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Tag: Massachusetts

  • OPINION: Swipe fees are a concern

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    By Tom Hoye 

    In a recent opinion piece for the Taunton Daily Gazette, the author made the claim that consumers in Massachusetts “don’t need to be concerned with credit card ‘swipe fees.’” However, this could not be further from the truth. Costs are still on the rise for families in Massachusetts, and with the holiday season in full swing, that is more relevant now than ever before. While tariffs are certainly taking their toll, the impact of credit card swipe fees cannot be ignored as they now make up the second largest operating expense for business owners and drive prices higher for consumers.

    While businesses in Massachusetts cannot add an upfront surcharge to account for swipe fees, there’s no doubt that when these fees rise, merchants are forced to increase prices across the board to keep their doors open. This means even those who use cash end up paying higher prices as a result of card users.  Surcharging is just a band-aid for retailers to recoup some of these costs — but it is not a solution. Retailers don’t like them either as they get blamed for the credit card’s outrageous fees. Massachusetts law might block a line item surcharge, but make no mistake that merchants and consumers are still paying swipe fees.

    The more those fees grow, the more merchants will have no choice but to raise their prices to account for the overhead, just as they would for any other expense. In fact, families here in state and across the country are paying an extra $1,800 a year on average as prices increase to account for the growing expense of swipe fees.

    Whenever you swipe a credit card at your favorite restaurant or local shop, the business owner incurs a swipe fee, which is a percentage of the transaction that’s paid to credit card companies and major banks. In other words, Massachusetts’ small business owners have to watch while a portion of their hard-earned revenue is siphoned away from their communities to line the pockets of executives on Wall Street. In 2024 alone, our state paid over $2.9 billion in swipe fees, money that could have been used to increase wages, improve employee benefits, and lower costs.

    Unfortunately, thanks to credit card companies, this issue will not fix itself. These companies dominate the payments industry, and increase swipe fees without hesitation thanks to the cartel-style price fixing scheme they’ve employed with major banks to ensure fees continue going up. Massachusetts simply can’t afford the status quo, especially as the cost of living exceeds the national average and the cost of things like raising a child in this state is 50 percent higher than the rest of the country.

    It’s clear we need a legislative fix to level the playing field and thankfully one already exists in the form of the Credit Card Competition Act.

    This bill, a bipartisan initiative supported by both Democrats and Republicans as well as the overwhelming majority of the public, would offer merchants and consumers the relief they’ve been seeking for years by allowing businesses to choose between at least two credit card networks for processing transactions. By fostering a competitive environment, the Credit Card Competition Act would incentivize credit card companies to lower their swipe fees and improve their services. The bill would save Massachusetts businesses and consumers an estimated $438 million a year, allowing merchants to not only pay their employees more but also lower prices for their customers who are still reeling from inflation and economic uncertainty.

    The deck is stacked against Main Street when it comes to swipe fees. The only beneficiaries are Wall Street executives and bank CEOs. Until the Credit Card Competition Act is passed, swipe fees will continue burdening our local businesses and putting pressure on families who are already struggling to afford necessities. The Credit Card Competition Act can truly shake the status quo and bring about the change we desperately need. I hope U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey along with our entire congressional delegation will take this message to heart and throw their support behind this bill.

    Tom Hoye is the former mayor of Taunton. He is currently the register of probate for Bristol County and the owner of several businesses.

     

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  • ‘The community is super proud’ of figure skater Maxim Naumov

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    For Maxim Naumov, Friday marked the moment he had worked toward his entire life: The men’s single free skate final on Olympic ice.

    Back home at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, supporters packed in to watch the 24-year-old skater compete at the Milan Cortina Olympics, cheering every jump, every clean landing and even rallying behind him after a fall.

    For many in the skating community, the moment was bittersweet.

    Naumov has spent the past year navigating unimaginable loss after his parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov — longtime coaches at the club — were killed in a plane crash over Washington, D.C.

    Despite the tragedy, he pushed forward, earning his place on Team USA and a spot in the Olympics.

    “I’m happy that I can be proud of myself, honestly, today, because the journey, and what it took to get here, was very difficult,” Naumov said Friday.

    The skater, who lost his parents in the midair collision over the Potomac River last year, showed the power of resiliency in his Olympic debut.

    As he skated, applause and cheers echoed at the club’s watch party.

    Jimmy Ma, a professional figure skater at the Skating Club of Boston who has supported Naumov through the past year, said the Olympic stage represents more than a final score.

    “What everybody puts out there is very awe-inspiring, right? Mistake or not,” he said.

    Ma also urged the public to remember the humanity of Olympic athletes competing under intense scrutiny.

    “Respect them as humans — they are humans, all of them,” he said. “So give them their space, think about what you’re going to put online, cause believe it or not, we do see it.”

    For younger skaters watching at the club, Naumov’s performance — imperfect as it may have been — carried a powerful lesson about dedication and resilience.

    The NBC Nightly News anchor says he is inspired by the Olympian’s strength.

    “The people in the Olympics, I know how much the sport means to them, and the anticipation of if they do well or not, especially cause they care about it,” said Scottie Shu, a fellow Skating Club of Boston skater.

    Olympic legend Nancy Kerrigan said she empathized with Naumov’s experience on the ice.

    “I felt for him, cause I’ve had those moments,” she said. “He’s really shown us that he didn’t give up, he kept going, and now, he’s an Olympian, and he’s got a lot to be proud of.”

    Speaking to NBC10 Boston after his skate, Naumov continued to exhibit perseverance.

    “Of course there were some mistakes, but you know, life’s going to throw some stuff at you, and you’re not going to be able to be perfect, but you move your feet forward, you continue, and you still give it your all, no matter what,” Naumov said.

    He credited his home club for carrying him through the past year and helping him reach the Olympic stage.

    “I love those guys, man, the Skating Club of Boston, what they’ve done for me, man,” he said. “It’s hard to put in words, the support, the love, the care, everything that they’ve done for me, it means so much to me, and it’s a big part of why I’m here today,” he said.

    He ultimately placed 20th in the event. His teammate, Ilia Malinin, placed eighth after also struggling during his skate.

    Still, support from home remains unwavering.

    “Prepare to come home and be mobbed by the other skaters telling you ‘good job,’” said Owen Ide, another Skating Club of Boston skater. “Just be ready for that.”

    Ma said the pride within the community outweighs any disappointment.

    “I’m super proud, the community is super proud, so when you guys get home, we’re getting good dinner together,” he said.

    Naumov has said he plans to rest once he returns home. And while Friday’s result may not have been what he or his supporters hoped for, many believe this is only the beginning — with another Olympic opportunity likely ahead for the young skater who has already overcome so much.

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    Oscar Margain and Eli Rosenberg

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  • Police Seek Man Who Struck Cop Fleeing Encore Boston Harbor

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    Posted on: February 13, 2026, 01:03h. 

    Last updated on: February 13, 2026, 01:26h.

    • A suspect fleeing police allegedly struck a state trooper as they drove off at a high rate of speed
    • Police say the person of interest was reportedly carrying a weapon on the casino floor

    Police in Massachusetts are calling on the public’s help in locating a suspect who allegedly struck a state trooper while fleeing Encore Boston Harbor.

    Massachusetts police Encore Boston Harbor
    The exterior of Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass. Massachusetts State Police report that a trooper was struck by a suspect driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Police and casino security were chasing the suspect after he allegedly possessed a weapon inside the Wynn Resorts property. (Image: Shutterstock)

    Located across the Mystic River from Boston in Everett, Massachusetts State Police responded to an incident at the resort operated by Wynn Resorts early Friday morning after a report came in that a person was carrying a weapon on the casino floor. Upon being approached by casino security, the individual allegedly fled, prompting state troopers stationed at the casino to give chase.

    The suspect was reportedly able to get to his vehicle, where he drove off at a high rate of speed. As he exited the casino’s premises, police say he struck a state trooper with his vehicle’s side-view mirror.

    The troopers involved in the Friday incident are assigned to the state’s Gaming Enforcement Unit. The GEU, a division of the Massachusetts State Police, works with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau to investigate all possible criminal activity occurring at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino.

    Details Scant

    The Massachusetts State Police have not yet commented on the Encore Boston Harbor incident. Boston 25, which broke the story, reported that state officials said only that the suspected carrying of a weapon is what led to casino security approaching the person who fled.

    As of this time, there is no word on what sort of weapon was allegedly involved, most critically, whether it was a firearm. Massachusetts does have a concealed carry law, though out-of-state licenses do not apply. The commonwealth is considered among the nation’s most restrictive states when it comes to firearms possession.

    Massachusetts law prohibits any person from possessing a firearm within or upon the premises of a gaming establishment.

    If the gaming licensee learns that an individual possesses a firearm … the gaming licensee must immediately notify an official within the on-site office of the IEB, and the individual violating the policy shall be removed from the premises of the gaming establishment by officers assigned to the Gaming Enforcement Unit,” Massachusetts’ Internal Control for Gaming reads. “Thereafter, the gaming licensee shall promptly, and in any event no later than 48 hours of such removal, or violation of the policy, notify the Chief of the Gaming Enforcement Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.”

    Exceptions to the regulation include on-duty Massachusetts State Police troopers, local law enforcement officers assigned to the casino, IEB officials, and federal law enforcement officials.

    Crime Impact

    Crime studies commissioned by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission have concluded that Encore Boston Harbor has had a negligible to “limited impact on crime in the region.” The $2.6 billion integrated resort opened in June 2019.

    Crime rates in Everett today are in line with the rates the city experienced in 2019. However, there has been a slight increase in certain public safety issues, including intoxicated driving.

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    Devin O’Connor

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  • Lawmakers urged to ‘opt out’ of federal mandates

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    BOSTON — Unions, advocates for low-income workers and other groups urged state lawmakers on Thursday to permanently “opt out” of several new federal laws enacted as part of President Donald Trump’s tax cut and policy bill, warning of the impact on the state’s coffers.

    The Legislature’s Revenue Committee is considering a proposal by Gov. Maura Healey that would delay implementation of what she described as the five “most costliest” changes in federal tax code created by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act until next year.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Prolonged snow coverage leads to areas of snow mold

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    Winter snowfall is beginning to melt and the artic air that gripped the eastern two-thirds of the country has retreated.


    What You Need To Know

    • Parts of the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic experience prolonged snow coverage this winter
    • This type of fungus thrives in cooler conditions
    • Ways to keep snow mold away include mowing grass short in the late fall


    However, this temperatures shift and rapid thawing has lead to an unwelcome sight across many lawns: snow mold.

    Prolonged snow coverage

    A snow event on Jan. 24 to 26 brought snow and ice to regions of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Following the winter weather, arctic air surged south, keeping much of the region snow- and ice-covered.

    Another system Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 brought snow to the Mid-Atlantic, with areas like Charlotte, N.C. picking up just under a foot of snow. Like its predecessor, this storm was followed by bitter cold, leaving snow-covered ground in areas that don’t see flakes every winter.

    Snow mold

    If you start to notice odd circular patches or web‑like areas on your lawn, with pink or grayish discoloration, you might have snow mold. 

    Snow mold develops on a lawn in St. Charles, Mo. after prolonged snow during the winter. (Spectrum News/Stacy Lynn)

    According to Cardinal Lawn’s Lawn Disease Library, snow mold or snow rot is a type of fungal lawn disease that forms from sustained snow cover or wet leaves. It is most visible in spring after snow melts, but sometimes it is observed in winter after a big snowfall and then a thaw.

    Any grass exposed to cold temperatures and snow cover can be affected, and if left untreated, the lawn may suffer damage. 

    This fungus thrives in cold, damp conditions, damaging individual blades as well as the crown and roots. It often appears as gray circular patches or pink, web‑like growth. The pink type is the more severe fungus and does not need snow cover, as it proliferates when the grass is wet and temperatures are below 45 F.

    While most lawn diseases are associated with warm weather, TruGreen’s lawn care tips note that snow mold only occurs on actively growing winter grass in cooler weather and can persist up to 60°F if air and soil remain moist. Spores can be spread by wind or splashing rain, moving the disease from one part of the lawn to another.

    Prevention

    Although it’s impossible to completely prevent, some fall planning might help keep it at bay. TruGreen recommends mowing your lawn short before the grass goes dormant, 2 to 2.5 inches. Shorter grass is less likely to mat down.

    It’s best to avoid nitrogen fertilizer in late fall and make sure your soil drains properly to prevent excess moisture. Late summer or fall aeration can help break up the plant material that exists between the soil and the grass. 

    During the winter, don’t let the snow pile up. Those large piles that were created from clearing driveways and sidewalks need to be spread out and shortened. Any piles that take long to melt could be potential breeding grounds for the fungus.

    Repair

    Snow mold may happen despite best efforts. Ways to treat it include raking the matted grass, which adds circulation and helps to stimulate new grass growth. If your grass still doesn’t appear healthy, consult a lawn care company.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Fans cheer on Team USA at bar where hockey player’s mother works

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    As Team USA routed Latvia 5-1 in men’s hockey at the Olympics Thursday, local fans cheered on at a watch party at a bar in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

    The region is well-represented on the ice at Milan Cortina, with 10 men and 10 women on the hockey team having New England ties.

    Among those players is forward Matt Boldy, a native of Millis who plays for the Minnesota Wild. He had plenty of local love among the fans watching at the Catman Cafe in Mansfield, where his mother, Jen, is a bartender.

    “I’ve been coming here for a long time, and I’ve been listening to her stories about her son, Matty Boldy, since he’s been knee-high to a minnow,” said Timothy Reagan.

    Ashlyn Sullivan and Jordan Hall break down the U.S. men’s hockey team’s 5-1 win over Latvia.

    “It’s so exciting for Jen and her son, Matty, and the whole community,” said Wendy Kirley. “Jen’s worked here for so long, and it’s just really exciting.”

    “They were known as the house with the skating rink in their front yard,” said Don Lavalle. “I’ve watched him skate for years, you know, 9, 10, 11 years old, and I said a to Jen one time, ‘Jen, there’s our meal ticket. That’s our meal ticket right there.’ And he was as a little kid, but as it all turned out, that’s what happened.”

    Boldy played at Boston College before reaching the NHL.

    The Milan Cortina Olympics are the first to feature NHL players in 12 years.

    Two of those players — Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk, who played for Boston University, and Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, who played for the University of Connecticut — scored in Thursday’s game.

    Brady Tkachuck got a pass from his brother Matthew and scored the first goal for Team USA in their game against Latvia.

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    Malcolm Johnson and Mike Pescaro

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  • Protesters in Multiple States Press Target to Oppose the Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Activists planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores around the United States on Wednesday to pressure the discount retailer into taking a public stand against the 5-week-old immigration crackdown in its home state of Minnesota.

    ICE Out Minnesota, a coalition of community groups, religious leaders, labor unions and other critics of the federal operation, called for sit-ins and other demonstrations to continue at Target locations for a full week. Target’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis, where federal officers last month killed two residents who had participated in anti-ICE protests, and its name adorns the city’s major league baseball stadium and an arena where its basketball teams plays.

    “They claim to be part of the community, but they are not standing up to ICE,” said Elan Axelbank, a member of the Minnesota chapter of Socialist Alternative, which describes itself as a revolutionary political group. He organized a Wednesday protest outside a Target store in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown commercial district.

    Demonstrations also were scheduled in St. Paul, Minnesota, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, North Carolina, San Diego, Seattle and other cities, as well as in suburban areas of Minnesota, California and Massachusetts. Target declined Wednesday to comment on the protests.

    Target first became a bulls-eye for critics of the Trump administration’s surge in immigration enforcement activity after a widely-circulated video showed federal agents detaining two Target employees in a store in the Minneapolis suburb of Richfield last month. Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos Minnesota, an immigrant-led social justice advocacy organization that is part of the CE Out Minnesota coalition, said his group is focusing its protests on the Richfield store.

    One of the demands of Wednesday’s protests is for Target to deny federal agents entry to stores unless they have judicial warrants authorizing arrests.

    Some lawyers have argued that anyone, including U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customers Enforcement agents without signed warrants, can enter public areas of a business as they wish. Public areas include restaurant dining sections, open parking lots, office lobbies and shopping aisles, but not back offices, closed-off kitchens or other areas of a business that are generally off-limits to the public and where privacy would be reasonably expected, those lawyers say.

    Target has not commented publicly on the detention of the store employees. CEO Michael Fiddelke, who became Target’s chief executive on Feb. 2, sent a video message to the company’s 400,000 workers two days after a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection officer shot and killed Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti on Jan. 24.

    Fiddelke said the “violence and loss of life in our community is incredibly painful,” but he did not mention the immigration crackdown or the fatal shootings of Pretti, an ICU nurse at a medical center for U.S. veterans in Minneapolis, and Renee Good, a mother of three fired on in her car by an ICE agent.

    Fiddelke was one of 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies who, in the wake of Pretti’s death, signed an open letter “calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.”

    The protests over its alleged failure to oppose the immigration crackdown in Minnesota come a year after Target faced protests and boycotts over the company’s decision to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. At the time, critics said the decision marked a betrayal of Target’s retail giant’s philanthropic commitment to fighting racial disparities and promoting progressive values in liberal Minneapolis and beyond.

    The retail chain also is struggling with a persistent sales malaise. Critics have complained of disheveled stores that are missing the budget-priced flair that long ago earned the retailer the nickname “Tarzhay.”

    While Wednesday’s protests targeted a tiny fraction of the company’s nearly 2,000 stores, the negative attention serves as another distraction from Target’s business, according to Neil Saunders, managing director of the retail division of market research firm GlobalData.

    “The agenda has been hijacked by this,” Saunders said. “And it is a bit of a distraction for Target that they’d rather not have.”

    In recent days, a national coalition of Mennonite congregations organized roughly a dozen demonstrations inside and outside of Target stores across the country, singing and urging Target to publicly call Congress to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement among other demands.

    A spokesperson for Mennonite Action said the coalition was not formally connected to Ice Out but following the lead of organizers in Minneapolis.

    The Rev. Joanna Lawrence Shenk, associate pastor at First Mennonite Church of San Francisco, said the group did not plan any actions on Wednesday but was mapping out weekend singalong events at Targets in a handful of towns and cities, including Pittsburgh and Harrisonburg, Virginia. She estimated that by the end of the weekend more than 1,000 congregation members will have participated.

    Shenk noted that the Mennonites sing “This Little Light of Mine” and other gospel songs and hymns.

    “The singing was an expression of our love for immigrant neighbors who are at risk right now and who are also a part of our congregation,” she said. “For us, it’s not just standing in solidarity with others but it’s also protecting people who are vulnerable.”

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Feb. 2026

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    Associated Press

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  • Understanding the importance of climate norms

    [ad_1]

    January and now February, parts of the country have faced extreme cold, prompting many meteorologists to note, “This air is much colder than average.”

    But how do we define “average,” and have those averages—or normals—changed over time?


    What You Need To Know

    • Climatologists use 30-year periods to establish baselines for “climate normals”
    • Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.
    • FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events


    Climatologists use 30-year periods to smooth out year-to-year variability and establish baselines, or “climate normals,” for comparison. For example, a high of 45 degrees in January in Missouri might be five degrees above the long-term average.

    Why 30 years?

    Jared Rennie, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Centers for Environmental Information, explains that the 30-year standard better reflects the changing climate and its influence on day-to-day weather. 

    He adds that NOAA also explores other base periods to meet user needs. In addition to the 1991–2020 normals released a few years ago, NOAA provides a 15-year baseline (2006–2020).

    These baselines are updated every ten years to capture ongoing changes—so data from 1980 to 2010 will differ from values averaged over 1990–2020.

    Differences in the data

    There are regional differences when comparing the most recent datasets (1980–2010 vs. 1990–2020). Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.

    Temperatures are generally warmer by 0.3 to 1.0°F across most areas, with the north-central U.S. slightly cooler.

    (Courtesy: NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information)

    More frequent 100-year events

    It seems like every few weeks we hear, “This is a once in a 100-year event.” Why are we seeing more of these “once in a lifetime events?”

    “Scientifically, this usually refers to the percent chance an event happens in any given year,” he stressed.

    Adding, “With extreme rainfall events, NOAA uses data to identify areas that exceeded the 1% or 0.1% chance of occurring in a given year (known as a 1-in-100-year event and 1-in-1000-year event, respectively).”

    He says that as for the frequency of these types of events, it depends on the specific event. “When it comes to large-scale events like droughts and heat, we have a better understanding of how these are trending over time.”

    “For example, the science tells us that temperatures are increasing, especially at nighttime, which is affecting the number of heat events in the 21st century.”

    Smaller-scale events, such as tornadoes and certain floods, are harder to quantify, and ongoing research aims to improve understanding.

    Weather vulnerability

    How do population densities impact weather vulnerability? “There is lots of research in the socioeconomic space that is attempting to identify not only populations affected by weather and climate extremes, but also their risk.”

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides resources to help communities assess risk from heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes, and tornadoes. More information can be found in the Dec. 2025 National Risk Index for Natural Hazards index.

    FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events, like heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes and tornadoes.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • Understanding the importance of climate norms

    [ad_1]

    January and now February, parts of the country have faced extreme cold, prompting many meteorologists to note, “This air is much colder than average.”

    But how do we define “average,” and have those averages—or normals—changed over time?


    What You Need To Know

    • Climatologists use 30-year periods to establish baselines for “climate normals”
    • Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.
    • FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events


    Climatologists use 30-year periods to smooth out year-to-year variability and establish baselines, or “climate normals,” for comparison. For example, a high of 45 degrees in January in Missouri might be five degrees above the long-term average.

    Why 30 years?

    Jared Rennie, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Centers for Environmental Information, explains that the 30-year standard better reflects the changing climate and its influence on day-to-day weather. 

    He adds that NOAA also explores other base periods to meet user needs. In addition to the 1991–2020 normals released a few years ago, NOAA provides a 15-year baseline (2006–2020).

    These baselines are updated every ten years to capture ongoing changes—so data from 1980 to 2010 will differ from values averaged over 1990–2020.

    Differences in the data

    There are regional differences when comparing the most recent datasets (1980–2010 vs. 1990–2020). Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.

    Temperatures are generally warmer by 0.3 to 1.0°F across most areas, with the north-central U.S. slightly cooler.

    (Courtesy: NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information)

    More frequent 100-year events

    It seems like every few weeks we hear, “This is a once in a 100-year event.” Why are we seeing more of these “once in a lifetime events?”

    “Scientifically, this usually refers to the percent chance an event happens in any given year,” he stressed.

    Adding, “With extreme rainfall events, NOAA uses data to identify areas that exceeded the 1% or 0.1% chance of occurring in a given year (known as a 1-in-100-year event and 1-in-1000-year event, respectively).”

    He says that as for the frequency of these types of events, it depends on the specific event. “When it comes to large-scale events like droughts and heat, we have a better understanding of how these are trending over time.”

    “For example, the science tells us that temperatures are increasing, especially at nighttime, which is affecting the number of heat events in the 21st century.”

    Smaller-scale events, such as tornadoes and certain floods, are harder to quantify, and ongoing research aims to improve understanding.

    Weather vulnerability

    How do population densities impact weather vulnerability? “There is lots of research in the socioeconomic space that is attempting to identify not only populations affected by weather and climate extremes, but also their risk.”

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides resources to help communities assess risk from heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes, and tornadoes. More information can be found in the Dec. 2025 National Risk Index for Natural Hazards index.

    FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events, like heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes and tornadoes.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • Understanding the importance of climate norms

    [ad_1]

    January and now February, parts of the country have faced extreme cold, prompting many meteorologists to note, “This air is much colder than average.”

    But how do we define “average,” and have those averages—or normals—changed over time?


    What You Need To Know

    • Climatologists use 30-year periods to establish baselines for “climate normals”
    • Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.
    • FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events


    Climatologists use 30-year periods to smooth out year-to-year variability and establish baselines, or “climate normals,” for comparison. For example, a high of 45 degrees in January in Missouri might be five degrees above the long-term average.

    Why 30 years?

    Jared Rennie, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Centers for Environmental Information, explains that the 30-year standard better reflects the changing climate and its influence on day-to-day weather. 

    He adds that NOAA also explores other base periods to meet user needs. In addition to the 1991–2020 normals released a few years ago, NOAA provides a 15-year baseline (2006–2020).

    These baselines are updated every ten years to capture ongoing changes—so data from 1980 to 2010 will differ from values averaged over 1990–2020.

    Differences in the data

    There are regional differences when comparing the most recent datasets (1980–2010 vs. 1990–2020). Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.

    Temperatures are generally warmer by 0.3 to 1.0°F across most areas, with the north-central U.S. slightly cooler.

    (Courtesy: NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information)

    More frequent 100-year events

    It seems like every few weeks we hear, “This is a once in a 100-year event.” Why are we seeing more of these “once in a lifetime events?”

    “Scientifically, this usually refers to the percent chance an event happens in any given year,” he stressed.

    Adding, “With extreme rainfall events, NOAA uses data to identify areas that exceeded the 1% or 0.1% chance of occurring in a given year (known as a 1-in-100-year event and 1-in-1000-year event, respectively).”

    He says that as for the frequency of these types of events, it depends on the specific event. “When it comes to large-scale events like droughts and heat, we have a better understanding of how these are trending over time.”

    “For example, the science tells us that temperatures are increasing, especially at nighttime, which is affecting the number of heat events in the 21st century.”

    Smaller-scale events, such as tornadoes and certain floods, are harder to quantify, and ongoing research aims to improve understanding.

    Weather vulnerability

    How do population densities impact weather vulnerability? “There is lots of research in the socioeconomic space that is attempting to identify not only populations affected by weather and climate extremes, but also their risk.”

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides resources to help communities assess risk from heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes, and tornadoes. More information can be found in the Dec. 2025 National Risk Index for Natural Hazards index.

    FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events, like heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes and tornadoes.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • The First African American Astronaut

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    Guion Bluford, the first African American to travel into space, became one of the space community’s most influential figures.


    What You Need To Know

    • Guy Bluford was the first African American to fly in space
    • He started his career as a pilot in the Air Force
    • He became an astronaut for NASA in 1979


    Bluford developed a fascination with flight at a young age, and by high school he knew he wanted to become an aeronautical engineer.

    Early life

    After earning his college degree, Bluford joined the U.S. Air Force and received his pilot wings in Jan. 1966 at the early age of 24.

    He soon became an instructor pilot and later entered the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s degree in 1974 and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 1978.

    After his 1974 graduation, he served at the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, initially as a deputy and eventually as branch chief of the Aerodynamics and Airframe Branch.These achievements led to his selection for the NASA astronaut program in 1978.

    It’s safe to say he never lost sight of his childhood dreams.

    Becoming a legend

    The crew of Space Shuttle 8 shown in front of launch pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida on August 5, 1983, with the tip of the orbiter Challenger showing in the background. Ready for a August 30 launch are left to right: Mission Specialists Dale Gardner, Guion Bluford, Dr. Bill Thornton, pilot Dan Brandenstein and commander Richard Truly. The crew was going through STS-8 countdown test on Thursday, and are wearing blue suits with pilot Brandenstein wearing a red tee shirt underneath. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

    After a year of training, Bluford became an official astronaut in Aug. 1979.

    Four years later, on Aug. 30, 1983, he flew his first mission aboard STS-8. That inaugural flight was brief but notable, pioneering techniques for nighttime operations and deploying the Indian National Satellite.

    After 145 hours in space, the crew returned to Edwards Air Force Base on Sept. 5.

    Over the next 10 years, Bluford became the second, third and fourth African American in space, logging over 688 hours.

    After NASA

    In 1993, Bluford left NASA and retired from the Air Force to become the Vice President and General Manager of the Engineering Services Division of NYMA Inc., in Greenbelt, Maryland.

    After several more high-end jobs, he went on to become the President of Aerospace Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, a job that he still holds today.

    Bluford never stopped learning or pursuing the next level of his career. A brilliant figure in the space and engineering communities, he became a leader and role model for many African Americans.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Meteorologist Shelly Lindblade

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  • Super Bowl LX excitement at Tewksbury’s Building Blocks Preschool

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    What a touchdown of a day! Building Blocks Preschool in Tewksbury turned into the ultimate Patriots fan zone Friday, with kiddos decked out in red, white, and blue wearing their favorite Patriots attire. From football tosses to goalpost challenges, every classroom was buzzing with team energy.

    The school even sent some serious Boston love westward with an epic balloon-o-gram — talk about spreading team spirit across the country! Building Blocks’ A-MAYE-ZING families brought in their favorite game-day snacks that made the celebration extra special.

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    Submitted article

    Source link

  • Feds charge 4 in multistate SNAP fraud case

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    BOSTON — Federal authorities have charged several men in a more than $1 million multistate SNAP fraud and stolen identity case and are blaming Massachusetts officials for failing to report the scheme.

    U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley announced on Tuesday that four people, including two Venezuelan nationals, stole more than $440,000 in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits and fraudulently claimed more than $700,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits from Massachusetts, New York and several other states.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Dangerously cold temperatures this weekend

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    Another weekend will bring bitter cold to parts of the country—this time across the Ohio River Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Wind chills could plunge to as much as 35 degrees below zero in some locations.


    What You Need To Know

    • Cold Weather Warnings are in place tonight through Sunday afternoon
    • Wind chills could dip as low as 30 degrees below zero
    • Temperatures are expected to moderate into next week



     

    Cold Weather Alerts

    Arctic air will pour into the region through the weekend. Area-wide temperatures will dip near zero, and gusty winds could drive wind chills down to 30 below.

    Cold Weather Advisories are in place for the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine, Ohio and eastern Michigan, with Extreme Cold Warnings set to go into effect for New York State and western Massachusetts.


    Cold weather alerts will remain in effect through Sunday afternoon.

    A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when dangerously cold wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes. An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when frostbite and hypothermia are likely if skin is left unprotected.

    Frigid wind chills

    The cold will settle in Saturday night and remain locked in the Northeast and New England through Sunday. A gradual warmup will begin on Monday. 


    Several of these areas were hit with heavy snow two weeks ago, and much of it remains. Additional snow this weekend will only build bigger piles.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • TGIF: What’s up this weekend in Greater Newburyport

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    The Wolfe Club of Newburyport’s fourth annual Wolfe Club Ball is Saturday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Steeple Hall above Mission Oak (26 Green St.), transforming the historic venue into a Mardi Gras–meets–the ‘80s masquerade experience. For tickets and more information, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-fourth-annual-wolfe-club-ball.

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  • Snow follwed by dangerously cold temperatures this weekend

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    Another weekend will bring snow and bitter cold to parts of the country—this time across the Ohio River Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Wind chills could plunge to 35 degrees below zero.


    What You Need To Know

    • Cold Weather Warnings are in place Saturday night through Sunday afternoon
    • Wind chills could dip as low as 30 degrees below zero
    • Snowfall totals will be around 1 to 3 inches with the potential for higher amounts in southern Maine and eastern Massachusetts



    Snow chances

    A cold front will bring snow to New York and New England from tonight through tomorrow. Totals will generally be light—around 1 to 3 inches—but a unique phenomenon known as ocean-effect snow could enhance accumulations in eastern Massachusetts and southern Maine (including York County).

    A heavy band may develop there, with localized totals exceeding 6 inches. If this occurs, the most likely timing is early Saturday afternoon.

    Here’s one model’s timing on the snow.


    Cold Weather Alerts

    Arctic air will move in behind the snow starting Saturday night. Area-wide temperatures will dip near zero, and gusty winds could drive wind chills down to 30 below.

    Cold Weather Advisories are in place for the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine, Ohio and eastern Michigan, with Extreme Cold Warnings set to go into effect for New York State and western Massachusetts.


    Cold weather alerts will remain in effect through Sunday afternoon.

    A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when dangerously cold wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes. An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when frostbite and hypothermia are likely if skin is left unprotected.

    Frigid wind chills

    The cold will settle in Saturday night and remain locked in the Northeast and New England through Sunday. A gradual warmup will begin on Monday. 


    Several of these areas were hit with heavy snow two weeks ago, and much of it remains. Additional snow this weekend will only build bigger piles.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • New South Station fare gates taken out of service due to snowstorm

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    Keolis and the company it bought the new South Station fare gates from are developing a long-term plan that will allow the commuter rail fare-collectors they installed to actually work in the locations chosen for them last year.

    The fare gates have been offline for about a week and as of Monday were wrapped in tarps and plastic, steps that Keolis said it had to take as a result of “unprecedented accumulation of wind-driven snow in the concourse and platform areas of South Station” during a Jan. 25-26 snowstorm that was the first big storm this winter.

    Keolis said Monday night that it was working with Scheidt & Bachmann to determine what impact the snow had on the fare gates and to formalize a plan that will let the gates — which were installed last fall and became operational on Dec. 30 — function reliably in the locations they were installed.

    “The South Station fare gates were taken out of service last week in the wake of a major winter storm that delivered heavy snow accumulations and bitter cold temperatures,” the Keolis statement said. “Keolis and Scheidt & Bachmann are assessing the impacts from the snow and taking necessary actions to return the gates to service.”

    The fare gates are located outside, under the new residential and office tower being built on top of the station. While they are under cover, they are exposed to the bitter cold that has also slowed some of the T’s train and subway operations over the last week. 

    Boston’s South Station features 40 gates around the concourse area, and they cost about $3.3 million between the equipment and installation, the T told the Boston Globe.

    Some of the gates are closer to the elements than others. Keolis said it shut down and covered the fare gates at the northeastern edge of the platforms ahead of the storm to protect them, but it became evident during the storm that all gates would be affected.

    As Keolis works on a long-term plan for the South Station fare gates, it is also vying alongside two other companies for the next nine-year contract to operate the T’s commuter rail system. Keolis has operated the system since 2014 and is working through June 30, 2027 on an extended contract.

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    Colin A. Young | State House News Service

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  • ‘We are deep in sorrow’ Seven lost in sinking of Lily Jean

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    Grief washed over Gloucester on Saturday morning, rippling out over Cape Ann and through the Northeast fishing community, as the Coast Guard suspended its search for six people missing after the fishing vessel Lily Jean went down Friday.

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    By Andrea Holbrook | Staff Writer

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  • ‘We are deep in sorrow’: 7 lost in sinking of Lily Jean

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    Grief washed over Gloucester on Saturday morning, rippling out over Cape Ann and through the Northeast fishing community, as the Coast Guard suspended its search for six people missing after the fishing vessel Lily Jean went down Friday.

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    By Andrea Holbrook | Staff Writer

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  • Out-of-state group funds pot law repeal

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    BOSTON — A Virginia-based group is leading an initiative to repeal Massachusetts’ 2016 recreational cannabis law and putting hundreds of thousands of dollars behind the effort, according to newly released campaign finance data.

    The anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana has contributed more than $1.5 million to a proposed referendum that would effectively halt recreational cannabis sales by forcing the state’s $1.7 billion industry to convert to medical pot shops. It would also ban nonmedical home growing.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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