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Va. receives nearly $140 million from major tobacco companies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

The state of Virginia received a payment of $137.3 million on Friday from four major tobacco companies, according to the office of the Attorney General Jason Miyares.The payment is part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which the Commonwealth has received $3.2 billion in payments from since 1998. The agreement resolved Virginia’s and another 51 states and territories’ lawsuits against the major tobacco companies for violating consumer protection laws and deceptive marketing practices that harmed the states, including increasing healthcare costs.The annual payments to the 52 states and territories are meant to help cover the cost of healthcare for smoking-related illnesses.Attorney General Miyares and his Tobacco Enforcement Section are responsible for enforcing the Master Settler Agreement and regulating tobacco companies in Virginia.“The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was a landmark agreement that continues to shape the tobacco industry and protect ...

Montgomery Co. creates budget with teachers union to increase wages

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

Montgomery County Public Schools reached a tentative agreement with the Montgomery County Education Association on Friday that would increase teachers’ salaries over the next two yearsAccording to an MCPS news release, teachers in the union would start with an annual salary increase of $5,602 for ten-month employees and $6,583 for twelve-month employees in the 2023-2024 school year.For the 2024-2025 school year, salaries would increase by $2,918 for ten-month employees and $3,428 for twelve-month employees.These increases are meant to address the rising cost of living and recognize the value teachers bring to the county. This period of wage increases would also fulfill the Old Line State’s mandate that teachers have a starting salary of $60,000 over the next two years, which is part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation passed in 2021.Some educators and advocates requested in December that the annual minimum salary outlined in the blueprint’s mandate b...

U.Md. IT employee arrested on child pornography charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

A Howard County, Maryland, man employed by the University of Maryland’s information technology department was arrested Thursday on multiple child pornography charges, according to the Maryland State Police.Police said William Gomes, 41, of Elkridge, was charged with 10 counts of possession and three counts of distribution of child pornography, as well as one count of creating a computer image of an apparent child engaged in sexual conduct.Gomes was arrested following a Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigation that began in February. On Thursday, officials served a search and seizure warrant at Gomes’ residence and conducted a preliminary forensic review of his electronic devices seized at the scene that revealed multiple child pornography files. He was then transported to the Howard County Department of Corrections for processing.The University of Maryland’s website lists Gomes as the Acting Director of the Enterprise Software Engineering unit in the school’s IT depa...

Property tax hike: What's the solution?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Property taxes are about to soar with some increasing by 50% since the last time they were evaluated.Almost everyone agrees that something needs to be done, as it is an extremely important issue. Property taxes are jumping so much that some people on fixed incomes could be forced out of their homes.This is one of those issues that just about everyone - conservative or liberal - agrees needs to be addressed. Polis signs gun control bills after massacre The question is how? And how to do it without affecting the people and agencies that depend on that money?Host Matt Mauro discussed the issue along with the possibility of a special session, President Biden's decision to run again, the debt ceiling and more on "Colorado Point of View."The full episode aired on Colorado's Very Own Channel 2 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. You can watch it in the player above.

Set of quadruplets set to graduate from Metropolitan State University together

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- When FOX31 sat down with the Molnar quadruplets, it was easy to tell right away not only were they related but they were all very smart. “Our parents had one kid, we have an older brother Roman. They tried for one more then got kids two through four and here we are," Julia Molnar said. The quadruplets were born at 33.5 weeks. The firstborn was Luke Molnar, the only boy out of the four. Then a minute after him was Abigail then a minute after her Julia then Rachael followed. "On our birth certificates it says 11:59 p.m. for both of us (Julia and Rachael) so we're always a little suspicious was it October 14th or was it the 15th?" Rachael said. Longmont man frustrated after extensive damage done to home after barricade situation All four of the siblings are graduating with different degrees before heading off on their next adventures. All four are in STEM. Julia is graduating with a degree in advanced manufacturing with a concentration in aerospace. Abigail is gradua...

Golden Beach Police sergeant hospitalized after pursuit of stolen car leads to bailout, shooting; 2 arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

Rescue crews took a Golden Beach Police sergeant to the hospital after officers’ pursuit of a stolen car took a violent turn, triggering a search that led to the arrest of two men.According to investigators, units with Sunny Isles Beach Police and Golden Beach Police initially attempted to conduct a traffic stop at around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday.Radio transmissions captured the tense moments as officers chased after the car.“Eastbound Sunny Isles Boulevard and Collins [Avenue], units looking for a 2015 gray Nissan Altima,” said a dispatcher.Hollywood Police were later called for helpAt one point, the subjects struck a police cruiser.“He hit a patrol vehicle, he hit a unit, hit one of our units,” an officer said in radio transmissions.Police said the suspects lost control of the car as they tried to turn on Hallandale Beach Boulevard, then jumped out of the vehicle.“Jumped over the wall on the bridge,” an officer is heard saying in radio transm...

Biden-von der Leyen 2024?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

Up for election in 2024? The transatlantic alliance. By a quirk of timing, 2024 will see not only America elect a president, but Europe choose its next slate of top EU officials.And with Joe Biden officially launching his re-election campaign last week, the U.S. president is now one step closer to facing voters within months of his EU counterpart, Ursula von der Leyen, who is still deciding whether to seek her own second term atop the European Commission.In many ways, the personal chemistry between the two is on the ballot. The two leaders have forged strong ties while in office together despite persistent friction between the U.S. and Europe over everything from tariffs to subsidies to security deals.That means that whether the duo stays or goes will inevitably have profound consequences for the transatlantic alliance.A defeated Biden could mean a return of Donald Trump, who as president launched a trade war with Europe, openly questioned multilateralism and cast the European Union...

Pats focus on offense, special teams on final day of draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — After focusing exclusively on defense with their first three picks, the New England Patriots used the final day of the NFL draft to address their offense and special teams.The Patriots entered Saturday expecting to be busy with nine draft picks spread over the final four rounds.They came in as one of two teams to not draft an offensive player during the first two days, but ended up spending multiple picks on offensive linemen and wide receivers.The possibility of New England featuring rookies at both punter and kicker is in play after it used some of the team’s draft capital to select players from each position.Shifting to the other two phases of the game after the Patriots stocked up on defenders starting with their first pick — cornerback Christian Gonzalez — on Thursday.Defense remained the focus on Friday with the additions of edge rusher Keion White and safety-linebacker hybrid Marte Mapu.On Saturday, New England completed its draft class with center Ja...

Chicago Bears UDFA tracker: Ryan Poles gets to work adding more rookies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

After he wrapped up his 10th and final pick of the NFL draft Saturday night, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles got to work signing undrafted free agents.The Tribune is tracking those signings through announcements by their schools, agents and reporters.Here’s a list of players expected to join the Bears as undrafted free agents or on tryouts.Nick Amoah, UC Davis offensive linemanTyson Bagent, Shepherd quarterbackMicah Baskerville, LSU linebackerJustin Broiles, Oklahoma defensive backRobert Burns, Connecticut running backDamien Caffrey, Stony Brook tight endMacon Clark, Tulane safetyAron Cruickshank, Rutgers wide receiverJalen Harris, Arizona defensive endGabe Houy, Pittsburgh offensive linemanLorenz Metz, Cincinnati offensive linemanThyrick Pitts, Delaware wide receiverAndre Szmyt, Syracuse kickerDe’Jahn Warren, Jackson State defensive back ()

After drafting 3 offensive players, have the Chicago Bears done enough to build around Justin Fields?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:11 GMT

Not long after the Chicago Bears drafted Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott in the fourth round Saturday, Scott tweeted a video of the moment he received the Bears’ call.Above the clip of him putting on a Bears hat to the cheers of family and friends, he wrote a message to quarterback Justin Fields.“EXACTLY who I wanted to draft me all along!!” Scott tweeted. “Time to get to work @justnfields.”Scott grew up an Ohio State fan in northeast Ohio and has followed Fields’ career since he played there. He called the Bears quarterback “a playmaker, a guy that’s doing whatever it takes to win, whether that’s throwing or running.”Now Scott is one of three offensive players the Bears drafted to help Fields win in his third year in the league.“Just being a part of that offense is going to be fun,” Scott said.By the end of the draft Saturday night, Bears general manager Ryan Poles had added a speedy rookie in Scott. He us...