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Markey, Pressley announce new push for fare-free public transit across country 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Local elected leaders have launched a new push for public transportation at no cost to riders across the country as they re-introduce the “Freedom to Move Act.” Senator Ed Markey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley recently discussed the legislation, which would bring in government funding to support free rides, at an event at Ruggles station in Boston on Monday. The move comes as Boston already has an experiment in place using federal funds to eliminate fares on three local bus routes. Officials say ridership on buses went up by 35% with the elimination of fares. The move has also put more money in the pockets of riders including Connie Forbes, who recently discussed her free public transit rides. “You just get on the bus and you put yourself into a seat, you’re done,” Forbes told 7NEWS. “Instead of having to figure out where to put the money in the meter or tap your card.““This is actually saving us a bit of money to go towards something essential like food,” For...

Winthrop police note increase in reported vehicle break-ins, thefts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Police in Winthrop recently shared a warning after an uptick in reports of stolen vehicles and vehicle break-ins. Winthrop police said on Friday of last week that they heard reports of multiple break-ins on March 19 as well as April 11, 12 and 19. They also said they took reports of four stolen vehicles in the same timespan.In each case, police said the vehicles were left unlocked. In cases where vehicles were stolen, police said there were keys or key fobs left inside. “We are investigating all of the incidents, have developed suspects in every case, and intend to file appropriate charges, but we also want to warn the community to please secure their vehicles,” said Police Chief Terence Delehanty. Delehanty said vehicle thefts and break-ins “are often crimes of opportunity,” saying suspects may target unlocked vehicles while passing locked ones. “Basic security precautions can make a world of difference and can help prevent crime,” Delehanty said. Police shared ...

Salem police note uptick in coyote sightings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Salem police recently noted an increase in the frequency of local coyote sightings both within Salem and in nearby communities. Police shared their message on Friday of last week, saying coyotes have been seen approaching people walking dogs in the South Salem/Pickman Park area. “In some cases, it has been reported that coyotes appear comfortable around people,” police said. Mass Wildlife has assembled tips to help avoid problems with coyotes. Among tips, Mass Wildlife said people should remove food and water sources and secure trash cans around their homes. Anyone who sees a coyote should not approach it. Instead, individuals should pick up any children or small pets and make loud noises to scare the animal away.See more information here. 

April Showers Continue

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Sunday was less of April showers and more of an April soaking rain, but that’s ok we needed (and still need) some rain. The heaviest rain over the weekend fell in Western Massachusetts, then Central Massachusetts, with the lowest totals found in the eastern part of the state. Worcester really put a good dent in their April rain deficit, going from over 2″ below average, to less than a half of an inch below average for the month. Boston still has some catching up to do, sitting 1.67″ below normal for rain just for April alone.As far as any drought is concerned, that’s not a concern. At least not at the moment. The current drought monitor only has eastern Massachusetts as “abnormally dry”, not even to a drought category. Another thing to note is the drought monitor is issued on Thursdays, so this one is from last Thursday and doesn’t include Sunday’s rain. We’ll likely see some improvement with the new one that comes out this Thurs...

First Republic clients pulled $100B in deposits during panic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

NEW YORK — Customers of First Republic Bank pulled more than $100 billion in deposits out of the bank during last month’s crisis, as fears swirled that it could be the third bank to fail a fter the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.San Francisco-based First Republic said Monday that it was only after a group of large banks stepped in to save it by depositing $30 billion in uninsured deposits that the bank was able to staunch the bleeding.The bank said it now plans to sell off assets and restructure its balance sheet, and said it also expects to lay off as much as a quarter of its workforce, which totaled about 7,200 employees at the end of 2022.First Republic reported first-quarter results Monday that showed it had $173.5 billion in deposits in early March before Silicon Valley Bank failed on March 9. On April 21, it had deposits of $102.7 billion, including the $30 billion the big banks deposited. It said since late March, its deposits have been relatively st...

Column: It’s over, Chicago Bears fans. Aaron Rodgers is out of Green Bay — and the NFC North.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

The Green Bay Packers will find out what it’s like to enter a season without a franchise quarterback for the first time since 1992, when George H.W. Bush was president and a gallon of gas averaged $1.13.A remarkable run of elite quarterback play that extended 31 seasons — beginning in 1992, when Ron Wolf traded for Brett Favre, and continuing after Ted Thompson drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005 — has come to an end.The Packers traded the 39-year-old Rodgers on Monday to the New York Jets, making Jordan Love, a first-round pick in 2020 by general manager Brian Gutekunst, the presumed starter.The Halas Hall nightmare for the Chicago Bears is over as Rodgers, a four-time MVP and a shoo-in as a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame selection, is no longer in the NFC North.Rodgers was 25-5 as a starter against the Bears, including the NFC championship game after the 2010 season, amassing more wins against them than any quarterback in league history. He heads to the Jets, a...

Marcus Smart fights through injuries to fuel Celtics: ‘I leave everything on the floor’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ATLANTA — On the first play of the second half in Sunday night’s Game 4, Marcus Smart flew in between De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela in an effort to grab an offensive rebound. But the Celtics point guard landed awkwardly on Capela’s shoe and rolled his right ankle, the same one he injured earlier this season that kept him out for 11 games.Smart stayed on the ground for a few moments holding his ankle, but soon got up and hobbled to the other side of the court to play defense.Before the playoffs began, Smart declared himself as healthy as he’s been at this stage of the season in years. But given the daring nature in which he plays, that wasn’t going to last for long. Late in Game 3, he suffered a lower back contusion after falling hard on his tailbone. He was questionable for Game 4, but played. Moments before he rolled his ankle, Smart walked out of the locker room with a heat pack on his back.“I leave everything on the floor every night like it’s my last game and it just happens,...

Appeals court upholds Apple’s control of iPhone app store

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

An appeals court on Monday upheld Apple’s exclusive control over the distribution of iPhone apps, rejecting the latest attempt to force one of the world’s most powerful companies to dismantle the digital walls protecting its most lucrative product.The 92-page decision issued by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed the findings of a lower-court judge who presided over a 2021 trial that revolved around an antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game.Epic Games’ lawsuit alleged Apple’s app store — which was launched in 2008, a year after the first iPhone went on sale — had turned into an illegal monopoly that stifles competition while generating billions of dollars in profit for Apple.Epic tried to offer an alternative way to get its mobile app, attempting to evade the developer fees inside the app store, which collects a commission of 15% to 30% on subscriptions and other digital transactions.Apple oust...

How to tell if a travel company is really following sustainable practices

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

If the data is to be believed, the public is increasingly interested in seeking sustainable travel options.A survey conducted by Booking.com in 2022 revealed that 81% of global travelers want to travel sustainably, and 50% say recent news about climate change has influenced their decision to make more sustainable travel choices.All of which is an important step forward. But how can consumers who possess such noble intentions ensure that the travel industry providers they select are adhering to sustainable travel practices? In an era when greenwashing — or making misleading claims about environmental stewardship and practices — is rampant, how can consumers separate fact from fiction?To get to the bottom of this question, we asked some of the travel industry’s most well-known sustainability experts, as well as travel advisers who’ve recently undergone leading-edge sustainability training, how consumers can identify companies that are truly following eco-friendly business practices. H...

Hawks guard Dejounte Murray suspended for Game 5 vs. Celtics after bumping referee

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

ATLANTA — Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Celtics for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official at the conclusion of Game 4, the NBA announced on Monday.As the clock expired on the Celtics victory, Murray approached referee Gediminas Petraitis to say something to him. He leaned close to him and made contact before walking away. He turned around and yelled some parting words in his direction on his way off the court.The Hawks already had a slim chance of winning the series – the Celtics lead, 3-1 – but the suspension of Murray now makes the task nearly impossible. The guard was averaging 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game for the Hawks over the first four games of the series.