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TikTok content creators file lawsuit against Montana over first-in-nation law banning app

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

AMY BETH HANSON, HALELUYA HADERO and MATTHEW BROWN (Associated Press)HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Five TikTok content creators have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Montana’s first-in-the-nation ban on the video sharing app, arguing the law is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights.The Montana residents also argued in the complaint, filed in federal court late Wednesday without public notice, that the state doesn’t have any authority over matters of national security. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law Wednesday and said it would protect Montana residents’ private data and personal information from being harvested by the Chinese government. The ban is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.“The law takes the broadest possible approach to its objectives, restricting and banning the protected speech of all TikTok users in Montana to prevent the speculative and unsubstantiated possibility that the Chinese government might dir...

Powerful Taunton heats up at the plate, defeats Milford, 9-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

TAUNTON — It was a day of celebration in Taunton, both during pregame and postgame. Senior Day festivities preceded a Hockomock League baseball matchup against No. 10 Milford, and a 9-2 victory for the No. 2 Tigers is how the day ended.“In the past I’ve had the mindset that Senior Day was a distraction,” Tigers coach Blair Bourque said. “Lately I’ve embraced it and they reward you with a great game. We played really well, and I am proud of them.”While the runs eventually came for the defending Division 1 state champion Tigers (14-4), it took a few innings. Milford pitcher Evan Cornelius was able to stave Taunton off over the first few innings, but the hitters did pick up on some tendencies.“Early on, he was pounding me with sliders,” Taunton senior Braden Sullivan said. “I was able to sit back and drive it and do my job to get on base.”Jack Cali was impressive for the Tigers as well, keeping Milford off the board for the majority of his 3.2 innings outing.It was Sullivan who broke t...

‘Back and better than ever:’ Officials announce Boston Pride parade, festivals, block parties and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

After three long years of tempered and canceled Pride celebrations in Boston, city officials announced Thursday, the festivities will be back in full force this June.“We’re looking forward to an amazing month of queer community connection and celebration and deepening our partnerships with the incredible LGBTQ coalition and organizations here in Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu at a press conference in BAGLY center Thursday morning.The events will kick off on June 1 at City Hall Plaza, Wu said, with the first in-person Pride flag raising in three years. Officials will also unveil a photography series that day called “Portraits of Pride” highlighting LGBTQ leaders, which will remain open in the plaza throughout the month.The city — and likely over a million attendees, Wu estimated — will also see the long-awaited return of the Pride parade on June 10.The parade, now organized by Boston Pride for the People, will kick off at 11 a.m. at Copley S...

Column: Liam Hendriks’ return might be the only thing to look forward to for shellshocked Chicago White Sox fans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

Liam Hendriks’ return to the mound for the Chicago White Sox has been a moment fans have been looking forward to since the news of his cancer was announced in January.No one knew whether it even would be possible for Hendriks to come back from non-Hodgkin lymphoma this season, so having him back in late May seems like a gift.It’s a tribute to Hendriks’ perseverance and work ethic, two traits that have defined his baseball journey and made him an elite closer.Hendriks was not available to speak with the media Thursday when he returned to White Sox Park to map out the next steps in his rehab, which includes a bullpen session or throwing live batting practice Friday.How Hendriks feels Saturday will determine whether he returns to the minors for more work, gets activated over the weekend or waits for the upcoming trip to Cleveland and Detroit.Manager Pedro Grifol said before Thursday’s game that the Sox haven’t discussed where to start him if he’s ind...

Taylor Swift fans load up on merchandise, writing their own love story ahead of the megastar’s weekend performances at Gillette Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

Thousands of Taylor Swift fans showed up to Gillette Stadium to load up on merchandise ahead of the weekend crush.Shannon Willard, 19, of Easton, and her friend Sydney O’Connor have seen Swift perform at Gillette in the past, including being in the front row in 2018. On Saturday, their wildest dreams will come true again when they sit nine rows back.“She is so relatable,” Willard said of what makes Swift such a hot commodity. “She seems to stand up for everyone, which I really like. I like when artists care about their fans.”Stadium and public safety officials say they are ready for Swift’s trio of performances this weekend, Friday through Sunday. They’re hoping Swifties will continue to shake it off by arriving early to beat traffic from Route 1 and Interstates 95 and 495.Lots open at 2:30 p.m. and gates at 4:30, with each show starting at 6:30.About 10 miles away from Gillette, Janet Jackson will be performing Friday at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, causing even more traffic on...

‘Finally, justice for Jeremiah’ with man charged with boy’s murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

Nearly 10 years after his death, justice may be finally coming for 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver.A warrant out of Worcester Superior Court led to the arrest Wednesday of 32-year-old Alberto Sierra, Jr. He has been indicted by a grand jury for one charge of murder and another charge of disinterring a body, according to a statement released by Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office.“Finally justice for that little boy,” said Judy Reardon, who was among many Fitchburg residents who came together to conduct searches and vigils for Jeremiah vowing to never forget. “Finally he can rest.”Reardon, a grandmother, said it’s been an “emotional rollercoaster” and she’s “cried and prayed” all day.Dina Hammad, also a Fitchburg volunteer who once searched for Jeremiah, told the Herald Thursday night the arrest is “bittersweet.”She added the entire city has been “waiting for this for a long time. Our hearts...

7 dead in vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Oregon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — Seven people were killed and others hurt in a crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday on Interstate 5 near Albany, Oregon, police said. Oregon State Police said in a statement that officers responded at about 2:05 p.m. to the crash involving two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle in the northbound lanes about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of Albany near the Santiam rest area. Seven adults died and multiple people were injured, police said. Police did not specifically say how many others were hurt. The passenger vehicle involved was a van, the Albany Democrat-Herald reported. The Marion County medical examiner was at the scene, and bodies covered in plastic could be seen in a nearby field. A Life Flight helicopter left the scene at about 2:45 p.m., the newspaper reported.Police and fire officials put a blue tarp on the wrecked van and placed a barrier near one of the trucks to block the view of the scene, the newspaper said.The cause of the crash is under inve...

FBI employees testify on GOP politicization claims after losing clearances

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI employees accused the bureau of politicization in congressional testimony Thursday, a day after the agency disclosed that two of the men had seen their security clearances revoked over concerns about how their views of the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, affected their work. The three men alleged overreach and retaliation by the FBI in testimony to a special House committee investigating what Republicans assert is the “weaponization” of the federal government against conservatives.“If you’re not politically correct … you’re not in line with what they think to be the political position or the proper position, you’re the target,” Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the committee, said in his opening statement.Former FBI employees Marcus Allen and Steve Friend testified to the panel just hours after the FBI informed Jordan in a letter Wednesday — obtained by The Associated Press — that both men had been stripped of security clearances ...

Oklahoma agrees to not enforce gender-affirming care ban while temporary order sought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma agreed on Thursday to not enforce its ban on gender-affirming medical care for young transgender people while opponents of the law seek a temporary court order blocking it.The attorney general’s office and attorneys for families and medical providers challenging the ban filed an agreement before the federal judge hearing the lawsuit. As part of the agreement, both sides asked for additional time to file briefs in the case. Oklahoma is one of 17 states that have enacted laws banning or restricting gender-affirming care for minors. Federal judges have blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and several other states are considering bills this year to restrict or ban the care. “We expect all state officials to abide by this agreement while our motion is pending and stand ready to hold the state accountable and defend the rights of all trans Oklahomans, should any enforcement of SB 613 occur,” the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Leg...

Northern Ontario First Nation launches land theft case against federal, provincial governments

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:17 GMT

Dozens of members of an Ontario First Nation gathered in Toronto on Thursday as part of their efforts to reclaim their land and prized possessions.Ojibways of Garden River First Nation Ketegaunseebee beat their drums in a show of strength as they entered Queen’s Park after filing a lawsuit against the province and the federal government alleging a large swath of their land was stolen.The First Nation’s leadership then surprised their Elders with a viewing of a 200-year-old pipe that belonged to the man who helped start Garden River in the 1800s, Chief Shingwaukonse. The Royal Ontario Museum, which has had the pipe since its inception in 1914, brought the pipe to the legislature.The great-granddaughter of Chief Shingwaukonse, Doreen Lesage, hovered her hand over the pipe as tears welled up in her eyes. She wiped those tears away and held her hands to her heart.“It’s indescribable what it means to me,’ she said. “My heart is just heavy right now, bu...