July 2018

North Korea puts reunion of war-separated families in doubt

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Friday that an August reunion of Korean families separated by war may not happen if South Korea doesn’t immediately return some of its citizens who arrived in the South in recent years.

The 2016 arrival of a group of 12 female employees from a North Korean-run restaurant in China has been a source of contention between the rival Koreas. North Korea has accused South Korea of kidnapping them, while South Korea says they decided to resettle on their own will.

White House: Russia call for Ukraine referendum illegitimate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Friday it “is not considering supporting” a Vladimir-Putin-backed call for a referendum in eastern Ukraine in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s meeting with the Russian president.

Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, revealed Friday that the two leaders had discussed the possibility of a referendum in separatist-leaning eastern Ukraine during their Helsinki summit.

Do you even know the way to city hall?

Most people believe candidates seeking public office have some type of experience that makes them a shoe-in for the seat being eyed. You expect a judge to have legal experience, right? You expect a sheriff to have law enforcement experience, right?

Surprise! True qualifications do not pertain to qualifying for public office. You can know nothing about the functions of a governing body or individual office, then suddenly you’re making decisions in serious matters about which you know very little.

Beer can make for a perfect pairing

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When people look for the perfect beverage to pair with food, many may assume wine earns that distinction. But author John Holl believes there’s a perfect beer for every meal, and even suggests numerous pairings in his book, “The American Craft Beer Cook Book” (Storey).

Grilled Diver Scallops and Fall Vegetable Shish Kebabs with Hazelnut Brown Butter Makes 4 servings

Woods has mixed bag and another 71 at British Open

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (AP) — Tiger Woods didn’t entirely hurt his chances in the British Open.

Better yet, he didn’t hurt anyone in the gallery.

Woods still walked away on Friday realizing he made it a little tougher on the weekend at Carnoustie if he wants to end a decade without winning a major. A rugged start, a strong recovery, a few putts for birdie, a few he missed for par, and it added to an even-par 71.

“I could have cleaned up the round a little bit,” he said.

Special Olympics celebrates 50 years of inclusiveness

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Bases loaded, a gold medal on the line. Manuel Velasco Jr. stands in the batter’s box sniffling, tears streaming down his face.

Seconds earlier, the 19-year-old known as Junior was behind the dugout, his coach imploring him to shake off a hard collision at third base in the top half of the inning. Junior was about to miss his turn at the plate.

Teaching the art of cheating

Lafayette Parish has announced sweeping changes to how students there will be held accountable for their learning.

The Lafayette school board approved rules this week that outline that homework will no longer be graded; spelling and handwriting tasks will no longer be graded; academic dishonesty such as plagiarism will no longer be an automatic failure; and cheating will be considered a behavior issue rather than an academic one.

FAVORABLE fungi

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After a rainy period in summer, we typically see mushrooms popping up

everywhere. Some people are concerned; some are curious, and some are downright irritated when these strange growths appear in landscapes.

Egypt, Sudan seek to bolster ties after yearslong tension

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — The leaders of Egypt and Sudan have agreed to mend ties, frayed by repeated failures to reach a deal over an upstream Nile dam being built by Ethiopia, and the revival of a longstanding dispute over a border territory held by Cairo and claimed by Khartoum.

Board selects disciplinary officers

Hearing officers who will be part of disciplinary meetings concerning school board employees have been decided.

At their Thursday meeting, the board unanimously approved as hearing officers Mark Boyer of St. Martin Parish, Calvin “Woody” Woodruff of Vermilion Parish, Wayne Landry of Iberia Parish, John K. Richardson of Allen Parish, Beauregard district attorney James R. Lestage and Kim Hayes from Acadia, who will serve as an alternate.