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House passes bill to avert government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democratic support for temporary funding

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House passes bill to avert government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democratic support for temporary funding.Source

Crime spree killer sentenced to decades in prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A man convicted of killing a father in front of his 6-year-old son during a crime spree two years ago was sentenced Tuesday in front of the surviving​ victims.FOX31 was in the courtroom for the sentencing of Andrew Jacobs, who reached a plea deal in the mid-afternoon crime spree on Nov. 10, 2021. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Back in 2021, the Aurora Police Department said one man — Jacobs — was charged with eight carjackings, one attempted carjacking, two home invasions, one burglary and one homicide, all in a two-hour crime spree.In the midst, he took the life of Carlos Julio Albarracin, whose 6-year-old son witnessed it all.Jacobs was sentenced to 85 years for second-degree murder, a class two felony, along with two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and some sentence enhancers.Carlos Julio Albarracin, 34, was shot during a carjacking on Iowa Street on Nov. 10, 2021. His 6-year-old son witnessed...

New businesses coming to Denver International Airport

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The city council approved several businesses to start operating new locations at Denver International Airport.Most of the restaurants and shops approved already have locations in other parts of the airport and will be adding more:Chick-fil-A in the C concourseCrú Food and Wine Bar in the B concourseDunkin' Donuts in the C concourseEinstein Bros. Bagels in the B concourseHigh Land Mercantile in the A and B concoursesInMotion in the B concourseJamba Juice in the C concourseOut West in the C concoursePour La France in the A concourseStarbucks in the B concourse Woody Bakery in the C concourse Avoid this highway in Colorado during Thanksgiving weekend, AAA says Starbucks already has three locations in the airport, making the new addition the company's fourth. Jamba Juice and Einstein Bros. Bagels also both have two locations each.There will be two new businesses without other locations opening at DIA:Bodega DEN in the A and C concoursesJohnson & Murphy shoe store ...

Miami Marlins honor U.S. veterans with 8th annual Thanksgiving luncheon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

The Miami Marlins paid a special tribute to U.S. veterans by hosting the 8th Annual Veterans Thanksgiving Luncheon at LoanDepot Park this afternoon.Miami-Dade County police chiefs took on the role of servers, offering meals to over 300 military veterans and active-duty members.“We’re here today celebrating all the veterans in the area, commemorating, getting together, having some food, running into veterans we hadn’t seen in some years. I came to this the last two years in a row, and it’s always been wonderful,” said Veteran James Haritos. The Marlins organize this event annually as a gesture of gratitude to veterans for their service, bringing the community together ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Andover teachers, school committee reach deal to end strike

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

Students are set to head back to class Wednesday after teachers and school committee negotiators in Andover reached a deal to end the teachers’ five-day strike, officials said.Parties agreed on a new contract late Tuesday afternoon. Their deal came after union members voted to authorize a strike on Friday of last week. The strike vote, in turn, followed months of negotiations between the Andover Education Association and the Andover School Committee. “The AEA is ecstatic to announce that we have come to an agreement and the strike is OVER!” the Andover Education Association said in its statement on social media moments after 5 p.m. The education association said all educators and students will return to school on Wednesday. The Andover School Committee confirmed a deal was in place.“We cannot begin to thank the Andover community enough for their support,” the education association said. “We cannot wait to see our students in school tomorrow!”Andover School Committee Chair...

Plymouth family returns home after spending weeks stuck in Gaza

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

A family from Plymouth is finally home after they were stranded in Gaza for weeks due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.The family landed at Logan Airport Tuesday afternoon and shared their story. “You don’t know if you’re going to make it or not,” said Hazem Shafai. The Shafai family embraced in emotional hugs as they stepped foot back in the United States. Speaking with reporters, Shafai said the family would probably still be in Gaza “if they didn’t put the effort into getting us out.”Shafai, his wife Sanaa and their three children had been visiting family in Gaza when the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October. “We basically woke up around 6 o’clock to rockets and iron domes,” Hazem Shafai said. “We were right in the middle of it. It’s a scary thought. Scary feeling.” On the ground in Gaza, the Shafai family said, fresh water and food isn’t available. The family said civilians are starving. “It’s hard,” Hazem said. “It’s difficu...

Speaker goes to Dems to avert shutdown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown after new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.Johnson’s proposal to temporarily fund the government into the new year passed on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it. It was the first time the new speaker had to force vital legislation through the House, and he showed a willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats — the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago.This time, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us....

Piping plovers popping in Massachusetts: Researchers identify record year for the bird species

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

Piping plovers are alive and well in Massachusetts.Long classified a federally threatened species, the small, stocky shorebirds are bouncing back, with more nesting on Bay State beaches this year than ever before, according to a Mass Audubon report released Tuesday.Mass Audubon has researched, monitored and protected vulnerable beach-nesting birds, including the piping plover, with hundreds of partners under its coastal waterbird program for more than 35 years.This year, researchers identified around 1,145 breeding pairs nesting in the state, a massive increase of roughly 500% from the fewer than 200 in 1986, when the program began, officials highlighted.“While Piping Plovers remain a federally threatened species, this season’s data shows that these iconic birds are making real progress toward recovery in Massachusetts,” officials stated.Some controversy has followed steps taken to protect the piping plover.After a three-year, $31.2 million renovation, the Curley Community Center in...

Rent control needed now, advocates tell legislative joint committee

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

Depending on who you ask, the rent is too damn high — and lawmakers need to act to prevent Massachusetts families from being pushed their homes — or it’s just high enough to keep developers from abandoning the housing construction projects the state desperately needs.The Joint Committee on Housing sat through six hours of at times emotional testimony on Tuesday, as representatives and senators considered a handful of bills proposing various measures of rent control and tenant protections.The proposals would in effect overturn a state law narrowly passed by referendum in 1994 that bars Massachusetts municipalities from making their own rent control rules. Tenants and landlords alike spoke to lawmakers during the hearing, though as might be expected the owners were greatly outnumbered by the lease-holders.The bills’ consideration comes just days after the collapse of a campaign to undo the 1994 law fell short of signature requirements to make the 2024 ballot. It also...

4 flights at Boston Logan International Airport report green laser strikes, FAA investigating

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:00 GMT

The troubling trend of lasers being pointed at airplanes continued at Boston Logan International Airport this week, with multiple pilots reporting green laser strikes.Four flight crews at Boston Logan reported green laser strikes on Monday and Tuesday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA is now investigating.“The flight crews of Alaska Airlines Flight 536, JetBlue Flight 988, and Delta Air Lines Flight 803 reported being illuminated by a green laser near Boston around 5:40 a.m. local time on Monday, Nov. 13,” the FAA said in a statement.“The flight crew of Alaska Airlines Flight 536 reported being illuminated by a green laser near Boston around 5:10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 14,” the FAA reported.Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense.Related ArticlesLocal News | Massachusetts family is safe at home after escaping Gaza, another family makes it to Egypt Laser strikes have been rising in recent ...