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RMV Seeing Big Spike In Learner’s Permits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

The state has issued more than double the number of learner’s permits in the last 10 days than this time last year, after a law went into effect July 1 allowing undocumented immigrants who live in Massachusetts to apply for driver’s licenses.The Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued 2,800 learner’s permits so far in July, Gov. Maura Healey said during a press conference at the RMV’s Haymarket location in Boston.The registry is expecting even more demand in the upcoming week, as residents get back into the swing of things after a popular vacation week for the Fourth of July, said RMV Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie.Under the law, which the Legislature enacted over Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto last year and then was upheld in November with 54 percent of voters supporting it, all Massachusetts residents who are old enough will be eligible to apply for standard driver’s licenses, regardless of their immigration status.Immigrants who do not ha...

Rain moving out, temps go up

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Editor’s Note: Tonight’s blog was written by meteorological intern Tyler Hughes.A period of mostly dry weather that lasted through the weekend for most of us came to an end today with soaking rains moving through the area. Check out some of these reports from across the Commonwealth since midnight: Westhampton saw over 5 inches of rainfall! These reports are as of 5:15pm and rainfall totals will likely continue to rise throughout the evening hours. This heavy rainfall isn’t a flooding concern in and around the Boston metro largely because the ground is dry. But in Worcester County and through the Berkshires where rain fell this weekend, flooding can be an issue. This is because the ground is already saturated by rain, like a sponge that’s already full of water. For this reason, a flood watch is in effect for these areas through tomorrow morning. It’s a good time to throw in the reminder to never drive through flooded roads – just a few inches of w...

Boston Police disputes union claims that officers were ordered to work 24-hour shifts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

City Council President Ed Flynn is seeking changes to the Boston Police Department’s “system of forced overtime” after its largest union said three officers were ordered to work 24-hour shifts over the weekend.The Boston Police Department denied the allegations, with a spokesperson stating that “no officers were ordered to work 24 hours” last Friday evening. Rather, officers were offered additional hours; a few volunteered and were approved to work beyond the department’s cap on overtime, which limits them to working 18 hours per day, the spokesperson said.Still, Flynn said he requested an “immediate” meeting with Police Commissioner Michael Cox to discuss the matter, and plans to file a hearing order “on this troubling situation” for the next City Council meeting, set for July 19.“Recently, at least one Boston police officer was ordered to work 24 hours straight,” Flynn said in a Monday statement. “Working 24 hours without time off for rest is not only unhealthy for the police offi...

‘Catastrophic’ flooding in Northeast kills woman, Vermont in a state of emergency, Massachusetts residents rescued from homes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Dangerous “catastrophic” flooding across the Northeast has killed at least one woman who was swept away in the raging waters, as roads were washed out in Vermont and residents were rescued across the region from a “1,000-year event.”Torrential, life-threatening rain pounded New York, Vermont and parts of western Massachusetts — leading to flooded roads and homes. Several inches of heavy rain were measured.In New York, a 35-year-old woman who came outside when she saw her home was taking on too much water was swept away and died, officials said.“We are in the midst of an extraordinary, extraordinary weather event that has just devastated communities throughout the Hudson Valley,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a press conference.“The skies opened up and brought so much rain, 9 inches of rain in this community, that they’re calling this a 1,000-year event,” she later added.In Vermont, the governor declared a state of ...

Robbins: Once again, Israel slammed for defending itself

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Webster’s Dictionary defines “sophomoric” as “overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed.” This fairly describes Israel’s bitter critics who, as always, denounced Israel’s most recent attempt to stop Palestinian Islamic jihad and Hamas from murdering more of its civilians, at least for a couple of days or so.The two heavily armed groups, recognized by the international community as Iranian-funded terrorist enterprises that have vowed to violently eliminate Israel, have carried out nearly 300 separate attacks on Israelis in the last 12 months alone. These have killed over 50 Israelis and injured hundreds more just since last July 4. One of the principal launching pads for these attacks is Jenin, located on the West Bank, which has become one large manufacturing facility for missiles and bombs, and a staging ground for the rocketing, shooting, bombing, stabbing and car-ramming of Israeli civilians.One might imagine that it would be commonly understood that Israel cannot simply per...

RMV in fast-lane over new license law

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

The state has issued more than double the number of learner’s permits in the last 10 days than this time last year, after a law went into effect July 1 allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.The Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued 2,800 learner’s permits so far in July, Gov. Maura Healey said during a press conference at the RMV’s Haymarket location in Boston.The registry is expecting even more demand in the upcoming week, as residents get back into the swing of things after a popular vacation week for the Fourth of July, said RMV Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie.Under the law, which the Legislature enacted over Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto last year and then was upheld in November with 54 percent of voters supporting it, all Massachusetts residents who are old enough will be eligible to apply for standard driver’s licenses, regardless of their immigration status.Immigrants who do not have legal status in the Uni...

Healey, transportation officials warn traffic will get worse in week two of Sumner Tunnel shutdown

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Officials are still bracing for the worst of the Sumner Tunnel closure traffic, Gov. Maura Healey and transportation officials said, even as backlogs continue to build up.“I think this whole week will be a test as we move into tomorrow and Wednesday and Thursday,” Healey said at a press conference at the Sumner Tunnel Command Center. “And all we can promise is that we’re going to continue to monitor the situation here. The command center is staffed. Crews are out there. They’re ready to turn on a dime in terms of adjusting diversions and the like.”The two-month, full-time Sumner Tunnel closure began last Wednesday, but officials said previously diversion routes and public transportation would really begin to feel the impact as holiday-travelers return this week.With an estimated 39,000 daily Sumner Tunnel drivers diverted, the full brunt of the closure reportedly may mean multi-mile backlogs along alternate routes.The governor and others urged com...

Jury chosen in trial of Las Vegas police officer accused of stealing $165k in trio of casino heists

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

By RIO YAMAT (Associated Press)LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Las Vegas police officer accused of carrying out a trio of casino heists will face trial after a jury was finalized Monday afternoon.Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday with prosecutors for the federal government expected to paint Caleb Rogers as a gambling addict who grew increasingly desperate under a crush of debt. The trial is anticipated to last through the end of the week.Rogers, 35, is accused of stealing nearly $165,000 in three robberies over four months at casinos off the Las Vegas Strip. In at least one of the heists, he was armed with a weapon issued by the police department, prosecutors have said. The officer’s attorney, Richard Pocker, said the government’s evidence allegedly tying Rogers to two of the robberies is weak. He accused the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department detectives of pressuring two people, including Rogers’ brother, into identifying him as the suspect in the...

After Nantucket shark sightings and predations on seals, swimming banned at wildlife refuge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

After great white sharks were spotted enjoying a “feast” off of Nantucket along with other reports of shark predations on seals, swimming has been banned at a wildlife refuge.Sharks were recently seen thrashing in the water off of Great Point Nantucket Island, as the apex predators devoured prey. Blood was spotted in the water.As a result of the recent shark predation events, a swimming ban is now in place at Great Point, which is located on the northern tip of Nantucket.“After several shark sightings and predation in the area, we’ve decided to implement a swimming closure around Great Point until further notice,” said Sarah Cassell of The Trustees, a conservation and preservation organization.“This is not a decision we’ve made lightly,” Cassell added. “Visitors’ safety is our utmost concern, especially given the remote location of this beach should a serious incident occur. We’ll continue to monitor shark activity in...

Fenway dirt and a dream: Stadium Custom Kicks founder talks Marcelo Mayer’s custom All-Star Futures cleats

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

In Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game, Marcelo Mayer impressed with a single, stolen base, and solid defense, but his footwear had people talking almost as much as his footwork.Starting at shortstop in the annual showcase of the most promising stars of tomorrow, the Red Sox No. 1 prospect donned a pair of bespoke cleats, one painted with his native San Diego, the other bearing the future he’s working towards, Fenway Park. On the latter, the iconic Nike Swoosh was embellished with game-used dirt from the field of America’s oldest and most beloved ballpark.The design, a collaboration between Mayer and Stadium Custom Kicks founder Alex Katz and brought to life by Lead Artist Andrew Urrutia, went viral when the company posted photos on social media.Marcelo Mayer’s (@Marcelo_Mayer10) Futures Game cleats embody the fusion of his baseball journey.The left cleat carries the essence of his future home with Fenway Park's actual dirt infused in the swoosh, while the right cleat pays homage ...