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Boston seeking election deadline changes following redistricting ruling

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Boston seeking election deadline changes following redistricting ruling


The town is working to push again the deadline for council candidates to submit nomination papers, set now for Could 23, in gentle of a federal decide’s choice that barred Boston from utilizing its new redistricting map within the November election.

A day after a U.S. District Court docket ruling despatched councilors again to the drafting board, a metropolis spokesperson mentioned Boston was “reviewing choices for submitting deadlines and figuring out the way it will deal with any ensuing modifications to district boundaries and deal with nomination papers which have already been submitted.”

Meaning the town will look to “prolong timelines for submitting nomination papers and in any other case modify processes to make sure that potential candidates for the workplace of district Metropolis Council have a possibility to run as district strains are redrawn,” the spokesperson mentioned. “Potential candidates ought to proceed to file nomination papers on the Boston Elections Division.”

The town spokesperson added, “The town is dedicated to a speedy and easy decision to redistricting and to a transparent and clear election course of.”

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What stays unclear, nonetheless, is whether or not restarting the redistricting course of may power a delay to the town’s preliminary election, set for Sept. 12, and basic election, set for Nov. 7. Such a change would require both a courtroom order or state laws, mentioned Debra O’Malley, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s workplace.

There’s previous precedent, O’Malley mentioned. In 1983, Boston’s preliminary election was delayed for 2 weeks, and its basic election was delayed for per week, to permit metropolis officers time to redraw districting strains after its prior map was thrown out, when a federal decide dominated that prior strains drawn by the council had been unconstitutional, the New York Occasions reported on the time.

“That’s clearly not one thing anybody would wish to see occur now, given the confusions that will be concerned,” O’Malley mentioned.

On this occasion, U.S. District Court docket Decide Patti Saris dominated Monday the Metropolis Council had doubtless violated the Structure when factoring race into the institution of Boston’s new redistricting map, which was accepted final fall by way of a 9-4 vote, and issued a preliminary injunction barring its implementation.

Saris mentioned the council doubtless violated the Equal Safety Clause of the 14th modification, which bars legal guidelines requiring segregation of the races, one in every of three alleged violations cited by the plaintiffs, a gaggle of residents led by Rasheed Walters of their lawsuit in opposition to the Metropolis Council. Walters is a former Boston Herald columnist who was not on workers.

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Concerning subsequent steps, Saris wrote that it was unclear whether or not the Boston Election Fee may prolong the Could 23 deadline for candidate nomination papers. She additionally mentioned her choice to enjoin the brand new map may result in issues about potential council candidates assembly the one-year residency requirement, when it comes to whether or not final yr’s modifications had impacted what district they reside in.

O’Malley mentioned the Secretary of State’s workplace reached out to supply help as the town figures out the way to proceed with this matter, however famous that finally, “that is their map and their election.”

“Our Elections Division has already had a name with metropolis officers at present,” O’Malley mentioned. “There can be extra consultations, I’m positive. However will probably be as much as the town to determine how they may proceed with respect to drawing their maps.”

Metropolis Council President Ed Flynn mentioned in a Tuesday assertion that he had spoken with the secretary of state, Mayor Michelle Wu’s workplace and the Boston Regulation Division, “relating to the current ruling on redistricting and about doable subsequent steps.”

“It is necessary for all of us to work collectively and do what is true for all of our communities, and present optimistic management that places the residents of Boston first.”

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Council candidates, together with these vying for the open seat in District 3, which together with District 4 was most closely impacted by final yr’s redistricting modifications, mentioned they weren’t too involved a couple of new map impacting their potential to remain within the race. A number of spoke, nonetheless, in regards to the chaos that Monday’s courtroom ruling had created.

“It’s only a full mess,” mentioned one council candidate, who requested to stay nameless.

The candidate relayed that the town Elections Division mentioned they’d take nomination papers, however wouldn’t be capable of certify them as a result of “the districts basically don’t exist proper now.”

“I imply, they exist for this council, however not for the needs of the election for the subsequent council,” the candidate mentioned.



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Boston, MA

Boston doctor Derrick Todd accused of sexually assaulting 200 patients charged with rape

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Boston doctor Derrick Todd accused of sexually assaulting 200 patients charged with rape


A prominent Boston-area doctor accused in several lawsuits of sexually assaulting more than 200 former patients was indicted by a grand jury on rape charges.

Dr. Derrick Todd allegedly assaulted two women during examinations in December 2022 and June 2023 at the Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham, Mass., the Middlesex County District Attorney announced Thursday.

Todd, a rheumatologist, appeared in Middlesex Superior Court Friday after he handed himself over to police the previous night.

Dr. Derrick Todd is arraigned in Middlesex County Superior Court after he was indicted on rape charges on Jan. 17, 2025. AP

The two women had either a pelvic exam or pap smear with the doctor when the alleged assault occurred, NBC Boston reported.

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The patients alleged the exams went beyond “normal.”

One of the women endured enough pain for her to scream at Todd to stop but the doctor didn’t listen and continued the exam.

The second patient alleged she didn’t give Todd consent to perform the specific examination but the doctor went ahead despite the rejection, the outlet reported.

Todd pleaded not guilty to the two rape charges.

He was held on a $10,000 bail.

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Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston, where Todd worked for 14 years. Google Maps

A judge ordered Todd to surrender his passport, not have any contact with his alleged victims, and give up all medical licenses.

Claims of abuse from Todd date back to 2010 but only surfaced in 2023 after Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital received anonymous complaints.

Todd is the former chief of clinical rheumatology at the Boston hospital but resigned after 14 years in 2023 when two other physicians questioned the appropriateness of pelvis exams for his rheumatology patients, the Boston Globe reported.

Over 200 of Todd’s former patients accused him of performing unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations.

The accusers include over 200 women and several men between teenagers and 60-year-olds.

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Attorneys for 180 of the former patients say the two rape charges are just the start of the doctor’s legal battle.

“It’s just the beginning of the criminal case against Dr. Todd, but it does help validate the civil claims that Lubin & Meyer is pursuing on behalf of so many of his former patients,” Attorney William Thompson said. “Fundamentally, it’s about a doctor abusing his position. And taking advantage of patients who put their trust in him for his own personal sexual gratification.”

Over 200 of Todd’s former patients accused him of performing unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations. LinkedIn

Todd voluntarily ceased his medical practice in Massachusetts in September 2023.

The announcement was made in a letter to the Board of Registration in Medicine.

The class-action lawsuit against Todd also listed the hospital as a defendant for allegedly knowing about the abuse and failing to stop it.

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Todd was fired from the hospital in July 2024.

With Post wires



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O’shae Brissett, part of Boston Celtics championship, reportedly signs with Long Island Nets

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O’shae Brissett, part of Boston Celtics championship, reportedly signs with Long Island Nets


O’shae Brissett, who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in June but hasn’t played professionally since, has reportedly signed an NBA G-League level contract with the Brooklyn Nets G League team, the Long Island Nets.

Bobby Manning was first with the news Friday morning…

The 6’7” 26-year-old Brissett, a defensive specialist, will join Long Island having last played for the Boston Celtics as a part of the NBA Championship squad last year.

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In his defining moment of the title run, Brissett was inserted as a small ball center by Boston coach Joe Mazzulla in Game 2 of the Celtics-Pacers conference title series. It was his first playoff minutes, but he played a critical role defensively, picking up three steals and finishing a +15 in his 12 minutes on the court.

“Just his presence, his energy, his athleticism,” Mazzulla said after that game. “Just gave us, I think he had a dunk, got a steal, got us out in transition with a couple [of] rebounds. So just, he plays with such a high level of intensity and energy. It’s big for us.”

In his 55 games with the Celtics in the 2023-24 season, Brissett started just one and played roughly 11.5 minutes per game. He averaged 3.7 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. He shot 44.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc. He adds yet another NBA veteran presence to the young Long Island Nets team with .

Brissett played three years with the Indiana Pacers, his best year coming in 2021-22 when he played 67 games, 25 starts, averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.

However, he hasn’t played since the NBA Finals. Brissett, who turned 26 years old in June, declined a $2.5 million dollar player option with Boston at the end of June. He hoped that he could get more by testing the free-agent market. Similarly, the Toronto native dropped out of the Canadian national team, coached by Jordi Fernandez, to focus his free agency. However, offers or at least offers he liked never materialized and he remained a free agent until Friday.

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Brissett’s rebounding and size will give Long Island some added depth, and in Long Island’s case, a potential starter. Brissett always intended to pursue a return to the NBA, and his signing with the Long Island Nets is a first step to getting back to that dream.

Brissett also re-unites with Kendall Brown who had been his Indiana Pacers teammate two years ago.





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Magic Look to Bounce Back With More Energy at Celtics

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Magic Look to Bounce Back With More Energy at Celtics


BOSTON – Over two weeks ago, after the Orlando Magic’s latest rally fell short in a loss to the Detroit Pistons, fourth-year guard Jalen Suggs called out a worrying trend among his team in hopes of nipping it in the bud.

“We’re putting ourselves in these holes and spotting teams leads, then having to fight, scratch, claw just to get back in the game and give ourselves a chance,” Suggs said on New Year’s Day.

The Magic had developed a resilience that meant they were never out of games, no matter the score. Complimentary, energy-filled basketball helped Orlando do the fighting, scratching and clawing to get back into those games.

Did it always result in a victory? Not quite. But the relentless attitude and constant effort – especially for a team so handicapped by its shrinking list of healthy players – was commendable, and has been embedded in the Magic’s DNA.

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In the rare occasions when it doesn’t show face, though, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley says it’s “glaring.” That was the case when the Milwaukee Bucks delivered a 29-point shellacking to Orlando, marking the most lopsided loss for the Magic this year.

“There was an energy and effort issue,” said Mosley postgame.

Wendell Carter Jr. would later say his team was “out-physicaled” and made life too easy for their opponent.

Then, in the locker room, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope told reporters Orlando got its “a– whooped,” and Paolo Banchero told reporters, “[A]s a group top to bottom, we’ve got to be more ready to play. We’re down a lot of bodies, but we can’t make excuses and we’ve just got to come out and play for each other.”

To Banchero’s point, the Magic’s 124 missed games from players due to injury or illness haven’t been a catch-all, safety-net excuse when the team is struggling. Instead, their aforementioned resilience built an identity that helped them generate results throughout the entire first half of the season, regardless of available contributors.

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It justifies Mosley’s claims that the lackluster performance vs. the Bucks “wasn’t Orlando Magic basketball. Not even close.” Because although that was the case in Game 42, through the first 41 games, it wasn’t.

“It’s something that you can learn from, and you have to be able to bounce back, which this group has always done,” Mosley said.

With a national audience watching along, Orlando (0-4 in national TV games this season) pays its only visit to TD Garden Friday evening, squaring off with the defending champion Boston Celtics for the second of three matchups this season. The Magic host the 18-time champs once more in April to close the Kia Center’s regular season slate.

Boston has dropped three of their last five outings, including an uncharacteristic loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night in Scotiabank Arena. The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum due to a last-minute spat with an illness in the Magic’s Dec. 23 home win, but Orlando was shorthanded as well. Of their top four scorers, only Suggs was available.

“We beat them last time at home, so I’m sure they haven’t forgot that,” Paolo Banchero said in Orlando’s locker room Wednesday. “They have a hell of a home atmosphere [and] home crowd, so they’ll be ready to play in front of their fans.”

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Heading into Friday’s tilt, where both teams are eager to wipe the slate clean from their mid-week malaise, Boston reports a clean bill of health. Now, only Banchero is available of the Magic’s top scorers, and other key reserves are unavailable as well.

MORE: Magic-Celtics Injury Report

Those who are available, however, say they shouldn’t have any issue getting back to their standard.

“Playing against teams like this is what hoopers get up for,” Anthony Black said. “Definitely getting up for this game. It’s always fun playing against some good hoopers, so I think we’re up and I think we’ll be ready to bring energy come game time.”

“You don’t like losing games, especially when you get your butt kicked,” Mosley said, “but you also have to know you have to bounce back, can’t hang your head, be ready to go and move on the next game.”

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