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Healey’s veterans bill gets standing ovation from former service members, advocates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

The governor received a standing ovation from a roomful of current and former military service members after briefly explaining the new veterans legislation she’s filed.Gov. Maura Healey did not take the observed federal holiday off on Friday, but was instead in Boston to participate in the first Veterans Day event of her nearly one-year-old administration. She joined a ceremony packed with just enough military pomp and circumstance to fit the venue and occasion.“It is indeed a privilege to be here this morning with all of you in historic Faneuil Hall to pay tribute to our Massachusetts veterans and to celebrate Veterans Day,” Healey said after being escorted to the stage by members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.Healey went on to thank the 243,000 U.S. military veterans who call the Bay State home and explain the efforts her administration has made to improve their lives since taking office in January.The first and most obvious example of her commitment to tackling ...

Widespread rainfall possible in San Diego County next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the snow forecast area. SAN DIEGO -- Take advantage of the warm, dry weather this weekend, San Diegans, as the forecast shows cooling, along with possible rainfall come next week.The National Weather Service (NWS) said Santa Ana winds are expected to continue Thursday, peaking overnight. Wind data from the last 48 hours shows Boucher Hill on Palomar Mountain with the highest clocked speeds in the region at 50 mph. Winds at Sill Hill near Cuyamaca Rancho State Park slightly trailed at 46 mph. Did you see it? Venus and the crescent moon levitate over San Diego Before speeding up overnight, NWS said winds will decrease a bit Thursday afternoon with the dry air expected to stick around. Despite this, weather officials explained that circumstances will remain elevated to "near critical fire weather conditions" for inland areas Thursday.A weak onshore flow is expected to briefly return on Friday before a weak offshore flow returns ...

Michigan is accused of stealing other team’s signs. Here’s why its coach just got banned for 3 games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

The football program at the University of Michigan, among the favorites to play for the national championship, has become embroiled in an alleged sign-stealing scheme that involved impermissible, in-person scouting of opponents going back as long as three seasons.Both the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference, of which Michigan is a member, have been looking into the claims for at least three weeks while the second-ranked Wolverines (9-0) continue their season. Coach Jim Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of any kind of improper scouting scheme in his program.The NCAA investigation is likely to take weeks if not months. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who has had the job for about six months after a career in Major League Baseball and television, decided to take more immediate action: He banned Harbaugh from coaching in the team’s final three regular-season games, including Saturday’s showdown at No. 9 Penn State.Michigan had already warned that it may go to court to challen...

Anchorage adds to record homeless death total as major winter storm drops more than 2 feet of snow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Four homeless people have died in Anchorage in the last week, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle to house a large homeless population at the same time winter weather has returned, with more than 2 feet (0.61 meters) of snow falling within 48 hours.The four bring the total number of people who died while living outdoors in Anchorage to 49 year this year, a record that easily eclipses the 24 people who died on the streets of the state’s largest city last year, according to a count kept by the Anchorage Daily News.Eleven of those deaths last year came during winter months.This week’s heavy snow covered tents and vehicles that homeless people set up in makeshift camps all over Anchorage when the city closed the mass shelter that was established inside the city’s sports arena during the pandemic.While the city cleared at least one of those large camps, some people have decided to rough it outside this winter instead of seeking shelter.Of the four recent dea...

Lake Tahoe ski resort worker killed in snowmobile accident during overnight snowmaking operations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (AP) — A worker at a Lake Tahoe ski resort has died in a snowmobile accident during overnight snowmaking operations, authorities said. Officials at Palisades Tahoe said the crew member was killed early Thursday on the Alpine Meadows side of the resort west of Tahoe City. Brian Gimbert, 34, was riding a snowmobile at slow speed on undeveloped property south of Alpine Meadows’ main lodge, the California Highway Patrol said. He struck a rock that was partially buried under snow and was thrown from the vehicle, which then landed on him.Palisades employees found Gilbert around 6:30 a.m., according to CHP.They attempted life-saving measures and called 911. He was taken to a hospital in Truckee, where he was pronounced dead.Resort officials said they are cooperating with CHP, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and OSHA as they investigate the accident.The Associated Press

Toronto man charged in fatal Mississauga shooting last month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

A 43-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting last month in Mississauga.Peel police were called to the area of Goreway and Morningstar drives shortly after midnight on Oct. 29. When they arrived they found the body of 49-year-old Alton Fisher of Peterborough, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Sane Stewart of Toronto was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder.Police said at the time this was a targeted shooting but have not elaborated on the relationship between the two men.

Tensions running high at East Coast campuses over protests around Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Administrators of MIT suspended a number of students Thursday from the prestigious technology school after Israel-Hamas war protesters took over a prominent building for much of the day and then some refused to leave by a set deadline. It was far from the only disruption at college campuses in recent days over the war. Brandeis University banned a pro-Palestinian student group this week, while nearly two dozen students were arrested over a protest at Brown University. On Friday, Columbia University announced it was suspending Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace as official student groups through the end of the term. It accused both of repeatedly violating campus policies including an unauthorized event Thursday.The range of responses to these protests show that college administrators are struggling to address protests that have gotten heated and turned once-quiet spaces on campus into places where some students say they don’t feel safe.At...

Sexual misconduct survivors push for change in military as high-profile cases end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

OTTAWA — Remembrance Day often brings mixed emotions for Donna Riguidel, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran whose career was cut short by a sexual assault. “You sign up believing very much that you’re coming in to serve your country and it’s a cause you believe in … and then it sort of ends with this feeling of shame and a little bit of disgrace.” Riguidel, the founder of a consulting group called Survivor Perspectives, said this year has come with particular challenges. A number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases that sparked a major reckoning in the Armed Forces have ended in recent months.“You’re watching these cases fall apart and there’s a very, very real human cost to all of that,” she said.Survivors of sexual misconduct have been at the forefront of public pressure for the military to make changes.Many of the cases that prompted heightened scrutiny on the military came to light in early 2021.That February, former chief o...

York Region school board dealing with a cyber attack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

The York Region District School Board says it is dealing with a cyber security incident.In a statement released late Friday afternoon, the board says it became aware of the cyber attack on Wednesday night and its technology team took immediate action to “preserve and contain data” while protecting critical systems.There was no indication that any personal or sensitive data had been compromised in the attack or what systems are currently offline. However, the board said in a post on X that electronic delivery of elementary progress reports would be delayed and would be distributed “as soon as the network is restored.”Currently, the organization’s website is offline.“The board is working with third-party experts, including legal and technical, to analyze the extent of the incident and begin work to restore services,” said the board.“We know the public rely and trust the board to securely maintain its data; all our actions have been taken...

Body of South Dakota native who’s been missing for 30 years identified in Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:22 GMT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The body of a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man who has been missing 30 years was identified in Colorado, where deputies have long been trying to put a name the suspected homicide victim. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office used genetic testing and a titanium rod in his leg to identify Jerry A. Mikkelson’s body this week, KELO-TV reported.Law enforcement believe Mikkelson was killed in Wyoming before his body was dumped off a forest service road in Colorado in October 1987. Mikkelson left Sioux Falls after graduating from high school in 1981. A relative eventually reported him missing, but police did not investigate because he was around 24 years old at the time and authorities did not suspect foul play. “The officer informed (the relative) since Jerry was an adult there was nothing police could do,” Sioux Falls police spokesperson Sam Clemens told the station. “No police report was made, just the info that (relative) left. At that...