The Bay Area's homeless population grew 6% to an estimated 38,891 people in 2024, according to new federal data, extending a decade-long surge fueled by the housing affordability crisis, and drug and mental health challenges among those living on the region's streets. In California, homelessness rose 3% to more than 187,000, while the U.S. homeless population spiked 18% to more than 770,000 from 2023 to 2024. All three totals are record highs. Gov. Gavin Newsom credited the state's slower rise last year to the unprecedented billions of dollars it has sent to cities and counties to fund homelessness programs. "Forty states saw larger increases than California," Newsom said at a news conference in Oakland last month. "We're making progress, but we have to continue to do more." read more
New Jersey will no longer require teacher candidates to pass a basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills test for certification starting January 1, 2025. Governor Phil Murphy signed Act 1669 into law as part of the state's 2025 budget to address an ongoing teacher shortage. This change eliminates the "basic skills" test administered by the state's Commissioner of Education for those seeking instructional certificates. The law follows similar measures in other states, such as New York and California, aimed at alleviating teacher shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporters, including the New Jersey Education Association, argue the test posed an unnecessary barrier to entering the profession. Critics, however, worry about potential impacts on educational outcomes amid challenges like pandemic-related learning losses.
Historically, "Ladies' Nights" have been great for business. Discounted drinks or meals tend to draw a large crowd of women, which in turn tends to draw more men -- which then leads to packed bars and increased sales for the business. read more
A new report by Worldometer reveals that abortion was the leading cause of death globally in 2024, surpassing all other causes including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and traffic accidents. The report indicates a staggering 45 million unborn babies lost their lives through abortion. Abortion was the leading cause of death globally in 2024, with a record 45 million unborn babies killed in the womb, according to data provided by Worldometer. As of noon on December 31, 2024, there were 45.1 million abortions performed in the course of the year, Worldometer, while 8.2 million people died from cancer, 5 million from smoking, 1.7 million of HIV/AIDS, 1.35 million from traffic fatalities, and 1.1 million from suicide reveals a figure of 62.
Police are investigating the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Police said a cybertruck pulled up in front of the hotel near a glass entrance, then smoke started coming from the vehicle and it exploded. The driver was killed and seven people were injured in the explosion, police said without naming any suspects. read more
#4 so you have seen the tapes? Excellent not many people have.