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Ticker: Online betting begins in Bay State; Belgium bans TikTok from government phones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

Sports fans raced to their cell phones Friday to begin placing bets as the state allowed online sports wagering just days ahead of tipoff of the NCAA Tournament next week.The start of online sports gambling came a little over a month after the state began allowing people to place wagers in person at the state’s three casinos — Encore Boston Harbor in Boston, Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, and MGM Springfield in Springfield.Lawmakers estimate that sports betting could generate about $60 million in annual tax revenue and $70 million to $80 million in initial licensing fees, which must be renewed every five years. The law includes a 15% tax on in-person wagering and 20% tax on mobile wagering. People must be 21 or older to bet.Belgium bans TikTok from government phonesBelgium is banning TikTok from government phones over worries about cybersecurity, privacy and misinformation, the country’s prime minister said Friday, mirroring recent action by other authorities in E...

Patriots re-sign LB Raekwon McMillan, per report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

The Patriots and linebacker Raekwon McMillan have reached terms on a new contract Friday that will keep McMillan from hitting unrestricted free agency next week, according to a report from The Boston Globe.McMillan, 27, will enter his third season with the Patriots after originally signing as a free agent in 2020. He missed that season with a torn ACL, then bounced back to post 35 tackles, a QB hit and one fumble recovery in 16 games with one start last season. McMillan’s return adds depth at inside linebacker, where the Pats are expected to lose fellow backup Mack Wilson in free agency.Starters Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai are both under contract for next season, though Bentley’s deal runs only through 2023.Earlier Friday, the Patriots released punter Jake Bailey, and safety Devin McCourty announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.

Chris Perkins: Tua fifth-year extension latest sign Dolphins are poised to win now

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

The signs are all there. The news that the Dolphins will sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to his fifth-year contract extension is the latest exciting indication they’re serious about making this Super Bowl run, more serious than they’ve been in years.This is good stuff, Dolphins fans.This isn’t a series of headline-grabbing, one-off transactions.For the first time in a long time, we’re witnessing a legitimate, carefully crafted, well-thought-out championship pursuit. The Dolphins are trying to win now, not two or three years from now, and they have a master plan. That’s becoming more clear with each conjoining move.The Dolphins are positioning themselves financially (they’re releasing injury-slowed cornerback Byron Jones along with other moves), mentally (Tagovailoa’s mind is probably more at ease now that he doesn’t have to listen to Tom Brady rumors), and physically (Tagovailoa is taking jiu-jitsu) to make a Super Bowl run.There’...

Home Showcase: Suburbia never looked so sweet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

Fewer than a handful of single-family homes are currently for sale in Holliston, so if you have your heart set on this western corner of suburbia, the arrival of 41 Pleasant Street on the market is a welcome sight.Of course, scarcity isn’t the only reason the contemporary Colonial is a great find. Most notably, it’s newer, built in 2018, so not only do you get to skip the hassle of overhauling a major system, but the home is as turnkey as it gets with a stylish-yet-timeless design throughout.Boasting a welcoming, open floor plan perfectly suited for entertaining — or for keeping an eye on everything while whipping up lunch — the main living level opens via sunny sliders to a deck so you can take the party outside when it’s warm. To wit, the home sits on close to half an acre, including a large, flat, and fenced backyard with a brick patio area and tons of room for garden beds and a playset.Nearby Lake Winthrop adds swimming and paddle boarding options for Holliston residents for eve...

Chicago Bears free-agent tracker: Cornerback Josh Blackwell and long snapper Patrick Scales to return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

In his second offseason with the Chicago Bears, general manager Ryan Poles has plenty of salary-cap space to rework a roster that finished 3-14 in 2022.As the NFL’s new league year approaches, allowing free agents to begin signing with new teams, the Tribune will track all of the Bears’ arrivals and departures and provide insight into what they mean.The free-agency negotiation window will open across the league at 11 a.m. Monday. Unrestricted free agents can finalize deals when the new league year begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday.Here’s the latest.FridayCornerback Josh Blackwell and defensive lineman Andrew Brown are returning, the Bears announced. What it means: The Bears tendered one-year contracts to Blackwell and Brown, who were exclusive-rights free agents.Blackwell, an undrafted rookie out of Duke, was a key special teams player in 2022. He had 23 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He saw time on defense in four games late in the season when injuries d...

Multiple top staff have departed Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden’s office recently, sources say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden has lost multiple top staffers over the past month, with his general counsel, first assistant and chief of staff all departing, according to sources.The exodus began with General Counsel Spencer Lord, whose actual employment status remains unclear as he’s still on the payroll, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the Herald.But Lord, whose job effectively was to be the lawyer for the office, hasn’t been doing work since a Feb. 14 meeting with Hayden and the DA’s department of human resources, and he’s only been back since to pick up items from his office, sources said.The next day, First Assistant DA Kevin Mullen resigned. The first assistant, essentially the No. 2 in the office and in charge of day-to-day operations, had begun to butt heads with Hayden — and was frustrated with what went down with Lord the previous day, sources said.They were followed by Padraic Lydon, Hayden’s chief of staff, r...

Paul Flores sentenced to 25 years to life for murder of Kristin Smart

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

(KRON) -- Paul Flores was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life in state prison for the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart. Flores, 46, was convicted by a jury last October for murdering Smart in 1996.Smart was a freshman at Cal Poly when she was reported missing in May 1996. Flores was arrested in 2021 following a 25-year investigation into the case. He was convicted the following year.“Today, our criminal and victim justice system has finally delivered justice for Kristin Smart, for the Smart family, and for our San Luis Obispo County community,” said San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow.  “We thank the Smart family and our community for the tremendous trust and patience they placed in the investigation and prosecution of this terrible crime.  We recognize the jury for their focused attention to the evidence and the Sheriff’s Office for their tireless effort in building this case.  Today, justice delayed is not justice denied.”This is a developing story. Check ...

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — ABC’s “This Week” — Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.; Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio; Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board; Dr. Richard Besser, CEO and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.__NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Sheila Bair, former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.__CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen; Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas; Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J. ___CNN’s “State of the Union” — Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.; Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. ___“Fox News Sunday” — Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.; Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.The Associated Press

Ex-intern sues Idaho lawmakers for harassing her after rape

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho legislative intern is suing a lawmaker who was convicted of raping her and one of his colleagues for publicly releasing the teen’s identity and launching a campaign of harassment against her. The young woman, who uses the pseudonym “Jane Doe” in the federal lawsuit, was just 19 when she reported that then-Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted.In the lawsuit, Doe says von Ehlinger and then Rep. Priscilla Giddings, both Republicans, retaliated by publicly releasing her name, encouraging media outlets to publicize it, and lying about her. She is seeking unspecified monetary damages, according to her lawsuit.“Because of the release of Ms. Doe’s identity, Ms. Doe has continually suffered public humiliation and harassment on social media and at public events,” Doe’s ...

Man freed from prison after exoneration of murder charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:47:55 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A man imprisoned for nearly 25 years for murder has been released from prison after being exonerated by prosecutors and a California law school clinic.Leon Benson, 47, left the Correctional Industrial Facility in Pendleton a free man Thursday after an investigation revealed police failed to disclose key evidence, including information implicating someone else in the crime, The Indianapolis Star reported. “It is so surreal. I just walked out of prison, literally, a few hours ago,” Benson said after a champagne toast with his friends and family.Benson was convicted of the murder of Kasey Schoen, who was shot five times while sitting in his truck near downtown Indianapolis early on Aug. 8, 1998. Benson was convicted in July 1999 and sentenced to 61 years in prison.Lara Bazelon, an attorney for Benson and director of the Racial Justice Clinic at the University of San Francisco School of Law, said the case against him relied on the questionable identification by a wit...