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Free Blue Line, other options rolled out ahead of Sumner Tunnel closure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

The Blue Line will be free, parking just $2, the East Boston Ferry won’t cost you and tolls will be reduced for everyone living with the traffic-jamming closure of the Sumner Tunnel.The T is rolling out “mitigation options” while the Sumner Tunnel closes from July 5 to Aug. 31.In a bulletin shared with the Herald, Gov. Maura Healey’s transportation bosses apologized for what will be a major inconvenience for many. They also summed it up by suggesting those in the area “leave your car at home” and “explore transit options.”Those options include the Blue Line in both directions being free; MBTA parking lots and garages on the Blue Line being reduced to $2 a day; and, the East Boston ferry free.Also, discounted tolls will be provided for the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for “those registered in the Resident Discount Program,” the T said.Fares from Salem and Swampscott Commuter Rail will also be $2 to $2.40; free parkin...

County's homeless population up 22% since last year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A local organization is continuing its federal requirement in counting people experiencing homelessness. The Regional Task Force on Homelessness released a staggering set of numbers for San Diego County.For the first time, the task force is reaching people experiencing homelessness on Caltrans property. This led them to find 661 more people. There was a 22% increase in homelessness in the San Diego region from the previous count in 2022.The task force conducted the count. Their CEO, Tamera Kohler, said the count will hopefully develop better policies and procedures for people without a home. There are faces behind the numbers. BMX star Pat Casey dies in crash at Ramona motocross track "You can't pay the bills, you can't pay for rent, you have to go somewhere, somewhere is here," said Christopher Dubois, who's been experiencing homelessness for 1.5 years in San Diego.Dubois is from Maine. He used to move furniture for a career until he developed blood clots in his legs...

Louisiana governor says he intends to veto anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including ban on gender-affirming care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said Thursday he intends to veto a package of bills passed by the GOP-dominated legislature that targets the LGBTQ+ community, including a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and the state’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Edwards has said throughout the legislative session, which ended Thursday, that he opposes the series of LGBTQ+ bills. If Edwards blocks the bills, lawmakers can convene for a veto session. Overriding a veto requires support from two-thirds of both the House and Senate — and Republicans hold a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Louisiana legislators have only convened for two veto sessions since 1974.While the main job of lawmakers for the past two-months has been to pass a state budget, debate over the contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bills has gained statewide and national attention this session. Marked by misinformation, religious arguments, hours of emotional testimon...

‘Dollarization’ of North Korean economy, once vital, now potential threat to Kim’s rule

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Before fleeing North Korea in 2014, Jeon Jae-hyun kept U.S. dollars as a store of value and used Chinese yuan to make everyday purchases at markets, restaurants and other places. He used the domestic currency, the won, only occasionally. “There were not many places to use the won, and we actually had little faith in our currency,” Jeon said during a recent interview in Seoul. “Even the quality of North Korean bills was awful as they often ripped when we put them in our pockets.”North Korea has tolerated the widespread use of more stable foreign currencies like U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan since a bungled revaluation of the won in 2009 triggered runaway inflation and public unrest.The so-called “dollarization” helped ease inflation and stabilize exchange rates, enabling leader Kim Jong Un to establish a stable hold on power after he inherited that role in late 2011. But the trend poses a potential threat to Kim as it has undermined his government’s control ...

Trump indicted: What to know about the documents case and what's next

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

Donald Trump's indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has brought renewed attention to one of the most notable cases in Justice Department history.The federal charges represent the biggest legal jeopardy so far for Trump, coming less than three months after he was charged in New York with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump says he’s been indicted in classified documents probe Here's a look at the charges, the special counsel's investigation and how Trump's case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?Trump has been charged with seven counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment but not authorized to speak publicly about it. The charges themselves are unclear and remain under seal, one person said.Trump announced on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday night that DOJ lawyers h...

New Trier eyes state title for all-time wins coach Mike Napoleon with Kerry Wood's help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

NORTHFIELD, Ill. - Mike Napoleon didn’t want to talk about 'the number.'"My sons always kind of knew about it. My wife, Melanie, she goes 'Okay. How many is it? 14 more? Or 15 more?' I’m like, 'Stop!'"951 was taboo for the New Trier head coach – the number of wins unparalleled in Illinois high school baseball history.But the reality was Coach Naps, who started his career in 1985 at Notre Dame, was on pace to break the record this year. "I did all my research the night before, looking at all the wins going by coaches," explained Trevians senior third baseman Graham Mastros. "It's pretty spectacular what he did."On April 27th, the Trevians shut out Glenbrook North, lifting Napoleon alone atop the record books.“I’m super competitive and the kids know that. Hopefully, that runs true throughout all the teams I've ever coached. That they're competitive, but they also play the game right. They win with dignity. They lose with dignity. I think that is why a lot of opposing co...

Blue Bell reveals limited-time ice cream flavor with a coffee kick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

(KARK) - Fans of Blue Bell’s coffee flavor now have another one to get hooked on this summer.Blue Bell announced their new flavor, Java Jolt, has officially hit store shelves across the nation. Blue Bell brings back ‘highly requested’ ice cream flavor for limited time The company said the new flavor combines their coffee ice cream flavor with dark chocolate chunks and a coffee fudge swirl. The limited-time flavor is available in pint size.Blue Bell executive Joe Robertson said the idea for the new flavor came from fan reaction to the coffee flavor.“Our Coffee Ice Cream is a fan-favorite, so it is the perfect base for our new Java Jolt,” Robertson said. “We think coffee lovers will be very pleased with this combination!” Blue Bell, Dr Pepper team up to release new ice cream flavor Recently, Blue Bell also released their Dr. Pepper Float flavor, a collaboration between the two Texan brands. That one is available in pint size, as well as a half gallon.

Neighbors next to decomposed body say they smelled pungent odor for weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. - As the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation of a decomposed body found in the area, those who live right next door say they're set to own the property in just a few days. After weeks of smelling something peculiar, neighbors said they were lucky they weren't the ones who found the remains.Rodger and Reggie Evans are long-time residents of the area; their mother purchased the house right next to Wednesday's body recovery over 30 years ago. The Evans said that after smelling something peculiar for some time, Rodger decided to investigate the property, especially since it was soon to be theirs."I had a walk-through three weeks ago and smelled this odor so bad I had to walk with my shirt over my face," Rodger said.The brothers said they have dealt with the odor for over a month. Revisting Mike Shildt’s comments on his Cardinals departure "I get a phone call saying, 'Hey, there's a dead body in the house next door to you guys," Reggie said.S...

New DU women’s soccer head coach Julianne Sitch eager to take program to new heights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

For the first time in over three decades, the University of Denver women’s soccer job opened up last month. Soccer circles noticed.Even with 33 NCAA Division I women’s soccer jobs open in this hiring cycle, “a very deep pool of applicants” raised their hands when the DU gig became available in May after the athletic department announced Jeff Hooker would not return after 31 seasons, per a department spokesman. Julianne Sitch, 39, who was announced as the program’s head coach Wednesday, had one of the deepest résumés of them all.“Coach Sitch, put simply, is the most exceptional fit we could find for DU Athletics competitively, academically and socially,” Josh Berlo, DU vice chancellor for athletics, said Thursday at Sitch’s introductory news conference. “She’s had success everywhere she’s gone … She’s the perfect fit for the University of Denver.”Sitch made headlines last fall at the University of Chi...

Police in pursuit of suspected DUI driver in Los Angeles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:33:08 GMT

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department are in pursuit of a driver in a pickup truck suspected of driving recklessly and being intoxicated. Police initiated the pursuit in the Santa Monica area with the suspect traveling westbound on the 10 Freeway before exiting at Lincoln Boulevard and eventually transitioning to the traffic-congested northbound 405 Freeway. As the pursuit continued, the driver exited at Burbank Boulevard, but continued straight to stay on the 405 Freeway. The driver is reportedly a female and there may be a child in the vehicle. Sky5 is overhead.