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Healey signs onto letter asking textbook publishes to ‘hold the line’ for Democracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

Textbook companies need to “hold the line for our Democracy” and not cave to governors calling for “censorship” of school educational materials, a letter signed by ten governors, including Gov. Maura Healey, said.The governors said they wrote the open letter — dated May 25 — out of concern that textbook publishers may be tempted to “water down critical information to appeal to the lowest common denominator.” It comes as a debate over what should or should not be included in textbooks for students and libraries plays out across the country.“Our country’s future is at stake. You hold enormous influence in shaping how our great nation’s history is told, and the consequences of your actions will reverberate for generations to come,” the letter reads. “Honestly grappling with our legacy has long been a cornerstone of American patriotism. If we are to continue striving for a more perfect union, then we must carry out our duty of ensuring future generations understand our full ...

Recipes: 3 delicious dishes you can make with store-bought, precooked chicken

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

A take-out cooked chicken can be the cornerstone for hundreds of quick-to-prepare dishes. Whether simply roasted or rotisserie cooked, these birds are fast and convenient. They can be downright scrumptious. Rotisserie-style, they are turned on a spit, a process that keeps juices distributed throughout the meat. Or roasted, they are often complemented with lemon and herbs.The skin shimmers, while drumsticks are often bound at the end to form elongated heart shapes below rounded breasts and tautly tucked wings. On the way home the alluring scent fills the car as warm poultry melds with scented juices. The aroma fuels chicken-centric hunger pangs.While the ready-to-eat chicken can be happily eaten as is, its versatility as an ingredient seems endless. The tasty poultry can be the secret weapon in last-minute cooking.Try these recipes on for size.Chicken Salad with Whole-Grain Mustard VinaigretteFresh lemon juice brightens this light and summery version of chicken salad. The bold flavor...

New housing chief eyes state land to ease crunch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

It’s Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus now.Gov. Maura Healey swore-in Augustus Thursday morning as the brand new secretariat charged with overseeing housing in Massachusetts, lowering associated costs, and dealing with the many different stakeholders in the industry.In his new role, Augustus said he wants to move quickly to inventory surplus state land that can be used for housing production.“There’s a lot of state land that isn’t necessarily being used right now. And that land belongs to the people of the commonwealth and that land should be put to use for the needs of the people of the commonwealth,” he told reporters at the State House. “And there can’t be a more severe and significant and pressing need than creating housing.”The new cabinet-level position completes the split of the original Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development into two entities. The Department of Housing and Community Development will fall under Augustus’ purview.A...

Biden falls on stage during Air Force graduation ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

President Biden was uninjured after falling on stage congratulating the last of the Air Force Academy graduates at a commencement ceremony Thursday.Biden, who delivered the commencement address and stayed on stage for a couple of hours as diplomas were awarded, could be seen in a video stumbling and falling. He was helped up by Air Force officials and pointed at a sandbag that appeared to be the cause of his tumble."He's fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands," White House communications director Ben LaBolt tweeted.Footage of the fall quickly circulated on social media, with Republican officials among those sharing it.At 80, Biden is the oldest individual ever to serve as president, and his age and fitness for office is likely to be a key factor as he runs for reelection in 2024.Biden has previously acknowledged that it's fair for voters to wonder about his age. But he has responded by saying that he remains up for the job, and those who are unsure should simp...

Rabbi recounts fear and heroism during deadliest antisemitic attack in US history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rabbi Jonathan Perlman took the witness stand Thursday wearing the yarmulke he had on the day a gunman burst into his Pittsburgh synagogue during Sabbath services and began shooting anyone he could find.The skullcap Jews wear as a reminder of God’s presence fell off during the Oct. 27, 2018, assault on the Tree of Life synagogue, which was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Authorities kept it as evidence for years, and Perlman, the rabbi for one of the three congregations who shared the building, only recently got it back.As he recalled the terrifying events of that day, Perlman, 59, also assumed his role as a teacher to explain the stitched Hebrew lettering on his yarmulke, which read, “There is nothing aside from Him,” “This is a God who is present to all aspects of creation,” he told the federal jury.It was one of several moments during the trial over a brutal act of violence against Jews in which survivors used the opportunity to edu...

Store owner charged with killing a teen shot at people he suspected of shoplifting before

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A store owner in South Carolina charged with murder this week after shooting a teen he wrongly thought stole water has shot at suspected shoplifters two other times in the past eight years and not faced charges, authorities said.In 2018, Rick Chow confronted a shoplifter at his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia and the man attacked him, Richland County deputies said. Chow fired two shots and the man was wounded in the leg, investigators said. The man pleaded guilty to charges in the case.In 2015, Chow fired several shots at a vehicle after he tried to stop someone he suspected of shoplifting, and the suspect got into the vehicle and threatened to shoot Chow, deputies said. No one was hurt.In both cases, authorities said Chow’s actions were not criminal. Self-defense law in South Carolina requires the shooter doesn’t instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger and has no way to avoid that danger.Deputies decided that was not the case Sund...

Biden tells US Air Force Academy graduates their leadership needed; trips after speech

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked U.S. Air Force Academy graduates for choosing “service over self” but said they now have the “great privilege” of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come. His appearance was punctuated by a stumble onstage after handing out diplomas to graduates. “Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service,” Biden told more than 900 cadets in remarks on the sun-splashed field at Falcon Stadium in Colorado. “Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yeah leadership.”“In the years ahead, your airmen and guardians are going to look to you for guidance and inspiration because the world is going to get more confusing,” he added. “They’ll put their trust in you. You, in turn, must strive to always be worthy of their confidence.”Near the end of the ceremony, the 80-year-old president turned to walk across the stage and tripped. He was ...

Re/Max report forecasts commercial real estate upswing later this year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

A new report released by Re/Max Canada predicts some Canadian cities could see an upswing in demand for commercial real estate in the next six months.The company says despite evolving conditions in the sector since the pandemic, it sees resilience across the 12 commercial real estate markets it reviewed in the first quarter of 2023.Industrial real estate is leading the way, with rising property values in B.C. and Ontario causing a spillover of demand to cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, London-St. Thomas, Halifax and St. John’s. But Re/Max says the office sector continues to struggle across the country amid the increase of hybrid work models, which has prompted the repurposing of some office space to residential use in major cities.The report indicates land sales remain “solid” despite continued high interest rates and construction costs.Meanwhile, it says retail is “surprisingly robust” despite the growth of online sales in recent ye...

Authorities recover bodies of 2 sisters after vessel found submerged in Alaska; 2 still missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have recovered the bodies of two sisters onboard a fishing charter boat that was found partially submerged off southeast Alaska amid rough seas. Two others remain missing from the charter, which was taken by two vacationing couples. Alaska State Troopers said they believe the bodies are those of Danielle Agcaoili, 53, of Waipahu, Hawaii, and her sister Brandi Tyau, 56, of Canoga Park, California. They were recovered from the boat around 5 p.m. Wednesday and taken to the state medical examiner’s office. Robert Solis, 61, Tyau’s partner, and the boat captain, Morgan Robidou, 32, of Sitka, Alaska, remain missing. Danielle Agcaoili’s partner Maury Agcaoili, 57, was found unresponsive in the water near the boat Sunday and later pronounced dead, according to authorities.The 30-foot (9-meter) aluminum charter vessel was overdue Sunday evening and last seen earlier that day near Sitka, a community about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest ...

Governor raises gay pride flag over Wisconsin Capitol in show of support for LGBTQ+ community

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:52 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A gay pride flag rose over the Wisconsin Capitol on Thursday in a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community as it weathers heightened attacks from conservatives across the country.Democratic Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flag raised during a noon ceremony as dozens of spectators looked on. The flag will fly over the Capitol throughout the month of June in recognition of Pride month below the U.S. and the Wisconsin state flag.The Village People’s “YMCA” and Abba’s “Dancing Queen” played from speakers before the ceremony began. Spectators were decked in T-shirts that read “Be Kind” and “You Are Loved.”The governor told the crowd he was “jazzed as hell” to be there. He acknowledged the LGBTQ+ community is under attack and conservative rhetoric about the community has emboldened hate. Raising the flag sends a message to everyone who wants to belong and find a home, he said.“You belong here. You are welcome here,” Evers said to applause. “It’s a ...