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Giving inmates back the vote moves ahead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

A proposal to amend the constitution to restore the right to vote for incarcerated felons was favorably reported by a legislative committee bringing it closer to the 2026 statewide ballot.The bill, pushed by state Sens. Liz Miranda and Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, would remove the constitutional amendment that was added in 2000 when voters approved a statewide ballot question making it illegal to vote from prison while serving a felony sentence.Similar bills have been filed in the past, but this week’s Election Laws Committee vote marks the first time the proposal was favorably reported out of a committee, enabling it to move on in the legislative process.Miranda, Uyterhoeven and other supporters say this is a racial justice issue, as people of color represent about 18% of the population in Massachusetts, but 58% of people in the carceral system. Uyterhoeven said 1.5% of African Americans in Massachusetts are serving time for felonies and therefore cannot vote under the Constitutio...

After being snubbed the first night of the draft, Will Levis goes to Titans at No. 33 overall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

Every draft, there seems to be that one player who slips down the board.This year, it was Kentucky quarterback Will Levis who didn’t get selected at all during the first round Thursday night. After waiting 24 hours, Levis didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called during the second night of the draft.The Arizona Cardinals traded the No. 33 and No. 81 overall picks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 41 and No. 72 picks and a 2024 third-round pick. After moving up, the Titans selected Levis at 33rd overall.Entering the 2023 draft, there were mixed opinions about Levis and his potential at the NFL level. He was once the betting favorite to be selected second overall to the Houston Texans.After completing 65.4% of his passes and throwing for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, Levis was not an elite prospect despite what some of the talking heads on networks said. Simply put, what Levis put on film during the 2022 season never matched the hyped he had du...

Home Showcase: Cambridge townhouse delights

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

The happy middle between a single-family and apartment living, the townhouse, isn’t a compromise. After all, you’re getting the best of both worlds. To wit, unit 466 at 466 Putnam Avenue in Cambridge. The gut renovated townhouse lives like a single family with just under 2,500 square feet inside, an 800 square-foot private garden, and parking.Easily accessible to recreation at Magazine Beach, the Charles River Esplanade, schools, restaurants, highways, bike paths, and public transportation, the home’s location is among its star features — of which it has many more.On the main floor, the window-filled open floor plan includes a dining nook, living area, and a high-style kitchen. Here, two-toned cabinetry, a crisp subway tile backsplash, and a massive eat-in waterfall island open to a large, private deck — definitely on the checklist for summer cookouts and entertaining. Find more room for fun on the finished lower level. Den, media room, Celtics playoff cave?When it’s time to rest, h...

Former Lawrence mayor’s chief of staff federally indicted on child pornography charges

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

The case of the former chief of staff to the mayor of Lawrence accused of child pornography possession has been kicked up to federal court.Courtesy / City of LawrenceJhovanny Martes-Rosario. (City of Lawrence)Jhovanny Martes-Rosario, 48, pleaded not guilty to charges that he possessed dozens of images of child pornography on his iPad — a discovery for which he was fired — when he appeared for arraignment in Lawrence District Court in February.On Friday, the U.S. District Court in Boston unsealed a federal grand jury indictment returned the day before charging him with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.Both charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.According to official Lawrence municipal election results in 2021, Martes-Rosario finished a distant second in the race for city councilor for District E, finis...

Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

By BECKY BOHRER (Associated Press)JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Army has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, the military branch announced Friday. The suspension of air operations was effective immediately, with units grounded until they complete the training, said Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesperson. For active-duty units, the training is to take place between May 1 and 5. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training.“The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training,” the Army said in a statement. On Thursday, two Army helicopters collided near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth. The aircraft from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks, were returning from training at the time ...

3.0-magnitude earthquake reported near El Centro

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.0 struck Friday near El Centro, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake was reported at 4:28 p.m. at a depth of about 6.1 miles, according to USGS. The epicenter was about 1.2 miles southwest of Heber, California. More loud booms may be heard across San Diego There were no reports of any injuries or damage.Friday's earthquake comes a day after a 3.1-magnitude quake rattled the Ocotillo Wells area in rural East County.Check back for updates on this developing story.

California man guilty of killing 3 after ‘ding dong’ prank

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California man accused of killing three teenage boys by intentionally ramming their car after they played a doorbell-ringing prank on him was found guilty Friday of murder. Anurag Chandra was convicted in a Riverside County courtroom of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. “The murder of these young men was a horrendous and senseless tragedy for our community. I thank the jury for their verdict. This is an important step toward justice,” county District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement.Chandra’s attorney, David Wohl, did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.The victims, who were all 16 years old, were among six teens inside a Toyota Prius on Jan. 19, 2020 when Chandra intentionally rammed their vehicle off the road and fled, prosecutors said. The Prius’ driver lost control and the sedan slammed into a tree in Temescal Valley, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los...

2 men wanted in suspicious incidents in Mississauga involving youths

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

Peel police are searching for two men in connection with a pair of suspicious incidents in Mississauga this past week. Police say two youths were in the area of River Grove Avenue and Riverdale Crescent around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday when two unknown men exited a white cargo van and began running towards them. The youths managed to get to a nearby community centre and the suspects fled the scene.The following day, April 27, two men in a similar white cargo van approached a youth at St. Faustina Elementary School on McDowell Drive and attempted to entice them. The youth retreated back towards the school and the suspects fled the scene. The first male suspect is between 40 and 50 years of age, six feet tall with a thin build. He was last seen wearing black pants, a black hooded sweater, black bandana and black sunglasses. The second suspect is between 20 and 30 years of age, and was last seen wearing white clothing and dark sunglasses. They were last seen in a white van with windows vi...

New Mexico governor wants bill to address hazing allegations

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s governor wants legislators to help her enact a new anti-hazing law in the aftermath of allegations by New Mexico State University basketball players that they were sexually assaulted by teammates and that coaches and staff failed to respond.Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday in a statement that she is appalled by the allegations of hazing and abuse and that New Mexico needs specific new legislation as a deterrent.Two former New Mexico State University basketball players recently filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually assaulted by teammates and that the coaching staff and other administrators did nothing when they reported the abuse. The lawsuit says three teammates forced the plaintiffs to pull their pants down below their ankles, then assaulted them.The governor said it should be “unequivocal in state law that hazing is a crime and those who do harm to others will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Lu...

Baby found dead in Victoria parking lot died of natural causes: police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:00 GMT

VICTORIA — Police in Victoria say an autopsy of a baby found dead in a parking lot Wednesday has concluded the newborn died of natural causes.A statement from the police department says they have located the mother of the baby and she is receiving medical care and support.  Police say circumstances are still under investigation by the major crimes unit and further details cannot be shared at this time. Officers and an ambulance were called Wednesday night to a report of a baby found in a parking lot in the city. At the time, police said investigators were concerned for the welfare of the mother.They said it’s believed the baby had been recently born, possibly in the area. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2023.The Canadian Press