Massachusetts

Massachusetts governor urges Biden to consider dropping out – Washington Examiner

Published

3 months ago

July 5, 2024

Massachusetts governor urges Biden to consider dropping out – Washington Examiner

Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA), a close ally to Joe Biden, called on the president to “carefully evaluate” his political future Friday amid growing calls within the party for him to drop out of the election.

“The best way forward right now is a decision for the president to make,” Healey said in a statement. “Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump. Whatever president Biden decides, I am committed to doing everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump.”

The carefully worded position from the Biden campaign surrogate marked the first Democratic governor to express doubt following an emergency White House meeting this week with the president and 20 Democratic governors.

Healey, in widely reported remarks, told fellow Democratic colleagues during a call this week before the meeting that Biden’s political fate was “irretrievable.”

In her statement, Healey also praised Biden for having “saved our democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years.”

Healey sits on Biden’s national campaign advisory board and hosted a fundraiser for him in her deep-blue state earlier this year.

Other Democratic governors emerged from the Biden meeting with reassurance about him and stood firm in their support, in contrast to the continued fallout from his debate debacle that raised questions about his mental fitness to serve a second term, at the end of which he would be 86 years old.

A defiant Biden told supporters Friday at a campaign rally that he had no intention of calling it quits.

“I am going to run, and I’m going to win again,” the president said in Madison, Wisconsin.

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He continued: “I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. You voted for me to be your nominee, no one else. You, the voters, did that. And despite that, some folks don’t seem to care who you voted for. Well, guess what: They’re trying to push me out of the race. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m staying in the race.”

A fellow Bay State Democrat, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), became the third sitting representative this week to urge Biden to withdraw.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts line workers, tow truck drivers to provide relief from Helene

Published

1 hour ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts line workers, tow truck drivers to provide relief from Helene

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Now, to Helene response from folks in Western Massachusetts. From line workers to tow truck drivers and firefighters, it really takes a village to restore and local residents we spoke with said they’re up for the challenge.

“We’ve seen a lot of tree damage, some building damage, in the areas I’ve een to some total loss,” noted Randy Purinton.

Randy Purinton is one of several crews Chicopee’s Interstate Towing sent down south to lend a hand for Hurricane Helene relief efforts more than a week ago. He’s currently in Jacksonville, Florida.

“We’ve been moving a lot of generators, water pumps, portable light towers to help the electric companies be able to go out and night and see, to get the power and stuff restored,” explained Purinton.

Getting the lights back on is the hands of line workers including Ryan Callan from Westfield Gas and Electric. He told Western Mass News when he arrived for his assignment in the Spartenberg, South Carolina area, thousands were in the dark and there’s no word yet on when they will cross the finish line.

“Its doing much better now, but we’re not quite sure its not your average storm down here,” said Callan. “We have at last count over 500 broken poles just in these 7 counties.”

Meantime, crews from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are making their way back to the commonwealth after working with local firefighters from Greenfield, Charlemont, and others, offering relief to first responders in the impacted areas and bringing back new experience to apply to a potential emergency in the bay state

“If a big hurricane hits Massachusetts again the next tropical storm Irene we’re better prepared to help the state and our local communities respond,” expressed Tracy Rogers.

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Massachusetts

Spotted lanternfly invasion in Massachusetts

Published

9 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

Spotted lanternfly invasion in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, has been detected in several areas including Springfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Chicopee, Holyoke, and parts of Mount Tom State Reservation near South Hadley and Easthampton. This pest, which feeds on over 100 plant species by piercing and sucking out the sap, poses a threat to agriculture and native trees. Originating from Vietnam and China, it was first identified in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since been confirmed in 16 states.

UMass Extension Entomologist Tawny Simisky highlighted the minimal current impact on Hampshire County’s agricultural sector but emphasized vigilance due to the potential threat to breweries, wineries, and orchards. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has been monitoring the spread, encouraging residents to report sightings to aid in tracking and management efforts.

The invasive species is known for its preference for the tree of heaven, another invasive plant, although it can complete its life cycle without it. The spotted lanternfly breeds in late summer, leaving egg masses on various surfaces. Residents are urged to report sightings to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and can employ nonchemical methods like sticky traps for control, reserving chemical treatments for severe infestations.

Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts town warns parents, students of dangerous ‘galaxy gas’ trend

Published

17 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts town warns parents, students of dangerous ‘galaxy gas’ trend

Medfield’s school district warned parents and students about a viral TikTok trend that could be deadly in the most severe cases.

Galaxy Gas, a brand of canned Nitrous Oxide for culinary use, has taken social media by storm. Young adults can be seen inhaling the gas that causes lightheadedness, dizziness, and weakness.

Medfield’s Social Emotional Learning department said they haven’t dealt with a case at any district schools.

“A lot of this is preventative medicine,” said Dr. Dave Worthley, director of the Social Emotional Learning department.

He works daily with students at the high school to catch onto the latest trends.

He asks the student body questions like, “What kinds of stuff are you seeing online? What kinds of stuff are you exposed to? What do you see as far as your friends? What do you see in other communities?”

Dr. Worthley and the district issued a statement to parents this week about the TikTok trend that can cause long-term damage.

The statement about Galaxy read in part:

· It is easy to get.

· It is legal to purchase over 18

· It is technically for culinary purposes only

· It is being packaged in bright, fun colors and designs to appeal to kids

· It is in all area Vape shops

· It is extremely dangerous and can lead to brain injury, cardiac injury, and death.

· Galaxy Gas may have paused distribution (on Friday) but many other brands are selling Nitrous Oxide, and Vape shops, Walmart, and other places have lots of stock, as well as Amazon.

Worthley told Boston 25 Thursday, “I’ve had a lot of parent responses saying, ‘Thank you. I hadn’t heard of this. I never knew this existed. I’ll go home and talk to my kids right now.’”

David Richards, CEO of Fish Public Relations and a professor at Emerson College, said this is the latest of many social media trends.

“Parents are 10 steps behind,” he said.

Richards blamed young adults with easy access to social media as the root cause of the viral trend.

He added, “It’s exposing children to all kinds of issues and problems and bad behaviors.”

Galaxy Gas reportedly halted their sales Friday after the social media craze.

A statement on their website reads in part:

“Products containing nitrous oxide are sold solely as a food processing propellant for whipped cream and culinary food use only. It is unlawful for a person to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for any purpose not intended herein and legally authorized.”

The district is asking parents in Medfield and across the state to have tough conversations with their children to safeguard them from dangerous substances.

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