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Boston COVID wastewater data plunging, Massachusetts virus cases drop 16%

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

COVID wastewater data in the Boston-area continues to take a plunge, as state health officials on Thursday also reported a drop in virus cases and hospitalizations.Data from the Boston Public Health Commission’s wastewater surveillance program shows that the number of COVID particles in the city’s wastewater decreased 71% over the past two weeks. The wastewater data helps predict virus waves and lulls in the community.For the north-of-Boston region, the wastewater data has gone down 44% in the same time period. The south-of-Boston region has seen a 32% drop.Related ArticlesHealth | Watchdog report questions Boston’s ability to sustain ARPA-funded projects Health | Flynn to other Boston city councilors: Hearings should not be virtual Health | What you need to know about COVID variant arcturus — and a new, odd symptom Health | As pandemic emergencies end, people battling long COVID feel ‘swept under the rug’ ...

Lamar Jackson, Ravens agree to 5-year deal, ending difficult standoff with their franchise player

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

After more than a year of complicated negotiations and a trade request, Lamar Jackson will be the Ravens’ quarterback for the long term after he agreed to a five-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.Terms of the deal were not immediately announced, but ESPN reported Jackson will receive $260 million with $185 million in guarantees, figures that would push him past the $255 million extension Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts agreed to earlier this month.“You know, for the last few months, there’s been a lot of he-said, she-said, a lot of nail-biting, a lot of head scratching going on,” Jackson said in a video posted by the team. “But for the next five years, there’s a lot of ‘Flock’ going on. Let’s go, baby. Can’t wait to get there. Can’t wait to be there. Can’t wait to light up M&T Bank [Stadium] for the next five years. Let’s get it.”News of the extension broke as the R...

What they’re saying about Lamar Jackson and Ravens agreeing to a 5-year deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

After two years of contract negotiations, the Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson have a deal.The team announced Thursday that it has agreed in principle to a five-year contract extension with the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player, just one month after Jackson tweeted that he requested a trade from the organization. ESPN reported that Jackson will receive $260 million with $185 million in guarantees, figures that would push him past the $255 million extension Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts agreed to earlier this month.The news caught many by surprise, and as word trickled out on social media, there were plenty of reactions.Even Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was excited: “I think that’s awesome. I’m excited for him to come to Camden Yards, maybe take a little batting practice and be around the guys. But really cool for the city and happy for him. … I’m a huge football fan and a Ravens fan and a John Harbaugh fan, and so for him to be signed...

Mets still searching for last year’s offense with rocky start to season at the plate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

The Mets are searching for any type of spark at the dish.The not-so-Amazins have gotten off to a very slow offensive start and those woes at the plate have been front and center during their four-game losing streak — dropping two to the fourth-place Giants and two to the last-place Nationals — where they’ve scored nine runs combined.Against the Nats specifically is where the concerns heightened. The Mets were shutout in the opener of the series and scored just one run in their loss on Wednesday going 9-for-63 (.143) in the first two games against the sewer of the NL East.While it is early, there are stark differences with this year’s squad from the team that won 101 games last season that warrants some legitimate concern.Brandon Nimmo (.925 OPS this season) and Pete Alonso (.882 OPS) — although he has just two hits in his last 25 at-bats — have been the only notable forces in Buck Showalter’s lineup.The rest of the lineup leaves a lot to be ...

Lamar Jackson sets new NFL contract with monster five-year Baltimore Ravens extension

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

Lamar Jackson went from requesting a trade out of Baltimore to setting a new NFL contract record to stay with the Ravens.Baltimore and its quarterback agreed on Thursday in principle to a monster five-year contract extension to resolve the offseason standoff between the former MVP and the franchise that drafted him.The contract is a five-year, $260 million extension with $185 million in total guarantees, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.Jackson’s $52 million average annual value is the largest in NFL history, just above Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ $51 million average on his recent extension in Philadelphia.Jackson himself delivered the official confirmation of the pact on the team’s social media accounts.“You know for the last few months, there’s been a lot of he-say, she-say, a lot of nailbiting and a lot of headscratching going on,” Jackson said in a video. “But for the next five years it’s a lot of Flock going on.&...

Ticker: Economy grew at weak 1.1% in Q1; Gap slashing 1,800 jobs 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

The U.S. economy slowed sharply from January through March, decelerating to just a 1.1% annual pace as higher interest rates hammered the housing market and businesses reduced their inventories.Thursday’s estimate from the Commerce Department showed that the nation’s gross domestic product — the broadest gauge of economic output — weakened after growing 3.2% from July through September and 2.6% from October through December.But consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of U.S. economic activity, remained resilient, growing at a 3.7% annual pace, the fastest such rate in nearly two years. Spending on goods, in particular, was solid: It rose at its fastest pace since the second quarter of 2021.Gap slashing 1,800 jobsThe Gap is laying off 1,800 corporate workers, roughly three time the number of headquarters jobs it cut last fall, as the struggling chain cuts costs in a bid to become more nimble.More layoffs at the struggling chain follow similar cuts at large U.S. co...

CFL reaches multi year broadcast agreement with CBS Sports Network

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

The CFL has reached a multi-year broadcast agreement with CBS Sports Network, the league announced Thursday.The deal will see CBS Sports Network carry 34 games this year.CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports. Financial details of the agreement weren’t divulged.“We’re looking forward to working closely with CBS Sports Network to serve our loyal fans in the U.S. and grow our base there,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. “CBS Sports is synonymous with the finest in sports broadcasting and we’re proud to showcase our product on its network.”The American network will kick off its coverage by carrying the ’23 regular-season opener June 8 between the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders.“The CFL is an exciting brand of football, with a great history that has long included some of the stars of the game,” said Dan Weinberg, executive vice-president, programming, CBS Sports. “We are excited...

Biden plan aims to stem border migration as restrictions end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With COVID-19 immigration restrictions set to expire, the Biden administration on Thursday announced measures meant to stop migrants from illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, both by cracking down on many of those who do come, and by creating new pathways meant to offer an alternative to the dangerous journey.The effort includes opening processing centers outside the United States for people fleeing violence and poverty to apply to fly in legally and settle in the United States, Spain or Canada. The first processing centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia, with others expected to follow. The administration also plans to swiftly screen migrants seeking asylum at the border itself, quickly deport those deemed as not being qualified, and penalizing people who cross illegally into the U.S. or illegally through another country on their way to the U.S. border.But it is unclear whether the measures will do much to slow the tide of migrants fleeing countries marr...

Federal public service strike drags on but no suggestion back-to-work law is coming

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberal government is showing no hints it will legislate public servants back to work as experts warn choosing that path to ending the dispute could come with political repercussions.Federal workers with the Public Service Alliance of Canada walked off the job nine days ago after contract negotiations with the government couldn’t find agreement on issues such as wage increases and remote work.On Thursday, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan refused to weigh in on the negotiations and the possibility of back-to-work legislation and said “we want and need an agreement soon.” “Sorry for being so evasive, but I have to be,” O’Regan said. “I want a deal.”The government has avoided any questions about back to work legislation since the strike began April 19 and continues to even as the strike drags on and ministers are admitting the impact it is having on government services.Michael Wernick, who headed the federal public servic...

2nd Mississippi jail escapee found; arrested near Houston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:49 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A man who escaped from a Mississippi jail last weekend and fled to Texas after allegedly stealing a public works vehicle has been arrested in a Houston suburb, authorities announced Thursday. Jerry Raynes was apprehended in Spring Valley days after he and three other inmates escaped Saturday night from the Raymond Detention Center near Jackson, Mississippi’s capital, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said. Raynes is the second escaped prisoner to be found in a multi-agency hunt. Dylan Arrington died after barricading himself in a central Mississippi home and setting it on fire during an armed standoff with deputies Wednesday. He is suspected of killing a man and stealing his pickup truck after the escape. The other two, Casey Grayson and Corey Harrison, are still on the loose, and authorities had no updates Thursday on their possible whereabouts.The U.S. Marshals Service, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Spring Valley Police Department assisted with Rayn...