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Massachusetts free community college program up and running in time for fall semester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Danita Mends tried to pursue a college degree after leaving Needham Public Schools in 2003 but financial setbacks got in the way.She worked for the state before shifting to “corporate America.” But she realized she “was hitting ceilings, a lot of opportunities were passing me by. I was constantly overlooked.”One career shift later into an interior design program at MassBay Community College and Mends was pregnant with her son. That eventually led her to take a break from school until a new state program came calling that allowed her to attend college for free this year.“To have this financial burden lifted is amazing,” Mends said at MassBay Thursday. “And I’m excited for the opportunities that are going to open up and the things that are going to change my family. I have a son watching me now.”Mends is taking part in a program that offers students 25 and older a free community college education. The program is expected to serve a...

Aaron Judge homers again but Tommy Kahnle implodes as Yankees drop 5th straight series with loss to Nationals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Fresh off of breaking a nine-game losing streak with a feel-good victory featuring three Aaron Judge homers on Wednesday night, the Yankees dropped a heart-breaker on Thursday afternoon to the Nationals, 6-5.Entering the seventh inning owning a 3-1 lead, Tommy Kahnle gave it all back and then some. Alex Call’s two-run homer gave the Nationals the lead and then CJ Abrams followed up with a solo homer going back-to-back for the exclamation point.Kahnle, who was greeted by the boo birds walking off the mound, spoiled what was otherwise a strong performance for the Yankees’ arms.Michael King, in his second start of the season, tossed 2.2 innings allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out three. The right-hander is being stretched out with hopes of joining the starting rotation at some point in the future. King reached 50 pitches before being pulled in the third after Anthony Volpe’s 12th error.Jhony Brito took on some length, too, executing Aaron BooneR...

3 dead, 6 wounded after a retired police officer opens fire at a Southern California biker bar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

By EUGENE GARCIA, AMY TAXIN and JOHN ANTCZAK (Associated Press)TRABUCO CANYON, Calif. (AP) — The cover band at the historic Southern California biker bar had just launched into their next song when the gunman walked in and opened fire. Some froze, others ran as the bullets flew inside busy Cook’s Corner, which was holding its weekly spaghetti night on Wednesday. The gunman then went outside and kept firing, witnesses said. Within minutes, deputies arrived and killed the shooter, a retired police officer, Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said.Three people were pronounced dead at the scene; six others were shot and taken to a hospital, officials said Thursday. M Street band keyboardist Mark Johnson hid behind a speaker with his wife, singer Debbie Johnson.“Once he started shooting, it was very indiscriminate,” Mark Johnson said. “He just is firing indiscriminately.”The Orange County District Attorney’s Office identified the gu...

Ramaswamy raises $450,000 in first hours after Republican debate as campaigns try to seize momentum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

By MEG KINNARD (Associated Press)COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The first Republican presidential debate provided an opportunity for candidates to make their cases directly to a national audience, and some of that attention is translating into fundraising boosts.Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has taken in $450,000 since Wednesday night’s debate, with an average donation of $38, campaign spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told The Associated Press on Thursday.Ramaswamy, a political newcomer who occupied center stage in the absence of current GOP front-runner Donald Trump, scored several memorable moments during the debate, criticizing some rivals as “super PAC puppets” who were using “ready-made, preprepared slogans” to attack him.Ramaswamy, has largely been self-funding his campaign and raised more than $7.7 million in the second quarter, finishing with more than $9 million on hand.At least one candidate, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, made a direct fundr...

Healey meets with Secretary Mayorkas today weeks after emergency declaration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey planned to meet with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas today, only weeks after the governor declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts and petitioned the secretary for help with an influx of migrants.Mayorkas was in Boston for two publicly scheduled events, an awards ceremony at a U.S. Coast Guard Base near the North End and a naturalization ceremony at Faneuil Hall. After an event in Wellesley earlier in the day, Healey said she planned to meet with the secretary at the State House.The meeting comes more than two weeks after Healey penned a letter to Mayorkas calling on him and the Biden administration to remove “burdensome barriers” to work authorizations for migrants and provide more federal funding to address an influx of new arrivals.Healey said employers around the state are ready to employ migrants as nurses, laborers, and “so much more.”“And my meeting with Secretary Mayorkas, with whom I’ve already had conversations, as well as ...

Boil water advisory issued for Coronado's Silver Strand, Imperial Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect a correction by County of San Diego. The advisory is in only in effect for the Silver Strand area of Coronado and Imperial Beach.SAN DIEGO -- Imperial Beach and Coronado's Silver Strand residents are urged to boil their water before using it or use bottled water after E. coli bacteria was found in the drinking water system.The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water issued a boil water advisory for the two areas Thursday afternoon, according to the county's emergency website. Cal American Water Company was expected to contact affected customers with more information."The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste," the county said. Four killed at famous Orange County biker bar, including gunman The advisory states the water is not safe to drink and should be boiled for 3 minutes to kill bacteria. Residents are also encouraged to use bottled water for dr...

S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points Thursday, U.S. stock markets also lower

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index declined by more than 100 points Thursday amid broad-based weakness, while U.S. markets also moved lower. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 103.96 points at 19,775.83.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 373.56 points at 34,099.42.The S&P 500 index was down 59.70 points at 4,376.31, while the Nasdaq composite was down 257.06 points at 13,463.97.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.72 cents UScompared with 73.79 cents US on Wednesday.The October crude contract was up 16 cents at US$79.05 per barreland the October natural gas contract was up four cents at US$2.64 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was down one dollar at US$1,947.10 an ounce and the September copper contract was down four cents at US$3.77 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Hudson’s Bay brings back outlet model with new Scarborough store

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Hudson’s Bay is reviving its outlet model with a discount store in Toronto’s east end.The department store chain says it is converting an existing Hudson’s Bay store at Eglinton Square in Scarborough to an outlet.The outlet will sell home goods and apparel, including accessories, intimates and footwear for women, men and children.Hudson’s Bay spokeswoman Tiffany Bourre says discounts are expected to be as deep as 75 per cent.The new outlet comes years after Hudson’s Bay experimented with discount stores, opening some in Toronto and Montreal, but both eventually closed.Hudson’s Bay has been working to revamp its image with a new loyalty program launched this week and partnerships with MEC and Forever 21.

Silk Laundry, Section 35 among Canadian Arts & Fashion Award nominees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

TORONTO — The timeless designs of Silk Laundry and streetwear by Indigenous-owned brand Section 35 are among the nominees for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards this year.Silk Laundry vies for best womenswear designer alongside Eliza Faulkner, Hilary MacMillan, Lamarque and RVNG Couture.Section 35 scored a nomination for best menswear designer alongside École de Pensée, Frank And Oak and Raised by Wolves.CAFA celebrates outstanding achievement and emerging talent in the Canadian fashion industry.Award categories are self-nominating, with a committee of industry experts voting on final nominees based on specified criteria.The 10th anniversary award show gala is set for Oct. 14 in Toronto.Here’s a look at the other nominees:Best accessory designer: Biko, David Dunkley Fine Millinery, Dean Davidson, Lambert and VitalyBest outerwear brand: Freed, HiSO, Quartz Co. and RudsakModel of the year: Alexis Carrington, Angaer Adrop, Diane Chiu and Lauren Chan.Fashion innovation: BlackCart, B...

Refugees living in Etobicoke strip mall march to government offices to plead for action

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

A short 10-minute walk from Premier Doug Ford’s constituency office is where 145 refugees have been living inside several units of an Etobicoke strip mall, sleeping on mattresses on the floor.The crowd of newcomers marched to Ford’s and MP Kristy Duncan’s office Thursday in north Etobicoke, imploring for housing.“We need the government to step in,” said Joel, who has been in Canada for just over a month after coming from Nigeria.Among those unhoused and marching is a 24-year-old nurse, Pricy from Uganda. She hopes to continue working in Canada.“I sold everything, I have nothing back home,” she said. “I had to come look for something better.”An architect from Ethiopia is also seeking asylum.“I had to bribe my way out of my country to be here, to be safe,” shared Yohannes. “We came here thinking that Canada would be our home forever so we need more help from the government.”Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles tells Ci...