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Concept3D Announces WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance Across Interactive Maps, 360 Tours, a

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (2 reads)

Concept3d announces wcag 2.1 aa compliance across interactive maps, 360 tours, and localist events leading higher education engagement platforms now meet federal digital accessibility standards, supporting public institutions ahead of doj enforcement deadline accessibility has never been a bolt-on for concept3d. It’s foundational to how we design, build, and test our products” — jill bobrick, head of product at concept3d denver, co, united states, january 23, 2026 / einpresswire.Com / -- concept3d, the leading provider of interactive campus experiences and engagement solutions for higher education, today announced that its interactive maps, 360 tours, and localist event calendar products are now wcag 2.1 level aa compliant, marking a major milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to digital accessibility. this achievement positions concept3d’s core products among the most accessible solutions in their respective categories, helping public colleges and universities meet increasingly stringent federal requirements under the americans with disabilities act (ada). in 2024, the u.S. Department of justice finalized new title ii ada regulations requiring state and local government entities, including public higher education institutions, to ensure that digital content and services are accessible under wcag 2.1 aa standards. Compliance deadlines begin as early as april 2026, significantly increasing urgency for institutions to evaluate the accessibility of their digital vendors. “accessibility has never been a bolt-on for concept3d. It’s foundational to how we design, build, and test our products,” said jill bobrick, head of product at concept3d. “Reaching wcag 2.1 aa compliance across our maps, tours, and events platforms reflects years of thoughtful development, rigorous testing, and close collaboration across teams. Just as importantly, it reflects our belief that accessibility is an ongoing practice, not a one-time checkbox.” concept3d’s maps and 360 tours products are already aligned with wcag 2.2, with localist events on track to reach wcag 2.2 in upcoming releases. Updated voluntary product accessibility templates (vpats) will be available to institutions to support procurement and compliance documentation. accessibility as an ongoing commitment: - concept3d emphasizes that while wcag compliance represents a significant achievement, accessibility is an ongoing commitment: - accessibility is embedded into the product development lifecycle and tested with every release - the team actively monitors, evaluates, and addresses accessibility issues as they are identified - concept3d differentiates between technical compliance and real-world usability — and continues to improve both - feedback from clients and users is addressed quickly and transparently learn more about concept3d’s accessibility commitment about concept3d founded in 2006, concept3d is the trusted institutional partner for creating immersive, accessible digital experiences across the student lifecycle. Through a connected suite of solutions—including interactive maps, virtual tours, centralized event calendars, and room reservations—concept3d helps colleges and universities attract, engage, and retain students with a digital-first approach to recruitment, navigation, and community building. josh darnell concept3d +1 3035961866 email us here

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White House roasted for not knowing where penguins actually live: Wrong hemisphe

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

An attempt to troll critics by president donald trumps white house backfired spectacularly on friday as observers gave the administration a geography lesson. as trump openly fantasizes about taking over greenland from denmark, the official white house account posted an artificial intelligence-generated photo of the president walking next to a penguin on a block of ice. In the photo, the penguin carries a u.S. Flag and the two walk toward a greenland flag. observers quickly pounced on the post, noting the massive island contains no penguins. Indeed, all 18 penguin species are confined to the southern hemisphere, with the highest concentrations on antarctic coasts and sub-antarctic islands. the anti-trump account patriottakes wrote on x, there are no penguins in greenland. All penguins live in the southern hemisphere except one species from the galapagos islands. Perhaps you shouldn‚Äôt have dismantled the department of education so quickly. rep. Raja krishnamoorthi (d-il) chided on x, wrong hemisphere. anti-trump conservative jonah goldberg, editor-in-chief, at the dispatch, clapped back, there are no penguins in greenland. You‚Äôre embarrassing yourselves. Unless maybe you meant ‚Ä¶ he added a gif of the penguin from the batman universe. deadline executive editor dominic patten wrote on x, this doesnt quite land as i think they intended ....You can take the trump name out of the epstein files, but you cant take the epstein connection away. jack pitney, claremont mckenna college professor, chided on x, mr. Poppers penguins is an old childrens book about a guy who takes penguins to the arctic. Apparently, somebody read it to trump when he was little, and he thought it was a true story. michael shurkin, director of global programs at 14n strategies, fact-checked on x, 1. There are no penguins in greenland. 2. This has all the maturity of the brain rot reels my kids watch. Makes me wonder about the age of the kid who controls this account. brian espinoza, writer for the rogue rocket & philip defranco show, wrote on x, you dumb mother f---ers, there are no penguins in the north. embrace the penguin.[Pic.Twitter.Com/kklzwd3rx7] ‚Äî the white house (@whitehouse)[january 23, 2026]

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Alabama lawmakers advance bill creating teaching pathway for military veterans

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

Alabama lawmakers advance bill creating teaching pathway for military veterans senate bill 149 would allow qualifying veterans to teach while completing degree requirements dothan, ala. (Wtvy) - alabama lawmakers are advancing legislation that would create new pathways for military veterans to teach in state classrooms without requiring bachelor’s degrees upfront. senate bill 149 allows eligible veterans to receive temporary five-year teaching certificates while they work toward completing their degrees. the measure has moved from the senate and now heads to the alabama house for consideration. governor kay ivey made the bill one of her legislative priorities, highlighting it in her final state of the state address. state representative rick rehm, who co-sponsored the bill and is an army veteran himself, said veterans already possess valuable skills from their military service. “i was in the army, and it was one of the largest career tech organizations in the world. So we’re already soldiers, have those skills. So now it’s time to get them transitioned and put some veterans in our schools,” rehm said. under the proposed legislation, qualifying veterans would receive temporary teaching certificates valid for five years. During that time, they must complete their bachelor’s degree requirements to continue teaching beyond the initial certification period. bob cooper, a vietnam veteran and president of chapter 373, supports the legislation. At almost 90 years old, cooper served 30 years in uniform and believes veterans can bring real-world experience to classrooms. “i grew up as someone that was interested and very patriotic to america because as a young man growing up, the u.S. Army gave me a chance to see the world and learn about the world,” cooper said. cooper said veterans can provide authentic experiences to students that cannot be found in textbooks. “they become much more credible than someone who has to go back to try to figure out exactly what they’ve been talking about,” he said. requirements for veteran teachers if the bill becomes law, qualifying veterans must meet several requirements to receive the temporary teaching certificate: - 48 months of active duty service - 60 college credits with a minimum 2.5 gpa - passing score on the praxis test of the alabama educator certification program - successful background check - recommended for certification by the local superintendent of education or a private k-12 school administrator veterans who meet these qualifications could begin teaching as early as the 2027-28 school year if the legislation passes. rehm views the opportunity as a continuation of service for veterans who have already served their country. “you’ve already served. You’re serving your country now. Let’s continue service to the community that you decided to plant roots in. And no better way than being a teacher,” he said. download the wtvy news4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. Available for free in the apple app store and the google play store! copyright 2026 wtvy. All rights reserved.

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Letters to the Editor: Inflation and income inequality have made the American Dr

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

Income alone doesn’t tell the full story of economic stability. our ceo, claudia bonilla keller, shares why the middle class is increasingly fragile in a letter in today’s los angeles times. income alone doesn’t tell the full story of economic stability. our ceo, claudia bonilla keller, shares why the middle class is increasingly fragile in a letter in today’s los angeles times. * indicates required fields did you realize that eating certain types of food can make you happier? Everyone knows that eating nutritious food can make you healthier, but it turns out that this same food directly impacts our brain structure, functions and mood. we at second harvest have always believed that consistent nutrition not only tackles food insecurity, but it also builds mental and physical resiliency for all ages. Now there’s a growing body of evidence that supports nutritional psychology as one of the pillars of a healthy, happy life. Further, studies indicate that incorporating more nutritious foods may alleviate symptoms of depression and mental illness in children and adults who recently experienced stressful events. because of this connection between food and physical and mental health, we’re committed to providing fresh and nutrient-rich produce to those we serve. Harvest solutions farm is one of the key components in our fight against malnutrition by providing fresh produce to the community. A diet that is high in refined sugar is linked to increased rates of depression, while a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein is linked to lower rates of depression, which allows for a happier life. our advisory team of nutritionists plot out foods that we can distribute to the community to yield the best outcomes. As we strive to grow even more produce locally and help more families and partners within our community, we’re also dedicated to optimizing the health and happiness of those we serve along the way. want to help? assist those in need within our orange county community. Please give today. To donate, visit feedoc.Org/give-newsletter or send your gift to 8014 marine way, irvine, ca, 92618. jill wilson decided to volunteer with second harvest in 2008 when she was in between jobs and looking for a way to apply her talents that could benefit the community. She arrived one day at second harvest’s former distribution center in orange, ready to serve, and felt immediately connected to the mission. what keeps jill volunteering all these years? She describes it as being part of a connected family – to the food bank and greater community – and “making a contribution that matters.” This sense of family carries through in other ways. As jill and her husband, ian, created their estate plans and made provisions for their family members, they also made the meaningful decision to include second harvest as a beneficiary. they were driven to make this decision by jill’s intimate knowledge of how important it is to provide nutritious food to those in need. They were also driven by jill’s sense of family connection with the food bank. As she eloquently states, “it’s like including family in our charitable giving.” like jill and ian, other friends of the food bank may be looking for ways to connect meaningfully with second harvest to help those experiencing hunger in orange county for years to come. One simple way to make a significant impact, while achieving peace of mind, is by creating a will or revocable living trust with our partner, freewill. creating a will or revocable living trust with freewill helps you: creating a will or trust doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. This free estate planning resource has been used by more than 400,000 people to create a legally valid will or revocable living trust. You can complete the online process on your own in less than 20 minutes or use the tool to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney. this year, let second harvest and freewill help you help others. Like jill and ian, you too can be a part of providing nutritious food to those in needs for years to come. march is national nutrition month, an annual awareness campaign that encourages us to learn about nutrition, develop healthy eating habits and discover the fun of being physically active. At second harvest food bank of orange county, we strive to provide everyone in orange county with the nutrition they need to grow and excel in life. eating nutritious food is at the heart of the human experience. Our ancestors had the ingenuity to take up agriculture and put our species on the road to growth and success. But not everyone has access to food, even those who need it most. Nearly three in four children receiving calfresh are 12 years of age or younger. Data shows that there is a relationship between a family’s food security and the assurance of a healthy life. Households with food insecurity are more likely to experience reduced diet quality, anxiety about their food supply, increased use of emergency food sources, other coping behaviors and hunger. (Source: conditions of children in orange county 26th ed.) “by helping everyone to have consistent access to healthy food, we could lift thousands, and by doing so we prepare our entire community for success in school, work and life. Improved health and educational outcomes have a direct link to economic mobility as young people have more opportunity to choose college, career or technical education, and those already in the workforce grow on their path to increase productivity and stability.” —Dareen abdrabou khatib* *dareen khatib is the administrator of health and wellness at the orange county department of education. She is also a member of shfb board of directors and chair of our nutrition advisory council. last spring, here at second harvest we completely revamped our focus to proactively purchase fresh nutrition for those in need, ensuring a steady pipeline of protein, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables to our approximately 300 partner and program sites. As a next step, we recently unveiled our new, 6,200-square-foot cold storage facility and two additional cold docks that establish a “cold chain” at our distribution center in irvine. This gives us a total of 14,550 square feet of cold storage, which greatly enhances our ability to source and distribute more nutritious food. as part of our promise to support our distribution network in their ability to provide fresh and nutritious food to the community, we’ve helped to ensure that they have the capacity to receive this fresh nutrition and store it until it is distributed. for example, we have equipped the vietnamese american cancer foundation in fountain valley with a 2-door commercial refrigerator. This means that food arriving at the food bank will stay in a temperature-controlled environment between 37–38°f that maintains optimal conditions to ensure freshness throughout its entire journey into the hands of those in need. second harvest is dedicated to continually improving our networks. Aside from increasing our food supply and cold storage facilities, we’re actively working to expand our transport and logistics efficiency. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from the community and our growing list of partners and affiliates. With your help, we can end hunger in orange county and create a healthier world for all of us. second in a series of blog posts from the front lines of hunger relief with woody smith. when the world is crumbling around us with new, scary and unprecedented challenges, how is it so many mothers are able to keep moving forward? The answer to that question is never more visible than in a crisis: moms are focused on their family’s survival – it is part of a mother’s dna. second harvest continues to fight increasing food insecurity through our pop-up drive thru food distributions with the help of many amazing volunteers and it is no surprise that many of them are mothers. Jacqueline is one such volunteer and i wanted to learn more of her story. jacqueline’s life isn’t easy. She’s a wife and a mother to three children, and in addition to all she does for her family, she’s in nursing school which is taking more effort than she expected. But she pushes on because it will eventually improve life for her family. It also makes her stronger and more determined, which is what she wants to teach her daughter…the value of never giving up. With a smile she tells me, “if 10-year-old jacqueline could see current day jacqueline, she’d be in shock because she is doing more than she ever thought she could. When you don’t give up, you’re moving and growing and able to see yourself as a different person because you push your own limits and see how much you really can do.” watching jacqueline’s enthusiasm as she lifted bags of potatoes and apples into the trunks of vehicles, i found myself wanting to hear more about why she serves. Jacqueline explained, “i’m here to volunteer representing other mothers…to give back to the community, to be a role model to my children. As a mother, as a woman, as a friend, as a wife…you have so many hats you have to put on and one of them is giving. When i go home my daughter asks me, “mom what did you do today?” And i say, “i got to give back to people, people that really don’t have as much as we do.” Hopefully she sees me doing this and then as she gets older, she’ll want to give back just the same way.” when i asked jacqueline what advice she would have for the mothers trying to bring their families through this crisis she says, “i’d like to give them all hugs and tell them this day will pass and to trust that everything will be ok. Be strong and pull from that inner part of them that they didn’t think that they had. Just don’t give up.” that’s good advice and a wise insight. i thought of jacqueline’s words on mother’s day as i called my own mother to thank her for being the rock of our family. At 83, my mother looks back on all our “adventures” and laughs off the fear and uncertainty that visited our family on multiple occasions. I asked her what she thinks of this current crisis? With the quiet confidence of a mother who has beaten adversity time and time again she said, “everything will be fine…it always is.” until next week… the most recent in a series of blog posts from the front lines of hunger relief with woody smith. i’m awake and frustrated because my alarm hasn’t gone off yet and i wanted to get more sleep. This has been what seems like an unusually long and challenging week so far and it’s hard to turn my brain off. When this happens the details of the day to come run around in my head: what projects are most important? What is my tightest deadline? Which emails do i respond to first? Wait, did i finish all the bacon yesterday? as i lay there thinking, i suddenly couldn’t remember what day it was. It’s wednesday and i’m a little behind. No, it’s thursday and i’m way behind. What day is it?! it’s tuesday. like almost everyone i know, i’m struggling with this new world we live in – it just feels overwhelming sometimes. So as i pour my coffee and turn on the computer, i look for much-needed inspiration and find it in my notes from a recent visit to the food pantry at saint timothy’s catholic church in laguna niguel. a couple weeks ago i met nancy who co-manages the team of volunteers at saint timothy’s food pantry. Their style traditionally has always been very welcoming and focused on building relationships with those they serve. They would put out coffee and pastries and spend time talking with the families who would come early just to socialize. nancy and her team know the families that come to them and she explains with some sadness the changes they’ve had to make due to covid-19. “It’s hard because we do have a personal connection with a lot of our clients. So now it’s waving through the car window and seeing what they need. I know what their struggles are already. And now with this…there’s so much more going on.” whether it’s diapers for young families, easy to eat shelf-stable food for their homeless clients or even having bags strong enough to hook onto the handlebars of the client who showed up on his bicycle, nancy and her team are committed to figuring out how to care for their families in whatever way is required. one of nancy’s key volunteers, mary kaye, also shared insights. Mary kaye is an emergency room doctor who has been spending much of her spare time serving at the saint timothy pantry. She began volunteering pre-covid by taking blood pressures on pantry days and translating for spanish-speaking clients.. All the changes have her missing conversations and connecting with the families they serve. mary kaye is still able to contribute by preparing food bags for distribution and by brief chats with the families as she maintains physical distancing from the vehicles in line. She tells me, “i like just smiling at them and trying to give them a good word like, “see you next week,” and “i hope i can take your blood pressure soon,” and encouraging them.” as i finish typing while sipping my breakfast smoothie…because i really did finish all the bacon yesterday…the inspiration becomes apparent. When your life is about serving others, change is simply viewed as a normal part of the process. Change isn’t a roadblock, it’s a directional sign to a new route that, if followed, can lead towards a dramatically more fulfilling destination. I’m grateful to nancy, mary kaye and the team at saint timothy’s for all they do for those in need and for reminding me to appreciate the journey, even when it’s not the one i chose. see you along the path, wherever it may lead… the most recent in a series of blog posts from the front lines of hunger relief with woody smith. trapped. That’s how many of us feel. We want to go somewhere. Anywhere really. Not being able to see family and friends can add an extra layer of gloom to the confinement created by this pandemic. For those with loved ones that are long distances away, the challenge of getting back together only adds another layer. the university of california irvine started this past school year with more than 36,000 students. When covid-19 showed up, most went home to be with their families while waiting to find out what their academic futures would hold. But 5,000 of them are still on campus. Some are graduate students who live in on-campus student housing with their young families and some are international students not able to travel home. Many of these students have been impacted financially by the pandemic and find themselves in need of food assistance. whatever the situation that keeps students on campus and struggling to feed themselves, the fresh basic needs hub at uci remains open to serve them, supported by food from second harvest. Student hunger is a serious challenge, made even worse by the pandemic, but fresh, as it’s called, has the mission to provide for the basic needs of uci students, allowing them to focus on academics. andrea is the director of the fresh basic needs hub and is committed to caring for the students who come to fresh for help. Along with food and toiletries, andrea is now also able to give students vouchers that can be redeemed at a local produce market, supplementing the food that fresh provides. but it’s not just food the fresh team gives to students, it’s also hope and dignity. Andrea explains, “our commitment is really to care for them and to make sure that they know there is somewhere they can seek support and they will receive it, without judgment. We are coming from a place of saying we honor you and we want you to have a dignified experience even though times are tough right now.” before working in food distribution, i had no idea there was a need for food pantries on college campuses, but studies conducted last year revealed that up to 40% of students have experienced food insecurity. For that reason, second harvest supports nine college pantries in orange county. Many college students are committed to making a better future for themselves and go so far as to neglect their basic needs to pay for tuition and books. but at fresh, and all the other college pantries we support, the goal is to give food in a manner that says, “i see you, and it’s a privilege to serve you because your life matters.” By providing food – and hope – fresh and second harvest gives students a chance to be successful. last week did not feel hopeful. Seeing the injustice of the past few days makes me cringe. It causes me to grieve when i see people treated unfairly or worse. But i’m choosing to move forward with hope. How can i have hope this week? Because i know andrea and i see how she treats people who sometimes feel trapped. The team at fresh, and all the other college pantries in orange county serve as a lifeline for their students, providing for basic needs and offering a dignified experience for everyone who comes to them for help. Their service is a beacon of hope in the darkness. as i sip my coffee, i think of the quote by andy stanley that says, “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” We all have the opportunity to make one person’s life better and doing so may even make our own lives better. wishing you hope this week. Let’s do our best to make one another’s lives just a little better – one kindness at a time. before the pandemic, most would think stephen’s life was a good one. Comfortable even. Stephen and his wife were both working and the challenges of day-to-day life with two jobs and two daughters (2 years old and 5 years old) were easy enough to manage. Then covid-19 arrived. in april stephen lost his job in project controls and now he faces the loss of his unemployment benefits in july. His wife, kristina, also lost her job once the pandemic hit. The fear and stress of not being able to provide for his family showed up in new ways for stephen, but he redirected those emotions toward survival and humility. While it was a very difficult decision, stephen and kristina decided that in order to make it through this crisis, they would need to receive assistance the first time in their lives. This is what it means to be newly vulnerable. stephen’s story is similar to those of thousands of people in orange county, and around the world, who are for the first time receiving food assistance due to the pandemic. This new demographic of people in need has created an unprecedented demand for food here and across the country. Stepping up to meet this need locally, second harvest created a weekly pop-up drive thru food distribution that ran for 15 weeks at the honda center in anaheim. Thousands of volunteers served their fellow citizens during that time. One of them was stephen, who had decided that giving back was a value he not only wanted for himself, but also wanted to teach his children. recently, abc7 heard about stephen’s story and came out to one of our food distributions to learn more. Stephen was glad to share his experience in the hopes that others who may feel afraid and shamed by losing their ability to provide for themselves and their families will hear his story and find hope. Watch his interview here: abc7 story did you know? our pop-up drive thru food distribution served more than 62,000 households, providing more than 2 million pounds of food! by: woody smith marketing manager second harvest food bank

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CU system set to expand collective bargaining rights - NewsBreak

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

By eric young , 14 minutes ago arlene bjugstad signs up for information with the campus workers union at uccs on nov. 6, 2025. Campus workers across the university of colorado system were holding days of action to push for a path to collective bargaining for professors and other employees. Jerilee bennett, gazette file following recent rallying and advocacy, workers across the university of colorado system are one step closer to greater collective bargaining. cu regent elliott hood announced a plan to introduce a policy expanding collective bargaining rights for faculty, university staff and undergraduate and graduate workers at all four campuses during a board governance meeting friday. the proposal would amend an existing policy to establish a process for campus workers to unionize and bargain collectively over wages, hours, grievance procedures and working conditions. It will be sponsored by hood and regent ilana dubin spiegel with support from united campus workers colorado. classified staff, who are already covered by a collective bargaining agreement through the union colorado wins , along with confidential employees like university officers, would not be included, according to a press release from ucw colorado. “as a former unionized teacher, i believe that every employee deserves a voice in the workplace and should have the right to collectively bargain and join a union,” hood said in a statement. the policy is slated to be formally introduced at the board of regents’ next regular meeting on feb. 5 in boulder. the announcement comes after years of growing membership and momentum from local campus chapters. last november, a mix of union organizers and employees in the cu system held a “day of action” across the four campuses, ending with the event in colorado springs, where they spoke about the potential benefits of bargaining rights. among the challenges cu workers have voiced concerns about recently are wage discrepancies between colleges and lecturers; flat-rate pay raises; a lack of student worker representation; and commuting costs not keeping up with rising costs of living. federal mandates targeted at universities across the country last year also have raised uncertainties about academic freedom on campus. The cu system was among the colleges and universities across the country asked to sign a loyalty oath to the trump administration’s agenda and ideologies. “without collective bargaining, workplace safety and academic freedom depend on the goodwill of our bosses,” said jade kelly, president of communications workers of america local 7799 and a university staff member at cu boulder in a statement. “cu workers deserve a contract with binding protections that address unsafe labs, understaffed classrooms, and the freedom to teach, research, and speak without fear of retaliation or losing our jobs.” ucw colorado has previously argued that, of the 15 states currently with a democratic governor and legislative leadership, theirs is the only one without collective bargaining rights in public higher education. that said, colorado has experienced recent shifts in other job sectors. In 2020, the legislature passed the colorado partnership for quality jobs and services act , which allowed state workers to unionize and collectively bargain. In 2024, denver voters approved ballot measure 2u, which required the city to pass an ordinance ensuring city workers could begin collective bargaining as part of a union by jan. 1, 2026. “when workers have clear rights and protections, universities become safer, stronger, and more stable. The financial cost is modest. The institutional cost of silence, turnover, inequity, and preventable risk is enormous,” said cu regent wanda james. “expanding collective bargaining is not symbolic. It is a decisive step toward a university that actually lives up to its values rather than simply advertising them.”

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COVID memorial unveiling ahead and more Monterey County news

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

Covid memorial unveiling ahead and more monterey county news roseann cattani nearly six years ago, a novel virus called covid-19 plunged the world into chaos, spreading fear and uncertainty as leaders and health officials grappled with a pandemic that would kill millions worldwide. in california, shutdowns emptied streets, toilet paper became a prized commodity, and school closures forced teachers, students and parents into remote learning. in monterey county, 940 people died during the covid-19 pandemic. on feb. 3, a memorial garden to honor the lives lost and recognize the dedication of the first responders, frontline workers, health care professionals and families who supported one another during those fraught times will be unveiled at the government center plaza in salinas. three years in the making, the memorial garden will offer a space for people to sit and reflect on the lives lost during the covid-19 pandemic. The five sections of the memorial represent the five districts of monterey county, and each material used in its construction was chosen by design. the use of glass represents the fragility of life, while the use of color aims to honor the diversity of the region while bringing positive energy and a sense of warmth and fulfillment. The use of metal represents the strong connection between family and community and together they hold the balance between love, loss and the human instinct to survive, according to a description of the project. the memorial garden was created by shelby hawthorne, a sand city–based glass artist selected in partnership with the arts council and the project’s architectural consultant to spotlight local talent. Hawthorne grew up in a family of artists and earned her bachelors of fine arts from the california college of the arts. Other collaborators include contractor r.F. Koeber inc, paul david partnership and bfs landscape architects. the memorial garden cost about $350,000 and was funded through donations and managed by the community foundation for monterey county. A portion of the funding came from the monterey county board of supervisors discretionary fund. the covid-19 memorial garden unveiling will take place at 10:30 a.M. On tuesday, feb. 3 at county of monterey board of supervisors chambers. Those who cannot make the ceremony can listen on zoom or the countys youtube channel. heres a look at other news across monterey county this week. spreckels 8th graders see government in action at state capitol eighth graders at buena vista middle school in the spreckels union school district embarked on a memorable two-day trip to sacramento, where they saw government in action during a tour of the california state capitol. The roughly 100 students also visited the vietnam war memorial, sutter’s fort and the california state railroad museum. the trip also included a special viewing of the lion king at broadway sacramento. this is the second year the districts eighth graders took the educational trip, which coincides with their curriculum on civics and the branches of government. superintendent eric tarallo said the annual field trip was student initiated and driven and now has become a rite of passage. The idea was first raised by a student at a school board meeting, who said they and their classmates were “covid robbed” when pandemic shutdowns wiped out field trips and other opportunities. parents and fundraising efforts financed the trip, and scholarships were made available to those who needed it. at-risk students in greenfield to benefit from $500,000 grant sun street centers’ road to success program has received a $500,000 grant from the city of greenfield to expand services for at-risk youth and families. The funding will allow the program to reach more local students through counseling, mentorship and life-skills support aimed at keeping young people engaged in school and out of the juvenile justice system. over the life of the grant, the program aims to serve 240 families, according to city officials. scholarship opportunities for salinas youth families who are members of golden 1 credit union and have college-bound students in the home, take note. through jan. 31, all eligible california students can apply for a higher education scholarship valued at up to $20,000. To qualify, students must be a golden 1 credit union member, have a minimum 3.0 gpa and have completed at least 24 hours of community service in the past 12 months. For more information, and to apply go to the credit union website. the monterey county hospitality association (mcha) is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The program is open to students pursuing careers in hospitality, including hotel management, culinary and restaurant, tourism and destination management, event planning, business administration and wine hospitality. Priority will be given to current residents or students in monterey county. students can apply for scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year through an online scholarship portal. Deadline is march 16.

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January 23, 2026

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

From illinois center-left sources abc7 — 5 open congressional seats could help drive higher voter turnout for march primary in illinois. Large-scale protests also illustrate public investment in politics, some say.Https://abc7chicago.Com/post/5-open-congressional-seats-could-help-drive-higher-voter-turnout-march-primary-ahead-2026-midterm-election-illinois/18457666/ cbs2 — rnc clears the way for “midterm convention” later this yearhttps://www.Cbsnews.Com/news/rnc-midterms-convention-2026/ — federal government watchdogs deny duckworth’s request for joint probe of immigration agents’ use of forcehttps://www.Cbsnews.Com/chicago/news/inspectors-general-reject-tammy-duckworth-request-probe-immigration-agents-use-of-force/ — judge says trump administration must keep funding child care subsidies in 5 states for nowhttps://www.Cbsnews.Com/chicago/news/child-care-subsidies-5-states-judge-trump-administration/ chicago tribune — immigrants often don’t open the door to ice, but that may no longer stop officers.Https://www.Chicagotribune.Com/2026/01/23/immigrants-ice-open-door/ — dd: democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.Https://www.Chicagotribune.Com/2026/01/23/chicago-faith-leaders-ice/ — oak park river forest league of women voters makes a pitch for fair mapshttps://www.Chicagotribune.Com/2026/01/23/fair-maps-illinois-oak-park/ daily herald — ‘rinos,’ meet the ‘depublicans’https://www.Dailyherald.Com/20260123/syndicated-columnists/rinos-meet-the-depublicans/ alton telegraph — vance touts the trump administration’s record against abortion at a washington rallyhttps://www.Thetelegraph.Com/news/article/vance-touts-the-trump-administration-s-record-21311747.Php cities 92.9 — illinois lawmakers clash over ice funding as dhs bill advanceshttps://www.Cities929.Com/2026/01/23/illinois-lawmakers-clash-over-ice-funding-as-dhs-bill-advances/ capitol news illinois — as illinois house returns to springfield, democrats focus on trump. First week of house session yields several symbolic resolutions condemning the administration.Https://capitolnewsillinois.Com/news/as-illinois-house-returns-to-springfield-democrats-focus-on-trump/ capitol fax — afternoon rounduphttps://capitolfax.Com/2026/01/23/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-454/ from illinois center-right sources center square illinois — proposed illinois bill would let local voters approve rent control, drawing sharp criticismhttps://www.Thecentersquare.Com/illinois/article_4c9c735d-81fe-4bd8-833c-cbebe2652bfe.Html from national center-right sources washington times — dhs says family abandoned 5-year-old migrant, ice ‘cared for him’https://www.Washingtontimes.Com/news/2026/jan/23/dhs-says-family-abandoned-5-year-old-migrant-ice-cared/ — hud orders citizenship checks for those in public housinghttps://www.Washingtontimes.Com/news/2026/jan/23/hud-orders-citizenship-checks-public-housing/ new york post — lefty efforts to justify the st. Paul church invasion are worse than the attack itselfhttps://nypost.Com/2026/01/22/opinion/lefty-efforts-to-justify-the-st-paul-church-invasion-are-worse-than-the-attack-itself/ blaze — trump’s primary endorsements are sabotaging his own agendahttps://www.Theblaze.Com/columns/opinion/trumps-primary-endorsements-are-sabotaging-his-own-agenda campus reform — nurses to simulate abortions on dragon fruit at university of illinois chicago’s ‘abortion care skills day.’ The college’s ‘abortion care skills day’ will be an ‘immersive experience’ for nursing students on how to perform medicated and procedural abortions as well as a hands-on abortion training using dragon fruit to simulate a fetus. ‘The very people that are meant to save lives are taught how to intentionally end them by starving, vacuuming, dismembering, and poisoning the most vulnerable in our society,’ a student told campus reform.Https://www.Campusreform.Org/article/nurses-simulate-abortions-dragon-fruit-university-illinois-chicagos-abortion-care-skills-day/29294 — university of illinois funds ‘the new age of sexism’ book club. A book club centered on ai and misogyny is being hosted by the women’s resources center at the university of illinois. It is promoted through uiuc’s diversity calendar as an official campus event.Https://www.Campusreform.Org/article/university-illinois-funds-the-new-age-sexism-book-club/29283 — augustana college, a lutheran liberal arts school in rock island, illinois, has renamed its diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) office, saying the move reflects internal decision-making as colleges nationwide retreat from the dei label.Https://www.Campusreform.Org/article/augustana-college-rebrands-dei-office-cites-mission-driven-shift/29291 daily caller — feds fail to convict chicago illegal who allegedly put $10,000 bounty on border chief’s headhttps://dailycaller.Com/2026/01/23/gangbanger-not-guilty-of-bovino-bounty/ daily signal — left-wing late-night propaganda isn’t ‘news’https://www.Dailysignal.Com/2026/01/23/left-wing-late-night-propaganda-isnt-news/amp/ epoch times — rich chinese are “renting” american women’s wombs to get us citizenshiphttps://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=k7nxu2ussqo federalist — virginia democrats want schools to push state-enforced homosexualityhttps://thefederalist.Com/2026/01/23/virginia-democrats-want-schools-to-push-state-enforced-homosexuality/ — protesters who disrupted minnesota church service were practicing their own godless religionhttps://thefederalist.Com/2026/01/23/protesters-who-disrupted-minnesota-church-service-were-practicing-their-own-godless-religion/ reason — the gop looks increasingly like a home for elizabeth warren and bernie sanders. Many republicans are now openly embracing ideas from the progressive playbook. Call them “depublicans.”Https://reason.Com/2026/01/22/the-gop-looks-increasingly-like-a-home-for-elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders/ townhall — this new virginia law helps illegals vote for democratshttps://townhall.Com/tipsheet/josephchalfant/2026/01/23/this-new-virginia-law-helps-keep-illegals-voting-for-democrats-n2669983 from national center-left sources new york times — dd: how much success have democrats had taking over your church? The democrat party platform is extremely anti-religious.Https://www.Nytimes.Com/video/opinion/100000010656349/good-for-the-church-but-bad-for-the-country.Html wall street journal — clergy members are arrested in minnesota amid anti-ice protests. Thousands take part in demonstrations across twin cities. Approximately 100 clergy members were arrested at minneapolis-st. Paul international airport during an immigration protest. Dd: how strongly have democrat leaders taken over your church?Https://www.Wsj.Com/us-news/clergy-members-are-arrested-in-minnesota-amid-anti-ice-protests-cce52a25 federal news network — trump lauds ‘tremendous’ federal workforce cuts. Partnership for public service calls them ‘disturbing.’ Dd: if i could tell trump about my federal career, that is, if i could tell him about how my democrat post office, irs, and gao superiors wasted my career and forced me to retire when i was 49 years old in 1997, i wonder how he would react. I never sat around and did nothing, although, i was grossly underutilized. The longer that you are a federal employee, the more difficult, if not impossible, it is to get a job appropriate for your education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional license. Virtually everyone shares trump’s extremely low opinion of federal employees. What does trump know about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination in the federal government? I know a lot.Https://federalnewsnetwork.Com/workforce/2026/01/trump-lauds-tremendous-federal-workforce-cuts-good-government-group-calls-them-disturbing/ (from the article: as he marked one year since being sworn into office, president donald trump on tuesday touted the actions of his administration — including praising the major reductions to the federal workforce throughout 2025. “I don’t want to cut people, but when you cut them and they go out and get a better job, i like to cut them,” trump said during a nearly two-hour press briefing, while also stating his administration “slashed tremendous numbers of people off the federal payroll.” The white house on tuesday also released a list of “365 wins” over the last year, commending the administration’s efforts to ensure a “merit-based” federal workforce. The list includes federal workforce actions overhauling the probationary period; eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion across government; requiring employees to work on-site full-time; slashing federal jobs; and limiting agencies to one new hire for every four employees who exit the civil service. “I say, get rid of everybody that’s unnecessary, because that’s the way you make america great again,” trump said. “When you have all these jobs where people are sitting around doing nothing and they get a lot of money from the government, it’s no good.”) lawfare — is the gao the next battlefield in the fight for separation of powers? The expiration of the comptroller general’s term is an opportunity for congress to reassert itself, or retreat further. Dd: gao is supposed to be nonpartisan, but it is ever-increasingly not. It has ever-increasingly been run by democrats. In 1980, when i was 31 years old, i was one of the last republicans gao hired. Virtually all, if not all of gao employees are democrats. If gingrich had reformed gao instead of gutting it, there would have been no need for doge. My democrat gao superiors wasted my career and forced me to retire in 1997, when i was 49 years old.Https://www.Lawfaremedia.Org/article/is-the-gao-the-next-battlefield-in-the-fight-for-separation-of-powers

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Dale Marlin Braun

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

Dale marlin braun cedar rapids dale marlin braun, 75, of cedar rapids, iowa, passed away on monday, january 19, 2026, surrounded with love by his family, at the university of iowa hospital in iowa city, iowa, after a short, but hard-fought battle with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. dale was born on december 19, 1950, in middleton, wisconsin, the oldest son of marlin and aletha (fingerson) braun. He was a graduate of middleton high school class of 1969 and went on to attend madison area technical college, where he earned his associate’s degree. On may 26, 1973, dale was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and brown-eyed girl, nancy mae mcallister in middleton. Dale and nancy moved to cedar rapids in 1975, where he began his 41-year career at rockwell collins, all spent in various roles in the mechanical drafting and design department, culminating in his retirement in 2016 as a manager. They welcomed daughters sarah in 1977 and katie in 1981, and while dale wanted four girls, that wasn’t to be until his granddaughters, and greatest joys, came along. he was actively involved in the izaak walton league of america, serving most recently as the iowa division president and national director, and in the past held various positions at the linn county chapter, including president, membership secretary, and board member, where he championed environmental conservation and outdoor activities. He also enjoyed working with young people and taught hunter education classes for many years, sharing his knowledge and commitment to safety and outdoor ethics. dale was a lifelong fan and shareholder of the green bay packers, a chicago cubs die-hard, and loved any and all things hockey. He enjoyed reading, completing puzzles, ice cream, watching old movies, stamp collecting, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling with nancy, notably following the lewis and clark trail from beginning to end. He was an avid genealogist and traced family roots back generations to norway, the mayflower, and beyond. but above all, dale’s greatest accomplishment was the family he and nancy created. Dale would drop everything at a moment’s notice to help his daughters and granddaughters in any way, be it changing a flat tire, giving rides to school, or taking care of grand-dogs cooper and herky. He was a jack of all trades and could remodel any room in the house, build a deck, or landscape to whatever the “homeowner” (aka wife or daughters) desired, only requesting payment of a bologna sandwich, fritos, fig newtons, and bottle of beer at the end of the day, because “a man working outdoors feels more like a man if he can have a bottle of suds.” He made delicious cheesy eggs, played endless games of uno, and endured hours of playing school. As grandpa, he made babysitting days an adventure for the girls and attended every sporting and musical event his granddaughters participated in, traveling near and far, in the cold and heat. He was deeply devoted to his girls and loved them more than anything. at the end of dale’s favorite movie, the shawshank redemption, andy and red note “hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies…get busy living or get busy dying.” Dale was the best of all of us and got busy living every day, and while we will miss him fiercely, we hold onto the hope we will meet him again. dale is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, nancy braun; daughters, sarah braun and katie (tom) manternach; four granddaughters, ella griffin, elizabeth griffin, brianna koppes, and kaylee manternach; siblings, jane (david) acker and doug (maryann) braun; and “el gato,” cutie. he was preceded in death by his parents and loyal 4-legged companions, hank and jake. the family wishes to thank the wonderful and kind people at mercy’s hall-perrine cancer center, particularly dr. Samuel wood and nurse nicole, and the attentive staff at uihc. We could not have traversed this journey with better support at our side. in lieu of flowers, memorials in dale’s honor may be directed to the family and will be spread among causes important to him: environmental conservation and cancer programs. please share a memory of dale at www.Murdochfuneralhome.Com under obituaries.

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Mike Johnson Unironically Brags That the Big, Ugly Bill is the Most Pro-Family B

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

While falsely calling the big, ugly bill ‘pro-family,’ the deputy speaker forgot to mention the bill takes food off kitchen tables and rips health care away from millions of families and children mike johnson and house republicans continue to lie about their big, ugly bill. Today, at the march for life event, the deputy speaker claimed the bill is the most ”pro-family” legislation in decades — despite massive cuts to food assistance, health care, and education: an estimated 15 million americans will lose health insurance thanks to the big ugly bill with more than 20 million people seeing sky rocketing health care costs. More than 2 million children will see food assistance to their families cut substantially or terminated, and over the next decade 22 million families will lose food assistance altogether. The typical american household will have to spend over $1,600 more because of republican-caused inflation. The bill guts $300 billion from higher education and eliminates programs meant to make college more affordable for middle class families. Reminder: every single vulnerable republican voted for the big, ugly bill and have been lying to or hiding from their constituents ever since. Dccc spokesperson aidan johnson: “mike johnson continues to lie about house republicans’ big, ugly bill, this time claiming that a bill that cuts food and health care benefits from millions of americans is ‘pro-family.’ Every single vulnerable republican voted for this, and voters will hold them accountable in november.” ###

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Ruth Ann Schwiebert

Posted on Saturday, January 24 @ 00:01:09 PST (0 reads)

Ruth ann schwiebert cedar rapids ruth ann schwiebert, 90, of cedar rapids, iowa, passed away on wednesday, january 21, 2026, at hiawatha care center. A visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.M. On thursday, january 29, 2026, at murdoch funeral home & cremation service in marion, iowa. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.M. On friday, january 30, 2026, at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at a later date at brooklyn memorial cemetery in brooklyn, iowa. ruth was born on january 5, 1936, in brooklyn, the daughter of raymond and sara (ladd) montgomery. She was a 1953 graduate of brooklyn high school and went on to attend mt. Mercy college, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. On august 21, 1955, ruth was united in marriage to john edward schwiebert in brooklyn. a devoted teacher, ruth spent her life dedicated to the education of others through her work at the center point urbana community school district, where she inspired countless students over her remarkable 45-year career in teaching. Ruth was more than just an educator; she was a person of faith and integrity, often found in the company of her church community. Her unwavering commitment to her beliefs guided her throughout her life. Ruth cherished every moment spent with her loved ones, particularly enjoying activities such as her grandchildren’s sporting events and baking cookies, sewing, and reading. Her dedication to learning and teaching enriched her life and the lives of those she influenced. ruth touched many lives, never met a stranger, and generously gave of her time and talents. She was happiest when teaching kids of all ages. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who dearly loved her family. ruth is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, susan (larry) wear and jeff (deb) schwiebert; honorary son, joseph (beth) kalimba; five grandchildren, nathan (anne) wear, seth (jenna) wear, aaron (lisa) schwiebert, lindsey (matt) starmer, and allie (aaron) miguel; fourteen great-grandchildren, rhyse, lauryn, dana, irelyn, tate, libby, leo, asher, landen, reid, keaton, calen, ainsley, and avery; and sister, joyce hoskins. she was preceded in death by her parents; husband, john schwiebert; and three brothers, willis, gene, and robert montgomery. memorials in ruth’s memory may be directed to the lovely lane united methodist church in cedar rapids. please share a memory of ruth at www.Murdochfuneralhome.Com under obituaries.

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