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Juneteenth arrives early in Boston: Holiday events kick off Wednesday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

Though Juneteenth is still days away, events celebrating Black freedom kick off Wednesday and last through the next week in and around Boston.Embrace Boston is hosting an inaugural Juneteenth concert that starts at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on the Boston Common, where the nonprofit oversees its memorial honoring Martin Luther King Jr., and his wife, Coretta Scott King.The 1.5-hour concert features the Embrace Choir and other city groups, setting “the celebratory tone for us as we honor the national holiday and historical importance of Juneteenth.”The federal holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.On Thursday, Embrace Boston is offering panels, keynotes, dancing and music centered around racial equity, healing, wellbeing, and joy at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, with registration beginning at 10 a.m.Embrace Boston’s three-day celebration concludes Friday, culminating in a block party at Roxbury Community College. Grammy-nominated producer Just Blaze...

What to know about Trump’s appearance in federal court in Miami to face felony charges

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

By MEG KINNARD (Associated Press)Donald Trump made a first appearance in federal court in Miami on Tuesday facing 37 counts related to the mishandling and retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT?Trump’s lawyer entered a not-guilty plea for him, and the former president was released on his own recognizance without no bail. He will not have to surrender his passport or have his personal travel restricted.He scowled at times during the 50-minute hearing, but was otherwise expressionless. He folded his arms, fiddled with a pen and crossed his fingers back and forth as he listened.Trump leaned over to whisper to his attorneys before the hearing began but did not speak during the proceedings. He remained seated while his lawyer Todd Blanche stood up ...

House passes resolution to overturn new federal gun regulation; Biden vows veto

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

By FARNOUSH AMIRI and LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans passed a resolution that would repeal a Biden administration rule tightening federal regulations on stabilizing braces for firearms, an accessory that has been used in several mass shootings in the U.S. over the last decade.The resolution passed 219-210 nearly on party lines and after a contentious floor debate where Republicans accused the administration of “executive overreach” and Democrats condemned a bill they said would “help kill people.” Two Democrats voted in support and two Republicans voted against it. The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., will now go to the Senate, which could take up the measure as soon as this week. Should it pass, President Joe Biden has promised a veto. Overriding a presidential veto would require two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.The new rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fir...

Ray of hope

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

The St. Anthony Shrine Women’s Clinic was a ray of sunshine for the homeless. Women were treated to some pampering thanks to Macy’s.The clinic is a refuge from the streets and an oasis of faith for those struggling. It’s also a place where women have access to a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse and a therapist. The women can also come to take a shower, get fresh clothes and snacks and take a nap.And a makeover Tuesday.Angie picks out a pretty pink dress as homeless women get a makeover courtesy of Macy’s at Saint Anthony Shrine downtown. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

By ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON (Associated Press)MIAMI (AP) — Donald Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as he pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom Tuesday to dozens of felony counts accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back.The history-making court date, centered on charges that Trump mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect, kickstarts a legal process that could unfold at the height of the 2024 presidential campaign and carry profound consequences not only for his political future but also for his own personal liberty.Trump approached his arraignment with characteristic bravado, posting social media broadsides against the prosecution from inside his motorcade en route to the courthouse and insisting as he has through years of legal woes that he has done nothing wrong and was being persecuted for political pu...

Waukegan mayor invites Chicago Bears to explore move to city: ‘(They) have been an important community partner in Lake County’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor has joined other Chicagoland communities in trying to lure the Chicago Bears to their municipality.Taylor suggested to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren in a letter written Monday that the Bears build a new stadium on lakefront property in Waukegan, expanding the team’s footprint in Lake County.Taylor said in her letter there are several locations with the necessary land to build a stadium and entertainment area with easy access to Interstate 94, U.S. Route 41 and public transportation. The Bears already train in Lake Forest, making Waukegan an excellent location for a stadium, she wrote.“The City of Waukegan has multiple large parcels including lakefront property which could be developed into both the state of the art stadium and entertainment district the team has publicly expressed in building,” Taylor said in the letter.The Bears acquired the former Arlington International Race for $197 million with plans to build a stadium and larg...

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones rips Green Bay Packers fans: ‘Half of them don’t even know football’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones clearly has embraced the trash talk that comes with the Green Bay Packers rivalry after just one year wearing orange and blue.It might be only June and the Bears-Packers season opener Sept. 10 at Soldier Field might be nearly three months away, but Jones still fanned the rivalry’s flames Tuesday during mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall by calling Packers fans “s—–” and adding that “half of them don’t even know football.”Jones’ barbs came in response to a question about the seemingly wide-open NFC North picture this year after the Packers traded quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.The sixth-year veteran said he wished Rodgers had played another season in Green Bay. (It probably should be noted that Jones played in just two of Rodgers’ 25 career victories against the Bears after the defensive lineman joined the Bears on a two-year contract in 2022.)“We went up there...

‘Trees are a huge part of life’: Chicago White Sox starter Lucas Giolito aids the environment 1 pitch at a time

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

The Chicago White Sox saw environmental concerns firsthand last week in New York.The city was under a haze because of smoke carried down from wildfires burning in Canada.“Insane, it was like orange outside,” starter Lucas Giolito told the Tribune on Friday.The team’s scheduled game on Wednesday against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium was postponed because of what Major League Baseball called “clearly hazardous air quality.”“It’s that warning, that reminder that ‘Hey, don’t take this for granted,’” Giolito said. “‘We keep going the way we’re going, we continue to piss Earth off, we’re going to feel the consequences.’ We felt those in New York. I pitched the first night (Tuesday). We could all tell it was tough and the next day we couldn’t even get a game in.“Earth’s trying to remind us, ‘Hey, why don’t we take care a little bit better.’”Giolito is do...

Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins absent from first minicamp practice because of minor injury

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins was absent from the team’s first practice of mandatory minicamp Tuesday because of a minor soft-tissue injury, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said.Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the entire roster reported for minicamp, and the team posted images of Dobbins in uniform on its website Monday. The fourth-year running has expressed doubts about his long-term future with the Ravens, saying in a series of tweets that he’d like to stay in Baltimore for the rest of his career but “Idk tho sadly.”When Harbaugh was asked about Dobbins before practice, he didn’t indicate anything was amiss. He talked about Dobbins’ potential in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s attack: “It’s going to be interesting how he fits in, because J.K. has a lot of dynamic ability — backfield, motion, wide plays, inside plays, as a receiver out of the backfield I think he’s got a lot of potential. I...

Live updates | White House not commenting on Trump case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:13 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Follow along for live updates on former President Donald Trump, who made his first court appearance Tuesday after being indicted on 37 charges related to the mishandling classified documents. The indictment marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president faces criminal charges by the federal government he once oversaw. ___WHITE HOUSE TRYING ITS BEST TO STAY MUM ON CASE AGAINST TRUMPWhite House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is refusing to give straight answers to questions about the federal case against Trump.Jean-Pierre was asked Tuesday if President Joe Biden agrees with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, who has already said that it was a “little shocking” that Trump maintained large support from the Republican Party.“I’m just not going to comment on anything that’s related to the indictment,” Jean-Pierre responded.The president’s chief spokesman also dodged a question about whether Biden would ever consi...