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Forecasters watching would-be ‘Tammy’ in the Atlantic 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

A tropical depression or potentially Tropical Storm Tammy “likely to form” in the next few days from a system expected to move toward the central tropical Atlantic, National Hurricane Center forecasters said Sunday.That system, which emerged off Africa on Wednesday has a 60% chance to develop in the next two days and a 90% chance in the next seven days, according to the center’s 8 a.m. advisory.Meanwhile, the former Tropical Storm Sean was once again a tropical depression, which was expected to fade to a remnant low Sunday. Sean, located in the central tropical Atlantic, is forecast to dissipate late Monday.So far this season in the Atlantic, there have been 18 named storms, six of which were hurricanes. Of those, three were major hurricanes, meaning Category 3 or above.Those were Hurricane Lee, a rare Category 5; Hurricane Franklin, a Category 4; and Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend region at Category 3 strength on Aug. 30.After Tammy, the remaining storm...

No severe weather expected, but rain possible to start and end week, NWS says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

It’s mostly quiet on the weather front, according to the National Weather Service.Forecasters with the NWS station in Norton predict weather around Boston will be mostly calm and seasonal through the workweek, with just a slight chance of sporadic rain to start but potential for more through the weekend.Monday will include some “very widely scattered showers,” according to NWS meteorologist Bryce Williams, who said a 30% chance of rain is possible through most of the day. Temps will be in the mid-40s when the commute begins before climbing toward the 60s through the day, he said. The weather service expects more of the same overnight into Tuesday, when temperatures will drop back into the mid-40s.More scattered showers are possible Tuesday, coming mostly between the morning and afternoon commutes. NWS is again expecting a 30% chance of precipitation around Boston, Williams said. Winds aren’t expected to top 10 mph for the first two days of the week and become still-to-variable...

Revenge porn bill advances on Beacon Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

After lawmakers failed to push a bill to punish “revenge porn” over the finish line last year, a new bill favorably reported out of the Judiciary Committee seeks to crack down on distribution of sexually explicit content without the subject’s consent.Disseminating nude photos of another person without permission would be considered criminal harassment under the legislation, and offenders could face up to two and a half years in prison or a fine of $10,000.The committee-formed legislation combines aspects of a number of bills that were before Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Michael Day’s committee, and was passed along to the House Ways and Means Committee with their stamp of approval.The bill meant to “prevent abuse and exploitation” (H 4115) also deals with sexting, coercive control and criminal harassment.It would increase the fine for “willfully and maliciously” engaging in a “knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a p...

STORY REMOVED: AP-ENT–Obit-Suzanne Somers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

Please disregard AP-ENT–Obit-Suzanne Somers, published on Oct. 15, 2023. It is a duplicate of the obituary already moved.

Rent-striking tenants voice concerns over landlord’s involvement in Quayside project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

Tenants currently on a rent strike are speaking out against the company chosen to develop a parcel of land on the Toronto waterfront claiming that the company cannot be trusted to build affordable housing.Waterfront Toronto, the majority owners of the site, announced in February 2022 an agreement with Dream Unlimited Corp. and Great Gulf Group to turn the 12-acre site at the foot of Parliament Street into Canada’s largest all-electric, zero-carbon master-planned community featuring more than 800 affordable housing units, with more than half being family-sized with at least two bedrooms.The partnership stepped in almost two years after Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs walked away from developing the land because of “unprecedented economic uncertainty.”“We’re concerned that Waterfront Toronto is choosing to do business with Dream Unlimited when they have both proven to be a predatory landlord and a bad faith actor with the tenant union in York South-Weston,” said Chiar...

Polish opposition leader Tusk declares win after exit poll shows ruling conservatives lose majority

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk declared the beginning of a new era for his country after opposition parties appeared to have won enough votes in Sunday’s election to oust the governing nationalist conservative party.That party, Law and Justice, has bickered with allies and faced accusations of eroding rule of law at home in its eight years in power. It appeared that voters were mobilized like never before, voting in even greater numbers than when the nation ousted the communist authorities in 1989.If the result predicted by an exit poll holds, Law and Justice won but also lost. It got more seats than any other party but not enough to being able to lead a government that can pass pass laws in the legislature. The Ipsos exit poll suggested that Law and Justice obtained 200 seats. The far-right Confederation got 12 seats, a showing the party acknowledged was a defeat.It also showed that three opposition parties have likely won a combined 248 seats in t...

Massive NYC landfill-to-park project hits a milestone; first section opens to the public

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Efforts to turn what was once the largest landfill site in the world into a public park hit a milestone Sunday with the opening of the first section open to the public, New York City officials said. The 21-acre (8.5-hectare) North Park section of what has become Freshkills Park includes pedestrian and cycling paths, an overlook deck, bird viewing tower and composting restroom that uses no water.The 2,200-acre (890-hectare) Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island was once the largest landfill site in the world. For five decades after its opening in 1948, it was the principal landfill for New York City’s garbage. The last barge of regular trash was delivered in 2001 when then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani closed the site, partly in response to Staten Island residents who had complained about being the city’s dumping ground.“This transformational project will serve as a model for land reuse projects around the world,” New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said, “and a...

Bears fans honor Dick Butkus at first home game since his death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears fans honored Hall of Famer Dick Butkus at the first home game since he died. On Sunday morning, fans and family gathered at Nacy Pier for a pre-game tailgate to remember the legendary linebacker and to raise money for two causes close to his heart. Family of Dick Butkus releases statement after legend’s death Fans filled the Billy Goat Tavern and raised money for the Butkus Foundation, which promotes health and wellness, and the American Foundation, which promotes suicide prevention.This was Matt Butkus' first public appearance since his father's death.The hall of fame linebacker died Oct. 5 at 80.The South Side native was a star at the University of Illinois before the Bears drafted him in the first round in 1965.He retired after nine years with the Beacrs and then went on to become a broadcaster and actor.

Civil rights activist, housing advocate receives award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is forever memorialized in countless pictures, most in black and white. But one Chicago area photographer took some of the only color photographs of King's historic visit to Chicago. New CPD K9 & Equine Memorial Plaza honors fallen service animals They are photos taken more than a half-century ago."I didn't realize the significance," Bernie Kleina said. Kleina was 30 years old when King came to Chicago in 1965 advocating for open housing. The speech at Soldier Field drew thousands. Kleina was one of them and he brought his camera loaded with color film."It didn't even occur to me to shoot in black and white like the pros were doing," Kleina said. "But now I have something that nobody else has."His are some of the first images of King seen by many in a largely black-and-white world. They are now held in archives and museums around the world. "In those days, there was really no security, so I could get close to King as you and I to photograph...

Medicare open enrollment begins. Here's what to know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) -- The annual open enrollment period for Medicare has begun, allowing millions of seniors to explore their insurance options.Open enrollment runs from Sunday, Oct. 15 to Thursday, Dec. 7. It is one of the select time periods that Medicare recipients are able to make coverage changes to their plan.People enrolled in Medicare will be able to "shop around" during the window and choose between the traditional plan or the privately-run Medicare Advantage plans in their area. They will also be able to join or make changes to their Medicare drug plan.Changes to coverage made over the next few weeks will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, according to Medicare officials.Medicare is the federal health insurance program that is available for those ages 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities. Medicare Part B premiums to rise by 6 percent in 2024 This year, the average beneficiary can choose from 43 different Medicare Advantage plans, including HMOs and ...