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Former NH state representative pleads not guilty to federal sexual exploitation of children charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

Former New Hampshire state representative Stacie Laughton appeared in federal court Friday to face multiple federal charges of sexual exploitation of children. Laughton, who was arrested in the case earlier this year, pleaded not guilty and was being held on bond as of Friday afternoon after a grand jury indicted her on three counts of sexual exploitation of children.Prosecutors said Laughton received nude photos of children taken during diaper changes and bathroom breaks at the Creative Minds Daycare in Tyngsboro. Prosecutors said a now-former worker at the daycare, Lindsay Groves, took the photos.Groves and Laughton were once in a relationship, according to prosecutors who said the two allegedly exchanged thousands of disturbing text messages about children. Groves is also facing charges. 

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Milton running on generator power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Milton was running on generator power as of Friday morning while crews worked to address a power issue, a hospital spokesperson said. The spokesperson in a statement shortly before 11 a.m. said the hospital was currently working with Eversource to address the issue. “The hospital remains open, and we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure patient safety,” the spokesperson said.Eversource also issued a statement, saying “Backup generation at hospitals is common so that if an outage does occur in the area, there are minimal service disruptions, and they can continue operating as necessary.”“As part of our power restoration efforts in general, critical facilities are a priority and we work as quickly as safely possible to return these facilities back to the electric system,” the statement continued. “To minimize any impacts on daily operations at the hospital today, we are working in close coordination with staff to plan an appropriate tim...

Camden Yards’ new dimensions give Orioles and opponents a ‘unique’ MLB experience

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

When the Orioles introduced first-round draft pick Enrique Bradfield Jr. during their previous homestand, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias emphasized the importance the organization puts on Bradfield’s defensive position.“We have two center fields,” Elias said, “and so we need two center fielders.”In moving back Camden Yards’ left field wall before last season, the Orioles not only enlarged the playing surface to the point that teams need another top defender in left, but they also created a ballpark that’s one of a kind in Major League Baseball.Over its three decades, Camden Yards has been a stadium unlike any other, and that now applies to its field of play. Through Wednesday’s games, there have been 533 balls put in play across the majors this season that would have been home runs in 29 of the 30 major league stadiums, based on MLB.com’s Statcast data. In almost 40% of those cases, Camden Yards was the l...

As one of MLB’s best in producing big innings, the Chicago Cubs are finding ways to pour it on: ‘There’s so much fight in this team’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

The Chicago Cubs have developed a knack for pouring on runs in an inning.While they didn’t sufficiently add as much quick-strike power in the offseason as the organization would have liked, it hasn’t hindered the ability to produce big innings. Entering Thursday’s series opener in St. Louis, the Cubs scored four or more runs in an inning 31 times this season, which ranks fourth in the majors, trailing only the Texas Rangers (38), Atlanta Braves (33) and Los Angeles Dodgers (33).A six-run fifth inning erased a five-run deficit in the Cubs’ 10-7 road victory Wednesday against the White Sox for their fifth straight win.“Definitely as we’ve moved into the season and lately, we’re not helping the pitcher,” Ian Happ told the Tribune on Thursday. “Guys struggling with command, we’ve done a really good job of deep in counts not being afraid to work a walk in those spots, kind of building on each other’s at-bats instead of the...

Biden signs an order designed to strengthen protections for sexual assault victims in the military

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

By TARA COPP (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday giving decisions on the prosecution of serious military crimes, including sexual assault, to independent military attorneys, taking that power away from victims’ commanders.The order formally implements legislation passed by Congress in 2022 aimed at strengthening protections for service members, who were often at the mercy of their commanders to decide whether to take their assault claims seriously.Members of Congress, frustrated with the growing number of sexual assaults in the military, fought with defense leaders for several years over the issue. They argued that commanders at times were willing to ignore charges or incidents in their units to protect those accused of offenses and that using independent lawyers would beef up prosecutions. Military leaders balked, saying it could erode commanders’ authority.The change was among more than two dozen recommendations made in 2021 ...

Pats notebook: Josh Uche would ‘love’ to remain in New England, will the Patriots extend him?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

FOXBORO — Josh Uche understands the game outside the game.Whether he plays in New England past this season, a contract year for the talented 24-year-old pass rusher, is closely tied to his performance on the football field. But not entirely.The Patriots’ ongoing negotiations with his agents will be impacted by several factors: his contract demands, the team’s interest, how pass rushers of his age and caliber are being paid across the league, salary cap projections, the opportunity cost of signing Uche to a large contract for the team, potential replacements for him on the roster, how the front office projects he’ll play in upcoming years, what Uche believes he’ll do and which side can best flexSo, with all of that in mind, Uche is choosing to keep a clear head. The business game? His agents can handle that. Football is the only game he wants to play.“I just let (my agents) handle all the little stuff and just come out here and work each day,” Uche...

1 killed, 1 injured in shooting near border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A shooting near the U.S.-Mexico border Friday morning left one person dead and another injured, officials said.According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, around 1:30 a.m. Cal Fire alerted authorities of a shooting near the border.The exact location of the shooting is not yet known, Lt. Joseph Jarjura said in a news release.According to officials, two men had suffered apparent gunshot wounds. One of the men was pronounced dead and the other was transported to a nearby hospital. ‘Grandma’ the dog left paralyzed by coyote in Solana Beach No suspects have been identified in connection to the shooting and the relationship between the two victims and and possible suspects are unclear, Jarjura said.Officials have not yet been able to identify either of the men who were shot, SDSO said.The circumstances that led to the shooting are still under investigation and anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact the SDSO Homicide Unit at 858-285-63...

Motorcyclist dies after Chula Vista crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A motorcyclist died Thursday following a two-vehicle crash in the South Bay, Chula Vista police said.According to CVPD, multiple 911 calls reported a traffic collision around 6:30 p.m. near Palomar Street and 5th Avenue involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.Upon arrival, officers found the motorcyclist suffering from major traumatic injuries and he was transported to UCSD Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, Sgt. Anthony Molina said in a news release.The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries, CVPD said. Dog trainer assaulted by skateboarders in Balboa Park: police According to CVPD's Traffic Bureau, early investigations, as well as witness statements indicate that the motorcyclist was traveling at high speeds when it hit the other vehicle, which was turning on the 400 block of Palomar Street.No other vehicles were believed to have been involved in the crash and neither dr...

Bangladesh’s ruling and opposition parties hold rallies over who should oversee the next election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s governing and opposition parties held separate rallies in the capital on Friday over who should oversee the next general election, expected to be held early next year. Despite huge crowds, both rallies were peaceful, with a large security presence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hopes to return to power for a fourth consecutive term, while the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by ailing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is making its strongest effort to drive Hasina out of office. Zia and Hasina are archrivals and have led the country at different times since 1991.Hasina says the election should be held under her government’s supervision as specified in the constitution, but Zia’s party and its allies say Hasina must step down to allow the installation of a non-party caretaker government to ensure a free and fair vote. Zia’s party has threatened to boycott the balloting if it is held under Hasi...

Canfor Corp. reports $43.9M loss in second quarter amid tough pulp, lumber conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:10 GMT

VANCOUVER — Wildfires in Western Canada continue to disrupt Canfor Corp. operations as the company reported a loss of $43.9 million in the second quarter.With new records set in both Alberta and B.C. for total hectares burned, the company said operational constraints are expected to continue well into the third quarter of 2023. The extreme conditions are also disrupting the company’s access to fibre as well as harvest and hauling activities, Canfor said.“While it is too early to determine the long-term fibre supply impacts, we have seen significant short-term disruptions to our operations, including a three-week curtailment of our facility in Fox Creek, Alberta in the second quarter,” said Canfor president and CEO Donald Kayne on a call with analysts. The company said it will assess the full extent of the fires’ impact on its operations, including sustainable timber supplies and future harvesting plans, over the coming months. The loss in the second quarter w...