Latest news with #NDCS
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Devastating winds tear roof off penitentiary, displacing hundreds of prisoners
Damage assessments are continuing at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln after powerful straight-line winds tore the roof from two dormitory-style housing units at the facility over the weekend. Officials with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) said the extensive damage occurred just after 5am local time Saturday, and dramatic security camera video showed the moment the incident occurred. In the video you can see large chunks of the roof being torn away from the building, with debris being tossed into the air and falling onto the ground below. There have been no injuries reported, and all impacted individuals were safely relocated, officials said. 'In corrections, we train for the unexpected,' director Rob Jeffreys said in a news release. 'The team at NSP and across NDCS came together quickly and immediately worked to make sure everyone was safe during and after this natural disaster. 'While many of our staff were facing damage to their own homes, they still showed up to keep their teammates, the population and Nebraska safe. This weekend was a testament to the team's commitment to the NDCS mission: Keep people safe.' Officials said that the storm impacted units that housed 387 incarcerated people. Staff moved 250 people to the gym and other available housing at NSP. The remaining 137 individuals were relocated to gyms at the Omaha Correctional Center and the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of possible 80-mph (128kph) winds and pea-sized NWS forecast additional thunderstorms into Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning bringing wind, hail, and possible flooding.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Hundreds of Inmates Displaced Amid Deadly Midwest Storms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nearly 400 inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln were displaced after weekend storms damaged parts of the facility. Newsweek has reached out to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) and NSP for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Intense storms hit the state and parts of the Midwest over the weekend, killing one person and seriously injuring another. Most inmates at the facility, which houses maximum-, medium-security prisoners, and minimum-security inmates, are over 21 years old. What to Know Early Saturday morning, high winds damaged infrastructure, toppling trees, tearing off roofs and downing power lines, leaving thousands without electricity. As of Sunday morning, more than 18,500 customers are without power in the state according to In Lincoln, the state's capital, two NSP housing units were damaged, leading the NDCS to move 387 incarcerated individuals. NSP is the oldest correctional facility in the state, having opened in 1869. Guards observe inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 25, 2019. Guards observe inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 25, 2019. AP Photo/Nati Harnik About 50 miles north in Waterloo, Nebraska, first responders found a woman dead in a vehicle crushed by a fallen tree in Two Rivers State Recreation Area. The Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department said in a Saturday Facebook post: "Upon arrival, emergency personnel found 1 female, had sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. The male passenger was pinned in the vehicle, which had sustained extensive damage from the fallen tree." The man was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) with "life-threatening injuries," the post said. Elsewhere in the Midwest, flooding hit parts of Wisconsin, leaving around 50,000 people without power in the state, according to In Colorado, nearly 200 inmates were evacuated over the weekend due to the Lee Fire. What People Are Saying Nebraska Department of Correctional Services told the Associated Press in a statement: "There are no reported injuries, and all staff and incarcerated individuals are safe and accounted for." Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in this tragic incident and want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victim's family. We are also grateful for the coordinated efforts of all the agencies involved in this complex rescue." The official X account of the Wisconsin State Fair said in a Saturday post: "After last night's flash flooding resulted in the early closure of State Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair officials have determined the Fair Park will not reopen for Sunday, August 10. We understand the disappointment you may feel as our team works all year for these 11 days. However, the safety of our Fairgoers, team, partners, and vendors will always be our top priority." After last night's flash flooding resulted in the early closure of State Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair officials have determined the Fair Park will not reopen for Sunday, August 10. We understand the disappointment you may feel as our team works all year for these 11 days.... — Wisconsin State Fair (@wistatefair) August 10, 2025 What Happens Next? Severe weather canceled several events across the region, including the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday, and led to the cancellation of visits at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Flash flooding and strong thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the region on Sunday.
STV News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Deaf teen who won fight for interpreter hails classroom reform for BSL users
A deaf teenager who won a legal fight for an interpreter in the classroom has welcomed the passing of a bill that will legally recognise students and teachers who use British Sign Language (BSL). Niamdh Braid, 16, has been deaf since birth and has hearing aids, but her first choice of language is BSL. Last year, Niamdh took legal action against Fife Council after being denied access to an interpreter in her classes, despite attending Auchmuty High School, which is designated as a base for deaf support services. Her dad argued the lack of support had 'denied her full access to learning for her whole school career.' The tribunal ruled in Niamdh's favour, finding she had been placed at a 'substantial disadvantage' without BSL interpretation. Reflecting on her experience, she told STV News: 'I've been so tired from having to focus on lip reading, piecing bits of sentences together that I've missed, and then having to write stuff down while trying to lip read. 'Then if I'm writing something down, I'm then missing what the teacher's saying at that point, but if I don't write it down, then I'm going to miss what they're saying because I don't have it written down, so I don't have those notes.' On Wednesday, MSPs voted to pass reforms to Scotland's Education system by 69 votes to 47. STV News Niamdh has welcomed the new Bill which will help deaf people 'navigate life in a hearing world' The Education Scotland Bill will see the creation of a new authority, Qualifications Scotland, abolishing the current SQA model and a new chief inspector of Education of Scotland. At submission, the bill only included recognition for Gaelic learners but following a year-long campaign headed by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). George McGowan from the NDCS says the new legislation is a huge milestone for BSL learners. Deaf children are nearly three times as likely to leave school without any qualifications, with the NCDS saying children and young people who use BSL are now protected for the future. George said: 'We feel this is a massive move forward for young deaf children's rights here in Scotland. 'BSL is a vibrant language which gives deaf children and young people access to a rich culture, heritage and identity. 'We're keen to see more people learn British Sign Language to remove the barriers that exist between deaf and hearing people. 'In addition, it helps us educate the hearing community about both the deaf community and deaf culture.' Despite this recognition, members of the BSL community are questioning why it has taken so long for the bill to include the language, despite the British Sign Language Scotland Bill coming into force in October 2015. Niamdh is now heading into her sixth year of high school and has an interpreter to help with her studies. STV News National Deaf Children's Society George McGowan She says she hopes this move can help remove stigma and improve support for younger deaf children. She said: 'At the end of the day, we're in a world that isn't built for us; we're in a world that was built for and by hearing people. We just need that little bit of support to be able to navigate life in a hearing world.' Education secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP said: 'I think this says very strongly to the BSL community that we value them, we want to work with them, we want to make sure that where policy does not reflect their needs, we work to get that right. 'The government did that. It's so important I know to the BSL community that we have that reflected in all that we do, particularly in an education space where we know those entitlements are absolutely fundamental to supporting our young people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Malay Mail
13-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Former National Dental Centre Singapore staff accused of taking illicit photos of female patients' breasts
SINGAPORE, June 13 — A former employee of the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) was charged in court today over alleged offences involving voyeuristic acts and unauthorised access to patient data. According to Channel News Asia (CNA), Elgin Ng, 28, is accused of taking intrusive photographs of women's breasts — described in charge sheets as 'top-down and bottom-up' shots — without their consent. The court documents did not detail the method used. Ng faces 25 counts of voyeurism, each relating to a different woman. Their identities are protected under a gag order. The alleged incidents span a two-year period from March 2022 to April 2024. He also faces one charge of distributing voyeuristic images. Prosecutors said Ng allegedly sent the illicit material to another man on at least two occasions between May and June this year. In addition to the voyeurism charges, Ng was also handed four counts under the Computer Misuse Act. Two of these relate to accessing the personal data of 18 patients in 2023 and 2024 without authorisation. The remaining charges allege that he downloaded photographs of 42 patients from the centre's systems between 2022 and 2023. NDCS confirmed that Ng is no longer employed at the centre. Responding to queries from CNA, a spokesman said an internal probe was launched after the matter came to light, and a police report was filed. 'Protecting the safety, privacy and data of our patients is of paramount importance to us,' the spokesman said. 'We take a serious view of data breach incidents and do not condone such misconduct.' The centre declined to comment further, citing ongoing court proceedings. Ng did not enter a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 8. If convicted of voyeurism, he faces up to two years in jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of these penalties. Distributing voyeuristic content carries a maximum five-year jail term, while unauthorised access to computer data is punishable by up to two years' jail, a fine of up to S$5,000 (RM16,550), or both.
CNA
13-06-2025
- CNA
Ex-employee of National Dental Centre of Singapore accused of taking photos of female patients' breasts
SINGAPORE: A former employee of the National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS) accused of taking voyeuristic images of female patients and then distributing them was charged in court on Friday (Jun 13). Elgin Ng allegedly took "top-down and bottom-up" photographs of the women's breasts without their knowledge or consent. Charges did not specify how he did so. For these alleged offences, the 28-year-old Singaporean was handed 25 charges of voyeurism, each involving a different woman whose identity was redacted from court documents due to a gag order. The incidents, which form the bulk of Ng's charges, are said to have occurred between March 2022 and April 2024. Ng is also said to have sent the voyeuristic images to a man on at least two occasions between May and June 2024. He was given a count of distributing voyeuristic images over this alleged offence. COMPUTER MISUSE ACT Apart from voyeurism, Ng is alleged to have accessed databases in computers belonging to NDCS while he did not have the authority. He was handed two charges under the Computer Misuse Act for accessing the personal details of 18 patients from the electronic dental records system in 2023 and 2024. Another two charges from the same Act state that Ng downloaded the photos of 42 patients from a system in 2022 and 2023. In response to CNA's queries, NDCS said that Ng is no longer under its employment. A spokesperson said that when the incident was brought to NDCS' attention, it conducted internal investigations and lodged a police report. "Protecting the safety, privacy and data of our patients is of paramount importance to us," the spokesperson added. "We take a serious view of data breach incidents and do not condone such misconduct." The spokesperson said that the NDCS was unable to comment further as the case is before the courts. Ng did not indicate a plea of guilt. He will return to court for a next hearing on Jul 8. For voyeurism, an offender can be jailed up to two years, or fined, or caned, or any combination of the penalties. For distributing voyeuristic images, an offender can be jailed up to five years, or fined, or caned, or any combination of the penalties.
