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Revenge porn bill advances on Beacon Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

After lawmakers failed to push a bill to punish “revenge porn” over the finish line last year, a new bill favorably reported out of the Judiciary Committee seeks to crack down on distribution of sexually explicit content without the subject’s consent.Disseminating nude photos of another person without permission would be considered criminal harassment under the legislation, and offenders could face up to two and a half years in prison or a fine of $10,000.The committee-formed legislation combines aspects of a number of bills that were before Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Michael Day’s committee, and was passed along to the House Ways and Means Committee with their stamp of approval.The bill meant to “prevent abuse and exploitation” (H 4115) also deals with sexting, coercive control and criminal harassment.It would increase the fine for “willfully and maliciously” engaging in a “knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a p...

STORY REMOVED: AP-ENT–Obit-Suzanne Somers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Please disregard AP-ENT–Obit-Suzanne Somers, published on Oct. 15, 2023. It is a duplicate of the obituary already moved.

Rent-striking tenants voice concerns over landlord’s involvement in Quayside project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Tenants currently on a rent strike are speaking out against the company chosen to develop a parcel of land on the Toronto waterfront claiming that the company cannot be trusted to build affordable housing.Waterfront Toronto, the majority owners of the site, announced in February 2022 an agreement with Dream Unlimited Corp. and Great Gulf Group to turn the 12-acre site at the foot of Parliament Street into Canada’s largest all-electric, zero-carbon master-planned community featuring more than 800 affordable housing units, with more than half being family-sized with at least two bedrooms.The partnership stepped in almost two years after Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs walked away from developing the land because of “unprecedented economic uncertainty.”“We’re concerned that Waterfront Toronto is choosing to do business with Dream Unlimited when they have both proven to be a predatory landlord and a bad faith actor with the tenant union in York South-Weston,” said Chiar...

Polish opposition leader Tusk declares win after exit poll shows ruling conservatives lose majority

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk declared the beginning of a new era for his country after opposition parties appeared to have won enough votes in Sunday’s election to oust the governing nationalist conservative party.That party, Law and Justice, has bickered with allies and faced accusations of eroding rule of law at home in its eight years in power. It appeared that voters were mobilized like never before, voting in even greater numbers than when the nation ousted the communist authorities in 1989.If the result predicted by an exit poll holds, Law and Justice won but also lost. It got more seats than any other party but not enough to being able to lead a government that can pass pass laws in the legislature. The Ipsos exit poll suggested that Law and Justice obtained 200 seats. The far-right Confederation got 12 seats, a showing the party acknowledged was a defeat.It also showed that three opposition parties have likely won a combined 248 seats in t...

Massive NYC landfill-to-park project hits a milestone; first section opens to the public

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Efforts to turn what was once the largest landfill site in the world into a public park hit a milestone Sunday with the opening of the first section open to the public, New York City officials said. The 21-acre (8.5-hectare) North Park section of what has become Freshkills Park includes pedestrian and cycling paths, an overlook deck, bird viewing tower and composting restroom that uses no water.The 2,200-acre (890-hectare) Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island was once the largest landfill site in the world. For five decades after its opening in 1948, it was the principal landfill for New York City’s garbage. The last barge of regular trash was delivered in 2001 when then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani closed the site, partly in response to Staten Island residents who had complained about being the city’s dumping ground.“This transformational project will serve as a model for land reuse projects around the world,” New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said, “and a...

Bears fans honor Dick Butkus at first home game since his death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears fans honored Hall of Famer Dick Butkus at the first home game since he died. On Sunday morning, fans and family gathered at Nacy Pier for a pre-game tailgate to remember the legendary linebacker and to raise money for two causes close to his heart. Family of Dick Butkus releases statement after legend’s death Fans filled the Billy Goat Tavern and raised money for the Butkus Foundation, which promotes health and wellness, and the American Foundation, which promotes suicide prevention.This was Matt Butkus' first public appearance since his father's death.The hall of fame linebacker died Oct. 5 at 80.The South Side native was a star at the University of Illinois before the Bears drafted him in the first round in 1965.He retired after nine years with the Beacrs and then went on to become a broadcaster and actor.

Civil rights activist, housing advocate receives award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is forever memorialized in countless pictures, most in black and white. But one Chicago area photographer took some of the only color photographs of King's historic visit to Chicago. New CPD K9 & Equine Memorial Plaza honors fallen service animals They are photos taken more than a half-century ago."I didn't realize the significance," Bernie Kleina said. Kleina was 30 years old when King came to Chicago in 1965 advocating for open housing. The speech at Soldier Field drew thousands. Kleina was one of them and he brought his camera loaded with color film."It didn't even occur to me to shoot in black and white like the pros were doing," Kleina said. "But now I have something that nobody else has."His are some of the first images of King seen by many in a largely black-and-white world. They are now held in archives and museums around the world. "In those days, there was really no security, so I could get close to King as you and I to photograph...

Medicare open enrollment begins. Here's what to know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) -- The annual open enrollment period for Medicare has begun, allowing millions of seniors to explore their insurance options.Open enrollment runs from Sunday, Oct. 15 to Thursday, Dec. 7. It is one of the select time periods that Medicare recipients are able to make coverage changes to their plan.People enrolled in Medicare will be able to "shop around" during the window and choose between the traditional plan or the privately-run Medicare Advantage plans in their area. They will also be able to join or make changes to their Medicare drug plan.Changes to coverage made over the next few weeks will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, according to Medicare officials.Medicare is the federal health insurance program that is available for those ages 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities. Medicare Part B premiums to rise by 6 percent in 2024 This year, the average beneficiary can choose from 43 different Medicare Advantage plans, including HMOs and ...

No. 7 Longhorns sweep No. 21 Houston, move to 8-0 in Big 12 play

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 7 Texas Longhorns volleyball team moved to 8-0 in Big 12 Conference play with a 3-0 win over No. 21 Houston on Sunday at the Fertitta Center.Since a 3-1 loss to No. 4 Washington State to end nonconference play Sept. 15, the Longhorns have won eight consecutive matches to position themselves as the team to beat in the Big 12. MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersSet scores against the Cougars were 25-10, 25-19, 25-23. The Longhorns beat Houston on Saturday as well, 3-1.Madisen Skinner led the way for the Longhorns with 20 kills for a .375 hitting percentage, and she chipped in five digs. Jenna Wenaas had eight kills while Asjia O'Neal chipped in five kills and four blocks. Bella Bergmark notched four kills and four blocks.Setter Ella Swindle notched 31 assists to go with a nice all-around match, registering six digs, four blocks and four kills. Emma H...

Texas State completes 4th-quarter comeback to dump Louisiana-Monroe 21-20

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State has done something it hasn't done in nearly a decade on Saturday — win five games in a season.The Bobcats scratched their way back from a 20-9 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Louisiana-Monroe 21-20 for the program's fifth win of the season. The last time Texas State reached five wins was in 2014, and they've got five more games left to add to the win column.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"It was huge. I talked about it all week. This is the dang Super Bowl," Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne said. "In a game like that it doesn't matter how you win as long as you win, so I was really proud of them."Bobcats' quarterback TJ Finley hit wideout Joey Hobert with a 22-yard pass for the go-ahead score with 0:41 left in the game. Hobert finished the game with 10 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and both scores were in the final 4:16 of the ballgam...