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Georgia prosecutors are suing to strike down a new state law that undermines their authority

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

By JEFF AMY (Associated Press)DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Four district attorneys in Georgia are asking a judge to strike down a law creating a commission to discipline and remove state prosecutors, arguing it violates the U.S. and Georgia constitutions.The attack on Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, filed Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta, comes after Republicans pushed through a law creating the panel earlier this year. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp pledged when he signed the law that it would curb “far-left prosecutors” who are “making our communities less safe.”Sherry Boston, the district attorney in the overwhelmingly Democratic Atlanta suburb of DeKalb County and the lead plaintiff, called the issue “bigger than Georgia.”“We are talking about prosecutorial discretion and prosecutorial independence, both of which have been solidly under assault the last few years,” Boston told The Assoc...

FHA 203(k) loans: What they are and how they work

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

Libby Wells | Bankrate.com (TNS)When you buy a home, there are usually a few repairs to pay for. Buyers who want to take on a real fixer-upper might be facing the prospect of many projects.If this is the case for you, you may be considering an FHA 203(k) loan, also known as a mortgage rehab loan or Section 203(k) loan, which combines the financing for both the home’s purchase and remodeling or repairs into a single loan.What is an FHA 203(k) loan?An FHA 203(k) loan is a mortgage product insured by the Federal Housing Administration that allows homebuyers to borrow enough money to cover both the cost of the home and the price of necessary repairs, including labor and materials.Certain 203(k) loans may allow you to finance up to six months of mortgage payments. Note that the FHA does not lend the funds for 203(k) rehab loans. Rather, it provides financial protection to lenders that do.Types of FHA 203(k) loansThe FHA insures two types of 203(k) loans:—Limited 203(k): The limited 203(k...

Patriots continuing to manage Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload in practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

FOXBORO — Rhamondre Stevenson does not know why he’s spent three of the Patriots’ first seven practices of training camp away from the majority of his teammates working on a side field conditioning.Following a series of questions about his limited workload a week into practice, Stevenson paused.“Honestly, you’ve got to ask Bill Belichick,” he said. “I don’t know why I’m not practicing.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Cole Strange among six missing, three starters limited at Patriots’ padded practice Thursday New England Patriots | How Bill O’Brien’s offense is helping the Patriots offense and defense in training camp New England Patriots | Patirots extra points: Potential cause for Hunter Henry’s training camp breakout New England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 7: Mac Jones’ best practice yet, a rising linebacker and more WR woes New England Patriots | Patriots clai...

Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Playing for Bill O’Brien helped draw me to New England

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

FOXBORO — After all these years and Super Bowls rings, Bill Belichick naturally ranks among the top reasons free agents cite when asked why they signed with the Patriots.But wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Pats’ top acquisition this offseason, had another Bill in mind when he signed his 3-year deal last March. It was his new offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Cole Strange among six missing, three starters limited at Patriots’ padded practice Thursday New England Patriots | How Bill O’Brien’s offense is helping the Patriots offense and defense in training camp New England Patriots | Patirots extra points: Potential cause for Hunter Henry’s training camp breakout New England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 7: Mac Jones’ best practice yet, a rising linebacker and more WR woes New England Patriots | Patriots claim...

New union contract bumps pay 18% for MBTA workers as agency looks to continue hiring spree

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

A new union contract between the MBTA and nearly half its workforce offers an 18% pay hike, incentives to stay at the transit agency, and targeted hiring goals for hard-to-fill positions, officials said Wednesday.The contract still needs to be approved by the MBTA board, which meets next on Thursday, but MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng and Boston Carmen’s Local 589 boss Jim Evers gave their stamp of approval at a press conference outside of the MBTA’s Cabot Yard.The contract — which covers maintenance workers, bus drivers, train drivers, and other frontline employees — will provide an 18% wage increase over four years, codifies “a number of attraction and retention” measures, better pay progression for new hires, and sign-on bonuses, Gov. Maura Healey said.“It also expands benefits, adding 10 days of paid parental leave, bereavement leave for domestic partners, and dental and vision coverage for part time workers,” she said. “These are opportunities that current T worke...

Pittsburgh synagogue shooter sentenced to death for deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

The gunman who stormed a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and killed 11 worshippers will be sentenced to death for perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.Robert Bowers spewed hatred of Jews and espoused white supremacist beliefs online before methodically planning and carrying out the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue, where members of three congregations had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. Bowers, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, also wounded two worshippers and five responding police officers.The same federal jury that convicted the 50-year-old Bowers on 63 criminal counts recommended Wednesday that he be put to death for an attack whose impacts continue to reverberate nearly five years later. A judge will formally impose the sentence later.The verdict came after a lengthy trial in which jurors heard in chilling detail how Bowers reloaded at least twice, stepped over the bloodied bodies of his victims to look for...

4.2-magnitude earthquake recorded east of Ocotillo Wells

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

SAN DIEGO — An earthquake shook an area near San Diego County Tuesday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Niland, California in Imperial County at 10:38 p.m., USGS data shows. This area is east of Ocotillo Wells and just east of the Salton Sea. How to visit Cabrillo National Monument for free this week The quake occurred at a depth of about 2 miles, sending shockwaves that could be felt for several miles, according to USGS.A USGS intensity map shows the quake was felt in El Centro and Mexicali, which is directly across the U.S. border with Mexico. It also shows some intensity being felt in San Diego County's Ocotillo Wells and Borrego Springs. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Lowest-paying jobs in San Diego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but financial inequality prevails within its borders. That divide is growing, especially between the poorest and richest U.S. residents.The middle class is shrinking. In 2021, just half of adults lived in a middle-income household, a huge drop from 61% in the 70s. This dip meant some middle-class adults broke into the high-income bracket. At the same time, the share of lower-income residents is growing: 29% of adults lived in low-income households in 2021, compared to 25% in 1971.Wages over this period grew at all income levels, but the rich got significantly higher bumps. Pew Charitable Trusts found that high incomes grew 69% over the past 50 years, while low incomes grew just 45%. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and further exposed these harsh financial gaps.The difference in pay for the highest- and lowest-paying jobs in the U.S. last year was over eightfold: from about $28,000 for entertainment attendant...

Riding ever higher in polls, Trump indicted for trying to overturn 2020 election loss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

WASHINGTON — “You’re too honest,” Donald Trump allegedly told Mike Pence on the first day of 2021, six days before supporters of a defeated yet defiant president stormed Capitol Hill and tried to subvert the outcome of a free and fair election.That assessment of the former vice-president and his commitment to democracy is just one of the revelations in what is the third — but perhaps most explosive — indictment of Trump to come down in just the last four months. And it comes, remarkably, with the former commander-in-chief seemingly at the height of his post-presidential powers, with polls showing him with a towering lead in the race to challenge Joe Biden for the White House. “The defendant lost the 2020 presidential election,” special counsel Jack Smith writes in the first paragraph of the long-awaited 45-page indictment delivered late Tuesday. “Determined to remain in power,” Trump spent the next two months systematically testing and ignor...

Unifor says Metro terminating benefits of striking workers, plans to provide in lieu

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:54 GMT

TORONTO — The union representing striking Metro workers across the Greater Toronto Area says the grocery chain plans to terminate their access to benefits during the labour dispute.In a note to members on Wednesday, Unifor Local 414 says in lieu of employer provided benefits, the union will provide group insurance benefits to eligible striking workers through Green Shield Canada.It says participation in strike duty entitles members to benefits including hospital care, drug, life, accidental and dismemberment premiums and out-of-province, which is paid for by the Unifor Strike and Defence Fund.To access benefits, workers must complete an enrolment form that is available at local picket lines.Last week, workers at 27 Metro grocery stores rejected a tentative agreement that had been reached just after a strike deadline, as 3,700 frontline store employees walked off the job Saturday instead of accepting the deal.Metro Ontario Inc. a subsidiary of Metro Inc., issued a statement at the ti...