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☆ A Massachusetts high school wants to call in the National Guard to help quell a 'disturbing increase' in violent fights, drug abuse, and truancy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A high school committee in Massachusetts has asked the National Guard for help as it struggles to rein in student violence and drug abuse in its halls. "The National Guard does bring positivity, we use them to deploy COVID vaccinations." Rodrigues suggested that National Guard service members or staff be deployed as hall monitors and substitute teachers. "I know that the first thought that comes to mind when you hear 'National Guard' is uniform and arms," said Gomes. National Guard soldiers are not the answer," he said in a statement on Monday, per local station Boston 25 News.

Persons: Brockton, Maura Healey, Robert Sullivan, Healey, We're, Ana Oliver, Tony Rodrigues, Rodrigues, Claudio Gomes, Gomes, They're, Winthrop Farwell, Sullivan, Brockton's, Ana Reyes Organizations: National Guard, Business, ABC, Guard, Facebook, Boston, Brockton, PBS Locations: Massachusetts, Brockton, Boston, truancy, Commonwealth

More than 1,000 flights were canceled so far Tuesday morning, mostly at the airports in the New York City area and in Boston. It was the first major snowstorm in New York City since February 2022. The city, which has the nation's largest school system, switched to remote learning and closed its buildings Tuesday because of the storm. Some of the highest snowfall totals were forecast for the northern suburbs of New York City and southwestern Connecticut, according to the National Weather Service. Dan McKee signed an executive order shuttering state government offices Tuesday and banning tractor-trailer travel on all interstates and state roads beginning at midnight.

Persons: It's, ”, Ricky Smith, Eric Adams, “, Ned Lamont, ” Lamont, Maura Healey, Michelle Wu, Dan McKee, McKee, Steve Sullivan, Steve LeBlanc, Kathy McCormack, Jeff Martin, Mike Balsamo, Bruce Shipkowski, Ron Todt Organizations: New, Gov, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Police Department, National Weather Service, Massachusetts Gov, Boston, Rhode, Rhode Island Gov, Airports, Associated Press Locations: HARTFORD, Conn, New York City, Boston, “, Connecticut, Doylestown, Massachusetts, New England, Rhode Island, Massachusetts , Connecticut, New York, Alabama, Georgia, Concord , New Hampshire, Atlanta, Stony Brook , New York, Toms River , New Jersey, Philadelphia

Greg Abbott's escalating feud with the Biden administration over immigration enforcement, some governors are considering deploying National Guard members to the border — again. Republicans say tougher actions along the border are needed in response to record levels of illegal crossings, but sending guard members to the border is not new. DeSantis is one of more than a dozen Republican governors who have sent state National Guard units to the southern border since 2021. Here's what to know about National Guard on the border to date:Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesWHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE TEXAS BORDER? During a rushed deployment of Texas National Guard members at the start of the mission, some also complained of low morale and uneventful patrols.

Persons: Greg Abbott's, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Abbott, Kristi Noem, Brad Little, Joe Biden, Kim Reynolds, Maura Healey, Sean Murphy, Julie Carr Smyth, Gary Robertson, Hannah Fingerhut, Michael Schneider Organizations: —, Texas Gov, National Guard, Florida Gov, U.S, Border Patrol, Texas, Shelby, Texas National Guard, Supreme, WHO, Florida Division, Emergency Management, West Virginia ., West Virginia . South Dakota GOP Gov, Idaho Gov, Lone Star, Iowa Gov, Guard, GUARD, Democratic Gov, Operation Lone Star, Associated Press Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Florida, Eagle, TEXAS, U.S, Mexico, Shelby Park . Texas, Rio, Arkansas , Oklahoma , Nebraska, Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia . South, Abbott’s, Dakota, In Massachusetts, Oklahoma City, Columbus , Ohio, Raleigh , North Carolina, Des Moines , Iowa, Orlando , Florida

Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu toured a recreational complex Wednesday hours ahead of its planned opening as a temporary shelter site for families experiencing homelessness, including migrants. Healey said about 75 individuals were expected to arrive at the Cass Recreational Complex, located in the city’s Roxbury neighborhood, before the end of the day. The complex can provide temporary shelter for up to 400 people, or about 100-125 families, as the state continues to grapple with an influx of homeless migrants. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesThere are also smaller emergency shelter sites in about 90 communities. People can actually wash," she said, referring to the Cass Recreational Complex.

Persons: Maura Healey, Michelle Wu, Healey, “, ”, Wu, Biden, Boston isn't, Clifton A, Braithwaite, ” Audra White, Cass, Brandon Johnson, Johnson, Sophia Tareen Organizations: BOSTON, —, Boston, Cass Recreational, “, Cambridge, Logan International, Cass, Associated Press Locations: — Massachusetts, Cass, Roxbury, Massachusetts, Revere, Quincy, Boston, “, Clifton, Logan, Chicago, O’Hare

☆ The Epstein story may not be the fantastical conspiracy of blackmail and murder that drew you in. But it is disgusting — and more common than you think.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

In the end, the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case caused international intrigue because of its ties to some of the wealthiest, most high-profile names in the world. AdvertisementBut, in the end, the story of Jeffrey Epstein and his entourage of accusers is not all that uncommon. Donald Trump, Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida. Speaking generally, textbook sex trafficking victims have had to live most of their lives like this. Maybe Jeffrey Epstein was assassinated in his jail cell to keep the rich and powerful safe.

Persons: —, Jeffrey Epstein, Peter Nygard, Kelly, NXVIM, Jeffrey Epstein's, James, Gabriel Lopez Albarran, Epstein, Maura Healey, aren't, Stacey Gallagher, Gallager, Virginia Guiffre, Donald Trump, Melania Knauss, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey, Harvey Weinstein, Maxwell, they're, Michael Caine, Dave Benett, Jacob Shamsian, I've, Ghislaine Organizations: Service, Business, AP, Virgin Islands, vacationland, johns, Mar, Davidoff, FBI, Department of Justice Locations: Little St, Virgin, Cape, vacationland USA, Virginia, Palm Beach , Florida, Palm Beach, West Palm, British, Chelsea, London

The cities say they buy tickets only for migrants who want to travel and they do not coerce people to leave. The vast majority were bus tickets, but Denver also purchased about 340 tickets for flights and 200 for train rides. Ewing gave a similar message regarding El Paso’s busing of migrants to Denver, saying the two cities have been in communication. New York City and Chicago also are limiting migrants' shelter stays. “We have other Democratic cities, Denver, California, L.A., sending their people to Chicago, New York.

Persons: Mario Russell, ” Russell, Staff Mary Krinock, we’re, ” Jon Ewing, ”, Yoli Casas, “ There’s, We’re, Russell, Jared Polis, Lori Lightfoot, Eric Adams, Polis, “, Joe Biden, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ewing, El, ” Ewing, ” El, Greg Abbott, Abbott, Andrew Mahaleris, Ron DeSantis, Maura Healey, ’ ” Alderman Anthony Beale, Sophia Tareen, ___ Organizations: DENVER, Democratic, Center for Migration Studies of New, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of, Staff, Denver Human Service, Vive Wellness, Denver, Center for Migration Studies, Colorado Democratic Gov, Chicago, New York City, Washington , D.C, Chicago Mayor, Democrat, Texas Gov, Democratic Gov, Chicago City, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Denver, U.S, Mexico, El Paso , Texas, New York, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Center for Migration Studies of New York, Chicago, Venezuela, Archdiocese of Chicago, . Texas, New, Cities, Denver , New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Washington ,, ” El Paso's, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Massachusetts, New York City, Denver , California, L.A, Chicago , New York

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts shelters are being pushed past their capacity, running out of beds for families, including migrants arriving from other states and residents weathering a housing crunch right before winter, said Democratic Gov. “We were informed we hit the cap and due to the cap, families are being put on a waitlist,” said Cherlin Dubon, triage case specialist for the group. Healey has said she doesn’t want to see families out on the street but that the state has essentially reached its shelter capacity. Some states led by Republicans — including Texas and Florida — have bused or flown immigrants to states and cities led by Democrats, including California, Massachusetts, New York and Chicago. Critics argue Healey’s decision to cap shelter placements violates the state’s “right-to-shelter” law.

Persons: Maura Healey, Healey, —, Chelsea , Massachusetts —, ”, Cherlin, Republicans —, Eric Adams, Ronald Mariano, Mariano, Kelly Turley, We’re, ” Turley, Geralde Gabeau, “ Organizations: BOSTON, Democratic Gov, Republicans, Democrats, York City, Democratic, Hynes Convention Center, Massachusetts Coalition, Homeless, Family Services, Housing Locations: Massachusetts, Colaborativa, Chelsea , Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, California , Massachusetts, New York, Chicago, York, Hynes, Boston

☆ The Return of Taxachusetts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Editorial Report: The week’s best and worst from Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/Reuters Composite: Mark Kelly‘Affordable housing” is a noble goal and the mother of endless dim policies. The latest counterproductive effort is a push in Massachusetts to fund home construction by taxing home sales. Maura Healey recently gave her blessing to Bay State towns and cities that want to tax home sales. Instead of going into a general fund, the revenue would be set aside to support housing that the state deems affordable.

Persons: Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn, Dan Henninger, Mark Kelly, Maura Healey Organizations: Reuters, Gov, Affordable Locations: Massachusetts, Bay State

☆ At least 22 dead, 50 injured in mass shooting across several locations in Lewiston, Maine, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mike Pescaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

At least 22 people are dead and 50-60 more were injured in a mass shooting at two businesses in Lewiston, Maine, according to NBC News. Mayor Jason Levesque, the mayor of nearby Auburn, urged people in his city, Lewiston and the surrounding region to shelter in place. "I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston," Gov. Federal law enforcement agencies are assisting our state and local law enforcement partners in Lewiston, Maine," spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told NBC News. The ATF's Boston office said it is also responding to the active shooter event in Maine.

Persons: Scott Sweetow, NBC10, Sweetow, He's, Robert Card, Jim Cavanaugh, Mike Sauschuck, Sauschuck, Jonathan Dienst, Melinda Small, Small, Ange Amores, Amores, Jason Levesque, Shannon Moss, Janet Mills, Sen, Angus King, Maura Healey, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, Biden, King, Susan Collins, Jared Golden, Merrick Garland, Xochitl Hinojosa, Jake Langlais Organizations: NBC News, of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Lewiston, Bowdoin, NBC, Department of Public, Auburn Middle School, Lewiston police, Central Maine Medical, Maine Medical, Legends Sports, Associated Press, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Public Safety, Police, Lewiston . Massachusetts Gov, Australian, White House, Gov, Bates College, Public Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Androscoggin County, Lewiston, Auburn, NBC10 Boston, Lisbon, Maine, Portland, State, Lewiston . Massachusetts, Mills, Sens, Boston

☆ Robocalling is already an issue for Americans. AI is making it worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Rachel Curry | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Yet, the nearly $300 million fine against a massive transnational robocalling operation by the Federal Communications Commission shows just how widespread this issue has become. This is called an interactive voice response (IVR) and it's used in a type of spam called voice phishing or "vishing." According to McAfee's CTO Steve Grobman, these types of calls are bound to remain less likely than other, more obvious spam calls, at least for the time being. Spotting AI scamsThat preparation depends on a combination of consumer education and the war between technologies, or more specifically, white-hat AI fighting black-hat AI. Educating people about deepfake audio spam calls

Persons: —, Jonathan Nelson, Nelson, McAfee, it's, Steve Grobman, Grobman, Kristofor Healey, Healey Organizations: Getty, Federal Communications Commission, Hiya Inc, Companies, McAfee, Department of Homeland Security, Black Bear Security

“The border has never been a money issue,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas. It also suggests $1.4 billion to add 375 immigration judges and their teams in addition to money for 1,300 new border patrol agents. “But it’s got to be designed to secure the border, not to facilitate travel through the border,” he said. “No more money should be spent simply to facilitate current border policy.”It's unclear if compromise is possible on the issue. The border is not about money; there’s some money that needs to be spent on certain things, but it is way more about policy.

Persons: Joe Biden, It's, ”, Dan Crenshaw, Biden, “, Colleen Putzel, there's, Eric Adams, Alex Gough, J.B . Pritzker, Maura Healey, Kevin McCarthy, Sen, Kevin Cramer, he’d, it’s, Texas Republican Sen, John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, ” Murphy, ” Crenshaw, Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking, Claire Savage, Mike Casey, Patrick Whittle, Lisa Rathke, Holly Ramer Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, White, Democratic, Homeland Security, Migration Policy Institute, Central America, New York, ”, O’Hare, Illinois Gov, GOP, Texas Republican, Connecticut Democrat, Department of Homeland Security, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Mexico, Israel, Texas, U.S, South, Central, York City, New, implore, New York City, Chicago, ” Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, Boston, Portland , Maine, Montpelier , Vt, Concord, N.H

☆ New England states join to buy offshore wind power as US industry struggles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

By joining forces, the states hope to counter the pain rippling across the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry, which is expected to play a key part in decarbonizing the power sector and revitalizing domestic manufacturing. The three states will seek multi-state offshore wind proposals for selection in 2024 for up to 6,000 megawatts (MW) of power. “One year ago, Avangrid was the first offshore wind developer in the United States to make public the unprecedented economic headwinds facing the industry," Avangrid said in a release. Avangrid has said it planned to rebid the Park City project in future offshore wind solicitations. Those Massachusetts power companies include units of Eversource Energy (ES.N), National Grid (NG.L) and Unitil (UTL.N).

Persons: Brian Snyder, Maura Healey, Avangrid, France's, Scott DiSavino, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, American, Offshore WINDPOWER Conference, Eversource Energy, Grid, Shell, Thomson Locations: Rhode, U.S, New England, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, Connecticut, Boston, Park City, United States, Park

The state pays local housing authorities to maintain and operate the units whether they’re occupied or not. As of the end of July, almost 1,800 of the vacant units had been empty for more than 60 days. Doris Romero, a housing coordinator at a Boston shelter, was stunned to hear about all the vacant apartments. People interested in housing had to apply to separate local housing agencies, often in person. Since then, Hedison and other local housing officials have cited a litany of problems.

Persons: Deb Libby, Libby, she’s, ”, “, Doris Romero, ” Ed Augustus, Augustus, Maura Healey, WBUR, David Hedison, Maureen Cayer, Healey, “ It’s, WBUR’s Beth Healy, Paula Moura, Read Organizations: Gov, Housing, Worcester Locations: Worcester , Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Boston, New York , Connecticut, Hawaii, Chelmsford, Agawam, Western Massachusetts, Adams, New York, Lowell, Rhode

But expediting work permits isn’t so easy, either legally or bureaucratically, experts in the process say. It would take an act of Congress to shorten a mandatory, six-month waiting period before asylum-seekers can apply for work permits. Maura Healey, who declared a state of emergency over the migrant influx, wrote Mayorkas that work permits represent “an opportunity to meet employer needs, support our economy, and reduce dependency among new arrivals.” And 19 Democratic state attorneys general wrote Mayorkas that work permits would reduce the strain on government to provide social services. Custom and Border Protection online app have applied for work permits, according to the White House. After he got his temporary work authorization, his boss gave him an extra dollar per hour.

Persons: Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul, Joe Biden, Biden, Hochul, Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, ” Ortiz, “, Brandon Johnson, J.B, Pritzker, Alejandro Mayorkas, Maura Healey, Andre Vasquez, Adams, ” Adams, “ We’re, Muzaffar Chishti, noncitizens, Elden Roja, honked, Roja, Jose Vacca, Elliot Spagat Organizations: Gov, Democratic, Homeland Security Department, Illinois Gov, Homeland, Massachusetts Gov, City Council’s, Refugee Rights, New, Republicans, Migration Policy Institute, Nationwide, Custom, Protection, Federal, U.S, CBP, Associated Press Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, New York City, Mexico, Cuba, New York, Chicago, City, U.S, Venezuelan, Colombia, Texas

☆ Hurricane Lee path: Now a post-tropical cyclone, storm brings rain to New England and Atlantic Canada
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Now a post-tropical cyclone, Lee continues to churn hurricane-strength winds early Saturday morning while delivering rainfall to parts of southeastern New England and Atlantic Canada, according to the National Hurricane Center. Weakening is forecast tonight and Sunday while Lee moves across Atlantic Canada,” the National Hurricane Center said Saturday in its 5 a.m. advisory, adding the storm has lost sufficient tropical characteristics to be considered a hurricane. ET Saturday, the hurricane center said. “These conditions are likely to lead to downed trees and potential power outages,” the hurricane center warned. A sustained wind of 43 mph and 59 mph gust were recently measured at Dennis, Massachusetts, the hurricane center said.

Persons: Lee, “ Lee, Maura Healey, Michael Brennan, Jamie Rhome, ” Rhome, Steve Heaslip, ”, Kyle Leavitt Organizations: CNN, National Hurricane Center ., Atlantic, National Hurricane Center, US, Massachusetts Gov, New, Organization Locations: New England, Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia, Maine, Canadian, New Brunswick, Eastport , Maine, Halifax , Nova Scotia, US East Coast, Massachusetts, Lee’s, Dennis , Massachusetts, New Hampshire , Massachusetts, Rhode, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Canada, Florida, Toms River , New Jersey, Ortley, Nauset, East Orleans , Massachusetts

(AP) — Hurricane Lee looks poised to wallop New England later this week even as the region still deals with the impact of days of wild weather that produced torrential rain, flooding, sinkholes and a likely tornado. Areas from Watch Hill, Rhode Island, to Stonington, Maine — including Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket — are under a tropical storm watch. The National Weather Service in Boston said radar data and videos showed it was likely that a tornado damaged trees and power lines in Rhode Island and Connecticut on Wednesday. Heavy rain turned his swimming pool into a mud pit and filled his basement with 3 feet (91 centimeters) of water. In Providence, Rhode Island, downpours flooded a parking lot and parts of a shopping mall.

Persons: Hurricane Lee, Dan McKee, “, ” McKee, Sean Pope, ”, Maura Healey, Matthew Belk, Healey, Hurricane Lee didn’t, Dean Mazzarella, Mazarella Organizations: U.S ., National Hurricane Center, Cape, National Weather Service, Rhode, Gov, Massachusetts Gov, Firefighters Locations: LEOMINSTER, Mass, Hurricane, wallop New England, Stonington , Maine, U.S, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts, Rhode, Boston, Rhode Island and Connecticut, Lincoln , Rhode Island, Attleborough , Massachusetts, Leominster , Massachusetts, Providence , Rhode Island, Leominster, Danbury , Connecticut, Nova Scotia, Canada, England, Vermont

Officials estimate that as many as half of currently sheltered families are recently arrived migrants from other countries; most have come from Haiti, drawn by word of mouth and the pull of the state’s well-established Haitian community. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency on Aug. 8 in a bid for federal help, joining New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., which have taken similar steps. The state is also housing migrants on two college campuses and on a Cape Cod military base, and has opened two welcome centers to process arrivals, with many coming from the southern border, advocates said. On average, 10 new families show up at the center each day, staff members said. The goals are to assess their health, help them set short- and long-term goals, sign them up for key state services, and move them to housing elsewhere, all within five days.

Persons: Maura Healey, Healey Organizations: Gov, D.C, National Guard, Cape Locations: Haiti, New York, Chicago, Washington, Quincy, Boston, Haitian

Maura Healey of Massachusetts, a liberal Democrat, has declared a state of emergency, activated the National Guard and started petitioning the White House for help. The migrants on state-funded buses from Texas are a fraction of the total number arriving in northern cities. Some of those migrants have family in New York, while others are attracted to the city’s history of welcoming immigrants. Still, the rising clamor is creating a rare convergence between the two parties, which for years have fought in seemingly parallel political universes. Endless Republican news conferences at the border and threats to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, were dismissed as political bluster.

Persons: Maura Healey, Star ”, “, Alejandro Mayorkas, shouldn’t, ”, Josh Riley, Marc Molinaro, Riley, Biden Organizations: Massachusetts, Democrat, National Guard, White House, Star, Republican, Democratic, Hudson Valley Republican, ”, Republicans Locations: Texas, . Texas, New York City, New York, Washington, Albany, Hudson

☆ Massachusetts health-care workers can get up to $300,000 in student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced this week that it would be awarding about $140 million in student loan relief to more than 2,900 workers in the state. The aid comes from the MA Repay Program, which the state launched last November to provide financial support to health-care workers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. The student loan awards range between $12,500 and $300,000 per borrower. The Massachusetts program is one of the many state efforts to reduce people's education debt burden. "There are many other opportunities for loan forgiveness that often go unknown because there is no global database of all student loan forgiveness options," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

Persons: Maura Healey, Joe Biden's, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: of Health, Human Services, Finance, U.S, Supreme Locations: Massachusetts

☆ Here's everything that Massachusetts' 4% tax on millionaires will pay for, from free student lunches to college financial aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Massachusetts' new 4% tax on millionaires is bringing in $1 billion in revenue this year. Maura Healey last week signed a $55.98 billion state budget that spends the funds. The money is going toward free school lunches, discounted transit fares, and college financial aid. Maura Healey last week signed a $55.98 billion state budget for the 2024 fiscal year to spend the money. The signing of the budget made Massachusetts the eighth state to adopt a plan for free school lunches since the expiration of federal free school lunches that had emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: Maura Healey, Healey Organizations: Gov, Service, Massachusetts, Democratic, Democratic Massachusetts Gov Locations: Massachusetts, Wall, Silicon, Democratic Massachusetts

☆ 8 US states offer free lunch for students. Here's how they pay for it, from a 4% millionaire's tax to a $0.03 property tax rate increase.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Massachusetts is the latest state to expand free school lunch since a COVID-era program ended. Here's how eight states pay for free lunch for public school students. And Vermont's free meals program, which was allowed through in June 2023 by Gov. And while only a few US states now offer free lunch, some say the momentum for future programs across the nation is growing. "The availability of universal free meals during the pandemic absolutely changed that momentum."

Persons: Maura Healey, Erin McAleer, Joe Biden's, Phil Scott, Susan Caswell, WPBN, There's, Erika Edwards, EducationWeek Organizations: Service, Gov, CBS News, Massachusetts, Associated Press, Portland Press Herald, AP, MPR, Comstock Elementary School, Jefferson County Locations: Massachusetts, Wall, Silicon, California , Colorado , Maine , Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, Colorado, California, . Maine, Mexico, Michigan, Southwest Michigan, Jefferson

☆ Massachusetts passed a 4% millionaire's tax last year. Now every public school student is going to get free lunch.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Massachusetts passed a 4% tax on people who make more than $1 million per year. Revenue from the new income tax is being used to give kids in the state free lunch and breakfast at school. Massachusetts is the eighth state to start free lunches since a pandemic-era federal program expired. Maura Healey signed the budget on Wednesday, making Massachusetts the eighth state to adopt a free school lunch plan since federal free school lunches which started during the COVID-19 pandemic ended. The outlet reported that a portion of the $1 billion gathered from the new income tax will be used to provide all public school students in Massachusetts with free breakfast and lunch.

Persons: Maura Healey, Joe Biden, Jared Bernstein, Biden Organizations: Revenue, Service, House News Service, Massachusetts Gov, White House Council, Economic Advisers, CNBC Locations: . Massachusetts, Wall, Silicon, Massachusetts, Boston, WCVB

☆ Shaka Hislop: ESPN soccer analyst 'OK' after collapsing on-air, co-host says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is “OK” and conscious after collapsing on air about six minutes before the kickoff of AC Milan’s friendly match with Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl in California on Sunday, according to his co-host. Hislop was on camera alongside his co-host Dan Thomas, who was speaking during pre-match coverage when Hislop stumbled forward, bumped into Thomas and fell to the ground, video shows. Thomas could be seen immediately calling for the medical staff before the broadcast cut to commercials. We’ve been told in definitive terms that he is OK.”Shortly after the incident, Thomas tweeted that, “Shaka is conscious. The temperature in Pasadena, where the Rose Bowl is located, was around 86 degrees Sunday evening.

Persons: Shaka Hislop, Hislop, Dan Thomas, Thomas, Adrian Healey, We’ve, Shaka, ” Thomas, Shaka –, “, ” Organizations: CNN, ESPN, Milan’s, Real Madrid, Rose, Newcastle United, Trinidad and Tobago men’s, MLS, FC Dallas Locations: California, West Ham, Trinidad and Tobago, Pasadena

April 27 (Reuters) - Massachusetts' top court on Thursday revived the indictments against two former leaders of a veterans' home charged with criminal neglect for their roles in handling a COVID-19 outbreak that killed 84 people. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in a 5-2 ruling, overturned a judge's decision to throw out the charges against former Holyoke Soldiers' Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh and former Medical Director David Clinton. "Of course, sometimes bad things happen for no discernable reason, and no one is to blame," Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt wrote for the majority. In bringing the charges against the men in September 2020, then-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, now the state's Democratic governor, touted the criminal case as the first in the country tied to a COVID-19 outbreak at a nursing facility. The state of Massachusetts last year agreed to pay nearly $58 million to resolve a lawsuit by families of veterans who contracted COVID-19 during the outbreak.

☆ The decision brought vows to keep fighting from both sides of the abortion debate.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Ava Sasani | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Supreme Court decision Friday to keep available — for now — the widely used abortion pill mifepristone was met with relief from one side of the debate, disappointment from the other and a vow from both to keep fighting. “This is good news, but the facts remain the same: Access to mifepristone should never have been in jeopardy in the first place,” Planned Parenthood tweeted after the court issued a stay on two lower court rulings that would have limited access to the pills. The court temporarily halted two separate rulings while an appeal is being considered: one from a Texas federal judge who suspended the F.D.A.’s approval of the drug, and another from an appeals court that said the pill could no longer be delivered by mail. Those rulings would have impacted the availability of the drug even in states where abortion is legal. Maura Healey of Massachusetts called the court’s decision a “victory” for abortion patients and providers.

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