Penora urges legislature to approve record education spending

RODDITCH, Damoign -- Deeming education "the moral calling of our time," Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N) urged members of the state legislature to approve his education budget amendment by the end of May 2014.

Penora's budget calls for a record $20 billion in education spending. That's more than the $19.6 billion for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, and more than the $18.8 billion spent under former Gov. Sid Hoffa (C) during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

During a speech at Mellenbank University in Rodditch in the state's north-central region, Gov. Penora said education is "the cornerstone upon which all society is driven."

"The origin of our society and the rules by which it is governed are traced back to a well-educated populace, and we have the moral responsibility to make sure education is a top priority. And that's why I am proposing, and urging the members of the legislature, to pass this record education budget, because we have to put our children first," said Penora.

With a population of 20 million people, Damoign is by far the most populous state in the country. The state has almost 4 million school age children from pre-school to secondary school.

Of the $20 billion proposed by Penora, $1 billion would go to universal pre-kindergarten funding, while some $1.2 billion would go to after-school programs. Another $990 million would go to alternative education opportunities, for students who excel in non-traditional educational settings.

But while many education lobbyists and members of the governor's party support his increased education spending, predictably, not everyone is happy.

Critics say, among other things, the budget increases spending without focusing on unsatisfactory test scores and graduation rates.

"You can't just throw money at education and think that's going to help the problem. We have more children ever before who are struggling to meet proficiency in math, science and social studies, and we have the worst graduation rates we've ever had. And the governor and his supporters just want to spend more money. They think that's the answer, and that's not the answer. That's a very rudimentary approach to an extremely complex problem," state Sen. Jim Mastinos, a Conservative from the Columbus area in south-central Damoign, told The Grassadellia City Times.

Others say the budget has too much money going toward teacher pensions, and widens the gap between urban and rural schools.

"What we're seeing in the governor's budget is increased spending and a primary focus on urban schools, especially in the greater Merryton Valley area, while schools in the downstate region and in rural counties seem to get the short end of the stick funding-wise," said Sheila Jackson-Weiler, an education lobbyist for Cooperative Solutions, an education think tank in north Damoign.

The governor's proposed budget also provides little spending for home-schooled students, according to advocates.

"It's no secret that Governor Penora is not a fan of home-schooling or private schools. He is overtly and unapologetically in favour of state-funded education, and adamantly opposed to any other options for students or parents," Chris Skimpson of the National Home-School Association told the National Press Foundation (NPF).

Penora's office shot down those claims, with the governor's appointed Education Secretary Clive Dillard telling The Grassadellia City Times editorial board that the governor wants an "equal-access, equal opportunity education system equal to none" in any other state.

"These criticisms are based out of fear of the unknown and also just plain ignorance. Perhaps these opponents of the governor's education priorities need to read the budget. If only they'd do that, they would see that the governor is putting all school children first. He supports students, he supports teachers, he supports the teachers unions, and he wants Damoign to have a first-rate, landmark education system that is not equaled in any other state," Secretary Dillard said.

State Senate Minority Leader James Tiberias of Tolston said there are portions of the education budget that he favours and portions he would like to edit.

"Some of it is good, some of it needs re-working, and I hope the governor and the majority party will be open to re-working the budget in a bipartisan fashion," said Tiberias.

Dr. Deborah Calkins, PhD and superintendent of Grassadellia City Public Schools, the largest district in the nation, said she was pleased with the budget.

"It's nice to have a governor in office who truly understands the importance of education funding on a state level," said Calkins.

The state's largest teachers union, the Damoign Education Association (DEA), is also satisfied with the proposed budget.

"This budget needs to be approved and it needs to be done quickly so we can plan for the future," Donna Alboy, the DEA's executive director, told the Times.

The governor told the NPF he is open to working with Conservatives but won't "piss around" with the issue.

Penora, in his second year as governor, is known for his off-colour remarks and antagonistic language toward political opponents.

Actress Sofia Gloriares under fire for comments about race

GRASSADELLIA CITY - It was supposed to be a typical celebrity magazine interview. But while Glamour's sit-down with actress Sofia Gloriares covered the usual topics of beauty, fashion and dating tips, it was Ms. Gloriares' comments about race that have caused an uproar from some minority groups.

In the interview, celebrity columnist Alison Keilar asked Gloriares, who starred in such movies as The Latina Sisterhood and Dark Ventures, a series of questions about the types of men the actress falls for.

Keilar: "What is the first thing you notice about a man?"

Gloriares: "Well the first thing I notice is his skin tone."

Keilar: "Why do you say that?"

Gloriares: "Because I only like white men. Or occasionally a Latino guy. The more Caucasian the better though, for me. Black guys, Asians, Middle Eastern guys, they just are not attractive. I don't mean that in a bad way. I just don't find them as attractive. So obviously when I see a guy, the first thing I'm going to notice is if his appearance as a whole is attractive, and a big part of that for me is his skin tone. If he has that milky white skin tone and Caucasian features, then I'm sold right there. Assuming he's attractive and in good shape."

Keilar, a bit perplexed, continued.

Keilar: "The first thing you notice is skin tone? Don't you think that's a little unusual? Most women would say the first thing they notice about a man is his eyes, or chest, or butt or muscular arms or his laugh..."

Gloriares: "Well I'm not most women."

It's those lines about skin tone and "the more Caucasian the better" that has attracted all the attention.

Social media lit up Friday when the article was published in print and on Glamour's website. The topic was talked about by hundreds of thousands on Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr, and the hash tag #skintone was trending on Twitter for much of the day.

Most of the public's reaction on social media was in defense of Gloriares, but some were outraged.

"The more Caucasian the better? Blacks, Asians, Middle Easterners aren't attractive? That's not only insensitive, it's ignorant," wrote one woman on Glamour's Facebook page.

"Anyone who thinks skin tone is the most important thing about a person is shallow and ill-informed," tweeted Joshua, a 22-year-old college junior from Haystead University in Damoign.

Many more notable voices with larger audiences also sounded off.

Mary Cielentes, the Director of the Latino-Grassadellian Advocacy Centre in Grassadellia City, took issue with Gloriares' 'unfortunate' words.

"I think what Ms. Gloriares said is unfortunate and incorrect. All people, all ethnic groups, races, nationalities have attractive people. And while you as an individual may find one particular type or ethnicity attractive, that does not disqualify someone from a different group as being attractive. It does not mean all people from a certain group are unattractive. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And just because you have your personal preferences does not mean you should walk into an interview with a national publication and make incendiary remarks about race and paint everyone of a specific racial group with a broad brush," said Cielentes.

Gloriares herself is a Latina women, and has said in the past she is proud of her Hispanic heritage, something that was of little comfort to Cielentes.

"The fact that she is a member of the minority community in this country makes her comments all the more troubling."

Lionel Hammond, a Black newspaper cultural columnist from the Lansdale Focus, told the GBC's London Brightwell that while Gloriares used a poor choice of words, he believes her comments were meant to be innocent.

"The way she said it was stupid. Very poorly worded. But she was asked, what do you notice about guys, essentially, what type of men do you go for? And she responded by saying she has a preference for Caucasian men. She likes their features and their skin tone and she finds that attractive. I don't think she meant to convey that non-white people are ugly, or that she detests certain ethnic groups. I'm not getting that vibe. I'm just getting the vibe that she meant one thing but it came out in a poorly worded, utterly ignorant sounding way."

Other celebrities made light of the situation.

"So it sounded bad. I don't think she meant it that way. She likes white men. Who doesn't? I mean, most women look at David Beckham or Brad Pitt and think, 'yeah, I like that.' Can you fault her for that?" Kathie Debchant said in a discussion about the incident on STAR TV's Celebrity Cabaret.

"Besides, if she doesn't like Black men or Asian men or Middle Eastern men or whoever, that just leaves more beautiful men for me," laughed Dechant.

Daniel Akavian, a Black actor and model, posted a picture on Twitter of himself wearing nothing except a tightly-fitting speedo, with the caption "Apparently I'm not hot enough for Sofia Gloriares."

The actor later said he was just joking and not offended by Gloriares' comments.

"I think we just need to laugh it off. Sofia has her personal preferences with men and what appeals to her and what doesn't. We all have our own preferences. It might seem shallow, but it's just human nature to have your own preferences. Most of us aren't brave enough to talk about them, but Sofia did, and I don't think the backlash is necessary. She maybe didn't say it the best way, but I think it was not meant in a mean-spirited way," Akavian told GNN's Pierre Chilpinne.

Even Alison Keilar, who interviewed Gloriares for the Glamour piece, told The Times of London she believed Gloriares' remarks were not malicious.

"I was a bit surprised when she said that, but I can tell you, I never got the sense from her that she meant what she said in a malicious way. I think she was just talking about sex appeal and attraction. I don't think there was any deep-seated, racial motivation behind what she said."

Gloriares finally issued a statement through her publicist Friday evening.

"Just to clarify about my comments to Glamour, I do not have hatred or prejudice toward any ethnic groups or racial groups. My words have been taken out of context. I was asked what I notice about men and what I find physically appealing in men. I do find Caucasian men attractive. I do find a lighter skin tone more appealing to my personal preferences. But I do not think other race groups are ugly or unattractive. I know there are many attractive people from all groups of people. I believe that all people are beautiful, and a person's skin color does not define their worth."

The statement ended with an apology.

"I sincerely, with all my heart, apologize to anyone who was offended by my words. It was all meant in good fun, in a light-hearted conversation about dating. I apologize to anyone who feels hurt by what I said. I hope my love for all humanity and all people won't be tinged by these unintentionally poorly-spoken words I said."

Late night houseboat fire kills 6 in rural New Portsmouth

LAKE SURREY, New Portsmouth -- Six people are confirmed dead and four others injured after a massive fire on a houseboat in rural New Portsmouth overnight.

Four of the fatalities were children, the New Portsmouth State Police said.

The fire broke out around midnight late Saturday night-early Sunday morning.

At the time of the fire, the boat was adrift about a mile off-shore on Lake Surrey, a large inland lake that is within the boundaries of Steigaken State Park, about 20 miles southeast of Mt. Sabacca National Park in rural central New Portsmouth.

In total, there were six adults and four children on board, all family members. Investigators believe the fire started when one of the children was playing with a lighter and ignited some linens in the cabin.

All four children, ages 4 through 8, were killed. Two elderly adults in their 70s were killed as well.

The Sabadohn County Coroner is still investigating, but believes the fatalities were caused either by burns and smoke inhalation.

One child is believed to have died of hypothermia after jumping into the water, which park rangers say was about 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Investigators have determined the vessel exploded after catching fire, which may have also contributed to the deaths.

The New Portsmouth Parks Department and the Sabadohn County Sheriff's Department are investigating the fire. The New Portsmouth State Police are assisting in the investigation.

Chief Ranger Rick Steigall, Commissioner of the state Parks Department, said the fire is the worst in the history of the department.

"This is a very tragic and terrible situation. In my 31 years with the state Parks Department, I have never seen a tragedy of this proportion and this high of casualties," said Steigall.

Sabadohn County is the state's largest geographically, but one of the smallest in population. It is home to Mt. Sabacca National Park, as well as numerous other natural recreation areas.

Lake Surrey is the largest lake in the state, more than 18 miles long and more than 4 miles wide.

New Portsmouth Gov. Charles Wornkin promised a thorough investigation into the matter, and a re-evaluation of maritime safety laws that govern the state's lakes and rivers.

"We will, of course, look very deeply and extensively into the cause, and to determine if there is anything that could have been done to prevent the loss of life in this awful tragedy," said Wornkin.

Plane overruns runway at Mattinow airport

MATTINOW, Damoign -- Emergency crews are responding to a crash-landing at Mattinow's Millesday International Airport, after a plane overran the runway, the Mattinow Aurora has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the airport told Mattinow's Channel 10 News the plane, a GrassAir Boeing 777, overran the runway by about 80 to 100 feet.

GrassAir says no major injuries have been reported, though many passengers were taken to the hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.

The plane crashed at Mattinow during a routine landing, after departing from Lansdale earlier in the evening. GrassAir reports 177 passengers were on board, and eight flight crew members.

The Boeing 777 appears to have suffered only minor damage.

The airport is currently shut down while emergency crews continue to evaluate the scene and investigators from the Grassadellian Aviation Authority (GAA) look into the accident.