Investigators told the South Bend school board on April 28 they had found evidence of thousands of grades being changed across the district's high schools and students receiving credits for classes they hadn't earned but that wasn't the first time the board had heard those allegations it had been nearly two years since those claims were presented to the board including giving students a score that doesn't reflect the amount of coursework done the time spent in the course or otherwise doesn't support earning the credit they found students passing classes they'd spent less than 2-5 hours in Details of allegations: Investigators say thousands of grades changed in South Bend high schools to raise grad rate Investigators said the findings came from the online educational platform Edmentum as well as from teachers who self-reported instances of grade changes is an online program that allows students to recover credits if they've taken an in-person course and failed at least once It's allowed by the Indiana Department of Education and several Indiana school corporations use the program Leyva told The Tribune that the board will meet with district administrators and then recommending some standards for SBCSC's use of Edmentum The SBCSC board can create policies and guidelines for the district's grading practices adding that he's heard from teachers and administrators that there should be standards for SBCSC's online learning platforms A history of allegations?According to a video on the district's YouTube channel high school English teacher Joseph Beachey addressed the board and said he was resigning from SBCSC after six years because of concerns about cheating and unearned credits (Editor's note: Beachey's comments begin at the 1:36:12 mark of the video.) Beachey said he'd seen evidence of students earning a lot of credits in a short amount of time on Edmentum went from fewer than 20 credits to 40 in the span of a month I've watched this online Edmentum program be turned into something where we usher kids across the stage instead of teaching them," Beachey said "… I couldn't sit there and do that anymore — getting pressured to pass kids." He also said he'd seen widespread cheating adding some students had told him they'd cheated in every class "They cheated their way through graduation they could really be something if they just had the right push," Beachey said Beachey told board members he had reported the problem but nothing was done "I reported it and nothing came of it," he said The Tribune reached out to Beachey on three separate occasions between April 30 and May 2 but did not receive a response Beachey's comments were mentioned in a December 2023 letter addressed to the SBCSC board and signed by former Clay High School Assistant Principal Robert Smith which was also sent to the Indiana Attorney General Smith calls for further investigation into the allegations and suggests that the grade inflation "is all being done to ultimately boost Superintendent (Todd) Cummings' payment since his contract was extended because of increased graduation rates." Smith implicated building principals in his letter saying they served as teacher of record on some of the bogus course credits Smith added that he'd heard about the issue from "numerous teachers and school counselors" at SBCSC who had evidence of grade inflation but were concerned about retaliation if they came forward In a note to Attorney General Todd Rokita attached to the letter to the SBCSC board Smith said SBCSC "has reaped the benefit of the fraudulent credits" and the increased graduation rate by receiving a $3 million federal grant for students using Edmentum Smith said he'd also reached out to several government agencies and individuals including IDOE and his representive on the St numerous times since August 2023 to ask for an investigation into the issue but hadn't been contacted by an investigator and the board at the time looked into the allegations by talking with Cummings school principals and district administrators "I never was presented with any evidence or anything other than rumor or innuendo that it was true." "I'm not saying that someone didn't change grades somewhere said he remembered the principal at Beachey's school was "surprised by the allegation" but the principal confirmed the issue had been resolved And Kate Lee said she's learned since 2023 that "sometimes a grade change in the system is actually a correction based on internal reviews and protocols." "I believe as we dig in more on the initial findings we will all learn a lot about the challenges that come with online learning and how it coexists with traditional in-person classes," Lee said A spokesperson from SBCSC said the district is aware of the previous allegations He added that SBCSC had sent them to the state but the state didn't take any further action Former trustees Stephanie Ball and Leslie Wesley didn't respond after The Tribune reached out for comment on May 1 investigators Tim Corbett and Joe Speybroeck and the team still needs to speak to teachers allegedly involved in grade changes a spokesperson from the Indiana Department of Education told The Tribune that IDOE is aware of the allegations exploring all investigatory options and monitoring SBCSC's internal investigation The Indiana State Board of Accounts conducts biennial audits of school corporations told The Tribune that school grades and graduation rates are not under the Board's purview Bearsch added that IDOE takes allegations like these very seriously "(I)t is crucial that each student's diploma accurately reflects their knowledge and overall preparedness as they take their next steps after graduation," she said in the email "… Regardless of the outcome of this particular investigation grade manipulation of any kind is wholly unacceptable and violates the trust between school leaders and the students and parents we serve." said the district is also taking the allegations seriously and he asked for patience from district families and community members until the investigation concludes "Our responsibility is to educate young people and we will not shrink from that responsibility," Eid said and we will take appropriate action to restore trust where it has been lost." Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@gannett.com (KTVZ) — Several games across the High Desert were affected by stormy weather Friday evening but none felt the impact more dramatically than the Bend High vs As the teams battled under darkening skies Bend High had built a strong lead and was declared the winner defeating Summit 10–4 before the Storm shut things down It was a memorable night on the High Desert Dylan Anderman is the Sports Director and a Multimedia Journalist with KTVZ News. Learn more about Dylan here KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Oregon captivates residents and visitors alike with its stunning natural landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities From the Deschutes River meandering through town to the nearby Cascade Mountains offering year-round adventures Central Oregon provides a high quality of life combined with growing communities and busy roadways Recognizing the need for dedicated, localized legal support, Telaré Personal Injury Attorneys has opened a new office in Bend, Oregon This expansion brings their knowledge and community-focused approach directly to those injured in Central Oregon It signifies a commitment to providing accessible advocacy grounded in an understanding of the region Beyond the Scenery: Understanding Local Hazard Zones Pursuing a personal injury claim in Bend involves more than a general understanding of the law It also requires familiarity with the specific locations where incidents occur Telaré Law brings insight into Bend's outdoor and community spaces offering clients an understanding of how local conditions can influence a case Their attorneys recognize that every location presents unique variables — from terrain and traffic flow to public usage patterns — that might be considered when building a legal strategy Mountain biking routes can feature narrow paths Injuries here may involve elements like trail layout and visibility local highways may introduce challenges such as sharp curves Telaré Law's experience extends to high-traffic recreation areas like ski areas where visitor activity and event traffic can play a role in accidents a mountain biker sustained internal injuries after a fall on a remote trail Handling that claim required knowledge of trail maintenance and medical response times — details that only come with local experience Telaré Law's attorneys may use this insight to ask questions and gather evidence early By understanding how specific environments contribute to personal injury cases the firm builds claims that give clients a clear path forward Their local knowledge may add depth to each case Oregon Law and Insurance Tactics: The Advocate You Need Navigating the aftermath of an injury may involve strict legal deadlines and potentially complex dealings with insurance companies the statute of limitations generally requires personal injury claims to be filed within two years from the date of the injury prompt consultation with an attorney may be crucial Missing this deadline might permanently bar recovery insurance companies may employ tactics to minimize payouts they "face off with the insurance companies and may ask they play by the rules from the get-go." The complexities of legal discovery, highlighted in cases like the Iowa Supreme Court ruling on psychological test data disclosure show how intricate legal procedures may become It might reinforce the possible need for advocates like Telaré Law to protect victims' rights and pursue compensation against powerful entities Telaré Law provides legal representation across a spectrum of personal injury cases that may be encountered in the Bend area Their understanding of local conditions may enhance their ability to handle claims arising from the community's specific activities and traffic patterns For instance, Drake Park is a central hub in Bend's extensive trail network local trail networks accommodate pedestrians and cyclists Bicycle and pedestrian accident claims require specific attention to local traffic laws and infrastructure                ● Motorcycle Accident Representation                ● Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Cases This comprehensive service list ensures that individuals injured in various circumstances from collisions on major highways to recreational vehicle incidents Recent reports of injury crashes on major interstates are a reminder of the potential severity of vehicle accidents which may call for experienced representation An injury's financial and personal toll can be overwhelming affecting not only physical but also financial and emotional well-being Telaré Law is committed to fighting for compensation for clients meticulously calculating all damages that may stem from an incident Depending on the case's specifics and the extent of the harm that may have been suffered injured individuals in Bend may be entitled to recover various forms of compensation                ● Medical expenses (current and future) The firm can ensure that losses are documented recognizing that a settlement or jury award is sometimes essential for the client's recovery and long-term well-being Financial compensation in injury cases may highlight the impact such injuries might have on a person's life and reinforces the importance of comprehensive and experienced legal representation Telaré Law brings not only local familiarity but also a track record of legal success and client satisfaction to the Bend community Their commitment to high standards may be reflected in their recognition by Super Lawyers an honor reserved for attorneys who may demonstrate professional achievement and peer recognition This external validation may be matched by the trust they have earned from clients potentially indicated by a 5-star rating on Google Clients have praised the firm's "professionalism and compassion," highlighting the supportive representation they received during challenging times the Telaré Law team members position themselves as members of the Bend community dedicated to advocating for their neighbors with integrity and skill This dedication may build a foundation of trust for navigating sensitive personal injury matters Justice Shouldn't Depend on Your Wallet: The Contingency Fee Promise Financial concerns should not hinder access to experienced legal representation especially when individuals may be grappling with medical bills and lost income because of an injury which is why they operate on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases in Bend This model means clients pay nothing upfront for legal services; the firm only receives payment if they win the case through a settlement or court award It ensures that those in the Bend community who may have suffered because of someone else's negligence can afford high-quality legal help It aligns the firm's success directly with its clients' success fostering a partnership focused on achieving a good outcome without adding financial stress during a difficult recovery period This model may be in contrast with the potentially high costs of legal battles seen elsewhere If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Bend or the surrounding Central Oregon area, taking prompt action may be vital for your physical recovery and protecting your legal rights. Telaré Law Personal Injury Attorneys encourages you to reach out for a free no-commitment consultation to discuss the details of your situation Their personal injury attorneys can assess your case and outline how they can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward The firm is committed to providing clear guidance and strong advocacy from the beginning "just a stone's throw from Mirror Pond," the Telaré Law office is accessible to residents You can learn more about their services and approach by visiting their website or calling them directly to schedule your complimentary consultation Oregon's statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims Don't delay seeking legal advice — contact Telaré Law today and let their team become your advocate in Central Oregon fighting for the justice and resources you desire Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly Also observed at eateries throughout the county were no cleaning solutions dirty handles and lids and refrigerator racks so rusty dirty bar soda guns; cleaning cloths with no cleaning solution and no toilet paper Even though cardinals don’t campaign for the job there are always front-runners going into a conclave to choose the next pope Need a dinner that's quick and uses minimal dishes “Star Wars” fans around the world are celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise this weekend through a… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account President Donald Trump has signed an executive order slashing federal funding to public broadcasters PBS and NPR The order issued Thursday instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS,” eliminating about $500 million in support for public radio and TV stations around the country Station President and General Manager Amanda Miller Kelley tells us not only have the feds cut off funding but the state of Indiana last week also stripped public funding for them “The state is about 10% of our budget and federal is about 22.5%,” Kelley said we’re looking at a third of our budget just gone.” Kelley says WNIT will now have to take a very hard look at the programs and services it provides to determine what will have to be changed She notes WNIT operates five stations total including the main station airing a variety of local and national programs and specialty stations that air children’s programming and weather It will be difficult to maintain all of those services Kelley says Friday’s news was “deeply disheartening” because she believes PBS provides viewers with content they don’t get anywhere else So that’s what we’re looking to continue to be for this community for the people who watch us because they rely on us for their children or because they watch us because they value what we bring to their homes.” Kelley says the station does have to pay for licenses to air many of its most popular programs She was to take part in a manager’s call with the national PBS organization to learn more Friday Kelley tells us the total loss of funding to WNIT as a result of recent cuts comes out to about $1.3 million. Those who support the station with their pledges could help by increasing them WNIT has operated in South Bend since 1974 Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email Living Snoqualmie features news and happenings in the Snoqualmie Valley including Snoqualmie Riley High School special education teacher Heidi Daren has been named South Bend schools' Teacher of the Year. Cecilia Stanton-Verduzco, who teaches Spanish at Adams High School Daren and Stanton-Verduzco were selected during an award ceremony on Thursday that recognized 28 nominees selected by their peers A panel of evaluators and current and retired teachers chose Daren as SBCSC's top educator marking the 46th anniversary of the SBCSC Teacher of the Year program As Teacher of the Year, Daren will receive a $2,500 Professional Growth Grant from the South Bend Education Foundation and be the district's candidate for the 2024-25 Indiana Teacher of the Year so I'm just so thankful to be here and representing Riley and all of our kids," she said during the award ceremony Daren has more than a decade of experience and is a National Board Certified Teacher Known for her "innovative approach to education," the release says, she founded the Best Buddies International chapter at Riley and introduced a therapy dog named Milo to support her students' emotional and social growth Daren has also increased the participation of students with disabilities in general education classes and extracurriculars "Daren is a dedicated and passionate teacher who truly deserves this recognition," Mansour Eid "We congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year's Teacher of the Year awards for their commitment to education." Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you Builder Breakfast – Town Hall: Building a Better Business Model for Housing Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.: Deschutes Public Library Downtown Bend LINKS: [email protected] [email protected] LINKS: www.hoffmancorp.com/trade-partners/ The Sierra West Apartments include the renovation of 56 apartment units located in 7 two-story woodframed buil[...] Sign up for your daily digest of DJC Oregon Daily News BRIC is proud to announce Octavio Gutiérrez’s promotion to associate principal BRIC is proud to announce Ed Herrera’s promotion to associate principal Sundt Construction welcomes the addition of Devanta Black as project manager for its growing Northwe[...] Hacker has promoted John Dalit to associate He is a registered architect and a member of NOMA with [...] Hacker has promoted Sophia Tan to associate She contributes to diverse projects spanning civic Jason Murakami has been promoted to preconstruction manager at R&H Construction Sara Stone is now vice president/project manager of Pioneer Waterproofing Company Christine Schlicker has been named chief operating officer of Deacon Construction Daily Journal of Commerce provides 24/7 legal news coverage and events honoring top legal professionals Get our free DJC Oregon Daily News & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions (WSBT) — No one was injured after a fire broke out at a South Bend business Monday morning Smoke was seen coming through the roof when firefighters arrived Crews at the scene told WSBT 22 News the fire was under control in 15 minutes No one was inside the building at the time of the fire Corpus Christi Memorial, a headstone and monument business that had operated for decades, abruptly shut down after at least 60 customers alleged they paid for headstones they never received. Some had been waiting for years. The company’s closure led to the arrest of its owner, who now faces multiple felony charges, including theft and exploitation. The building remained shuttered — until local real estate investor Richard Shelton purchased the property. What he discovered inside stunned him. “When we got inside and started looking at all the stones, we saw names. Some of them looked new, like they had already been processed,” Shelton told KRIS 6 News. Word quickly spread that the gates to Corpus Christi Memorial were open again, and families still searching for answers began showing up. “It was one person after another,” Shelton said. “Once we opened the gates and started having conversations, we realized this was much bigger than we thought. We knew we had to help however we could.” Shelton began posting photos of the headstones to social media, encouraging families to come claim them — free of charge. “They’re welcome to them. We’re doing what we can to help,” he said. Realizing not everyone uses social media, Shelton also reached out to local funeral homes and cemeteries to help track down people who may still be missing headstones. Some stones could even be modified to suit a new family’s needs. “There’s one here that’s bigger, more expensive — and the family will get it for free. All they have to do is pay for the engraving,” a funeral director who visited the site said. Shelton, who is preparing to sell the property, says his goal was simple: to do the right thing. “To promote that there’s goodness out there,” he said. “And to show we can create abundance outside of ourselves.” If you believe your loved one’s headstone may be among those recovered, or are interested in the property, Shelton encourages you to reach out. His number is 210-240-8765. Canal had debated whether to perform but ultimately decided to go ahead with the show Two days before she was scheduled to play, she announced she would be donating her fee to a trans equality group in an Instagram post that dared the new guys to cancel her performance she began to consider an even bolder act of protest “Literally, up until the moment I [walked] out onstage, I was on the phone with my lawyer,” Canal said. “Everybody was kind of advising against it.” Undeterred, after she finished her free set, she walked away from the grand piano, grabbed a T-shirt with plain block lettering—ANTI TRUMP AF.—pulled it over her dress As video of her performance spread on social media Canal’s Instagram and other platforms were bombarded by Trump supporters and hundreds of comments a minute attacking everything from her disability and her weight to her gender expression and her sexuality and was born without a right forearm.) “It became clearer and clearer,” she told me with a sigh “that that audience”—the one at the Kennedy Center that stood and applauded her—“doesn’t represent America.” For more than half a century, the Kennedy Center has made a priority of representing the rich diversity of American culture and has regularly celebrated artists of color and LGBTQ+ performers That mission was thrown into doubt the moment Trump and his cronies took over its board the arts center would serve as a weapon in the president’s war against cultural elites What has emerged instead are at times bewildering gestures toward a more insidious goal: not just chilling art deemed “liberal” and fostering right-wing arts institutions but establishing a Trump-aligned power base through which to rival the diversity of American culture is not a politically unifying force; it’s just another chance to score shots against wokeism and force liberals to get in line citing such examples as Gone With the Wind In compliance with executive orders issued by Trump shortly after he was sworn into office the NEA began asking grant applicants in February to certify that they won’t promote “gender ideology,” as such projects are ineligible “Do the historical posters of Rosie the Riveter promote DEI Does the art of Romare Bearden promote DEI?” questioned Paulette Granberry Russell president and CEO of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education which sued the administration in February over the anti-DEI order The NEA had dropped the certification requirements amid ongoing litigation but the changes have already discouraged some LGBTQ+ artists and allies from applying for grants There’s little ambiguity over the kind of art the administration doesn’t like. But what kind of art does it support? In early February, the NEA indicated that projects celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence would get funding priority a promise that disappeared from the agency’s website shortly after it prompted confusion and mockery (The theme had previously been “encouraged” under President Joe Biden At the Kennedy Center, meanwhile, Trump and his allies have espoused a cultural vision that is as inscrutable as it is crowd-pleasing: Christmas A mix of artists who support the president and performances he personally likes is certainly very Trumpian but is this really what the president meant when he promised the center was “going to have some really good shows” Many of those artists are alarmed over the latest attempt to police the agency spent some 50 hours working on an NEA application to fund a yearlong exhibition centered around queer collaborative art practices featuring a local artist who identifies as a lesbian “Queer was maybe mentioned six times” in their application Convinced that it was doomed under the new administration he made the “difficult decision” to pull it even before the new guidelines were put in place An NEA grant program for underserved communities, many of whose recipients are in red states, has been scrapped for the 2026 fiscal year Relative Theatrics used NEA funding to get a playwriting program for public school students off the ground To do that now—and pay artists across the state to perform the students’ work—the organization has to compete for a much more competitive NEA grant Relative Theatrics has been able to turn to its community for help But it’s a predicament that highlights a reality often overlooked when NEA critics assume that private donors will step up to replace it: It’s hard to support artists that never had a chance to make art in the first place The same day that Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center was announced, Chris Nee, co-creator of the children’s musical Finn learned the center was canceling its sponsorship of a planned two-year national tour for financial reasons Nee and her colleagues had good reasons to doubt that explanation—among them they had been in talks about the planned tour as recently as late January She suspected the termination was ideological: The play is about a shark who likes bright colors and sparkly things “It’s for those kids out there that I think are so unbelievably under attack right now,” she said If the Kennedy Center’s new leaders have tried to avoid controversy when canceling performances like Finn, they’ve eagerly drawn attention to artists who have pulled out in protest. In March, Lin-Manuel Miranda yanked a long-planned production of Hamilton citing the administration’s politicization of the Kennedy Center Trump sniffed that he never liked the hit musical anyway but the rift revealed yet another problem: It’s hard to attract audiences if you’ve alienated many of the country’s most popular artists Given that the administration had just gutted DEI programs, it was a jaw-droppingly ironic statement, made even more so when the Kennedy Center subsequently laid off staffers in charge of bringing diverse communities to the performing arts space he was taunting the administration’s critics a subtext that became literal when he goaded a concerned musician over email “Every single person who cancelled a show did so because they couldn’t be in the presence of republicans,” he wrote The message was unmistakable: You wanted diversity and inclusion in the arts—now you’re going to get it Cultural DEI is not a bad way of understanding Trump’s weaponization of federal arts funding and his takeover of the Kennedy Center. There have been clumsy signals—like Trump wanting to use some NEA money to build his own sculpture garden—that the administration hopes to use its newfound power to cultivate Trump-approved art and the Kennedy Center hasn’t gotten any Trumpier Lee Greenwood, a country music singer who was reappointed to the Kennedy Center board in February, and who was previously chosen as a trustee during Trump’s first term Trump wants to bring the Kennedy Center “to its former beauty,” said the singer whose hit “God Bless the USA” has long been a staple of Trump’s rallies “I totally agree with it.” When I asked what sort of shows the new Kennedy leadership might feel are underrepresented Greenwood said that he didn’t want to get political would not be made by Trump; they are based on entertainment and business value “If they have a bunch of dancers that are gay or not gay,” that’s “not going to be an issue,” he said When discussing his plans for the Kennedy Center Trump frequently stumbles into a version of his political message by invoking a bygone era of mass entertainment that wasn’t tainted by politics American Culture can be made Great Again—as long as it is forbidden from engaging with the world around it this is a very old vision: Demagogues have attempted to use bread and circuses to satiate the masses for millennia there is a clear desire to showcase art with a distinctly Trumpian spin—even if no one seems entirely sure of what that would look like in practice Canal, the singer-songwriter who protested at the Kennedy Center, hypothesized that only AI art can give the president what he wants. Because “no artist in their right mind,” she said, “is going to be making art about Trump.” Newcomers Afshi Charania and Angie Wierzbicki won the races for two Fort Bend ISD board of trustees positions Kelly joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in June 2017 after majoring in print journalism and creative writing at the University of Houston she transitioned to editor for the Lake Houston-Humble-Kingwood edition and began covering the Spring and Klein area as well in August 2020 Kelly was promoted to South Houston managing editor A 39-year-old Texas man has been charged with first-degree murder and seven other felonies in connection with the death of a 24-year-old Georgia woman near North Bend Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins filed the charges Wednesday with a habitual criminal enhancement Dodge County Sheriff's Deputy Kerrion Faulkner said at about 5 p.m 30 and County Road 5 just outside North Bend about a possible car crash came up to her vehicle claiming to have been in an accident and tried to get in her car Faulkner said she told dispatch the man made her uncomfortable but she did see a white Jeep in a nearby field this time about a woman covered in blood by the road Faulkner and a good Samaritan found Meadows He said the woman who initially called 911 came up as they worked and said she had just seen the white Jeep that had been in the ditch drive by headed west Faulkner took off in his patrol car and caught up to the Jeep He said when he and another deputy called Jeselink out of the Jeep blood was covering his hands and was on his legs He said they arrested him and came to believe that he had shot Meadows during an argument over money Jeselink was believed to be under the influence of cocaine Meadows was taken to a hospital in Fremont in critical condition and flown to Nebraska Medical Center Faulkner said medical staff determined she had five wounds consistent with a gunshot and a possible cut to her neck He said they found a loaded .380 caliber handgun about 600 feet from where Meadows had been found And they found blood in the driver's side of the Jeep and a magazine for a gun and knife on the front passenger seat The Sheriff's Office said Meadows and Jeselink had been in a relationship for more than a year The Sheriff's Office said the couple had arrived in Nebraska for work in Columbus Download the new Journal Star News Mobile App Jim Pillen (center) speaks to reporters surrounded by representatives of the UNL College Rodeo team and former Husker volleyball Coach John Cook (far left) in front of the Governor’s Residence on Monday in Lincoln Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule cheers as Will Compton (not pictured) bench presses during the Husker Games on Saturday at Memorial Stadium Lincoln Southwest's Tanner Drought (left) and Norfolk's Isidro Rosas battle for the ball on Friday Merv Riepe of Ralston (not pictured) announces that he will vote for the Stand With Women Act during a floor debate at the Capitol Tuesday Former Nebraska head coach John Cook (left) and and player Heinrich Haarberg warm up before the roping contest during the Husker Games on Saturday Lincoln Stars fans celebrate with players after Alex Pelletier (first left) scored a goal during Game 2 of the USHL Western Conference Finals series on Saturday at the Ice Box Nebraska Defensive linemen David Borchers digs into wings during a wing eating contest to cap the Husker Games event on Saturday 11 watch videos on their phone while their grandmother Cindy LaPole holds their brother as he sleeps during the Husker equipment sale at the Hawks Championship Center on Saturday The equipment sale is a bit of a "garage sale," where fans can buy clearance and discounted team merchandise from Nebraska Athletics Gail Perry (left) sorts her plants with help from volunteer Kimberly Klein before checking out Thursday at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's annual Spring Affair plant sale at the Sandhills Global Event Center which features more than 800 varieties of perennials Lincoln East's Carter McPeak (center) celebrates his grand slam against Omaha Skutt on Tuesday at Sherman Field Levi Isaacson and Norah Isaacson empty their plastic easter eggs of candy on Saturday holds a LGBTQ+ pride flag up to a window as Sen Jane Raybould of Lincoln prints something off during a floor debate at the Capitol on Tuesday Papillion-La Vista's Ryan Thompson breaks his bat as he hits the ball against Lincoln East on Monday at Sherman Field Jadyn Olesen (center) embraces Olive Brethouwer (left) and Violet Brethouwer (right) after her performance on Monday at the Railyard in Lincoln and even cut her hair to resemble the singer’s Lincoln Southwest's Peyton Tiernan (14) and Lincoln Southwest's Yai Tong (18) vie for possesion of the ball against Lincoln Southeast's Jack Talley (6) during the first half at Seacrest Field on Saturday Protesters gather on the north steps of the Capitol during an anti-Trump demonstration on Saturday leaps over rows of tulips while picking flowers with her family at SR Pumpkin and Flower Farm near Ceresco on Friday Construction worker Gustavo Leverman works on a home in the 800 block of West Avondale Street on Tuesday Rising costs for building materials like lumber due to tariffs have raised the average cost of building a home Luke Shaner peeks through a fake dinosaur egg with his toy T-Rex at the Jurassic Quest event Friday at the Sandhills Global Event Center Lincoln East's Carter Harmes (3) high fives his teammates after scoring a run as he heads back inside the dugout in the second inning of the HAC baseball championship at Den Hartog Field on Wednesday Lincoln Star goalkeeper Yan Shostak (33) blocks a shot by Sioux City's Nikita Klepov (92) as he is backed up by teammate Gio Digiulian (17) during the second period in Game 1 of a USHL Western Conference semifinals series Friday who competed as the team “Three Blind Mice,” pull a plane on Saturday during the Woman in Aviation Cornhusker Chapter's 2nd Annual Plane Pull at the Lincoln Airport Loren Eiseley Society vice president Thomas Lynch (from left) and Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird unveil a new historical marker honoring writer Loren Eiseley on Friday at Irvingdale Park Mary Abebe (left) returns to her seat after being named the 2025 Scottish Rite Educator of the Year as Brenda Barnett and Stacie Coatman congratulate her on Friday at Adams Elementary School started at Lincoln Public Schools in 1995 and moved to Adams in 2019 Lincoln Northeast's Lazerek Houston poses for a photo during the 2025 Super State photoshoot at the Lincoln Journal Star on Saturday Omaha Skutt's Molly Ladwig poses for a photo during the 2025 Super State photoshoot at the Lincoln Journal Star on Saturday Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle (from left) embraces player Natalia Hill at the top of the 6th inning next to Jordyn Bahl during the Creighton game on Wednesday at Bowlin Stadium Zemi Wolfe records as she dumps water on her mother splash towers and other family-friendly events with proceeds going to support the school's summer activities Protesters with the American Federation of Government Employees union (AFGE) hold a rally outside of the Lincoln VA Clinc at on Tuesday The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) local representing Department of Veterans Affairs employees at the Lincoln VA Clinic rallied Tuesday to stop the attacks on the federal workforce Cows graze in the fields below as Sandhill Cranes take flight at sunrise along the Platte River on Sunday The Cranes eat corn from the grain fields and then sleep on the sandbars The largest congregation of sandhill cranes occurs from February to early April along the Platte River in Nebraska Gretna East senior Sonora DeFini scores against Lincoln Southwest with a header during a high school soccer game on Monday Ashlei Spivey during debate on a bill that would return Nebraska to a winner-take-all presidential election system at the Capitol on Tuesday looks through a kaleidoscope of mirrors on display on Saturday Lincoln Southwest's Sole Jones (center) competes against other athletes in heat one of the girls 400m during a track and field invitational at Union Bank Stadium on Thursday A bee covered in pollen buzzes from flower to flower on Sunday works on an engine in a testing area at Duncan Aviation on Wednesday Duncan is expanding its engine overhaul facility which will allow it to test engines for Canadian aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney University of Kansas students Remi Ward (left) and Jess Judd test out their concrete canoe Friday at Holmes Lake The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering hosted a competition in which college students from across the region used their own concrete mixes to design and build canoes -- some more than 20 feet long and weighing more than 300 pounds The canoes were tested for buoyancy and raced at Holmes Lakes The event was part of the American Society of Civil Engineers' Mid-America Student Symposium hosted by UNL from Thursday through Saturday Rutgers’ Yomar Carreras (left) slides into home as Nebraska’s Will Jesske tags him out on Sunday at Haymarket Park An early voter drops off her ballot at a drop box at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office Nebraska defensive line coach Terry Bradden talks to players during a team practice on Tuesday Sandhill Cranes excitedly dance with one another as they begin to stir along the sandbars on the Platte River the morning of Sunday in Kearney.' Hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes have been converging on the Platte Basin for their annual migration to their northern breeding grounds as sandhill cranes are migrating to their breeding grounds cranes without partners will start pairing up Although the dancing is most common in the breeding season Sometimes the dance involves wing-flapping argues at the Nebraska Supreme Court in a case over the city's ban on guns in public places on Thursday Jim Pillen (right) greets World War II veterans Clare Sward (from left) and Jay Cawley on Tuesday in Lincoln Lincoln Pius X's Tatum Heimes (from left) and Ana Patera look on as Gretna East's Lily Frederick (far right) celebrates a goal with teammate Madi Shelburne during a high school soccer game on Monday Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email Email notifications are only sent once a day A Lee Enterprises investigation found most states fail to protect vulnerable women and few law enforcement agencies punish the owners of the b… Wednesday's oral arguments homed in on whether the motion challenging Aubrey Trail's conviction and death sentence was time-barred because it … Nicole Gurley told police she had an argument with her father that became physical leading some jurisdictions to take shortcuts by arresting or disciplining the women for prostitution Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Li-ion batteries that power everything from smartphones to electric cars are usually packed in rigid sealed enclosures that prevent stresses from damaging their components and keep air from coming into contact with their flammable and toxic electrolytes It’s hard to use batteries like this in soft robots or wearables so a team of scientists at the University California jelly-like battery that could survive bending While flexible batteries using hydrogel electrolytes have been achieved before “All such batteries could [only] operate [for] a short time a mechanical engineering professor at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study The battery built by his team endured 500 complete charge cycles—about as many as the batteries in most smartphones are designed for “Current-day batteries require a rigid package because the electrolyte they use is explosive and one of the things we wanted to make was a battery that would be safe to operate without this rigid package,” Lin told Ars flexible packaging made of polymers or other stretchable materials can be easily penetrated by air or water which will react with standard electrolytes potentially resulting in fires and explosions scientists started to experiment with quasi-solid-state hydrogel electrolytes These hydrogels were made of a polymer net that gave them their shape crosslinkers like borax or hydrogen bonds that held this net together and salt or other electrolyte additives providing ions that moved through the watery gel as the battery charged or discharged But hydrogels like that had their own fair share of issues The first was a fairly narrow electrochemical stability window—a safe zone of voltage the battery can be exposed to “This really limits how much voltage your battery can output,” says Peisheng He a researcher at UC Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center and lead author of the study so their stability window must be higher than that which was the basis of these hydrogel electrolytes typically broke down into hydrogen and oxygen when exposed to around 1.2 volts That problem was solved by using highly concentrated salt water loaded with highly fluorinated lithium salts But this led the researchers straight into safety issues as fluorinated lithium salts are highly toxic to humans and their colleagues set for themselves was making a hydrogel battery with a wide electrochemical window—ideally above 3 volts—that would not cause severe chemical burns when damaged The chemistry of the battery they made started with a polymer that has both positive and negative charges (these are termed “zwitterionic”) as the structural net Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with any charged parts while lithium ions are attracted to its negatively charged parts the zwitterionic polymer could bind water tightly enough to prevent it from splitting at higher voltages while still releasing lithium ions when needed The team then used acrylic acid as the gel’s crosslinker and an electrolyte with a fluorine-free lithium salt to provide lithium ions The salt also played an additional role: It pulled water from the air The usual way of getting the “hydro” part into a hydrogel is soaking the crosslinked hydrophilic polymer in water; it will typically reach 80 percent water content and their colleagues didn’t want their hydrogel to contain that much water because of the water-splitting issue So they just left it to absorb water from ambient moisture The result was a water-scarce hydrogel electrolyte that contained only 19 percent water and remained stable in a normal room humidity of 50 percent or so the team added electrodes and built a fully functional battery powering a printed circuit with a few LED lights The battery could work for over a month without sealed packaging and operate at over 3.1 volts without much water splitting—a voltage close to that used by commercial batteries they started inflicting all sorts of punishment on it jelly-like battery could power the LEDs when it was twisted 180 degrees It could even self-heal and get back to 90 percent of its original capacity after the team cut it in half although this required putting it back together and warming it in an oven Because the electrolyte reached its equilibrium state in ambient air it didn’t degrade due to air exposure as other hydrogel electrolytes did and remained functional after 500 complete charge cycles A commercial battery designed for 500 cycles should retain 80 percent of its capacity once those 500 cycles are done Lin and He’s soft battery retained around 60 percent “When you compare this with state-of-the-art batteries we have today we achieved roughly one-tenth of their capacity,” He says I think definitely we can try to optimize more towards energy density thinks that the relatively low energy density does not tell the full story but a band for this watch today performs only the mechanical function,” Lin says “If you can replace the band with our battery Science Advances, 2025.  DOI: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu3711 (KTVZ) -- A fire sparked by a candle being used for warmth destroyed a vehicle Friday morning in the Juniper Ridge area north of Bend several 911 callers reported a column of smoke in the Juniper Ridge area near the Central Oregon Irrigation Hydro Plant Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said The first crews to arrive found a passenger vehicle fully engulfed with fire spreading to a tree and adjacent vegetation Kettering said firefighters were able to quickly contain and extinguish the fire with mutual aid assistance provided by a water tender from Redmond Fire One person was transported by ambulance to St Charles Medical Center in Bend was being used as living quarters and was occupied at the time of the fire and the candle ignited nearby combustibles inside the vehicle The vehicle and contents were a complete loss "Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community that anything which produces heat needs a safe space around it "Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from all heating equipment such as fireplaces and space heaters Make sure that fueled portable heaters are rated for indoor use they can produce deadly carbon monoxide if used in an enclosed area "For more safety tips, visit our website at https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/fire-rescue/community-programs Barney is the Digital Content Director for KTVZ News. Learn more about Barney here One man was hospitalized after experiencing a gunshot wound in the early morning hours of Sunday at a restaurant and bar on West Sample Street The South Bend Police Department was notified on the way to a ShotSpotter notification in the 3400 block of West Sample Street around 1:15 a.m The man's injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening remains under investigation by the police department's Violent Crimes Unit Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com (WSBT) — A man was taken to the hospital after an overnight shooting on South Bends west side Police have confirmed that one person was shot just after 1 a.m at Don Juan Cantina and Grill on West Sample Street The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries There is no word on what led up to the shooting or any possible suspects Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact police at (574)-235-9263 An anonymous tip can also be made through Michiana Crime Stoppers at (574)-288-STOP Stay with WSBT 22 News as we continue to learn more (WSBT) — Six weeks after the South Bend school board voted to terminate its maintenance contract SSC Services for Education filed a WARN notice with the state of Indiana saying 203 employees will be laid off June 30 South Bend Community School Corporation's Communicator Director tells WSBT 22 that the corporation is in the process of onboarding many of these employees to their new in-house maintenance team Goetz adds that a notice was sent out to employees impacted by the decision informing them of opportunities within South Bend Schools It is unclear how many employees will stay with the school corporation board members decided to insource their building maintenance needs to save money RELATED: South Bend School Board ends costly maintenance contract to save millions annually South Bend Schools expects the move will save $3 to 5 million a year by Asher Bookspan Over a hundred protestors gathered in the Jon Hunt Memorial Plaza and lined the streets of downtown South Bend rallying against actions taken on the federal and state levels One protester says a major issue for her right now is workers' rights saying she is not only is she concerned about cuts made by DOGE "We're also not okay with what they're doing to the unions And people die all the time at the workplace and they want to get rid of the things that keep our workers safe," Mary Ellen Hegedus said Another protestor saying she does not feel listened to by elected representatives and is unhappy with actions being taken regarding womens' rights citizens regardless of political party affiliation need to work together to make change "We don't need a war to bring us together We just need to look at our commonalities and do something that serves the greater good," Mitzi Sabato said Today's protest was more than just speaking out and raising awareness organizers made an emphasis on using the event as a way to bring resources to the community There's a lot been going on at the state level and at the federal level And so we felt like we need to start taking donations to local food pantries that we can distribute," Carrie Bowie said Organizers emphasizing that anyone unable to attend protests can still make their voice heard by calling or writing to their elected officials MISHAWAKA ― A new sporting goods retailer is headed to the space in Wilshire Plaza that Burlington most recently occupied Academy Sports + Outdoors a senior public relations specialist with the company The Mishawaka store will be the chain’s ninth location in Indiana The store, which already is under construction, is located at 5652 Grape Road at the northern end of the plaza. Burlington relocated from the spot to Princess City Plaza just south on Grape Road in 2024 The 71,801-square-foot store will employ about 60 people There are more than 300 Academy stores across 21 states as well as exercise equipment and firearms It also has a localized merchandising strategy to ensure customers in the community can find what they want including gear for Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans Academy also offers private-label brands that offer value-focused outdoor apparel and equipment The new store will be the third sporting goods store in the Mishawaka shopping district. Dick's Sporting Goods opened in a new store at Princess City Plaza two years ago, and Dunham's Sports opened a second area store at 5851 Grape Road last year Email Tribune Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com with tips about retail and restaurant openings and closings (KTVZ) -- Attorney General Dan Rayfield as part of his series of federal oversight forums He was joined by Congresswoman Janelle Bynum and state Representative Jason Kropf to address questions related to their actions to counteract the federal funding cuts implemented by the Trump administration since taking office in January Rayfield has held town halls across Oregon Saturday's appearance in Bend marked the third in a series of community impact hearings to address the effects of federal actions and executive orders issued by President Trump Rayfield and the Oregon Federal Oversight Cabinet Members appointed by him have opened several lawsuits against the Trump administration since the president took office in January Rayfield has opened lawsuits against the president for unlawful actions blocking funds for Medicaid Rayfield has also joined a coalition of more than 20 states filing lawsuits against the Trump Administration for his blocking of funds to Americorps Rayfield has recently opened a federal oversight tracker on the Oregon Department of Justice website where visitors are able to follow the latest updates on the department's actions through the live litigation tracker Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInNORTH BEND (WOWT) - More details were revealed Friday as charges were filed against a man arrested after a Georgia woman rushed to the hospital from a crash scene near Highway 30 died from gunshot wounds The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office called it a “domestic-violence-related incident.” Bryan K. Jeselink near Highway 30 and County Road 5 in Dodge County was found injured at the scene and was rushed to the hospital in Fremont before she was flown by helicopter to Omaha the Dodge County Attorney’s Office reported that Jeselink has been formally charged with first-degree murder Jeselink has also been accused of torturing a puppy and has been charged with animal cruelty “These are deeply disturbing allegations involving the unlawful taking of a human life and the cruel treatment of an animal,” Dodge County Attorney Pam Hopkins said in a Friday news release “Our office is committed to ensuring justice is pursued thoroughly and fairly in accordance with Nebraska law.” Other documents filed on the case in Dodge County shed some light on the events leading up to the Meadows’ death following the crash Records state that the person reporting the crash to authorities said that a man claiming he had been in a crash tried to get into her vehicle where she observed a white Jeep in a nearby field someone else reported seeing a woman covered in blood near that same location Responding deputies said the woman had blood around her head One of them and a Good Samaritan at the scene provided life-saving measures Meadows was taken to Methodist Fremont Health and then flown to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha Medical staff determined she suffered about five gunshot wounds and a possible laceration on her neck Law enforcement searcing that area reported finding a .380-caliber handgun that appeared to have been tossed about 600 feet from where Meadows was found The witness at the first scene returned to tell deputies she had just passed the white Jeep — the one she reported seeing earlier in the field The vehicle was headed westbound on Highway 30 A deputy conducted a “high-risk traffic stop” on the Jeep Records state that after getting ordered out of the vehicle Jeselink climbed out of the Jeep with his hands covered in blood The deputy also said he had blood on his legs He also appeared disoriented and under the influence of an unknown substance a preliminary breath test came out as .000 Jeselink allegedly told the deputy that he shot someone named Amber Bell because of an argument they had over money Jeselink allegedly admitted he and his girlfriend were in North Bend and had been drinking and doing cocaine He said they left and got into an argument a Schedule III controlled substance used to treat opioid use disorder Authorities said the ran a criminal history check on Jeselink and found that he was a convicted felon and therefore not allowed to possess deadly weapons He was then arrested and taken to the Dodge County jail Get a first alert to breaking news delivered to your inbox. 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