Latest news with #Braaten
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Online petition demanding change to Peabody bullying policies following death of 14-year-old
Thousands of people have signed an online petition, hoping the death of 14-year-old Jason Bernard will spark some serious changes in Peabody schools. "It's sad that it took this because he should still be here," said Jamie Tagliamonte, the creator of the petition. Parents like her are looking for ways to take action following Bernard's death. The petition is pushing state leaders to pass better anti-bullying legislation. In just 24 hours, the petition has nearly 3,000 signatures. 'I feel the more parents can band together, rather than start accusing, we'll actually be able to get somewhere and make some changes where kids are held accountable,' Tagliamonte said. The petition calls for mandatory anti-bullying education in schools along with required intervention training for teachers and staff. 'I feel like if one city takes a stand and makes the changes, then maybe the rest will follow suit,' said Tagliamonte. Mass General Child Psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten says the topics of bullying and suicide may be tough to talk about with kids, but it's an important discussion to have. Especially after the death of one of their peer. 'As tragic as this conversation is, it's a really good opportunity to talk about bullying,' Dr. Braaten said. 'A good way into it is to just ask your child, 'What do you know about this?', 'What do you think?', to listen to them more than you tell them about how your feeling.' Dr. Braaten says as parent, look for any signs that may indicate your child is getting bullied. 'You want to be aware of hearing things like, 'You know, I don't want to go to school, I don't like these kids,'' she said. Making sure your child knows who to talk to if they are a victim and to recognize if their child is a bully is of paramount importance for parents. "This is kids learning about how to handle their aggression and about what to do when someone's aggressive to them," she said. 'It's a time to be able to teach them these skills – and we're very afraid of this topic because sometimes it does end in really tragic consequences." Dr. Braaten also says all children should learn to speak up if they witness bullying, even if they're not the victim. She says these are tough conversations to have but the more you talk about it, the more tragic situations can be prevented. Nonprofit launches independent review of Peabody schools bullying policies after teen's death The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers that are available 24/7 to provide support for youth and adults who are in any kind of emotional crisis. Using the 988 Lifeline is free and confidential. To contact the Lifeline, call or text 988. More information can be found here. A GoFundMe has been set up for the Bernard family in lieu of the tragedy. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Minnesota's new women's pro rugby team set for home opener at TCO Stadium
In March, the Women's Elite Rugby (WER) league launched six franchises across the country, including one in the Twin Cities: the TC Gemini. The team is preparing for their first home opener at Eagan's TCO Stadium this Friday, April 25, against the San Francisco Bay Breakers. It's a milestone moment for these athletes to train and compete at TCO because before this, many of these athletes had to find different avenues to play the sport they love. "It didn't become real until we walked out at this stadium, 'Wow, we're professional athletes,'" said teammember Mikey Williams. Williams started rugby as a hobby during Navy training school and never looked back. However, with limited options to play in the U.S., she moved to England where there were more opportunities — until now. "It's amazing to come home and do it in the U.S.," said Williams. Her passion for the sport is driven by the freedom to be physical. "Rugby is, 'you're not physical enough, you're not strong enough, keep going,'" said Williams. "And that's what I love about it." Sylvia Braaten is the head coach for the TC Gemini. "Rugby has grown so much since I started playing," said Braaten, who started her rugby career at Marquette University, then went on to compete in two World Cups representing Team USA. Now she's excited to pour into the next generation of women. "To have an opportunity to create something brand new and take part in this inaugural year is something that's really special," said Braaten. Before the WER, there was the Women's Premier League (WPL). It was a high level of rugby, but athletes had to pay to play, sometimes upwards of $10,000 for travel, field space and equipment. This new pro league provides all the resources they need. "Players can just focus on rugby. They have access to full-time coaches, full medical support and amazing facilities like here at TCO," said Braaten. Marisa Hall is a homegrown player on TC Gemini, originally from Cottage Grove. "Once I heard Minnesota had a team, I was pretty much focused on coming back here and be able to play. Just to have my family in the stands means so much to me," said Hall, who is also thrilled to be playing the game at the same facility where her favorite NFL team trains. "Hopefully we can get some Vikings [players] out to the games!" The next step to grow this league even more is to pay players. Right now, those who aren't still in school have full-time jobs in addition to playing.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CO2 storage law challenged in North Dakota Supreme Court hearing
The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Zoom April 17, 2025, in a case brought by the Northwest Landowners Association against the state and the North Dakota Industrial Commission. (Screenshot via Bismarck Tribune) The North Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a case that could determine whether a state law on underground carbon dioxide storage is constitutional and fair to landowners. The Northwest Landowners Association and other landowners are suing the state of North Dakota and the state Industrial Commission over a state law that can force landowners to take part in an underground CO2 storage project. Joining the state in defending its statute are Minnkota Power, Basin Electric Power, Dakota Gasification Co. and Summit Carbon Solutions, the Iowa-based company that has a permit to store millions of tons of carbon dioxide in western North Dakota. Initial fate of property rights lawsuit now in the hands of a judge The North Dakota Farm Bureau has joined the landowners in their lawsuit. Derrick Braaten, representing the landowners, said the state law authorizing amalgamation — forcing landowners to allow carbon dioxide storage beneath their property if 60% of the landowners agree to a storage project — is unconstitutional and doesn't allow landowners to use the court system to argue for just compensation. Northeast Judicial District Judge Anthony Swain Benson dismissed the lawsuit in August, ruling that a law passed in 2009 could not be challenged because a statute of limitations had expired. Thursday's arguments delved into the merits of the case. Braaten urged the Supreme Court to overrule the district court on the technicalities. He said the Supreme Court could also rule on the merits of the case or send it back to the district court for further arguments. The Supreme Court took the case under advisement. Judge dismisses landowner lawsuit against state, citing procedural issues Summit Carbon Solutions is seeking to use property in Oliver, Mercer and Morton counties for underground CO2 storage. The underground storage area is referred to as pore space. Phil Axt, representing the state, noted that North Dakota's geology is exceptionally well suited to underground carbon dioxide storage. He said the state should have the authority to regulate a shared resource. He said the case could set a precedent. 'As far as we're aware, no other court has yet addressed the pooling of pore space interests and the interplay between individual rights, majority rights and regulatory authority,' Axt said. 'We think courts around the country will be answering them, but this court is positioned to be the first.' Paul Forster, attorney for Minnkota Power, argued that allowing a small percentage of landowners to stop an underground storage project denies the majority of a right to profit from their property. Braaten also argued that state law takes away the right of landowners to challenge the level of compensation if a landowner is forced into a pool. He noted the potential revenue for Summit Carbon Solutions if it is able to take advantage of federal tax credit for storing carbon dioxide, which the company hopes to gather from ethanol plants in five Midwest states. 'They're making millions, if not billions, of dollars doing it by collecting government tax credits, and they're saying we don't get our share of that, even though it's our property they're using,' Braaten said. Carbon pipeline company seeks dismissals of North Dakota court challenges About 92% of landowners in the 90,000-acre sequestration area for Summit were participating voluntarily at the time Summit's storage permit was approved. Summit Carbon Solutions, which faces a permitting challenge in South Dakota, did not make oral arguments Thursday. Among the arguments Summit made in a brief filed with the court is that the state has a law that forces property owners to participate in oil and gas development. Braaten argued those property owners are fairly compensated. The Northwest Landowners Association successfully challenged a 2019 North Dakota pore space law at the state Supreme Court, with justices finding it unconstitutional. Landowners are also appealing the Industrial Commission's permit decision for the Summit storage area. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oil company, landowner attorney collaborate on bill to avoid court battles in North Dakota
Landowners are compensated for the area needed for oil well pads, but there are sometimes disputes about the amount of compensation. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Bismarck attorney Derrick Braaten says clients have paid him millions of dollars for court battles against oil and gas company Continental Resources over surface damages in North Dakota. But a conversation between Braaten and a lawyer representing Continental Resources could lead to fewer court battles, something Braaten says benefits the company and his clients. A result of that conversation is Senate Bill 2335, which would add a mediation step in negotiations between mineral resource developers and landowners in an effort to resolve disputes without a lawsuit. The bill has received support from Continental Resources, the North Dakota Petroleum Council and the Northwest Landowners Association, which Braaten represents. Litigation only benefits the lawyers, Braaten said during a hearing before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee earlier this month. In these disputes, the developer has already leased the minerals. But, under North Dakota law, developers must pay the landowners reasonable compensation for damage to the land, such as putting in a well pad. 'Neither the landowners nor the developers are benefiting from litigating over every darn well pad,' Braaten said. 'I've got better things to do.' Under the bill, if a landowner rejects a compensation offer from an oil and gas developer, the landowner can choose an appraiser to determine the value of the land being affected and present it to the developer. The developer pays for the appraisal, and after receiving it, has 30 days to make a new offer. Braaten said the appraisal provides a third-party number that at least provides a starting point for negotiations. 'The best thing that can happen here is we figure out how to make landowners and operators come together and come to private agreements,' Braaten said. William Hauser, an attorney for Continental Resources, said the value of the property is at the heart of the disputes. 'The appraisal helps both sides see the realistic value sooner in the process,' Hauser testified. If there is no agreement, the case can still end up in court, though the appraisal is not admissible. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said currently, talks stagnate after the initial offer. 'The landowner is just unhappy and there's no communication,' Ness said. Troy Coons, chair of the Northwest Landowners Association, called the bill an 'excellent compromise.' The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate, and the House committee gave it a unanimous do pass recommendation last week. Two other landowner rights bills went before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senate Bill 2321 would require that companies developing infrastructure projects such as pipelines reimburse legal fees for landowners, even if the company abandons or changes the project so that the landowner is no longer involved. It is awaiting committee action. Senate Bill 2379 originally required that land surveyors get written permission from landowners before stepping onto a property. This bill has received pushback from some water resource development groups, saying it would add to water pipeline costs and slow the projects down. The bill was amended to require providing written notice. The committee voted 9-4 Friday to give it a do-pass recommendation. The North Dakota Supreme Court last year ruled against landowners in a survey access case involving carbon dioxide pipeline developer Summit Carbon Solutions. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
