Le Journal

The vision for Pomona Island includes a hotel, a five-acre waterside park and 'social spaces' for coffee shops, bars and eateries

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who awakens “in the inhabitants of America the joy of knowing they are loved by God.” Read all  

A bipartisan group in Congress is urging the Education Department to add nursing to a list of college programs that are considered “professional,” adding to public outcry after nurses were omitted from a new agency definition. The Trump administration’s list of professional programs includes medicine, law and theology but leaves out nursing and some other fields that industry groups had asked to be included. The “professional” label would allow students to borrow larger amounts of federal loans to pursue graduate degrees in those fields. Under new rules proposed by the Trump administration, students in graduate programs deemed professional could borrow up to $200,000 for their degrees in total, and up to $50,000 a year. Loans for other graduate programs would be capped at $100,000 in total and $20,500 per year. In the past, graduate students had been able to borrow federal loans up to the full cost of their programs. In a Friday letter, lawmakers argue that a $100,000 cap on nursing graduate programs would make it harder for students to pay for expensive but high-demand programs, like those for nurse anesthetists. The annual cap would also pinch students in year-round nurse practitioner programs, which charge for three terms a year rather than just two and often cost more than $20,500 a year, they wrote. Asked for comment, the Education Department referred to a previous statement saying that 95% of nursing students are studying in programs that won’t be affected by the new caps. Programs for certified nurse anesthetists can cost more than $200,000, lawmakers said, but the programs typically pay off and supply a workforce that “overwhelmingly provides anesthesia to rural and underserved communities where higher cost physicians do not practice.” The letter was signed by more than 140 lawmakers, including 12 Republicans. It was sent by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., leaders of the Senate and House nursing caucuses. Another Democrat, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, sent a similar letter this week. Excluding nurses would require students to take out riskier private loans or put tuition out of reach entirely, said Torres, who represents the South Bronx. “A restrictive interpretation would undermine our healthcare and education systems, weaken our workforce, and close doors for low-income, first-generation, and immigrant students who make up much of my district,” Torres said. The Trump administration has said new loan caps are needed to pressure colleges to reduce tuition prices. In deciding what would count as a professional degree, the department relied on a 1965 law governing student financial aid. The law lays out several examples of professional programs but says it is not an exhaustive list. The Trump administration adopted those examples as the only fields in its definition. Those deemed professional are: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology. The definition drew blowback from nursing organizations and other industry groups that were left out, including physical therapists and social workers. Department officials have said the new proposal may change as it’s finalized in a federal rulemaking process.

Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah or other transliterations from Hebrew — is Judaism’s “festival of lights.” On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah — a multibranched candelabra. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication.” The holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem nearly 2,200 years ago after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces. With the tiny supply of ritually pure oil that they found in the temple, they lit the menorah. According to the Talmud, it miraculously remained lit for eight days. The ritual of lighting a nightly candle and the emphasis on cooking foods in oil, such as potato pancakes called latkes, memorialize this holiday. When is Hanukkah 2025? Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. But the Jewish calendar, which is based on lunar cycles, is not in sync with the commonly used Gregorian calendar. Depending on the year, Hanukkah falls at various times between late November and late December. This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14, and lasts through Dec. 22. Traditionally, Hanukkah has not been a major holiday on the Jewish calendar, but it has taken on cultural prominence because it occurs at a time when many other people are preparing for Christmas. What is the story of Hanukkah and why does it last for eight days? Hanukkah, or Chanukah, celebrates the the Maccabean Revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. In the second century B.C., the Holy Land was ruled by the Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who told the Jewish people they must renounce their religion and accept Greek beliefs or be sentenced to death, according to chabad.org. A small group of poorly armed Jewish rebels, led by Judah Maccabee, fought back and successfully drove the Syrian-Greeks from the land, reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the victorious rebels sought to light the Temple’s menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum, there was only enough oil to keep the candles burning for a single day. However, in what is considered a miracle in Jewish faith, the flames continued to flicker for eight nights. While the menorah used in the ancient holy temple only had seven branches, the Hanukkah menorah has nine candlestick holders — one for each night of Hanukkah and the “shamash” (attendant) to light the others. Jews across the religious observance spectrum — from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox — focus on the same theme of bringing light into the darkness and emphasizing that even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect. holidays Nov 28 2025 holiday shipping deadlines for FedEx, USPS and UPS holidays Dec 4 Holiday gifts for kids of all ages: From fun to functional How is Hanukkah observed? The main Hanukkah tradition is the lighting of the commemorative menorah. A menorah is lit in each household and traditionally is placed where it can be seen from the outside, such as a doorway or windowsill, to symbolize the spreading of God’s light to all nations. The Talmud, an ancient compendium of commentary and teachings on Jewish law, customs and Scripture, reflects a dispute over the order of lighting. But most people start with one candle and increase the lighting by an additional candle each night while reciting or chanting special blessings. The candles are added from right to left, but lit from left to right on the menorah, thus always starting with the newest light. The special menorah used for Hanukkah has eight branches, with a ninth place for the candle called shamash from which all others are lit. The tradition calls for candles with a real flame, although some also use electric ones in public displays, such as in hospitals, for safety reasons. The lighting of menorahs in city streets and parks has become more prominent in recent years in countries around the world, including in front of public landmarks. What are other Hanukkah traditions?…

Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore barged into a former lover’s home and threatened to kill himself, telling her that his “blood is on your hands,” prosecutors said Friday. Moore was charged Friday with alleged home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering, following his shocking arrest and termination from one of the sport’s most prestigious jobs. The alleged home invasion is a felony while the other two charges were filed as misdemeanors against Moore, 39, who has been held at the Washtenaw County jail, a mere 3.9 miles from Michigan Stadium, where he’d been head of the storied Wolverines football program. Moore appeared in a video feed wearing an all-white jail uniform. When Moore allegedly forced his way into the woman’s home, he grabbed several knives and made threats toward himself, prosecutor Kati Rezmierski told the court. “‘I’m going to make you watch my blood is on your hands. You ruined my life,’ ” Rezmierski said, quoting the defendant’s alleged words to the victim. The university fired Moore on Wednesday for allegedly having an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” College Football Dec 11 Sherrone Moore jailed as police investigate what led to fired Michigan coach's arrest College Football Dec 10 Michigan fires Sherrone Moore for ‘inappropriate relationship' with staff member “When the findings of a University investigation into Coach Moore’s behavior were presented on Wednesday, we immediately terminated his employment,” Michigan President Domenico Grasso said in a statement on Thursday. “There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None,” the statement added. When asked about Moore, police in nearby Pittsfield Township issued a statement saying an “assault investigation” suspect was taken into custody on the 3000 Block of Ann Arbor Saline Road. The statements did not name Moore, but jail records showed him in custody there. “This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor,” a police statement said Thursday. “The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on [Friday].” Moore is married with three children. It wasn’t immediately clear on Friday if Moore had hired or been assigned a criminal defense lawyer. “This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation,” Grasso said in his statement. “Yet our swift and decisive action reflects the University’s staunch commitment to a campus culture of respect, integrity and accountability,” Grasso said. He had been at the Wolverines’ helm for two seasons, going 17-8 overall and 12-6 in rugged Big Ten play. Moore took over for Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan to the national championship before leaving to become head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. Michigan is considered one of college football’s most prestigious programs, having won more games than any other team while competing for one of America’s top public universities. Shaquille Brewster and Will Ujek reported from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and David K. Li from New York City. Ava Kelley contributed. This is a developing story. Please refresh for updates. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.