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Child welfare algorithm faces Justice Department scrutiny
Lifestyles

Child welfare algorithm faces Justice Department scrutiny

  • By SALLY HO and GARANCE BURKE - Associated Press
  • Updated

The Justice Department has been scrutinizing a controversial artificial intelligence tool used by a Pittsburgh-area child protective services agency following concerns that the tool could lead to discrimination against families with disabilities, The Associated Press has learned. The interest from federal civil rights attorneys comes after an AP investigation revealed potential bias and transparency issues surrounding the increasing use of algorithms within the troubled U.S. child welfare system. Several civil rights complaints were filed in the fall about the Allegheny Family Screening Tool, which social workers use to help decide which families to investigate. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.

Hong Kong bans CBD, forcing businesses to shut or revamp
Health, Medicine and Fitness

Hong Kong bans CBD, forcing businesses to shut or revamp

  • By KANIS LEUNG - Associated Press

Hong Kong has banned CBD as a “dangerous drug” and imposed harsh penalties for its possession, forcing fledging businesses to shut down or revamp. Supporters say CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, can help relieve stress and inflammation without getting its users high, unlike its more famous cousin THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana which has long been illegal in Hong Kong. CBD was once legal in the city, and cafes and shops selling CBD-infused products were popular among young people. With the ban, CBD-related businesses have closed down while others have struggled to remodel their businesses. Consumers dumped what they saw as a cure for their ailments into special collection boxes set up around the city.

Nevada says Tesla's possible tax breaks stay secret, for now
Technology

Nevada says Tesla's possible tax breaks stay secret, for now

  • By GABE STERN - Associated Press/Report for America

The amount in state tax breaks Tesla could receive as part of its $3.6 billion expansion of a northern Nevada factory will remain private until late next month due to a nondisclosure agreement between the electric car company and a state board focused on economic development. The Feb. 27 release of the potential tax abatement numbers comes three days before the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development will vote on whether to approve the tax cuts to the electric car-maker. Announced last week, the project will expand an existing operation at the Truckee Reno Industrial Center, about 20 miles east of Reno-Sparks.

Big 12 football schedule 2023: Winners, losers and what to expect
College

Big 12 football schedule 2023: Winners, losers and what to expect

  • Chuck Carlton, The Dallas Morning News
  • Updated

DALLAS — After weeks — and more weeks — of waiting, the Big 12 finally has released its 2023 football schedule. That in itself represented news Tuesday, beyond the analysis of who plays who and who got an unfriendly schedule. The schedule was supposed to be out weeks ago. At the College Football Playoff championship game, new Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said it wasn’t about Texas and ...

Trey Lance, Brock Purdy insist they’re not concerned about 49ers’ 2023 plan amid injury recoveries
NFL

Trey Lance, Brock Purdy insist they’re not concerned about 49ers’ 2023 plan amid injury recoveries

  • Cam Inman, Bay Area News Group
  • Updated

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trey Lance stood at his locker on one side of the 49ers’ locker room, speaking for the first time to reporters since a Sept. 18 fracture to his right foot, which remains in an orthopedic boot. Down the way in a corner, Brock Purdy sat in front of his locker, waiting to update reporters on the injury to his right elbow. Lance, then Purdy. That could be how the 49ers’ ...

NFL

Gerry Dulac: Mike Tomlin's job looks safe — and another extension could be coming

  • Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  • Updated

Most franchises that haven't won a playoff game in six years and are one of 18 teams that haven't even been to the Super Bowl in a dozen years might be inclined to consider changing their fortunes. Especially when they are arguably one of the most successful organizations in NFL history. But it is not even a fleeting thought for the Steelers, who have had just three head coaches in 54 years ...

Fate of last ex-cop charged in Floyd murder lies with judge
Local

Fate of last ex-cop charged in Floyd murder lies with judge

  • By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

A defense attorney says a former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd is innocent of criminal wrongdoing and should be acquitted. But prosecutors argue Tou Thao “acted without courage and displayed no compassion” even though he could see Floyd’s life slowly ebbing away. Tuesday was the deadline for both sides to file final written arguments in the case of Thao, the last of the four former officers facing judgement in Floyd’s murder. Judge Peter Cahill has 90 days to rule on whether Thao is guilty on state charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

Luke Getsy’s main goal as a head coach at the Senior Bowl: Make the Bears better
NFL

Luke Getsy’s main goal as a head coach at the Senior Bowl: Make the Bears better

  • Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune
  • Updated

MOBILE, Ala. — As Senior Bowl practice for the American roster wrapped up late Tuesday afternoon at Hancock Whitney Stadium, Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy peeled off his team-issued pullover. Underneath, he wore a T-shirt from Veets — a bar at the heart of everything that happens during Senior Bowl week — and Getsy posed with Tim Zetts, the Bears assistant tight ends coach, ...

Monarch butterflies wintering in California rebound
Science

Monarch butterflies wintering in California rebound

  • By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ - Associated Press
  • Updated

Researchers say that the population of western monarch butterflies wintering along the California coast has rebounded for a second year in a row. The orange-and-black insects saw a precipitous drop in 2020 that put them closer to extinction. Scientists with the Xerces Society said Tuesday that volunteers tallied more than 330,000 butterflies in California and Arizona, a promising rebound after the annual winter count in 2020 recorded fewer than 2,000 butterflies. Researchers say the monarchs are at critically low levels in western states because of destruction to their milkweed habitat due to housing expansion, and pesticides and herbicides. They say they don't know what is helping the insects multiply.

Michael Cunningham: Georgia Tech men’s basketball shouldn’t be this bad
College

Michael Cunningham: Georgia Tech men’s basketball shouldn’t be this bad

  • Michael Cunningham, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

This season’s Georgia Tech men’s basketball team is the worst-ever in Ken Pomeroy’s statistical rankings, which date to the 2001-02 season. The 2009 Yellow Jackets finished 2-14 in the ACC, but at least they lost a lot of close games. This season’s Jackets are 1-10 in the ACC, and the losing margin was fewer than 11 points only once. The Jackets never should be this bad. It wasn’t long ago ...

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