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Massachusetts is ‘prepared’ for National Guard deployment, AG Andrea Campbell says

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Massachusetts is ‘prepared’ for National Guard deployment, AG Andrea Campbell says


AG Andrea Campbell says Massachusetts is ready if the National Guard is deployed to the Bay State, adding that her office is “drafting paperwork” that she hopes it never has to file against President Donald Trump.

The attorney general’s comments mark the firmest stance yet from a Bay State official on what kind of coordination or preparations are being made in the case Trump tries to deploy troops in Massachusetts.

Trump has deployed National Guard units to cities he argues are dealing with high crime or are epicenters of federal immigration activity, even as governors and mayors have largely voiced opposition to their arrival.

“We are prepared if they were to come,” Campbell said on GBH’s Boston Public Radio on Tuesday. “Of course, I hope they don’t, because the narrative they’re suggesting is that they would come here to promote public safety, and we are doing just fine.

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“If anything,” the AG continued, “we’re seeing in other communities across the country is that they’re eroding public safety and trust between law enforcement and the community. In addition to that, they’re perpetuating fear.”

Campbell said her office is engaging with the National Guard, Gov. Maura Healey’s office, the state Legislature, law enforcement, and “every stakeholder” available over how the state would respond to a potential deployment.

The AG added that she’s personally spoken with her counterparts in California, Illinois and Oregon, states where Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to combat what he describes as lawlessness.

Trump continues to face legal challenges in areas where he has looked to deploy troops.

Courts in Tennessee and West Virginia heard arguments Monday challenging the deployment of their states’ National Guard troops to patrol the streets of Memphis and Washington, D.C.

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Since their arrival on Oct. 10, National Guard troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas of Memphis, wearing fatigues and protective vests that say “military police.” Officials have said Guard members, who are armed, have no arrest power.

West Virginia is among several states that sent troops to Washington, D.C., to support Trump’s crime-fighting efforts. Last month, a West Virginia judge asked attorneys for the state to address whether Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s deployment of up to 300 Guard members to the nation’s capital in August was legal.

The Bay State AG’s Office has filed 41 complaints against the Trump administration since the president regained office in January. Campbell made clear that another may be coming if Trump tries to deploy troops here.

“Any time you file a lawsuit, it takes a lot of human capital resources and work,” the AG said. “And frankly, you have to be prepared beforehand, so we hope we never have to file anything.”

Healey said last month that sending the National Guard to major U.S. cities is a “waste of resources,” but the first-term Democrat declined to say if she was coordinating with any local officials or preparing any action in case Trump attempted to conduct a deployment in Massachusetts.

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Bay State Congressman Jim McGovern told the Herald last month that he had spoken to the Healey administration about a possible National Guard deployment.

Campbell said troops are designed to handle a “major flood, a major emergency” in the state. She added that she doesn’t know how equipped the National Guard is to accomplish what Trump wants it to.

“They’re not necessarily trained to show up in the city of Boston,” she said, “or the municipalities here in Massachusetts, to promote public safety, to investigate crimes, to respond appropriately.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

National Guard troops patrol the Mall in front of the White House last month as part of President Donald Trump’ss order to impose federal law enforcement in the nation’s capital. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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How will the Iran war impact gas prices in Massachusetts?

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How will the Iran war impact gas prices in Massachusetts?


With a widening conflict in the Middle East after the American and Israeli attack on Iran Saturday, global markets are bracing for a shakeup in the energy supply chain.

So, here at home, what can consumers expect at the gas pump?

An increase in oil prices is almost always followed by an increase in gas prices. And the oil market has already reacted to the war. NBC News reported on Sunday that U.S. crude oil initially spiked more than 10%, while Brent, the international oil benchmark, rose as much as 13%.

Early Monday morning, reports were coming in of black smoke rising from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City.

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While Iran’s oil reserves supply less than an estimated 5% of global production, the main concern is the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime passageway borders Iran at the bottleneck of the Persian Gulf, and more than 20% of the world’s oil passes through. If Iran closes or restricts Hormuz, the oil market could face severe disruptions.

Gas prices rise about 2.5 cents for every dollar increase in crude oil prices. As of Sunday, U.S. crude oil prices had already increased by nearly $5 a barrel.

“I fully expect that by Monday night, you could credibly say that gas prices are being impacted by oil prices having gone up,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan told NBC News.

GasBuddy characterizes their expectations for price increases as “incremental” rather than “explosive”. The group said to anticipate a potential 10-15 cent increase over the next couple of weeks.

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Body camera video shows Massachusetts police officer save 78-year-old man from burning truck – East Idaho News

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Body camera video shows Massachusetts police officer save 78-year-old man from burning truck – East Idaho News


EASTON, Mass. (WBZ) — Police body camera video shows an Easton, Massachusetts, officer rescuing a 78-year-old Raynham man from a burning car on Friday morning.

A Mack dump truck was experiencing problems on the side of Turnpike Street just after 2 a.m. when a Ford pickup truck struck the back of it, according to police.

The pickup truck then became stuck under the dump truck, trapping the driver, Francis Leverone, inside. A Toyota Camry then hit the back of the pickup truck and caught fire, police said.

Easton police officer Dean Soucie arrived at the crash and saw that the two vehicles were on fire. Video shows Soucie rushing over before breaking the driver’s side window and then, with the help of the two witnesses, freeing Leverone from the pickup truck. Soucie said he was confused but conscious.

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“As I reached inside the vehicle, one of the passersby — he actually jumped into the cab of the truck, and he helped me free the individual,” Soucie said.

They then carried the driver to safety.

Leverone was taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to a Boston hospital. He received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

No one else was injured in the crash.

Dee Leverone told WBZ her husband is doing OK. “I’m just thankful for the people that got him out,” she said. “Very thankful.”

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After watching the police body-cam video on the news she said, “I was shocked, I was like ‘Oh my God!’ I just couldn’t believe it. His truck is like melted.”

She says she realized that something was wrong last night when her husband never made it home from work.

“I kept trying to call him and call him, and I finally got a hold of him at like 4:30 a.m., and he was at (Good Samaritan Hospital) and he told me he’s gotten in an accident,” Dee said.

She says he’s recovering at the Boston Medical Center and being treated for a dislocated hip.

“He’s a trooper,” Dee said. “He’s a strong man — and you know he’s 78, but you know he’s a toughie. He definitely is a toughie.”

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Soucie commended the help of the two witnesses and said that before he arrived at the crash, they had attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher and removed a gasoline tank from the pickup truck before it could ignite.

“They jumped into action like it was nothing,” Soucie said. “Those two individuals were absolutely awesome.”

Easton Police Chief Keith Boone said that he is “extremely proud” of Soucie and the witnesses.

“He saved a life last night,” Chief Boone said. “He is an exemplary police officer and this is just one example. I think he’s a hero.”

Turnpike Street was closed for several hours following the crash. Easton Police are investigating.

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Crews battle fire at Townsend home

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Crews battle fire at Townsend home


A fire broke out Sunday morning in Townsend, Massachusetts.

The Townsend Fire department said shortly before 7 a.m. that firefighters were on scene for a structure fire on Dudley Road.

People have been asked to avoid the area.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said state police fire investigators assigned to the state fire marshal’s office are responding to assist the Townsend Fire Department.

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There was no immediate word on any injuries, or any information on what caused the fire. It’s also unclear if the large snow piles in the area impeded access to fire hydrants, as was the case at the house explosion in Taunton last week.

This developing story will be updated when we learn more



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