Latest news with #Standard-Times
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Massachusetts lawmaker wants to ban octopus farms in the state. Here's what he has to say
NEW BEDFORD – State Rep. Chris Hendricks says he's not against enjoying a well-prepared dish featuring octopus but that the aquaculture farming of the brainy cephalopods would be unsuitable. The New Bedford Democrat's bill, H.127, would prohibit farming them for human consumption and would pack an up to $1,000-per-day penalty. It would also prohibit the sale of farmed octopus in Massachusetts. The law would not apply to wild-caught octopuses or octopuses raised for research purposes. Similar bans have been passed in Washington and California, and are being considered in Oregon, Hawaii, Connecticut and New Jersey. While there are no octopus farms in the United States yet, there is one proposed by Nueva Pescanova in Spain's Canary Islands that has stirred opposition. It would raise about 1 million octopuses per year in 1,000 indoor tanks. Hendricks testified on behalf of his bill before the Joint Committee on Agriculture on May 13, saying octopuses have been shown to possess rare sentience. They've demonstrated problem-solving skills, play activity, and long- and short-term memory. They have 500 million neurons that make up their brain, which are located throughout their bodies, Hendricks said. They also have a capacity for suffering that would be exacerbated by being raised in crowded, barren tanks. Critics of the proposed Canary Islands farm have said that octopuses are solitary creatures by nature, not meant to be jammed together. There are environmental consequences, as well. They excrete ammonia, which would require either space or immense amounts of water to flush out tanks. It would wreak havoc on the wild population, Hendricks added. For one thing, it would lower the price of octopus and spur overfishing. Hendricks said the committee seemed open to giving the bill a fair appraisal. 'This animal is for so many reasons unsuitable for that type of factory farming,' he said. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Rep. Hendricks: Factory farming intelligent octopi should be banned
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
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Standard-Times reporter wins state award
Standard-Times reporter Rosanna Fraire has garnered statewide recognition for her video journalism. Her award for a video produced in 2024 was announced April 26 at the annual Texas Managing Editors convention in San Antonio. The Standard-Times competed in the category for 1A newspaper and web-only news organizations. Fraire won second place from TME in the video category for 1A for "Meals for the Elderly delivers annual holiday meals" about a San Angelo nonprofit providing Christmas meals to disabled, older residents to bring them holiday joy with a homecooked meal. The video was part of a package including an article and photos about Meals for the Elderly and the nonprofit's Christmas meal program. Fraire has worked for the newspaper for almost six years and has over eight years of journalism experience. Her beats include business, breaking news, events, local government and more. More: San Angelo artist adding her own 'pop of color' to hometown More: Sheriff's Office locates missing woman, her dog in Grape Creek This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Standard-Times reporter Rosanna Fraire wins state award
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fairhaven man arrested for road rage incident involving loaded gun
FAIRHAVEN —Fairhaven Police arrested a man related to a road rage incident involving a loaded firearm that he allegedly pointed at another motorist on Thursday, April 17, according to a press release. Lt. Timothy Souza reported that the 33-year-old Fairhaven man was arrested and faces charges of: Carrying a loaded firearm without a license to carry Possession of ammunition without an FID Assault with a dangerous weapon Fairhaven Police received a call from the victim at 7:17 a.m. on April 17, stating that he was driving east on Route 6 in the area of Shaw Road when a white Dodge Caravan pulled up beside him. The victim stated that the lone occupant of the Caravan pointed a handgun at him and his male passenger, who were heading to work at the time, according to the release. The white Caravan then sped off east into Mattapoisett. Mattapoisett Police located the white Caravan a short while later and pulled it over in the area of 88 North St. in Mattapoisett. Fairhaven Police responded to that location, found the man in possession of a loaded firearm, and placed him under arrest. The man was to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Fairhaven man arrested for allegedly pointing gun at a motorist
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
New Bedford man arrested for A&B with a dangerous weapon after downtown fight
NEW BEDFORD — Patrol officers arrested a man for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury following a fight downtown. On Wednesday, April 16, officers responded to a call for a stabbing victim in the area of the Elm Street and Purchase Street intersection, according to a press release. Upon arrival, the officers were able to determine that an adult man had sustained a severe laceration to his arm and two other minor wounds to his body. The suspect had since fled the scene. A description was provided to the assisting units, who then began a search of the area. Shortly thereafter, Officer Jenny Roman located the suspect at the SRTA bus terminal, and the 46-year-old man was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. The man is currently on probation out of New Bedford District Court. He has an extensive criminal history with 43 adult arraignments and previous convictions for a variety of offenses including distribution of class B substance, assault and battery, malicious destruction of property, intimidation, and strangulation, according to the press release. The victim is expected to recover. The arresting officer was Officer Jenna Touchette If you have any information you would like to give the police, you can do so anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or visiting the police website and leaving a tip. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedord man with extensive record arrested for AB
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
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Gov. Healey, state reps introduce proposals to ban broker fees: What to know
If you've moved recently, you may know the pain of having to pay a broker fee on top of all your other moving costs. In Massachusetts, a broker fee is typically about a month's rent that renters are required to pay before moving in. For a one-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts at the median rent of $2,500, broker's fees in addition to other move in costs means a renter is expected to pay nearly $10,000 up front. But Gov. Maura Healey and some members of the legislature want to end this practice. Both Healey and state Rep. Tackey Chan, D-Quincy, have filed proposals to end broker fees. A broker fee is a sum of money that brokers charge tenants for their assistance finding an apartment. They are an upfront, one-time payment that can be as high as 15% of the annual rent. In Massachusetts, they are usually about one month's rent. Brokers used to connect tenants to landlords by listing units in publications, answering questions and setting up tours. But in the age of Zillow, in most cases, brokers no longer play as large of a role in the apartment search. Supporters of broker fees say that the fees make sure that brokers are fairly compensated. If the cost is shifted onto the landlords, they say that rents may increase. However, opponents say that the fees add an undue financial burden onto renters, especially if the renters are doing most of the work to find the apartment themselves. In late January, Healey included a proposal in an outside section of her annual budget plan to eliminate renter-paid broker fees. 'Broker fees are an unfair cost for renters, and they should not be on the hook to pay for someone they didn't hire,' said Healey in a statement. 'We're proud to be proposing this change that will save renters thousands of dollars – making it possible for more young people, seniors and families to stay in Massachusetts, help businesses attract the best talent, and put more money back in people's pockets for groceries, health care, and other needs.' Her proposal would require that the fee be paid by whichever party hires the broker, which is usually the landlord. State representative Chan also filed a bill in the legislature that would do the same. It uses the same language as Healey's proposal. 'Any fee shall only be paid by the party, lessor or tenant who originally engaged and entered into a contract with the licensed broker or salesperson,' reads Bill H.335 and the governor's proposal. Healey's proposal would have to be approved by the state legislature to go though, as would the bill. If Massachusetts bans broker fees, they would be following the example of places like New York City. New York passed a law last December to make landlords responsible for broker fees. It's set to take effect in June. Many other major U.S. cities don't have tenant paid broker fees. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Will Massachusetts ban broker fees this year? What to know
