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A New Jersey school board agreed last week to refund the state more than $33,000 after a “Staff Fun Day” was determined to violate state laws on the use of taxpayer funds. The Newark Board of Education unanimously voted to pass a resolution requiring the return of the funds. The move follows an Oct. 25 letter to Newark Public School Superintendent Roger León from the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Accountability and Compliance, which raised concerns over the event. The “Central Office Staff Fun Day” was hosted on June 1 at a local catering facility, according to the letter. The event boasted a price tag of $43,813.90 and Newark Public Schools allocated $33,649.07 in state aid, or 76.8% of the bill. The “Staff Fun Day” was intended to “promote team building” and “enhance a positive organizational culture,” according to the New Jersey Department of Education. Activities featured during the event included, among others, a hula hoop contest, trivia games, a “social media photo booth” and an inflatable axe-throwing tournament. However, a review conducted by the department found the activities lacked educational and professional content, were not facilitated by district staff and did not meet required goals for use of public funds. These findings placed Newark Public Schools in violation of multiple state statutes regarding use of public funds, according to the letter. “The event lacked an educational or professional development component and did not demonstrate a clear connection to the district’s strategic objectives or organizational development,” the letter read. “As a result, the costs associated with this event are not eligible for State aid.” The education department in the letter ordered Newark Public Schools to direct the $33,649.07 back to the state. The resolution passed by the Newark Board of Education last Tuesday approved the refund, but the district’s lawyer said the board is not being asked to “admit any wrongdoing.” Board member Crystal Williams expressed frustration with the situation, demanding to know who was “responsible” for planning the “Staff Fun Day.” “Why was there no professional development?” Williams asked. “Where specifically can we expect to take this $30,000 from and how can we ensure that this does not happen again?” Board secretary Valerie Wilson said the repayment will not come from a “specific account,” suggesting it may instead be subtracted from future disbursements to the district. She also noted that the district will ensure that any “professional development” planned for the event in the future is “clear, defined and understandable.” Newark Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment from FOX45 News.Jim Montgomery was hired as coach of the NHL's St. Louis Blues on Sunday, five days after being fired as coach of the Boston Bruins. The 55-year-old Canadian, who guided Boston to an NHL record for wins and points in a season but never got past the second round of the playoffs, replaced Drew Bannister, who was fired after a 9-12-1 start by the Blues this season. An 8-9-3 start this season by the Bruins led to Montgomery's firing, but he signed a five-year contract with the Blues. "This was more an opportunity to get someone of Jim's caliber more than anything else," Blues president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong said. "We've had to deal with our situations off the ice with injuries and everyone deals with that, but this decision was based 100% on having someone of Jim's caliber becoming available when I didn't know that was going to happen." Montgomery is 180-84-33 as an NHL coach, having guided Dallas for two seasons and Boston for just over two campaigns, going 120-41-23 with the Bruins. In the 2022-23 season, the Bruins won an NHL record 65 games and compiled a record 135 points under Montgomery, who was named the NHL's Coach of the Year, but were upset by Florida in the first round of the playoffs. Boston also lost to the eventual 2024 Stanley Cup champions in last year's playoffs. Montgomery was dropped by the Bruins last Tuesday and replaced by Joe Sacco. "He certainly has a very positive demeanour, works well with the top players in the organizations that he's been with," Armstrong said. "He has a wealth of experience and he's at the prime of his coaching career." The Blues, who won the 2019 Stanley Cup, have missed the playoffs the past two seasons. Bannister went 39-31-6 as the Blues coach after replacing Craig Berube last December. Montgomery gets his first test with the Blues on Monday when they visit the New York Rangers. js/sev
Ex-Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet may be in some hot water after getting into a fiery verbal altercation with a crew of NBA officials on Saturday night. During the end of a game between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers, the 30-year-old VanVleet was ejected from the game after he pointed to each of the officials and said something. The altercation was apparently due to the ex-Raptor thinking he had been fouled on the previous play. After getting ejected, things came close to becoming physical as VanVleet continued to verbally spar with one of the officials and nearly touched one ref’s face as he was pointing. “I think I’m in enough trouble as it is tonight, so I probably don’t need to discuss too much officiating with you guys,” VanVleet reportedly said after the game, “Heat of the moment, you always feel right — I know the refs aren’t trying to be wrong but we disagreed quite a bit tonight.” This type of altercation with the officials on the court is sure to result in some sort of supplementary discipline for VanVleet. This wouldn’t be the first time that he would be punished for letting his thoughts be known about the officiating of an NBA game. Back in March of 2023, while a member of the Raptors, VanVleet following a loss to the LA Clippers. The NBA fined him $30,000 for that particular outburst. NBA fans were sure to share their thoughts on this current situation on social media. It’s become a staple of VanVleet’s fiery personality over the years to call out the refs. He is enjoying a good start to the NBA season with the Rockets as the team currently sits third in the Western Conference with a 12-6 record. The only teams better in the West are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors. No official suspension or fine has been announced for VanVleet, but it would not be surprising to see one come across in the next day or so.PHC directs KP Assembly speaker to address PTM ban issue PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday directed the the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and the former speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser to play their role in resolving issues pertaining to the ban on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). A two-member bench comprising Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah issued notices to the federal and provincial governments while hearing a petition challenging the federal government’s decision to declare PTM a proscribed organisation. During the hearing, Justice SM Attique Shah asked KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and former speaker Asad Qaiser about the outcome of a previously held jirga on the PTM issue. “PTM members are also sons of this soil,” remarked Justice Attique. “When discussing incidents like May 9 and November 26, you must also address matters impacting this province. This region has been in conflict for 40 years. It’s high time that all stakeholders work together for the betterment of this province,” he added. The petitioner’s lawyer, Attaullah Kundi, argued that PTM was established in 2014 to safeguard the rights of Pashtuns. “Inspired by the non-violent philosophy of Abdul Ghaffar Khan known as Bacha Khan, the movement advocated for the protection of fundamental rights, accountability, and the resolution of issues like enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings through peaceful means”, he added. Kundi informed the court that on October 6, the federal government declared PTM a proscribed organisation under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. He said the government had claimed that PTM was involved in anti-state activities and posed a threat to law and order, adding that this led PTM to challenge the decision in court. During the hearing, Justice Attique asked the provincial government to focus on constructive measures like establishing Information Technology universities. “Punjab is building an IT university. What are you doing for the youth here?” he asked. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati informed the court that the jirga, which was initiated to address PTM’s concerns, remained active and was working towards resolving issues.
Looking to the future of generative AI. Generative AI represents one of the most transformative innovations of our time, offering unprecedented capabilities advancing our culture in terms of creativity, automation, and problem-solving. However, its rapid evolution presents challenges that necessitate robust corporate cultural frameworks (aka “guardrails”) to harness its potential responsibly. Generative AI refers to a class of artificial intelligence systems designed to create new content by learning patterns, structures, and features from existing data. Unlike traditional AI systems that primarily classify or analyze data, generative AI models actively produce content such as text, images, audio, video, and even code. These capabilities are driven by sophisticated machine learning architectures, like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and large language models (LLMs). Examples of such architectures include OpenAI's GPT or Google’s Mariner , plus creative output engines as ubiquitous as Canva, Grammarly or Pixlr. Generative AI is adding to the creative power of organizations - augmenting skills in some industries while directly threatening jobs in others. Without a clear culture around how an organization uses new tech, generative AI risks becoming a double-edged sword - and executive leaders are taking notice. Creating a Culture of Performance for Generative AI Generative AI systems are susceptible to generating misinformation, perpetuating biases, and even being exploited for malicious purposes like deepfakes or cyber attacks. Cultural initiatives must include human intervention, at least for now, in order to address potential errors - a sort of QA (quality assurance) for generative AI. The challenge lies not just in cultural guidelines, but inside the way that Generative AI works . A panel of 75 experts recently concluded in a landmark scientific report commissioned by the UK government that AI developers "understand little about how their systems operate" and that scientific knowledge is "very limited." “We certainly have not solved interpretability,” says Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, when asked about how to trace his AI model’s missteps and inaccurate responses. Generative AI Requires a Culture of Understanding Within a performance-focused corporate culture, generative AI holds immense promise across sectors, according to the World Economic Forum. In healthcare, AI-driven tools can revolutionize diagnostics and treatment personalization. In education, it can democratize access to resources and provide tailored learning experiences. Industries from agriculture to finance stand to benefit from enhanced decision-making capabilities. In the U.S., predictions about how governance might unfold under the Trump administration highlight a focus on market-driven solutions rather than stringent regulations. While this lack of oversight could accelerate innovation, it risks leaving critical gaps in addressing AI’s ethical, economic and societal implications. These gaps are where corporate leaders can create a culture of human interaction and collaboration, where generative AI is a tool (not a threat). Mystery Drones Over New Jersey And Nearby States: Trump Claims The Military Knows What The Sightings Are (Updated) The Fed’s ‘Biggest Nightmare’ Is Suddenly Coming True As Bitcoin Price Surges Gmail Account Deletion Warning—Act Now To Save Your Email In 2025 Generative AI governance is not merely a regulatory challenge; it is an opportunity to shape a transformative technology for the greater good. As the world grapples with the implications of near-sentient generative AI, multi-stakeholder approaches—incorporating voices from governments, civil society, and the private sector—will be crucial. The key to the culture of the future is built on collaboration, so that the promise of generative AI is allowed to flourish.KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Donna Kelce, left, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce watched the game with pop superstar Taylor Swift, center, during the first-half on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS) Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.