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By TERRY TANG When high school students in the West Hartford Public Schools district study World War II in the coming year, they will learn about more than just the typical hallmarks like Japanese American detention camps. They will also hear about Sadao Munemori, a soldier who died protecting comrades from a grenade. The 22-year-old posthumously became the first Japanese American awarded the Medal of Honor. Lessons like this that delve beyond places have left teachers “humbled,” said Jessica Blitzer, the district’s social studies department supervisor who helped design curriculum for secondary grade levels. “It’s one of those moments where…

As the Stardust Racers roller coaster sped downward in the first descent of a mid-September ride, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was flung forward, his head slamming into the seat in front of him repeatedly. Blood from his wounds splattered his girlfriend, who tried to hold him back while screaming for help. Dr. Anna Marshall, a vacationing medical doctor standing in line to board the Epic Universe ride, said that when the coaster returned and stopped, she heard someone screaming and ran to help. The ride staff seemed “frozen,” she later told sheriff’s deputies. And she was shocked by Zavala’s condition. He…

By TODD RICHMOND MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration has delayed a decision on whether to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies indefinitely despite years of warnings from conservationists that populations are shrinking. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced during the waning days of then-President Joe Biden’s term in December 2024 that the agency planned to add the beloved backyard pollinator to the threatened species list by the end of 2025, calling the insect “iconic” and “cherished across North America.” But the Trump administration quietly listed the effort as a “long-term action” in a September report on…

By LARRY LAGE and ED WHITE, AP Sports Writers ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Sherrone Moore, who was abruptly fired this week as the University of Michigan football coach, was charged Friday with three crimes including home invasion and stalking a person he had dated, prosecutors said. Moore has spent two nights in jail following his firing and subsequent arrest Wednesday. The 39-year-old coach who had led the Wolverines for two seasons was fired for what the school called an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Hours later, police arrested Moore after he was accused of assault in Pittsfield Township, a community near Ann Arbor.…

La Habra-based Howard’s Appliance opened an “experience store” in Murrieta in 2023. The nearly 80-year-old appliance retailer is abruptly shuttering all of its Southern California stores Dec. 6. (Photo courtesy of Howard’s) The sudden closure of the Howard’s Appliance chain is another sign of the new reality of how Californians buy big-ticket items that fill their homes. Most shoppers no longer seek out these goods at modest specialty merchants like Howard’s in Southern California or anywhere else. Rather, consumers primarily go to three big-box merchants: Lowe’s, Home Depot or Best Buy. In the wake of this evolution in shoppers’ preferences…

By JOSHUA GOODMAN DORAL, Fla. (AP) — A U.S. Navy admiral who oversees military operations in Latin America handed off command responsibilities Friday as scrutiny increases over the Trump administration’s deadly strikes on alleged drug boats in the region. Adm. Alvin Holsey has retired one year into a posting that typically lasts three to four years and transferred leadership duties to his top military deputy, Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus, during a ceremony at U.S. Southern Command headquarters near Miami. In farewell remarks, Holsey did not mention the military operations or the reasons for his early retirement. But he urged his successor to…

Welcome to senior-season Jordan Chiles – and an upcoming season where a new-look UCLA gymnastic team greets a potentially impactful freshman class. Following a 2025 campaign, in which now-fourth-year coach Janelle McDonald led the Bruins to her best finish as runner-up to Oklahoma by four-tenths in the national championship – UCLA has to replace longtime veterans Chae Campbell, Emma Malabuyo (now a graduate student assistant coach) and Emily Lee. Six incoming freshmen – three of whom have competed for the United States national team – will attempt to fill that void. The Southern California News Group sat down with McDonald…

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — More drops for superstars that had earlier soared in Wall Street’s frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology are dragging the U.S. stock market off their records on Friday. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% from its all-time high set the day before, and the weakness for tech stocks yanked the Nasdaq composite down a market-leading 1.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 266 points, or 0.5%, from its own record set the day before, as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Broadcom dragged the market lower and tumbled 10.5% even though the chip company reported a stronger…

By MEG KINNARD The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public,” part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White House to provide the services. Department of Justice attorneys haven’t elaborated on how doing so might hamper the portrayal President Donald Trump seeks to present to the public. But overturning policies encompassing diversity, equity and inclusion have become a hallmark of his second administration, starting with his very first week back in the…

2025 brought HOAs four new bills signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, one which took effect July 1, and three that start Jan. 1. Assembly Bill 130 The first 2025 bill affecting California HOAs was AB 130, a major housing bill that until the last moment had nothing to do with HOAs. However, one business day before the bill was to be approved on the Senate and House floors, Sen. Aisha Wahab on June 27 was able to slip into the bill major changes in HOA disciplinary process. The bill was signed by the governor and became law immediately on July…