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Boston city councilor who oversaw police cuts should resign as budget chief, BPD union head says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

The head of Boston’s largest police union is calling for the resignation of the City Council’s budget committee chair, following her “cowardly” attempt to blame the mayor for a controversial proposal that would cut millions from the police budget.Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, said officers were incensed by comments from City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who said the mayor’s failure to settle the police contract left the Council without a clear sense of how much money was needed to fund their department.“Councilor Fernandes (Anderson) has not once publicly supported the members of BPPA in our efforts to secure a collective bargaining agreement that is almost three years expired,” Calderone told the Herald on Thursday.“She has consistently tried to defund the BPD and continually bashes the hardworking police officers publicly. She’s not fooling anyone with her phony statements of blame yesterday. She only further embarrasses hers...

Boston Latin Academy staff push district officials to take action after no confidence in school leader vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

Boston Latin Academy teachers again pushed BPS leadership to take action to address major concerns with Head of School Gavin Smith in a letter Wednesday, following the superintendent’s refusal to oust the school leader after an overwhelming vote of no confidence weeks before.“Following the vote of no confidence, the BLA educators of the BLA Faculty Senate wanted to make sure you have a summary of key concerns that we feel should be addressed by the Central office,” the BLA Faculty Senate letter addressed to Superintendent Mary Skipper, School Committee members and Chair Jeri Robinson reads, adding many are “actively compromising the student learning and educator working experience.”BLA teachers announced that 85% of 109 faculty members voted no confidence in Head of School Gavin Smith on June 9, citing concerns about the working and learning environment with few specifics. Teachers at the exam school had reportedly met with the superintendent multiple t...

This rotating house in La Mesa is a spinning spectacle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Why wake up to the same view every morning when you can keep things interesting? That question may have swept the mind of the architect who imagined what's become known as San Diego County's famous rotating house. Views from the Coronado Bridge, downtown San Diego, the Pacific Ocean north to La Jolla, Mission Trails Park and even the Laguna Mountains -- that's what can be seen from inside this home that twirls atop of Mt. Helix in La Mesa. These San Diego areas are among most expensive metros for renters: study This luxurious cylinder home rotates in either direction and can make a full spin at varying speeds that range from a few hours to less than an hour, the realtor of the home, Melvina Selfani, explained. Everything is connected to standard utilities like any other home, which means the view can be enjoyed from any room in the house without having to sacrifice convenience. Even the Space Needle in Seattle and other famous rotating bars aren't considered as fully ...

Imperial Beach OKs ordinance to put opening gun stores on hold

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. -- There are currently no retail firearm stores in Imperial Beach, but the city recently got a business license application for a new gun store which prompted discussions on the matter.City council approved a 45-day moratorium Wednesday night on retailers who sell firearms or ammunition."The moratorium right now means nothing can happen as far as firearms stores or approval of anything within the city for 45 days," Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre said.Aguirre says the moratorium will give the city time to study impacts of having a gun retailer in Imperial Beach when it comes to public health and public safety. How much income is required to afford rent in San Diego? "For example, something that was mentioned, can it be adjacent to a school or a park," Aguirre said.IB residents at Wednesday's meeting opposed the idea of waiting 45 days for a business license while other spoke in favor of the moratorium.Aguirre is now asking for patience as they move forwa...

'Sonny Sandoval Day' in San Diego to honor P.O.D. singer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Sonny Sandoval, the lead vocalist of the rock band P.O.D., received a special honor from the City of San Diego this week.The City of San Diego declared June 23, 2023 to be Sonny Sandoval Day, local officials announced during a city council meeting Tuesday."Sonny Sandoval is a musician, songwriter, philanthropist, who has never forgotten his roots as a south San Diego native,” a city council representative said. "His first major label hit was titled ‘Southtown,’ proudly proclaiming his love for the 92154 region. His love for the region didn’t stop there, as he shot the music video showcasing the community of 92154. This ended up becoming an MTV #1 hit."The city representative went on to say that Sandoval has collaborated with other community members and organizations such as the Padres and WWE's Rey Mysterio Jr, a Chula Vista native who also was honored with a day by the City of San Diego. This rotating house in San Diego is a spinning spectacle “The possibility of hav...

Arizona Republican election official sues Kari Lake for defamation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — A top Republican election official in Arizona filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against Kari Lake, who falsely claims she lost the 2022 race for governor because of fraud. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer said he’s faced “violent vitriol and other dire consequences” because of lies spread by Lake, including death threats and the loss of friendships. “Rather than accept political defeat, rather than get a new job, she has sought to undermine confidence in our elections and has mobilized millions of her followers against me,” Richer wrote in an op-ed in The Arizona Republic.Lake is a former Phoenix television news anchor who quickly built an enthusiastic political following as a loyal supporter of former President Donald Trump and his lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him. She went on to narrowly lose her own race for Arizona governor last year along with a lawsuit challenging the results. Despite her losses in court, she continues to claim that ...

UN says Somalia faces a `dire hunger emergency’ but aid has been cut over lack of funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Somalia’s “dire hunger emergency” is spiraling upward with one-third of the population expected to face crisis or worse levels of food needs, but the U.N. has been forced to drastically cut food assistance because of a lack of funding, the head of the World Food Program said Thursday.Cindy McCain told the U.N. Security Council the latest food security data show that over 6.6 million Somalis desperately need assistance including 40,000 “fighting for survival in famine-like conditions.” But she said WFP was forced to cut monthly food assistance, which had reached a record 4.7 million people in December, to just 3 million people at the end of April – “and without an immediate cash injection, we’ll have to cut our distribution lists again in July to just 1.8 million per month.”McCain, who visited Somalia last month, said she saw “how conflict and climate change are conspiring to destroy the lives and livelihoods of millions of Somalis.” She said the country’s longe...

Victor Wembanyama is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, with expectations of stardom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, headed to San Antonio with enormous expectations to become basketball’s newest sensation.The selection of the 19-year-old from France that had been a foregone conclusion for months was announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, followed by chants of “Wemby! Wemby” from a group of Spurs fans waving signs from the first row of seats. Wembanyama arrives with far more height and hype than most No. 1 picks. Listed at 7-foot-4, he dominated his French league in his final season there, leading all players in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.Now he makes the move to the NBA, perhaps as the best prospect since LeBron James came out of high school in 2003. Wembanyama brings a package of skills that seem perfect for the modern NBA and too vast for one player, with the size of a center and the shooting and ballhandling ability of a guard.“Hearing that sentence from A...

Eastern Caribbean islands shut down as Tropical Storm Bret closes in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Bret bore down on the eastern Caribbean on Thursday night as islands shut down and braced for torrential downpours, landslides and flooding.A hurricane watch was issued for St. Lucia and local forecasters warned of a potential direct hit.The storm was centered about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of St. Lucia on Thursday night and moving westward at 16 mph (26 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph), below the 74 mph (119 kph) threshold for a Category 1 hurricane.Airports, businesses, schools and offices closed on St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other islands by midday.“Protect your lives, property and livelihoods,” urged St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre.Residents across the island filled up their cars with gasoline and stocked up on water and canned food, hoping the storm wouldn’t cause too much damage.“You always have to be ready,” Ben Marcellin, who manages a guesthouse, said in a phone interview. “Y...

Does John Tory’s endorsement of Ana Bailão help or hurt her campaign?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:07 GMT

Former Mayor John Tory’s endorsement of Ana Bailão with just days to go the byelection is having ripple effects in the mayoral campaign. The impact is something her camp was no doubt looking for – a boost after trailing in the polls – but the move has also raised plenty of questions as well.Bailão, a former deputy mayor under Tory, has done her best in the last few months to convince Toronto voters that she has the ability to lead the city. But with the release of a six-minute video from Tory endorsing her, a shadow may have been cast over the campaign. It was Tory’s abrupt resignation in February after admitting to an affair with a member of his staff which prompted this byelection that is now costing taxpayers approximately $13 million to find his successor.When asked Bailão was quick to present Tory as one of a number of supporters she’s gathered during the campaign.“A former mayor, as have the other two former mayors, have done the job,”...