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MBTA Adds To Its Pile Of Safety Incidents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

MBTA workers experienced three safety incidents in the past two weeks, the latest speedbumps as higher-ups work to address deep-rooted problems and overhaul the transit agency’s culture.Officials disclosed the trio of events at a board meeting on Wednesday, where they also acknowledged the agency is falling short of some of its annual targets for safety incidents.On Nov. 29, a track laborer working on the then-closed Green Line near Boylston Station injured his leg when a part of the tool he was using “became dislodged,” MBTA Deputy Chief Safety Officer Nancy Prominski told board members.The T’s maintenance of way department ordered new tools and “protective caps,” and also provided additional instruction about how to inspect tools, Prominski said. The worker has since returned to the job.Early in the morning of Nov. 30, while crews were replacing Orange Line rail between Sullivan Station and Community College, workers activated power for the stre...

Judge pauses Trump election interference case in order that could delay March trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

(CNN) — The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has temporarily paused all procedural deadlines while appeals over a major issue play out – which could lead to his March 2024 trial date being pushed back.The order from Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged that she no longer has jurisdiction over aspects of the criminal case while the DC Circuit Court of Appeals considers whether Trump is immune and can be tried. In a bid to speed that appeals process, special counsel Jack Smith has asked the Supreme Court to step in.Chutkan said in her order that the trial date of March 4, 2024, could be affected, and that she would reconsider that date when the appeals process has concluded.Chutkan, however, said that the pause does not bar her from enforcing measures she has already imposed to “safeguard the integrity of these proceedings,” including the limited gag order against Trump and his conditions of release.“(I)f a criminal defendant...

Cold tonight, chilly tomorrow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

It was a cool day, but felt chillier with the gusty wind. Tonight, it will be cold before a chilly day tomorrow. The cold air is quick to exit as temperatures rebound by Friday afternoon. We’re dry for a few days before it turns wetter at the end of the week and into next week.Overnight, we’ll become mainly clear and keep a slight northwest breeze around. Temperatures will be cold as we fall into the low 20s inland and mid/upper 20s for the coast and Cape. The breeze will make it feel like it’s in the teens tomorrow morning around sunrise (7:06 am)! That’s how you’ll want to dress for the morning dog walk or for the kids at the bus stop.The colder temperatures work in overnight and are with us tomorrow. Expect a chilly day with high temperatures in the 30s. Yes it’s December, but this is still below average. The average high for Boston is 43° tomorrow. We’ll keep a slight breeze, so it’ll feel like the 20s/close to 30°. Luckily, weR...

Boston City Council approves ‘historic’ $82 million police contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

The Boston City Council approved a new five-year contract between the city and its largest police union, an $82 million deal that includes a 9% raise in salary and significant reforms around officer discipline, overtime and paid details.The 12-0 vote on Wednesday brings to a close a process that included 18 months of “intense” negotiations, resulting in what the mayor described as a “historic” agreement that was reached Dec. 1 and ratified by union membership days later.“We’re ecstatic about it,” said Larry Calderone, union president. “The men and women in the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association have worked tirelessly over the last three-and-half years and they deserve this thank-you.”The agreement will cost the city roughly $82.3 million, or a 21% increase over a five-year retroactive period, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025. It includes annual base wage increases for officers of 2%, 1.5%, 2%, 1% and 2.5%.The two votes taken by the Council authorized the city to reduce the fisc...

Puerto Rico’s restaurant scene has never been better. Here’s why

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

Nevin Martell | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsMaybe you’ve heard about the ascendant restaurant scene in Puerto Rico. Most people haven’t: The island is still principally known as a highly convenient place for sun and beaches, with no passport required for U.S. citizens, and the food scene is often relegated to what’s convenient to cruise ship ports.If you didn’t know, Puerto Rico has become one of the most exciting destination-dining scenes in the Caribbean. It’s rich with exciting concepts and heritage-minded chefs who showcase culinary traditions and fresh local ingredients in ways that range from ingenious riffs on Puerto Rican classics to exuberant explorations of Mediterranean cuisine—and even noteworthy pizza. This is all happening in spite of the long-lasting impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic.In fact, those two crippling events inspired many chefs to work with the most readily available ingredients — what they could obtain from the island’s f...

Some 2024 GOP hopefuls call for ‘compassion’ in Texas abortion case but don’t say law should change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

By MEG KINNARD, CHRISTINE FERNANDO and MICHELLE L. PRICE (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of the Republicans seeking their party’s 2024 presidential nomination have said the case of a Texas woman whose health deteriorated as she unsuccessfully sought an abortion should be handled with “compassion,” but they did not criticize the state’s law.It’s the latest indication that the candidates see the politics surrounding abortion as a delicate — and fraught — issue for the GOP after the Supreme Court’s reversal of constitutional protections for the procedure helped power Democrats to unexpectedly strong performances in the 2022 midterms.While campaigning Tuesday, both former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed sympathy for Kate Cox, a mother of two who sought an abortion after learning the baby she was carrying had a fatal genetic condition and suffering health complications of her own....

After ‘Barbie’ success, Mattel to make American Doll live-action movie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “Barbie” may soon be joined by another Mattel doll on the big screen. The toy company is developing a live-action film based on its American Girl doll line, Mattel announced Wednesday. “American Girl” will be produced by Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment, the production company of “Twilight” and “The Fault in Our Stars.” Attached to write the script and produce is Lindsey Anderson Beer, the writer of this year’s “Pet Cemetery: Bloodlines.” The project adds to the already teeming pipeline of movies in development for Mattel Films. Following its blockbuster first release, “Barbie,” Mattel Films is prepping some 14 live-action films, including movies based on Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ’Em Robots and UNO. “Saturday Night Live” has already spoofed the idea of an American Girl doll movie. In April, the NBC sket...

Colombia investigates the killing of a Hmong American comedian and activist in Medellin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities on Wednesday were investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of a Hmong American comedian and activist who was found dead Monday in a wooded area of the northern city Medellín.Prosecutors told reporters that Tou Ger Xiong, 50, arrived in Medellín on Nov. 29. He went to meet a friend in the city on Dec. 10. Hours later he called a friend in the United States to tell him that he was kidnapped and his captors demanded a $2,000 ransom to free him, according to prosecutors.Yiri Amado Sánchez, sectional director of Medellín prosecutor’s office, indicated that another friend of the activist reported the kidnapping for ransom — a common occurrence in the city. The office did not identify the friend by name.“The man was the victim of a kidnapping,” Sánchez said, adding that the alleged kidnappers didn’t collect the money.Xiong, who lived in the St. Paul, Minnesota, suburb of Woodbury, was a comedian, entertainer, storyteller and ...

Drop in Canadian maple syrup production not expected to affect access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

Pancake and waffle loves can breathe a sigh of relief as a five-year low in maple syrup productions is not expected to affect Canadians’ access to the sugary topping, according to the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (OMSPA).Numbers from of Statistics Canada found maple syrup production dropped from a record high of 79 million litres in 2022 to just over 47 million litres of syrup this year. However, Executive Director of OMSPA John Williams said the strategic reserve in Quebec will ensure the global supply will stay stable.Across Canada, production dipped down from 40 per cent in Quebec, 35 per cent in New Brunswick to 15 per cent in Ontario.“It’s like millions of dollars in bulk sale really. And, it creates a stress for the industry, because if you don’t have those dollars, then you can’t really invest or expand in your company,” said Louise Poitras, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Maple Syrup AssociationHowever, suppliers, lik...

Beer and wine coming to Ontario convenience stores, gas stations in January 2026: sources

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:18:20 GMT

Premier Doug Ford will announce on Thursday that beer, wine and canned cocktail drinks will be sold in Ontario convenience stores and gas stations starting in January 2026, sources confirm with CityNews.The cap on the number of grocery stores allowed to sell beer will be also removed, and any retailer selling beer will be allowed to sell 12 and 24 packs, which currently are restricted to The Beer Store.Ford teased the announcement on Wednesday — the same day that his government announced a reversal of its previous plan to dissolve Peel Region.“We made a promise to you to bring beer and wine to convenience stores and grocery stores across the province of Ontario. Get ready, we’ve got big news coming tomorrow,” Ford said in the brief clip posted to social media.Tune in tomorrow for some very exciting news Ontario! ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/jTchNPoCQk— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 13, 2023Under the new plan, The Beer Store will continue to handle distr...