The shooter who killed eight people at a Dallas-area mall was wearing a patch that read “RWDS” — short for “Right Wing Death Squad” — a phrase that has been embraced in recent years by far-right extremists who glorify violence against their political enemies.
Authorities have not said what they believe might have motivated 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, who was killed by a police officer who happened to be near the mall Saturday when Garcia opened fire.
Posts by Garcia on a Russian social networking site expressed a fascination with white supremacy and mass shootings. Photos he posted showed large Nazi tattoos on his arm and torso, including a swastika and the SS lightning bolt logo of Hitler’s paramilitary forces.
The Minnesota Senate approved a plan Monday to entitle workers across the state to paid leave when they’re sick or caring for relatives who are ill.
While Senate Democrats hold only a one-seat majority, paid family and medical leave has been a priority of the party for several years, and the final 34-33 vote followed party lines. The proposal passed the House last week on a 68-64 vote, and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign the final version that emerges from a House-Senate conference committee.
The legislation would create an insurance-like system to allow workers to collect up to 12 weeks of partial wages when they take medical leave, including for pregnancy, and up to 12 weeks to take care of family members, starting in 2025. Replacement wages would range from 55% to 90%, averaging 66%. The benefits would be funded by a 0.7% payroll tax. Employers could charge half that expense to employees. Companies offering more generous benefits than the state requires could opt out.
Jeopardy-style games are always fun, especially when ending with a victory. St. Thomas Health and Exercise Science students attended the Northland Region of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference to learn from professionals and compete in the Quiz Bowl.
St. Thomas students, Garrett Barten and Ulyses Perez Perez gave insight into what the conference was like and what they’re doing to prepare for the next.
“This is the first time that they’ve invited us to go to the conference in years because of COVID,” Perez Perez said.
Students within the Health and Exercise Science majors were asked to attend the regional conference to learn about topics related to what they were studying in school.
“(The regional conference is where) they invited people to come speak about what they’re finding in sports medicine, specifically strength and conditioning and nutrition,” Barten said.
Universities around the area such as North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska attended the conference along with St. Thomas, each sending two teams