Latest news with #Espinoza
The Star
19 hours ago
- Science
- The Star
Chile's vital underwater forests under threat from mining, warming seas
A diver practises under the supervision of his fisherman and shellfish harvester father n Paposo, Chile. — RODRIGO GUTIERREZ/Reuters In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals – and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specialises in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. The health of Chile's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution.— Photos: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. Gutierrez prepares rolls of seaweed on a beach.— Photo: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters Part of the community The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Pedro Codeso harvests seaweed during his workday on the shoreline in the Antofagasta Region.— Photos: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. Espinoza on a beach, contaminated with mining waste. — Photo: PABLO SANHUEZA/Reuters With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." – By RODRIGO GUTIERREZReuters
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
New Hampshire is expanding school choice. Will Massachusetts follow?
Advertisement This surge in school choice is part of a broader national trend. Enrollment in such programs has more than doubled since 2020 — from roughly 540,000 to more than Massachusetts, home to some of the nation's strongest private, parochial, charter, and vocational-technical schools, is increasingly being left behind, politically unwilling and legally constrained from offering families access to private options. The catalyst for this wave of private options was the US Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. The court Advertisement Her story resonated nationwide, particularly during the pandemic. The move to online learning by public schools, union resistance to returning students to the classroom, and a seeming disregard for students' mental health and learning loss drove many families toward private and homeschool options. Even in Massachusetts, Massachusetts may remain among the top-performing states nationally, but that status masks a troubling decline. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress (the nation's report card), average eighth-grade The pandemic and student distraction due to cellphones are partially to blame, but the decline is Clearly there is a hunger for options other than traditional public school. Advertisement New Hampshire's latest choice expansion is relevant to Massachusetts because, in addition to the two states' cultural and demographic similarities, they post nearly identical academic performance. On the 2024 NAEP, New Hampshire eighth-graders scored averages of 280 in As student performance declines, Massachusetts lawmakers remain committed to a top-down, monopolistic education system. They refuse to consider private school choice, hiding behind 19th-century anti-Catholic amendments in the state constitution that prohibit public funds from flowing to religious schools, even indirectly. At the same time, lawmakers have stood by as the pillars of the Commonwealth's landmark 1993 education reforms — strong academic standards, accountability through testing, and choice through charter schools — have steadily eroded. New Hampshire is taking a more pragmatic approach: It is steadily expanding school choice with thoughtful fiscal safeguards and a clear focus on helping the students most in need. As a result, many more New Hampshire parents will now be able to narrow class- and race-based achievement gaps — whether through public or private schools, the small learning groups called The recently passed 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' President Trump's massive tax and spending plan, enacts the first national school choice program, offering scholarships funded through tax credits to all but the wealthiest families. Starting in 2027, taxpayers nationwide will be able to redirect up to $1,700 in federal taxes to approved scholarship organizations. Advertisement The program could benefit many of the 120,000 families in Massachusetts paying a private school tuition, or using homeschool and microschool options, which grew enormously during the pandemic. Expanding its appeal further, the program benefits families paying for after-school supplemental learning, including tutoring. The catch? States must opt in. For now, Massachusetts officials say they are For the dozens of states with school choice programs, including New Hampshire, the pathway forward is clear: Private school choice has broad public support and expands equality of educational opportunity. What will Massachusetts do?
Time Out
14-07-2025
- Time Out
Cevichocho at Cotoa
Cotoa embodies everything Miami's culinary scene needs more of right now: an ambitious chef preparing food that tastes like home, an intimate dining room with easygoing style, dishes whose size and quality actually match their prices, and hospitality that's warm and unrushed. After a brief stint inside Downtown's B100m food hall—and a swift recommendation from the Michelin Guide—Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza's Cotoa transplanted to North Miami this spring, settling into a cheerful corner space on the same block as local Basque favorite, Edan Bistro. The 24-seat restaurant is a follow-up to her Quito restaurant, Somos, a World's 50 Best award winner. After dining at Cotoa, it's obvious why Espinoza was named a United Nations Tourism Special Ambassador of Gastronomy, representing Ecuador's cultural heritage through a thoroughly modern yet unfussy lens. The vibe: Bright and playful, in a palette of orange, green, raffia and natural stone. The restaurant is filled with relaxed guests who seem like they've been coming here forever. Shoppable teas, coffees and handmade homewares line an etagere that divides the entryway from the dining room, adding to the hip and homey vibe. The food: Cotoa's all-day menu is similarly light and fun, brief but full of complex flavors and fresh takes on familiar-to-Miami ingredients. Put in an order of the Pan de Yuca right away—pillowy cheese bread rolls with the perfect amount of bite, served with mamey chutney and inspired by the start of every meal in Ecuador. Round things out with a ceviche and a main. We ordered the Mahi Mahi Manicero, served in an aromatic coconut-ginger base, paired with El Pincho, a smoky chimichurri hanger steak, accompanied by crunchy papa chaucha (gold potatoes) and Jerusalem artichoke chips. Everything was well-seasoned, beautifully plated and large enough to share. The drink: The selection of natural wines, sourced from Florida-based distributor Nada Wine, includes eight by-the-glass options and bottles starting at $60. The beer list includes an IPA and a blonde ale from two Miami breweries, plus a few kombuchas and a mix of local and Ecuadorian sparkling waters, coffees and teas. Time Out tip: For an out-of-the-ordinary date, consider going during lunch and ordering the Cacao Lime Tea, 'Pepa Dorada.' It's the same menu you'll find at dinner, with plenty of items that won't leave you feeling overly full. The refreshing iced tea made with cacao husks will put just the right amount of pep in your step.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
'A real inspiration': Fallen Bloomfield officer donates organs to three people
Jun. 4—Even after dying, Bloomfield police officer Timothy Ontiveros continued to give to others. On Sunday, the 33-year-old died after being shot by Dennis Armenta, 58, during a traffic stop in Bloomfield on May 26. Armenta was fatally shot by another officer. After being taken off life support, Ontiveros' kidneys and liver were donated to three people, New Mexico Donor Services spokesperson Celina Espinoza said in a phone interview Wednesday. "To lose an officer in the line of duty is really, really difficult," she said, "and for him to continue to give even after serving his community so valiantly is just a real inspiration." Espinoza did not identify the recipients or disclose where they lived, but said the transplants were successful and everyone was "doing well." Ontiveros was not a registered organ donor, Espinoza said. If a person is not registered, their family may make the decision on the dying person's behalf to donate their organs, according to the National Institute of Aging. Ontiveros' family said "he had a true heart for service and would have wanted to continue to help others," Espinoza said. Only 1 in 1,000 hospital deaths happens in a way that allows for an organ donation, according to the Baylor College of Medicine. "It's rare people are able to give the gift of organ donation," Espinoza said. "It's a true miracle every time it happens." Ontiveros had served with the Bloomfield Police Department since December. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Aztec Fire Department. He previously worked for Farmington police. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered flags to be at half-staff for five days starting Thursday. "Officer Ontiveros exemplified extraordinary bravery and unwavering dedication in serving and protecting his fellow New Mexicans," she said in a statement. "He will be greatly missed by his family and community and will be remembered as a dedicated father to his two daughters, a fighter and a true public servant. "It is appropriate and proper to acknowledge Officer Ontiveros' life and service through a public period of mourning across New Mexico."
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man accused of killing Roswell police officer to appear in court for plea hearing
A plea hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in the case of a man accused of killing a Roswell police officer. Edward Espinoza is accused of shooting Officer Jeremy Labonte, 24, several times outside Ace Pickleball Club in February. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Labonte responded to a suspicious person call at the Market Boulevard location. Police say that as he approached Espinoza, the officer was shot and killed. Channel 2 Action News will be in the courtroom for the hearing. Get the latest updates on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. RELATED STORIES: Widow of fallen Roswell officer speaks for first time, shares how their love story began Suspect in killing of Roswell police officer in court as judge views bodycam footage Roswell officer shot more than a dozen times, prosecutors say as judge denies suspect's bond Suspect in custody after shooting, killing police officer just 'serving the citizens of Roswell' Roswell police had several interactions with suspect in officer's killing In March, Espinoza sat expressionless in court as investigators showed surveillance footage of the night Labonte was killed. Video shows Espinoza enter the pickleball club and speak with an employee who he asked if there were any Marines there. 'At that time, he followed up by saying, if there's any Marines, there was going to be trouble,' investigator Jerriel Mann said in court. When Espinoza went outside, the employee called 911. That's when they say Labonte showed up and was shot. Espinoza was arrested just minutes after the shooting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
