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US national debt hits record $34 trillion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

London (CNN) — The US government’s debt has topped $34 trillion for the first time, just weeks ahead of looming deadlines for Congress to agree to new federal funding plans.Data published by the Treasury Department showed that “total public debt outstanding” rose to $34.001 trillion on December 29. That figure, also known as the national debt, is the total amount of outstanding borrowing by the US federal government accumulated over the nation’s history.The milestone comes just three months after the US national debt surpassed $33 trillion, as the budget deficit — the difference between what the government spends and what it receives in taxes — ballooned.Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a fiscal watchdog, called the record figure “a truly depressing ‘achievement.’”“Though our level of debt is dangerous for both our economy and for national security, America just cannot stop borrowing,” she said in a statement Tuesday.M...

Series of Fronts to Lead to Up and Down Rain Chances

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

Following a nice lull in active weather across South Florida, with a streak of lows in 50s, that wave of cold weather will come to an end while rain chances rise.Lows across most of South Florida this morning reached the 50s once again but lows in the 50s going forward will hard to come by over the next 7 days. Some inland locations may still reach the upper 50s tonight but it certainly won’t be as common.One front crossed through the area yesterday and another one will arrive tomorrow. In between these fronts, temperatures will remain mild while skies will be mostly cloudy this Wednesday.Then on Thursday, the front will cross through midday with limited moisture. Besides spotty showers in spots, it will be a mostly dry day with times of sun and clouds.Temperatures will be warmer into the upper 70s for highs courtesy of a southwest wind in the morning.Behind this first out of three future fronts, temperatures are only forecast to drop by a degree or two with another warmup ahe...

Lynn Schools re-open with increased police presence following violent week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

After multiple shootings in Lynn last week, schools in that community are re-opening after winter break with an increased police presence.Lynn Police Chief Christopher Reddy, Mayor Jared Nicholson, and Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools Evonne Alvarez sent a letter to families on Tuesday updating them on preparations being made for the re-opening of schools on Wednesday.“We acknowledge with you the pain and anxiety caused by the senseless acts of violence that occurred these past few days,” the letter reads. “The families of these young men will never be the same, and the grief that they are experiencing is shared by their friends and the school community where they were students.”The letter said city officials are “working diligently to coordinate an increased police presence” for the re-opening, which includes assigning a uniformed officer to Lynn Classical High School while school is in session.On Tuesday, Dec. 26, a shooting in the area of ...

Quincy man arrested after attempting to light raccoon on fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

A Quincy man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after police say he attempted to light a raccoon on fire.Quincy Police received a call on Saturday, Dec. 30 reporting that a person was attempting to light a raccoon on fire in the backyard of a house on Royal Street.Upon arrival, officers saw two neighbors arguing and a live raccoon, with apparent burn injuries, in a trap cage.In a video obtained by police, authorities said, Andrew Chieu, 63, of Quincy, could be seen “building a fire in a tin can” before placing the caged raccoon “on top of the tin can as the fire intensified”.Chieu was placed under arrest and charged with violating animal cruelty laws. He was arraigned in Quincy District Court on Tuesday.The raccoon was transported to a local animal hospital for treatment. The animal survived the incident and authorities said the extent of its injuries is unknown at this time.

Fentanyl Test Strips, Wheelchair Repairs Up For Early 2024 Senate Action

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JAN. 2, 2024…..The Senate is poised to kick off the second year of the legislative session with a trio of bills that seek to help people with disabilities and to make fentanyl test strips legal.Senators on Tuesday teed up the three bills to debate at their Thursday session: to protect people who administer or use fentanyl test strips from criminal liability (S 2458), expand wheelchair warranty protections for people with disabilities (S 152), and require new guidance on how police officers should interact with people with autism (S 2204).Fentanyl Test StripsSen. Cynthia Creem said the chief of police in her hometown of Newton first approached her about fentanyl test strips, saying that they are an important overdose prevention resource but are illegal in the state.“They’re highly effective, easy to carry around, everything is right, except it’s considered drug paraphernalia in Massachusetts,” Creem said.The testing strips can warn p...

Crime Briefs: Boston Police identify first shooting victim of the year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

The first Boston murder victim of 2024 has been identified as Nilton Fernandes, 24, of Dorchester.Boston Police responded to the area of 34 High St. in Dorchester a little before 5:30 a.m. Monday, New Year’s Day, for a report of a person shot. Responders pronounced Fernandes, who had clearly been shot, dead at the scene.Police ask that anyone with any information about Fernandes’ killing to contact homicide detectives at 617-343-4470 or to provide information anonymously through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS (8477) or by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463).Another shooting in the New YearPolice also responded Monday night to the area of 27 Washington St. in Roxbury where they found a teenage girl suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.She was taken to a local hospital and treated. Her alleged shooter, however, wasn’t far.Police say that witnesses pointed them toward 20 Castlegate Road. After several tries at the door, three people came out of th...

San Diego lifeguards perform nearly 100 rescues during high surf advisory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego beaches saw around 165,000 people visit during the high surf advisory last week, according to fire officials.From Dec. 28 to Dec. 31, local lifeguards performed 96 rescues, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department posted Tuesday on X, formerly known as Twitter. The high surf prompted daring surfers to take to the waters as they rode massive waves for an experience of a lifetime. Drone 5 captured the power of mother nature as swells slammed into the the Children’s Pool Walkway in La Jolla.The high surf also impacted piers in Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach. Storms to bring light rain, snow and ‘coldest air of the season’ to San Diego County The 57-year-old Ocean Beach Pier was damaged after getting hit hard by waves over the weekend. Although the pier has not been open since October, it will remain closed through early 2024 because of previous damage.On Friday, Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, which is home to a hotel, was forced to temporarily close ...

NATO to help buy 1,000 Patriot missiles to defend allies as Russia ramps up air assault on Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO announced Wednesday that it would help buy up to 1,000 Patriot missiles so that allies can better protect their territory as Russia ramps up its air assault on Ukraine.NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency said it will support a group of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, in buying the Patriots, which are used to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as enemy aircraft.According to industry sources, the contract could be worth around $5.5 billion.The purchase could help allies free up more of their own defense systems for Ukraine. The agency said that “other user nations are expected to benefit from the conditions of the contract,” without elaborating.“Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities and towns show how important modern air defenses are,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. “Scaling up ammunition production is key for Ukraine’s security and for ours.”As an organiz...

Gun restriction bills on tap in Maine Legislature after state’s deadliest mass shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Honoring victims, survivors and first responders following the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history is the first order of business for lawmakers returning to work Wednesday at the state House.The Lewiston shooting tribute was expected to set the tone for a session that will include several gun safety proposals, including potential changes to the state’s so-called yellow flag law, which allows a judge to remove guns from someone in a mental health crisis.The Maine Gun Safety Coalition planned a demonstration in the Hall of Flags to show support for victims and their families.“Our hearts are broken about the shootings in Lewiston,” said David Farmer, spokesperson for the group. “There is an urgent need for action on gun safety reform. We cannot wait any longer to confront this growing problem.”Also on the agenda was a request by State Rep. John Andrews, who sits on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, to impeach Secretary of State Shenn...

Taiwan reports China sent 4 suspected spy balloons over the island, some near key air force base

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that China sent four balloons over the island, three of which passed near to a key air force base. The reported incursions on Tuesday come as China has been upping its threat to use force to annex the self-governing republic. Taiwan is holding elections for its president and legislature on Jan. 13, and China has used its military, diplomatic and economic power to influence voters to back candidates favoring unification between the sides. Despite that, the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is leading in most polls, reaffirming the electorate’s backing for the status of de-facto independence from mainland China. China regularly sends navy ships and warplanes to waters and airspace close to Taiwan, and its use of balloons to collect intelligence could be a new stage in its campaign of intimidation against the island. The Defense Ministry said three of the balloons passed from east to west, close to the Ching-C...