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DeSantis argues Iowa governor’s support may help him stop Trump — and labels his rivals as spoilers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ senior advisers are outlining a difficult path to the Republican presidential nomination that can succeed only by first denying former President Donald Trump “a big win” in Iowa, where the DeSantis campaign is promising to leverage the “vast statewide political operation” of his newest major endorser, Gov. Kim Reynolds.The memo, distributed late Monday to the campaign’s national donor network and to another group of uncommitted billionaires known as the American Opportunity Alliance, argues that other Republican candidates, including former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, are at best spoilers. Instead of cementing his place as Trump’s chief rival as many expected when he entered the race, DeSantis is locked in a distant second place in Iowa with Haley, who is gaining more interest from donors and voters heading into Wednesday’s third GOP debate. The memo, shared with The Associated Press, pointed to Reynolds’ sur...

Election Day in Miami-Dade: Races to watch and candidates on the ballot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

It’s Election Day in several Miami-Dade cities, with critical races and candidates making headlines. One of the most closely monitored contests is for the City of Miami Commission District 1 seat, which has garnered attention due to its former occupant, Alex Díaz de la Portilla, who is facing corruption charges, including money laundering and bribery, related to campaign payments.Díaz de la Portilla’s arrest and suspension by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis left his seat vacant. Now, four candidates, including Miguel Angel Gabela, Francisco “Frank” Pichel, Mercedes “Merci” Rodriguez, and Marvin Tapia, are vying for Díaz de la Portilla’s role. Despite facing criminal charges, Díaz de la Portilla has maintained his innocence, claiming that the accusations are politically motivated. “this is a work of fiction,” said Díaz de la Portilla after he bonded out on Sept. 14. “I’ll repeat it again: This is a work of fiction by dem...

Every bill in the King’s Speech, reviewed and rated

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

LONDON – This is the list of new laws Rishi Sunak hopes will save his skin come election-time.Tuesday’s King’s Speech — in which King Charles III read out the British government’s legislative agenda for the crucial pre-election term ahead — was packed with promises from Sunak’s Conservative Party.With the clock ticking down to an election which must be held before the end of January 2025, the King’s Speech was a chance for Sunak to set out his priorities and draw dividing lines with the opposition Labour Party, who are ascendant in the polls. The speech was divided under three headers — “strengthening society,” “growing the economy” and “keeping people safe.” Beyond that boilerplate, there was plenty to get stuck into. Here’s POLITICO’s bill-by-bill guide to what’s just been announced, what it all means — and how likely it is to trigger a political bunfight.‘Growing the economy’WPA pool photo by Joe Gidens/Getty ImagesOffshore Petroleum Licens...

Portuguese police raid Prime Minister António Costa’s residence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

Portuguese police raided Prime Minister António Costa’s official residence on Tuesday and detained his chief of staff, Vítor Escária, as part of a corruption investigation. The probe is linked to lithium exploration schemes in the north of Portugal and a green hydrogen mega-project in Sines. Police searches of the prime minister’s residence and the Ministries of Environment and Infrastructure are ongoing.This story is being updated.

Voters heading to polls to voice their choice in races across Mass.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

Bay State voters will be heading to the polls Tuesday to decide several key races, including who will occupy four Boston City Council seats, some big mayoral elections, and an open state Senate seat.Polls open at 7 a.m., elections are being held in 80 Massachusetts communities. In Boston, at least four city councilors will be replaced. Worcester, Revere, and Waltham are among the communities with mayoral elections, and there is a Special Election for the Worcester and Hampshire Senate district.Most polls close at 8 p.m.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest Election Day results.

Medway family back home in Mass. after being trapped in Gaza for weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

A family from Medway is back home in Massachusetts after weeks of uncertainty stuck in Gaza. The Okal family had been visiting relatives when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. The family was subsequently stranded in the area with limited power, food, and water. On Tuesday, a representative of the Okal family told 7NEWS Abood Okal, Wafaa Abuzayda and their 1-year-old son Yousef had finally landed at Logan Airport. At one point in recent weeks, the Okal family had been staying in a single-family house with 40 other people, including 10 Americans.After several failed attempts to escape, the family managed to safely cross into Egypt last week.The family representative said the family was incredibly thankful to be back in Medway.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Showers to Sun, Mild Today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

Early morning showers continue to zip through southern New England this morning as the steadiest rain is across Southeast Mass, through 9am. Near and north of the Mass Pike, showers are more isolated in nature to start the day. By 9am, most of the rain is offshore, with the exception of a lingering shower across the Cape. Even there, we’ll dry out late morning/afternoon. As we dry out, clouds break for some sun by midday. Temps jump up, spiking into the mid to upper 60s. The winds jump up too, gusting 25-35mph out of the southwest. Winds shift to the northwest tomorrow as colder air starts to pour in tonight. We stay chillier for the rest of the 7 day forecast as highs generally run below average as highs top off in the 40s to near 50. In fact, it’ll be cold enough Thursday morning that some sleet/snow will be in the mix across the interior, especially the higher terrain. Accumulations are minor, less than an inch, but certainly a sign of the seasons changing. For most ...

Rhode Island could elect its first Black representative to Congress

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

Rhode Island voters could make history Tuesday by electing the state’s first Black representative to Congress or return the seat last held by Republicans in the 1990s to a GOP candidate.Democrat Gabe Amo and Republican Gerry Leonard are vying for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District seat. The winner will fill the office left vacant when former Democratic Rep. David Cicilline stepped down this summer to become president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.Amo, 35, grew up in Pawtucket as the son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants. He emerged victorious from a crowded Democratic field in the September primary, claiming more than 32% of the vote.The former White House aide served in the Obama and Biden administrations, most recently as deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. He also served in the administration of former Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo.Amo, who went to Wheaton College and studied public policy at Oxford Univers...

Edwards scores 38, Wolves hand Celtics 1st loss with 114-109 OT victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored eight of his 38 points in overtime, and the Minnesota Timberwolves sent the Boston Celtics to their first loss of the season with a 114-109 win on Monday night.Jaden McDaniels added 20 points, and Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 12 rebounds as Minnesota improved to 4-0 at home in a third consecutive victory.Naz Reid scored 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter and helped the Timberwolves overcome foul trouble for Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with seven points in just 28 minutes before fouling out in overtime.“They’re a championship-level team,” Gobert said. “They find ways to always stay in the game, always never giving up. We did the same. A lot of things didn’t go our way, but whoever came on the floor was ready to do what we do, was ready to bring us something.”Jayson Tatum had 32 points and Jaylen Brown added 26 for the Celtics. Boston’s 6-0 start was its best since 2009-10.Kristaps Porzingis, who was questionable before the...

Governors’ races, abortion in Ohio and Virginia’s legislature are on the ballot. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:34 GMT

Off-year elections held Tuesday will decide governors in Kentucky and Mississippi, the fate of abortion and marijuana amendments in Ohio, legislative control in Virginia and mayoral races in two of the nation’s biggest cities. Follow along for the latest updates.What to knowThe Kentucky governor’s race nears the finish line after a hard-fought campaignMississippi voters weigh whether to replace the GOP governor with Elvis’ cousinVirginia’s governor calls the state’s legislative races the ‘most important elections in America’ Ohio voters will decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state’s constitution Polls begin to open on Election DayPolls have begun to open in a few states for off-year elections that could give hints of voter sentiment ahead of next year’s critical presidential contest.In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is hoping that his support of abortion rights will persuade voters in his Republican-leaning state to look ...