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A look at bills passed in the Maryland General Assembly

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly is wrapping up its 90-day legislative session at midnight Monday. Here’s a look at some of the legislation that lawmakers passed:ABORTIONLawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that will go on the ballot next year to enshrine the right to abortion in the Maryland Constitution. Lawmakers passed legislation to protect patients and providers from criminal, civil and administrative penalties relating to abortion bans or restrictions in other states. They approved a separate data-privacy bill to protect medical and insurance records on reproductive health in electronic health information exchanges that can be shared across state lines. Legislators also passed a bill to ensure public colleges and universities in Maryland have a plan for student access near campuses to birth control, including emergency contraception and abortion pills.BUDGETLawmakers approved a $62.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year. The General Assemb...

Maryland lawmakers work toward midnight session end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

HANNAPES, France — Maryland lawmakers head into the last day of their 90-day legislative session with some loose ends to resolve before Monday’s midnight adjournment.Lawmakers will be working to bridge some differences between the House and Senate on a bill to expand Maryland’s commitment to offshore wind as part of the state’s efforts to address climate change. It sets a goal for Maryland to generate 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2031. Maryland is now working toward building 2 gigawatts, pending final federal approval of two projects off the coast of Ocean City.The bill also aims to modernize the electricity grid to transmit offshore wind energy from the ocean to land.The General Assembly also will be working toward final passage of a bill that creates a nine-member Maryland Thoroughbred Operating Authority that would oversee delayed plans for infrastructure improvements at Pimlico Race Course — home of the Preakness Stakes — and Laurel Park. In 2020, the legislature appr...

Trump’s response to criminal charges revives election lies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Legally, the most important words former President Donald Trump said after he was charged with 34 felonies by the Manhattan District Attorney last week were “not guilty.” But, politically, the most significant may be “election interference.”Trump’s repetition of those words, which have been taken up by other top Republicans, show how he is trying to turn his historic position as the first former president charged with crimes to his advantage. It’s another example of what’s been a consistent refrain throughout his political career — claiming without evidence that an election is being rigged against him.After his initial court appearance in the New York case, the first of several in which he is in legal jeopardy, Trump ticked through the varied investigations he was facing and branded them as “massive” attempts to interfere with the 2024 election.“Our justice system has become lawless,” Trump said as he appeared before supporters as his Florida home, ...

Proud Boys leaders’ Jan. 6 sedition trial inches to a close

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After almost three months of testimony, dozens of witnesses and countless legal fights, a jury will soon decide whether the onetime leader of the Proud Boys extremist group is guilty in one of the most serious cases brought in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.Closing arguments could be as early as this week before jurors decide whether to convict Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors say was a plot to forcibly stop the transfer of presidential power from Republican Donald Trump to Democrat Joe Biden after the 2020 election. In a trial that has lasted over twice as long as expected, little new information has emerged about the Jan. 6 attack that halted Congress’ certification of Biden’s victory or the far-right extremist group’s role in the Capitol riot. But a guilty verdict against Tarrio, who wasn’t even in Washington, D.C., when the riot erupted, would affi...

Here are the winners of the 2023 Pioneer Press Peeps Diorama Contest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

"Peep Blossom Bonsai" by Jessica Doody of St. Paul."GoodEgg Thrift Store" by Katherine Rose of St. Paul."We Give a Peep About History!" by father-and-daughter team of Meg Duhr of St. Paul and Felix Schultz of Green Lake, Wis."Peep Family Fun Game Night" by Martha Sohn."Peeployment" by Olivia Noland.Carolann Akervik with her duck pond diorama."I Peep Getting Stuck in the Alley!" by Alisa Lein and Jeff Miersch of St. Paul."Reality Chick" by Kelsey Nesenson and Sage Waki, age 5, of St. Paul -- with Marsha and Mello as models. (Courtesy photo.)"An Outdoor Movie Date" by Kinley Braun."The Lorax" by Jillian Braun, age 8, of Eagan: "Inspired by my favorite book and movie. I even dressed up as the Lorax for school book character day!""Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Peep" by Ava Doody, 14, of St. Paul."Philadelphia Peeples vs. the Kansas City Chieps at Super Bowl 57" by sibling...

Fallece a los 81 años Michael Lerner, actor de “Barton Fink” y “Elf”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

(CNN) — Michael Lerner, un veterano actor de carácter que recibió una nominación al Oscar por su interpretación de un prepotente jefe de estudio en la película de 1991 “Barton Fink”, falleció a los 81 años, anunció su sobrino, el actor Sam Lerner, en un publicación en las redes sociales.“Anoche perdimos a una leyenda”, escribió Sam Lerner en Instagram este domingo. “Es difícil expresar con palabras lo brillante que era mi tío Michael y lo influyente que fue para mí. Sus historias siempre me inspiraron y me hicieron enamorarme de la actuación. Era la persona más genial, seguro de sí mismo y con más talento, y el hecho de que fuera mi sangre siempre me hará sentir especial. Todos los que le conocen saben lo loco que estaba, en el mejor sentido. Tengo mucha suerte de haber pasado tanto tiempo con él, y todos tenemos suerte de poder seguir viendo su trabajo por el resto de los tiempos. QEPD Michael, disfruta de tus ilimitados puros cubanos, de tus cóm...

Avalanche fight back for critical 5-4 OT win over Ducks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored his second power-play goal of the game with 44.3 seconds left on the clock in overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.Mikko Rantanen had two goals and two assists, and J.T. Compher also scored to help Colorado move two points ahead of Dallas atop the Central Division. The Stars hold the potential tiebreaker with more regulation wins, which made MacKinnon’s one-timer from the left circle in the extra period that much more important. “Well, it’s a good spot to be in with three games left or whatever, but there’s still work to be done because we’ve seen the standings flip flop all year long,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.Pavel Francouz made 19 saves in his first start in nearly two months. He had not played since Feb. 7 because of a lower-body injury.Frank Vatrano had two goals, Adam Henrique and Brett Leason also scored, and the Ducks picked up a second point in two nights to ...

Wall Street dice que las malas noticias ya no son buenas noticias. Esta es la razón

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

(CNN) — Se produjo un cambio sísmico en la perspectiva de los inversores: las malas noticias ya no son buenas noticias.Durante el último año, Wall Street esperó que los buenos datos económicos mensuales animaran a la Reserva Federal (Fed) a detener su agresivo ritmo de aumentos de las tasas de interés para controlar la inflación.Pero en su reunión de marzo, pocos días después de que una serie de colapsos bancarios suscitara inquietud sobre la estabilidad de la economía, el banco central señaló que tiene previsto dejar de subir las tasas en algún momento de este año. Con el fin de los incrementos de las tasas de interés a la vista, los inversores han dejado de intentar adivinar el próximo movimiento de la Fed y se han centrado en la salud de la economía.La Fed sube las tasas de interés en un cuarto de punto, mientras las turbulencias bancarias complican la lucha contra la inflaciónEsto significa que, mientras que el debilitamiento de los datos económicos solía ser señal de buen...

US beats Czech Republic at women’s world hockey championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Hilary Knight scored to help the United States beat the Czech Republic 6-2 on Sunday in the women’s world hockey championship.Megan Keller, Tessa Janecke, Abby Roque, Eden Lacey and Hayley Scamurra also scored for the U.S. Aerin Frankel stopped 22 shots in the victory.The U.S. improved to 3-0 in Pool A. It will face defending champion Canada on Monday at the CAA Centre.Sara Cajanova and Denisa Krizova scored for the Czechs, who led 2-1 at 13:06 in the first period. Blanka Skodova made 23 saves.Finland posted a 4-2 victory over Sweden, and Germany blanked France 3-0 at the championship on Sunday.The Finns (3-0) secured first place in Pool B with a game to play Monday against Hungary in the preliminary round.Finland scored three unanswered goals in the span of about four minutes in the third period.Viivi Vainkka scored the first goal for Finland, followed by Ronja Savolainen’s equalizer and an insurance goal. Petra Nieminen also scored, and Anni Keisala stoppe...

Pastrnak scores 3, Bruins beat Flyers for record 63rd win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Boston Bruins broke the NHL single-season wins record after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 Sunday night behind David Pastrnak’s hat trick that got him to 60 goals for the first time in his career.Boston got its 63rd victory, which snapped a tie with the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings and 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins have won six in a row and reached 131 points, one back of the record held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens that has stood for nearly five decades, and with two games left against opponents well out of the playoff race.Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha also scored, Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves and the Bruins extended their streak of consecutive penalties killed to 38.Pastrnak joined MVP favorite Connor McDavid as a 60-goal scorer, making this the first season with two players reaching that mark since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96.Owen Tippett, Wade Allison and Joel Farabee scored for the Flyers, who lost their seventh in a row. ...