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Boston Mayor Wu says City Council violated local, state law with budget override vote

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu nullified a budget override vote the City Council took last month that included raises for a municipal labor union, saying that the body violated the city charter by inserting itself into collective bargaining.The funds intended in the override vote — which sought to increase the salaries of municipal protective services employees as part of an “inter-departmental shift” that would have decreased their overtime spending — will not be used for that purpose in the fiscal year 2024 budget, Wu told the Council in a Monday letter.“That purpose violates the city charter because it inserts the Council into collective bargaining negotiations,” Wu wrote, adding that state law also prohibits third parties from taking part in the bargaining process.Further, the $584,897 in funds approved for the salary increase is the “exact sum” this particular union, the Municipal Police Patrolmen’s Association, has requested in its collective bargaining negotiations with the city, W...

Mental health respite facilities are filling care gaps in over a dozen states

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

Cheryl Platzman Weinstock | KFF Health News (TNS)If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988,” or the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741.____Aimee Quicke has made repeated trips to emergency rooms, hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and psychiatric lockdowns for mental health crises — including suicidal thoughts — since she was 11.The 40-year-old resident of Le Mars, Iowa, has bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorders. “Some of the visits were helpful and some were not,” she said. “It was like coming in and going out and just nothing different was happening.”Then she heard about Rhonda’s House, a rural peer respite program that opened on the other side of the state in 2018, through acquaintances in her community.That facility, and dozens of others like it established nationwide over the past 20 years, offers a short-term, homelike, nurturing environment for people who are experi...

Don't have a Comic-Con badge? Check out these events that don't require one

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- It's the final countdown to San Diego Comic-Con, with those who were able to snag one of the hard-to-get badges anxiously waiting to celebrate their favorite fandoms.For fans who weren't able to get one of the coveted badges, there's still plenty of ways to experience the excitement from outside the main event.From free experiences to separately ticketed events, here's some attractions outside the San Diego Convention that fans can check out without a badge. MORE: San Diego Comic-Con Comic-Con MuseumAn extension of the big convention, the Comic-Con Museum brings together renowned comics and popular arts in a vibrant space, celebrating the best in fandoms all year round. Featuring seasonal exhibits, hands-on activities, panels, movie screenings and other programming this is a great way to experience the magic of Comic-Con without a ticket for the big event. Ahead of Comic-Con, the museum will be debuting three new exhibits to their collection, including one featuring t...

Ocean Beach Pier temporarily closes for maintenance

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The Ocean Beach Pier is closed on Monday for maintenance to the structure, the City of San Diego announced in a tweet.Crews will be working to repair the pier's pump station, which was damaged during the winter storms, throughout the week. However, the pier is expected to reopen to visitors on Tuesday as the maintenance continues.The pier was reopened at the beginning of July after a nearly six-month closure due to the powerful storms' battering of the structure. City officials closed the pier to visitors out of an abundance of caution until an assessment could be conducted.According to the city, only minor surface-level damage had been identified by a consultant during the inspection, specifically along on the pier's railings, buildings and sewer pumps. 1 found dead after East County structure fire The pump station is what crews are now working on repairing. When public access is restored later this week, the pier's restrooms will remain closed until maintenance is ...

Princess Diana’s iconic sheep sweater could fetch at least $50,000 at auction

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A red sweater adorned with a flock of sheep worn by the young Princess Diana is expected to sell for more than $50,000 at auction.The playfully patterned wool jumper featuring a single black sheep amid a pattern of white ones headlines Sotheby’s online Fashion Icons sale in September.The 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer was photographed in the garment at a polo match in June 1981, soon after her engagement to Prince Charles, who was then heir to the British throne.Diana was already becoming a style icon —- and one of the world’s most photographed women — and the moment gave a big boost to designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who made the sweater for their small knitwear label Warm & Wonderful.A few weeks later, Muir and Osborne received an official letter from Buckingham Palace explaining that Diana had damaged the sweater and asking whether it could be repaired or replaced. The original was returned, showing damage to a sleeve the designers thought might have be...

Authorities in Oregon say the deaths of four women over three months are linked

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The deaths of four women whose bodies were found over the course of three months in or near Portland, Oregon, are linked, and at least one person of interest has been identified, authorities said Monday.The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office in Portland, Oregon, says no charges have been filed against anyone but that the community is not currently in any danger. Local media reported that a man is in custody.The women’s bodies were found in Portland and in nearby cities of Gresham and Milwaukie starting in February, with the last one found in May. Authorities said the state medical examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death for any of the women.Authorities did not use the word “serial killer” in announcing the connection between the deaths. “Investigators and prosecutors from multiple law enforcement agencies have been working collaboratively … and they have determined that there are links between four cases: Kristin Smith, Charity Perr...

Biden campaign staffs up with former White House aide Cedric Richmond and fundraising leaders

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After having just four official staffers on the payroll last quarter, President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign on Monday announced that former White House aide and congressman Cedric Richmond is joining as co-chair and that two veteran Democratic fundraisers are signing on to lead outreach to donors.Richmond, who served as a senior adviser to Biden in the White House and director of the office of public engagement, has been a key political confidant to the president and is set to reprise that role on his campaign. Biden’s team also announced that Rufus Gifford and Chris Korge will serve as finance chairs of Biden’s campaign and victory fund, respectively. Gifford has been chief of protocol at the Department of State and served as ambassador to Denmark in the Obama administration. He had previously served as finance director for Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign and for the Democratic National Committee. Korge is the finance chairman for...

Dionne Warwick, Amanda Marshall among performers at the Canadian National Exhibition

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

TORONTO — Dionne Warwick and Amanda Marshall are among the musicians set to stop by the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto this summer.The bandshell stage at Exhibition Place is the only Canadian stop currently scheduled on Warwick’s tour, which is taking her around the United States.The 82-year-old is set to headline on Aug. 19, while Canadian pop star Marshall will take the stage on Aug. 23 and is expected to perform new music.Jann Arden, Winnipeg folk singer William Prince and Canadian-country chart topper Brett Kissel are also scheduled to make appearances.On Aug. 25, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair and Haviah Mighty will perform together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop.The CNE runs from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4, and concerts are included in the price of admission.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2023.The Canadian Press<!– Photo: 20230717140740-64b58b3b7b3568c43e6354c4jpeg.jpg, Caption: Dionne Warwick and Amanda Marshall are ...

Maine timeline would allow online, mobile sports wagering to begin in November

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Temporary licenses for sports betting in Maine could be issued by November, allowing the long-awaited launch of mobile and online wagering, officials said Monday.The Maine Gambling Control Unit has submitted proposed rules governing sports betting to the attorney general’s office for review, and the state will be poised to act upon anticipated adoption in November, said Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.“Temporary or initial licenses will be issued on the day of adoption to allow licensees to go live and offer wagers on sports according to law and rule,” she said in a statement.The law adopted by state lawmakers went into effect nearly a year ago, but the director of the Gambling Control Unit said it was important to move slowly.Mobile and online wagering is expected to account for 85% of the sports betting market in Maine, providing a conduit for revenue for Native American tribes who were given control of the onl...

Cubs will pay tribute to Lin Brehmer in August

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:56:42 GMT

CHICAGO — The Cubs have become the latest to honor the memory of popular Chicago radio host Lin Brehmer. On Monday, the club announced that they will host a tribute to Brehmer at Wrigley Field on Saturday, August 19. "Lin's Binge" will take place on what would have been his 69th birthday and will feature a few events inside and outside of the ballpark. Brehmer died at the age of 68 on January 22 after a battle with prostate cancer. How Lin Brehmer paid tribute to WGN's broadcasting of the Cubs On August 19 the Cubs will have a special "culinary experience" at Gallagher Way featuring some of the late WXRT host's favorite restaurants and chefs before and during the first hour of the team's game with the Royals. Paul Kahan, Beverly Kim, Tony Mantuano, Matthias Merges, and Tony Priolo are among the chefs confirmed for the event. Food vouchers for that event are $10, with proceeds benefitting two organizations Brehmer supported: Intonation and Nourishing Hope. Those organizations wil...