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Lee becomes a Hurricane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

Lee is fast on its way of becoming a monster in the tropics. On Wednesday afternoon, Lee was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane while over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Lee has been able to organize quickly over the hotter-than-usual water temperatures and lack of wind shear. These favorable conditions are likely to continue and Lee is forecast to become a major hurricane by the end of this week. Winds (over the weekend) could elevate to 150 mph while (still) over the Atlantic and away from land. The current forecast track has the center of Lee moving east, then north, of the Lesser Antilles. While missing the islands, It’s possible that swells from Lee could reach some spots as early as Friday. By the time Lee moves north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico, dangerous surf and rip current conditions are possible for those islands. As we look at the future of Lee going into next week, there are still plenty of questions. However, what DOES seem imminent is that ...

Kourtney Kardashian shares she underwent ‘urgent fetal surgery’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

(CNN) — Kourtney Kardashian is full of gratitude after experiencing a scary medical complication during her pregnancy.“As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn’t prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery,” she wrote on her verified Instagram page on Wednesday, next to a black and white photo of her hand holding husband Travis Barker’s in what appears to be a hospital bed.She continued, “I don’t think anyone who hasn’t been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.”“I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby’s life,” she wrote.Kardashian and Barker, who is the drummer for Blink-182, are expecting their first child together. She also has three children with her ex Scott Disick, and Barker is dad to two children and stepdad to one, from a previous relationship.“I am...

Biden administration cancels remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic Refuge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

By BECKY BOHRER and MATTHEW DALY (Associated Press)JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration’s waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.The Department of Interior’s scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope. Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden’s pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday’s announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigat...

App-based worker classification ballot battle brewing in Massachusetts for second time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

A battle over the classification of app-based rideshare and delivery drivers is gearing up for the second year in a row after Attorney General Andrea Campbell gave her approval Wednesday to multiple versions of a question that would define those workers as independent contractors.Clearing the first major hurdle to appear on the fall 2024 ballot represents an initial comeback for the Flexibility & Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers coalition, which saw their proposal struck off the ballot last year by the state’s highest court.The coalition said Massachusetts rideshare and delivery drivers “are one step closer to having their independence protected while receiving access to historic new benefits.”“We’re pleased that the Attorney General’s office has certified our ballot proposals to ensure drivers can maintain the flexibility to work when, how often, and for how long they want as independent contractors, while also accessing new benefits and protections,” coalition spokesperson C...

Voters could have chance to weigh-in on power to audit Massachusetts Legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

A battle over the power to audit the Massachusetts Legislature could end up before voters in 2024 after Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified a ballot question Wednesday that would grant that authority to the state auditor.A proposed ballot question from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio cleared the initial hurdle but whether Campbell will approve a parallel request from the Methuen Democrat to pursue legal action to force the Legislature to open up their books is unclear.“Our state Legislature is frequently ranked as the least transparent state Legislature in the entire nation — not subject to public records laws, not subject to open meeting laws. For legislative leaders to continue to refuse to cooperate with our office is unacceptable,” DiZoglio told the Herald. “Working Families in Massachusetts deserve better. It’s the people’s house, not the politician’s house.”Both House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have declined to participate in...

Here are the ballot questions AG Campbell certified, rejected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified 34 voter petitions Wednesday, including 31 proposed laws and three proposed constitutional amendments, on everything from rent control to psychedelics. She did not certify seven proposals. One was withdrawn.Certified petitionsTwo proposed laws removing the MCAS as a graduation requirement for high school studentsTwo proposed laws related to the gas taxA proposal relative to voter registrationA proposed constitutional amendment related to the right to voteA proposal related to voter registration at polling placesA proposal requiring full minimum wage for tipped workers with tips on topTwo proposals related to the regulation and tax of natural psychedelicsA proposed constitutional amendment related to recall election electionsEight proposals related to voter identification in MassachusettsNine proposal related to the classification of rideshare and delivery driversA proposal related to public health educationA proposal allowing the state audi...

Superintendent Skipper, Mayor Wu go door-knocking to re-engage students ahead of school year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

Superintendent Mary Skipper and Mayor Michelle Wu joined dozens of volunteers in visiting a couple hundred homes Wednesday morning, reengaging with families before students head back to the classroom Thursday.The annual initiative, spearheaded by Boston Public Schools’ Re-Engagement Center, targeted two groups of students: those who were chronically absent last year, meaning they missed 10% or more of school days, and those who dropped out completely.Emmanuel Allen, the center’s re-engagement director, said the brief interactions with the families go a long way in hopefully setting a positive tone for the new year.“This is really what the work is about, going after the students who may be off the grid a little bit and listening to their stories, finding options for them. It’s really that simple,” Allen said. “Once you meet personally, it leads to a couple of conversations from caring adults to really get you back on track.”More students have been considered chronically absent ...

Massachusetts seeks new State Police superintendent; pays up to $300K

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

The commonwealth is looking for a new top cop.“The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is assisting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with their search for the next Superintendent (Colonel) of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP),” began the listing on the IACP job board for the job that pays $275,000 to $300,000 a year.And if you want the job, you better apply fast as the listing has a tight deadline: Sept. 24.Interim Col. John E. Mawn, who began as a trooper and worked his way up the ranks, took on the position following Col. Christopher Mason’s retirement on Feb. 17 following 40 years with the MSP. Should the state hire a new colonel before he’s been on the job a year, his superintendent-level pension benefits may not take effect, based on the state law governing State Police.Neither Gov. Maura Healey’s office nor a spokesman for the State Police returned Herald inquiries for comment regarding the posting, the speed of the deadline, whether Mawn could keep the su...

As the heat cranks up, Boston Public Schools will remain open on first day of year, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

The scorching heat is disrupting the start of the year for multiple school districts across the region, but in Boston, officials say students will stay cool in the classroom.As the heat index value approaches 100 on Thursday, students will be returning to Boston Public Schools for the first time this year.“In general, when it’s hot, for all of us, it can be uncomfortable,” Superintendent Mary Skipper said Wednesday, “particularly in getting back and forth from school for our students. We’re going to make this as fun as possible for them.”Skipper expressed confidence that the first day will go smoothly, largely due to how much the district has invested in air conditioning over the past year. About $9.2 million of the district’s $400 million in federal virus relief funds has been pumped into installing air conditioning units across its buildings, according to figures.At the start of last year, just 20 schools had 916 cooling units, but those numbers have risen significantly. Roughly 7...

Battenfeld: Who would inherit the MAGA magic if Donald Trump gets derailed, plus other key 2024 questions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:10 GMT

Could Donald Trump bestow the MAGA magic on Donald Jr.?The former president’s son has been a loyal pit bull for his father, serving as a key campaign surrogate and rousing up crowds.But what if the GOP needs a “break glass in case of emergency” candidate?This is just one of the key unanswered questions haunting the 2024 race.Will a third party candidate like Robert F. Kennedy or perhaps even Trump emerge to become a serious contender? Will Donald Trump team up with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to run as a third party team?Will Joe Biden really make good on his promise to run for re-election, or is the 80-year-old president just posturing?If health or cognition problems prevent Biden from running again, who will emerge on the Democratic side to replace him? Michelle Obama is just one of the intriguing names that have surfaced in Democratic Party circles.And with the advent of more and more early ballots, mail in ballots, voter fraud, illegal ballots, non citizens voting, and millions of ma...