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Task force convenes to study literacy rates in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

Boston officials have formed a task force that will be charged with studying literacy rates and developing a plan on how city residents, young and old, can improve those scores.The city hasn’t conducted such a study since 2003, according to Councilor Julia Mejia, who proposed the group two years ago so officials can better serve residents who need help learning how to read.“This work is very personal to me,” Mejia said in a release. “My mother only made it to the third grade and struggles to read and write in Spanish as well as English. Unfortunately, there are many others like my mom.”Friday marked the first meeting of the “Task Force to Address Literacy Rates in the City of Boston,” a coalition of 15 appointed representatives of community organizations, current and former city public school students, adults with “lived literacy experience,” and city employees.The task force started developing a vision and work plan that it will follow during its existence, which could be up ...

Boston fire union blasts Mayor Wu’s version of Southie OD den call

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

The fire union is pushing back at the mayor and police, saying firefighters stand by what they reported after rushing into a South Boston apartment this past weekend, a matter that triggered a 51A child-neglect alert.Sam Dillon, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, defended the firefighters who responded to an incident involving a dead man found in an apartment where four children were present, after the mayor and police department made statements debunking details reported by the fire department and media.“Local 718 stands squarely behind the actions taken by our firefighters,” Dillon told the Herald on Friday. “The integrity of the firefighters involved in this incident is beyond reproach. Their swift action to address what they encountered should be commended by everyone involved.”Dillon said the incident report prepared by the Boston Fire Department is “100% accurate,” and noted that firefighters arrived prior to police officers, and therefore encountered a different scen...

Sights and sounds from London Stadium: Chicago Cubs expect high-scoring games this weekend. ‘The ball flies out of here.’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

A big smile broke across Christopher Morel’s face.Morel had just finished batting practice Friday afternoon on a humid workout day at London Stadium before the Chicago Cubs’ two-game weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.“From what I can tell, the ball flies out of here,” Morel said through an interpreter.London Stadium, home to Premier League’s West Ham United, originally was built and created for the track and field events at the 2012 Olympics. It was designed to minimize wind and air flow in the stadium in an effort to reduce weather’s impact on events. The unique wind dynamics made the pitch-turned-diamond an offensive haven during the 2019 London Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox when they combined for 50 runs in two games.The distance of the outfield wall in center field was pushed back 7 feet while the power alleys gained an additional 5 feet for this series. Based on the Cubs’ batting practice experience...

US intelligence report on COVID-19 origins rejects some points raised by lab leak theory proponents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials released an intelligence report Friday that rejected several points raised by those who argue COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese lab, instead reiterating that American spy agencies remain divided over how the pandemic began. The report was issued at the behest of Congress, which in March passed a bill giving U.S. intelligence 90 days to declassify intelligence related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Intelligence officials during the Biden administration have been pushed by lawmakers to release more material about the origins of COVID-19. But they have repeatedly argued China’s official obstruction of independent reviews has made it perhaps impossible to determine how the pandemic began. The newest report is likely to anger Republicans who say the administration is wrongly withholding classified information and researchers who accuse the U.S. of not being forthcoming. There was newfound interest from researchers following the revelation earlier ...

‘Hi this is Doug Ford calling!’: Premier wades into Toronto mayoral election in final days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

When the byelection for Toronto mayor was announced, Premier Doug Ford stated he was “staying out of that election.”But as the campaign enters its final few days, many Toronto residents are getting this: “Hi this is Doug Ford calling!”Robocalls featuring a pre-recorded message from the premier pleading with residents to support mayoral candidate Mark Saunders, “number 84 on the ballot.”“We all have to unite behind Mark, it’s absolutely critical for the future of our city,” Ford goes on to say, explaining how he is the only one who will keep taxes low, keep the streets safe and create thousands of jobs. “Please make sure you, your family and friends all go out and vote for Mark Saunders,” he concludes. RELATED: Mayoral candidate’s texts irk TorontoniansDespite maintaining he is staying out of the race, Ford has made no secret that Saunders is his preferred candidate. Earlier in the week, a Saunders campaign sign ...

Chicago Ald. Vasquez said he had cancerous tumor removed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

CHICAGO — 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez said he had a cancerous tumor removed last week.In a newsletter and on social media, Vasquez said the tumor was found when he went for a check-up for what he thought was a hernia. ‘Kindness and compassion’: Suburban man passes away after 10-year ALS battle On Tuesday, Vasquez said it was confirmed the tumor was cancerous and a stage 1A Seminoma. He said because a CT scan looked normal, it appears he might not need further treatment.He said he is still planning to set up a long-term plan schedule of check-ins to make sure he continues to heal."I am grateful that I was able to catch this to get it addressed, and I want to make sure that others who have any pains or other discomforts get them checked out if you can," he wrote. "I am fortunate that I have this opportunity to reflect on what I need to do to take care of myself and find a balance the keeps me in good shape to continue doing this work."He thanked his staff, neighbors, family and hi...

Eric Adams sent migrants to Florida, Texas, abroad: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

(The Hill) — New York City sent migrants all over the country and the world, months after Mayor Eric Adams chastised red-state governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott for similar trips.The city has spent about $50,000 for the resettlement of 114 migrant households, mostly to Florida and Texas, according to documents obtained by Politico. Some went abroad, one even as far as China.  Who is the head of the mercenary group calling for an armed rebellion in Russia? DeSantis and Abbott came under fire after they sent migrants via bus and plane north to blue states: Abbott sending buses to New York City and DeSantis sending planes full to Martha’s Vineyard last year.Adams said those transfers of migrants “part of a political ploy,” and that many of the migrants did not want to go north or did not understand why they were being moved. Some of the migrants had immigration appointments all over the country which they wouldn’t be able to attend without help.In total, Abbott has sent about 9,...

Joliet man sentenced to 27 years for murdering neighbor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. -- A Joliet man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering his neighbor after an argument turned deadly in 2016.According to the Will County State's Attorney's Office, sheriff deputies responded to a 911 call of a deceased man later identified as Robert Bielec in the driveway of his residence on the 1700 block of Houston Ave in Joliet on Jan. 7, 2016. Park Ridge warning community of man impersonating police officer, assaulting teen girls Officers spoke with 26-year-old Blaique Morgan who stated that he and his brother, Amari Morgan, went to Bielec’s residence to confront him about an ongoing dispute in which the Morgan brothers’ residence was damaged by gunfire and the brothers suspected Bielec’s involvement.An argument ensued in which Morgan grabbed Bielec and his brother, Amari, struck Bielec with a baseball bat.Will County Sheriff investigators found Nike shoes with blood stains that were later determined to contain Blaique Morgan’s DNA, as well as Adidas sh...

National Grid working to restore gas in South Glens Falls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- National Grid crews are in South Glens Falls after a natural gas outage Friday. Roughly 330 customers are affected.As crews work to restore the gas, customers can expect to be without their gas stove and hot water during the outage. Officials said some may be without gas into the weekend. Crews from Central New York are also being brought to the area to help with repairs and restoring gas service. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Once repairs have been made to the gas supply, National Grid technicians will need to enter homes to restart service and appliances. All National Grid employees and contractors will carry photo identification cards with them. If a customer is not home at that time, technicians will leave details on how customers can schedule an appointment to restore service.National Grid said it's priority is restoring gas to all customers. The cause of the outage was undetermin...

Rochester firefighter arrested, accused of convincing minors to send him child pornography

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:16 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A Rochester firefighter is facing child pornography charges, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Rochester firefighter Brett Marrapese, 31, is facing federal charges linked to accusations that he communicated with more than 100 minors and convinced a number of them to send him images and videos of child pornography.Marrapese, who lives in Irondequoit, has been arrested and slapped with federal charges that include production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography— allegedly including child pornography depicting prepubescent minors younger than 12 years old and as young as toddlers. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the US Attorney Trini Ross's office, in March, the Irondequoit Police Department received a tip from the father of a 13-year-old girl who claimed she had been communicating with someone on Snapchat who she believed was a minor like herself.Pro...