All posts by : Don Lichterman

“I wonder whether progressive prosecutors may be a little more careful about how closely they align with the political movement because that did really get her in trouble,” said Rebecca Roiphe, a former prosecutor and professor of law and ethics at New York Law School. “I don’t think the progressive prosecutor movement is going to change, but it may be a wake-up call to some of them to take a step back.”

Rollins’s political career collapsed last month when two federal reports released by the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Justice’s Inspector General detailed a multitude of ethics violations by her during her 16 months as US attorney. They found that she violated the Hatch Act by engaging in partisan activities, including her attendance last summer at a Democratic fundraiser in Andover headlined by first lady Jill Biden.

Yet the most serious findings were that she tried to sabotage the Suffolk district attorney election between her eventual successor, Kevin Hayden, and Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo. The report showed Rollins wanted a successor who would carry on her progressive policies, so she used her position to try to initiate a federal investigation of Hayden’s handling of a case involving MBTA police officers and leaked an internal DOJ memo to create the false impression that he was being targeted by investigators.

Rahsaan Hall, the newly appointed president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, said it’s important for people to remember that Rollins’s resignation was triggered by scrutiny of her conduct as US attorney, not her progressive policies and practices as district attorney.

“I think what has happened to her clouds the benefit of what she was able to do,” Hall said.

Rollins’s lasting legacy, Hall said, won’t be of her resignation, but instead how she helped exonerate and free people who were wrongly convicted and “pushed back on all of the norms of the system and made it a better system for a handful of people.”

Rollins was at the vanguard of the progressive prosecutor movement in Massachusetts and was unique, according to Hall, in “the way that she used her platform to call out injustices and to talk about race and racism within the system.”

“I think there has been a national backlash against progressive prosecutors, which is largely unjustified,” said Hall, adding that he believes their policies have been wrongly blamed for an uptick in crime.

Rollins drew criticism immediately after she was sworn in as Suffolk district attorney in January 2019 when she issued a list of 15 “low-level” nonviolent crimes that her office would no longer prosecute, which included shoplifting, drug possession with intent to distribute, and some forms of resisting arrest. Rollins said she planned to help stop a “freight train moving toward mass incarceration of poor people and black and brown people.”

Critics blamed the new policy for increasing crime. But an independent study released in 2021 that analyzed nearly two decades of data in Suffolk County found that not prosecuting low-level crimes was more successful in directing nonviolent offenders away from the criminal justice system.

Rollins said she embraced a holistic approach to prosecution, which required her to consider the impact on defendants, as well as victims and the greater community.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, the only Republican among the state’s 11 district attorneys, said “time will tell” what Rollins’s impact may be on the movement. But, he said, the rejection by voters nationwide of a litany of progressive prosecutors who were swept into office over the past six years shows that the movement hasn’t worked.

“They treated defendants like they were victims and treated the real victims like they were invisible,” Cruz said. “It doesn’t matter your gender. It doesn’t matter your race. We treat everybody the same.”

The same week that Rollins stepped down, Kim Gardner resigned from her job as St. Louis’s top attorney. Last year, San Francisco voters recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Marilyn Mosby lost her bid for a second term as Baltimore’s top prosecutor following her indictment on federal charges involving the purchase of two vacation homes. In Massachusetts, Andrea Harrington was defeated in her bid last fall for a second term as Berkshire district attorney.

But other progressive prosecutors across the country have prevailed against blowback, including Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, whose impeachment by state lawmakers was rejected in court.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said the progressive movement was sweeping Massachusetts long before Rollins was district attorney and her resignation is unlikely to have much impact locally. He said the state has had the lowest incarceration rate in the country for at least six years and a number of progressive reforms have been put in place in recent years, including diversion programs related to sentencing, and the treatment of juveniles, substance abusers, and low-level offenders.

“I like to think the work that was being done by prosecutors, police, probation, and the courts put Massachusetts in a position where we had been leaders,” said Morrissey, adding that all of the state’s district attorneys “do some things collectively that would be considered progressive.”

He added, “Even before Rachael was elected we were doing a good job and moving in the right direction.”

Shelley Murphy can be reached at shelley.murphy@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @shelleymurph.

Major employer groups are banding together to oppose the next phase of the federal government’s industrial relations reforms involving labour hire workers.

The government is seeking to close a loophole that allows companies that have negotiated a pay rate with their workers to then pay labour hire contractors less for the same job.

But the eight industry groups representing hundreds of businesses said the “same job, same pay” reform is a retrograde policy that will deny contract workers the ability to negotiate “more pay for harder work”.

“It means by law, employers will have to pay workers with little knowledge or experience exactly the same as workers with decades of knowledge and experience,” they said in a joint statement on Monday.

“It means by law, you cannot earn better pay by working harder or longer, if your colleague does not share your ambition or work ethic.”

“Same job, same pay” will take away worker incentives and reduce productivity, they argued.

“This is not fair for workers or their employers.”

The employer groups are the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association, Business Council of Australia, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Master Builders Australia, Minerals Council of Australia, National Farmers Federation and the Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association.

“Claims that labour hire workers across the economy are paid less than employees are patently false,” ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar said.

“On average, labour hire employees are earning more than their permanent counterparts.”

National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar said the change would create red tape for farmers who “don’t have lawyers or an HR department”.

Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable said it wasn’t fair that a worker with six months of experience could demand the same pay as someone with six years of experience.

Master Builders Australia Acting CEO Shaun Schmitke said using independent and subcontract workers in the industry was a long-standing and legitimate arrangement.

“The policy is not about closing a ‘loophole’ rather it ties the hands of the building and construction industry at a time when communities are crying out for more housing and projects to be delivered,” he said.

The workplace reforms are due to come into force by the end of the year.

-AAP

Supported by the Government of South Australia

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Indore is the cleanest in terms of waste management but is failing in environment-friendly practices as ‘six’ out of ‘eight’ major climate variables indicate a significant change in the climate of the region. The study conducted by a professor of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya brings to the fore how climate change is dragging human health, life, agricultural practices, crop quality, basic supplies and overall city’s health down.

Analysing more than 100 years of data, Ganesh Kawadia said, “As Indore is the representative district of the Chambal basin, the climatic variability and the study of its resultant effects on biodiversity, health, crop distribution and associated yield is bound to have significant policy implications for the whole region.”

Researcher Ganesh Kawadia |

The study coincides with a new research paper the Earth Commission published in Nature journal in June 2023 that noted that seven of eight earth system boundaries (ESBs) that are critical for the stability of the planet’s health and survival of species have already been crossed. The research showed that India, along with other parts of South Asia, Europe and parts of Africa is an ESB transgression hotspot.

In the map provided showing the current view of the world’s climate change, it can be noticed that Himalayan foothills show at least 5 ESB transgressions. The study was conducted by more than 40 researchers from different parts of the world underscoring that humans are taking colossal risks.

So, what’s the way out? Why is climate change happening and how can we save what is left to save the very future of humanity from the climate crisis?

Speaking to the researchers and experts, we asked the same questions. Kawadia said, “When we conducted the study, it was evident that since industrialisation in 1940, the graph of climate change has seen a steep rise, but surprisingly, nature hasn’t turned away from us as yet.”

He explained that though we complain of water shortages, the average rainfall is the same as it was 25 years or 100 years ago. “The difference is the intensity of rainfall and re-charge of groundwater levels,” assistant prof Era Tiwari said.

Divisional forest officer Narendra Pandwa said, “We have the highest forest cover in the country, but not enough trees and ground access in cities for the water to reach under-ground.” He added that though the department conducts plantation drives every year, there is an urgent need to provide space to trees to absorb water and to increase plantation in private compounds as well.

PM to virtually visit Sirpur Lake &Yashwant Sagar

On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually visit Indore’s Sirpur and Yashwant Sagar lakes. MP Shankar Lalwani reviewed the preparations for the programme.

On Monday, Modi will virtually visit various Amrit Dharoar sites of the country. Sirpur and Yashwant Sagar lakes of Indore are also included in this list. Both are labelled as Ramsar sites in India.

MP Shankar Lalwani checked the arrangements at Sirpur Talab and instructed the officers to keep the arrangements in order.

Umrikheda Amusement Park to open finally!

Umrikheda Amusement Park on the Daur-Khandwa Road will be inaugurated on Monday as a part of celebrations for Environment Day. Forest Department is all set to open the gates for tourists from July, after its inauguration. Before the monsoon, the Forest Department has given permission to many adventure groups for campfire. Arrangements have been made for the tourists to stay in the mud house. Tourists have been waiting for the whole year for the opening of Umrikheda Amusement Park spread over 190 hectares.

Black Wolf, a Black-owned private security company, has launched a new premium Uber-like rideshare app for the common consumer to have a high profile, fully secure experience crafted just for them, according to the company’s Instagram profile. 

The drivers are  armed licensed gun carriers, providing a high-level of protection and experience for each passenger who patronizes their service. 

The company hails itself as the “personal protection ride-hail app.”

Black Wolf CEO Kerry KingBrown was a former A-list agent to many known musicians including Meek Mill, Rick Ross and more. His career also consisted of serving as an Executive Protection Driver for a U.S. Congressman. It was there the idea came about for the premium service app. 

It’s not just for high profile clientele. Social media has been picking up on the business, and even local media.

“this company is like Uber or Lyft” Lawrence Jones III said.“But the people driving the cars are armed. It’s cool. It’s like man on fire.”

And get this, armed protection isn’t the only thing Black Wolf is pushing with its rideshare app. There’s a tracking feature included and drivers are certified in CPR.

This type of service may also stir some people up, though. As the conversations around gun control continue to be stressed after the slew of school shootings in our country. Yet, the thought of heightened protection for those who can afford the service may be worthwhile. The number of drivers assaulted while working for Uber and Lyft could push an interest in them using this app in cities that will allow it. On the flip side, though, passengers of the two popular ridesharing apps have also reported cases of harassment and assault from drivers. That can possibly instill a bit of fear in the rider knowing their driver is armed. 

However, even with potential fears from both sides of the coin, KingBrown makes it clear that the experience is like having a “personal bodyguard.”

Clientele who have been interested in armed rideshare services range from attorneys to judges to even high-earning business owners and entrepreneurs. People from any class or demographic could benefit from upgraded protection. Yet, people may find this app more useful in more 

The app took its first ride in Atlanta this month and went viral on TikTok, proving the power of social media to be one of a kind.

RELATED CONTENT: 4 Black-Owned Rideshare Companies to Try Besides Uber and Lyft

Wide receiver George Pickens is not scrimping on his goals when it comes to his second NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I want to get over 1,000 yards, go to the Pro Bowl,” Pickens said after a Pittsburgh OTA practice last week. “I want us to win the Super Bowl.”

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Selected from Georgia in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Hoover High School star had 52 receptions for 801 yards and four touchdowns in his first season as the Steelers posted a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs.

Pickens’ rookie highlights include a 100-yard game against the New York Jets on Oct. 2 and one of the 2022 season’s best catches against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 22. He also scored one touchdown on his three rushing attempts.

Pittsburgh is in the final portion of its offseason program, when teams are allowed to conduct 10 days of organized team practice activity, usually referred to as OTAs. The Steelers have their final four OTA practices scheduled for this week, then will wrap up their offseason program with mandatory minicamp on June 13-15.

“We’ve had a really good first couple of days here together,” said Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett about Pickens during an appearance on “The PM Team with Poni and Mueller” on KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh last week. “He’s got great communication. When we’re on the field and stuff, we’ll just constantly be talking about what we see, what he sees and where I need him, and he goes out there and does exactly what we ask him to do and then you just kind of let his talents take over. You don’t want to have him overthinking.

“I always just tell him I’ll just put it in his zip code, and he can do the rest. The guy makes unbelievable plays. Excited to go into Year 2 with him and build off what we did in Year 1 together.”

Pickett and Pickens were Pittsburgh’s first two draft picks last year. Each started 12 games in 2022, when the Steelers offense placed 26th in points, 23rd in total yards, 24th in passing yards and 16th in rushing yards among the NFL’s 32 teams.

The Steelers added two more former Georgia standouts – tackle Broderick Jones in the first round and tight end Darnell Washington in the third round – to their offense in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed guards Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig in free agency this offseason.

Pittsburgh also obtained nine-year veteran and three-time 1,000-yard receiver Allen Robinson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Pickens said Robinson had been an asset to him during the offseason program.

“Just the ins and the outs, just the ways of the game, different coverages-wise,” Pickens said. “I played in the SEC, so I done seen almost every coverage, too, but how to attack it, whether a guy’s in man, whether he’s trailing you, that’s the type of stuff I ask Allen for.

“We’re always talking ball. When I talk to Allen, it’s always about football. When we were coming off like 20 minutes ago we was talking about a certain route, like: If we want to take that type of leverage, do we have to stem in that much?”

A Pro Bowler and a 1,000-yard receiver in 2021, wide receiver Diontae Johnson led Pittsburgh with 86 receptions for 882 yards in 2022, but he did not have a touchdown reception.

Johnson returns, and the Steelers have added Hakeem Butler to their wide-receiver corps after he finished second in the XFL with 51 receptions and 599 receiving yards and led the league with eight touchdown receptions this spring.

“I don’t know how the targets are going to go,” Pickens said. “I just know, when it come my way, I’m going to try to make a play.”

At Hoover, Pickens earned All-State recognition in 2017 and 2018. In Pickens’ first All-State season, the Bucs won their second AHSAA Class 7A championship in a row.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

Show your support for Davis’s music scene that showcases a diverse range of up-and-coming artists 

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

With mainstream artists like K-pop group BTS and Drake and large concerts like Coachella and Rolling Loud, many are ready to drop hundreds (or dare we say, thousands of dollars for resold tickets) to see musicians of their choice. While the temptation to splurge and set your sights high to hear Taylor Swift sing [insert favorite song here] is almost too common in this day and age, it’s worth looking closer to home to support local artists, one of which might become your new favorite band.

Davis has a long-standing history of fostering rich live music. From cozy coffee shops to bustling outdoor venues, the city offers a diverse array of spaces that accommodate both intimate performances from student bands like MONDAIJI and larger-scale concerts like the Zero Waste Concert in Central Park. The city’s music scene caters to all tastes, embracing everything from jazz, funk and R&B to indie pop, folk, rock, hip-hop and electronic music. This eclectic range ensures that there is something for everyone, making Davis a community that celebrates all genres of music.

The COVID-19 pandemic had an especially detrimental impact on the live music industry, so we should share our support to local artists and spaces whenever we can. This includes something as simple as streaming their songs on Spotify to help them gain traction. When attending free concerts or performances, some artists may ask for donations — we strongly encourage everyone to offer this support. If you are unable to make a donation, showing up to their events, posting on social media or promoting them through word of mouth are also great ways to endorse growing artists.

Local shows, for example, are a great way for students to engage with small traveling artists and local musicians, many of whom are students. Turtle House, the highly adored blue house on Second St., has been a hub for entertainment and creativity for many years, serving as a platform for musicians from all backgrounds to perform. In fact, Turtle House, in collaboration with The California Aggie’s Arts Desk, will be hosting a Couch Concert later this evening that includes a talented lineup of bands, consisting of Agraria, Mom Cars and Godfuck!. This is a great opportunity to not only support the venue and these groups, but also to enjoy a Friday night out while exploring new music.

Even if going out solely to watch local artists and bands play does not interest you, the farmers market in downtown Davis has been hosting their seasonal Picnic in the Park series every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. until Sept. 13. It will feature live music from a local band, a wide variety of food vendors and local farm-grown produce and ingredients to purchase. It’s the perfect spot to knockout some grocery shopping, grab a hearty meal and have an evening picnic with family and friends all while enjoying live music in the background.

Attending these performances is a great alternative — often cheaper or even free — to mainstream concerts. Because they are smaller, audience participation is more intimate and integrated into the experience. Additionally, the plethora of live local events in Davis year round allows everyone to get involved in subcultures within the community and find people who listen to or play the same genres of music as them.

In a small college town like Davis, the vibrant music scene can sometimes go unnoticed or unheard of. But it serves as a nurturing ground for emerging local talent. With its proximity to the university, the city attracts a diverse pool of young musicians eager to showcase their skills and creativity. Local venues like Turtle House, Central Park and the Quad often provide a platform for these aspiring artists to perform, helping them gain exposure and build their fan base. So it’s important that we give them that recognition and support to ensure that live music, a very special and intricate part of the cultural tapestry and student life here in Davis, can continue to flourish.

Listen to our playlist of local bands here.

Written by: The Editorial Board

Ready for a reality TV return? Brittany Cartwright and her husband, Jax Taylor, have been having fun recapping Vanderpump Rules so much that they might be ready to rejoin the SURvers on set.

“We’re definitely getting the itch ‘cause it was fun to have the cameras over and have crew over,” Cartwright, 34, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Cupshe’s BeMe: The Cupshe Birthday Collection. “Going through that whole lifestyle again was so fun. Like, when we did Watch What Happens Live [With Andy Cohen], I got a little teary backstage ‘cause this was such a big part of my life for six years basically — and for Jax, like, nine. So, it just felt really good to do those things again.”

The Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky alums announced in April that they would provide commentary for episodes of Vanderpump Rules season 10, where they recapped the show’s drama for Peacock subscribers. Their Watch With miniseries for the streaming platform debuted one month after they made a triumphant return to Andy Cohen’s WWHL Clubhouse, announcing their “When Reality Hits” podcast.

Taylor, 43, was one of the OG SURvers on Vanderpump Rules when it premiered on Bravo in 2013. During his tenure on the show, he notably dated fellow alum Stassi Schroeder before eventually moving on with Cartwright. The married couple — who tied the knot in 2019 — confirmed one year later that they were leaving the show amid the Kentucky native’s pregnancy with son Cruz, now 2.

“The last 8 years on Vanderpump Rules have been some of the most challenging, rewarding and fulfilling years of my life,” the former bartender wrote via Instagram at the time. “Although this is difficult to share, Brittany and I will not be returning for another season of Vanderpump Rules. We are excited to take this time to focus on our growing family and share with you our new endeavors. @bravotv, @evolutionusa and our Vanderpump castmates will always remain close to our hearts. Thank you to all the fans who have shared our journey with us and supported us through everything.”

After leaving Vanderpump Rules, Cartwright found that their marriage has “100 percent” gotten stronger.

“Jax was kind of going through this phase where he was getting a lot of anxiety and stuff and I was too,” she recently told Us of their reality TV experiences. “It can be tough to have everything judged and you know, have to relive things years later and or you know, months later, whenever it airs.”

She added: “So, we look back now and Jax’s always like, ‘I took a lot of things for granted. I can look back and learn from my mistakes and, like, grow from there.’ I feel like us having that break, especially going through COVID, being pregnant, postpartum, all of that stuff, I’m so glad I didn’t have to deal with that on-camera.”

While the twosome admittedly do have the “itch” to return to the California-based reality TV show, Cartwright remained coy about future production. “I don’t know, we’ll see,” she told Us with a laugh.

The Bravo alum did not reveal additional detail about her reality TV future, but she is staying busy in style. Cartwright teamed up with Chanel Iman and Heather Rae El Moussa (née Young) to celebrate Cupshe’s eighth birthday collection. The BeMe line features 56 swim styles and 20 cover-up designs to accommodate a diverse array of tastes.

“I’ve always loved Cupshe’s bathing suits and their brand. I’ve always been a fan, so, it’s just been really fun,” Cartwright told Us of the offerings, which range in size from XS to 3X. “I love the suits that they look amazing on every single body type. That’s something that was like really big for me.”

Cartwright, El Moussa, 35, and the supermodel, 32, also united for a photo shoot, which highlighted Cupshe’s dedication to highlighting diverse women who inspire women to exude confidence.

“They were so, so nice,” Cartwright gushed. “We talked about how many kids we had, you know, Heather has a little boy, Chanel has little girls and you know, we were just like talking about the difference and those kind of things. It was just really fun and I loved that Chanel had her baby bump for the photos. Like, it just was so, so beautiful.”

The Selling Sunset star welcomed son Tristan with husband Tarek El Moussa — who also shares two children with ex-wife Christina Hall (née Haack) — in January. Iman, for her part, is currently expecting a child with fiancé Davon Godchaux, which will be her third. She also coparents daughters Cali, 4, and Cassie, 3, with ex-husband Sterling Shepard.

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With reporting by Christina Garibaldi

“Danger Below Deck” premieres tonight at 8/7c on Lifetime. Watch the new thriller for free with a 7-day trial from Philo and Sling.

About the movie:

When what is supposed to be a lavish Caribbean and South Pacific cruise becomes a fight for survival, a pair of influencers must lean on each other in order to make it home in one piece. Terror at sea is definitely not what they’re expecting, but as their vacation turns dangerous, they’re left with no other option.

Watch the premiere of “Danger Below Deck” tonight at 8/7c on Lifetime.

Where to watch:

• Philo (start free trial) – For $25/month, ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more. Click here to register.
• Sling (try today) – With plans starting at $20 for your first month, register for Sling and stream everything from sporting events to Lifetime movies. Click here to get started.
• DIRECTV Stream (start free trial) – With plans starting at $64.99/month, register for DIRECTV Stream and access more than 75 channels of sports, news, and entertainment. Click here to get started.

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