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Healey Recommends More Pardons, Nominates Parole Board Member

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday nominated a clinical social worker to fill an opening on the Parole Board, and recommended a new set of pardons including one for a man convicted of armed robbery just seven years ago.Sarah Beth Coughlin works as director of community engagement and partnerships at Mass General Brigham and was also described by Healey’s office as a community organizer. She also spent eight years as director of the Charlestown Coalition, which focuses on social determinants of health, and works with the Committee for Public Counsel Services on evaluations, coordination of re-entry plans, and helping defendants secure treatment placement, according to her resume.If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Coughlin would fill one of the three vacant seats on the panel that makes parole decisions and vets pardon applications.Healey endorsed four pardons, recommending forgiveness for Kenny Jean, convicted of armed robbery in 2016; Evan Willey, convicted of operating ...

Column: Jerry Reinsdorf’s ‘search’ for a new GM sends a message to Chicago White Sox fans — the status quo is OK

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

Jerry Reinsdorf’s search for a new leader of the Chicago White Sox baseball department ended nine days after the dismissal of executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.That is, if you consider opening the staff directory and picking Chris Getz as the new GM a real search.By promoting Getz to senior vice president and GM, the Sox chairman showed who is boss and sent a message to fans: The status quo is acceptable.“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within our organization to this role,” Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Most importantly, he knows our players, both at the major-league level and in our system, knows our staff and is familiar with all aspects of our baseball operations department.”Reinsdorf added he was “greatly” impressed by Getz and has become “energized by his vision, approach and sense of what this organization needs to become competitive again.”“With his existing know...

Healey activating National Guard to help with emergency shelters, sources say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey issued an executive order Thursday activating up to 250 members of the National Guard to provide basic services at emergency shelter hotels that do not currently have a contracted service provider, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.State officials said the administration has about 40 emergency shelter hotels that Guard members could be deployed to, including a site at the Marriott South Bay. Sources said officials will be evaluating which sites require Guard members and deploying them next week.The administration also plans to launch “Regional Rapid Response Teams” to help oversee shelter sites and serve as a direct contact to the Healey administration to address any concerns.The mobilization comes weeks after Healey declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts because of an influx of migrants crowding the state’s emergency shelter system. The increase in new arrivals along with surging housing costs here has put a strain on th...

Texas high court allows law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors to take effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

By JIM VERTUNO (Associated Press)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court allowed a new state law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect on Friday, setting up Texas to be the most populous state with such restrictions on transgender children.Legal advocates who sued on behalf of the families and doctors, including the American Civil Liberties Union, called the law and the high court’s decision Thursday “cruel.“ “Transgender youth and their families are forced to confront the start of the school year fearful of what awaits them. But let us be clear: The fight is far from over,” the advocacy groups said in a joint statement.Last week, a state district judge ruled the pending law violated the rights of transgender children and their families to seek appropriate medical care, and violated doctors’ ability to follow “well-established, evidence-based” medical guidelines under threat of losing their license. The jud...

Ex-Proud Boys organizer gets 17 years in prison, second longest sentence in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — A former organizer of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison for spearheading an attack on the U.S. Capitol to prevent the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 presidential election.The sentence for Joseph Biggs is the second longest among hundreds of Capitol riot cases so far, after the 18-year prison sentence for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.Federal prosecutors had recommended a 33-year prison sentence for Biggs, who helped lead dozens of Proud Boys members and associates in marching to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Biggs and other Proud Boys joined the mob that broke through police lines and forced lawmakers to flee, disrupting the joint session of Congress for certifying the electoral victory by Biden, a Democrat.U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said the Jan. 6 attack trampled on an “important American custom,̶...

Yankees’ outfielder Harrison Bader claimed off waivers by Cincinnati Reds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

The Cincinnati Red have claimed center fielder Harrison Bader off waivers, the Yankees announced Thursday.Bader, a native of Bronxville, N.Y., batted .237 with seven home runs, 46 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 98 regular season games with the Yankees.“I’m a New York City kid and I never, in a million years, thought I’d play in the big leagues, let alone for the New York Yankees,” Bader told reporters Tuesday. “Just the opportunity has been incredible and I’ve loved every second of it. Whatever happens, happens. I understand it’s a business.”The Yankees acquired Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove Award winner, before the 2022 trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery.The speedy center fielder was out with plantar fasciitis when the Yankees traded for him, delaying his team debut by more than a month, but he quickly ingratiated himself with a torrid 2022 postseason in which he hit five home runs in nine games....

Fall movie preview 2023: Our 10 titles from a Hollywood season subject to change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

Michael Phillips | Chicago Tribune (TNS)In the annals of fall movie previews, never has the phrase “dates subject to change” felt quite so obvious, or so fraught.Contract negotiations between studios and the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America remain, at press time, at an impasse and the strikes continue. “Dune 2,” no longer a major late 2023 title, has been pushed back to March 2024. Will the studios tick more of its dominoes from there?Answer: unknown. Meantime, let’s scan the ledger for some prospects already in the bag and ready for screens near you. That phrase “in the bag” always makes me think of “Sweet Smell of Success,” the 1957 drama starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. Written by Ernest Lehman, then punched up, gloriously, by co-writer Clifford Odets, the movie is a writer’s movie to the core. At one point, asked if he has taken care of his latest morally compromised errand, the unscrupulous press agent played by Curtis says not to worry. “The cat’s i...

Patriots WR DeVante Parker misses second straight practice Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker missed his second straight practice Thursday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Callahan: Bailey Zappe’s release another reminder the Patriots have no sacred cows New England Patriots | Patriots sign 15 to practice squad, including new veteran tight end New England Patriots | Source: Patriots Tyquan Thornton to start season on injured reserve New England Patriots | Kendrick Bourne happy to be with Patriots through trades, cutdowns New England Patriots | DeVante Parker among 3 Patriots missing at practice Wednesday, several others return Parker is “fine,” according to a league source, though he hasn’t been spotted since walking through the locker room late Tuesday. The 30-year-old is expected to start this season after a strong summer. He is one of five wide receivers remaining on the roster after the Patriots placed Tyquan Thornton on inju...

Ask the Pediatrician: What is scabies?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

By Dr. Sarah Asch, American Academy of PediatricsScabies is an itchy rash caused by the human itch mite. Adults, children and babies can all get scabies. Many people believe scabies is about cleanliness, but that is not true. It is easily passed between people living closely with other people. Let’s discuss how scabies makes you itchy and how to get rid of scabies safely.The human itch mite is microscopic in size. It can burrow into the very top layer of the skin (not any deeper), where it can lay eggs and eat. The mites are so tiny, there is no way to see them by looking with your eyes before the scabies rash starts. After a few days or weeks, an itchy rash develops in reaction to the mites.Scabies rash looks different at different ages. Babies and toddlers, very elderly people or people with weakened immune systems can have a rash all over the body. In older children and adults, the rash is mostly on the hands, feet, armpits, belly button and genitals. It can look like hives...

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Can ashwagandha supplements help with stress and anxiety relief?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:35 GMT

By Mayo Clinic News NetworkDEAR MAYO CLINIC: I struggle with stress and feeling overwhelmed. I am 52 and juggle full-time work as a wife and mother to a teenage daughter. Recently I also began caring for an elderly relative. I often snap at the slightest comment, and sleep is elusive due to the many thoughts swirling in my head. I am not the biggest fan of medication, but I recently saw an ad for Ashwagandha on social media. Can you tell me what it is and if it may benefit me?ANSWER: Balancing family and work responsibilities can be challenging, but when you add in other things, such as caring for others, your stress burden can feel even heavier. As a caregiver, it is important that you intentionally identify ways to care for yourself, cope and manage stress. Ashwagandha is unlikely to be the solution, but it may still be a helpful option.First, ashwagandha is a small shrub native to India and the Middle East that has been used traditionally, or historically, for centuries. It has c...