Latest news with #Spangler
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Somerset County advocates press for statewide aid to combat child care teacher shortage
SOMERSET, Pa. – Advocates for early education cited big numbers and small children Thursday in Somerset in an effort to solve a Pennsylvania-wide teacher shortage in the child care field. Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Aldom quoted a new report that Pennsylvania is losing $6.5 billion annually in earnings, productivity and tax revenue because so many parents have to stay at home with their children. Standing next to a group of pre-kindergarten students, The Learning Lamp CEO Leah Spangler said her organization's Somerset center could be preparing 63 more kids for elementary school if just seven more teaching positions were filled. 'That's 63 futures,' she said. That total would grow to 25,000 more children statewide – and thousands of families would benefit – if the statewide teacher shortage was erased, Spangler added. Aldom and Spangler were among the early childhood education advocates aiming to ramp up support for a $55 million state budget proposal to help address the shortage. It's at a 'crisis' point – and Pennsylvania, its businesses and its next generation of workers are all being impacted, said state Sen. Patrick Stefano, R-Fayette, who supports the measure. The child care teacher shortage has continued for years across the region, which has seen child care centers struggle to find staff – and, increasingly, close as a result. It all boils down to the reality that early child care teachers are paid near-poverty-level wages – less than half of their elementary school counterparts, Stefano and Spangler said. They earn an average of just $29,480 annually statewide – barely enough for one person, let alone a parent with a family of their own, to survive in today's economy, United Way of the Southern Alleghenies CEO Karen Struble Myers said. Low wage-earning families and 'the child care workers who serve them are trapped in a cycle where underfunded care equals underfunded staff. (That equals) unaffordable care and workforce shortages,' she said. 'It's a downward spiral that hurts everyone.' There are people on the sidelines who want to work, Aldom said. 'They just can't,' he added, 'because for many people, the cost of child care offsets the money they make.' That's one reason why child care providers such as The Learning Lamp cannot solve the teacher wage crisis by simply ratcheting up tuition costs for the working families they serve, Spangler added. The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young People cited an Early Learning PA Coalition study that showed 83% of likely voters surveyed in March supported increasing state funding for child care teacher recruitment. Stefano, a state Senate Aging and Youth Committee member who has backed efforts to solve the issue, said there's reason for hope this budget cycle. Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed adding $55 million to the early education budget specifically for child care recruitment and retention – a move that may be a first for a Pennsylvania governor, Stefano said. It's important to make sure the topic remains a bipartisan priority as budget discussions continue, he said. Lawmakers need to settle on a final dollar amount and how it will be paid for and, separately, work with Pennsylvania businesses to clear regulatory hurdles that are barriers to supporting child care-needy employees, Stefano said. Shapiro was in Erie Thursday advocating for a stronger investment in early childhood education. Part of his proposal calls for a Child Care Works recruitment bonus program aimed at retaining new hires. Stefano said it's going to take several different measures to solve the issue. 'It's going to require public-private partnerships,' he added. He said the fact that Chambers of Commerce statewide, including Somerset County's, are lobbying Harrisburg to address the teacher shortage adds weight to the movement. Aldom said it's a no-brainer for businesses. 'I think we're all on board with this idea,' he said. 'Child care is vital to the future of our economy and the well-being of working families everywhere.'
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Dum Dums lollipops stands by bright dyes, despite RFK Jr.'s push
The U.S. government is pushing food companies to switch their bright synthetic dyes to natural colors - but the maker of Dum Dums lollipops and Sweethearts candy hearts is in no rush. Kirk Vashaw, chief executive officer of Spangler Candy Company, said a key problem with changing ingredients is taste. Take beet juice: "That's a nice red, but it tastes like beets," he said. Then there's carmine, which makes some consumers queasy because the reddish pigment comes from cochineal insects. "People said, 'I'd rather get cancer than eat the bug,' " Vashaw said, referring to an instance when his company used the coloring. Spangler, which employs about 550 workers in Bryan, Ohio, also makes Bit-O-Honey candy, Necco Wafers and Circus Peanuts. The 119-year-old company already uses some natural colors and is testing other natural dyes. But a number of its confections include artificial colors such as Yellow 5 and Red 40. Spangler pulls in an estimated $200 million in annual retail sales, and it produces roughly 12 million Dum Dums a day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said last month that it will work with the packaged-food industry to phase out artificial dyes by early 2027. Kennedy and other officials have linked the ingredients to diseases such as obesity and diabetes while calling for "real and transformative change" to get "the worst ingredients out of food." Health advocates have said for years that synthetic colors add no taste or nutritional value but make unhealthy foods more visually appealing. Red No. 3, which has been linked to cancer and is used in products such as candy and cold medicine, will be banned in the U.S. starting in early 2027. Spangler doesn't use the ingredient. Food-industry lobbyists have said that there's no official agreement in place with the government, at least for now. The industry says artificial food dyes are safe, and Vashaw's comments underscore how some companies aren't on board with Kennedy's time line and perspective. Vashaw said his company has used artificial dyes for around 50 years and "we believe they're safe." He added Spangler hasn't reached an agreement "with anybody" on discontinuing their use. There aren't any regulations currently saying companies will have to stop using the dyes, he said. "There's talk, but actual regulations are another thing," he said during an interview at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis last week and a subsequent phone conversation. "It's likely that when we get to the end of 2026 that we will still have products that will still have these artificial colors," Vashaw said. "One, there might not even be the supply for these natural colors, and two, we have to do what the consumers want, and it's not clear to us that these consumers want these natural colors." Spangler has made dye-free variants of some of its products with natural flavorings for more than 30 years, including candy canes and, at times, a line of Dum Dums. But Vashaw's experience is that these products aren't what consumers actually want. "We have natural items now," Vashaw said. "They're just not bought in any meaningful way." In the case of the candy canes, "some people think it tastes like dirt," he said. Natural candy canes make up less than 2% of Spangler's total candy cane sales, and the firm ended up pulling its natural Dum Dums after they proved a flop. Allergy concerns Vashaw also expressed concern about new colors that the FDA approved this month, such as Galdieria extract blue, which is derived from algae, and butterfly pea flower extract, made from dried flower petals, saying the ingredients could potentially be allergenic for some people. In their regulations approving the dyes, the FDA concluded that both colors pose little risk for allergic reactions. Some companies are expanding their tests of natural dyes as government pressure for a change increases. PepsiCo Inc., for example, has come out with Simply Ruffles Hot & Spicy, which uses tomato powder and red chile pepper instead of the artificial dyes that give other chips their vibrant color. Vashaw said his company will continue to test natural ingredients, but the lack of regulatory clarity is creating confusion about what will happen. "Right now, it's more of a guideline," he said. "Is it really going to get enforced? Is it going to get pushed back? When their Doritos are a dull orange, are people going to accept that?" Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Matthew Spangler talks about his most celebrated adaptation, The Kite Runner
'For you, a thousand times over.' These words from Khaled Hosseini's acclaimed novel The Kite Runner became symbolic of the friendship between Amir, a privileged Pashtun, and his servant Hassan, a Hazara boy. Set against the backdrop when the rise of the Taliban regime (dominated by Sunnis) in Afghanistan led to the persecution of the Hazara population (Shia Muslims). The books explores the themes of friendship, betrayal, guilt, and redemption through the protagonist Amir. Now a celebrated stage adaption by Matthew Spangler, The Kite Runner was recently staged by Arena Theatre Productions under the direction of Tahera S. For longtime fans and newcomers, the production drew a standing ovation and left many in the audience teary-eyed by the powerful narration on stage. What made it even more special was Spangler's presence, who was equally moved seeing his adaption on stage. Spangler's adaption of The Kite Runner has been in production for 20 years now being played in theatres worldwide. Spangler is also a professor of performance studies at San José State University in California, where he teaches courses on how refugees and asylum seekers and other immigrants are represented in plays. Talking about the challenges of adapting an epic into a play, Spangler says, 'With this book, the challenge is length, if you read it aloud, it takes almost 15 hours, while the pay is just over two hours. How do you condense a 15-hour long story to two hours? People who love the book come to the play and say, 'Oh, you didn't leave anything out,' when I might have left 13 out of the 15 parts out.' Even though the play was previously showcased in Mumbai few years back, this was Spangler's first time watching it on stage in India, 'The audience here listen carefully… They are emersed in the story as it unfolds, which I feel was really beautiful.' Theatre plays an important role in cross-cultural understanding and empathy building, Spangler says. 'Amir comes from a very specific background, and life experiences; growing up in Afghanistan and coming to the United States as a refugee, he comes from a Muslim culture; but he is not practicing as you can see from the play. As an adult he wants to do the right thing for the boy (Hassan's son Sohrab). At the end, you understand him at more emotional level.' There has always been a production of The Kite Runner, somewhere over the past 20 years, Spangler says. 'I have seen this play staged in different countries including London, Canada, or Russia. It is just so unique for a writer to be able to see your play in different contexts and settings.' Counting Samuel Beckett's works as his greatest inspiration, Spangler says, 'I did my PhD and my Master's degree in Irish theatre, and it has been a great influence on my work.' The Kite Runner will be staged on May 4 at 3.30pm and 7.30pm at Ranga Shankara. Tickets are available at the venue and online.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family of man who died in Knox County custody to announce legal action
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The family of David Batts, Sr. who died after being in the custody of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, plans to announce the filing of a notice of claim against the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Attorney Ben Crump represents Batts' family. In a press release, Crump's firm wrote, that Batts, 46, was 'brutally beaten and Tased by officers.' The press release also said that his meningitis should have been treated immediately and that he should never have been taken from the hospital. Maryville pastor found safe after gunpoint abduction in South Africa, police say Batts, 46, died on January 8. He was arrested at the University of Tennessee Medical Center the day before on charges of sexual battery. Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler said that Batts didn't comply with a clothing search or pat down. Because of this, they placed him in an isolation room for more than eight hours. Spangler said an officer, nurse or supervisor checked him multiple times during those hours. Around 11 p.m., Batts refused commands and officers had to gain control of him before a nurse could check his vital signs, Spangler said. A nurse said that Batts should be taken back to UT Medical Center. Batts tried to grab and bite staff as they dressed him in an inmate uniform, according to Spangler. Batts was taken back to the hospital around 11:34 p.m. A judge granted him a release from custody on January 8. Officers at the hospital were relieved of duties. Batts died around 11:25 p.m. on January 8. The bodycam footage has been released. According to an autopsy, the cause of death was acute meningitis and sepsis. Alcoa senior finds support in sports community amid battle with Juvenile ALS Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen said that, while Batts was injured in KCSO custody, these injuries were not the cause of his death, nor did they contribute to it, citing the medical examiner. She said that the officers responded with appropriate force. In January, she announced that no charges would be filed. A urine analysis showed that Batts had fentanyl in his system, according to Spangler. Batts' family and their attorneys plan to hold a press conference at noon on Wednesday. Crump also represented the families of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
29-01-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Reunion honors Harbor View Elementary Class of '67's favorite teacher
A group of former Harbor View Elementary School students honored their beloved fifth-grade teacher, Marilyn Conrath, last Saturday, almost 58 years after leaving the Corona del Mar campus. About a dozen of the 33-member class attended a reunion and belated celebration of Conrath's birthday held at El Adobe restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. She turned 89 on Dec. 19 and said she was both surprised and deeply appreciative of the effort put into arranging the event. 'For me it was so very special,' said Conrath. 'The kids worked hard to have a good party and they succeeded. And I'm pleased and proud of them that they would be doing something like that.' Conrath, sporting a smart fuchsia coat and matching floral top, gasped and pointed as waiters lit a pair of candles atop a cake she shared with her students at the gathering. Some hadn't seen their former teacher since they were 11 years old. They spent the afternoon lost in conversation together, learning about where life took each of them after finishing their education. Many of the former classmates had started families, embarked on careers and moved to cities across Southern California and beyond. 'I'd be interested to know about work, school, marriages, children, hobbies,' Conrath said. 'It was really very interesting for everybody. This is just what I wanted to do.' Conrath recalled the Class of '67 as 'good kids' who were 'kind, considerate, most always so friendly and kind to one another.' 'She means more to us than any other teacher I've ever had,' said Cathy Sevel, a former student who now lives in San Diego and played a key role in organizing the reunion. '[For] young children she made learning come alive with creativity and fun and willingness for hands-on projects in the classroom and with many field trips. Kids were everything to her, she really cared about her students.' One of her former students, Kevin Spangler, now lives in Menifee. He said he reconnected with Miss Conrath during a class reunion in 2010 and they have stayed in touch since then, exchanging emails several times a week. 'I'm in constant contact with her,' Spangler said. 'She has such a good and sometimes screwy sense of humor, which I do too, so we both play off each other.' Spangler said Conrath is a 'car guy' like himself. He recalled picking her up and taking her to the OASIS Center's annual 'Cars & Coffee' show in 2011. They cruised through Corona Del Mar, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano before catching lunch in Dana Point, and then went back up the coast through Laguna Beach. 'We were listening to '50s rock 'n' roll the whole time. Miss Conrath kept telling me [about the songs], 'I remember this one. Oh! this is a good one. I like this one.' ... Chuck Berry & Buddy Holly sound so much better in a '57 Chevy. 'She came to California in a brand-new '64½ Mustang convertible,' Spangler added. 'I got to ride in it once in 1967. She still talks about it and misses the car.'
