Massachusetts
3 things to know about the sports betting holdup in Massachusetts
In comparison with the remainder of Massachusetts, time strikes at a distinct tempo on Beacon Hill: slower, a lot slower.
Have a look at the $3.8 billion financial growth invoice Gov. Charlie Baker signed final week, which infuses money throughout an array of areas that want it, from hospitals to early training suppliers to small companies. Lawmakers, stymied by information that Massachusetts would want to return $3 billion to taxpayers, dragged their talks on that invoice three months previous the top of formal legislative classes. They dropped tax reform measures from the ultimate invoice, pushing that query off onto subsequent 12 months’s agenda.
In the meantime, after greater than a 12 months of labor, the particular fee tasked with reimagining the state’s seal and motto is closing in on its Dec. 31 deadline with a stack of unanswered questions, together with the way it will spend a newly allotted $100,000, what sort of public outreach it ought to conduct — and most significantly, what a brand new seal or motto ought to really embody.
For keen gamblers, the look ahead to sports activities betting to launch in Massachusetts might appear a part of that very same sample of slow-walked choices. However 4 years after a U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling paved the way in which for states to permit sports activities betting and three months after Baker signed a invoice doing simply that in Massachusetts, the holdup at this level isn’t a product of inertia as a lot because the unglamorous intricacies of standing up and regulating a brand new business.
With that in thoughts, listed here are three issues to find out about the place the sports activities betting course of stands in Massachusetts.
It received’t occur this 12 months.
The Massachusetts Gaming Fee, the state company that already oversees casinos and horse racing, is focusing on a two-phase launch. Below the commissioners’ meant timeline, current gaming services — Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park On line casino in Everett — would have the ability to start providing sports activities wagering in late January, in time for the Tremendous Bowl. They’re eyeing an early March window for cellular betting to go dwell, which might enable faculty basketball followers to position bets for March Insanity.
Commissioners have cautioned that unexpected points might pop up and delay the beginning, so these dates might not be set in stone. Whereas some legislative leaders had voiced hope that sports activities betting can be up and working rapidly as soon as the legislation was signed, the regulators have mentioned they wish to make sure that they take the time they should get issues proper and arrange an above-board market.
There’s quite a bit on their plate as they work towards these 2023 targets: the fee has recognized about 225 rules that may must be put in place. Seven rules and regulatory amendments, masking matters like defending underage youth, occupational licenses and sports activities wagering gear, are teed up for assessment and potential votes at a Gaming Fee assembly right now.
Greater than two dozen firms are at the moment within the mi<b>x.</b>
Twenty-nine potential sports activities betting operators submitted surveys to the Gaming Fee by an October deadline. The survey was a primary step within the software course of, and it is potential not all of these will submit full functions, that are due with a $200,000 processing charge by subsequent Monday.
Cell sports activities betting generated probably the most curiosity, with surveys submitted from 23 potential candidates — together with the Boston-based DraftKings.
The legislation units the utmost variety of cellular betting licenses at seven. Commissioners have mentioned that, if a flood of functions is available in for these licenses, assessing every would-be operator might take extra time than anticipated and make that early March launch date much less real looking.
The state expects to gather $60 million a 12 months.
The legislation establishes a 15% tax on bets positioned in particular person, with cellular bets taxed at 20%. Lawmakers mentioned once they handed the invoice that it might generate an estimated $60 million in annual tax income. The state additionally expects to gather as a lot as $80 million in preliminary licensing charges that may must be renewed each 5 years.
In comparison with the state’s greater than $50 billion annual funds, tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in tax income is a comparatively small addition. Till bets can legally be positioned right here, although, it is cash that in lots of instances is being pocketed as an alternative by the black market or by states like Connecticut that have already got approved wagering operations up-and-running.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Rep. announces with disappointment that facility chosen for new 450-person overflow shelter
A Massachusetts State Rep. has announced that a former prison is set to become an emergency homeless shelter.
In a letter to Norfolk Residents, Marcus Vaughn announced that Norfolk has been chosen as the next site for an overflow shelter, a decision he said he received with deep disappointment Friday afternoon.
Vaughn stated that he firmly believes in transparency and shared the following information.
“In response to mounting concerns regarding migrant families at Logan Airport, Governor Healey has decided to designate Bay State Correctional Center as the next overflow shelter location. Although efforts will be made to transform the facility into a welcoming space, the prospect of accommodating around 450 individuals comprising 150 families is a stark reality we must confront. The anticipated move is set for mid-June. When I asked for a timeframe for the site to remain online, I was told that because the state owns the facility there are no timelines on taking the facility offline.”
Bay State Correctional Center was a medium security prison that closed in 2015 to save money.
Vaughn expressed concern over the strain that will occur on school systems in Norfolk and stated it will likely impact public safety infrastructure.
“While assurances were given regarding on-site security, I intend to meet with Chief Heinz to explore avenues to mitigate the burden on our town’s public safety departments. “
Vaughn mentioned in the letter that he conveyed the concerns about reimbursement to the Govenor’s office, who assured him of ongoing dialogue with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“Norfolk, as a small community, faces an unprecedented challenge with this decision. I share in your disappointment. However, I received assurances that our office, alongside town and school officials, will be regularly updated. Rest assured, we are committed to providing timely updates as we navigate this situation together.”
According to Boston 25 News, “the site will be set up with play areas for children, as well as classroom spaces for adults to engage in activities that support pathways to stability such as ESOL classes, job training courses, and housing search workshops.”
Massachusetts
Man admits to role in fentanyl trafficking conspiracy across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, North and South Carolina
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas and North and South Carolina.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 35-year-old Erik Ventura pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2024. Ventura was arrested and charged in February 2022 and has remained in custody since.
In September 2019, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization based in Providence, Rhode Island and known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. The investigation revealed that Ventura was a trusted member of the DTO and maintained one of the drug stash locations. Ventura transported cash and kilogram quantities of drugs to and from New York on behalf of the DTO, distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts and was paid by the DTO for his work as a drug distributor. In February 2022, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills, were seized.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Providence Field Office; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police; and the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts May Be Saying Goodbye to a Popular Restaurant Chain
Massachusetts shoppers and diners aren’t strangers to businesses closing locations throughout the state. It seems like regularly another company is shutting down another store or restaurant location. Enter Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Friendly’s, etc.
For whatever reason, whether it’s price sensitivity, online shopping, at-home cooking, struggling to pay bills, fallout from the pandemic, etc. Massachusetts among the rest of the country is in an era where companies are closing up shop either by trimming the fat or completely going under.
A Popular Restaurant Chain Plans to Close 25-35 Locations This Year
It was recently announced by several online sources and by Dine Brands Global which owns restaurant chains IHOP and Applebee’s that the company will be closing 25-35 Applebee’s locations across the country this year. Since 2017 over 100 hundred Applebees locations have shut down. While the company is eliminating Applebee’s in struggling areas, it recently opened over 40 new IHOP locations. So it doesn’t appear that Dine Brands Global is going under they’re just cutting locations where performance isn’t up to par.
Will Some Massachusetts Locations Be on the Chopping Block?
At this point, the folks at Dial Brands Global haven’t announced exactly which locations of Applebees will be shutting down this year. Applebees operates over 20 locations in Massachusetts including some of the Bay State’s bigger areas like Worcester, Springfield, and Chicopee.
Massachusetts Diners Should Enjoy Themselves and Not Worry at This Point
When Applebees does release its list of upcoming closures we will let you know if any Massachusetts locations are on the list. Until then, go eat good in the hood for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mom and Dad deserve a great meal.
50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America
YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America’s vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you’ll even find a favorite or two.
Gallery Credit: Paul Feinstein
From coast to coast: The 20 best regional fast-food chains to try
Gallery Credit: Kiersten Hickman
LOOK: How Many of These Discontinued Millennial Munchies Do You Remember?
Gallery Credit: Meg Dowdy
-
News1 week ago
Police enter UCLA anti-war encampment; Arizona repeals Civil War-era abortion ban
-
News1 week ago
Some Florida boaters seen on video dumping trash into ocean have been identified, officials say
-
Politics1 week ago
The White House has a new curator. Donna Hayashi Smith is the first Asian American to hold the post
-
Education1 week ago
Video: President Biden Addresses Campus Protests
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
The Idea of You Movie Review: Anne Hathaway’s honest performance makes the film stand out in a not so formulaic rom-com
-
World1 week ago
UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow
-
World1 week ago
In the upcoming European elections, peace and security matter the most
-
World1 week ago
European elections: What do voters want? What have candidates pledged?