Latest news with #Harrell
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US education faces turning point as Florida district moves to purge all 'pornographic' books without review
Escambia County moves to remove books without review amid Florida's record book bans. In a move seen by many as a major inflection point in the US education system, the Escambia County School Board in Florida is preparing to vote on a proposal that would allow the removal of all books labeled as "pornographic" or "age-inappropriate" without further review. The district is responding to a growing push across the state to eliminate content deemed unsuitable for students, echoing pressure from top Florida officials and a rising wave of book challenges nationwide. The recommendations, spearheaded by board member Kevin Adams, would eliminate titles flagged by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and restrict future media center acquisitions until a stricter vetting process is in place. The school board will determine the policy's fate in an upcoming regular meeting. Adams emphasized the proposal is intended to protect children and preserve parental rights, stating, as reported by the Pensacola News Journal, 'This is not an 80-20 issue, it's a 90-10 issue. No parent wants someone else to indoctrinate their child.' Escambia County at the center of Florida's book purge Escambia County has become a focal point in the book removal movement, having already removed more than 1,600 titles from its school libraries as of December 2023, according to the Florida Freedom to Read Project. The county leads all Florida districts in book removals and is facing two separate lawsuits over its handling of book challenges. Across the state, Florida had nearly 2,700 book titles targeted for restriction or removal in 2024, making it the national leader in such actions, according to data from the American Library Association. Escambia County's current review spreadsheet lists approximately 235 unresolved challenges, with only 25 titles fully addressed so far—resulting in 2 books retained, 9 removed, and 14 restricted to certain grade levels. State officials add pressure amid broader national scrutiny The push for accelerated removals follows mounting pressure from state officials. In a recent letter, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded that Hillsborough County schools immediately remove materials he referred to as 'patently pornographic.' Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. similarly asked Hillsborough's superintendent to explain 'why you continue to allow pornographic materials' in schools. The Pensacola News Journal reported that Adams modeled his recommendations on actions taken in other districts including Hillsborough, Orange, and Alachua counties. Board members Paul Fetsko, Carissa Bergosh, and Tom Harrell expressed support for the policy, with Harrell stating that 'sexually-explicit material does not need to be in our schools—period.' Aiming to set a precedent for future policies The proposal also includes measures to hold media specialists accountable. Harrell suggested requiring them to sign certifications verifying that no explicit content is present in purchased materials. Board chair David Williams expressed hope that this decision would establish long-term safeguards, saying, 'If we get this right this time, we prevent this from being a problem in our district for decades to come,' as quoted by the Pensacola News Journal. As Florida's approach gains momentum, the developments in Escambia County could signal a significant shift in how US public schools manage access to literature and uphold community standards. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Montrezl Harrell says Clippers gave up too soon on Shai: "All you had to do is let the kid develop"
Montrezl Harrell says Clippers gave up too soon on Shai: "All you had to do is let the kid develop" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Not every young talent hits their stride right away; some need a better system, a clearer role, or simply more time to develop. And then there are those who turn into full-blown superstars the moment they're traded, making the team that gave up on them look flat-out stupid. That's exactly what happened with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Advertisement The Los Angeles Clippers shipped the then-20-year-old guard to Oklahoma City in 2019 as part of the blockbuster deal to land Paul George — a move that helped bring Kawhi Leonard to his hometown and launched a championship-or-bust era in Los Angeles. It made sense on paper, but in hindsight, it cost them a future MVP. For Montrezl Harrell, who shared the locker room with a young Shai during that lone season in LA, the signs of greatness were already there. "Hell yeah..." The 2020 Sixth Man of the Year said convincingly when asked if he saw the potential of young SGA during their time together with the Clippers. "He was a kid that came in ready to work, bro. Highly recruited out of Kentucky. He had all the intangibles to become a great player." And what stood out to Harrell had nothing to do with flashy stats or highlight plays — it was all about who Gilgeous-Alexander was behind the scenes. Advertisement "He was always the player that was ready to work and learn from the veterans ahead of him, listening to the things they had to say. The work ethic never lacked from that kid; he was in the gym 24/7," Harrell continued. Shai worked his tail off In a league that became obsessed with three-point math and pace-and-space offense, Shai never rushed to fit the mold. While everyone else was trying to emulate Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, stretching the floor and chucking threes, SGA kept it simple. He was trying to get to his spots in the mid-range, getting to the paint, or, something that many dislike about his game today, trying to get to the line. Yes, he added the three-ball over time to his offensive repertoire, but it was never who he truly was. To Harrell, that kind of approach just needed time. And had the Clippers shown a little more of it, who knows what could've been. Advertisement "I don't know if they (the Clippers) handled it the right way… All you had to do is let the kid develop, but I understand how the business goes. They was trying to win now," he added. The Clippers didn't just trade away Shai; they traded away their whole future. In exchange for George, they sent OKC five first-round picks, two pick swaps, Danilo Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander. It was the ultimate win-now move, made with the belief that pairing PG with Kawhi would deliver a championship to the "second team in LA." Six years later, the Clippers are still ringless, and Shai is one of the best players on the planet, two wins away from getting the ultimate prize. Related: "I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA SGA is on his way to win the Thunder their first ring Today, Gilgeous-Alexander is not just a star, he's "the" guy. The face of a franchise, a two-way killer, and now, the 2025 NBA MVP. He also added the Western Conference Finals MVP to his growing resume this postseason after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder past everyone who stood in their way. Advertisement With OKC now in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, SGA is trying to do what even Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook never could — bring a title to Oklahoma. The Thunder are currently down all tied at 2-2 with the Indiana Pacers, but with Shai leading the charge, their odds of winning it all seem great. Harrell saw this coming long before the accolades and headlines. And while the Clippers bet big (and failed miserably) on a shortcut to a championship, the Thunder played the long game with a kid from Kentucky who just needed a chance to grow. And boy, grow he did. Related: Montrezl Harrell is still shocked after what happened to DeMarcus Cousins in Puerto Rico: "That sh*t was wild, but this is how their fans are" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
This filmmaker went deep into the ocean and filmed what science still struggles to fully understand
The deep sea remains one of the most mysterious and least explored places on Earth. Home to countless unknown species and unexplained natural phenomena, it continues to fascinate scientists and explorers alike. One such mystery—an elusive bioluminescent display known as a 'flashback'—has long evaded documentation. Now, filmmaker Jacob Harrell, along with a scientific team from OceanX, has managed to capture this rare light event deep in the Indian Ocean, offering a rare glimpse into a phenomenon that science still struggles to fully understand. Harrell's mission took him aboard a state-of-the-art exploration vessel outfitted with the latest oceanographic technology. His primary objective was to film the mysterious flashback phenomenon—an event so uncommon and difficult to record that it has evaded documentation for years. Alongside this task, the team also aimed to contribute to marine biodiversity reports to support the Indonesian government's conservation initiatives. Flashbacks are a form of bioluminescence, a natural process where living organisms emit light through chemical reactions. According to Mattie, the science program director at OceanXplorer, 'When we're talking about flashback, we're talking about bioluminescence in general which basically is animals or organisms that make their own light.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People In Kerala Say Goodbye To Mosquitoes With This Revolutionary Solution Mosquito Eliminator Read More Undo Understanding Bioluminescence: A Deep-Sea Puzzle Bioluminescence is relatively rare on land, but in the ocean—especially between depths of 200 to 1,000 meters—it is strikingly common. Harrell noted that approximately 80% of animals living within this range are bioluminescent. This includes various fish, squid, jellyfish, siphonophores, comb jellies, and other water-dominant species, many of which fall under the category of gelatinous zooplankton. Despite being a well-documented biological capability, the reason behind this light production remains largely speculative. Mattie explained the scientific dilemma: 'This one animal might use it for attracting prey, this other animal might use it for escaping or creating a diversion. These other animals might use it as a form of communication. Like, we really don't know because it's so difficult to access the depths of the ocean where bioluminescence occurs.' The light emitted can vary in color—commonly blue, but also red, green, or violet depending on the species. The glow is produced by a chemical reaction involving an enzyme and a substrate, though the specific compounds may differ between organisms. The Challenge of Capturing Flashbacks Documenting flashbacks presented significant technical and environmental challenges. The process requires the activation of strong artificial light beams to provoke a reaction from bioluminescent organisms. However, this intense light can cause organisms to flee or disorient those that are sensitive to brightness, making sightings unpredictable. Nevertheless, Harrell and his team managed to observe a subdued flashback while stationed at a depth of approximately 375 meters on the ocean floor. With large beams of light radiating through the darkness, they witnessed a fleeting yet visually stunning display of bioluminescence above them. While the footage only captured a mild version of the phenomenon, it marks a significant step in bringing visibility to one of the ocean's many unresolved mysteries.
Miami Herald
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
East Carolina Football Preview 2025: Can the Pirates Keep the Momentum Going?
East Carolina should be a bowl program every was a long, ugly period from 2015 to 2020 when the Pirates couldn't buy a winning season, and after two of them under Mike Houston in 2021 and 2022, the wheels came off. East Carolina was 3-14 against FBS teams, the 2024 season was going nowhere, and then Houston was gone, Blake Harrell stepped in, and ...The schedule got way the wins that are there, and Harrell and ECU did that, got four victories in a row, got bowl eligible, and closed it all out with a Military Bowl win over NC ECU isn't winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, but it has to win the 50/50 games, maybe sneak by a tough home game - hello, Army, BYU, and/or Memphis - and ...East Carolina should be a bowl program. Harrell should have a good enough team to do it. East Carolina Pirates Preview 2025: Offense X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN - The Pirate offense wasn't bad over the first half of the season, and then it took off. The easier schedule had something to do with it, but overall, the attack finished 24th in the nation in total yards and averaged 32 points per game. - Kaitin Houser took over the offense at the midway point, and everything clicked. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 scores, but he threw 11 interceptions. - The Pirates return enough receivers to be okay, even after losing Chase Sowell to Iowa State. Anthony Smith led the way with 41 grabs, averaging over 19 yards per catch, and in comes Jaquaize Pettaway from Oklahoma to work the tight end depth and options are strong, with Desirrio Riles ready for a bigger role - he caught two touchdown passes on ten grabs. - Leading rusher Rahjai Harris is gone, but London Montgomery and Marlon Gunn are decent veteranswho combined for close to 600 rushing yards and five scores. They'll have to battle for yards behind a reworked line. - Jimarion McCrimon is back at one tackle spot, and 6-6, 326-pound Emannuel Poku will work at either tackle or guard. Everything else is up in the air, but the Kyle Long (Maryland) and 340-pound Leivi Semaia (JUCO) are decent-looking guards who should fit in right away. East Carolina Pirates Preview 2025: Defense - The defense wasn't anything great, but it was wonderful in the red zone, came up with a ton of tackles for loss, and when it allowed 31 points or fewer, the offense did the rest. - The top linebackers are gone. Mike Edwards is done, and Zakye Barker is leaving for SMU, but Dameon Wilson is a former Missouri transfer who should shine in the middle. Kevon Merrell is a safety-sized outside defender who can move. Rhyeem Craig is back at his starting spot at a hybrid edge gig. - The portal is helping the interior with Xavier McIver (Houston), Justin Benton (Houston), and Rion Roseborough (Towson), bringing the 300-plus-pound size to the interior. JD Lampley earned All-AAC honors on the end. He's not a dominant pass rusher, but he's a solid all-around playmaker. - The East Carolina secondary has a nice mix of parts. Ja'Marley Riddle is a terrific young free safety who's all over the field, and in comes veteran playmaker Teagan Wilk, a four-year Pirate who's back after going to Houston last corners are a bit green, but TyMir Brown has been around the program, and Jordy Lowery is coming off a six-pick season at Western Carolina. East Carolina Pirates Key to the Season STOP TURNING THE BALL OVERThe Pirates started the season with six giveaways in the win over Norfolk State, followed it up with four in the win over Old Dominion, and they finished the year with 30, the most in all of college football. They only went one game without a turnover. East Carolina Pirates Key Player TyMir Brown, CB year, East Carolina started the season with star Shavon Revel at one corner - before getting hurt - and Isaiah Brown-Murray on the other. Now it's up to a slew of transfers and Brown to work the corners, and they'll be under fire right away. East Carolina Pirates Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Jaquaize Pettaway, WR Jr.A star recruit for Oklahoma, he came up with 16 catches in his two seasons. Now he's at East Carolina, and he'll be turned loose with the speed and upside to be a star. He's needed because ...Top Transfer Out: Chase Sowell, WR started at Colorado, made 81 grabs for 1,300 yards and four scores in two years at East Carolina, and now the All-AAC star will be a key part of the Iowa State attack. East Carolina Pirates Key Game Army, Sept. 27You want to be a factor in the AAC title chase, East Carolina? Beat the defending champ in the conference opener. Last year Army ran all over the Pirates in a 45-28 win, but that was a first. East Carolina is 8-1 in the series.- 2025 East Carolina Schedule Breakdown East Carolina Pirates Top 10 Players 1. Ja'Marley Riddle, S Soph.2. Anthony Smith, WR Sr.3. Rhyeem Craig, LB Sr.4. JD Lampley, EDGE Sr.5. Katin Houser, QB Jr.6. Jordy Lowery, CB Jr.7. Teagan Wilk, S Sr.8. Jaquaize Pettaway, WR Jr.9. Emmanuel Poku, OT Jr.10. Desirrio Riles, TE Jr. East Carolina Pirates 2024 Fun Stats - 1st Quarter Scoring: Opponents 88, East Carolina 34- Fumbles: East Carolina 19 (lost 12), Opponents 19 (lost 5)- Total Offense: Opponents 4,428, East. Carolina 4,328 East Carolina Pirates 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen Once again, it'll be a slow start for the Pirates. 2014 was the last time they got out of September with fewer than two losses, and that's not changing with at NC State, at Coastal Carolina, BYU, and Army to deal the first game in October isn't a plus, going to like last year, things should pick up a bit. There won't be a four-game second-half winning streak with Memphis and at UTSA back-to-back, but the Pirates will go into the last two games - at Florida Atlantic comes after UTSA - with a shot to go The East Carolina Win Total At … 5.5Likely Wins: Campbell50/50 Games: Army, Charlotte, at Coastal Carolina, at Florida Atlantic, Memphis, at Temple, Tulsa, at UTSALikely Losses: BYU, at NC State, at Tulane © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senate approves bill expanding ‘hands-free' driving
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana Senate approved a bill that expands upon current state law that prevents texting and driving. The current law outlaws texting while driving, but HB 519, introduced by State Rep. Brian Glorioso, would also make it illegal to post or scroll through social media while driving. The bill would also outlaw accessing, posting, or creating a video or photograph while behind the wheel. The bill does make an exception for contacting law enforcement to report a crash, medical emergency, or to report a crime in progress. The Louisiana House of Representatives approved the bill in May. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence before making its way to the Governor. Five arrested in Baton Rouge shooting that killed man on S. Harrell's Ferry Road Hot Wheels custom T-Bird blends 1967 muscle with pop art firepower Speaker Johnson: Trump 'not delighted' at Musk '180' on megabill Baton Rouge restaurants with steak on the menu for Father's Day Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses: CDC Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
