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The top 10 spookiest spots in the U.S.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

Paranormal adventures aren’t just a Hollywood thing. Some travelers are obsessed with them too, eager to spot the unsettled spirits of the not-quite-departed-enough and hear haunting tales of, well, hauntings.To slake that thirst, Travel and Leisure, the travel magazine and website, is offering up its own take on the 20 most haunted cities in the U.S. We’re not talking single-ghost destinations like Lizzie Borden’s house in Fall River, Massachusetts. These are entire cities brimming with spooky sightings.San Francisco, for example, makes the list in the No. 15 spot thanks to its abundance of ghosts on Alcatraz Island, the magazine notes, as well as at China Camp State Park (ahem, not SF — it’s in San Rafael)  the Mare Island Shipyard (again, not SF — Vallejo ) and aboard the USS Hornet, which is in Alameda. There have been so many ghost sightings on the latter ship, Cal Tech has an entire web page devoted to the stories.The legendary city of New Orleans tops the list with its vampir...

Microsoft CEO says unfair practices by Google led to its dominance as a search engine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

By SUMAN NAISHADHAM (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Monday that unfair tactics used by Google led to its dominance as a search engine, tactics that in turn have thwarted his company’s rival program, Bing.Nadella testified in packed Washington, D.C., courtroom as part of the government’s landmark antitrust trial against Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The Justice Department alleges Google has abused the dominance of its ubiquitous search engine to throttle competition and innovation at the expense of consumers, allegations that echo a similar case brought against Microsoft in the late 1990s.Nadella said Google’s dominance was due to agreements that made it the default browser on smartphones and computers. He downplayed the idea that artificial intelligence or more niche search engines like Amazon or social media sites have meaningfully changed the market in which Microsoft competes with Google.Nadella said users f...

What you can do for Banned Books Week 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

They weren’t burning the books. Yet.After a video went viral this month showing two Missouri state senators torching a pile of boxes using flamethrowers, a clarification was issued that, no, they weren’t burning books. Apparently, the fired-up crowd came to “celebrate freedom by burning some empty boxes,” according to one of the participants.So despite its resemblance to an old-fashioned book burning, it was just an immolation demonstration directed at some freedom-hating boxes – all in the fiery spirit of our flammable founders.Does that mean the books were safe? Well, no. “But let’s be clear, you bring those woke, pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and I’ll burn those too – on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion,” threatened state Sen. Bill Eigel in a statement.That statement raises any number of questions – Which books? Who decides? And honestly, why would you set the governor’s lawn on fire? – but it’s probably more useful to focus on the f...

14-year-old boy accused of stealing 30 marijuana products from South Boston pot shop, smashing the front door

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

A 14-year-old boy is accused of stealing more than $1,500 in marijuana products from a South Boston pot shop early Monday after he allegedly smashed the store’s front door with a large rock, police said.The juvenile was arrested by Boston Police officers and has been charged in connection with the alleged breaking and entering incident at deVINE Wellness, a Southie dispensary.Officers arrested the 14-year-old boy at about 1:54 a.m., after they responded to the area of 619 E. Broadway St. for a commercial alarm. Officers have responded to similar radio calls at this address, according to the incident’s police report.Cops at the scene saw a large rock by the front door, and the front door was smashed. Officers then saw a male flee the rear of the building, and they were able to place him into handcuffs.The boy had taken marijuana products from the store and put them into a black and purple backpack, according to officers.The young teen had stolen 30 products from the pot s...

Column: Concertgoers of all ages are ruder than ever. There’s an easy fix.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

For years now, I’ve kicked around the idea of writing a column about concertgoing etiquette. But I’ve always resisted doing so, figuring that the people who really needed to read it never would.Things changed this year. The concert industry not only made it out of the pandemic, it’s bigger than ever, with artists clamoring to get back on the road and fans eager to see shows rather than deal with the fear of missing out.But, somehow, concertgoers are worse than they’ve ever been. One of the wildest trend stories of the summer was recounting the numerous things people were throwing at performers on stage. Back in July, the Today Show ran a piece that compiled eight such incidents, including a mobile phone thrown at Drake and a bag containing the ashes of a fan’s mother lobbed at Pink.For me, though, the breaking point took place at a show last month at Xcel Energy Center. I was standing next to two women in wheelchairs waiting for an elevator. When the doors opened, a group of oblivio...

Recipe: These S’Mores Brownies bring home the taste of camp

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

My grandkids can’t seem to get enough of s’mores-themed goodies. The chefs at America’s Test Kitchen came up with these S’Mores Brownies in time for our Halloween baking.  A hefty graham-cracker crust at the bottom supports the brownie layer above. And to capture that campfire component, a top layer of miniature marshmallows toast in the oven under the broiler.Two things. Be sure to use a metal baking pan and not a glass baking dish in this recipe. And two, when the marshmallow topped beauty goes under the broiler, keep a watchful eye on it.S’Mores BrowniesYield: 16 browniesINGREDIENTSCrust:6 whole graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (3/4 cup)4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted1 tablespoon sugarBrownies:8 tablespoons ( one stick) unsalted butter3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped2/3 cup (3 1/3 ounces) all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups miniature marshmallowsDIRECTIONS1. Adju...

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis gives health update, explains what led to foot injury

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

Kristaps Porzingis thinks a change in footwear is what led to his plantar fasciitis injury this summer.The Celtics’ new 7-foot-3 big man made the decision to skip the FIBA World Cup this summer with his native Latvia after he suffered plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He missed about a month from the diagnosis before he returned to Boston last month to start working out at the Celtics practice facility. Porzingis was cleared for the start of training camp this week.On Monday, Porzingis explained the decision to sit out the World Cup so he could be ready to go for the start of the season.“I think it started because I changed shoes during the summer,” Porzingis said. “I think that’s what kind of got the foot a little sensitive. I didn’t pay too much attention to it, kept working out, kept playing, because training camp was about to start for our national team. I was actually in great shape and feeling good, just the foot was a little bit bothering me, so I told the medical staff an...

‘All World’ Patriots great Russ Francis dies in plane crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

Former Patriots tight end Russ Francis died in a plane crash Sunday in Lake Placid, New York, the team announced Monday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Mac Jones takes blame for worst loss of Bill Belichick era: ‘I let my team down’ New England Patriots | Patriots captain backs Bill Belichick after worst loss of head coach’s career New England Patriots | Patriots teammate gives ominous response about Matthew Judon’s injury New England Patriots | Patriots OLB Matt Judon reportedly suffers bicep tendon tear, could miss months New England Patriots | Mac Jones to remain Patriots’ starting QB; Bill Belichick clarifies benching Francis, 70, played 13 NFL seasons, including two stints in New England from 1975-80 and 1987-88. Francis made two All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls during his career. The Patriots drafted him in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft out of Oregon.In...

LeBron James says Bronny is doing well, working to play for USC this season after cardiac episode

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James says his son, Bronny, is progressing in his rehabilitation from cardiac arrest in hopes of playing for the University of Southern California this season.James gave the update on his 18-year-old son Monday when the Los Angeles Lakers held their annual media day ahead of training camp.“Bronny is doing extremely well,” James said. “He has begun his rehab process to get back on the floor this season with his teammates at USC. (With) the successful surgery that he had, he’s on the up-and-up. It’s definitely a whirlwind, a lot of emotions for our family this summer. But the best thing we have is each other.”Bronny James went into cardiac arrest during a workout at the Galen Center in late July. LeBron James praised USC’s training staff and coaches for saving Bronny’s life with their quick responses after Bronny was stricken.Bronny is attending classes at USC and spending time with his teammates while he gets back to full...

Review: Coldplay brings empathy – and Selena Gomez – to the band’s 2023 North American tour finale

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:54:02 GMT

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — In 2023, a Coldplay concert opens like a triumphant finale — LED wristbands flashing, confetti canons on overdrive, a singalong of 68,000 voices repeating “You’ve got a higher power,” to match frontman Chris Martin’s energy. Flags representing attendees from Argentina, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, South Korea and Brazil were raised; children and the elderly sang along to familiar radio hits. Live music isn’t church, but for two hours on Sunday night, the British band got close.A short film on the conservation efforts of Coldplay’s global stadium tour for their 2021 album “Music of the Spheres” previewed the band’s North American tour closer at the Rose Bowl, just outside of Los Angeles. Then: an explosion of rainbow lighting effects, tie-dye orbs, and wholesome bits — for “Paradise,” Martin asked the audience to engage in the “quietest singalong ever,” chanting the title in a whisper.In one moment, he partic...