Free Republic

Up to 300 UConn students launched a Gaza Solidarity Encampment Thursday evening to protest UConn’s “complicity in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and its shameful contributions to militarism around the world,” according to a release from the UConn Divest coalition. The students are also advocating for a liberated Palestine. The UConn Divest coalition launched the encampment, bringing together student organizations and individuals who are committed to fighting for a free Palestine and to ending the university’s support for occupation and genocide, the coalition said. ... These include disclosure and divestment from occupation and genocide. The students want the university...

The gas-powered Dodge Charger isn't dead yet. While the V-8 may be gone, Dodge will continue to offer the Charger will an internal combustion engine alongside the two new electric variants revealed today. At the top of the internal combustion food chain sits the Dodge Charger Sixpack H.O. It's powered by Stellantis's 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane straight-six engine, rated at 550 horsepower. There's also a Sixpack S.O. version rated at 420 horsepower. "The Hurricane engine-powered Dodge Charger Sixpack models will give the Brotherhood of Muscle a gas option that produces better horsepower and torque numbers than the outgoing 5.7 and 6.4-liter...

President Biden faced his most significant challenge in Michigan from those opposed to his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Republican infighting in the state did not involve Donald J. Trump, who coasted to victory.

Officials have asked Gov. Maura Healey to send in the Massachusetts National Guard to stop violence and address security concerns at a troubled high school in a city south of Boston, some school committee members said Monday. Four of the seven members of the Brockton School Committee backed the National Guard request amid teacher shortages and budget deficits, but city officials weren't unanimous in their support. The governor's office acknowledged the concerns about Brockton High School, where teachers reported fighting and drug use in the hallways, and verbal abuse of staff. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that schools are...

A Republican-led House panel approved articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas early Wednesday for having “willfully and systematically” flouted federal immigration laws and breached the public trust. The House Homeland Security Committee voted 18-15 along party lines for the two articles of impeachment, affirming that Mayorkas failed to detain migrants crossing the border before deciding whether to grant asylum. The articles also state that the secretary ignored records requests from the committee and misled Congress about having “operational control” of the US border and maintaining that it is “secure.” The marathon hearing, which dragged on for more...

Never forget. Never forgive when I heard this. It absolutely cemented in my mind I should never get that jab. Best decision ever made.

Even though inflation is still higher than ideal, many things are actually getting cheaper. But perhaps not the ones most Americans want. The prices of durable goods, meaning long-lasting items such as used cars or appliances, have fallen year-over-year for each of the past five months. Data released Thursday by the Commerce Department showed prices for such goods were down 2.2% in October compared with the year prior. Some economists estimate the fall in goods prices could bring inflation back to the Federal Reserve's 2% target by as early as the second half of 2024. One inflation gauge, the personal...

Ask anyone in Massachusetts: the best place to live out your last few years on Earth is Worcester. Or Springfield. This week, U.S. News & World Report released its ranking of Best Places to Retire, and the only two to crack the top 100 in Massachusetts were Worcester and Springfield. Keep in mind this is a list that ranked Harrisburg, PA, No. 1, and put Flint, Mich., ahead of cities surrounded by natural beauty, culture and attractions like Boise and Las Vegas. This year’s list is based on the evaluation of the nation’s 150 most populated metropolitan areas based on...

On Thursday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) spoke on the House Floor in opposition to the proposed GOP funding to Israel.

As Massachusetts’ shelter system nears capacity, Gov. Maura Healey said Monday the state can no longer guarantee shelter placement for new arrivals after the end of this month. “I want to assure you that we will continue to engage, assess and serve every family who appeals for help as best we can,” Healey said during a press conference at the State House. The governor said that although families with high needs, including health and safety risks, will be prioritized for shelter placement as winter approaches, “we are entering a new phase of this challenge — we can no longer guarantee...

At Monday’s Police and Government Oversight Committee meeting, members of Minneapolis For A Better Police Contract (MBPC) recommended changes within the Minneapolis Police Department’s labor agreements. It includes putting a 50-hour-per-week cap on officers and eliminating the 25% threshold for sergeant staffing requirements. “There’s no reason that you need one supervisor per four officers. That’s costly to the city because you pay sergeants more money, and it’s pulling officers off the street from patrol and from responding to calls,” said Chara Blanch, a member of MBPC. Other recommendations include mandatory annual mental health screenings; returning the responsibility of discipline and...

The View kicked off its 27th season on Tuesday, but Whoopi Goldberg's seat at the table was empty. The show's longtime co-host, 67, was forced to miss the show's premiere after testing positive for COVID-19. "As you can see, Whoopi is not here. She has COVID. It’s back, it’s back!" co-host Joy Behar told the audience, referring to a growing uptick in COVID cases across the U.S. Behar, 80, was quick to assure viewers that Goldberg is doing well and will be back in action soon. "She’s on the mend, she’s on the tail end and will probably be back...

Maui County filed suit Thursday against Hawaiian Electric, alleging the utility caused the Lahaina wildfire and failed to take appropriate actions to maintain the grid. It’s the latest suit against Hawaiian Electric connected to the blaze — now the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century — but a new wrinkle in the story given that previously the utility had only faced litigation from residents for its operations before, during and after the blaze. John Fiske, one of several attorneys representing the county in the civil suit, says investigators have already documented evidence that “the ultimate cause and origin...

Flyers distributed by the union that represents Yale police officers have caused a stir among city and Yale police officials, who say they contain "inaccurate and irresponsible information" and are "aimed at inciting fear and public safety concerns among new students." The flyers, which officials said were created and distributed by the Yale Police Benevolent Association, "were distributed during Yale University’s annual move-in day this past weekend and aimed to create fear and stoke public safety concerns among new students and their families," an advisory notice said. The officials, including Mayor Justin Elicker, city Police Chief Karl Jacobson, Yale Police...

Amid rising Covid cases in Los Angeles, Lionsgate has brought back the mask mandate for nearly half of the company’s employees at its flagship office at 2700 Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica. The policy change was announced internally by Sommer McElroy, Response Manager for Lionsgate/Starz, in an email, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline. Implemented in response to several employees recently testing positive for Covid, it involves a mandatory mask mandate effective immediately and until further notice for the 3rd and 5th floors of the five-story building, the email said. “Employees must wear a medical grade face covering...

Seven Massachusetts state troopers who were suspended as a result of Massachusetts’ state vaccine mandate can return to work with back pay, following the ruling of an arbitrator. The ruling, by arbitrator Bonnie J. McSpiritt, also covers an eighth trooper who had returned to duty after seeking a religious exemption to the mandate, according to a release from the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the state police’s union. The ruling represents the completion of about two years of legal fighting over the suspensions, according to Association President Patrick McNamara. “Through this lengthy and grueling grievance and arbitration process, the Association...

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s community partners are pulling outreach workers from Mass & Cass, an area of the city also knowns as methadone mile, amid growing concerns for public safety. Wu said the conditions around the intersection of Mass. Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard have gotten so dangerous with the increase of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violence that some outreach organizations are pulling their teams off the streets. “Even the outreach workers who have been there day after day are not feeling comfortable.. not feeling like they can physically safely be there anymore,” said Wu. ......

Fitch downgraded its credit rating for the U.S. government, from AAA to AA+, two months after the debt-ceiling crisis was resolved. “In Fitch’s view, there has been a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the last 20 years, including on fiscal and debt matters," the rating agency said Tuesday. Fitch said the U.S. appeared to suffer from an “erosion of governance," pointing to the Washington brinkmanship over the debt ceiling as an example. With a rating of AA+, the U.S. still holds among the highest possible ratings, which Fitch saying the nation still benefits from a “large, advanced, well-diversified...

Activists protested at this weekend’s Jason Aldean concert in Hartford. Kamora’s Cultural Corner organized the event for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Xfinity Theatre. It was called “Small Towns Against Hate.” “There’s this natural discourse that says small-town America should be scared of big-city America. But these folks don’t know that when we have to venture out into their communities, we are scared because of all these stereotypes out there,” said Kamora Herrington, Organizer, Hartford.

Community activists are planning a “ball gown tailgate party” in protest at the Jason Aldean concert Sunday at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford. Aldean’s music video for his song “Try that in a small town” drew controversy nationwide. The group based the theme of the tailgate on a viral meme depicting Jason Aldean in a gown with the words “Try that in a ball gown." ... Kamora Herrington who runs Kamora’s Cultural Corner organized the event called “Small Towns against Hate” and says the tailgate is not a protest but is a way to have fun while having difficult conversations....