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Pennsylvania House Dems propose new expulsion rules after remote voting by lawmaker facing a warrant

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania House Democrats on Thursday proposed a process to determine if state representatives are “incapacitated” and to sanction or expel them, moving in the wake of intense criticism after one of their members voted remotely this week while being sought on charges he violated a restraining order.

The resolution introduced by Majority Leader Matt Bradford of Montgomery County would establish a new group consisting of five House leaders to determine if a representative is impaired physically or mentally so that they are not able to perform their duties.

REPUBLICAN’S RESIGNATION BREAKS PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEADLOCK, HANDS DEMS CONTROL

His proposed rules change is a response to voting during this week’s legislative session by state Rep. Kevin Boyle, a Philadelphia Democrat who faces an arrest warrant on allegations he violated a restraining order. Details about the warrant have not been released, and Boyle has not responded to phone messages seeking comment left Thursday and earlier this week.

Pennsylvania House Democrats are proposing a process to determine if state representatives are “incapacitated” and to sanction or expel them.  (FOX News)

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A Philadelphia Police spokeswoman, Officer Tanya Little, said Thursday afternoon Boyle is not in custody.

Boyle lost his committee chairmanship and Capitol access privileges in February after a videotaped episode at a Montgomery County bar where he was aggressively rude to the staff and appeared intoxicated.

Boyle’s status carries significant implications for the power balance in the 203-member House, currently with a 102—100 Democratic majority and a special election next week for the vacancy, a Republican-leaning district in the Pocono Mountains.

Republican leaders have decried Boyle’s ability to vote remotely, telling reporters Wednesday that House Democrats should have simply put Boyle on leave and accusing their Democratic counterparts of allowing Boyle to vote remotely to preserve their thin majority.

Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, a Lancaster County Republican, called Bradford’s proposal a complicated answer to a simple problem. He asked Democrats to stop Boyle from voting “until this issue is finally resolved.”

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“Pennsylvania House Democrats continue to use this tragedy to further the tyranny of their majority and that is shameful,” Cutler said in a statement. The House returns to session April 29.

A Republican from Fayette County, Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, announced on Wednesday she was working on a proposal to change House rules to prevent anyone from voting remotely if they are incarcerated or facing an active arrest warrant. And the only Republican in the House from Philadelphia, Rep. Martina White, said her office has been fielding calls from Boyle’s constituents because his nearby district office hasn’t been responding.

Boyle, 44, is currently facing a primary opponent as he seeks an eighth term in the House. His brother is U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat from a Philadelphia district.

Kevin Boyle was charged three years ago with harassment and violation of a protection from abuse order after showing up at his wife’s house, charges that were subsequently dropped. His attorney at the time described it as a “domestic issue” that did not involve allegations of violence. Kevin Boyle later said he was treated at a mental health facility.

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Bradford’s proposal would allow targeted lawmakers to participate, with a lawyer, in the inquiry that would be done by the speaker, minority and majority leaders, and minority and majority caucus chairpersons. The group would meet in secret and could direct that the lawmaker whose status is in question be examined by doctors or psychologists. It would have subpoena power.

If the group would deem a House member to be incapacitated and unable to perform their duties, it would be up to a vote of the full House to decide whether to limit their powers and privileges, suspend them without pay or expel them. If the lawmaker hasn’t been expelled and has completed treatment, they could ask to get their powers or status back.

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Maine

Maine Bowling Alley Reopens 6 Months After Mass Shooting: 'The Community Has Been Phenomenal'

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Maine Bowling Alley Reopens 6 Months After Mass Shooting: 'The Community Has Been Phenomenal'


The Lewiston, Maine, bowling alley where a mass shooting occurred in October has reopened, reports the Associated Press, The Washington Post and New York Daily News.

Justin and Samantha Juray, owners of Just-In-Time Recreation, opened the doors of the venue on Friday, May 3, six months after the state’s deadliest shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13. 

Gunman Robert Card killed eight people at the Jurays’ bowling alley and then drove to a nearby bar, Schemengees Bar and Grille, and killed 10 more people. He later died by suicide. 

“It’s never going to leave my head,” Samantha, 34, said, per AP. “I think if we don’t move forward — not that there was a point to this whole thing anyway — but we’re just going to allow the people that have taken so much from us win.”

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Still, Justin, 43, said he was hesitant about reopening the bowling alley —that was until the Lewiston community supported the pair.

Kathy Lebel, owner of Schemengees Bar & Grille, also hopes to reopen her establishment but at a different location.

Lewiston bowling alley on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Lewiston, Maine. (.

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty


Several patrons attended the reopening, including people like Colin, who was at the bowling alley the night of the mass shooting. Colin went to Friday’s event with his mother and father, John Robinson.

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“I can’t say how great this day is,” Robinson said, per AP. “An opportunity to celebrate their lives. To celebrate the rebirth of Just-In-Time.”

Employee Tom Giberti also told the outlet that people are “so excited to get us back.”

“The community has been phenomenal,” he said. “They’ve been right here for us, they’ve been supporting us.”

Giberti, 70, is one of the heroic community members who saved the lives of at least four children that day. Before he could get himself to safety, he took the children between the lanes to an area behind the bowling pins. 

He was shot in both legs a total of five times and hit with shrapnel. He underwent surgery and now shows very few signs of his injuries, according to AP.

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Police presence at Schemengees Bar where a mass shooting occurred in Lewiston, Maine on October 26, 2023.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images


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Among the eight people who were killed were two Just-In-Time staff members. A majority of the staff have returned to work.

The bowling alley honored those who died by displaying photos of the eight people who lost their lives at Just-In-Time, and bowling pins with the names of the 18 shooting victims behind the front desk.

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Additionally, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America gave the venue a new scoring system, new automatic bumpers, and gutters. It also provided a seasoned expert who fixes bowling machines to spend a week at the site, per The Washington Post.

There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, with Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline celebrating the reopening. “This is us, standing back up again,” said Sheline. “With all of you here, it’s very clear. Lewiston can never be kept down.”

“You’re the reason,” Justin added. “This is why. This is why we decided to reopen.”



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Massachusetts

Massachusetts lotto player wins second $1 million prize in just 10 weeks

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Massachusetts lotto player wins second $1 million prize in just 10 weeks


A Massachusetts woman miraculously cashed in her second $1 million lottery ticket in just 10 weeks.

Christine Wilson, of Attleborough, struck gold again playing the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “100X Cash” $10 instant ticket game, lottery officials announced on Wednesday.

She had purchased the ticket at Family Food Mart in Mansfield, which will receive $10,000 for selling the big winner. 

Christine Wilson won her second $1 million lottery prize in 10 weeks. masslottery.com

Family Food Mart in Mansfield, MA
Wilson purchased the winning ticket at the Food Mart in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Google Maps

Just over 2 months ago, Wilson claimed a $1 million prize off a “Lifetime Millions” $50 instant ticket on Feb. 23. She had purchased that ticket at Dubs’s Discount Liquors in Mansfield.

She decided to receive both of her prizes in the form of lump cash payments of $650,000 each — before taxes.

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Wilson told the Massachusetts State Lottery after the first win that she planned to buy a new SUV, which she did.

Following her second $1 million win, she said she’ll put the money in savings.



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New Hampshire

New Hampshire state trooper injured in early morning crash – Newport Dispatch

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New Hampshire state trooper injured in early morning crash – Newport Dispatch


BARTLETT — A New Hampshire State Trooper was injured in a single-car crash early Thursday morning on Route 302.

Sgt. Nathan Johnston, a 20-year veteran of the State Police, was traveling eastbound at approximately 3:20 a.m. when his cruiser veered off the road and struck a utility pole, causing utility wires to fall.

Johnston, who was on duty at the time, managed to call for assistance himself.

Responders from the Bartlett Fire Department, Bartlett Police Department, State Police, and utility companies arrived on the scene.

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After ensuring that the downed power lines were no longer live, they were able to safely extract Johnston from the wreckage.

He was transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Traffic near the crash site is expected to face delays for several hours as repairs to the damaged utility pole are underway.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

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