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Justice Department sues to force Texas to remove floating barriers in Rio Grande

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

(CNN) — The US Department of Justice is suing the state of Texas over its use of floating barriers in the Rio Grande, which Gov. Greg Abbott has argued is intended to deter migrants from crossing into the state from Mexico.The Justice Department is seeking an injunction to bar Texas from building additional barriers in the river and asking a court to order the state to take the existing barriers down at its own expense.In the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in the Western District of Texas, the department alleges that Texas and Abbott, a Republican, violated the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act by building a structure in US water without permission from United States Army Corps of Engineers.The lawsuit further alleges that the floating barriers “constitute an unauthorized obstruction to the navigable capacity of waters of the United States.”“We allege that Texas has flouted federal law by installing a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal autho...

Suspect charged in connection with shooting that wounded New Bedford police officer ordered held without bail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

A man arrested in connection with a shooting that left a New Bedford police officer wounded was ordered held without bail on Monday after appearing in court, following his arrest over the weekend.Cheybane Vasconcelos-Furtado, 20, pleaded not guilty while appearing in a courtroom filled, in-part, with members of the New Bedford Police Department.The prosecution said video evidence connected Vasconcelos-Furtado with the shooting at Rivet and Orchard streets on Monday, July 17, which resulted in New Bedford Police Detective Lavar Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound to the face.Gilbert had been working undercover and in an unmarked car at the time of the shooting and was able to drive himself to the hospital afterwards, according to police. He was later released from a facility in Boston the following Friday.“Video shows multiple muzzle flashes come from the rear of that vehicle that’s being operated by the defendant,” said prosecutor Sean Gilderson. “The vehicle t...

2 people hurt in house explosion in Holliston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

Two people were taken to the hospital by helicopter on Monday after an explosion inside a home in Holliston, police said. The explosion happened in the area of Westfield Drive. SKY7-HD over the scene on Monday afternoon showed roughly one dozen firefighters in the front yard of the home. No further information was immediately available. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Patriots sign ex-Navy linebacker Diego Fagot before training camp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

The Patriots filled one of two open spots on their 90-man roster two days before training camp officially opens Wednesday at Gillette Stadium by signing ex-Navy linebacker Diego Fagot.Fagot, who worked out for the Patriots on Monday before signing, went undrafted out of Navy last year. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker was with the Baltimore Ravens in training camp last summer. He finished this career at the Naval Academy with 282 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles and two defensive scores.Fagot is now the second Navy product on the Patriots’ roster, joining long snapper Joe Cardona. Head coach Bill Belichick’s father, Steve, was a longtime coach and scout at Navy.The Patriots also worked out wide receivers Jalen Hurd and Darion Chafin, quarterback Matthew McKay and defensive tackles Bruce Hector, Aaron Crawford and Khalil Davis, per a source.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | ...

Biden administration sues Texas’ governor over the state’s buoy barrier in the Rio Grande

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Biden administration sues Texas’ governor over the state’s buoy barrier in the Rio Grande.

Ticker: Senate signals $20M for farms; Anchor Brewing open to employee offer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

Senate Democrats plan to include $20 million in “flexible funding” for farm communities where crops were washed away recently by heavy rains.Senate President Karen Spilka announced the plans during a visit to Hatfield on Monday. While Spilka was out west, the Senate Ways and Means Committee was working on its version of a $693 million supplemental budget approved by the House earlier this month.“We will be debating it and passing it later in the week,” Spilka said, according to video of her remarks provided by her office.After the bill clears the Senate, House and Senate Democrats, who have had difficulty this year striking agreements, will have another major bill to try to hash out.Anchor Brewing open to employee offerAnchor Brewing is open to considering a potential offer from employees looking to buy and save the storied San Francisco brewery, a spokesperson confirmed over the weekend.On July 12, the company announced it would be shutting down operations, ...

Miami’s police chief shot himself while with wife, state official says. He survived

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The director of the Miami-Dade Police Department was in critical but stable condition following surgery in a Tampa area hospital a day after shooting himself, state law enforcement officials said Monday.Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, 52, was in Tampa for a law enforcement conference, officials said.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or FDLE, is investigating the shooting with the Florida Highway Patrol. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said during a news conference Monday afternoon that Tampa police had responded to a domestic dispute between Ramirez and his wife earlier Sunday at the hotel where the conference was being held. Ramirez left the hotel, and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound after pulling over on Interstate 75 south of Tampa, Glass said.“Law enforcement is a demanding and stressful career and occupation,” Glass said. “And Director Ramirez has dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to public service and keeping the citizens of Miami-Dade ...

Projects directed by Viggo Mortensen, Michael Keaton, Chris Pine coming to TIFF

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

TORONTO — The head of the Toronto International Film Festival says the sheer number of films directed by prominent actors in this year’s lineup was a surprise and big names are still expected on the red carpet even if the Hollywood actors strike drags on. “We expect directors to come and present their work considering that these are projects they’ve been working on for a long, long time,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a phone interview on Monday. “In some cases, everyone will make their own decisions but they’re equally passionate about their own films where at times, it may actually be an opportunity to speak about what’s at stake with the current labour action.”Organizers have announced the first wave of 60 titlesfor September’s TIFF amid the ongoing strike in Hollywood that could change this year’s festival experience.Several projects from actors sitting in the director’s chairs are on the list, including Viggo Mortensen’s Canadian co-produced feature, “The De...

TIFF announces first wave of films premiering at 2023 event. Here’s what’s coming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

The head of the Toronto International Film Festival says the sheer number of films directed by prominent actors in this year’s lineup was a surprise, and big names are still expected on the red carpet even if the Hollywood actors’ strike drags on.“We expect directors to come and present their work considering that these are projects they’ve been working on for a long, long time,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a phone interview on Monday.“In some cases, everyone will make their own decisions but they’re equally passionate about their own films where at times, it may actually be an opportunity to speak about what’s at stake with the current labour action.”Organizers have announced the first wave of 60 titles for September’s TIFF amid the ongoing strike in Hollywood that could change this year’s festival experience.Several projects from actors sitting in the director’s chairs are on the list, including Viggo Mort...

Retired Georgia minister charged with murder in 1975 slaying of girl, 8, in Pennsylvania

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:19 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A retired minister in Georgia has been charged with murder in the slaying of an 8-year-old girl whose remains were found in southeastern Pennsylvania almost a half-century ago.David Zandstra, 83, of the Atlanta suburb of Marietta is charged with criminal homicide, first–, second- and third-degree murder, kidnapping of a minor and a related count in the 1975 death of Gretchen Harrington in Delaware County.District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told reporters Monday in the Delaware County seat of Media that the defendant was “a monster” and “every parent’s worst nightmare.”“This is a man who is a remorseless child predator who acted as if he was a friend, a neighbor and a man of God, and he killed this poor little girl,” Stollsteimer said. Having killed a child who knew and trusted him, he then “acted as if he was their family friend, not only during her burial and the period after that but for years,” the district attorney said.Harringto...