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Chicago Bears free-agency news: Veteran defensive tackle Andrew Billings signs a 1-year, $3.5 million deal

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

In his second offseason with the Chicago Bears, general manager Ryan Poles has plenty of salary-cap space to rework a roster that finished 3-14 in 2022.With the NFL’s new league year now here, allowing free agents to begin signing with new teams, the Tribune will track all of the Bears’ arrivals and departures and provide insight into what they mean.The free-agency negotiation window opened across the league at 11 a.m. Monday. Unrestricted free agents could finalize deals when the new league year began at 3 p.m. Wednesday.Column: After adding 5 new starters, Bears GM Ryan Poles can wait for prices to fall in free agencyColumn: Bears’ aggressive start to free agency has one common thread — young players entering their prime yearsWhat headline-grabbing move is next? 5 Bears questions before free agency.Column: Ryan Poles checked a big box on the Bears’ offseason list with his bold trade. Now comes the hard part.Bears trade the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL d...

Giants sign Colts WR Parris Campbell to one-year contract worth up to $6.7 million: sources

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

The Giants signed Indianapolis Colts free agent wide receiver Parris Campbell on Thursday to a one-year contract worth up to $6.7 million on Thursday, sources told the Daily News.It’s a $4.7 million contract that includes a $3 million base amount and $1.7 million in per game roster bonuses, plus $2 million more available in incentives, sources said.Campbell, 25, a former second round draft pick from Ohio State, is a speedy and versatile wideout who can play both outside and inside in Brian Daboll’s offense.He is coming off a career-best season with 63 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns.“Fast, physical guy and a great leader,” new Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke said Thursday of Campbell, his former Colts teammate. “He’s always had elite speed.”Campbell’s signing follows the Giants’ Tuesday trade for Raiders tight end Darren Waller to upgrade Daniel Jones’ weapons in the pass game. And GM Joe Schoen isn’t done....

MIAA state girls tournament preview and picks

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

One year after coming up just short, Andover is looking to finish the job.The No. 1 Golden Warriors will take the floor for Friday night’s Division 1 state final unbeaten and looking to avenge last year’s state final defeat. Anna Foley has been one of the top players in Massachusetts all seasonas her size and footwork makes her a nightmare down low. Alongside Foley are Amelia Hanscom, Marissa Kobelski and Kathleen Yates.In order for Andover to take home the crown, however, they will have to take down a Bishop Feehan team that gave it fits in the Comcast Tournament. The Shamrocks have plenty of depth with Samantha Reale, Madelyn Steel and Charlotte Adams-Lopez all capable of providing key impacts.Division 2 promises to be one of the top games of the weekend as Dracut and superstar Ashlee Talbot take on Foxboro. The Middies have a strong cast around Talbot, including Emma Felker and defensive stalwart Amaya Alkassar.Foxboro is no stranger to the big stage and owns a 19-gam...

BPS lays out transportation bus contract, accountability demands

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

BPS has laid out a thorough explanation of the new transportation contract with controversial incumbent-bidder Transdev — finally providing fuller answers to questions long-raised by watchdog investigators and a skeptical community.“We have put out a contract that requires (Transdev) to put their money where their mouth is,” BPS Transportation Director Daniel Rosengard said. “They have shown us and told us that they are willing to take on that challenge and that they believe they can continue to improve and hit the performance targets that we’ve set.”The contract was awarded to Transdev, the only bidder and BPS’s current transportation provider,  for a five-year term with the option of three one-year extensions at $17.5 million in December. BPS has presented the finalized version, including a long list of accountability measures.Major areas of adjustment in the contract, Assistant Director of Contract Operations and Fleet Jackie Hayes said, ...

Key additions on defense — but what’s next for offensive line? Brad Biggs’ 6 thoughts off Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles’ availability.

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

Six thoughts after Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles conducted a brief media availability Thursday morning, recapping the trade of the No. 1 overall pick and the team’s initial foray into free agency.1. Like it or not, Ryan Poles will be linked to the 2023 draft’s No. 1 pick for years to come.If the Carolina Panthers select a quarterback that becomes a superstar, it will be the player Poles could have had. If another team finds a quarterback later in the draft that reaches the upper echelon — like the Kansas City Chiefs did in 2017 when Patrick Mahomes was the 10th pick and second passer chosen — it will be the player Poles could have had.Staying the path with Justin Fields and building around him makes sense for Poles and the Bears, and that is why continuing to surround the QB with talent and executing the trade to add wide receiver DJ Moore is easy to understand.“To add capital this year in the draft as well as the future and set ourselves up ...

Trump lead over DeSantis grows, Quinnipiac poll shows

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the Republican party, according to the latest polling out of Quinnipiac University.“DeSantis might be the buzz in the GOP conversation, but for now Trump is seeing no erosion and, in fact, enjoys a bump in his lead in the Republican primary,” Tim Malloy, a polling analyst at Quinnipiac University, said with the newest poll’s release.According to those polled, the 45th president’s lead among Republicans or Republican leaning voters against the governor of Florida has more than doubled over the last month, from 42-36 to 46-32.DeSantis is not running for president — officially — to do so would require him to leave office as the Sunshine State’s 46th governor; Trump announced his run in November.Despite this, and the fact the race does officially include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the contest for the conservative ticket, if you ask Republican voters, seems to center around the two Florida residents.“Trump’s gaining...

International Association of Fire Fighters files lawsuit in Dedham to remove ‘cancer-causing’ PFAS chemicals from gear

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

The International Association of Fire Fighters has filed a lawsuit to remove “cancer-causing” PFAS chemicals from firefighter protective gear.The labor union on Thursday in Dedham’s Norfolk County Superior Court sued the National Fire Protection Association, citing NFPA’s role in imposing a testing standard that effectively requires the use of PFAS in gear.PFAS, toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are found in firefighter bunker gear and have been linked to cancer, the leading cause of firefighter death. Nearly 75% of those honored at the 2022 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died of occupational cancer.“The very gear designed to protect firefighters, to keep us safe, is killing us,” said General President Edward Kelly, adding that the testing standard from NFPA “needlessly requires the use of PFAS in firefighter gear.”“It’s about removing the cancer-causing chemicals in our gear and finding justice for our brother and ...

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations going on in Greater Boston this weekend

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

Boston is going green this weekend at the annual parade in Southie isn’t the only fun to be had in town. Here’s a handful of events:FRIDAYOf course, it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a plate of corned beef and cabbage. Can’t cook? Head to the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, there you will be greeted by Irish dancing and music, and vendors delivering Irish goods. Corned beef and cabbage will be served all day.The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $20, not including food and beverage.There will be many pub crawls in Boston the entire weekend. If you’re out of work Friday afternoon, head on out to Landsdowne Street for what’s dubbed as the city’s largest organized bar-hopping event for the holiday.The pub crawl starts at 1 p.m. at Game On and will make its way to a handful of other nearby bars. It runs through the day and night until 2 a.m. Saturday, so take it easy.SATURDAYPub crawls may be all the talk, but what about a pup crawl? Polkadog Bakery in Che...

Bluff collapses in North County

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

CARDIFF, Calif. -- A bluff collapsed Thursday in the Cardiff area.Around 3:45 p.m., SkyFOX was over San Elijo State Beach, where a large amount of rocks and dirt were found piled onto the shoreline. Westbound SR-78 closure to last into weekend for emergency sinkhole repairs There are no injuries reported at this time.Check back for updates on this developing story.

REVIEW: Brother, the immigrant experience in the GTA

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:40:50 GMT

Being the child of immigrants means living a life your parents work for and dream for. They take jobs cleaning, gardening, working security all in the hope that their children can live a better life. Brother is a film about living as that child, and the immense pressure that can come from that.Lamar Johnson and Aaron Pierre in Brother, courtesy of Elevation Pictures.Long time Toronto-based director Clement Virgo’s latest film takes a story of two brothers born and raised in Scarborough. Both of them react to the pressure of being a second generation immigrant differently. Michael (played by Lamar Johnson from the Last of Us) is the younger of two brothers born to Jamaican immigrant Ruth (played by Marsha Stephanie Blake from When They See Us). She works as a cleaner, barely making rent for their tiny two bedroom apartment, all in the hope that her two sons will be something better. The elder son, Francis (played by Aaron Pierre from Old), dreams for something more.Obsessed wit...