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Robbins: GOP ‘impeachment inquiry’ lays an egg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

The tip-off that House Republicans’ cobbled-together opening of their “impeachment inquiry” into President Joe Biden was going to flop came last Wednesday, the day before the first hearing. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R.-MO), whose unfortunate lot it was to hold a press conference announcing new “evidence” that Biden had used his public office to help his son Hunter, was utterly unable to explain how there was evidence of any such thing.Asked by NBC’s Ryan Nobles how a document dated August 2017 could suggest that Biden had used public office to benefit his son when Biden held no office at the time, Congressman Smith sounded a very great deal like Jackie Gleason’s iconic Ralph Kramden character failing miserably at answering basic questions from his wife Alice. “I’m not an expert on the timeline,” Smith blathered. “I would love to have President Biden and his family to tell us all about the timelines.”“But if he’s not the president or the vice-president at t...

Battenfeld: Case against Everett newspaper the latest black mark against the media

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

The editor of an Everett newspaper’s explosive admission that he made up defamatory stories about Mayor Carlo DeMaria is the latest black mark against the beleaguered media.Related ArticlesOpinion Columnists | Everett newspaper editor admits to fabrications in Everett mayor defamation suit It may be an isolated case, but media skeptics and Donald Trump backers are bound to cite the sworn testimony of Everett Leader Herald publisher Joshua Resnek as proof that there is a “fake news” problem.It’s not just a blow to the Leader Herald and Resnek – it’s a blow to the cause of local news and the sometimes misguided effort to save it.Public officials need to be prepared for scrutiny. The journalist’s job isn’t to write press releases. But usually it’s the newspaper exposing corruption, it’s not the newspaper that’s corrupt.Resnek admitted under oath while being deposed in DeMaria’s defamation lawsuit, that he sought to torpedo the mayor’s 2021 re-election bid by publishing ...

Lonzo Ball hopes to remain integrated with the Chicago Bulls while sitting out the 2023-24 season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

There wasn’t much for Lonzo Ball to say at his third media day as a Chicago Bull.The updates were basic. Ball said he is “about halfway” through rehabilitation from his third knee surgery and has experienced “no setbacks” since the cartilage transplant procedure in March.For Ball, no news is good news — or at least better than he’s used to receiving.Ball is not expected to play for the Bulls this season. It will mark his second consecutive season without recording a single minute on the court. But if all goes according to plan, Ball and the Bulls are hopeful the point guard’s years-long ordeal will conclude in time for the 2024-25 season.“It’s not really a set timeline, but I pretty much have this whole year to get as healthy as possible and be ready to go next season,” Ball said. “I’m taking each week just trying to stay positive.”A lack of setbacks is a best-case scenario for Ball, wh...

Celtics show clear commitment, urgency to win championship with trade for Jrue Holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

Brad Stevens and the rest of the Celtics front office were monitoring the Damian Lillard situation all summer. Not necessarily because they wanted to land Lillard. But the C’s knew a domino effect would follow once the former Blazers star was traded, that another player they would be attracted to would come available.The Celtics did their homework. Stevens said they made a list of players whose contract numbers would have to match in any potential Lillard trade. They were prepared.Then, finally, the dominoes started falling last Wednesday. The Milwaukee Bucks – one of their top rivals in the Eastern Conference – acquired Lillard. And when Jrue Holiday became available as a result, they were ready to pounce.The Celtics have long coveted Holiday, the All-Defensive guard with an edge and toughness they lost earlier this summer when they traded Marcus Smart. A proven champion. Stevens didn’t waste the opportunity.“There’s a list of guys in the league that you always think you’ll never h...

Why is my phone buzzing and going off? The nationwide emergency alert test is coming up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

If you’re in a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, all of the phones in the room could be popping off at the same time.There will be a nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs on Wednesday at 2:20 p.m.FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will be conducting this national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Legislation passed in 2015 requires FEMA to conduct this nationwide test at least once every three years.“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed,” the alert message will read on cell phones across the country.The test will include unique tones and vibration to capture your attention.All major U.S. wireless providers participate in Wireless Emergency Alerts, and they will transmit the national test to their subscribers.If you have a WEA-compatible mobile phone that is on, within range of an active cell tower, and on a network where WEA ...

Boston Mayor Wu petitions Beacon Hill for 250 liquor licenses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared before state lawmakers Monday to lobby for a home rule petition that would allow the city to issue 250 new liquor licenses in specific neighborhoods over the next five years.By tying non-transferable licenses to 10 ZIP codes, the legislation seeks to remedy inequities created by the city’s current structure, which allows licenses to be transferred from the targeted neighborhoods to wealthier areas like the downtown and Seaport, Wu told a joint legislative committee.“We have a system now where some neighborhoods have more than 60 liquor licenses, and some have fewer than 10,” Wu said. “It is those neighborhoods that are often home to lower-income residents, residents of color, where there are hardly any sit-down restaurants, if at all.”This is due in part to a lack of available licenses. When a bar or restaurant shuts down, the license is sometimes sold by businesses on a so-called secondary market.Driven by high demand, the cost of these privately s...

BC split end Ryan O’Keefe in the fast lane to recovery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

Boston College wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe had a short hospital stay for what at first appeared to be a long-term injury.BC coach Jeff Hafley delivered the good news about O’Keefe during his weekly press briefing on Monday morning at the Yawkey Center. O’Keefe suffered an immobilizing neck injury at 14:07 of the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 27-24 victory over Virginia at Alumni Stadium.O’Keefe was awaiting a wide receiver screen pass on the BC 33 when he was violently set upon by Cavaliers’ cornerback Malcolm Greene. Both players required medical attention, but O’Keefe was taken from the field on a stretcher and transported to Mass. General Hospital.“Ryan is doing well and he is on the road to recovery,” said Hafley. “It was really good to see him Sunday, it was good to have him around his teammates and he came to practice but obviously didn’t practice.“The guys were really excited to see him and I was excited to see him. I thought our doctors and our trainers deserve a lot of credit...

Bruins notebook: Charlie Coyle eager to bump up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

The climb for Charlie Coyle to this point in his career has been long and steady. But here he is, on the precipice of being a top-six centerman.Now he’s just got to grab it.With the retirement of both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, Coyle and Pavel Zacha are now the Bruins’ top two centers this season and it is still a very much unanswered question as to how the team will fare with that structure. But Coyle was a workhorse for the B’s last year. He was second to only David Pastrnak in total minutes played among Bruin forwards, third in even-strength ice time among B’s forwards and led all B’s forwards in penalty-killing time.His 16-29-45 totals were the highest since coming to Boston (his career high was 18-38-56 in 2016-17 in Minnesota) and it was the fifth time in his career that he played all 82 games.It was the kind of season that put him in a good mind frame to take this next step in his career.“It’s huge,” said the 31-year-old Coyle on Mo...

Fire damages apartment complex in Golden Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Firefighters on Monday are working to put out a fire at an apartment complex in the Golden Hill neighborhood.The fire occurred around 4:30 p.m. at 2622 Broadway, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Campland on the Bay storage facility erupts in flames SkyFOX was over the location where flames could be seen bursting out of the windows. Around 4:50 p.m., the flames appeared to subside.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Colorado man arrested on suspicion of killing a mother black bear and two cubs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:49 GMT

HOWARD, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of killing a mother black bear and two cubs in the Rocky Mountains a few hours southwest of Denver, authorities confirmed Monday.Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which had learned about the illegal killing through anonymous reports and social media posts, found the bears’ bodies Friday on state land, according to the agency’s press release.The following day, wildlife officers searched a nearby home with a warrant, discovering evidence that the bears had been shot there on Sept. 25, the release said.The man was arrested on suspicion of illegal destruction of wildlife, a felony, and misdemeanors including unlawful possession and waste of game meat, and unlawful killing of wildlife without a license.Speaking broadly about anyone who illegally injures or kills wildlife, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Bill Vogrin wrote in the release that “convictions could result in fines and surcharges ranging from...