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Massachusetts appropriates $1M for alternative program or nonviolent offenders from Mass and Cass

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

Lawmakers are making a move to tackle the Mass and Cass problem by putting $1 million toward alternative treatment to get nonviolent offenders clean and out of the encampment at the center of the region’s opioid crisis.“We’re extremely grateful that the Legislature has recognized the value of this program and the extreme urgency of addressing the complex problems at Mass and Cass,” said Suffolk District Attorney’s Office chief spokesman James Borghesani.The $56.2 billion state budget, passed on the last day of July, is awaiting Gov. Maura Healey’s signature.The million dollars is found on page 23 of the nearly 400-page state budget. This section outlines an appropriation just shy of $1.5 million toward “the implementation and administration of drug diversion programs for nonviolent young adult drug offenders,” with the bulk of the funds intended directly for a program run in Suffolk County.“Not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for the Services Over Sentences program to address...

FDA approves first postpartum depression pill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

By Matthew Perrone, AP Health WriterWASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have approved the first pill specifically intended to treat severe depression after childbirth, a condition that affects thousands of new mothers in the U.S. each year.The Food and Drug Administration on Friday granted approval of the drug, Zurzuvae, for adults experiencing severe depression related to childbirth or pregnancy. The pill is taken once a day for 14 days.“Having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings,” said Dr. Tiffany Farchione, FDA’s director of psychiatric drugs, in a statement.Postpartum depression affects an estimated 400,000 people a year, and while it often ends on its own within a couple weeks, it can continue for months or even years. Standard treatment includes counseling or antidepressants, which can take weeks to work and don’t help everyone.The new pill is from Sage...

Red Sox notebook: Sox add Luis Urías, designate Christian Arroyo for assignment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

It appears the Red Sox have a new starting second baseman.Luis Urías, the club’s lone acquisition at Tuesday’s trade deadline, has been called up to the big league club from Triple-A. To clear space on the roster, the Red Sox designated incumbent starter Christian Arroyo for assignment, and afterwards manager Alex Cora indicated Urías will get the bulk of the playing time at second going forward.“We trust this kid, I think offensively he had some good seasons and he can play second base,” Cora said. “Obviously we pulled the trade and he’s here to play.”“I’m very happy and very grateful to have this opportunity with this team and this group,” Urías said via translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “They’ve all been very nice and very welcoming to me.”Not long ago Urías was among the most productive young middle infielders in the National League, and while the 26-year-old has endured a nightmare season so far — b...

Ed Flynn to focus on Mass and Cass during 10-day stint as Boston’s acting mayor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

City Council President Ed Flynn said he plans to spend his time as acting mayor of Boston addressing the squalid conditions around Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue, amid reports of increased violence and drug trafficking.Flynn, who stepped into his new role when Mayor Michelle Wu left Boston for a family vacation on Thursday, said he has met with “city, state and federal officials, business leaders and nonprofit partners on issues related to public safety, public health and quality of life at Mass and Cass.”“As acting mayor and city council president, I will continue to work closely with Mayor Wu and our colleagues in government to address this, as well as other pressing issues in our city, such as transportation, public education and services for seniors and persons with disabilities,” Flynn told the Herald in a Friday text message.He declined to elaborate further, when asked whether he plans to take any action to address the deteriorating situation at Mass and Cass, ...

Battenfeld: Michelle Wu must produce evidence, emails about her ‘enemies’ list, court orders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hasn’t heard the end of her nationally-publicized “enemies” list.The Wu administration may have to go to court to defend the list and explain why it was made after a judge agreed to make it part of discovery in a case against a North End restaurateur accused of trying to shoot a business rival.The attorney for Patrick Mendoza, the owner of Monica’s Trattoria, says she wants to know how Mendoza ended up on the list of vocal critics and what police did with it – questions that Wu has yet to answer.“I want to know who generated the list, what it was intended for and why it was sent to the Boston police department,” attorney Rosemary Scapicchio said in an interview with the Herald.“I’m trying to get the information because it could be exculpatory to my client.”And the judge on Friday agreed, meaning the Wu administration will have to turn over emails, texts or any communication about the list.The order also raises the possibility that Wu herself or top brass cou...

Ticker: Taiwanese microchip company agrees to more oversight of its Arizona plant construction; Ruble hits lowest value against USD since early in Ukraine war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

A Taiwanese microchip manufacturer building its first U.S. plant in Arizona has agreed to more scrutiny from the state when it comes to the safety of construction workers, Gov. Katie Hobbs said.At a news conference held against the backdrop of ongoing construction at a site in north Phoenix, Hobbs announced that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. facility and the state have signed a voluntary protection program.“Under this agreement, TSMC will adhere to requirements higher than those at the federal level,” the Democratic governor said. “These additional safety measures include greater transparency for workers, closer oversight from the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health and increased training for foremen and all hands.”Ruble hits lowest value against USD since early in Ukraine warThe ruble dropped against the United States dollar in trading Friday in Moscow to its lowest level since the first month of the war in Ukraine.The decline to 96 rubles against the do...

Patriots, LB Matt Judon agree to reworked contract with more guaranteed money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

The Patriots and outside linebacker Matt Judon have agreed on a reworked contract that will guarantee him more money and allow the perennial Pro Bowler to make up to $18 million this season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Christian Gonzalez learning from ‘heavyweight’ matchup in Patriots training camp New England Patriots | Patriots coaches respond to Jack Jones leaving Thursday practice New England Patriots | Patriots’ Mac Jones, Bill O’Brien enjoying strong QB-coach relationship New England Patriots | Patriots extra points: Undrafted rookie learning second new position New England Patriots | Patriots open second roster spot by waiving injured linebacker Judon, who was scheduled to make $2 million guaranteed this season, will now make $14 million fully guaranteed. The 31-year-old is now being paid in line with other elite edge rushers around...

Video captures terrifying moment driver slams into man in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

TORRANCE, Calif. (KTLA) - Video captured the terrifying moment a man in Torrance, California, was violently slammed into by a driver in broad daylight.The victim, Ken Teshima, a 66-year-old grandfather, is releasing the video in hopes the suspect will be found and arrested.Video of the incident was captured on July 30 around noontime at an office complex parking lot.The suspect is seen speeding up, driving a gray sedan straight into Teshima and knocking him over onto the sidewalk.Video captured the terrifying moment a Torrance man was hospitalized after being slammed into by a driver on July 30, 2023. (Ken Teshima)Video captured the terrifying moment a Torrance man was hospitalized after being slammed into by a driver on July 30, 2023. (Ken Teshima)The suspect accused of leaving a Torrance man hospitalized after slamming into him on July 30, 2023. (Ken Teshima)The suspect's vehicle and license plate. (Ken Tashima)Video captured the terrifying moment a Torrance man was hospitalized a...

Indiana man formally charged after weekend block party kills 1, wounds 17

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — A Muncie man was formally charged Friday with two counts of aggravated battery and criminal recklessness in connection with a weekend shooting that left one person dead and 17 others wounded in the central Indiana city.John L. Vance Jr., 36, was also charged in Delaware Circuit Court with possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman acknowledged the charges do not specifically refer to the shooting death of 30-year-old Joseph E. Bonner III, of Muncie. “This investigation is far from over. The investigation and any subsequent prosecution will go where the facts and evidence take it,” Hoffman said in a statement.The shooting early Sunday unfolded at a block party in the city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis attended by hundreds of revelers as police were calling the venue’s owner to shut down the gathering, authorities have said. Bonner was among those attending, Muncie Police Chief Nathan...

Pedestrian struck and killed in Oakwood Village

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:16 GMT

One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle in the Oakwood Village neighbourhood.Police say they were called to the area of Vaughan Road and Atlas Avenue, east of Oakwood Avenue, just before 7 p.m. Friday for reports a pedestrian had been struck.When they arrived they found a pedestrian suffering from life-threatening injuries. They were later pronounced dead at the scene.Police say the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene.