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Crime Briefs: Malden man cops to trying to hire hitman to kill his wife

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

A 56-year-old Malden man indicted by a federal grand jury in February of last year on one count of murder-for-hire has pleaded guilty.“You want to get rid of her?” an undercover federal agent asked Massimo Marenghi during a meeting on Jan. 20, 2021. Marenghi had approached the agent, who he believed to be a hitman, with a “situation” — his wife — that needs to be “taken care of,” according to an affidavit filed in the case.Marenghi pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Boston to the charge. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing, which can be up to 10 years in prison, for June 8.Marenghi first met up with somebody on Jan. 1, 2021, complaining that his wife was seeking a restraining order against him. The person told law enforcement, who then directed the person to connect Marenghi with an agent pretending to be a contract killer.In the Jan. 20 meeting, the pair hashed out the details, with the agent saying he can “make it look like an accident … it...

Mexico president holds massive rally ahead of 2024 elections

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held a massive rally in Mexico City’s main plaza attended by tens of thousands of people Saturday. Though it was called to commemorate Mexico’s 1938 expropriation of the oil industry, many of those attending the Saturday rally agreed that it was the de-facto opening salvo to the 2024 elections that will choose the president’s successor. It may be one of the last rallies that will be headed by López Obrador, who is known for his folksy style and charisma. The process to nominate a presidential candidate for his Morena party will began later this year. After that, the party’s candidate is likely to take center stage.But most agree that few of the presidential hopefuls can match the popularity of a president whose approval ratings are routinely above 60%. That is especially true for the Morena party, which was largely built around López Obrador.Alberto Martínez, 59, said he hoped Mexico City Mayor Claudia Shei...

California, drugmaker partner to produce affordable insulin

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

DOWNEY, Calif. (AP) — The state of California and a generic drug manufacturer announced a 10-year partnership Saturday to produce affordable, state-branded insulin that they hope will rival longtime producers and push down prices for a medication used by millions of Americans. The product is not expected on store shelves until at least next year, and it was difficult to predict what effect it would have on a market already shaken by change. Earlier this week another major insulin maker promised steep price cuts as pressure builds on drugmakers and insurers to slash the cost of the drug.Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said he hoped California’s emergence as an insulin-maker would prompt prices to collapse. Research has shown that prices for the drug have more than tripled in the past couple of decades.“We are intent to make this about market disruption,” Newsom said at a ceremony announcing the pact at a pharmaceutical warehouse near Los Angeles. He called it “a game changer” for 8 mill...

Kalapriya hosts Holi celebration in Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Dance, yoga and storytelling were part of a colorful celebration of Indian culture Saturday in the South Loop."It is actually celebrating the coming of spring," Mridu Sekhar, president of the Kalapriya Foundation, said. Lincoln Park Zoo reveals names of new baby lions The Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts hosted its first Holi celebration at Chicago Women's Park.It's a festival steeped in Hindu tradition."Basically women, men, everybody gets on the street, you just throw color, you just enjoy it," Sekhar said. Shedd Aquarium fears millions in lost revenue with NASCAR’s arrival The organization just moved into a new space at 21st and Wabash where they will continue to host classes, group discussions and cultural events."Kalapriya tries to build bridges to communities using its Indian roots, so we teach dance, we teach music, we do performances and we try to make it relevant to the issues facing Chicago," Sekhar said. "We do a lot of work on non-violence, tryin...

Chicago Park District hosts opportunity fair for teens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Nearly three dozen organizations gathered at the Kennedy-King College on Saturday to promote job opportunities and activities for teens.The event aimed to keep young people active and engaged during the summer. Chicago mayoral candidates meet for Saturday forum The Teen Opportunity Fair was hosted by the Chicago Park District. More than 300 teens had the opportunity to visit with representatives from 35 organizations and city agencies, like the Brookfield Zoo, The Shedd and other non-profits.All of them were there to show young people what clubs and programs they can join and what services are available to them. Bagpipes, Guinness & Shepard’s Pie, oh my: Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day Some teens were even able to apply for jobs on the spot. There are up to 1,000 park district jobs available this summer. The park district started holding the fairs seven years ago to keep teens active and engaged, which is especially important when the school years comes to a...

How long can I stay in my apartment without paying rent in Illinois?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — In Illinois, a landlord can evict a tenant for not paying rent on time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois issued a moratorium on evictions due to Gov. JB Pritzker's Executive Order, but that moratorium ended on October 3rd, 2021.According to Illinois law, rent is considered late the day after it is due. Grace periods (if any) must be identified in the rental agreement.Once rent is late, the landlord can begin the eviction process.To do so, they must first give a 5 days notice to pay rent or vacate the premises. If the tenant does neither after that time, the landlord can move forward and file an eviction lawsuit.However, a tenant who is leasing must be notified 30 days before the eviction process can begin. A landlord can evict a tenant for violating the terms of their lease if they are not upholding their responsibilities under the lease agreement, such as paying rent on time, keeping the unit free from damage, or disturbing other tenants or neighbors.I...

Austin FC's Owen Wolff named to U-20 US Men's Youth National Team roster

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC 18-year-old midfielder Owen Wolff has played well for his club to start the 2023 Major League Soccer season, and now he gets to play for his country.Wolff was named to the under-20 U.S. Men's Youth National Team's roster for international friendlies March 22-28 in Marbella, Spain as the team prepares for the FIFA under-20 World Cup this summer.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWolff reports to the national team following Austin FC's match against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday and will return to the club on March 29. He'll miss Austin FC's home match against the Colorado Rapids on March 25.US U-20 Men's Youth National Team schedule in Marbella, SpainMarch 22 vs. FranceMarch 24 vs. EnglandMarch 28 vs. SerbiaWolff joined the team for its domestic training camp in January and was part of the under-19 team that won the Slovenia Nations Cup last Sept...

State of Texas: Lawmakers battle over healthcare for transgender children

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A bill that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender Texas minors brought dozens of supporters and opponents to the Capitol on Thursday, for a Senate State Affairs Committee hearing that lasted several hours and often impassioned remarks from both testifiers and lawmakers.SB 14, authored by Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, would prohibit physicians from giving “procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment” for children under the age of 18. The bill claims that such treatment includes puberty-inhibiting drugs, hormone therapy and surgical interventions. SB 1029 would restrict adult access to gender affirming care, allow malpractice lawsuits for care Campbell, an emergency room physician, said her legislation is designed to protect vulnerable Texas children."Our children need counseling and love, not blades and drugs," said Campbell during the hearing. One parent, who has a transgender daughter, worries her child will not be ...

State girls basketball: Providence Academy repeats as Class 2A champs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Down by a point starting the second half, Maddyn Greenway and her Providence Academy teammates quickly made sure the final result would not be in doubt.And showed how good she and the Lions have been all season.Greenway finished with 31 points to pace Providence Academy to its second straight Class 2A girls basketball title, beating Albany 74-60 Saturday inside Williams Arena.Grace Counts, a Minnesota-Duluth commit, added 17 points and 16 rebounds in her final high school game. Eighth-grader Emma Millerbernd finished with 12 points and sophomore Hope Counts had 10 rebounds.Getting out in transition equals success for Providence Academy. Albany coaches and players knew that too.“We’re not used to being down at halftime. So, we’re kind of like, you know, ‘Let’s pick it up,’ ” Greenway said. “… We want to go get their defense or get their offense kind of jumbled up and then just go get layups.”That they did.Greenway showed a little bit of everything with six points, a...

Rockies spring training report: Ryan Feltner shelled by Royals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:50 GMT

Royals 8, Rockies 5Saturday at Las Vegas BallparkOn the mound: Right-hander Ryan Feltner, the presumptive fifth starter, got hit hard by the Royals. The big blow was a three-run homer by Franmil Reyes in the fifth. Feltner gave up eight runs (all earned) on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and fanned two. Feltner’s spring ERA is 10.50. … Right-hander Pierce Johnson, the reliever from Arvada’s Faith Christian High School, continued his solid spring, pitching a clean seventh and striking out three. He has a 3.18 ERA.At the plate: Rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar led off and hit 2-for-3, boosting his average to .265. … Zac Veen started in left field, hit 2-for-3 and stole his eighth base of the Cactus League season.Up next (split-squad):Related ArticlesColorado Rockies | Saunders: Would Rockies trade Charlie Blackmon? And nine more questions worth asking Colorado Rockies | Rockies spring training report: Versatile Harold Cas...