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Massachusetts lawmakers call on Congress to pass immigration reforms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

A lengthy list of Democrat and Republican lawmakers in Massachusetts called on top Congressional officials in Washington and the Biden administration to pass immigration reform as the state deals with a surge of migrants and a shortage of emergency shelter.The letter, signed by more than 60 representatives and senators, comes as Democratic pressure mounts on the Biden administration and Congress from multiple states as they grapple with how to handle thousands of new arrivals entering already overburdened shelter systems.Sen. Marc Pacheco, Taunton Democrat, led the letter, which argues that comprehensive immigration reform is urgently needed to address a dysfunctional entry system and a “rapidly-devolving” workforce shortage.“Our outdated federal immigration system is in desperate need of reform,” the lawmakers wrote. “Our country needs a functional gateway at the border that safeguards our national security from illegal entrants while providing noncitizens seeking lawful entry a pr...

Callahan: Bill Belichick hamstrung Bill O’Brien, but O’Brien must deliver anyway at the Jets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

FOXBORO — Bill Parcells famously wanted to shop for his own groceries.Parcells cooked dinner for four seasons as the Patriots’ head coach, his last a Super Bowl supper in 1996. Then, unhappy with his lack of personnel control, AKA the grocery list, he left for the Jets.As the Pats prepare to face the Jets this weekend, it’s worth separating the groceries Bill Belichick assembled this offseason from the meal he appears to be burning now at 0-2.The roster talent, from the team.Per usual, Belichick nailed his shopping down the defensive aisle. He retained key ingredients that stirred a top-3 defense last season, including cornerback Jonathan Jones and safety Jabrill Peppers. He tossed in first-round rookie corner Christian Gonzalez, an emerging stud, as well as grass-fed thumpers in Keion White and Marte Mapu.And in true Belichick fashion, he managed to pick all the rotten produce in the offensive market.Former star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is not viewed internally as a...

This is your last chance to find out if San Diego County owes you money

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Time is running out for San Diego County taxpayers as the window to claim money that’s owed to them closes Thursday night.Regional Treasurer-Tax Collector, Dan McAllister says $543,171 worth of unclaimed cash will be rolled into the County General Fund if it’s not snagged by the Sept. 21 deadline.“The holidays will be here before we know it; I’m sure people can use extra money,” McAllister said. “If you have done business with the county in the last three years, including paying property taxes, you could be on the 'Unclaimed Monies' list.” Find out if San Diego County owes you money Finding out if you’re owed money by the county is as simple as reviewing a list of unclaimed refunds on the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s webpage. Scroll the list, which is in alphabetical order, to see if your name is on the register."We want all of this money returned to San Diegans, so please tell your friends and family to go to sdttc.com to check the unclaimed money list,” said McAllister...

King Charles III makes a stop at fire-damaged Notre-Dame cathedral on day 2 of his visit to France

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

PARIS (AP) — King Charles III went from a meeting with young athletes in a working-class, multicultural suburb of Paris to an emotional stop in front of the fire-damaged Notre Dame cathedral on Thursday, the second day of his state visit to France. Earlier, Charles made an address to lawmakers at the Senate, praising France and the United Kingdom’s “indispensable relationship” and its capacity to meet the world’s challenges, including the war in Ukraine and climate change.Charles and Queen Camilla, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, paid much attention to a presentation about ongoing renovation work at Notre Dame, one day after the king said he had been “utterly appalled by the scenes of such devastation following the catastrophic fire” in April 2019.Charles and Camilla were not able to enter the cathedral for safety reasons, but Macron invited them to take a closer look at the entrance as dozens of workers on the higher floors of the...

Zelenskyy is making his case at the US Capitol for more war aid as Republican support softens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Washington on Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time facing the Republicans now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces. Zelenskyy arrived at the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate as the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries escorted Zelenskyy into the Capitol. House Republican leaders, who promised tough questions for Zelenskyy on his plans for the way forward for Ukraine’s war effort, notably chose not to join in greeting the Ukrainian president before the cameras.House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said Zelenskyy’s message for House lawmakers Thursday was “that he’s winning.” ...

Alex Murdaugh pleads guilty to financial crimes – the first time he’s admitted blame to a judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh did something Thursday he hasn’t done in the two years since his life of privilege and power started to unravel — plead guilty to a crime.Murdaugh admitted in federal court to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering.Murdaugh, 55, is serving life without parole in a South Carolina prison for shooting his wife and son. He has denied any role in the killings since their deaths in June 2021 and insisted he was innocent in two days of testimony earlier this year before he was convicted of two counts of murder.The federal guilty plea likely locks in years if not decades in prison for the disbarred lawyer, even if his murder conviction and sentence in state court are overturned on appeal.Murdaugh told the judge he wanted to be held accountable for stealing from his clients and do right by his surviving son.“I want to take responsibility. I want my son to see me take responsibility. It’s my hope that by taking responsibility...

Most of Nova Scotia’s lobster fleet well-suited to go electric: study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

HALIFAX — An environmental group has concluded that about 2,300 lobster boats operating off Nova Scotia are suitable candidates to switch from diesel to electric motors.A report released today by Oceans North says the province’s lobster fishery is positioned to lead the way toward zero-emission fishing — if governments assist the boat building sector in developing the new technologies.The group concluded that 70 per cent of the fleet fishes within 20 kilometres of their home port, meaning they’re able to safely rely on electric power.Nova Scotia’s lobster fleet produces roughly 82 million kilograms of carbon emissions each year — equivalent to the emissions of about 35,000 cars.Oceans North says the total cost of an electric system is competitive with diesel over a 20-year horizon because the higher purchase price is offset by lower operating costs.The group says the provincial and federal governments should set clear targets for emissions reductions in the marine ...

Freeland introduces bill to remove GST off rental developments, amend competition law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

OTTAWA — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced legislation this morning that would remove GST charges from new rental developments and update the country’s competition law. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the new legislation earlier this month to address the housing crisis and affordability crunch.Experts have called on the federal government to remove GST charges off new purpose-built rentals to help spur construction of these kinds of homes.The bill is also supposed to strengthen the Competition Bureau by giving it the power to compel information from companies to conduct studies, tighten up merger laws and go after collaborations that stifle competition.The changes to the Competition Act follow a promise from the Liberals to review the law. Freeland, along with several other cabinet ministers, are to hold a news conference this afternoon about the new legislation.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.The Canadian Press

Side hustles take center stage in paying bills for Hollywood workers on strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Lighting for the entertainment industry is Ryan Meyer’s lifeblood.Before the Hollywood strikes, he worked 40 hours a week or more as a gaffer or director of photography. He also has a company that usually earns more than a million dollars a year in production support.Most of that is gone, for now, dried up in the contract disputes that have led to months of picket lines by writers and actors. One day recently, the 50-year-old Meyer, who lives in Los Angeles, lit an actor’s home foyer, “so when she opens the door,” he said, “she looks good.”While waiting out the strikes, Meyer and many thousands of others in the business are taking most any paycheck they can get, from Trader Joe’s to teaching to hitting up friends for writing gigs. Some are turning hobbies into money. Most anything to pay the bills.“We’ve become handymen,” Meyer said. “My neighbor needed help with his Jacuzzi so we powered that up for him. Somebody else bought a trailer with a ...

Pickering crash sends female to hospital with life-threatening injuries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:32 GMT

Durham Regional Police say a female has suffered life-threatening injuries in a Pickering crash on Thursday morning.It happened near Taunton and Whites roads.It’s not yet clear how many vehicles were involved and the age of the victim is not currently known.Police say an Ornge air ambulance was summoned and roads in the area are closed.Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.Female has suffered life-threatening injuries. @Ornge is attending.The area will be shut down for an extended period of time. https://t.co/MDkdrbW7TW— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) September 21, 2023More to come