Cape Cod Lawmaker Fights 40-Year State Ban on Happy Hour Drinks
Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that prohibits restaurants from offering happy hour drink specials to lure in customers. State Senator Julian Cyr is on a mission to change that.
A Democrat whose district includes Cape Cod and Nantucket, Cyr earlier this year filed his third attempt to overturn Massachusetts ' more than 40-year-old ban on happy hours. The policy, he says, is outdated and undermines efforts to draw people back to downtowns diminished by the pandemic and the persistence of remote work.
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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Donald Trump Jr. backs Inna Vernikov for NYC Council in nasty GOP primary
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov has landed a potentially key endorsement from a big backer — Donald Trump Jr. — in her nasty Republican primary battle. Donald Jr. praised Vernikov as a MAGA fighter in a new campaign video as she seeks re-election, slamming her opponent, Democrat-turned Republican Ari Kagan, as a 'hack and fake Republican.' Vernikov and Kagan are battling to represent the heavily Jewish 48th council district in southern Brooklyn that covers Gravesend, Coney Island-Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, Midwood, Madison, Sheepshead Bay Manhattan Beach and Gerritsen Beach. Advertisement 3 Donald Trump Jr., son of the US president, speaks during The Bitcoin Conference at The Venetian Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 27, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'The constituents of Council District 48 are incredibly lucky to have Inna Vernikov — someone who, like our president, is a fighter who never backs down in the fight against the radical left's attempt to destroy New York City. And they tried hard,' President Trump's eldest son said in the ad. 'Inna has fought, fought and fought, and we want to make sure a political establishment hack and fake Republican doesn't succeed in his dangerous attempt to take away one of the strongest fighters we have in New York City,' Donald Jr. said. 'Let's keep the MAGA movement strong and together, only vote Inna. Get out there, and make it happen, guys.' Advertisement There is little question President Trump is a fan of Vernikov himself. The councilwoman met the president in 2022 and later released a photo of the pair standing together, smiling, with Trump flashing a thumb's up. Kagan, a former councilman, switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2022, saying his party had swung too far to the left. He lost his seat in a race against Democratic Councilman Justin Brannan in the neighboring 47th District in 2023 after a redistricting. Vernikov, 40, describes herself as a 'Ukrainian-born American Jew.' Advertisement 3 Ukrainian-born City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov met with President Donald Trump in 2022. Twitter/@InnaVernikov She was first elected in 2021, defeating the Democratic candidate, Steven Saperstein, in a landslide. On the council, she has accused CUNY and other college officials of failing to crack down on rising antisemitism on their campuses and slammed Russian aggression in Ukraine. She stirred controversy when she was caught on camera with a firearm in her waistband while observing an anti-Israel rally at Brooklyn College in 2023. A gun charge against her was dismissed after prosecutors said they couldn't cannot prove that the weapon was 'capable of firing bullets.' Advertisement Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters When the NYPD recovered the gun, it was both unloaded and 'inoperable,' missing the 'recoil spring assembly' that would have allowed it to fire bullets, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said at the time. Vernikov had a concealed carry permit, but it is illegal in New York to carry a firearm at sensitive locations such as protests or on school grounds. The 5'3″ conservative firebrand has taken self-defense classes in the skills of Krav Maga — a martial art developed for the Israel Defense Force that combines judo, karate, boxing, wrestling and aikido. 3 Donald Trump Jr. endorsed Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for a contentious city council primary. Paul Martinka Considered a rising star in the Republican Party, Vernikov was a keynote speaker at the 2022 state GOP convention. Kagan, 58, was born in Minsk, Belarus, and immigrated to New York City after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He has worked as a Russian language journalist, television and radio host. Advertisement Kagan dismissed the Donald Trump Jr. endorsement. 'I don't think he knows the details of local Republican politics. Inna has been an absentee council person,' Kagan said.
Politico
2 hours ago
- Politico
Trump should immediately push Russia sanctions, Sen. Blumenthal says
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to immediately push for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions against Russia. 'This moment cries out for presidential leadership. There is an urgency here,' the Connecticut Democrat said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' Speaking in a joint interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blumenthal urged Trump to move quickly: 'I think the president should call on the Senate to vote approval of the Russian sanctions bill literally tomorrow. He's on his way tonight to the G7 meeting. He will be sitting across from world leaders. Right now, very bluntly, the perception may be one of weakness in terms of America's position on Ukraine. He can be there in a position of strength.' A G7 meeting is getting under way in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada. Graham on Thursday made his case for the sanctions in an op-ed for Fox News. 'We now have over 84 Senate cosponsors and 70 House cosponsors of legislation to enact hard-hitting sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers,' he wrote. 'It is clear to me and virtually every sponsor of the Russia sanctions bill that the way we deal with Putin will either encourage or deter bad actors.' On Sunday, Graham and Blumenthal also discussed the Israel-Iran war. Both are eager to see any possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons eliminated. 'I would urge President Trump to go all in to make sure that when this operation is over, there's nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs, provide bombs,' Graham told host Margaret Brennan. Blumenthal added: 'A nuclear-armed Iran is a unacceptable threat to the world, not just to Israel, but to the United States as well. And I support Israel's right to defend itself against this existential menace. I'm very concerned right now about United States personnel in the region, our servicemen and women, but also the civilians that are there.' The Connecticut Democrat also said the country 'ought to strengthen sanctions against Iran.' Graham seconded that idea. 'I'll be your wingman. We'll write the bill right here on television. China, if you're listening, stop buying Russian oil, and stop helping the Iranians. You make the world a safer place if you would stop,' he told Brennan.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Minnesota Assassin Alert Issued in South Dakota as Manhunt Expands
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said on during an interview on Sunday that authorities believe Vance Boelter, the suspect in the assassination of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, is still in the Midwest. The senator said that authorities have put out an alert in South Dakota before adding that authorities believe Boelter may still be "in the vicinity," which means "in the Midwest." Newsweek reached out to the offices of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for comment outside of normal business hours on Sunday for comment. Why It Matters An assassin shot and killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning after posing as law enforcement to gain access to their home. The shooter had earlier that morning shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home, but the couple underwent surgery and are in stable condition at the hospital. Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination," and has enacted a significant manhunt across the state to try and catch Boelter whom authorities identified as a person of interest in the case. Boelter was last seen on security camera footage in a store in Minneapolis, wearing different clothing including a cowboy hat. Police found a list of possible targets in the suspect's vehicle, which named more than 50 individuals, including other politicians, some of whom are outside of Minnesota, abortion rights advocates, and abortion facilities. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto What To Know During an appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press, Klobuchardiscussed what updates have occurred on Sunday as the manhunt for Boelter continues, including the current scope of the investigation and Boelter's potential whereabouts. When asked if authorities believe Boelter may still be in Minnesota, Klobuchar said: "He may be. They've also put an alert out in South Dakota. You know, when I mean vicinity, I mean in the Midwest." "For a while they believed that he was in one certain area, and he may have been there for a while," the senator added. "So, they had thousands of homes in a shelter in place situation. Now they are continuing to look. And so, the FBI is asking for the public's help with a $50,000 award." Klobuchar noted the various changes in attire Boelter went through over just the first day of his flight, including his initial police-esque attire, which included what looked like some kind of rubber mask, and a later photo taken in Minneapolis, during which he wore a cowboy hat and plainclothes. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. FBI via AP "They are looking for him everywhere," Klobuchar said. "He is smart. He was able to impostor a police officer, soup up a car so it seemed like a police car. I know law enforcement has been very clear about this, that people should not approach him, that they should immediately call the tip lines and report. Because we believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him, but right now everyone is on edge here." She added: "We also know that he is clearly off-balance, from the manifesto on, some of his writings, some of the things that he has said recently, that he is someone that no one should mess with except for law enforcement." Klobuchar added to Walz's assertion that the killings are "politically motivated," and praised the unified response from the Minnesota delegation, which included Republicans and Democrats jointly condemning the attack. "It was politically motivated, and there clearly was some throughline with abortion because of the groups that were on the list, and other things that I've heard were in this manifesto. So that was one of his motivations," Klobuchar said. She continued: "But again, they're also checking out, did he have interaction somehow with these two legislators? Is there more to this? And I think for us right now, allowing law enforcement to do their jobs instead of speculating on every angle of where he might have gone. They obviously have information we don't have." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on X: "The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation. My heart goes out to Melissa's and Mark's two children and their families." He added: "I'm also praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette and wish them a full and speedy recovery. And I hope Minnesotans can offer grace, care, and kindness to each other in the days ahead." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in a statement on X wrote: "We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence - And I call on everyone to join me in that commitment. To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action. A State Bureau of criminal apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. Will not let fear win." What Happens Next? Anyone who sees any suspicious activity, "especially involving individuals impersonating law enforcement, please report it immediately," Bob Jacobson, Minnesota's commissioner of public safety, said during Saturday's press conference. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) announced on Saturday they are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. "Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him."
