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Jewish protesters calling for cease-fire in Gaza disrupt first day of California legislative session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war interrupted the first day of California’s legislative session on Wednesday, forcing the state Assembly to adjourn just moments after convening.Lawmakers had just listened to the opening prayer and said the Pledge of Allegiance when protesters wearing matching black t-shirts stood from their seats and started singing “Cease-fire now” and “Let Gaza live.”A few people unfurled banners from the chamber’s gallery that read: “Jews say never again for anyone.”At first, Jim Wood, a Democratic assemblymember from Healdsburg who was presiding over the session, tried to continue the session despite the singing. Eventually though he called for a recess and adjourned a few minutes later.Nearly all of the lawmakers left the floor. Protesters cheered when officials turned the lights off in the chamber, holding up the flashlights on their phones as they continued to sing, which includ...

Austin Ekeler weighs future after disappointing season for Chargers with free agency on horizon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Hardly anyone knew about Austin Ekeler when he made the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster as an undrafted rookie in 2017. As the running back approaches what could be his final game in powder blue, Ekeler has been a fan favorite among Chargers fans — even during a frustrating season.Ekeler has reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the third straight year and fourth time in five seasons, but it has also been his most challenging season.He led the NFL with 18 touchdowns from scrimmage last season, but has only six going into Sunday’s finale against Kansas City. After becoming the fifth running back in league history to have at least 100 catches in a season last year, Ekeler has 44 this season. Ekeler said he would like to continue playing, but will assess all his options going into the offseason, when he will be an unrestricted free agent.“I think I’m going to be real selective on where I play next season,” said Ekeler, who is averaging a career...

17th Jazz in the Gardens to groove into Hard Rock Stadium in March with star-studded lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

If you’re looking to get your groove on, and you know you are, you’re in luck. Jazz in the Gardens is back for its 17th year. Talk about aging gracefully.Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris gave Deco the deets at 99 JAMZ, and it sounds like this year is better than ever.All that jazz will rock the Hard Rock Stadium March 9 and 10.Mayor Rodney Harris: “This is not just a music festival, it’s an experience.”Grab your dancing shoes, because Jazz in the Gardens is back for its 17th year.Mayor Rodney Harris: “You know, this thing has been so big. It started out in a parking lot, and now it has blossomed into one of the biggest musical festivals in the country.”Sure, it’s called Jazz in the Gardens, but the two-day event promises a variety of music.On Saturday, listen to some love lyrics from Omarion, or rock to the Afro beat tunes of Davido.Mayor Rodney Harris: “Then we’re gonna have the soulful sounds of Kirk Franklin, then we go...

Hundreds of documents unsealed in case related to Jeffrey Epstein

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

(CNN) — Hundreds of pages of unsealed documents from a lawsuit connected to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday. The documents are expected to include nearly 200 names, including some of Epstein’s accusers, prominent businesspeople, politicians and potentially more.While much of the information has been released through other means, such as media interviews, this is the first time these documents, filed with a court, have been released through the legal system.The documents contain excerpts of depositions taken of Maxwell and Giuffre. There is also a deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, who in the document described Prince Andrew touching her breast in a joking manner while taking photos.Sjoberg’s story has been public, but this is the first time her deposition has been unsealed. She worked sometimes for Epstein, and she has said that he pressured her to go beyond her comfort level at times in giving sexualized massages.Prince Andrew and Virgi...

Car crashes into beauty salon in Ayer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

One person was taken to a hospital with minor injuries Wednesday after a car crashed into a beauty salon in Ayer, officials said. The crash happened on Main Street Wednesday afternoon, damaging the front of the salon. Ayer fire officials said the person who was injured was inside the car at the time of the crash. Other people were in the salon, officials said, but were not hurt.Ayer police in a post on Facebook near 5:15 p.m. urged community members to avoid the area around Main Street and Washington Street while crews responded. In an update near 6 p.m., police said traffic was once again moving through the area. Speaking with 7NEWS, the owner of a salon next to the business that was struck said this was not the first time a crash like this happened on this part of Main Street. “It always happens,” said Lettensie Alemu-Walker. Alemu-Walker continued, saying she wants more lights in the area. “A lot of times, people don’t have patience,” Alemu-Walk...

New report details possible plan to close or consolidate half of Boston public schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

The oldest public school district in the country could undergo a radical change in the coming years, according to a new long term plan by the Boston Public Schools. The 80-page report was released on Wednesday and details a possible plan to close or consolidate half the district’s 119 schools, although it does not name specific schools. While the Boston Public Schools would have fewer schools with more students, the plan outlines ideas for better facilities and programs to better help students. “Previous efforts have sometimes fallen short, in part because we have often avoided telling hard truths.” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson wrote in an opening letter attached to the report. “Together, we aim to reverse that trend.”“Shifting our physical footprint will be uncomfortable and will cause disruption,” officials continued. “Mergers and closures are difficult, and new construction and renovation projects tak...

Bright billboard in Boston’s South End prompts frustration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

There is growing frustration in Boston’s South End over a bright billboard in the area. The billboard overlooks the Expressway and has recently been the subject of complaints from area residents. Speaking with 7NEWS, some residents shared their thoughts.“We constantly see it and we’re like ‘Is that the sun? What is going on?” said resident Ryan Zoldowski. “We’ve noticed that it’s really, really bright, at times,” Zoldowski continued. Zoldowski said he needed to get blackout curtains in order to sleep at night. Fellow area resident Stephanie Rivera said she has also been disrupted by the light.“It literally goes into my bedroom…” she said. “So, it’s a little bit disturbing trying to sleep.”Zoldowski said billboards have been in place in the past. This one, though, is very different. “It’s not something you want while living in the city of Boston, paying Boston city rent,” Rivera said.As she and others file complaints, Rivera said she is hoping the billboard c...

Oregon police confirm investigation into medication theft amid report hospital patients died

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the theft of medication prescribed to patients at a southern Oregon hospital, police and state medical officials confirmed Wednesday, following a local news report that two people died and others were sickened after a nurse replaced fentanyl intravenous drips with tap water. Officials at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford reported to police early last month that they believed a former employee had stolen medication, Medford Police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick said in a statement.“There was concern that this behavior resulted in adverse patient care, though the extent of the impact on those patients is yet to be determined,” the statement said.In a phone interview, Kirkpatrick declined to confirm whether deaths resulted from the medication theft or tampering, saying, “We’re investigating whether or not that behavior led to adverse patient care, which could be death, could be all sorts of other forms or things. … We don&#...

Willowdale housing project given go-ahead after tribunal dismisses neighbourhood concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

The City of Toronto can now move ahead with building supportive housing in Willowdale after residents who fought against the project were overruled.The narrow swath of green space on Cummer Avenue east of Yonge Street became a flashpoint in the debate over where to build housing for Toronto’s unhoused. Neighbours raised concerns to the Ontario Land Tribunal about City Council’s decision to permit dozens of modular homes next to a public housing facility for seniors. On January 2, the tribunal dismissed the appeal saying the city’s proposal “represents good planning and is in the public interest.”“I think people are very disturbed and very concerned,” said Eric Gillespie, the lawyer who represented the Bayview Cummer Neighbourhood Association, LiVante Holdings (Cummer) Inc., and Voices of Willowdale Inc. which opposed the project, saying the site is not a good fit.“It’s not a case of having any opposition to the people coming, it’s just trying to respect the r...

New Mexico considers setback requirements for oil wells near schools and day care centers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:00 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill to ban oil and gas production within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of schools and day care centers across New Mexico is among the first published proposals as the state Legislature prepares for a 30-day session that could bring an overhaul to fundamental oil and gas regulations.Regulators in the No. 2 U.S. state for oil production are considering reforms including setback requirements aimed at protecting children from pollution, amid pressure from environmental groups and other advocates to bolster pollution controls and fulfill constitutional obligations to regulate the industry.Published Wednesday, a bill introduced by Democratic state Rep. Debra Sariñana of Albuquerque would halt approval of new drilling permits within a mile of school facilities starting in July of this year. It also would halt most oil and natural gas operations in those zones by 2028.Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham directed the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Departme...