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Highest, lowest performing Kentucky schools

To help determine how many stars a Kentucky school received in the state’s new assessment system, each Kentucky school earned a final score based on students’ test results in reading … Click to Continue »

Kentucky’s new school-rating system recognizes stars, but troubling gaps persist

A quarter of Kentucky’s elementary schools performed exceptionally well in the state’s new assessment system, according to data released Tuesday. Results from middle schools were similar, but fewer high schools … Click to Continue »

How did Squires Elementary in Lexington make big gains on state achievement tests?

It’s a celebration at Squires Elementary School. Principal Sabrina Adkins talks about the work that paid off in better results on the state assessments. The school was one of 20 to get special recognition for its achievements. … Click to Continue…

‘Mixed’ results. See how Fayette schools did under state’s new 5-star rating system.

Three schools in Fayette County Public Schools received the highest possible five stars in Kentucky’s new statewide accountability system, including Rosa Parks Elementary and SCAPA at Bluegrass elementary and middle … Click to Continue »

Top Kentucky schools penalized over achievement gaps

In Kentucky’s new assessment system, schools that earned four or five stars lost a star if they had one or more “significant” achievement gaps among groups of students. Schools that … Click to Continue »

Which Kentucky schools earned the best ratings of five stars?

Fifty-six Kentucky schools earned the highest recognition for best performance — five stars — in the state’s new assessment system. District School Anchorage Ind. Anchorage Independent Public (Elem) Anchorage Ind. … Click to Continue »

How good is your Kentucky school? Look up 2019 scores, stars, ratings here.

The 2019 Kentucky school ratings were released early Tuesday, and you can find out which schools performed well or poorly by searching with school district or school name below. 1909302019TESTSCORESEMBED … Click to Continue »

Hong Kong protester shot in chest during demonstrations on China’s 70th anniversary

Hong Kong protester shot in chest during demonstrations on China's 70th anniversaryHong Kong police shot a teenage pro-democracy protester at close range, hitting the area around his left shoulder on Tuesday as violent skirmishes broke out across the city hours after China held a massive military parade in Beijing to celebrate 70 years of Communist Party rule.  A police source confirmed to the Telegraph that two officers had been surrounded by protesters, who they said were attacking with long rods.  As the “outnumbered” officers felt their lives were at threat, one drew his .38 revolver, standard police issue in Hong Kong, and fired at close range.  A preliminary medical report found that the bullet had stopped in the man’s lung, and did not penetrate his heart, though the 18-year-old was understood to remain in critical condition, said the police source. he 18-year-old student who was shot has also been arrested for assaulting an officer, and police are investigating to decide whether to press further charges. “Our national day is supposed to be a day to celebrate and be happy, but unfortunately some rioters choose to do all these sorts of criminal damage, arson, wounding, assaulting police officers,” said Stephen Lo Wai-chung, Hong Kong police commissioner. He also said that six live shots were fired on Tuesday, and that the one that wounded a protester was “legal and reasonable.” Protesters have already called for a citywide strike in solidarity with the man who was shot. It was the first such injury from a live round after four months of escalating unrest between protesters and police – with some nights ending as officers fired warning shots.  Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, called for restraint and de-escalation from both protester and police ranks: “Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation. This incident underlines the need for a constructive dialogue to address the legitimate concerns of the people of Hong Kong.”  The unrest marred Beijing’s carefully choreographed birthday, meant to underscore its ambitions to replace the US as the dominant power in the Asia Pacific region.  Calls of rage rang out through Hong Kong as activists took to the streets, pitching battles against police.  Hong Kong protests A fireworks show was cancelled – originally meant to light up Hong Kong’s harbourfront skyline for China’s 70th anniversary – as police fired tear gas and bullets to clear protesters. Demonstrators shouted “free Hong Kong!”, running as they flung petrol bombs in succession and set fire to barricades and subway entrances, with police deploying water cannon trucks and charging in uniformed ranks. “It’s National Day, but I don’t think there is anything worth celebrating,” said Mr Leung, 66, a protester out in the streets, trying to beat the humid heat in a t-shirt and flip flops.  “Xi Jinping just doesn’t know what he is doing; he is not capable of governance over Hong Kong,” said Sara Lai, 35, an office clerk.  Public walls plastered with protest art – “Chinazi,” “Revolution of our times, and “Hong Kong is NOT China” – were torn down by counter protesters or papered over with images of the red-and-yellow Chinese flag.  Dozens of subway stations were shut down, affecting mobility for thousands of residents, many of whom were off for the public holiday. Some found themselves accidentally caught in the middle of clashes, scampering into back alleys as Molotov cocktails exploded nearby. China’s 70th anniversary: Parades in Beijing, protests in Hong Kong – in pictures Others covered their faces with t-shirts and bandanas to protect against thick clouds of tear gas smoke that lingered in the air. Activists have grown increasingly upset against city leaders who they say have failed to listen to the people. Mass demonstrations kicked off early summer over an extradition proposal that would have sent suspects to face trial in mainland China, where Communist Party control of the courts leads to a 99.9 per cent conviction rate.  Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam finally pledged last month to formally withdraw the bill, but many protesters said it was too little, too late. After a turbulent summer of tear gas and sweat, many were unwilling and far too angry to back down, especially given what they described as increasing police brutality.  Ms Lam presided last week over the first of a series of town halls, where protesters reiterated again that they wouldn’t consider returning home for good unless all demands were met.  Demonstrators have continued to call for Ms Lam’s resignation, an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, direct leadership elections, and a retraction of protesters labeled as rioters, a charge that comes with a 10-year prison sentence in Hong Kong.  Police have begun, in recent days, to more routinely call protesters rioters – a move that has further upset activists.  Rights groups including Amnesty International keep pressing for an investigation into police brutality, especially after clashes worsened Tuesday. Hong Kong Watch, an advocacy group, also called on the UK government to produce a “robust response” by slapping economic sanctions against Chinese officials committing human rights abuses and extending the right to live and work for holders of the British National Overseas passport, a colonial era holdover that accords little beyond as a travel document. But with violence barrelling into a fifth month with no end in sight, concerns are growing that Mr Xi might use a more heavy-handed approach and deploy some of the troops showcased in the parade to restore order. He has made clear that Hong Kong will remain a part of China, governed and controlled by the Communist Party, with state media releasing ominous videos of soldiers engaging in anti-riot drills.  Foreign envoys also now say that a late August buildup of troops in Hong Kong means the government has now amassed its largest-ever ranks in the city – estimated at 12,000 boots on the ground.  Many protesters recognise that the broader problem of eroding freedoms under Party rule simply isn’t going away. While those rights are meant to be guaranteed under an international treaty that kicked in when the former British colony was returned to Beijing, Hong Kong people see that autonomy chipped away daily.  “I am worried about the future of Hong Kong, but these protests show Hong Kong people are united, and that the international community cares about us,” said Ms Lai. “We are trying to fight for democracy – that’s the same value with other Western countries, so I think we still have hope.” 2:35PM Dominic Raab: ‘Use of live ammunition only risks inflaming situation’ Following today’s protests in Hong Kong, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation. “This incident underlines the need for a constructive dialogue to address the legitimate concerns of the people of Hong Kong. “We need to see restraint and a de-escalation from both protesters and the Hong Kong authorities.” 2:34PM Map of the protests Hong Kong protests 1:13PM Bullet lodged in 18-year-old’s lung, police source says A police source has told The Telegraph that two officers had been surrounded by protesters who they claimed were hitting them with long rods.  The officers were “outnumbered”, the source said, and felt their lives were at threat. One drew revolver and fired at close range with his .38, the standard issue in Hong Kong.. The police source also confirmed that the preliminary medical report found that the bullet stopped in the man’s lung and did not penetrate his heart. His condition is still understood to be critical.  1:05PM The sea of armed police officers   This video shows the sheer scale of the police operation in Hong Kong.  Raptors have come, chasing protesters away. Water cannon truck again fires blue dyed water pic.twitter.com/fFymCURMQC— Sophia Yan (@sophia_yan) October 1, 2019  Follow Sophia Yan on Twitter here.  12:53PM Police confirm 18-year-old was shot because officer ‘felt lethal threat to life’ Senior superintendent Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan said in a statement that an 18-year-old man got shot in the left shoulder/chest area around 4pm, and was sent to hospital, though was conscious at the time.  Yu said protesters were attacking police, although it wasn’t specified how, and said officers warned protesters to stop. When they continued, it led to officers to feel their lives were under threat, the superintendent said. “That officer felt there was lethal threat to life and fired a shot in protection and to keep colleagues safe,” Yu added.  “The police feel saddened as they wouldn’t like to see anyone get hurt and call on the rioters to stop their actions.” The protesters being labelled “rioters” is a significant change in the language used thus far.  12:27PM Fires being lit in Hong Kong’s streets Sophia Yan witnessed protesters wearing masks to cover their faces setting fire to leaflets which had been strewn on the floor.  Lighting more fires, pic.twitter.com/A2EorbNWh1— Sophia Yan (@sophia_yan) October 1, 2019 Fires have also been used to set barricades alight in the city. 12:00PM Officer shot protester after his unit was attacked, source says A Hong Kong police officer shot a protester in the chest with a live round on Tuesday after his unit was attacked by demonstrators during sustained clashes in the city, a police source said. “An officer discharged his firearm after coming under attack and a protester was struck in the chest in Tsuen Wan district today,” the source said, requesting anonymity. The wounded protester received initial first aid from officers before paramedics arrived, the source said, adding the victim was then taken to Princess Margaret Hospital. 11:58AM US President congratulates China on parade Donald Trump wades in… Congratulations to President Xi and the Chinese people on the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2019 Meanwhile the European Union called Tuesday for “de-escalation and restraint” in Hong Kong after a police officer shot a demonstrator during a flare-up in the political protests roiling the city. “In light of the continuing unrest and violence in Hong Kong, the European Union continues to stress that dialogue, de-escalation and restraint are the only way forward,” EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters. 11:36AM Tear gas used as police and protesters clash The Telegraph’s Sophia Yan is in the heart of the protests in Hong Kong.  More tear gas as police push forward and protesters retreat pic.twitter.com/8LCzLiW3dj— Sophia Yan (@sophia_yan) October 1, 2019 She reports that tear gas is being used by police to push protesters back. 11:33AM Fifteen wounded, one critical, as police confirm protester was shot Fifteen people were wounded on Tuesday after a day of running clashes between police and protesters, with one person in critical condition, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said. Police did not respond to requests for comment but have said they fired live rounds into the air in previous clashes. Video footage of a police officer firing at a protester at close range went viral, but there was not immediate verification of its authenticity. Hong Kong police say pro-democracy protester was shot in the chest by officer during clashes Tuesday, according to AP. 11:27AM Flaming barricades and water cannons in Hong Kong Our China Correspondent Sophia Yan is on the front line in Hong Kong. Her videos show just how violent the protests have become.  Protesters set up barricade w fire pic.twitter.com/RZrq8T3QQY— Sophia Yan (@sophia_yan) October 1, 2019  Follow her on Twitter here.  11:18AM Survival of The Communist Party The Communist Party has repeatedly defied the odds to remain in power for seven decades. Under Mao, tens of millions of people died during the disastrous Great Leap Forward, and the country was plunged into violent chaos during the decade-long Cultural Revolution. After Mao’s death in 1976, the party launched the reform and opening-up policy under paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, starting decades of breakneck growth and development. But the party retained a stranglehold on power, sending troops to end the biggest challenge to its rule in 1989 when pro-democracy protesters occupied Tiananmen Square. 11:17AM Mao portrait beamed across Beijing The Beijing festivities continued with a pageant involving 100,000 civilians and 70 floats depicting China’s greatest achievements. A giant portrait of Mao, followed by those of past leaders and Xi, streamed across the avenue as the president and other officials waved. A float carrying a portrait of late Chinese leader and founder of the People’s Republic of China, chairman Mao Zedong Credit: REX Replicas of a space rocket, a homegrown passenger plane and high-speed trains were followed by smiling ethnic minorities – imagery that glosses over accusations of human rights abuses in the frontier regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. 11:16AM Price of pork soars  US trade war negotiations have dragged on, and African swine fever has raced through the country’s pig supply, sending pork prices soaring. But a major headache remains Hong Kong. Despite increasing levels of violence, there is still huge public support for a movement that presents the most serious threat to Beijing’s rule since Britain returned it to China in 1997. In his speech, Xi said China “must adhere” to the one country, two systems policy governing Hong Kong and “maintain the long-term prosperity and stability” of the city. He also called for the “peaceful development” of relations with self-governed Taiwan but also reiterated his determination to seize the island, by force if necessary. 11:15AM New weapons Xi, who wore the distinctive “Mao suit”, delivered a speech invoking the “Chinese dream” of national rejuvenation – his grand vision of restoring the country to perceived past glory. “There is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation,” Xi said from the Tiananmen rostrum where Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Helicopters flew in a “70” formation over the city as troops goosestepped across Tiananmen Square in what state media described as the country’s biggest ever military parade, featuring 580 pieces of armament and 160 aircraft. Chinese soldiers sit atop mobile rocket launchers Credit: Getty The People’s Liberation Army brought out its newest hardware, including the DF-41, a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile with range enough to reach the entire United States, and the DF-17, a launcher for a hypersonic glider. Warplanes including the J-20 stealth fighter soared through the smog-choked skies, and state media said a high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance drone made a public appearance for the first time. “The party hopes that this occasion will add to its legitimacy and rally support at a time of internal and external challenges,” Adam Ni, China researcher at Macquarie University in Sydney, said. 10:45AM Protester was shot in the chest ‘after clashes with demonstrators’, police say Police sources have told AFP that the protester was shot by an officer after his unit was ‘attacked’ by demonstrators. They add that the protester has now been taken to hospital. “An officer discharged his firearm after coming under attack and a protester was struck in the chest in Tsuen Wan district today,” the source said, requesting anonymity. 10:42AM Tear gas fired in four districts Protests have only begun to fully get under way in Hong Kong, where it is early evening. Until now, the demonstrations have developed in a similar pattern – thousands engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with authorities. But live fire would be a significant escalation in the response from security forces.  Police have fired tear gas in the areas of Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun, and ordered the evacuation of the legislative council complex.

Europe’s $13 Trillion Climate Plan Might Be About to Get Serious

(Bloomberg) — Call it the Greta Thunberg effect, democracy against the establishment, or simply an issue whose time has come.Whatever it is, the pressure is ratcheting up for the European Union to finally get its act together on climate.The incoming E…

Federal Judge in Kansas City Is Reprimanded for Sexual Harassment

The federal judiciary has worked in recent years to better address the harassment and abuse of employees.

Arkansas Inmate Is Found After Manhunt: ‘He Was on the Roof’

Calvin Adams, who is serving life without parole, was found a day after he vanished. He had escaped from a different Arkansas prison in 2009.

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