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Union representing 15,000 MN state workers wins 10 percent pay hike

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

Members of the union representing some 15,000 state workers will get their largest pay increase in three decades under a tentative contract agreement announced Monday.Minnesota Management and Budget agreed to give members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, or MAPE, a 5.5 percent pay increase in the first year and another 4.5 percent in year two of a tentative deal that runs to 2025. The state initially offered to increase wages by just 3.5 percent over two years.“We asked for what we deserved — 11% and 10% raises — and did not get that, but we fought for every cent and won a lot,” Adam Novotny, who co-chairs the union’s negotiating team, said in a statement announcing the tentative agreement.MAPE said the deal also includes a 2.5 percent increase in health care costs but better benefits, including for mental health and fertility treatments. The state also will increase its contribution to health plans for corrections officers working at M...

Theater review: CDT’s ‘Jersey Boys’ is a winner thanks to savvy casting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

The key to a winning production of the jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” is casting the right actors in the four main roles of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and in its new production that opened Friday, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres did just that.All four actors playing the parts of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers deliver, including David Darrow (Tommy DeVito), Sam Stoll (Bob Gaudio) and Shad Hanley (Nick Massi). But the real revelation in the show is Will Dusek, a recent Illinois Wesleyan University graduate making his CDT debut.The Four Seasons scored two dozen hits in the ’60s thanks in large part to Valli’s distinct falsetto vocals. Dusek handily captures the spirit of Valli’s unusual delivery without directly mimicking it. Beyond that, though, he effortlessly portrays Valli’s journey from just another New Jersey kid to a worldwide pop star. It’s a star-making role for sure and one can’t help but think Dusek’s future is a bright one.“Jers...

Couple celebrating 50th wedding anniversary among 3 stabbed to death outside Boston

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

The couple and mother who were tragically murdered in their home over the weekend were beloved by family members and their faith community, the victims’ relatives said in a letter to parishioners at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton sent Monday afternoon.“It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to home… impacting our faith community and our own family,” the letter read. “Jill and Bruno D’Amore and Jill’s mother Lucia Arpino lost their lives in a senseless act of violence.”The three were found dead in their Newton home Sunday morning by a friend who noticed them missing in church Sunday morning. The D’Amores were set to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at the Sunday mass.Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said there was signs of forced entry at the home, and warned community members to keep their doors and windows locked as the search for the killer continues.Jill and Bruno D’Amore were in thei...

Tony Finau on his recent run of success: ‘It all started at the 3M Open’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

Never mind that nearly a year has passed since Tony Finau won the PGA Tour’s 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. He still vividly remembers the adrenaline coursing through his veins last July as he stood on the tee box at No. 17 late in the final round.In a span of a few holes, Finau somehow went from trailing Scott Piercy by three strokes to leading the tournament by four strokes.His mindset throughout the weekend had been, “Let’s try and catch this guy.” Suddenly it had shifted to, “You better not blow it.”“I ended up hitting a 6-iron about 225 yards in the air into the wind,” Finau said. “That gives an idea of how much adrenaline I had going through my body.”Maybe the story would have ended differently had Finau not caught a lucky break on the penultimate hole. He overcooked his tee shot at the worst possible time and the ball mercifully stayed out of the water despite caroming off the grandstand behind the green with ...

Five Supreme Court decisions to watch

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

The Supreme Court is set to release its next opinions Tuesday morning, with several landmark cases still to be handed down with just days left until the summer recess.The court did not indicate Tuesday will be the final decision day, meaning that at least one additional day is likely later in the week.Here are five decisions to watch for at the Supreme Court:Affirmative actionThe Supreme Court is weighing the future of race-conscious admissions policies in two separate lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).Colleges nationwide are watching closely for how the decision may require changes to their admissions practices.The decision could upend affirmative action programs nationwide by overturning the court’s 2003 landmark decision, Grutter v. Bollinger, that allowed the narrowly tailored use of race in admissions decisions to further a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body....

City, owners seek solution for evacuated apartments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (News10) -- “Clearly, there were some issues. That should’ve never escalated to the point it is today,” said Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello. Mantello is pointing to the Harbour Point Gardens apartment complex and buckling brick facades which have resulted in the city evacuating 58 apartments. "Clearly, Code wrote them up on a number of issues,” said Mantello, who is also the Republican candidate for city mayor. She told News10's Anya Tucker that she was alerted to some of the code violations, included the brick, only recently. Representatives with Lexington Property Group, which purchased the apartment complex about a year ago told News10 that the issues mounted well before they took over the property. They told News10's Anya Tucker that they have since renovated roofs, installed gutters and made other improvements. In the meantime, the same representatives told Anya that they were paying for displaced tenants, totaling about 100, to stay in area hotels. On...

Woman recalls losing mom, aunt in Missouri train derailment

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tiffany Powers lost her mom and aunt in an Amtrak train derailment that she ended up surviving. Now, she is sharing her story for the first time since last year's tragedy."It's a struggle day-to-day. I'm a girl that still needs her mom regardless of how old I am," Powers said.  The derailment happened in Mendon, Missouri, one year ago, killing four people and hurting more than 150 others. The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago with a stop in Kansas City before it derailed in Mendon.  Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW "We flew forward, backwards, and then it went on its side," Powers said.Powers, her grandmother, her mom Rochelle Cook and aunt Kim Holsopple headed to Chicago for a girl's weekend, something t...

Man speaks out about close call after his home exploded in Granite City

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

GRANITE CITY, Ill. - A massive explosion ripped a Granite City home to shreds early Monday morning.It happened around 3 a.m. on Dale Avenue. The home was destroyed in pieces.In a matter of minutes, Matthew Jones went from being a new proud homeowner to a man sifting through the debris and rubble of his once-living abode. However, Jones said he is counting his blessing.“Looking where my bed is, looking where I would have been sleeping. I'm pretty thankful that I work graveyard shift because there is no way I would have survived that blast,” he said.Jones said he bought the home at the beginning of the year, and he said to know he lost everything inside is heartbreaking. Crews investigating home explosion in Granite City, Illinois “A house can be built, you can't really bring someone back from the dead. I have homeowners insurance and I have family," Jones said. "So I'm sure I'll be reaching out to them to see where I might be able to stay."His next-door neighbor's home also sustain...

Rockies’ Ryan McMahon and Ezequiel Tovar becoming dynamic fielding duo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

It’s not the Nolan-and-Trevor show, and it might never be. Still, the left side of the Rockies’ infield has been flashing some fine leather this season.Veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon turned in one of the better defensive games of his career Sunday in the Rockies’ 4-3 victory over the Angels. Ezequiel Tovar, the slick-fielding rookie shortstop, started three of Colorado’s four double plays to help seal the win.From 2016 to 2020, Colorado’s lineup featured 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado at third and the athletic Trevor Story at short. It was a dynamic duo in the field and at the plate. Arenado was traded to St. Louis before the 2021 season, and Story became a free agent after the 2021 season, but the new combo of McMahon-Tovar is working just fine.Manager Bud Black was especially impressed by McMahon’s performance on Sunday.“That was one of the better defensive days I’ve seen from a third baseman for a long time,” Blac...

Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi pleased with QB Russell Wilson’s progress in new system: “We’re really happy with where he’s at.”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:02:59 GMT

Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi reunited with head coach Sean Payton in Denver, hoping to get quarterback Russell Wilson, the team’s $245 million investment, back on track after a dreadful 2022 season.Although there’s still a ways to go, Lombardi was pleased with Wilson’s development during the team’s offseason program.“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’re really happy with where he’s at,” Lombardi said.While working with Wilson, Lombardi, who worked under Payton in New Orleans as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach, noticed there was some muscle memory to overcome.“(Wilson is) used to doing things a certain way, and we’re presenting a new way of doing things,” said Lombardi, who spent the last two seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator. “It’s a new year, new coaching staff and a new scheme. We have a lot of time to figure out the best plan for all these players.”Last season, Wilson posted career lows in touchdown ...