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Manhole explosions in Cambridge send flames shooting onto Harvard Square, closing area to traffic

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

Parts of Harvard Square were closed to both vehicle and foot traffic throughout the day after multiple manhole explosions sent flames shooting into the air Wednesday morning.The Cambridge Fire Department said crews were originally called to the area of 27 Brattle Street before 8:45 a.m. for reports of a structure fire, only to soon discover heavy smoke billowing from the ground.By 9 a.m., firefighters were checking for exposure to surrounding buildings, with both Cambridge police officers and Transit Police Department personnel also responding. A short time later on Twitter, the Cambridge Police Department said Harvard Square was shut down to pedestrians and vehicles as crews continued to monitor the situation. Image provided by the Cambridge Police DepartmentIn a citywide alert, the police department referred to the incident as a “manhole explosion” while noting that no injuries had been reported. Authorities later said in a news conference that two explosions were co...

Artificial intelligence comes to classrooms as a tool for students, teachers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

It’s time to head back to school, and this year a high-tech assistant may join your child as teachers and students utilize artificial intelligence in the classroom.Uptown science teacher Bonnie Nieves is getting her classroom ready for a new school year at Nipmuc Regional High School. She’s preparing for artificial intelligence, or AI, which can process large amounts of data fast.“I don’t wanna say it’s magic because as a scientist, we know there is no such thing, but it’s incredible how quickly students can get useful feedback when an AI has been trained to do things that the teacher’s looking for,” Nieves said.While some may be wary of the new technology, she’s ready to embrace it.“Sometimes it’s better to let a machine do things and then other times it’s better to do things yourself,” she said. She said AI shouldn’t be used for easy answers but as a tool to help students.“It’s an idea generator,” Nieves said. “’What are 10 topi...

City, state leaders tour Sumner Tunnel ahead of scheduled reopening

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

City and state leaders headed into the Sumner Tunnel Wednesday to tour the tunnel ahead of its expected reopening on Friday after a nearly two-month shutdown for repairs.The Sumner Tunnel closed on July 5 to make way for rehab work on the tunnel’s ceiling, pavement and lighting, bringing a new ventilation system, 500 new lights and new fireproof boards on walls.Weeks after the closure Gov. Maura Healey this week thanked crews working on the project as well as commuters impacted by the tunnel shutdown.“It’s not easy when you tell folks that we’re going to shut down an entire tunnel, a main throughway, a gateway to the city for a two month period,” Healey told reporters. “But I really appreciate people’s patience with our efforts.”The 88-year-old Sumner Tunnel serves as a link between downtown Boston and East Boston. Its extended closure this summer prompted major traffic concerns and a corresponding series of mitigation efforts by city and state officials. With the tunnel now set to ...

Rain is out, Sun is in

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

It was a soggy and gloomy start as a lot of students headed back to school today! Luckily, the weather will be much better for their second day with low humidity, more sun and comfortable temperatures tomorrow. Warmer this weekend. Then get ready for the best 7-day forecast we’ve seen in awhile!Overnight, we’ll be mainly clear and comfortable. Great conditions for checking out the Super Blue Moon! Tomorrow, we’ll have some high clouds in the morning, then we’ll see a lot of sunshine in the afternoon. It’ll feel nice with less humidity and temperatures in the 70s, just a bit breezy at times.It’ll be a cool day at the beaches. Keep in mind, swells from Hurricane Franklin will continue to bring high surf and an elevated risk for rip currents, especially on south facing beaches.Hurricane Franklin and Hurricane Idalia will take paths through the open ocean and weaken into the weekend. For us, ridging aloft will promote warming not just for the holiday ...

Officials announce 25-day Green Line Union Branch closure starting mid-September

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

The Union Branch of the Green Line is shutting down starting Sept. 18 to allow for repair work on Squires Bridge, the MassDOT announced. Service will be terminated from Lechmere to Union Square for 25 days, ending the shutdown on Oct. 13. Initially, the closure was going to begin in July for 42 days but was postponed after local leaders raised concerns. The rescheduled termination of service from Lechmere to Union Square is now 25 days long.There will be no shuttle buses, and officials said service could be supplemented between the 86, 91, and CT2 bus routes that travel between Union Square and East Somerville Station.

Orioles can’t hold early lead as Kyle Gibson sputters in 10-5 loss to White Sox

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

The Orioles comfortably won the first two games of their series with the hapless Chicago White Sox thanks to a bevy of late scoring. The runs at last came early in Wednesday’s series finale, but they also went to waste.Baltimore ended a strong homestand and month disappointingly, falling 10-5 to the White Sox in the club’s last game of August. Provided four first-inning runs, Orioles starter Kyle Gibson gave them right back in what devolved into another noncompetitive outing from the veteran right-hander.Gibson has provided a quality start in eight of his past 15 appearances, including eight strong innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in his last time out. But in his other seven starts in that span, Gibson’s ERA is 10.70. On Wednesday, he allowed seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings, giving up three home runs for the second time in four starts.Gibson signed a one-year, $10 million contract over the winter to provide much-needed experience to Baltimore’s rota...

Jake DeBrusk hopes to remain a Bruin, not enter free agency next summer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

Less than a year from now, Jake DeBrusk could be one of the hottest commodities on the open market. Or he could be ready to start what should be a long-term, lucrative contract with the Bruins.Right now, it’s anyone’s guess which way that goes. But in speaking with NHL.com at the Perry Pearn 3 vs. 3 Hockey Camp, DeBrusk – scheduled to become a UFA next summer – expressed his desire to remain with the team that took him in the first round of the 2015 draft (14th overall).“I’m hoping to stay. It’s the only team that I know and the team that I grew up with,” DeBrusk said on Tuesday. “Hopefully it goes in that direction, and we’ll see how it goes. That’s why I have an agent (Rick Valette), and I told him I wanted to stay out of this one and in time, it’ll be nice when it all gets done.”Rarely does a player in DeBrusk’s situation declare “I want out” in such a setting, though DeBrusk figuratively did just that two ye...

What travelers should know when visiting the Caribbean for the first time

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

Lacey Pfalz | TravelPulse (TNS)The Caribbean is a beautiful region of the world, but if you’re traveling to the area for the first time, a few tips will make your travels even better.So what do you need to know when traveling to the Caribbean for the first time?Not all islands are the sameBefore the title concerns you, know: this is a good thing!Firstly, entry requirements will differ depending upon where you’re traveling. Passports, for example, aren’t necessary when traveling to a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are necessary for other islands, most of which are independent nations.Some island nations also require electronic travel forms or additional entry fees, so utilize your preferred travel adviser or do your due research.Don’t be confused by some names, too: Dominica is not the Dominican Republic, and there is a big difference between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.It’s important to do your research on these things ...

Prince Harry surprises guests at screening in Chula Vista

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Guests attending a private screening of the upcoming Netflix documentary series "Heart of Invictus" received a surprise Monday, an appearance by the Duke of Sussex himself.Prince Harry shocked attendees at the AMC 10 theater in Chula Vista, greeting guests and watching the screening with the crowd.The documentary series follows a group of athletes as they prepare for the 2022 Invictus Games, a sporting event founded by Prince Harry for wounded service members, according to Netflix.The screening was held for service members with the Navy Wounded Warrior Program, according to an Instagram from the USO.Harry spoke to the audience about the sacrifices veterans and their families make while serving their countries and how he didn’t have the support he needed when he returned home from combat in AfghanistanThe five-episode "Heart of Invictus" debuted on Netflix on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Arrests made, victim identified in trolley stop stabbing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Two suspects were arrested in connection to last week's fatal stabbing at a trolley stop in Logan Heights, said the San Diego Police Department.The victim -- now identified by authorities as 70-year-old Michael Goodin of San Diego -- suffered a stab wound to his chest near the Harbor Drive trolley around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called in and have been investigating the matter. SDPD says detectives have learned the victim got involved in a brief verbal argument with a small group of people in the moments before a fight broke out.   Brother of Encanto shooting suspect talks to FOX 5 During this altercation, authorities say the victim was stabbed at least one time in the chest and beaten. The suspect group reportedly fled the area.  Detectives have now identified 36-year-old Rafael Chavarria and 29-year-old Angelo Soto Vargas as suspects in this case, according to SDPD.&nb...