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Porn industry group sues over Utah age verification law

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — An adult entertainment industry group filed a lawsuit on Wednesday challenging a new Utah law that requires porn websites to implement age verification mechanisms to block minors from accessing sexually explicit materials.The law, which took effect Wednesday, made Utah the second state to require adult websites to verify the age of those who want to view their pages — either through an independent contractor or digital ID. Lawmakers likened the requirement to those for alcohol or online gambling and argued that stronger protections were needed to shield kids from pornography, which is ubiquitous online. Trial begins over patrol tactic known as ‘Kansas two step’ The Free Speech Coalition — along with an erotica author and companies that manage adult websites and are party to the suit — argues that Utah's new law unfairly discriminates against certain kinds of speech, violates the First Amendment rights of porn providers and intrudes on the privacy of individua...

Boy hospitalized after being struck by car while on bicycle in North Lauderdale

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

A boy was airlifted to the hospital after, officials said, he was struck by a vehicle in North Lauderdale while he was riding his bicycle. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred along the 1800 block of Southwest 63rd Terrace, just outside Broadview Elementary School, Thursday afternoon. Officials said the boy was struck while crossing the street and was hit by a car. He ended up being pinned under the vehicle. “Everyone was pointing down, I get out the car and see and hear a kid crying,” said area resident Charissa Vasquez. Vasquez said she had just come home when she saw a parked Ford SUV in the middle of the roadway.Underneath the vehicle, she said, was a bike and the little boy pinned underneath. It’s unclear whether or not the 10-year-old victim was heading home from the school when he was hit.“I guess they were trying to figure out the safest method to get him out without hurting him more,” said Vasquez.Ultimately, s...

1 in custody after shooting in SW Miami-Dade home; victim stable

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

Police have taken one person into custody following a shooting inside a Southwest Miami-Dade home that sent one person to the hospital.Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the incident along the 5800 block of Southwest 118th Avenue, just after 3 p.m., Thursday.7SkyForce hovered above the home, a police cruisers blocked the roadway.The property is registered to a Jorge Masvidal, but police have not specified whether or not this is the recently retired Ultimate Fighting Championship star. They said the property owner was not involved in the incident.Detectives described the incident a domestic dispute. They said an older family member of the property owner is in police custody.Investigators said the victim was shot in the upper extremity, possibly in the arm.Paramedics have transported the victim to a nearby hospital in stable condition.Police have not provided further details about the incident, as they continue to investigate.Please check back on WSVN.com and ...

DeSantis to sign bill banning gender-affirming care to kids

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign a bill legislators sent him Thursday that would keep doctors from prescribing drugs and performing procedures on minors who are seeking gender-affirming care.The bill, which passed in the House largely along political lines, would also ban the use of state money for gender-affirming care and place new restrictions on adults seeking treatment.It’s the latest in anti-LGBTQ bills that the Florida Legislature has passed as the Republican DeSantis prepares to launch a presidential campaign. It was sent to the governor with just one day left in the annual legislative session.Republican Rep. Ralph Massullo, who co-sponsored the bill, said that children “need to come to a point where they realize their gender and are able to accept themselves.” Bill co-sponsor Republican Rep. Randy Fine likened gender-affirming care to child abuse.Many studies show that gender-affirming care like hormone therapy and puberty blockers can ...

Man charged with vehicular homicide in 2022 North Bay Village crash that killed mother, 2 daughters

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

A driver appeared in court to face the consequences nearly a year after, police said, he fled the scene of a crash in North Bay Village that left a mother and her two daughters dead.Julius Bernstein was charged on Thursday with vehicular homicide in the June 27, 2022 crash. He was given a $625,000 bond.Police said the suspect sped into a car carrying a mother and her daughters, ages 15 and 12, along the 1300 block of the John F. Kennedy CausewayAll three victims died from their injuries.Officers said Bernstein took off but was eventually found in North Carolina and extradited back to South Florida.

Emergency crews locate body of worker missing after explosion at Newburyport chemical plant

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

Crews have found the body of a worker who was missing for hours after an overnight explosion at a chemical plant in Newburyport early Thursday morning, fire officials announced.Firefighters from multiple communities responded to what grew to be a seven-alarm fire Thursday, after multiple reports of an explosion came in just before 1 a.m.Crews said an industrial-sized vat from inside the building was launched 30 feet because of the explosion and was found in the parking lot as crews arrived.Officials said four injured workers were taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released, while one remained missing.In an update, officials said they located the missing worker, a man, around 5:30 p.m.Crews have found the body of a worker who was missing for hours after an overnight explosion at a chemical plant in Newburyport early Thursday morning, fire officials announced.Firefighters from multiple communities responded to what grew to be a seven-alarm fire Thursday, after multiple...

Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deaths

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely and Lord Miles, who is trained by Joseph, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, days after the sudden death of two of his horses at the track.The suspension prohibits Joseph, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Joseph, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all Churchill Downs Incorporated racetracks.The decision comes after the deaths of Parents Pride on Saturday and Chasing Artie on Tuesday at Churchill Downs. Both collapsed on the track and died after races.“Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his horses, and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and understood,” Bill Mudd, president and chief operating officer of CDI, said in a statement. “The safety of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our ...

Teaming up: Fenway Park turns into a classroom

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

Fenway Park turned into a classroom as sixth graders from the Nathan Hale School in Roxbury came to kick off the first Learning Lab Tour.“I’m most excited mostly about just being in Fenway Park,” said Nathan Hale School Principal Candace Whitmore. “Most of our students haven’t been here so this is definitely an experience they’ll take with them throughout their educational journey.”The students had the opportunity to stop at different stations to learn things like math at the Green Monster, language arts at the Red Sox Hall of Fame and science at Fenway Farms.“I’m excited about the garden because my grandpa used to have a garden,” Nathan Hale School sixth grader Bailee Lopes said. “We used to take cucumbers, tomatoes potatoes and we would cook them to make food.”They also got some quality time with Wally and a surprise visit from Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers.“I think this should be a really exciting experience for the first time we came,” said sixth grader Luna Aguirre.Boston...

Boston receives $16.5 million grant to address housing crisis

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

Boston has been awarded $16.5 million to address unsheltered homelessness. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is to be used over three years and matches the full amount requested by the City of Boston.Mayor Michelle Wu announced the grant Thursday, which will directly support five local organizations and help over 370 residents and families find housing and other services.“This 16.5 million grant from HUD that we’re celebrating here today will help Boston build on that work and bring partners together around an intention city-wide plan to end unsheltered homelessness,” Wu said at a press conference Thursday.Eliot Community Services, Boston Housing Authority, Family Aid Boston, Ecumenical Social Action Committee, Pine Street Inn will receive aid over the three years to address different aspects of the housing crisis, including youth support, substance abuse support and housing vouchers.

Lithium-ion batteries in electric scooters likely sparked Medford 4-alarm fire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:26:19 GMT

Electric scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries likely sparked a recent four-alarm blaze in Medford, according to fire officials who urged people to safely use, store, and charge these devices.The fire at 43 Allston St. started in a first-floor laundry room, where two badly-damaged, battery-powered scooters were located.Fire investigators determined that the fire rapidly spread from that point, causing major damage to the two-family home and displacing all four residents. One person was transported from the scene for medical care. A nearby home sustained exterior heat damage.Firefighters battled the flames from all sides of the structure for about two and a half hours before bringing it under control.“Lithium-ion batteries contain a tremendous amount of power in a small package,” said Medford Fire Chief John Freedman.“When they burn, they burn extremely hot, release toxic gases, and can re-ignite even after the fire has been extinguished,” Freedman added. ...