Latest news with #CAST
CBS News
27-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Advocates call for probe into law enforcement's handling of death investigations after review of Maryland autopsies
Advocates are calling for an investigation into how law enforcement handled death investigations after an audit of Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) found that some police custody deaths were misclassified. Members of Community Actively Seeking Transparency (CAST) and the Anne Arundel County NAACP are asking state leaders to determine if the mishandling of those cases could be considered obstruction of justice. The two groups will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon. Review of Maryland medical examiner's office The independent review looked at more than 85 cases that were completed when the office was under the guidance of former Chief Medical Examiner Dr. David Fowler. In 44 of those cases, the auditors disagreed with the determined manner of death. Reviewers instead found that many of the cases should have been ruled as homicides. The audit found patterns of possible racial disparities, Maryland Attorney General Brown said. According to the review, deaths that involved Black people or individuals who were restrained by police were less likely to be ruled as homicides. The audit also found that some of the case reports did not include full details and failed to document injuries connected to police restraints. Maryland Gov. Moore pushes for further investigation After the audit was released, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore created a task force to improve how police custody deaths are investigated. The Maryland Task Force on In-Custody Restraint-Related Death Investigations includes government officials, forensic experts, law enforcement and legal professionals. The group was asked to recommend oversight processes for future investigations and consider if more audits are needed. The governor's executive order also directs the Department of Health and the Medical Examiner's Office to report on their progress in implementing recommended changes.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CAST Brings UDL Leaders in Inclusive Education to Washington, DC for UDL-Con: International 2025
UDL Conference to Feature Second Annual UDL Awards, Breakthrough Sessions on Accessibility, AI, and Learner Engagement BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS / / May 12, 2025 / CAST is proud to announce the return of UDL-Con: International, taking place July 22-23, 2025 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. This flagship Universal Design for Learning (UDL) conference brings together global leaders in education, accessibility, and instructional design for three days of inspiration, innovation, and actionable strategies. Now in its second year, UDL-Con: International 2025 will build on the sold-out success of last year's event in Sacramento, which drew participants from 14 countries and 43 U.S. states. This year's event will feature both in-person and virtual access, expanded programming, and new opportunities to connect with thought leaders across the education and technology sectors. "As the organization that created Universal Design for Learning and celebrated our 40th anniversary last year, CAST is proud to lead this global movement for more inclusive learning," said Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST. "UDL-Con: International stands apart as the premier event where educators, researchers, and innovators come together to design learning experiences that truly support all learners-and we're excited to build on the incredible momentum from last year's sold-out event." Whether you're designing curriculum, leading instructional transformation, or supporting students with diverse learning needs, this conference offers tools, research, and real-world practices to help all learners thrive. Keynote Speakers: Luis Pérez, Ph.D., Director of Disability & Accessibility at CAST Andratesha Fritzgerald, Ed.S., award-winning author and founder of Building Blocks of Brilliance Cathleen Beachboard, author of The School of Hope and middle school teacher Carol Allen, global advisor for ICT and Inclusion Featured Workshop Sessions: AI, UDL, & Executive Function to Empower Optimization & Efficiency by Alexis Ann Reid, M.A. (Reid Connect, LLC) and Luis Pérez, Ph.D. (CAST) Empowering Learners Through AI Literacy, Accessibility, and UDL by Kelli Suding & Bryan Dean (CAST) InstaClass: Reimagine Social Media as an Inclusive Classroom by Dr. Joshua Gray (Pepperdine University) The Accessible Assessment Standard Used Around the World by Susan Haught (1EdTech Consortium) Enhancing Faculty Readiness: UDL and Student Success in Community Colleges by Mayda Gonzalez-Bosch (SUNY Orange) 10+ UDL-Aligned Strategies for Teaching Neurodivergent Learners by Jennifer Pusateri (University of Kentucky) Level Up Your Lessons: UDL and the New Lesson Plan Workbook by Shaunta Singer, Ph.D. (CAST) Shifting Gears: Conversations for Change by Loui Lord Nelson, Cherie Smith, Elizabeth Stark Accessibility Got Talent! by Kelli Suding & Michelle Sorino (CAST) The Social-Emotional Side of Executive Functioning by Wendy M. Chadwick Guidelines 3.0: Stories of Impact from Across the UDL Community by Jenna Gravel (CAST) Special Event: Second Annual UDL Awards ReceptionThe 2025 UDL Awards reception on July 22nd will honor outstanding leaders and distinctive contributions that drive innovation and inclusivity in education. Acknowledgement of SponsorsCAST thanks its generous sponsors: ReadSpeaker, Seesaw, SMART Technologies, Estendio, Five Star, Lesson Pix, Book Creator, Gladeo, Learning-Genie, and Habitat Learn. For more information and to register: UDL-Con: International. For more information on UDL Awards and UDL-Con, please contact Kisha Barton, Senior Director of Communications, at kbarton@ and visit our website at Contact Information Kisha BartonSenior Director of Communicationskbarton@ 720-5099 SOURCE: CAST View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cell death and disease study by Institute scientists Sheds light on targeted protein to fight breast cancer
May 9—Roughly 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society—and for the year 2024, it was estimated that more than 300,000 women in the United States would be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 40,000 would die from the disease. If we want to reduce these numbers, increasing our understanding of how breast cancer operates in order to improve prevention, detection, and treatment methods is paramount. The lab of Assistant Professor Liang Liu, PhD, at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, has published a paper appearing in the scientific journal Cell Death & Disease that examines how a protein called TXNIP might help fight breast cancer by slowing its growth and spread throughout the body. The scientists focused on two different types of breast cancer cells: MDA-MB-231: Associated with triple-negative breast cancer and naturally high TXNIP levels HCC-1954: Associated with HER2-positive breast cancer, low TXNIP levels They also investigated how TXNIP interacts with other proteins—especially calpastatin (CAST) and interleukin-24 (IL-24)—and how these interactions influence a cancer-promoting cellular signal called STAT3. The study yielded some surprising findings that warrant further scientific exploration. "It's surprising that calpastatin (CAST), a protein TXNIP binds to, actually promotes tumor growth in both cell types tested. CAST was known for a different role (stopping cell damage), so its cancer-helping behavior here is unexpected and worth exploring further," Liu said. "In HCC-1954 cells, extra TXNIP first shrank tumors, but after four weeks, growth sped up. This shift hints that cancer might adapt or resist over time, possibly due to CAST, making TXNIP's effects a puzzle to solve." This study is significant for its contributions to understanding TXNIP's role in breast cancer and its therapeutic potential The study's authors are continuing research in this area to bring these findings closer to real-world use to transform outcomes for breast cancer patients. Beyond cancer, better understanding of TXNIP has applications across multiple health fields. For example, TXNIP helps regulate blood sugar and cell stress, making it significant in diabetes research. The Hormel Institute's Post-Doctoral Associate Jasvinder Singh, PhD; Post-Doctoral Associate Bindeshwar Sah; and Executive Director Robert Clarke, PhD, at The Hormel Institute are also listed as authors of the paper.
Business Wire
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ComEd, Partners Announce the Return of Summer Job Training for Teens
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ComEd today joined workforce partners the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago in announcing the return of the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Youth Academy, a paid summer career exposure program for high school students interested in careers in the construction and energy fields. The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy is back this summer for a third time across the Chicagoland area, with classes set to begin in both June and July. As the school year comes to a close, ComEd is encouraging interested students to apply now through YMCA or Goodwill. With as many as 150,000 jobs coming to Illinois by 2050 to support the clean energy transition, the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy is one way ComEd is offering opportunities for local youth to prepare for roles in the fast-growing clean energy sector. 'ComEd and our partners are committed to ensuring that our youth are aware of the wide variety of in demand and good-paying careers in the energy sector that deliver reliable power to more than 9 million people across northern Illinois,' said Melissa Washington, SVP of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives. 'It is through youth-centered programs, like the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy, that we are reaching our future workforce and expanding a skilled and diverse talent pool that will be key to delivering a cleaner and brighter future for our communities.' During the three-week program, teens learn about the wide range of careers in energy, from entry-level craft positions to roles in STEM, such as engineering and more. Students study key equipment used to manage the power grid, learn about drones and EVs, and even meet with company leaders. Participants also learn how to safely use hand tools and put their newfound construction skills to the test by building dressers for underserved communities. In addition, past program graduates have the opportunity to return as Junior Mentors for the new incoming program cohorts. New to the program, ComEd offered graduates of last year's class, who are now seniors, a CONSTRUCT Youth Academy Spring Break session in which they dove into a career readiness curriculum involving a pole-climbing clinic and test preparation for the industry-required Construction and Skilled Trades (CAST) exam. This extension of the program will continue to be offered for future graduates, allowing participants interested in the trades to prepare for entry-level roles and get a leg up on their career search upon high school graduation. This year's CONSTRUCT Youth Academy participants will attend classroom sessions three times a week held across YMCA locations in Woodlawn, West Humboldt Park, and Little Village, and through Goodwill's Workforce Connection Center in Englewood. Through this collaboration, the program has been able to graduate more than 100 teens, reflecting the vibrant communities ComEd serves, with more than 70 percent being people of color and nearly 20 percent being young women. 'The Y is proud to partner with ComEd to deliver these enriching experiences for the youth that we serve,' said Agneis Schultz, Vice President of Community Innovation and Impact, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. 'By offering practical training and a first-hand look at many different jobs in the energy sector, the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy has empowered our participants to pursue career pathways that suit them best and set them up for future success.' 'Goodwill is equipping young adults throughout greater Chicago with the necessary tools and knowledge needed to pursue rewarding careers,' said Clayton Pryor, chief mission officer, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago. 'The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy spotlights the opportunities and room for growth in the construction and energy fields that some youth may have never considered.' Eligible applicants must be rising high school juniors or seniors. The program will have two cohorts, the first beginning June 10, the second beginning July 8, and participants will receive a stipend upon program completion. Interested applicants can learn more details and apply through the YMCA here and through Goodwill here. Gabriel Gaytan is a 2024 CONSTRUCT Youth Academy graduate and will be returning this year as a Junior Mentor. 'The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy helped me look at my future in a completely different way – it really opened my eyes to so many jobs I can see myself working in,' said Gabriel. 'It was an amazing experience that gave me an advantage in knowing what skills and education I need to land a job in the energy field. I recommend this program to teens out there who want to explore more career options.' The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy builds on the success of the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, ComEd's premiere workforce development program, which has trained more than 900 local residents for roles in the construction and energy fields and placed more than 70 percent in entry-level jobs. ComEd offers a range of STEM education and job training programs, which last year reached more than 2,400 youth and adults. For more on ComEd education and career readiness programs, please visit About ComEd ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a regional leader in accessible, inclusive programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year, strengthening community by connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise, reaching our communities through 25 community hubs — including five overnight camps — and more than 100 extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more about the Y's locations and programming at About Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago enhances dignity and quality of life for all by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and connecting people to valuable employment and community resources. Learn more about the nonprofit's mission - Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life. - and find a Goodwill near you to shop and donate at
Axios
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Where bay meets brush: Pier 29 reimagined as hub for SF's artists
A new project on San Francisco's waterfront will deliver the city's largest artist studio and exhibition space — a move many hope will be a turning point for the arts community. State of play: Despite SF's rich legacy, the arts scene has largely been overshadowed in recent years by the tech sector and the doom loop narrative. Limited funding and high costs of living, including rent and supplies, have also forced artists out of the city. Yes, but: A vibrant arts and culture scene is critical to San Francisco's comeback, the mayor's office has said. The sector generates $1.45 billion in economic activity annually, a 2017 study found. It also drives conversation around innovation and promotes self-expression. Driving the news: The Community Arts Stabilization Trust's (CAST) new partnership with the San Francisco Port Commission will transform Pier 29 from a long-vacant warehouse to a cultural hub that houses exhibitions, residencies, performances and other creative events. Zoom in: CAST, known for its pop-up activations across the city, will manage a 47,000-square-foot indoor event and art space as well as a 23,000-square-foot outdoor area that overlooks the bay. A residency program called Art + Water will provide "pod" studio spaces to emerging local artists in six-month cohorts, with a focus on providing access to underserved and under-resourced artists. "At a time when studio space is ever-less affordable, and art instruction costs a fortune, Art + Water will bring both together in one radically accessible space," author Dave Eggers, who will spearhead the residency with San Francisco Arts Commission member JD Beltran, said in a statement. Pier 29 has largely remained vacant since its use during the America's Cup races of 2013 and currently serves as a location for occasional parking and infrequent special events. CAST is investing $300,000 of its own funds for tenant improvements, while the Port is contributing $500,000. Key components of the facility include: A walk-in gallery with rotating exhibitions that will allow visitors to view working artists and purchase local art. An exhibition space on the Embarcadero with artworks curated by Rene De Guzman. A publicly accessible venue that will be available for other arts and culture organizations to put on free and low-cost programming. What they're saying: "We've been approached by a number of artists over the years for large-scale open spaces, things they could really imagine building out for these otherworldly experiences that they produce for the audience," CAST CEO Ken Ikeda told Axios. "But of course, they've been cost prohibitive, or there have been other challenges, and that's where we stepped in." Film screenings, music shows and art barges — the possibilities are endless, Ikeda said. "We see this as a constantly reimagined space, and also a space that won't feel stale, because every time you come back ... it's going to look and feel different," he noted. The intrigue: Part of CAST's goal is to enable a "higher level of clustering" so that art spaces become regularly frequented destinations, Ikeda told Axios. It could anchor a whole row of restaurants and help facilitate community development that becomes a district of sorts, he suggested. "It's not just the economic benefits, but it's also for sustainability, which is our focus," he said. "We need to make it difficult to deny the impact of arts, and therefore make it difficult to displace them." What's next: The lease is a two-year term, but CAST will have the option to request a two-year extension once it expires.
