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Oregon GOP walkout threatens bills on abortion, trans care — and senators’ careers

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

By ANDREW SELSKY (Associated Press)SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A boycott by Republican state senators in Oregon threatens to derail hundreds of bills, including on gun control, gender-affirming care and abortion rights, as a deadline looms that could also upend the protesters’ political futures. Democrats control the Statehouse in Oregon. But the GOP is leveraging rules that require two-thirds of lawmakers be present to pass legislation, which means Democrats need a certain number of Republicans to be there too.Republican and Democratic legislative leaders met behind closed doors for a second day Thursday to try to bridge the divide, as the boycott entered its ninth straight day. Lawmakers with 10 unexcused absences are barred from reelection under a constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly last November by voters weary of repeated walkouts. To give time for negotiations — and keep boycotters with nine unexcused absences from hitting that 10-day tripwire — Senat...

Detention hearing for accused docs leaker Jack Teixeira rescheduled for May 16

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

A hearing to determine whether a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking sensitive government documents has been rescheduled for next week in a Worcester federal courtroom.The hearing for Jack Teixeira was originally scheduled for Thursday but it was canceled the day before without a public explanation, though it is common for court dates to move around. Teixeira is now scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge David Hennessy at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to new court records updated Friday afternoon.Lawyers for the federal government accuse Teixeira, a low-ranking service member who was based out of Joint Base Cape Cod, of using his top-secret security clearance to illegally leak documents on Discord, a social media platform designed for video game enthusiasts.Prosecutors charged him with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material in connection ...

New Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner eyes long tenure with new administration after turnover at the top

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

New Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo said he wants to be the “longest serving” person in the role after a report released Friday pointed out turnover at the top of the department within the last decade.A report from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission said there have been six DCR commissioners in the past eight years, which has led to a lack of “leadership continuity, clear direction, and accountability at the top.”The Department is tasked with managing the 450,000 acres that make up the state’s parks system.DCR commissioners, the report said, often made promises or commitments that they where then not around to keep.Arrigo, the former mayor of Revere, is only three weeks into his new job as commissioner but, at a Friday morning event, said he has heard from staff who are excited to have a new commissioner, “who has been appointed by a new governor, who will be around for a little while.”“I look forward to the...

Julius Randle disappears, Knicks outworked and now on brink of elimination as Heat takes Game 4

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

MIAMI — The Knicks sit on the brink of elimination. And they deserve that position.Outcoached, outhustled, outclassed and punked again, New York fell Monday night to the Miami Heat, 109-101, with Julius Randle disappearing in a pivotal moment and Jalen Brunson unable to carry the stragglers past Jimmy Butler.Randle continued his series to forget by fouling out with about three minutes left. He went scoreless in the fourth quarter, taking just one shot in the final period as the Heat’s lead remained steady.The Knicks, trailing 3-1 in the series, could be eliminated with a loss Wednesday at home.“Just maybe they want it more, I don’t know,” Randle said. “That’s been who we are all year.”Brunson tried his best in the final minutes and finished with 32 points and 11 assists, but the Knicks were dominated in too many areas. They gave up 13 offensive rebounds — including seven in the fourth quarter — and were generally bullied in...

Jalen Brunson’s awards snubs shows voters didn’t understand his impact on Knicks

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

MIAMI — While Jalen Brunson was ascending to a higher status of greatness in the playoffs, the annual NBA awards trickled in and demonstrated the Knicks point guard still hasn’t captured his due respect.Brunson didn’t come close to winning any of the three categories that he should’ve been considered as a viable candidate. It followed up his snub for the All-Star team this year.Meanwhile, Julius Randle, who had been a disappointment in the playoffs heading into Friday’s Game 6, was named to the All-NBA Third Team.“Obviously, it’s a great honor. It’s a testament, you know, those things don’t happen without the group of guys that we have,” Randle said. “I’ve said it all year, it takes the belief of the front office,  our coaching staff, and most of all my teammates. They trust me to go out there and compete every night and play at a high level. I just Thank God. It’s a huge honor.”As Randle spoke ...

‘They put no limits on my potential’: Roxbury Community College celebrates 50th anniversary

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

Roxbury Community College is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary, kicking off events by discussing the lasting impact of the institution on students.“If I hadn’t come to RCC, I wouldn’t have gotten to be that voice that I am for my kids, that I am for students,” said Monique Paul, a RCC graduate from the class of 2018, reflecting on her healthcare career and life since graduating. “I wouldn’t be where I am today.”Paul was one of several alumni to speak at a panel in the RCC Media Arts Center on Thursday afternoon — echoing how the college changed their and generations of other students’ lives in the last 50 years.The panel, moderated by state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, kicked off three days of events marking the anniversary, including the commencement ceremony Friday and a block party, step show, film screening and hip-hop performances on campus Saturday.Panelists praised the college for its accessibility and strong systems of support ...

Border conditions remain the same one day after Title 42 expires

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Title 42 is over, but border conditions remain the same. Hundreds of people are still behind the border wall near San Ysidro, waiting for their opportunity to seek asylum.Men, women and children were seen covered with blankets on Friday morning. Some were waiting in makeshift tents made from garbage bags. They were sitting on the dirt, next to piles of trash and debris. Hundreds of migrants still waiting along San Diego border as Title 42 ends Border Patrol has been mobilizing people now that Title 42 has expired. Since Thursday night, agents have taken groups of people to get processed. Families with children under the age of two have been their primary focus.On the U.S. side of the border wall, more humanitarian aid is arriving. Flower Alvarez, a volunteer with a nonprofit group out of North County, spent the night at the border while attending to the needs of migrants. However, she says there is still a lot of need. “Blankets, sweaters and jackets --...

New In-N-Out Burger opens in South Bay

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- One of California's most popular hamburger joints is officially slinging patties at a brand new storefront in South Bay.Located at at 1810 Main Court, In-N-Out Burger will be serving up made-to-order hamburgers, fries and shakes made with real ice cream. Customers can expect fresh ingredients that the restaurant says will be supplied directly to the store. CA Instacart workers to get millions in restitution: find out if you qualify This includes their 100% American beef and whole chuck that the brands says is ground by In-N-Out's very own butchers. It also includes whole potatoes that will be hand diced for fresh, not frozen, French fries.The storefront will have one drive through lane, plus indoor seating for up to 74 guests and a covered patio with outdoor seating for up to 39 guests.This new In-N-Out Burger will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, guests can indulge between 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.The Chula V...

Doomsday plot: Idaho jury convicts Lori Vallow Daybell of murdering 2 children, romantic rival

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho jury on Friday convicted Lori Vallow Daybell of murder in the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival, a verdict that marks the end of a three-year investigation that included bizarre claims of zombie children, apocalyptic prophesies and illicit affairs.Vallow Daybell, who wore a simple black dress, showed no expression as the verdict was read. Some in the courtroom gallery wiped tears from their eyes.Prosecutors in the case described Vallow Daybell as a power-hungry manipulator who would kill her two youngest children for money, while the defense team said she was normally protective mother who fell under the romantic sway of a wannabe cult leader.Jurors heard both stories Thursday during final arguments in the seven-week long trial, and deliberated for about four hours before breaking for the evening. They resumed deliberations Friday morning and reached a verdict, which was announced shortly after noon.Vallow Daybell was convicted of ...

First Nation did not prove Aboriginal title for entire claim area: B.C. Supreme Court

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:31:44 GMT

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruling on a First Nations land title lawsuit says it did not prove it had rights to its entire claim area, although he suggested it may be time for the provincial government to rethink its current test for such titles. The Nuchatlaht First Nation, a community on Vancouver Island’s northwest coast, wanted title over an area of Crown land that included a portion of Nootka Island and much of the surrounding coastline.Justice Elliott Myers said in his decision issued Thursday that there “may be areas” the nation can establish in its claim, but if it wants to do that another hearing would be required.“I stress that I am not prejudging any of the issues or whether a pleading amendment would be necessary,” he said in the decision. “I am merely leaving it open to the plaintiff to come back before me to canvass these issues should it wish to do so.”He’s given the nation 14 days to decide if it ...