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Healey asks Biden for major disaster declaration after damaging September storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey asked President Biden Wednesday to declare a major disaster in parts of Massachusetts so communities hit by damaging September storms can access federal assistance.Heavy rains and flooding left roads and homes damaged in Leominster and North Attleboro and prompted Healey to declare a four-day state of emergency as crews worked to clean up the municipalities. The storms required evacuations, water rescues, and the construction of temporary roadways so first responders and residents could access homes.Healey, who traveled to North Attleboro and Leominster, said she saw first-hand the “devastating impacts” of the storms.“The extraordinarily heavy rainfall flooded thousands of homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure, and required a significant public safety response. I’m requesting federal assistance to support our ongoing recovery efforts as communities and residents continue to rebuild,” Healey said in a statement.A president can declare a major disaster for a...

'Always be my second home': Antonio Gates enters Chargers Hall of Fame with message for San Diego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- When legendary tight end Antonio Gates was inducted into the Los Angeles Chargers' Hall of Fame Sunday, he had a heartfelt message for San Diego.During a halftime ceremony at the Chargers-Broncos game in Inglewood, Gates became the 41st member to be enshrined in the team's Hall of Fame, joining Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson and Charlie Joiner."To the city of San Diego," Gates began, as roars erupted from the crowd. "You supported me. You embraced a 22-year-old kid from Detroit. And you will always be my second home." Watch: Antonio Gates inducted into Chargers Hall of Fame The eight-time Pro Bowler finished his 16-year career with the Chargers -- 14 years in San Diego and two in Los Angeles -- with the most touchdown receptions and multi-touchdown games by a tight end in the National Football League’s history.Gates was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after not having played organized football since his senior season at Detroit’s Central High...

Anthony Anderson to host strike-delayed Emmys ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Anderson has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, and now he’ll be presiding over January’s strike-delayed ceremony.The Fox network announced Anderson will host the Jan. 15 ceremony, which honors the best shows, performances and other work on television.The Emmys are traditionally held in September but have moved into Hollywood’s traditional awards season due to this year’s actors and writers strikes.“Succession” is the leading nominee for its final season, with other HBO series like “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us” also receiving multiple nominations.Anderson is a seven-time leading comedy actor nominee for his starring role in the ABC series “black-ish.” The show ended its groundbreaking eight-season run in 2022.Anderson is no stranger to headlining an awards show — he served as host of the NAACP Image Awards for eight years.The Associated Press

Reaction to the death of Andre-Braugher, including from Terry Crews, David Simon and Shonda Rhimes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

A collection of reactions to the death of Andre-Braugher, the actor whose credits included the gritty “Homicide: Life on The Street” and the silly “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”“I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship.” — “Brooklyn 99” co-star Terry Crews, via Instagram.“Deeply saddened by the news of Andre Braugher’s passing. I mourn not only the loss of an extraordinary actor but, more profoundly, the departure of a warm and kind soul. His talent was undeniable, but it was his genuine kindness that truly set him apart. Rest well.” — Shonda Rhimes via Instagram.“Andre Braugher. God. I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful actors. I’ll never work with one better. Stunned and thinking of Ami and his sons and so many mem...

Many top Russian athletes faced minimal drug testing in 2023 ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Two of Russia’s top swimmers have been drug tested by their country’s anti-doping agency only twice apiece in 2023, part of a larger trend in the country that adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the IOC’s decision to allow some Russian athletes to compete next year at the Paris Olympics.The Russian Anti-Doping Agency lists on its website the number of tests it gives to individual athletes, in following a best practice it had long been urged to adapt. It has administered some 10,500 tests in 2023 — a number the IOC highlighted in a memorandum signed by key members of the Olympic movement at a summit last week that “emphasized that doping controls in Russia continue.”Among those tests, only two each were given to defending 100 and 200-meter backstroke champion Evgeniy Rylov and 50-meter backstroke world-record holder Kliment Kolesnikov.Another medal contender, Evgeniia Chikunova, has been tested three times by the agency. A pair of Ru...

Energy stocks help boost S&P/TSX composite, U.S. stock markets also higher

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in the energy stocks helped Canada’s main stock index move higher in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets also gained ground.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 53.68 points at 20,287.52.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 32.77 points at 36,610.71. The S&P 500 index was up 8.50 points at 4,652.20, while the Nasdaq composite was up 25.61 points at 14,559.01.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.67 cents US compared with 73.53 cents US on Tuesday.The January crude contract was up 78 cents at US$69.39 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up two cents at US$2.33 per mmBTU.The February gold contract was up US$3.60 at US$1,996.80 an ounce and the March copper contract was down a penny at US$3.78 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)The Canadian Press

Snow squall warning in effect for parts of GTA ahead of Friday warmup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

The official start of the season is still more than a week away but parts of the GTA are bracing for a burst of winter weather on Wednesday.Snow squall warnings and travel advisories are in place for parts of the region ahead of what is expected to be isolated winter activity.The snow squall warnings are in place for areas in northern York and Durham regions including Newmarket, Barrie, Georgina and Uxbridge, where Environment Canada is calling for up to 15 centimetres of snow.The weather agency says travel could become hazardous as flurries develop in the morning and build intensity until weakening Wednesday evening.“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably,” reads the warning. “Changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.”Winter Weather Travel Advisory for southern Durham Region including Pickering through to Oshawa. Could get some bursts of snow reducing visibility this afternoon. Snow Squall Warning con...

Lawsuits target Maine referendum aimed at curbing foreign influence in local elections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Two utilities and two media organizations are suing over a referendum in Maine that closed a loophole in federal election law that allows foreign entities to spend on local and state ballot measures.The three lawsuits take aim at the proposal overwhelmingly approved by voters on Nov. 7 to address foreign election influence.The Maine Association of Broadcasters and Maine Press Association contend the new law imposes a censorship mandate on news outlets, which are required to police campaign ads to ensure there’s no foreign government influence.Meanwhile, Central Maine Power and Versant, the state’s largest electric utilities, each filed separate lawsuits raising constitutional challenges that contend the referendum violates their free speech and engagement on issues that affect them.The Maine Commission on Government Ethics and Campaign Practices is studying the federal complaints filed Tuesday and consulting with the attorney general, Jonathan Wayn...

Saudi registrants for COP28 included undeclared oil company employees, nonprofit says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

At least 15 people who registered for Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai appear to be undeclared employees of the Saudi state oil company, according to research by an environmental nonprofit.Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-biggest oil producer, was one of the main countries opposing an aggressive commitment to phase out fossil fuels at the United Nations-led summit. Saudi Arabia and other large oil-producing nations have traditionally held sway in nixing potential agreements on reducing oil, gas and coal, which when burned cause climate change. This year, however, negotiators went into extra time before approving an agreement that calls for a transition away from fossil fuels for the first time, though critics say it is filled with loopholes.New rules for this year’s talks required registrants to disclose their affiliation, a move aimed at improving transparency. Activists have long questioned the presence of fossil fuel producers a...

Oakville couple out nearly $55K after kitchen renovation ‘nightmare’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:56 GMT

Angela and Gino Costabile’s home in Oakville is all decked out for the holidays. Several lights and decorations adorn the home inside and out.“Christmas is so very special for us,” Angela said.The one thing she enjoys the most is cooking and baking for family and friends. She had plans to do so in a newly renovated kitchen, something the couple has been saving for and planning for 37 years.“That won’t be happening this year,” she told us.Their kitchen is bare bones — a few finished cabinets and countertop but no appliances after a project that was started months ago was never finished.Back in June, they hired a contractor that was recommended to them. He started some of the work, like redoing the floors, some of the cabinetry and ceiling.“He was great in the beginning, and I really liked his work.”But a few weeks in and after the couple gave him nearly $55,000 upfront in deposit funds to pay for work and materials, he stopped showing up.“He just started ghosting us,” Angela sa...