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Governor Healey taps new boss for MassDOT, MBTA

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

It’s official: Gov. Maura Healey has appointed Monica Tibbits-Nutt as secretary of transportation, removing the acting title from a position she’s held for two months.Healey made the announcement Monday, saying that Tibbits-Nutt is a “proven leader who has done important work at MassDOT over the past year” as her administration has worked to make the state’s public transportation system “more reliable, safe and accessible.”Related ArticlesPolitics | MBTA slow zone repair plan will require sporadic closures through 2024 Politics | Eng lays out plan to eliminate MBTA slow zones by end of 2024 Politics | MBTA being run by ‘adults’ at long last, advisory board head says Politics | Battenfeld: Maura Healey dodges blame for repeated MBTA failures Politics | MBTA boss cites new ‘spirit of partnership” with Chinese train maker The governor initially appointed Tibbits-Nutt as undersecretar...

FBI, Capitol police testify in the trial of the man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ (Associated Press)SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Prosecutors brought forward a string of law enforcement officials Monday to provide context around video that’s at the crux of their case against David DePape, the man accused of attacking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband at the couple’s San Francisco home last year.DePape has pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties. Federal prosecutors quickly moved through their witness list on the trial’s second day, bringing forward an FBI agent who collected the electronics DePape was carrying, a U.S. Capitol police officer who watches the surveillance cameras at the Pelosis’ home and another who has protected Nancy Pelosi since 2006, and a Bay Area Rapid Transit police sergeant. Paul Pelosi was also expected to testify.Pros...

Mexico’s ruling party appears to have dodged possible desertions in the run-up to 2024 elections

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s ruling party appeared Monday to have dodged the possibility of large-scale desertions of disappointed hopeful candidates in the run-up to the country’s 2024 elections. Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard announced he would not leave President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena party. Ebrard had wanted the party’s nomination for president in the June elections but lost to former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum amid what he claimed was improper polling and campaigning. But Ebrard said Monday he had reached “a political understanding” with Sheinbaum and would continue working as “the second force” within Morena. “We can form part of a coalition of forces,” he said.The party was at risk of falling apart because it was built around López Obrador’s outsized personality. He cannot run for reelection and will leave office in 10 months, and there is little else to hold its disparate membership together.Ebrard said he met with Sheinbaum on a...

At least four people stabbed at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston; suspect in custody

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

RUSTON, La. (AP) — Four people were stabbed Monday morning on the campus of Louisiana Tech University in the north Louisiana city of Ruston.Ruston Police Chief Randall Hermes told the Ruston Daily Leader the suspected attacker was in custody. Three of the victims were hospitalized. Details on their conditions were not immediately released. A fourth person refused treatment, officials said.The attack happened Monday morning at Tech’s Lambright Sports and Wellness Center, a recreation center for students. The attack was random, Hermes said.“It sounds like he ran up behind them and surprised them,” Hermes said.Charges were pending against the person in custody.The Associated Press

Music Review: Bob Dylan’s ‘The Complete Budokan 1978’ box set is a welcomed release, flute and all

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

Bob Dylan with flute and saxophone isn’t for everyone.But that’s what you get with “The Complete Budokan 1978,” a deluxe box set presenting two live shows at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall, from a tour that has been derided in some corners as “Dylan going Vegas.”The extravagantly packaged four-disc set expands upon the 1979 “Bob Dylan at Budokan” live record that caught Dylan in Japan on just the second week of his 1978 world tour that would run for 10 months. The tour started after the widely acclaimed Rolling Thunder guerilla tours across the United States in 1975 and 1976, and just before Dylan’s conversion to Christianity in 1979. In fact, Dylan has pointed to a fan throwing a small silver cross on stage in November 1978 as helping to spur his conversion. But that’s a story for another time, and one that was explored deeply in the “Trouble No More” box set released in 2017.“The Complete Budokan 1978” includes full concerts from Feb. 28 and March 1, 197...

Michigan man pleads guilty to making violent threats against Jews

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A 19-year-old Michigan man pleaded guilty Monday to using social media to make violent threats against Jewish people last summer.Seann Pietila, who has been in custody since June, was accused of using Instagram to spread neo-Nazi ideology, discuss plans to kill people and compliment mass shooters.In his plea agreement with prosecutors, Pietila admitted that he told someone he had a plan to kill or injure Jewish people and wanting to post the attack online. The FBI said Pietila had written the name of the Shaarey Zedek congregation in East Lansing, near Michigan State University, in a note on his phone along with a 2024 date. Investigators said Pietila told another Instagram user that he would “inspire others to take arms against the Jewish controlled state.”During a search of Pietila’s home in Pickford in the Upper Peninsula, investigators found a cache of weapons, knives, tactical equipment and a red-and-white Nazi flag, the FBI said.“Thank Go...

Exxon Mobil is drilling for lithium in Arkansas and expects to begin production by 2027

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Exxon Mobil on Monday announced it’s drilling for lithium in southern Arkansas, with the oil giant expected to begin production of the critical material for electric vehicles by 2027.Exxon in early 2023 acquired the rights to 120000 gross acres (48562 gross hectares) of the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas, considered one of the most prolific lithium resources of its type in North America. Exxon said that by 2030 it aims to produce enough lithium to supply the manufacturing needs more than 1 million electric vehicles. “Lithium is essential to the energy transition, and ExxonMobil has a leading role to play in paving the way for electrification,” Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, said in a news release. Exxon didn’t disclose how much it’s spending on the project, which is expected to be a boost for a part of Arkansas that has a history as an oil and gas producer.“I’m not being dramatic when I say this has the ...

A timeline of retailer Bad Boy’s rise and fall

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

TORONTO — Famed Greater Toronto Area retailer Bad Boy Furniture Warehouse Ltd. has been around for 70 years, but the business begun by Mel Lastman, a flamboyant Toronto salesman who went on to become the city’s mayor, and revived by his son has hit hard times. Amid higher interest rates and slow home sales, it is attempting to restructure its business under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. This is how Bad Boy got to this point:1953: Marilyn Lastman gets her future husband Mel Lastman a job at an appliance store on College Street in Toronto. A video Bad Boy once shared detailing his history says Mel Lastman started on accounts receivable, but one night, when a salesman called in sick, he hit the floor, selling two stoves and a fridge, kick-starting his career in sales.1954: Mel Lastman runs Heather Hill appliances in 1954, the Bad Boy video says. Sales were difficult to come by so he would follow an ice truck around noting their delivery stops and would later visit to pitch t...

Toronto’s massive 55-foot tall Christmas tree arrives at Nathan Phillips Square

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

The area around Toronto City Hall is starting to look a little more festive with the city’s traditional giant Christmas tree arriving in Nathan Phillips Square. The 55-foot tree officially arrived around 7:30 a.m. Monday on the back of a flatbed truck — it now towers over the entrance to City Hall. The city says the complete installation of the massive tree will take around eight hours.The city will let the tree settle in for three days and then crews are expected to begin decorating it over the next couple of weeks.“There will be 500 decorations put on it, as well as 20,000 energy efficient lights,” says Kerri MacDonald with city’s Programming and Special Events. “It’s going to be quite spectacular.”The 57th annual Cavalcade of Lights kicks off on Nov. 25 and includes the official tree lighting ceremony.“Inspired by Christmas, winter solstice, lantern and light festivals from around the world, Cavalcade of Lights is a free event...

Hyundai joins Honda and Toyota in raising wages after auto union wins gains in deals with Detroit 3

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:56 GMT

South Korean automaker Hyundai has joined Honda and Toyota in raising factory worker wages after the United Auto Workers union reached new contract agreements with Detroit automakers.Hyundai said Monday it will raise factory worker pay 25% by 2028, matching the general wage increase won by the UAW during that period. Toyota raised factory pay 9% to 10% starting in January, while Honda said it will increase wages 11% during the same period.Experts say the increases at least in part are aimed at thwarting UAW President Shawn Fain’s strategy of trying to organize U.S. auto plants run by foreign automakers and Tesla in order to increase the union’s bargaining power. Fain said terrified auto executives at nonunion plants are raising wages, and he called Toyota’s pay increase the UAW bump.“UAW, that stands for ‘You Are Welcome,’” he said.About 146,000 UAW members are voting on new contracts with General Motors, Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis that give them 25% general wa...