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Child Care at a Crossroads: Is there a solution?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

This is the final part of a special three-part series, “Child Care at a Crossroads,” where WTOP looks at the state of child care now and what the future holds once billions of dollars in aid expire.The child care industry is struggling — and fewer and fewer people are getting into the field. But can something be done to reverse that trend?After discussing the current situation with those in the industry, the answer seems to be ‘yes’, but that it comes with a cost — a cost that might be untenable in the current political climate.The bottom line comes down to money. In 2021, a pandemic relief package included $24 billion in stabilization funds that states were then able to dole out to the child care industry. How that money got to providers varied from state to state, but it kept many of them afloat.This Sunday, Oct. 1, that funding comes to an end.When that happens, “we’re going to see what it looks like when we go back … to the way we were doing things before,” sai...

Player of the Week: Bishop Ireton’s Kate Gomez

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

This week’s WTOP Player of the Week is Kate Gomez of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia. (Courtesy Tom Noone) This week’s WTOP Player of the Week is Kate Gomez of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia. (Courtesy Tom Noone) Each week, WTOP is picking one student athlete to be featured on air and online as our Player of the Week. This week’s WTOP Player of the Week is Kate Gomez of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia.Gomez is a junior at Bishop Ireton and a captain on the varsity tennis team, playing No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles for the Cardinals. She’s off to a near-flawless start to the 2023 season, finishing the month of September with a perfect 7-0 record in sing...

Live updates | Rahm and Hatton put first point on the board at the Ryder Cup for Europe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

United States' Scottie Scheffler looks at his shot from the 1st tee during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)(AP/Andrew Medichini) United States' Scottie Scheffler looks at his shot from the 1st tee during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)(AP/Andrew Medichini) GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have put the first point on the board at the Ryder Cup for Europe.It was a blowout, too, as Europe’s fiery pairing wo...

Hungary’s Orbán casts doubt on European Union accession talks for Ukraine

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cast doubt Friday on the prospect of the European Union beginning negotiations any time soon for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying it was unrealistic to launch the accession process with a country that’s at war. Speaking to state radio, Orbán noted that unanimity among the EU’s 27 member states is required to admit a new country into the bloc. In the case of Hungary, he said, the parliament would have to give the go-ahead to Ukraine, which has ambitions to join the EU within two years. “When I’m in the chamber, I don’t feel the insurmountable desire for the Hungarian parliament to vote for Ukraine’s membership of the European Union within two years. So I would be careful with these ambitious plans,” Orbán said. Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate status last year — an unusually rapid decision for the EU and its go-slow approach to expansion, prompted by the war in Ukraine. The European Council is...

Blast at rally celebrating birthday of Islam’s prophet kills 35 people in southwestern Pakistan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A powerful bomb exploded near a mosque at a rally celebrating the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 35 people and injuring nearly 70 others, police and a government official said.The bombing occurred in Mastung, a district in Baluchistan province, where hundreds of people had gathered for a procession to celebrate the birth anniversary of the prophet. Muslims hold rallies and distribute free meals to people on the occasion, which is known as Mawlid an-Nabi.Those injured in the blast were taken to nearby hospitals and some were in critical condition, government administrator Atta Ullah said.A senior police officer, Mohammad Nawaz, was among the dead, Ullah said. Officers were investigating to determine whether the bombing was a suicide attack, he added.Friday’s bombing came days after authorities asked police to remain on maximum alert, saying militants could target rallies making the birthday...

Disparan a un hombre en una protesta contra la instalación de una polémica estatua de un conquistador de Nuevo México

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

(CNN) — Un hombre recibió un disparo este jueves durante una protesta contra los planes de reinstalar la estatua de un polémico conquistador español en el norte de Nuevo México, informó la policía.Manifestantes se reunieron en la ciudad de Española, donde las autoridades habían planeado reinstalar una estatua de Juan de Oñate, pero cancelaron el evento por motivos de seguridad pública.Ryan Martínez, de 23 años, es sospechoso de disparar a un hombre durante un altercado que estalló en la protesta, dijo el sheriff del condado de Rio Arriba, Billy Merrifield. Martínez fue detenido, según el sheriff.El hombre que resultó herido fue trasladado por aire a un hospital en Albuquerque, dijo Merrifield, quien no sabía la condición de la víctima.La Policía Estatal de Nuevo México está investigando el tiroteo, dijeron.Mira las estatuas budistas de 600 años de antigüedad que la sequía dejó al descubiertoLa estatua de Oñate, que estableció la colonia de Nuevo México hace más de 400 años, se...

Cardinals bring home losing streak into matchup with the Reds

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (81-78, third in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (69-90, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Brandon Williamson (4-5, 4.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 96 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jake Woodford (2-2, 5.09 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -118, Cardinals -102; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to end their three-game home losing streak with a victory against the Cincinnati Reds.St. Louis has a 33-45 record in home games and a 69-90 record overall. The Cardinals have a 36-22 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.Cincinnati is 81-78 overall and 43-35 in road games. The Reds are 58-32 in games when they record eight or more hits.The matchup Friday is the 11th meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 29 doubles and 25 home runs for the Cardinals. Tommy Edman is 12-for-39 with two doubles...

Dodgers visit the Giants to start 3-game series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (98-61, first in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (78-81, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Lance Lynn (12-11, 5.83 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 187 strikeouts); Giants: Keaton Winn (0-0)BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants begin a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.San Francisco has a 44-34 record at home and a 78-81 record overall. The Giants have a 48-14 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Los Angeles has a 98-61 record overall and a 45-33 record in road games. Dodgers hitters have a collective .342 on-base percentage, the second-best percentage in MLB play.Friday’s game is the 11th time these teams match up this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: LaMonte Wade Jr has 14 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 46 RBI while hitting .261 for the Giants. Thairo Estrada is 10-for-37 with two home runs over the past 10 games.Mookie Betts has 40 doub...

Cubs aim to end losing streak in game against the Brewers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

Chicago Cubs (82-77, second in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (90-69, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 3.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 91 strikeouts); Brewers: Colin Rea (6-6, 4.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 104 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -114, Brewers -106; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs, on a three-game losing streak, take on the Milwaukee Brewers.Milwaukee has a 90-69 record overall and a 47-31 record at home. The Brewers have gone 37-10 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Chicago has a 37-41 record in road games and an 82-77 record overall. The Cubs are 64-11 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Friday’s game is the 11th meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 34 doubles, two triples and 19 home runs for the Brewers. William Contreras is 14-for-38 with four doubles and a home run over the...

Mets host the Phillies to begin 3-game series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:59 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (89-70, second in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (72-86, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 135 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (8-8, 4.92 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 98 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -119, Mets -100; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Philadelphia Phillies to begin a three-game series.New York has gone 40-37 in home games and 72-86 overall. The Mets have gone 50-20 in games when they scored five or more runs.Philadelphia has a 40-38 record on the road and an 89-70 record overall. Phillies hitters have a collective .439 slugging percentage to rank fifth in the majors.The matchup Friday is the 11th time these teams square off this season. The Phillies have a 6-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Francisco Lindor has 33 doubles, two triples and 30 home runs for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 15-for-44 with four do...