Latest news with #Yost
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ohio school voucher scheme ruled unconstitutional but stays active during US court appeal
A gavel rests on a desk in an Ohio courtroom, symbolizing the legal challenge surrounding the EdChoice voucher program. (AI Image) Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship Program will continue for the upcoming school year despite a recent court ruling that declared the program unconstitutional. A stay on the court's decision allows the program to remain in effect while the case undergoes an appeals process. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement reaffirming that families can continue using EdChoice scholarships to enroll children in private schools. 'EdChoice is the law of the land for the coming school year,' Yost said, encouraging families to make school decisions accordingly, as quoted by WFMJ. Judge rules EdChoice unconstitutional but allows it to continue temporarily On June 24, 2025, Franklin County Judge Jaiza N. Page ruled that the EdChoice program violated the state's constitution by diverting funds away from public schools. The program, established to provide scholarships for students from designated public schools to attend qualifying private schools, has faced legal challenges from a coalition of public education leaders. The coalition, known as Vouchers Hurt Ohio, filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the program. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo According to WFMJ, the group argued that EdChoice uses taxpayer money to fund private education, draining resources from the public school system. Judge Page agreed, calling the funding structure unconstitutional. However, she issued a stay on the ruling, allowing the program to remain in operation while the case is appealed. Legal appeal to proceed in Ohio's Tenth District Court According to the Attorney General's Office, the state plans to file its appeal with the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals on July 23. During a press conference, Yost was joined by Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, Representative Jamie Callendar, and several education advocates including Rabbi Eric "Yitz" Frank, president of School Choice Ohio; Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue; Tom Fisher, vice president and director of EdChoice Legal Advocates; and Monica Williams, a parent impacted by the program. Yost emphasized that the ongoing litigation does not affect parents' current school options. 'Nothing that's happened legally limits their options,' he stated during the conference, as reported by WFMJ. EdChoice program expansion and financial impact The EdChoice program, funded through the state budget, has seen significant growth since its inception. According to WFMJ, the initiative began in 2008 as a $42 million program designed to help students in underperforming schools. In the past year, it has grown to more than $1 billion in taxpayer funding used to support students attending private institutions. The Ohio Department of Development's website states that EdChoice scholarships provide $6,166 per student in grades K–8 and $8,408 per student in grades 9–12. Program's future likely to be determined by Ohio Supreme Court As reported by WFMJ, the case is expected to eventually reach the Ohio Supreme Court. Legal experts have indicated that the appellate process could take years to resolve. During that time, EdChoice will remain active, allowing families to continue applying for and receiving scholarships. The continuation of the program amid legal scrutiny has prompted renewed national attention, as debates surrounding school choice, public funding, and education equity intensify across the US. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nationwide Arena eyes unclaimed funds in Ohio budget for $400 million renovation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Nationwide Arena is eyeing unclaimed funds in the Ohio budget for its $400 million renovation, similar to the Cleveland Browns' plan to use state dollars for a new stadium. Signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last month, Ohio's next two-year, $60 billion operating budget designates more than $1 billion from the state's unclaimed funds to culture and sports facility projects. Of that sum, $600 million has already been set aside for the Browns' new domed stadium to be built in suburban Brook Park south of Cleveland. Anduril receives $310 million state grant to build drones, weapons in central Ohio Now, Nationwide Arena's owner, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, is jockeying to get a piece for its recently announced rejuvenation, which will include a refreshed entrance with a sprawling screen, an outdoor terrace connecting to a new food fall, refurbished restrooms and concessions, an expanded team store, and an updated heating and cooling system. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Nationwide's renovation in the video player above. 'We're hopeful that we can access some of those state funds for sure,' said Michael Gatto, chief operating officer of the Columbus Arena Management, the operator of Nationwide. 'It's important for reinvestment in the arena so that we can remain competitive with the markets that we're competing with for tours and events.' The convention facilities authority will need to contend with other Ohio theaters, arenas and stadiums also angling for funds. The effort could face a legal challenge as well, like the class action lawsuit filed this month by former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann seeking an injunction to prevent the state from using unclaimed dollars for the Browns' stadium. Dave Yost, the state's current attorney general, has also criticized the move. In a letter to the governor in June before he signed the budget, Yost argued using these funds 'would deviate from the norm' and be a disadvantage to Ohioans who are unaware that they are entitled to their unclaimed dollars. 'Billionaires should finance their own stadiums — full stop,' wrote Yost, referring to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. 'This provision risks prioritizing one private entity over more urgent statewide needs — such as lowering childcare costs to boost workforce participation or easing the property tax burdens that weigh heavily on every Ohio homeowner.' AEP Ohio ordered to create new rate structure specifically for large data centers Gatto said he's aware of the concerns but pointed to support from DeWine and the Statehouse's Republican majority. He also noted there's a key difference between Nationwide and the Brown's stadium: While funding for the Brook Park venue is a public-private partnership with Haslam — who also owns the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer — the arena is a entirely publicly owned facility. As Nationwide marks its 25th anniversary in September, the renovation would enhance fan experience and ensure the arena's longevity, Gatto said. Nationwide is 'the economic driver of the arena district,' Gatto argued, citing more than 1 million visitors each year and $120 million in annual tourist spending generated by the arena. 'We're 25 years in. The building, just like your home, needs a refresh,' said Gatto. 'As a key anchor of central Ohio's economy, Nationwide Arena and the arena district are critical to bringing in continuous public revenue so central Ohio can compete with other communities.' Ohio is currently holding about $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds, which includes cash from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks and bonds, utility deposits, or unclaimed wages. Residents can head to the Ohio Department of Commerce's unclaimed funds site to look for their missing money, upload necessary paperwork, and track their claim status. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Florida baseball signees selected in 2025 MLB draft
Six current Florida Gators heard their name called on Monday during Day 2 of the 2025 MLB draft, but the program also lost two future players in right-handed pitcher Aaron Watson and shortstop Jordan Yost. Like most SEC powerhouses, Florida expects some losses from its recruiting class each draft cycle. Signing the top players in a sport where high schoolers can turn pro immediately comes with that kind of risk. Players such as Detroit Tigers All-Star Riley Greene, Baltimore Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo and 2022 World Series champion Kyle Tucker all passed up the chance to play at Florida after being drafted. On the other side of the coin are guys like Brendan Lawson, Liam Peterson and Jac Caglianone who end up at Florida despite high rankings. Detroit took Yost with the 24th overall pick. If his career path turns out the same as Greene, passing up college ball was a good move for Yost. Watson was a borderline first-round projection coming into the draft, and falling to the second round had Florida hopeful it would keep him. Cincinnati likely already has an overslot deal worked out with Watson, or else they wouldn't waste the pick, so both players are as good as gone. Round 1, Pick 24 — SS Jordan Yost (Sickles High School; Tampa, Florida) Yost is an interesting pick for Detroit, which this writer further breaks down for SBNation's Bless You Boys. High school shortstops were the hot commodity of the first round, and Yost was the 12th off the board. In a more college-heavy draft at the position, perhaps Yost falls out of the first-round range and makes it to college. After all, he's the younger brother of outfielder Hayden Yost and the two have been waiting to reunite since playing together at Sickles High in 2023. Yost probably needs a year of development to start at shortstop in the SEC, but Florida had a wide-open spot there with Colby Shelton also leaving in the draft. Nicolas Partridge and Colton Schwartz are the other two incoming freshmen shortstops, but Columbia transfer Sam Miller is likely to start there next year. Yost has as much, if not more, potential as his brother. The frame is projectable, there's verified speed and Jordan has a more mature approach at the plate. Florida lost a future top-of-the-order bat after an unexpected rise up draft boards in recent weeks. Yost indicating that he was willing to sign made him more desirable, especially as a potential underslot signee. Round 2, Pick 51 — RHP Aaron Watson (Trinity Christian Academy; Jacksonville, Florida) Watson flipped his commitment from Virginia to Florida after the former program made changes to its coaching staff. He's the high school teammate of several Florida commits over the next few cycles — 2026 No. 4 overall OF Brady Harris, 2026 No. 102 RHP Ethan Wheeler and 2026 No. 119 LHP Tyler Ellis — so the fit only seemed natural. However, college ball was always the backup plan for Watson, who showed out in the spring. Gators Wire got a chance to see him live at the FHSAA State Championships in Fort Myers in May, and he's the most polished prep arm committed to Florida since Liam Peterson. Similar to Peterson, Watson came into the draft looking for first-round money. Cincinnati should pay an overslot to keep Watson from going to Florida. Watson was a potential weekend starter for Florida as early as next year. His command is polished for a prep arm, and his slider is a plus pitch already. With a sinking fastball up to 95 mph and a changeup to pair with it, Watson has a legitimate three-pitch arsenal with room to develop another. Florida's 2025 recruiting class post-draft Losing Watson and Yost hurt — they are the top two ranked players in the class after all — but keeping guys like Partridge (No. 122) and outfielder Jacob Kendall (No. 171) is very good for the future of the program. Schwarz (No. 267) and Otufielder Cash Strayer (No. 376) are the other incoming position players. On the mound, Kevin O'Sullivan is getting right-handers Cooper Moss (No. 183), Minjae Seo (No. 280) and Sam Lovits (Top 500). Florida needs more southpaws, so Sully is loading up with Jackson Hoyt (No. 221), Eli Blair (Top 500) and Rivers Kurland (Top 500). Florida Gators drafted in 2025 Six Florida Gators came off the board in the 2025 MLB draft. The Chicago White Sox took shortstop Colby Shelton in the sixth round, the Miami Marlins took right-handed pitcher Jake Clemente in the seventh round and the Chicago Cubs drafted left-handed pitcher Pierce Coppola later on in the seventh round. Third baseman Bobby Boser went to the Athletics in the 11th round, the Seattle Mariners drafted catcher Luke Heyman in the 14th round and Brody Donay to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round closes out the list. Florida has seen four or more players drafted in 16 of the last 17 years, five-plus picks in each of the last three and six-plus draft picks in three of the last five (2021, 2023, 2025). Donay is the 116th draftee under Kevin O'Sullivan — 231st in program history. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade Idea Flips Maple Leafs Veteran for Penguins' Erik Karlsson
Trade Idea Flips Maple Leafs Veteran for Penguins' Erik Karlsson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With Erik Karlsson's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins uncertain, new possible landing spots have started to emerge during the past few days. Advertisement In a move that would send Karlsson back to Canada, where he started his career as a member of the Ottawa Senators, TSN's Travis Yost proposed the Toronto Maple Leafs as a potential destination. Yost floated the idea of the Maple Leafs trading for the 35-year-old Penguins defenseman, potentially as a short-term replacement for fellow blueliner Morgan Rielly. While Rielly trade speculation seems a bit far-fetched for now, Yost noted that the Leafs' restructuring of its defense has lowered the unit's production on offense, something that could be fixed by adding Karlsson. "Why Toronto?" Yost wrote. "The team's defensive improvements have come at the cost of some offensive pop. Toronto saw slippage in its power-play production last season." Advertisement "Morgan Rielly has shown to be a capable quarterback on the man advantage, but speculation about his long-term status with the Maple Leafs, and coupled with $5 million in cap space and a playoff-calibre core still in tow," Yost added, "you wonder if Brad Treliving can find a fit for Karlsson in Toronto if the Penguins are picking up a big piece of his salary." Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit remains a hurdle for a Maple Leafs franchise that only has $5.3 million in current cap space. If Toronto sends Rielly's $7.5 million cap hit the other way, however, the numbers would work. "If Toronto were to consider moving on from Rielly," Yost wrote, "Karlsson would be one of those players who could short-term replace his offensive contributions." Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) at the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team Kirouac-Imagn Images Pittsburgh isn't under pressure to move Karlsson, but NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the player is open to being traded. "[Karlsson] is willing to be moved," Johnston said. "And so I think that helps, because obviously there's a no-movement clause, but it's only to a few places. "And the flip side of this, I think, Pittsburgh rightly views him as an asset — more of an asset the closer [he gets to] the end of his deal, right? He's down to two years on that contract, and so the contract itself becomes less of a problem." Related: Erik Karlsson-Maple Leafs Link 'More Than Just Hearsay,' Claims NHL Insider Related: Penguins Expected to Make Multiple Trades Before Deadline: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 MLB All-Star Game: Building the Best Royals Lineup
Even with a crowned jumbotron in straight center, Kauffman Stadium isn't known for regal views. But hitting homers into water fountains does put you into rarified air. As such, the Kansas City Royals have had plenty of memorable players and moments – not to mention two World Series titles and one infamous pine-tarred bat. Manager: Ned Yost The Royals have won two World Series in 56 seasons; one of those was with Ned Yost. He was also at the helm for their losing 2014 appearance, but getting there is an accomplishment, especially in an organization that's made it to the World Series four times. Yost leads Kansas City in wins, and it isn't close even with the likes of Whitey Herzog and Dick Howser in their ranks. While he was under .500 for his career there, Yost's late, 100-loss seasons weren't exactly his fault. Go ahead, name a 2019 Royals player off the top of your head. Starting pitcher: Bret Saberhagen Kevin Appier pitched with the Royals for longer, and produced more pitcher wins above replacement, too, but Bret Saberhagen is the guy you'd hand the ball to with the game on the line. He won a pair of Cy Youngs in Royals' blue: first in 1985, the World Series-winning year — in which Saberhagen also threw two complete games in the Fall Classic while allowing a single run to earn MVP honors — and in '89, when Saberhagen led the majors in ERA (2.16), complete games (12), innings (261.1), K/BB (4.5), wins (23) and pitcher WAR (9.7). Reliever/closer: Dan Quisenberry Before the one-inning closer, there was Dan Quisenberry. Quiz eventually worked that way, too, but before that change, the mustachioed righty regularly threw well over 100 innings in relief per year, even coming in after the starter and finishing the game. He's the Royals' all-time leader in ERA (2.55) and second in saves, and all despite striking out just 3.1 batters per nine in Kansas City — a low rate even for the era. Quisenberry managed by never walking anyone or allowing homers: he allowed 139 walks in 920 innings (1.4 per nine) and just 52 long balls. Catcher: Salvador Perez One of the most incredible things about Salvador Perez's career is that, despite not being a huge power guy, he exploded for a record 48 dingers in 2021 — no primary catcher has ever hit more in a season, and that also led the majors that year. More incredible, however, is that Perez would still be deserving of this spot without that season: his exceptional defense earned five Gold Gloves, his bat five Silver Sluggers, he's made nine All-Star teams, and is still the Royals' backstop a decade after they won the World Series — where he was series MVP. 1B: Eric Hosmer Eric Hosmer's offensive numbers might not jump off of the page, but that's not how his era of Royals were built: they were balanced teams, strong defenders who could single you to your doom, and Hosmer was one of the more successful examples of that strategy. He hit .284/.342/.439 over seven years with the Royals — better than that in his and their peak years — while winning four Gold Gloves. That package deal is what made him valuable, and the Royals champions. His career tailed off after he left Kansas City, but 2015's flag flies forever. 2B: Frank White Defense-first was not an invention of the 2010s Royals. Frank White spent 18 years in Kansas City, and his offense was not his defining trait. White often hit well enough for the position's requirements, and fielded as well as anyone else, as his eight Gold Gloves — six of which were won in a row from 1977-1982 — and top-ranked defensive WAR (22) attest. Like with the 2010s Royals, having players like White around resulted in a championship: the Royals made the postseason seven times between 1976-1985, and won their first World Series in '85. White homered in it, by the way. 3B: George Brett George Brett spent 21 years with the Royals; it should not surprise you that he's all over the franchise leaderboards. He's first in WAR (88.6) games played (2,707), hits (3,154), total bases (5,044), singles (2,035), doubles (665), triples (137), home runs (317), RBIs (1,596), walks (1,096), times on base (4,283), extra-base hits (1,119), and even sacrifice flies (120). He's an all-time great not just for the Royals, but third base and MLB, as well: his .390 average in 1980 is the closest full-season figure to Ted Williams' .406 mark in 1941. SS: Bobby Witt Jr. Early? Maybe! But consider what Bobby Witt Jr. has already done so far: he finished second for the AL MVP in 2024 while winning the battle title, hitting .332/.389/.588 with 32 homers and 31 steals — that average led the majors, not just the AL, and he had 88 extra-base hits overall. Witt also won a Gold Glove, having turned his defense from a weight around his neck into a significant plus in short order: the sky's the limit for Witt Jr., who has all the makings of not just a Royals' great, but an MLB one, too. OF: Willie Wilson Willie Wilson was a key member of the Royals' late-70s and 1980s postseason squads, and 1982's batting title recipient — his .332 average led both leagues. From 1979 through 1985, Wilson peaked, batting a collective .305/.342/.400 while leading the majors in triples on three occasions, and with Gold Glove-caliber outfield defense for many of those years. His World Series performance in '85 was significant, too, with Wilson collecting 11 hits and a walk while driving in three and snagging a stolen base. Wilson is the Royals' all-time leader in steals, too, with 612, which also ranks 12th in MLB. OF: Alex Gordon The Royals love their lifers, and Alex Gordon managed to play all 14 years of his career with Kansas City. A third baseman who later moved to the outfield, Gordon peaked at the right time — between 2011 and 2015 — for the Royals. In that stretch, he hit .281/.359/.450 and produced the majority of his career wins above replacement — just in time for the Royals to make the World Series on two occasions, winning one. Even as his bat diminished, Gordon kept winning Gold Gloves: he'd take home eight in all, including in his final four seasons. OF: Carlos Beltran Carlos Beltran might end up in the Hall of Fame someday, and his start with the Royals would certainly play into that. He was a power/speed combination player back then, though, more speed than power at that point, and he already had the excellent batting eye that he'd become known for, too: Beltran hit .287/.352/.483 with 123 home runs and 164 steals for Kansas City before he was dealt to the Houston Astros in 2004. Beltran's stolen base success rate with Kansas City was 87.7%; he finished his career at 86.4%, the MLB record. DH: Hal McRae The designated hitter position was introduced to the American League in 1973, which just so happened to be the year that Hal McRae left the Reds and joined the Royals. While McRae would still don a glove on occasion, the bulk of his career from then on came as the DH: he'd play 1,426 games at the position, logging 5,917 of his remaining 7,362 plate appearances there. McRae batted .293/.356/.458 for Kansas City over 15 years, and still had something in the tank — a 118 OPS+ — as a 39-year-old for the 1985 championship team. Honorable Mentions: Whitey Herzog (manager) Kevin Appier (starting pitcher) Zack Greinke (starting pitcher) Dennis Leonard (starting pitcher) Paul Splittorff (starting pitcher) Jeff Montgomery (reliever/closer) Greg Holland (reliever/closer) John Mayberry (1B) Whit Merrifield (2B) Cookie Rojas (2B) Mike Moustakas (3B) Kevin Seitzer (3B) Joe Randa (3B) Freddie Patek (SS) Alcides Escobar (SS) Amos Otis (OF) Al Cowens (OF) Danny Tartabull (OF) Jermaine Dye (OF) David DeJesus (OF) Bo Jackson (OF) Mike Sweeney (DH) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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