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H-1B: Government’s proposed visa changes are murky but could mean big changes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

The federal government is proposing major changes to the H-1B visa program intended to allow U.S. companies to hire foreign citizens with specialized skills, including expanding the types of work not subject to an annual cap.While the plan runs to 227 pages, it leaves unanswered some questions about how the new rules might change the number of H-1B visas and who could receive them.Silicon Valley technology giants rely heavily on the H-1B to secure top foreign talent. Those companies, and many others in the Bay Area, also employ large numbers of H-1B workers at below-market wages, using staffing and outsourcing companies to secure such employees. Critics cite reported abuses and say companies, including major tech firms and staffing and outsourcing companies, use the H-1B to supplant U.S. workers, drive down wages and facilitate outsourcing.The Department of Homeland Security on Friday released the proposal, saying it would “modernize and improve the efficiency of the H-1B prog...

7 dead as ‘super fog’ blamed for crashes near New Orleans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

Associated PressNEW ORLEANS — At least seven people were killed after a “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense fog caused multiple massive car crashes Monday morning involving a total of 158 vehicles, authorities said.Twenty-five people were injured and the number of fatalities may increase as first responders continue to clear the crash scenes and search for victims, Louisiana State Police said in a press release Monday evening.Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a call for blood donors and asked for prayers “for those hurt and killed.”Videos of the wreck showed what looked like an endless junkyard of cars overtaking the busy interstate near the community of Manchac. Vehicles were crushed, rammed under one another and some were engulfed by flames. Many people stood on the side of the road looking in disbelief at the disastrous scene, while others remained in their car waiting for aid.Christopher Coll, 41, was among the drivers in one of the ...

Who is Danny Serafini? Bay Area native goes from top MLB draft pick to murder suspect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

(KRON) -- After winning the 1991 World Series, the Minnesota Twins used their first pick of the 1992 MLB Draft on a talented left-handed pitching prospect from San Mateo who they believed could help their championship core. That man was Danny Serafini, who pitched three seasons for the Twins and was an MLB player until 2007. Thirty-one years after he was drafted, he was hauled away in a cop car in connection with the Lake Tahoe slaying of his father-in-law, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said. Who is Danny Serafini?Minnesota selecting Serafini in the first round of the draft set him up to be the latest baseball star to come out of Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, a school that has produced a dozen MLB players. Serafini pitched in the minor leagues from 1992-1995, and he made his MLB debut in 1996 at age 22. That was the only big-league game Serafini pitched in 1996, and he appeared in just six more in 1997. In 1998, he saw extended action but struggled, prompting the Twi...

Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross arrested in suburban Kansas City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was arrested Monday in suburban Kansas City and is accused of causing criminal damage of more than $25,000, according to a booking report from the sheriff’s office in Johnson County, Kansas.The report does not provide any details or indicate whether bond was set.The Chiefs said they were aware of the arrest but declined to comment.The 23-year-old Ross, who originally signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, missed all of last season following foot surgery. He has appeared in all seven games this season and has three catches for 34 yards.Ross helped Clemson win the college football national championship in 2018, when he caught 46 passes for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman. He was nearly as productive as a sophomore before missing his entire junior year, when he was found to have a congenital fusion condition in his neck and spinal area that required career-threatening surgery.Even though Ross returned...

Why insurance claims go up during Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

From the candy to the costumes, Halloween is a fun-filled time for all — including for thieves.Experts say theft- and vandalism-related insurance claims are often higher during this time of year. In fact, they say vandalism claims are as high as 72%.When “you’re out with the children, neighborhood hopping, trick-or-treating, that’s the perfect time for someone to take advantage of that opportunity,” said insurance agent Joshua Harders of Harders and Bradford Insurance Agency in Silver Spring, Maryland.He told WTOP potential fire hazards in the home are another reason for the increase in insurance claims.“You know, like lighting a candle and forgetting to put it out,” Harders said. “Or with decorations, we’re seeing a lot of people overloading powers strips, daisy-chaining extension cords and that can produce excess heat.”According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 800 residential fires are reported every Hallowe...

Matan al secretario de Seguridad y a 10 policías municipales de Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

(CNN Español) –– El secretario de Seguridad de Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero, Alfredo Alonso López, y 10 policías del municipio murieron en un ataque armado este lunes, informó en una transmisión vía Facebook el vicefiscal de Investigación del estado, Gabriel Alejandro Hernández Martínez.Hernández Martínez indicó que la Fiscalía de Guerrero ya tiene dos líneas de investigación sobre el ataque, las cuales no reveló. También agregó que funcionarios de la institución ya fueron a la zona para continuar con las indagatorias.CNN contactó a la presidencia municipal de Coyuca de Benítez para tener más información sobre el hecho, pero no ha recibido respuesta.Coyuca de Benítez es un municipio de la región de la Costa Grande de Guerrero ―en el sur de México―, un estado con altos niveles de violencia. Entre enero y septiembre de este año, en el estado se registraron 1.280 homicidios dolosos, lo que lo ubica como el séptimo con más crímenes de ese tipo entre las 32 entidades del país, según el re...

Ex-lawmaker Maria Corina Machado dominates opposition’s presidential primary in Venezuela

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

Opposition presidential hopeful Maria Corina Machado, center, speaks to her supporters after winning the opposition primary election, at her campaign headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. Machado will run against President Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 presidential elections. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)(AP/Ariana Cubillos) Opposition presidential hopeful Maria Corina Machado, center, speaks to her supporters after winning the opposition primary election, at her campaign headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. Machado will run against President Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 presidential elections. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)(AP/Ariana Cubillos) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Former lawmak...

Husband accused of shooting wife near Strasburg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A husband was taken into custody Monday afternoon after allegedly shooting his wife near Strasburg.The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office first posted about the shooting just before 3:45 p.m. and said it was in the 54600 block of East County Road 46. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox At the time, the sheriff's office said the incident was "active and still unfolding" and asked the public to stay away from the area. Just a couple of minutes before 5 p.m., the sheriff's office said the suspect had been taken into custody and there was no further threat.The sheriff's office later said the shooting was a domestic dispute between a husband and wife."The suspect allegedly assaulted his wife then shot her but she survived," the sheriff's office posted.The wife was transported to a local hospital. The suspect was arrested and could be charged with attempted murder, according to the sheriff's office.

Search continues for man wanted in connection with wife’s death after car found in Ashburnham 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

Police have located a car previously sought in connection with a homicide in Gardner over the weekend.SKY7-HD was over the area Monday evening near Camp Collier on the Gardner/Ashburnham line as police cars, K9 teams, an ambulance and a state police helicopter responded to the area. Nearby access roads were blocked off as of around 6:30 p.m. all as authorities continued their search for the husband of a 30-year-old woman found dead in Gardner on Sunday.According to court documents, Breanne Pennington, 30, was found Sunday morning after police were called to the Cherry Street home she shared with her husband, Aaron.Police have since been trying to find Aaron Pennington, 33, to question him in connection with his wife’s death.As their search continued, police previously shared information on a car Aaron is believed to have driven away from the house before Breanne was found. The car seen in Ashburnham on Monday matched the description and license plate number shared by police.Whi...

Officials say at least 7 dead in massive vehicle crashes in south Louisiana due to ‘superfog’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:19 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — At least seven people were killed Monday morning after a “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense fog caused multiple massive car crashes involving a total of 158 vehicles, authorities said.Twenty-five people were injured and the number of fatalities may increase as first responders work into the night clearing the scenes and searching for victims, Louisiana State Police said in a statement Monday evening.Videos of apocalyptic type scenes from the aftermath of the wrecks showed a long stretch of mangled and scorched cars on Interstate 55 near New Orleans. Vehicles were crushed, rammed under one another and some engulfed by flames. Many people initially stood on the side of the road or on the roof of their vehicle looking in disbelief at the disaster, while others cried out for help.Piles of disformed cars, heaped on top of one another as firefighters trudged through the debris, remained on the interstate as the sun set. Hours after the crashe...