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UMass Boston graduates surprised with $1,000 gifts at commencement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

UMass Boston students got a graduation gift to remember from their commencement speaker on Thursday in the form of $1,000 in cash. Quincy-based billionaire Rob Hale surprised the 2,500 graduates, giving each one a pair of envelopes continuing $500. Hale said he was inspired by the act of giving and wanted each student to also give back, keeping $500 for themselves and giving the remaining $500 to an organization or cause of their choosing. This was not the first time Hale has given away $1,000 to graduates. In 2021, he also gave graduates from Quincy College $1,000 each.

Orioles take series from Yankees with 3-1 victory behind dominant Kyle Gibson: ‘We’re one of those juggernauts’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

There were moments early in Kyle Gibson’s career that he looks back on and realizes he was too hard on himself, that he didn’t enjoy the thrill of life in the major leagues enough.But this season with the Orioles, “I’m trying to not have any of those times,” the veteran right-hander said Thursday after he provided Baltimore with seven scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in a 3-1 victory.The Orioles won their fourth straight series against American League East opponents, taking sets from each of the division’s other teams to pull off a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2016. Paired with winning two out of three in their final visit here last season, the Orioles have won consecutive series at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 2014.“I think we’re one of the best teams,” Gibson said. “We’re one of those juggernauts.“I don’t know that I can describe how much fun I’m having.”Gibs...

Kyle Hendricks goes 4⅓ innings in his 1st start for the Chicago Cubs in almost a year: ‘So fulfilling to get back out there’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

The buildup to Kyle Hendricks’ return to the Chicago Cubs went beyond the weeks and months that flipped by, intertwined with the highs and lows of a grueling rehab process.Even the typically unflappable Hendricks admitted to an emotional Thursday leading up to his first big-league start in nearly 11 months. It all came down to managing everything within the buildup: his emotions, the speed of the game and execution of pitches.“It was just so fulfilling to finally get back out there on that field,” Hendricks said. “See the fans, run out on the field with my teammates, just the little things. I took it all in. You don’t take that for granted.”Two hours before Hendricks stepped on the mound against the New York Mets, pitching coach Tommy Hottovy outlined one goal he had for the veteran.It didn’t center on numbers — pitching line or velocity — but rather how Hendricks would respond to adversity in what wound up as a 10-1 Cubs loss.&#...

Celtics are feeling the Sox’ vibe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

Asked what his team’s mindset was going into Thursday’s Game 5 against the Miami Heat, Celtics coach Joe Mazzula was succinct in his answer.“Just win or die,” said the first-year coach.Well, the Celts are a long way from living the life they should be, but they are not dead yet.Maybe it’s the fact that the pressure is momentarily off them. Perhaps it’s a matter of pride kicking after being rag-dolled by their notoriously forgiving fan base after their pathetic no-show performance in Game 3 down in Miami that put them in an 0-3 hole. Or maybe they’ve finally come to the realization that they are the better team.But it’s a series now, and suddenly the Celtics have that 2004 Red Sox vibe. There is belief now that the Celts can make history like their baseball brethren and become the first team in NBA history to climb out of the 3-0 series deficit, getting it back to 3-2 with a 110-97 victory at the Garden.That the C’s, like the Sox, would be th...

Thursday’s high school roundup/scores: Brendan Collier to coach Malden Catholic hockey team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

Malden Catholic announced that former MC great Brendan Collier will take over as head boys hockey coach. Collier helped guide the Lancers to Super 8 titles in 2011 and 2012, netting the game-winning goal in the 2011 Super 8 final. He went on to play his college hockey at Boston University and Providence.“I am extremely thrilled and grateful to return home to Malden Catholic and I’m very excited about the opportunity to lead these young athletes,” Collier said. “Malden Catholic has a rich and storied hockey program history and having experienced two Super 8 championships myself when I attended the school, I understand the overwhelming pride and value that ensues from being part of MC’s tradition of excellence. I look forward to building upon the school’s legacy of success.”In other coaching news, Newton South named former Newton North basketball great Corey Lowe as its new boys basketball coach. A two-time member of the Boston Herald Dream Team, Lowe helped lead the Tigers to back-to...

Hyundai and LG announce $4.3 billion plant in Georgia to build batteries for electric vehicles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Hyundai and LG Energy Systems announced Thursday they will build a $4.3 billion electric battery plant on the site of Hyundai Motor Group’s new electric vehicle assembly plant in southeast Georgia.The companies will split the investment, starting production as early as late 2025. The companies didn’t say how many people would work at the plant.Hyundai said it wants to “further accelerate its electrification efforts in North America.” The South Korean automaker said in 2022 it would build a $5.5 billion plant to assemble electric vehicles and batteries in Ellabell, near Savannah. The site could grow to 8,100 employees and is slated to begin producing vehicles in 2025.It’s the second huge electric battery plant that Hyundai is partnering to build in Georgia. Hyundai and SK On, a unit of South Korea’s SK Group, announced in December they would jointly invest $4 billion to $5 billion to build a new plant northwest of Atlanta that would supply elect...

Chicago woman injured as French bulldog is stolen at gunpoint

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is searching for her French bulldog after it was stolen at gunpoint while she was on a walk Wednesday evening on the Northwest Side of Chicago.It happened around 7:45 p.m. in the 5800 block of West Giddings Street. Evergreen Park church cancels carnival set for June due to safety concerns Alicja Pierzchala was walking her six-year-old French bulldog, Peppa, when she was attacked at gunpoint, injured and Peppa was taken. "All of the sudden, in blink of an eye, I just passed two houses, he was standing behind me like pushing, this was instantly," Alicja said. "'Give me the dog,' someone pushed me and gun I felt, pain in my chest."She said the man then grabbed her dog and when she tried to help Peppa, he put the gun to her head."I wanted to help her and then he put gun to my forehead and right away hit me in my right shoulder," she said. PeppaAlicja said she adopted Peppa just two months ago from a family."I adopted her two months ago," Alicja said. "The owners want...

As legislative sessions ending soon, schools still need state funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the legislative session ending soon, there is a lot of attention on school funding.Heading into the session, school districts had high hopes that lawmakers would increase the basic allotment, helping students and teachers in districts across the state, but now many who have pushed for more funding are upset.”The state is woefully underfunding our public schools,” said Ovidia Molina, Texas State Teachers Association President. ”We had hopes that with a $33 billion budget surplus, that something would be done to keep our educators in the profession.”Many districts have made moves to increase salaries as inflation and cost of living have increased around Central Texas.Earlier this month Austin ISD increased salaries by 7% after struggling to keep teachers in the district.Leander ISD is also looking to increase salaries, but is waiting to see what happens in the legislature.”You obviously want to take care of your employees that is your top priority,” said Pete Pap...

EEOC accuses Cottage Grove Culver’s franchisee of allowing extensive workplace harassment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week sued the owner of a Cottage Grove Culver’s fast food restaurant, alleging the company allowed its employees to harass their coworkers with racial and homophobic slurs, unwanted sexual advances and other abusive behavior.In a pair of lawsuits filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, the EEOC accused R&G Endeavors of failing to address reports by several employees that they were mistreated by their coworkers at its Culver’s on Hardwood Avenue in Cottage Grove. One of the suits also alleges the company paid disabled employees less than their coworkers.The EEOC is seeking a court order forcing the company to prevent future violations of labor law, along with monetary compensation for the affected employees.Diane Smason, acting district director of the EEOC’s Chicago district, said in a news release that employers are required by law “to take prompt and effective action to stop harassment on the job.”R...

Andrew Stevenson showcasing his speed for the Saints and Twins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:59 GMT

Saints outfielder Andrew Stevenson is an under-the-radar candidate to join the Twins before season’s end, and the reason has everything to do with speed.Stevenson leads the Saints with 16 stolen bases, and with baseball attempting to make the stolen base a more prominent part of the game, Stevenson’s talents definitely “play up.”“Pretty much any time I get on I’m looking to run,” Stevenson said prior to the Saints’ 8-6 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday night at CHS Field. “But I’m not just running to run, I’m looking for certain spots, picking out certain things pitchers do. That goes back to doing research before the game and having a game plan going in.”Oh, and he can hit, too. Stevenson delivered a bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning and continued on to score on a throwing error as the Saints rallied for the victory. He has hit safely in 13 straight games and has raised his batting average to .289.The 28-year-old Stevenson, a second-round draft pick by the Washing...