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Clash of the budgets on Beacon Hill

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

State senators approved a fiscal 2024 budget proposal Thursday that puts lawmakers in the chamber immediately at odds with their House counterparts, who passed a proposal last month that included online Lottery and free school meals at public schools.After a multi-day debate, the Senate pushed forward a document that allows some illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges or universities, shuttles millions to regional transportation authorities, and provides no-cost calls for local inmates.But the House and Senate will have to hash out what to do over the House and Gov. Maura Healey-backed proposal to allow people to buy and play state Lottery games online, something Treasurer Deb Goldberg has said is essential for the gambling service to compete with the rise of digital sports betting.Top Senate officials have argued the idea is not yet ready for prime time and an amendment from Sen. Paul Feeney, a Foxboro Democrat, that would have weaved online Lottery au...

Yankees Notebook: Randy Vasquez to make MLB debut Friday vs. Padres

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

Randy Vasquez, the 12th-best prospect in the Yankees’ system, will make his major league debut Friday when he takes the mound against the Padres.The right-hander, who arrived at Yankee Stadium around 2 p.m. Thursday, said that he expects to start. Aaron Boone, meanwhile, said that Vasquez will pitch “in some way, shape or form,” which means the Yankees could use an opener. Boone wanted to see what the Yankees’ pitching usage looked like Thursday against the Orioles before making a final decision.Either way, Vasquez, 24, will realize a lifelong dream.“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to pitch in the big leagues,” said the Dominican native, who received words of encouragement from fellow countryman Luis Severino. “So very exciting that it’s going to be tomorrow.”Vasquez, who described himself as a pitcher with “tenacity” and “someone who wants to be dominant,” has had mixed results while throwing at Triple-A...

Renters lament homeownership

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

Finding an affordable home in 2023 is like finding a needle in a haystack made of other needles.At least, that’s the sentiment expressed by most U.S. renters.A new study found that 72% of renters are convinced they’ll never be able to afford a home. The findings come from Home Bay, a real estate education platform, which polled 1,000 renters about their feelings toward homeownership, the housing market, and the American Dream.The answers reveal a fundamental pessimism about the trajectory of the real estate market. Two in three renters, 66%, said current home prices make them feel hopeless, and just over a quarter, 28%, said homeownership used to be, but is no longer, part of the American Dream.The New Generational GapRenters’ view of the housing market is stark, especially since they’ve spent the last few years watching house-rich homeowners benefit from price appreciation – fueling the perception of haves and have-nots.Quite often, the line between th...

Michelle Wu, Boston Police push for a safe summer

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

After a week marred by broad-daylight shootings, with at least one of them fatal, Boston’s mayor and top cop convened a press conference to lay out their plan for a safe summer.“They’re still ongoing investigations,” Police Commissioner Michael Cox said from the media room at headquarters Thursday afternoon when questioned by a reporter about the spate of gun violence in broad daylight so far this week, adding that even “one act of violence is too many.”“This is not the city for that,” Cox said about the gun violence. “We are capturing people that are committing crimes in our city. … Come here to live, not to commit violence or to bring guns or have firearm-related incidents here. And if you do it, we’re going to do all we can to make sure we separate you from the rest of the folks that are trying to live a good life here.”Just earlier in the day, the BPD had identified Daniel Mayers, 33, of Haverhill, as the man shot to death while sitting in his vehicle near Lilla G. Frederick Pil...

Amanda Gorman’s poem for Biden’s inauguration barred for younger children by Florida school

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

By FREIDA FRISARO (Associated Press)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A poem written for President Joe Biden’s inauguration has been placed on a restricted list at a South Florida elementary school after one parent’s complaint.In a Facebook post on Tuesday, poet Amanda Gorman vowed to fight back. Her poem, “The Hill We Climb” was challenged by the parent of two students at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes, along with several books. “I’m gutted,” she wrote. “Robbing children of the chance to find their voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech.”Gorman, who at 17 became the country’s National Youth Poet Laureate, said she wrote the poem “The Hill We Climb,” so “all young people could see themselves in a historical moment,” and that she’s received countless letters and videos from children who were inspired to write their own poems. She became an...

Biden releases new strategy to tackle rise in antisemitism, says ‘hate will not prevail’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday announced what he said is the most ambitious and comprehensive undertaking by the U.S. government to fight hate, bias and violence against Jews, outlining more than 100 steps the administration and its partners can take to combat an alarming rise in antisemitism. Speaking during a videotaped address at the White House, Biden said the first U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism sends a “clear and forceful message” that “in America, evil will not win, hate will not prevail” and “the venom and violence of antisemitism will not be the story of our time.”Months in the making, the strategy has four basic goals: increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism, including its threat to America, and broadening appreciation of Jewish American heritage; improving safety and security for Jewish communities; reversing the normalization of antisemitism and countering antisemitic discrimination; and building “cross-community” solidar...

Body-cam footage shows indicted ex-police officers laughing at man who died in custody

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Three former police officers who were indicted by a Mississippi grand jury laughed at a man who died in their custody, with one of them questioning whether to call an ambulance for the man immediately, body-camera footage shows. Officials in the state capital of Jackson announced Wednesday that a Mississippi grand jury had indicted two former police officers on murder charges and another ex-officer on a manslaughter charge in the death of a Black man seen on video being pinned down and repeatedly shocked with stun guns during a New Year’s Eve arrest. The city released hours of body-camera footage detailing the encounter, which The Associated Press reviewed. The officers had tackled Keith Murriel while arresting him for allegedly trespassing at a hotel after they asked him to leave the building’s parking lot. The footage showed then-officers Avery Willis, Kenya McCarty and James Land struggling to handcuff Murriel as he was stunned numerous times for over ...

GOP leaders in Kansas back off threat to sue Democratic governor over education funding

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Leaders of Kansas’ Republican-controlled Legislature backed off a threat to sue the state’s Democratic governor for vetoing parts of a GOP education funding bill, saying Thursday that they still doubt the legality of her actions but now question whether a court challenge would be worth it. Gov. Laura Kelly nixed items in a $6 billion measure that provides the bulk of the funding for public K-12 schools for the 2023-24 school year. The vetoes changed how state funds are distributed to protect rural schools, though the move helped a majority of the state’s 286 local districts and took funds away from only 25 of them, according to State Department of Education data. Kelly also didn’t touch the only school choice initiative that divided Republicans were able to pass this year, expanding an existing program for private school scholarships of up to $8,000 a year for low-income public school students. While public education groups strongly oppose...

Minnesota governor vetoes higher pay for Lyft, Uber drivers

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have mandated higher pay and job security for Lyft and Uber drivers in Minnesota, saying the legislation wasn’t ready to become law.“Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions,” Walz said in a statement announcing his first veto ever in his five-plus years as governor. “I am committed to finding solutions that balance the interests of all parties, including drivers and riders. This is not the right bill to achieve these goals.”Uber threatened to offer only premium-priced service in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and cut off service altogether in the rest of Minnesota if Walz signed the legislation.“This bill could make Minnesota one of the most expensive states in the country for rideshare, potentially putting us on par with the cost of rides in New York City and Seattle — cities with dramatically higher costs of living than Minnesota,” the Democratic governor said ...

Cannes turns up the glamour for amfAR gala to raise money for AIDS research

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:11:08 GMT

ANTIBES, France (AP) — With a guestlist that boasted equal parts wealth, fame and glamour, amfAR returned to the French Riviera Thursday for its Cannes gala to raise money for AIDS research.Queen Latifah hosted the 29th edition with Eva Longoria, Fan Bingbing and Rebel Wilson among the stars walking the red carpet. Also in attendance were models Elsa Hosk, Heidi Klum, Coco Rocha and Winne Harlow. The gala attracts many of the top names attending the nearby Cannes Film Festival.Attendees arrived at the famous Hôtel Du Cap, Eden Roc where the evening started with sunset drinks and canapes looking out to a giant super yacht moored up in the bay.This was followed by a dinner of asparagus and truffle starter and seared salmon main course while guests enjoyed a night of performances that Gladys Knight kicked off.Bebe Rexha and Adam Lambert also performed.“I’m very honored to be singing tonight for this cause and seeing amazing people on the carpet and … beautiful fashion all in the name o...