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Governor’s Council Approves Four Healey Pardon Requests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

A Governor’s Council meeting that featured approval of four new pardons took an unexpected turn Wednesday as one member persistently rebuked her colleagues, before councilors across the room successfully moved to establish a new Rules Committee for the elected panel.At the outset of the session, the Governor’s Council unanimously consented to the latest pardons recommended by Gov. Maura Healey, granting forgiveness to four individuals — Joanne Booth, Kenny Jean, Murphy Smith, and Evan Willey — for convictions ranging from drunken driving to armed robbery between 1979 and 2016.Councilor Tara Jacobs said she noticed a common thread connecting the most recent recommendations and Healey’s first round of clemency in June. They were “almost exclusively” to give a second chance to people who committed “criminal offenses occurring during teenage years, during emerging adult years,” she said during the votes.“I t...

NASA releases UFO report and says more science and less stigma are needed to understand them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

By MARCIA DUNN (AP Aerospace Writer)CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA said Thursday that the study of UFOs will require new scientific techniques, including advanced satellites as well as a shift in how unidentified flying objects are perceived. The space agency released the findings after a yearlong study into UFOs.In its 33-page report, an independent team commissioned by NASA cautioned that the negative perception surrounding UFOs poses an obstacle to collecting data. But officials said NASA’s involvement should help reduce the stigma around what it calls UAPs, or unidentified anomalous phenomena.“We want to shift the conversation about UAPs from sensationalism to science,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. He promised an open and transparent approach.Officials stressed the panel found no evidence that UAPs had extraterrestrial origin. But Nelson acknowledged with billions of stars in billions of galaxies out there, another Earth could exist.“If yo...

Planned Parenthood to resume offering abortions next week in Wisconsin, citing court ruling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

By SCOTT BAUER (Associated Press)MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood announced Thursday that it will resume offering abortions in Wisconsin next week after a judge ruled that an 1849 law that seemingly banned the procedure actually didn’t apply to abortions.The resumption of abortions Monday at clinics in Milwaukee and Madison comes as the lawsuit challenging the state law continues in county court. It is expected to eventually reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which flipped to liberal control on Aug. 1.Abortion clinics across the state stopped offering abortions following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022.Democrats in Wisconsin, including Gov. Tony Evers, used abortion access as a central focus of their reelection victories in 2022. State Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose win in April gave liberals the majority for the first time in 15 years, ran as a supporter of abortion rights.Evers hailed the decision.̶...

Swimmer rescued near Ocean Beach Pier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A swimmer wearing fins and a wetsuit was rescued near the Ocean Beach Pier Thursday morning, said the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. San Diego Lifeguards received a call from an individual around 5:40 a.m. who stated they were on the pier and that there was a woman in the water who needed help. Man hit by Amtrak train in San Diego dies Shortly after the call, SDFD says lifeguards responded with a rescue boat and lifeguards on land. The rescue boat located the woman and brought her to the lifeguard headquarters dock.The woman, who's described to be in her 30s, was transported by ambulance to Scripps Mercy Hospital. She reportedly told the lifeguards that she had been in the water all night.Her condition is unknown at this time.

Dump Day: How to dispose of unwanted items for free

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Another free Dump Day event is set to take place in San Diego County this month.For those working on end-of-summer cleaning and clearing projects, set your calendar for Saturday Sept. 23. The public is welcome to bring non-hazardous, unwanted household items to the Caltrans Santee Maintenance Facility at 8502 Railroad Ave. Designer blankets worth $10,000 stolen from Bonita home Caltrans says staff will be on-site to accept approved waste and debris free of charge from 8 a.m. to noon, or until capacity is reached at the site.San Diegans are asked not to bring hazardous waste like batteries, paint, oils or flammables. Other undesired items include e-waste like televisions, computers, microwaves, stereo equipment and electronics, or construction debris like concrete, dirt, asphalt and asbestos.More information on prohibited items can be found here.According to Caltrans, four mattresses and four tires separated from the rims will be accepted per household. Why...

Biden’s rules on clean cars face a crucial test as Republican-led challenges go to DC appeals court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Efforts by the Biden administration to limit pollution from automobile tailpipes — a major source of planet-warming emissions — face a crucial test as legal challenges brought by Republican-led states head to a federal appeals court.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will hear arguments Thursday and Friday on three cases challenging Biden administration rules targeting cars and trucks. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, and the legal cases could go all the way to the Supreme Court.Republican attorneys general say the legal challenges are needed to curtail government overreach, while environmental groups and the Democratic administration say an adverse ruling could jeopardize protections against deadly pollution that contributes to climate change.The cases before the appeals court will test a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency rule that strengthened tailpipe pollution limi...

U.S. benchmark oil price tops US$90 a barrel for first time since November 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

TORONTO — The U.S. benchmark price of oil has topped US$90 per barrel for the first time since late last year.The October futures contract for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude oil was up US$1.57 at US$90.09 in late-morning trading after going as high as US$90.26.The last time the U.S. benchmark oil price topped US$90 a barrel was in November of last year.Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed last week to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of this year.The move keeps 1.3 million barrels per day of crude oil out of the global market.The rise in oil prices threatens to raise the price of gasoline for drivers and give a boost to inflation that central banks around the world have been working to bring under control.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2023.The Canadian Press

Spain’s women’s team is still in revolt one day before the new coach names her Nations League squad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — One day before Spain’s new women’s coach announces her first squad, the players who won the Women’s World Cup have yet to say if they are ready to come back to the team after rebelling against their disgraced former federation president.Spain’s women have had little chance to celebrate their greatest soccer achievement because Luis Rubiales caused an uproar when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent at the awards ceremony last month in Sydney.The 23 players, plus more than 50 others, responded to his subsequent refusal to step down in the days after the kiss by announcing that they would not play for their nation again until the federation underwent deep reforms and had new leadership.In the whirlwind of events since, the federation has been in upheaval. Rubiales was first suspended by soccer governing body FIFA, then his interim replacement fired the women’s national team coach that was unpopular with his players, and Rubiales himsel...

Jury deciding fate of 3 men in last trial tied to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

A jury hearing evidence against three men began deliberations Thursday in the last trial connected to a 2020 plan to kidnap Michigan’s governor and inspire a civil war among anti-government extremists.William Null, twin brother Michael Null and Eric Molitor are the last of 14 men to face charges in state or federal court.They’re charged with supporting leaders of the scheme by participating in military-style drills and traveling to see Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s vacation home in northern Michigan. The key players, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr, were convicted of a kidnapping conspiracy last year in federal court.In the latest trial, the jury heard 14 days of testimony in Antrim County, which is the location of Whitmer’s second home, 185 miles (297 kilometers) north of the state Capitol.“Whatever decision it is will be respected by everybody,” Judge Charles Hamlyn told the courtroom moments after giving final instructions to the jury.Molitor, 39, and William Null, 41, testifie...

After days of heavy rain and flash flooding in New England, Hurricane Lee is up next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:42 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Days of wild weather that produced torrential rain, flooding, sinkholes and a likely tornado in New England could be a prelude to something more dangerous lurking offshore — Hurricane Lee.Maine was under its first hurricane watch in 15 years as the region prepared for 20-foot (6-meter) waves and winds gusting to 70 mph (112 kph), along with more rain, officials said. A dangerous storm surge was projected for Friday evening for Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Island, while the brunt of the storm was to arrive early Saturday.Although the Category 1 system did not contribute to the recent flooding, it threatened to exacerbate conditions in a region that is already much too wet.The Coast Guard and emergency management agencies warned New England residents to be prepared, and utility companies brought in reinforcements to deal with possible power outages. At Boothbay Harbor Marina in Maine, the community came together to remove boats from the water ...