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Patriots add WR JuJu Smith-Schuster with 3-year deal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots made their first big pickup of free agency Wednesday, adding free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.Smith-Schuster confirmed the move in a post on Twitter saying he was “Excited for my next chapter in New England!”“I will give this organization everything I have, thank you for believing in me!” he wrote.A person with knowledge of the deal said it is for three years and could be worth as much as $33 million. They spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because it hasn’t been announced.Smith-Schuster also expressed thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won a Super Bowl last season after spending his first five NFL seasons in Pittsburgh.“Thank you to Kansas City for the giving me the opportunity to come in and contribute to a Super Bowl, the most unforgettable experience of my life,” he wrote.Smith-Schuster’s addition to the Patriots roster comes a day after they lost Jakobi Meyers afte...

In-Person Sports Betting Spun Off $300,000 In February State Taxes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

The first full month of in-person sports betting generated more than $25 million in wagers, more than $2 million in revenue for sportsbooks and just more than $300,000 in taxes for the state, the Gaming Commission said Wednesday. Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor took more than $25.7 million in wagers last month and kept $2.01 million as revenue after paying out winnings and federal excise taxes. Encore led the way with a monthly handle of $16.9 million and taxable revenue of just more than $857,000. Plainridge had a February handle of just more than $7 million and reported just more than $890,000 in monthly revenue. MGM Springfield took $1.76 million in wagers and generated about $262,000 in monthly taxable revenue. Revenue from in-person sports betting is taxed at 15 percent, and the state’s take for the month came to $301,533.52, the Gaming Commission said. In-person betting began Jan. 31, so the release Wednesday of February gambling revenues...

Union hails ‘life changing’ pay hikes under new contract at Faulkner Hospital

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

After months of negotiations and a series of walkouts, healthcare workers at Faulkner Hospital have reached a three-year contract agreement with officials at the Jamaica Plain facility.The agreement, which union members will be voting to ratify Thursday and Friday, will increase wages by a 10% minimum this year and expand benefits for nearly 500 workers. Members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East reached the deal with Brigham and Women’s leaders last Friday.“I feel a tremendous amount of pride and security after winning this contract,”  Faulkner medical assistant Sandra Guy said in a release. “I am truly grateful that we have a union, to have a voice to ensure we are respected and paid what we are worth.”Many union members participated in a walkout in January and another in February, both during lunch break, calling on leadership to deliver greater wages, benefits and working conditions.Positions represented in the union – personal care attendants, unit service techs, ...

Dolphins can cross Jordan Poyer off free agency wish list; safety staying with rival Bills

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer publicly flirted with the thought of a move to the Miami Dolphins, but that possibility can now be crossed off.The one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection will remain with the Bills, according to NFL Network.Earlier this offseason, Poyer floated the idea of flipping AFC East rivals on his podcast.“That’d be crazy to stay in the [AFC] East and come down to South Florida,” Poyer said. “I might have to put my best suit and tie on. I know Mike McDaniel is going to be there.”According to NFL Network, Poyer checked out the free agency market but felt there was limited interest for the deal he wanted.Turning 32 on April 25, Poyer has 24 career interceptions, 706 tackles and 11 sacks. Playing with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles early in his career, the former seventh-round pick in 2013 came into his own over the past six seasons in Buffalo. With the Bills, he has collected all but two of his career interceptions a...

Ticker: Retail sales dip; Honda recall 500K vehicles over seat belts

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Consumers trimmed their spending in February after a buying burst in January, underscoring the volatility of the economic environment.The government said Wednesday that retail sales slipped 0.4% after jumping a revised 3.2% in January, helped by an increase in auto sales. Retail sales were down in November and December, the critical holiday period.The February retail sales figure was weighed down by a 1.8% drop in auto sales as well as declines at restaurants and stores selling furniture and clothing. Excluding autos, sales slipped 0.1% from January, according to the Commerce Department.“As the labor market softens in response to restrictive monetary policy, consumer attitudes are likely to turn more cautious over time,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, a forecasting firm.Honda recall 500K vehicles over seat beltsHonda is recalling a half-million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly.The recall cove...

Eric Garcetti confirmed as US ambassador to India after delay-riddled 20 months

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was finally confirmed by a split vote in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, March 15, to serve as the United States ambassador to India, 20 months after being nominated by President Joe Biden.Garcetti, who was confirmed in a 52-42 roll call, was nominated in July 2021, but his nomination languished for months in the Senate as some speculated that he knew, or should have known, about allegations of assault and sexual harassment committed by a former top aide to the then-mayor.Related: Biden nominates LA Mayor Eric Garcetti for India ambassadorVictory for Garcetti, 52, was far from a sure thing. With several Democratic defections arising on Wednesday morning, Garcetti’s fate rested with allying with Republicans in the deeply divided Senate.  He secured seven GOP votes to advance the nomination to a final vote.The president “believes that we have a crucial and consequential partnership with India and that Mayor Garcetti will make a strong and effective...

Fatal accident on I-8 while rain sweeps through region

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

PINE VALLEY, Calif. -- A 61-year-old man died after a solo rollover crash in Pine Valley on Interstate 8 that the rain could have contributed to, California Highway Patrol said.Shortly before 8 a.m., a grey Chrysler sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed in one of the eastbound lanes on I-8. Just east of Springs Road, the driver of the vehicle lost control and veered toward the right shoulder of the road, subsequently overturning several times.The driver was ejected from the Chrysler as the car rolled, CHP said. Emergency responders attempted life saving measures, but was ultimately pronounced dead on scene due to his injuries. These San Diego County roads are closed due to inclement weather conditions While what exactly caused the driver to lose control has not been determined by CHP, the agency said it was actively raining when the driver lost control and could play a factor in the crash.Driving under the influence has not yet been ruled out as a contributor to the accident...

Photos: San Diego battered by rain & wind

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego experienced blustery conditions on Wednesday as heavy rain and gusty winds swept the though the region.Heavy overnight rainfall was followed by a dreary and wet sunrise with several areas grappling with toppled trees, flooded banks and roadway obstacles. San Diego rainfall totals: This area received almost 5 inches of rain in two days Here's a look at some areas battered by wind, rain and inclement weather conditions.Tijuana River ValleyThis area experienced flooding over roadways with debris, including garbage that was seen piling up in the waterways. San Diego City Lifeguards were seen patrolling the area.(OnScene.TV)(OnScene.TV)(OnScene.TV)(OnScene.TV)HillcrestA tree fell over and blocked all lanes of traffic on State Route 163 at Robinson Avenue around 4:15 a.m. Caltrans crews are seen towing the tree from the roadway. Weather radar: Track the storm A driver who was stopped just before the scene said, "Five seconds earlier and I would have been dead."...

From Naval Training Center to shopping center, Liberty Station celebrates their centennial

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Liberty Station is turning 100 this year and celebrations are underway to honor the history of one of San Diego’s oldest military developments still standing.The now-marketplace was once a training center for the Navy for over 70 years – a development steeped in history at the heart of San Diego’s military community.“The excitement about Liberty Station really lies in the historic nature of it,” director of Liberty Station, Laurie Albrecht, told FOX5SanDiego.com. The Naval Training Center (NTC) was dedicated in October 1923, shortly after the Navy came to San Diego during the time of World War I. During this time, there were only three similar centers in the U.S., director of Liberty Station Laurie Albrecht told FOX5SanDiego.com.“It was a big coup for San Diego to even receive the opportunity,” she said.Front gates at the Naval Training Center. (Courtesy of Liberty Station Community Association)The Naval Training Center circa 1928 from an aerial view. (Courtesy of L...

US and Russia ratchet up rhetoric over downing of drone

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:46 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and the United States ratcheted up their confrontational rhetoric Wednesday over a U.S. surveillance drone that encountered Russian warplanes and crashed near Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin has illegally annexed. At the same time, the two countries’ defense chiefs opened a dialogue about the incident.The Kremlin said the flight proved again that Washington is directly involved in the fighting in Ukraine and added that Moscow would try to recover the drone’s wreckage from the Black Sea. U.S. officials said the incident showed Russia’s aggressive and risky behavior and pledged to continue their surveillance.Russia has long voiced concern about U.S. surveillance flights near its borders, but Tuesday’s incident signaled Moscow’s increasing readiness to raise the ante as tensions soar between the two nuclear powers. It reflected the Kremlin’s appetite for brinkmanship that could further destabilize the situation and lead to more dir...