Northeast
Jury convicts killers of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay
Two men were convicted of murder Tuesday in the death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, a brazen 2002 shooting in the rap legend’s studio.
An anonymous Brooklyn federal jury delivered the verdict in the trial of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington.
TRIAL BEGINS FOR MURDER OF JAM MASTER JAY, MEMBER OF INFLUENTIAL HIP HOP GROUP RUN-DMC
Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, worked the turntables in Run-DMC as it helped hip-hop break into the pop music mainstream in the 1980s with such hits as “It’s Tricky” and a fresh take on Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” Mizell later started a record label, opened a studio in his old Queens neighborhood and helped bring along other talent, including rapper 50 Cent.
Rap trio Run-DMC poses in New York on April 5, 2001. From left: Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), DMC (Darryl McDaniels) and DJ Run (Joseph Simmons). Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington have been convicted of the 2002 slaying of Jam Master Jay. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper, File)
Mizell was gunned down in his studio in front of witnesses on Oct. 30, 2002.
Like the slayings of rap icons Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. in the late 1990s, the Mizell case remained open for years. Authorities were deluged with tips, rumors and theories but struggled to get witnesses to open up.
Jordan, 40, was the famous DJ’s godson. Washington, 59, was an old friend who was bunking at the home of the DJ’s sister. Both men were arrested in 2020 and pleaded not guilty.
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Boston, MA
With snow still piled up, Boston says it’s time to remove your space saver
Mounds of snow continue to make getting around Boston difficult, and a new hurdle for drivers came Wednesday.
The city allows drivers to use space savers — objects placed in a street space that’s already been dug out — for 48 hours after the end of a snow emergency. That deadline came at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
“You have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of a declared snow emergency,” the city wrote. “By 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, you need to remove it from the street.”
Boston added that space savers can never be used in Bay Village or the South End.
The Boston area experienced significant snowfall Sunday into Monday. While road crews have kept busy since then, huge piles of snow still sit along the sides of the city’s streets — which have become more narrow, along with sidewalks, as drivers and pedestrians are forced to navigate blocked paths.
“City gets rid of snow, I’ll get rid of my space saver,” the top comment under Boston’s Facebook post read.
A shortage of rock salt after one major storm is impacting preparation for more possible snow this weekend.
Residents living on Whiting Street in Roxbury told NBC10 Boston Wednesday that they weren’t surprised it took two days for a plow to come through. They said it’s frustrating, but they kept calling 311 until the snow was cleared.
“We’ve lived here since 1988,” said Bolade Owolewa. “It’s been a problem on and on.”
Boston requires property owners to remove snow from sidewalks within three hours of snow ending. Some remained unshoveled days later, including along Washington Street.
The city issues citations to property owners, but that doesn’t make it easier for people living in the area to get around.
“It’s very dangerous and it’s very slippery,” said Roxbury resident Sigal Pudasaini.
Getting around Boston requires some patience after this weekend’s snowfall, whether you’re walking or driving.
Pittsburg, PA
PPS board reopens discussion on school closure plan
Connecticut
Connecticut Democrats to bring back legislation giving parents control over social media
Democrats plan to revive a proposal to give parents greater control over how children use social media.
“If they don’t like what we’re going to protect the kids, what is your plan to protect the kids?” Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Connecticut) said. “Otherwise, we’ll keep going with this.”
Leaders of the legislature’s General Law Committee joined Lamont for a press conference at the Capitol, saying they’ll introduce the bill once the legislative session starts on Feb. 4.
The bill would require parental approval before anyone under 18 years old can open a social media account.
Additionally, parents would need to approve the content children can view, set time limits for usage, and decide whether their accounts are public.
Attorney General William Tong (D-Connecticut) said the law would require parents to opt in to ensure they give consent.
That means social media platforms can’t, for example, make a minor’s account public as a default setting.
Lastly, the bill would prohibit social media companies from sending push notifications to children between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
“What this specifically does is highlight a very vulnerable population and says there needs to be protections in place,” Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) said. “Children need to have these protections.
Lemar said social media can be a valuable resource, but he wants to safeguard children against potential harm.
Some experts have been raising concerns that social media platforms can become addictive, especially since they allow users to scroll content endlessly.
Those experts have also warned about increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among children and teenagers.
“They’re still children, and they’re still vulnerable in how they’re developing those individual identities,” Connecticut Children’s pediatrician Dr. Robert Keder said. “They are subject to things like FOMO, or fear of missing out, or influencing body image.”
Tech companies pushed back against the bill last year, saying they’re already putting tools in place for parents.
Instagram, for example, announced a teen-friendly version of its app in October, with more age-appropriate content.
Christopher Gilrein, executive director with the lobbying firm Technet, said last year that “the industry has a longstanding commitment to provide parents and guardians with resources to help ensure a safe online experience for their children, and the industry has been at the forefront of educating parents and guardians about safety.”
Last year’s version received a 121-26 vote in the House, but the Senate failed to raise it for debate before the session ended.
A few Republicans raised concerns about whether the state could enforce the bill.
One of those Republicans, Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-Prostect), said she’ll need to review this year’s bill, but she supports the concept.
“We need to look at what our kids are looking at and what is age-appropriate for them and what they should be doing,” she said
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