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Negotiations continue as Andover teacher strike stretches into fifth day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

Schools were closed again in Andover Tuesday as the ongoing teachers strike in town stretched into its fifth day. On the third day of missed classes for students, though, there were signs of progress, with at least one union official saying parties were close to a deal. “The gap has definitely narrowed over the last 36 hours,” said Andover Education Association 2nd Vice President Lauren McCarron. “We fought hard into the late night last night.”Members of the Andover Education Association voted on Friday to authorize a strike after months of negotiations with the Andover School Committee over a new contract.Schools were subsequently closed on Friday, Monday and Tuesday as the strike got underway. On Monday, an Essex Superior Court judge ruled that the Andover Education Association would face large fines for each day its strike continues. Strikes among public employees are illegal in Massachusetts. Pressing ahead despite the fines, striking teachers headed to Bosto...

Mass. lawmakers consider pilot program to introduce four-day workweek

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

There is an effort underway to at least test out a four-day workweek in Massachusetts.Representatives Dylan Fernandes and Josh Cutler recently introduced a bill that would give tax credits to businesses in the state that sign up for a shorter workweek pilot program and report on how the pilot is going over the course of two years.Both representatives discussed their proposal on Tuesday as supporters testified before the state Labor and Workforce Development at the State House.“We’d have two years of data to look at and really dig into and see what are the kinds of questions that different businesses would have,” said Cutler.“The five day work week is a human construct and we think it needs updating,” said Fernandes.Supporters of a four-day workweek say the idea would help reduce burnout in the workplace.In Cambridge, one local nonprofit has already tried out such a change. Alan Palm of Better Future Project told lawmakers the four-day workweek “has allowed us to boost the quali...

House readies vote to prevent a government shutdown as Speaker Johnson relies on Democrats for help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House prepared on Tuesday for a vote to prevent a government shutdown, with new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.To keep the federal government running into the new year, Johnson was willing 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 as some Republicans showed signs of unrest but stopped short of threatening to remove the speaker, who has been on the job for just three weeks. The Senate would act next, ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline.“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people,” Johnson said at a news conference at the Capito...

Tens of thousands of supporters of Israel rally in Washington, crying ‘never again’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supporters of Israel rallied by the tens of thousands on the National Mall under heavy security Tuesday, voicing solidarity in the fight against Hamas and crying “never again.”The “March for Israel” offered a resounding and bipartisan endorsement of one of America’s closest allies as criticism has intensified over Israel’s offensive in Gaza, set off by the bloody Hamas incursion on Oct. 7.Overlooking a sea of Israeli and U.S. flags, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jefferies, came together on the stage and, with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, joined hands. “We stand with Israel,” Schumer chanted.Yet underneath that projection of unity, Democrats are sharply divided over Israel’s course and its treatment of Palestinians. President Joe Biden now is urging Israel to restrain some of its tactics to ease civilian suffering in Gaza after voicing full-...

Worker left with traumatic injuries after wall collapses at Falmouth construction site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

Officials with OSHA are investigating after authorities say a wall fell and struck a worker at a construction site in Falmouth.The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department said its crews were called to North Falmouth Highway for the incident around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning.According to the department, the worker was injured after a wall on the second floor of a home under construction came down and pinned him.Authorities said other workers on scene were able to get the victim out from underneath the wall before rescue crews arrived, and that the injured worker had suffered traumatic, non-life-threatening injuries.Rescue crews later worked to move the worker from the building’s second floor to an ambulance, before he was later flown from Falmouth Hospital to the Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center for treatment.

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, LT Ronnie Stanley, WR Odell Beckham Jr. among 7 players absent from Tuesday practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

Two days before the Ravens’ pivotal AFC North showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, several key players were absent from practice.Seven Ravens were missing from the portion of Tuesday’s practice open to the media, including cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee). Humphrey and Stanley were both injured in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns and also missed practice Monday, while Beckham wasn’t listed on the injury report Monday but has missed one practice in each of the past three weeks.Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Humphrey and Stanley’s injuries wouldn’t keep them out “long term,” adding they have a “chance” to play Thursday.Guard John Simpson, a full participant on the Ravens’ estimated practice report Monday, also wasn’t seen at practice. Simpson has started all 10 games at left guard this season and hasn’t missed a practi...

YouTube to require AI disclosure by creators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

YouTube is rolling out new rules for AI content, including a requirement that creators reveal whether they’ve used generative artificial intelligence to make realistic looking videos.In a blog post Tuesday outlining a number of AI-related policy updates, YouTube said creators that don’t disclose whether they’ve used AI tools to make “altered or synthetic” videos face penalties including having their content removed or suspension from the platform’s revenue sharing program.“Generative AI has the potential to unlock creativity on YouTube and transform the experience for viewers and creators on our platform,” Jennifer Flannery O’Connor and Emily Moxley, vice presidents for product management, wrote in the blog post. “But just as important, these opportunities must be balanced with our responsibility to protect the YouTube community.”The restrictions expand on rules that YouTube’s parent company, Google, unveiled in...

Ticker: Wall Street soars on inflation report; ESPN Bet nears launch 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

Wall Street surged after a report on U.S. inflation sent waves of relief through markets.The S&P 500 jumped 1.9% to a two-month high Tuesday, one of its best days of the year.The Dow rallied 489 points, and the Nasdaq composite soared 2.4%.The highly anticipated report showed inflation slowed last month, bolstering bets among traders that the Federal Reserve is finally done with its market-crunching hikes to interest rates.Technology and other high-growth stocks led the way higher. Stocks of smaller companies also got a particularly big boost on hopes that financial conditions won’t tighten further. Treasury yields tumbled.ESPN Bet nears launchESPN Bet, a rebranded sports-gambling app owned by Penn Entertainment, is set to launch.Penn signed a $1.5 billion deal with ESPN for rights to the sports media giant’s name in August. Under the agreement, Penn will operate ESPN Bet while ESPN promotes the app across its online and broadcast platforms.It’s unclear when ES...

Could gambling’s expansion make South Florida the new Vegas?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

Some people have a vision of Florida’s future: a gambling destination second only to Las Vegas, perhaps even rivaling it, where tourists play craps and roulette at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, sip cocktails on the beach, and place bets on a Dolphins or Heat game with the swipe of a finger.Maybe their kids are at Disney World, or at the pool; maybe they’re at home in New York or Massachusetts, somewhere cold.“If you look at Vegas, their hotels are always packed, their casinos are always packed,” said Mychal Milian, a lodging instructor at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. “Now imagine Vegas with a beach.”Milian also serves as the complex director of operations for the Dania Pointe Marriott Hotels at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, a 10-minute drive from the Hard Rock in Hollywood.In less than a month, in-person sports betting, craps and roulette will, presumably, begin at all South Florida casinos and elsewhere in the state,...

Patriots captain reacts to Jack Jones release with disappointment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:59 GMT

FOXBORO — Based on comments from Patriots longtime defensive end Deatrich Wise, players were in the dark over the cause of Jack Jones’ release Monday.Wise, a defensive captain, spoke to reporters in the locker room on Tuesday and was asked for his reaction to Bill Belichick’s decision to waive Jones.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Kyed: 13 final thoughts on Patriots’ eventful experience in Germany New England Patriots | Bill Belichick breaks silence on Patriots’ decision to waive Jack Jones New England Patriots | Patriots-Colts film review: Why the Germany loss may not be rock bottom New England Patriots | Patriots release troubled CB Jack Jones, claim RB JaMychal Hasty New England Patriots | Patriots captains declare belief in Bill Belichick after latest loss “That was something that I saw later on last night,” Wise said. “That was one of those thin...