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Boston City Council approves Mass and Cass tent ban, Wu to outline next steps Thursday

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

The Boston City Council approved an amended version of the mayor’s anti-encampment ordinance for the Mass and Cass zone, setting off a seven-day clock for enforcement that would begin once Michelle Wu signs the measure.The 9-3 vote, with one councilor voting present, wasn’t close, but those who voted in favor Wednesday joined objectors in sharing a number of concerns that they felt were not properly addressed by the Wu administration throughout a process that began in late August with the mayor’s filing.“I’m going to vote ‘yes,’ but I’m going to work closely with the police commissioner and with the Public Health Commission, and I am disappointed with them,” City Council President Ed Flynn said. “I feel like they haven’t given us the answers that we need, that we deserve.“I don’t feel like they have engaged us and provided the right information as well.”Flynn echoed several of his colleagues who mentioned that their support was largely due to a feeling that the tents, which authorit...

What is TSA PreCheck? Everything you need to know

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

Raychelle Heath | Bankrate (TNS)Many travelers are looking forward to a much-awaited vacation this year. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), daily traveler numbers for 2023 are approaching pre-pandemic (2019) levels.If you’ve been considering applying for TSA PreCheck to streamline the process of airport security, here’s your guide to how it works, the interview process and more, along with some tips for using your membership for the first time.What is TSA PreCheck?TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) designed to expedite the process of getting through airport security. The program is managed by the TSA and gives passengers access to special security lines at participating airports in the United States. TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 (previously $85) and is good for five years.TSA PreCheck is available in more than 200 airports and with 85 airlines across the United States. When you get to the security line after check-in, an agent will dire...

Derrick White re-emphasizes commitment to Celtics despite not reaching contract extension

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

NEW YORK — Derrick White and the Celtics did not come to an agreement on a contract extension before the deadline on Monday at 11:59 p.m., but the guard seems encouraged with how the talks went.White, who has two years remaining on his current contract, re-emphasized his commitment to Boston even after the two sides couldn’t make a deal.“They were good,” White said of the extension talks. “I mean, like I said, I love being here, obviously, we got another year after this year, so we’ll focus on it then. But, I think they went well and I want to be here for a long time so that hasn’t changed.”“It’s just back and forth,” White continued of the talks. “I think we’re both in a good position and we’re just focused on the season now.”White is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, so there didn’t seem to be urgency to get a deal done now. The two sides will have to wait until next summer to resume talks.White could benefit from waiting if he has ano...

Novelist’s ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ hits the big screen

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

When novelist Karen Dionne learned her 2017 best-selling psychological thriller, “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” was being adapted into a movie, she had to pinch herself.“I’m pretty much black and blue from pinching myself and you can quote me on that!” said the former Shelby Township resident, laughing. “I have a fair number of writer friends whose books have been optioned. It’s not as rare as you think, but of those whose materials have been optioned and have been made (into a movie) – whether it’s in the theaters or went straight to streaming – is small. The number who have had it made (into a movie) for a theatrical release is smaller yet. I have no idea what the numbers are, but it’s definitely pinchworthy.”Karen DionneIn “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” Helena Pelletier is happily married with a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. But she has a dark past she hoped would stay buried. Her father, Jacob Holbrook, alias the Marsh King, abducted her mother and she was born two yea...

Who is Mike Johnson? What to know about the House’s new speaker

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

By Laura Weiss and Aidan Quigley, CQ-Roll Call​Weeks of infighting among House Republicans over their next speaker, which paralyzed the chamber during a time of global turmoil, opened a lane for their fourth-round draft pick to finally claim the gavel on Wednesday.The House voted 220-209 to elect Rep. Mike Johnson speaker, bringing to an end an impasse that sank three other candidates before him and reopening the House for business. Not a single Republican voted against him — a feat which eluded his predecessor at the start of this Congress — while all Democrats who were present backed Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.Johnson, a fourth-term lawmaker representing his hometown of Shreveport and a big chunk of western Louisiana, has been a vocal advocate for marquee GOP issues from his time as a constitutional lawyer arguing for state abortion restrictions to his public defenses of former President Donald Trump.House Republicans applaud as U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) (C) is ele...

Teen shot outside recreation center in Clairemont

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Police are searching for two suspects after a 14-year-old boy was shot Tuesday evening outside the North Clairemont Recreation Center, authorities said.The shooting happened around 8:18 p.m. in the 4400 block of Bannock Avenue, the San Diego Police Department told FOX 5. Police say two juveniles walked up to a group of four other juveniles and asked where they were from. One of the pair pulled out a gun and shot at the group, hitting a boy in his leg. San Diego teacher arrested on suspicion of attempting to pay for sex with minor The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.The two suspects were last seen headed northbound. One was described as having a thin build and wearing a red baseball cap and white shirt. The second suspect was described as wearing a grey hoodie.Gang detectives are investigating the shooting.

Home video captures thieves during Oakville break-and-enter, suspects wanted

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

Police have released home surveillance footage that captured multiple suspects in the act of a break-and-enter in Oakville, hoping it leads to their arrests.Halton Regional Police said suspects have recently targeted several homes in Oakville in similar break-and-enters. Residents have not been home at the time, as the robberies have occurred during the day or through the evening hours.In a news release, a police spokesperson wrote that houses that back onto green spaces have been targeted, and thieves have gained entry by smashing the rear sliding glass door. The suspects have allegedly stolen jewelry, high-end clothing, and cash. Video from one of the incidents shows two men enter a home and begin to search for valuables. The camera appears to be hidden in the kitchen. A separate clip of a third male suspect approaching the front door of a residence is also shown. That video was recorded courtesy of a doorbell camera. Investigators said they’re searching for three male ...

White House dinner for Australia offers comfort food, instrumental tunes in nod to Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With a menu of “comforting” food and instrumental sounds rather than dance party music, the White House set out Wednesday to throw a state dinner that balanced the desire to celebrate ties to a close U.S. ally with an effort to strike a measured tone at a time of mounting death and suffering unfolding in the Middle East.Up to 350 guests had returned RSVPs and claimed seats for the fourth White House state dinner of President Joe Biden’s term, this one honoring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The B-52s, an American new wave band, had originally been lined up to entertain guests after dinner. But first lady Jill Biden said the White House made “ a few adjustments ” to the entertainment at a time “when so many are facing sorrow and pain.” She made no direct reference to the Israel-Hamas war sparked by the militant group’s surprise Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, or Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine.Guests now will no l...

The World Bank approved a $1B loan to help blackout-hit South Africa’s energy sector

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The World Bank approved a $1 billion loan for South Africa on Wednesday to help it address an energy crisis that has peaked this year with the country’s worst electricity blackouts. The energy problem has forced the country to lean on its highly polluting coal-fired power stations.South Africa has experienced scheduled, rolling blackouts for months because of problems generating enough electricity for its 62 million people. The state-run power utility, Eskom, generates approximately 80% of the country’s electricity through its coal stations, but they have failed to meet demand due to mismanagement, corruption and regular breakdowns.South Africa’s commitment to its climate change targets are in danger of being affected in the short term, with President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing in April that it may delay shutting down some of its coal stations because of the electricity supply problems.“The loan endorses a significant and strategic re...

Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse books

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:50:04 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Scholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes.The children’s publisher angered many authors and educators this fall when it created a separate package of dozens of books, labeled “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice,” and gave schools the option on whether to include them in fairs. Poet Amanda Gorman, whose “Change Sings” was among the titles in “Share Every Story,” had said in an Instagram video that Scholastic’s decision “felt like a betrayal.”Scholastic had said the policy, which will remain in place for the rest of the year, was a response to the proliferation of restrictions passed by states around the country. The publisher has not settled on a strategy for 2024.“This fall, we made changes in our U.S. elementary school fairs out of concern for our Book Fair hosts. In doing this, we offered a collection of books to supplement the diverse c...