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Working remotely: ‘You can’t put the genie back in the bottle’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

It appears that many people still don’t want to head back to the office, and some employers are losing their workers as a result.A recent survey from Unispace, a company that designs and builds workspaces, found that 42% of companies that implemented return-to-office policies have seen higher levels of employee attrition than they had planned for.“I don’t think we’re ever going back to the way we were,” said Kathleen Quinn Votaw, a recruitment and retention specialist. “You can’t put the genie back in the bottle.”Quinn Votaw literally wrote the book on the issue, called “Dare to Care in the Workplace: A Guide to the New Way We Work.”“This was a problem before the pandemic, but it just got blown way out of the stratosphere when we hit the pandemic because people realized they could have a different kind of life,” Quinn Votaw said.The Unispace survey found that employees put a premium on productivity and personal ...

Police searching for gunmen accused of shooting two Orlando officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

A manhunt is underway for a gunman accused of shooting two officers in Orlando.Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said that this all happened during a traffic stop just before 11 p.m. on Friday. Officers stopped a car that was wanted in connection with a homicide in Miami.The suspect then reportedly shot the two officers, then carjacked a driver before taking off.Both officers are listed to be in critical condition, the police department’s spokesperson said they “are currently fighting for their lives and have several units and agencies assisting to find the suspects.”7News is working to learn more about the Miami homicide connected to this investigation.

Moscow says JPMorgan stops processing Russia grain payments

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

U.S. bank JPMorgan has stopped processing payments for the Russian Agricultural Bank, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.The Russian Agricultural Bank, or Rosselkhozbank, was cut off from the SWIFT international payments system by the European Union last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to Reuters, JPMorgan had been handling some Russian grain export payments in recent months.“The Western capitals and the U.N. tried to present the direct channel established between Rosselkhozbank and American JPMorgan as an alternative to [the SWIFT system], but even this channel was cut off on August 2,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement.The U.S. State Department and JPMorgan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Russia killed off the Black Sea Grain Initiative — a U.N.-brokered accord that had allowed Ukraine to export tens of millions of tons of grains and oilseeds over t...

The third Philippine ferry accident in over a week leaves 1 person dead and about 100 rescued

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — One person died and more than 100 had to be rescued after a ferry in the central Philippines struck floating debris at sea and took on water Saturday, police said. The accident involving the King Sto. Nino 7, which was carrying 117 people, was the third to hit the country in just over a week, police said.All those on board were rescued, except for a female passenger who suffered a heart attack and died during the scramble for safety as water gushed into the wooden-hulled vessel in sunny weather off the island town of Corcuera in Romblon province, officials said.Sea accidents are common in the Philippines because of frequent storms, poorly maintained boats, overcrowding and weak enforcement of safety regulations. After some passengers on the King Sto. Nino 7 managed to call for help, coast guard personnel and nearby ferry boats approached to rescue the 112 passengers and five crew members, who were brought to a nearby village, Corcuera police chief Capt. Ro...

Calls to make swimming lessons more available in Quebec after deadly year on water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

MONTREAL — A charity that advocates for water safety is calling on the Quebec government to offer swimming lessons more widely — especially to recent immigrants — as drownings in the province are up 30 per cent over the same period last year.It has been a particularly deadly year on the water in Quebec, where more than a third of all drownings reported in Canada in 2023 have occurred. Quebec has reported 54 drownings so far in 2023, but this year’s number has been inflated by a few incidents that resulted in multiple deaths.Raynald Hawkins, general manager of the Lifesaving Society’s Quebec branch, says the Swim to Survive program — delivered by his charity — should be offered to kids in grades 3 and 4 more widely in Quebec. In Ontario, approximately 100,000 kids take part in the program yearly; in Quebec, between 12,000 and 15,000 take part every year.The Quebec Education Department offers a grant for schools interested in the program, which teaches kids minimum skills ...

Perseid meteor shower viewing parties are set across Minnesota next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

People across Minnesota will be turning their heads to the sky in unison next week to watch the Perseid meteor shower at star-watching parties statewide.Assuming, of course, it’s not raining.A brilliant Perseid meteor called a fireball. (Courtesy of NASA)The annual, outdoor night “Statewide Star Party” phenomenon has grown in recent years with events at Voyageurs National Park, at state parks along the North Shore, in Duluth and elsewhere. Because the Perseids should be especially visible this year, star party-viewing is expected to be an even bigger draw.Star parties are aimed at beginner skywatchers with mentorship by experienced astronomers. Many of the events include daytime presentations, discussions on astronomy books and films as well as telescopes and binoculars on-site for after-sunset sky watching.The events are hosted by schools, nature centers, colleges, libraries, museums, parks and other local organizations. All events are family-friendly and include free outdoor sky w...

Back-to-School Expo for students in St. Louis public schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

ST.LOUIS -- Today starting at 10 a.m. at the Dome of America Center marks the Urban League's annual back-to-school expo, where students in the St. Louis public school district find support and inspiration as they prepare to return to classes in two weeks. The Urban League of the Metropolitan Area and St. Louis Public Schools have collaborated to organize this event, bringing together over 100 vendors under one roof at the dome. This expo stands as one of the largest of its kind in the state of Missouri.A wide range of offerings awaits the students at the expo. From free haircuts to complimentary school supplies, they can also receive immunizations and even free groceries. It's like a comprehensive back-to-school starter pack, designed to equip students with essentials for the upcoming academic year. Moreover, entertainment is scheduled for later in the morning, adding a sense of excitement and celebration to the event. The Urban League and St. Louis Public Schools are dedicated to e...

Two overnight shootings in south St. Louis under investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Police are investigating two shootings that happened overnight in south St. Louis. Around 11:30 last night, a man was shot in the arm on South Grand near Habitat For Humanity. Then, just after 3 this morning, a man got shot in the leg in the Holly Hills neighborhood. It's about two miles south of the first shooting. Both men were taken to the hospital. The shootings don't appear to be connected. It's unclear if any suspects are in custody.

Severe storm concerns loom for Sunday afternoon and evening

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Showers and storms will exit to the east this morning, and then the rest of the day should be dry. A lot of clouds linger through much of the day, with a gradual decrease in cloud cover through the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Partly cloudy with a lot of dry time overnight, with lows near 70. Shower and storm chances return early Sunday morning, and storm chances increase for the afternoon and evening, especially in eastern MO and western IL, ahead of a cold front. For the afternoon and evening storms, there is concern for severe weather, with all threats (hail, wind, brief tornado) possible.

Grading the Week: Did Nathaniel Hackett and his magic goatee put wicked curse on Broncos coach Sean Payton?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:16 GMT

Full disclosure: The new kids in the Grading The Week offices are a superstitious, cowardly lot.We also tend to not take former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett (stop laughing!) very seriously, and especially not too seriously when Big Nate (I mean it!) steps in front of the Big Apple cameras and starts carping (stop!) about “codes” and “glass houses” (I will turn this column around, I mean it!) while simultaneously wearing a goatee that makes him look less like his hero Han Solo … and more like an amateur magician.That said, we’re starting to wonder if Hackett was onto something. And also into something.And if some kind of weird, mystical NFL forces — perhaps the kind Nate uses in his new magic act — would explain, at least in part, the bizarrely awful karma that hit Dove Valley this past week.Sean Payton’s football karma — DFor the record, GTW does not disagree with pretty much anything Payton told USA Today’s Jarrett Bell. Well, except for maybe the “playoff team” part. But we’ll ...