she added. MacFarlane confirmed she had installed wire to block the gaps in the fence since the incident.
