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Pesky Critters wrangles alligator found in SW Miami-Dade backyard

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

A family in Southwest Miami-Dade received quite a shock when they discovered an alligator in their backyard. Concerned for their safety and their pets, the homeowners called in the experts from Pesky Critters to take care of the situation.Todd Hardwick, the owner of Pesky Critters, devised a plan to catch the two-inch male alligator on Saturday afternoon. The entire operation was captured on bodycam video, showing the team’s expertise in handling the scaly reptile.“These things have a tendency, unfortunately, to feed upon small animals like dogs and chickens,” said Hardwick.Despite the police being called to the scene, wrangling the alligator proved to be no easy feat. The team was concerned that the alligator would death roll into the nearby aluminum fence, causing damage and potentially injuring itself.After several attempts, the team was finally able to capture the alligator. Hardwick believes that the alligator likely came from a nearby drainage canal and warns...

DA: 14-year-old boy dead, woman in critical condition after Brockton shooting

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

A 14-year-old boy is dead and a 39-year-old woman is in critical condition after a shooting in Brockton early Tuesday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Officers responding to a 911 call for a report of a shooting at 93 Tribou Street around 1:55 a.m. found the teen boy and woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The teen was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The woman was taken to Boston Medical Center, where she remains for treatment.Neither victim’s name has been released. Police say a suspect has been taken into custody. The incident remains under investigation and no further information has been released.

US sues Rite Aid for missing opioid red flags

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

(CNN) — The Justice Department on Monday filed a lawsuit against Rite Aid for allegedly violating the Controlled Substances Act, alleging that the company “knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances.”In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice is “using every tool at our disposal” to hold Rite Aid accountable for contributing to the opioid epidemic.Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said “Rite Aid’s pharmacists repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances with obvious red flags, and Rite Aid intentionally deleted internal notes about suspicious prescribers. These practices opened the floodgates for millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Rite Aid’s stores.”In the complaint, The Justice department alleges that from May 2014 to June 2019, Rite Aid filled thousands of unlawful combinations of prescriptions known as ...

Rain, wind hit Boston as city prepares for afternoon snow

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

Rain and wind have arrived in Boston Tuesday morning as the city prepares for a change to snow in the afternoon. The daylong nor’easter arrived in Massachusetts overnight as snow gradually began to replace rain in many areas Tuesday morning. While some areas in Western Massachusetts and northern Worcester County are already seeing nearly a foot of snow, the rain is continuing in Boston as of 8 a.m., making for a wet morning commute east of I-495.Snow is expected to reach Boston by late morning or early afternoon. Almost all of Massachusetts is expected to be seeing some form of snow before 6 p.m. Tuesday.https://twitter.com/clamberton7/status/1635585686177828865Many other areas north of the Mass Pike and west of I-495 could see six to 12 inches, while much of the state inside I-495 and south of the Mass Pike may see three to six inches. For more information and the latest forecast, check out the 7WEATHER Blog and more here.

Rep Questions Math Behind MassReconnects Program

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

A program to cover community college certificates and degrees for residents over 25 with state dollars was one of Gov. Maura Healey’s early promises, but lawmakers on Monday questioned whether the $20 million allocated in her budget proposal is enough to fulfill her commitment.Healey introduced MassReconnect, a program that will “offer students last-dollar financial support to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies as well as provide funding for career and wraparound support services to encourage retention and degree-completion” on the campaign trail as a way to boost opportunities for individuals while addressing the state’s labor shortage. She allocated $20 million for it in her fiscal year 2024 budget.In promoting the program, her administration said there were nearly 696,000 state residents with some community college but no degree as of July 2020.“There are 700,000 residents who have earned some college credit,...

Over 1,000 Eversource crews prepare to respond to power outages during nor’easter

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

Over 1,000 Eversource crews are preparing to respond to power outages during Tuesday’s nor’easter, according to Eversource spokesperson Chris McKinnon.The daylong storm that began Monday night could drop up to 18 inches of snow in parts of western Massachusetts and northern Worcester County. While snow totals will likely be lower in parts of eastern Massachusetts, wind gusts could reach up to 65 miles per hour. About 32,000 power outages are being reported across the state as of 8 a.m. Eversource says most of these outages are happening in Western Massachusetts as heavy, wet snow accumulates. “We do have crews prepositioned across the state right now,” McKinnon said. “Our focus is watching those Western Massachusetts numbers and we are working to restore outages as quickly and safely as possible.” McKinnon says Eversource hasn’t seen the winds kick up yet in Eastern Massachusetts, and that’s what their next concern is going to be as th...

US inflation eases but stays high, putting Fed in tough spot

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER (AP Economics Writer)WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer price increases eased slightly from January to February but still pointed to an elevated inflation rate that is posing a challenge for the Federal Reserve at a delicate moment for the financial system.The government said Tuesday that prices increased 0.4% last month, just below January’s 0.5% rise. Yet excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 0.5% in February, slightly above January’s 0.4% gain. The Fed pays particular attention to the core measure as a gauge of underlying inflation pressures.Even though prices are rising much faster than the Fed wants, some economists expect the central bank to suspend its year-long streak of interest rate hikes when it meets next week. With the collapse of two large banks since Friday fueling anxiety about other regional banks, the Fed, for now, may focus more on boosting confidence in the financial system than on its long-term drive to tame inf...

Toronto man accused of sexually assaulting woman during meetings at human rights organization

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

Police say a 64-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after a woman was sexually assaulted numerous times at the Canadian Human Rights International Organization in Toronto.Toronto police allege the suspect sexually assaulted the woman between Feb. 25 and March 1 during meetings at the organization, which is located on Finch Avenue West near Keele Street in North York.Jose Mario Guilombo, of Toronto, was arrested on March 9 and charged with five counts of sexual assault and two counts of forcible confinement.Investigators have released his photo because they suspect there may be other victims. Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Pakistan police, ex-PM Khan supporters scuffle near his home

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police on Tuesday scuffled with supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan outside his home in the eastern city of Lahore as officers arrived to serve a warrant for the 71-year-old opposition leader to appear in court later this week on graft charges. Police fired tear gas at the house as Khan’s supporters hurled rocks and bricks at the officers. About a dozen police and some 35 of Khan’s supporters were reported injured. Tear gas shells and pieces of bricks littered the pavement as Khan’s followers fought back with batons snatched from the officers. Khan has been ordered to appear before a judge in Islamabad on Friday to answer charges of illegally selling state gifts he had received during his term as premier and concealing assets.Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April, has claimed that the string of cases against him, which include terrorism charges, are a plot by the government of his successor, Prim...

Greek archaeologists protest holiday island assault

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:49 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — State-employed archaeologists in Greece launched strike action Tuesday to protest an assault on an archaeologist on the island of Mykonos, an attack they say may have been linked to commercial pressure to extend tourism development.Archaeologist Manolis Psarros was beaten by two unidentified men on the island last week and was left unconscious and bleeding in the street. The 53-year-old was later transported to a state hospital in Athens.Archaeologists employed by the Culture Ministry staged a five-hour work stoppage to protest what their association described as a “mafia-style attack.” They were joined by ministry employees in Athens as well as the national Association of Archaeological Conservators. Planning permission in Greece is often subject to a veto by the local archaeological service, which is tasked with protecting the country’s ancient heritage.One of Greece’s best known holiday destinations, Mykonos was settled in ancient times and hosts an archaeol...