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treasures of aztec wallpaper One huge hurdle down in the fight to get justice for the wrongfully convicted. One enormous hurdle still to go. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * One huge hurdle down in the fight to get justice for the wrongfully convicted. One enormous hurdle still to go. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Opinion One huge hurdle down in the fight to get justice for the wrongfully convicted. One enormous hurdle still to go. David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law would create a fully independent commission to review claims of wrongful conviction and decide which cases should be returned to the justice system. The bill is named for the Winnipeg-born man who spent 23 years in prison for a rape and murder he did not commit and his mother, who spent decades fighting for his freedom. The act passed third reading in the Senate on Wednesday and is slated for royal assent within the next week or so. SPENCER COLBY / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani said he will move as quickly as possible to make the commission functional in “a matter of months.” However, assent does not guarantee the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission will become a reality. Although the act passed both chambers of a minority Parliament, it was opposed at every turn by the Conservatives. Given the fact the Tories have already tried several times to defeat the Liberal government and trigger an election, Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani finds himself under enormous pressure to get the commission up and running quickly. In an interview with the , Virani said he will move as quickly as possible to make the commission functional in “a matter of months.” Virani said his office will start accepting applications for commissioners in January, with an eye toward ensuring a diversity of perspectives and cultures. Once the commissioners are hired, they will begin the process of developing the commission’s policies and practices, he added. The Liberals have set aside $83.9 million in funding for the first five years of operations. With an election scheduled no later than Oct. 20, urgency is the order of the day, Virani said. “It’s a very historic day for Canada because there’s few times when you are able to legislate something that has the prospect of being transformational change,” Virani said. “And this is really transformational when you’re able to go out into the communities and provide assistance to people in a language they understand, and provide more funding and resources to potentially correct wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice. That’s a bit of a game changer.” Notwithstanding Virani’s commitment to urgency, the future of the commission is far from certain. “It’s a very historic day for Canada because there’s few times when you are able to legislate something that has the prospect of being transformational change.” The Liberal government is, by all accounts, on its last legs. The Conservative party leads all public opinion polls with enough support that, if an election were held today, it would almost certainly win a majority mandate. Would a Tory government support the commission if and when it forms the next government? The initial signals are mixed. Throughout its long and winding road from the House of Commons to the Senate, Conservative MPs and senators, while expressing support for the general concept, opposed the finer details of Bill C-40 at every turn. At third reading in the Commons, the last stage before it went before the Senate, 118 of 119 Tory MPs voted against the bill. The ‘nay’ votes would have been unanimous if not for a Tory absence. Efforts were made to stop progress of the bill in the Senate and return it to the House by introducing a significant number of amendments. The leading critic for the Tories was Sen. Denise Batters, who used her final speech in the Red Chamber to correctly identify a number of shortcomings in the bill. Critics outside government have raised concerns about the need to appoint a larger number of commissioners to handle what is expected to be an initial flood of applications, and to ensure a diversity of perspectives. There have also been issues raised regarding the power and scope of the commission. Although Batters’ analysis was thoughtful and detailed, it contained a number of red flags that might suggest the commission would be ideologically incongruent with the Conservative political brand, which leans heavily on being tougher on crime and criminals. For example, Batters suggested the victims of the crimes at issue be involved in the process. Right now, the commission only has a mandate to keep victims and their families apprised of its work. Although a wrongful conviction has profound implications for the families of the original victims, it would be inappropriate to allow them to influence the final decisions of the commission. “...As a dedication to the legacy of David and Joyce Milgaard, I think I need to work with pace, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Initially, and for obvious reasons, the families of victims are among the most skeptical when it comes to claims of innocence. Forcing victims into the commission process as little more than a symbolic gesture could undermine the need to be as objective as possible. Batters also raised concerns about whether the commission would serve to create a new burden for an overburdened court system. Although the need to hold new trials for those wrongfully convicted does add to the court docket, it is hard to see how the numbers of cases flowing through the commission would be enough to have a sizeable impact on the administration of justice. Although there might be changes to the commission from a future government, Virani said he will work diligently to see it is up and running, with the knowledge that this kind of institution has been long overdue. “We certainly waited a long time to get to this point, long enough such that the two people whose names are on this bill aren’t alive to see it. That is unfortunate, but as a dedication to the legacy of David and Joyce Milgaard, I think I need to work with pace, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com Dan Lett is a columnist for the , providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the in 1986. . Dan’s columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The ’ editing team reviews Dan’s columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Dan Lett is a columnist for the , providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the in 1986. . Dan’s columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The ’ editing team reviews Dan’s columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement AdvertisementYankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin

OSWEGO, N.Y., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- James A. Dowd, President and CEO of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., the bank holding company of Pathfinder Bank (NASDAQ: PBHC) (listing: PathBcp), has announced that the Company has declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company's voting common and non-voting common stock, and a cash dividend of $0.10 per notional share for the issued warrant relating to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2024. The fourth quarter 2024 dividend will be payable to all shareholders of record on January 17, 2025 and will be paid on February 7, 2025. About Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. Pathfinder Bank is a New York State chartered commercial bank headquartered in Oswego, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ SmallCap Market; symbol: PBHC, listing: PathBcp). The Bank has twelve full service offices located in its market areas consisting of Oswego and Onondaga County and one limited purpose office in Oneida County. This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods. Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products, and services. CONTACT: James A. Dowd, President and CEO, (315) 343-0057

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F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26There’s going to be a new No. 1 team in women’s college basketball. It might just be UCLA . The Bruins made their case in compelling fashion Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, dominating the nation’s top-ranked team from the game’s opening minutes. Starting with smothering defense that led to easy baskets, No. 5 UCLA thoroughly outclassed No. 1 South Carolina, 77-62 , ending the defending national champions’ 43-game winning streak. Calling it a historic victory is no overstatement. The Bruins had never previously beaten a top-ranked team, having gone 0 for 20. With the outcome long decided, UCLA students broke out an “Overrated!” chant in the final minute. A sellout crowd that included UCLA basketball luminaries Ann Meyers-Drysdale , Marques Johnson, Noelle Quinn and Natalie Nakase watched the Bruins start the celebration midway through the fourth quarter after three consecutive offensive rebounds led to a three-pointer by Angela Dugalić that gave the Bruins a 68-46 lead. The Gamecocks could not match the toughness of Bruins center Lauren Betts (11 points and 14 rebounds), the long-range shooting of guard Londynn Jones (15 points on five three-pointers) or the all-around play of guard Elina Aarnisalo (13 points, four assists and three rebounds), who displayed their talents in front of 10 WNBA scouts and executives representing six teams, including the Sparks. UCLA (5-0) never trailed and made it difficult for South Carolina to get decent shots in the early going. When Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts got the ball in the paint, Betts suddenly materialized to smother her and rip the ball away for a steal. South Carolina (5-1) didn’t score for more than five minutes into the game. By the time Jones rose for a three-pointer to give the Bruins a 15-2 lead, the Gamecocks had missed 11 of 12 shots and committed four turnovers. A timeout by coach Dawn Staley did little to help. UCLA’s stifling defense continued into the second quarter when point guard Kiki Rice (11 points) anticipated a pass, grabbed the ball for a steal and went in for a layup in which she was fouled. Rice let out a triumphant roar as teammate Gabriela Jaquez draped an arm over her shoulder. It was all Bruins by the game’s midpoint as they held a 43-22 lead. The fun was just getting started for UCLA.

Dylan Marer Unveils New Personal Website Showcasing a Legacy of Immersive Event Production 12-13-2024 11:48 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Erase Technologies, LLC Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1734127255.jpg Dylan Marer, Los Angeles, CA, USA Dylan Marer, the trailblazing CEO and Executive Producer known for redefining immersive event production, has officially launched his new personal website, https://www.dylanmarer.com/ Dylan Marer, the trailblazing CEO and Executive Producer known for redefining immersive event production, has officially launched his new personal website, https://www.dylanmarer.com/ . The site offers an in-depth look at Marer's groundbreaking career, highlighting his unparalleled expertise in blending cinematic artistry with cutting-edge technology to craft extraordinary events. The new website is a sleek, user-friendly hub designed to showcase Marer's visionary projects, industry insights, and future endeavors. Visitors can explore his extensive portfolio, which spans collaborations with global icons like James Cameron and Seth MacFarlane, as well as world-renowned brands including Amazon, Ferrari, and Rolling Stone. With a focus on immersive activations, luxury event design, and philanthropic productions, the site is a testament to Marer's ability to push the boundaries of creativity. "This website is more than just a portfolio - it's a platform to share my passion for innovation and storytelling in the world of event production," says Marer. "I want visitors to experience the magic behind the scenes and get a sense of the artistry and technology that go into creating unforgettable events." Key features of the site include: * Case Studies: A closer look at iconic productions like the Superverse Web 3 Consumer Tradeshow and Austin Elevates, showcasing Marer's ability to turn ambitious ideas into reality. * Industry Insights: A blog offering Marer's thoughts on trends shaping the future of immersive design, from AR/VR integrations to the evolution of hybrid events. * Philanthropic Impact: A spotlight on events that combine luxury and purpose, such as One Humanity, Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project and the SAFE Alliance Benefit. The website also provides information on Marer's upcoming projects and collaborations, offering an exciting glimpse into the future of immersive event design. Visitors can expect regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and opportunities to connect with the visionary producer. About Dylan Marer Based in Los Angeles, California, Dylan Marer is a pioneer in immersive event production. With over 37 years of experience, he has produced over 1000 events for top-tier clients, blending cinematic storytelling with advanced technology. As CEO of Cinematic, Marer continues to push the boundaries of creativity, redefining what's possible in event production. To read more, visit the website here: https://www.dylanmarer.com/ Media Contact Contact Person: Dylan Marer Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=dylan-marer-unveils-new-personal-website-showcasing-a-legacy-of-immersive-event-production ] City: Los Angeles State: California Country: United States Website: https://www.dylanmarer.com/ This release was published on openPR.

Caleb Williams' best plays from 340-yard game vs. Vikings Week 12‘Enron CEO’ Connor Gaydos hit in the face with pie in New York CityBashar al-Assad confided in almost no one about his plans to flee Syria as his reign collapsed. Instead, aides, officials and even relatives were deceived or kept in the dark, more than a dozen people with knowledge of the events told Reuters. Hours before he escaped for Moscow, Assad assured a meeting of about 30 army and security chiefs at the defense ministry on Saturday that Russian military support was on its way and urged ground forces to hold out, according to a commander who was present and requested anonymity to speak about the briefing. Civilian staff were none the wiser, too. Assad told his presidential office manager on Saturday when he finished work he was going home but instead headed to the airport, according to an aide in his inner circle. He also called his media adviser, Buthaina Shaaban, and asked her to come to his home to write him a speech, the aide said. She arrived to find no one was there. "Assad didn't even make a last stand. He didn't even rally his own troops," said Nadim Houri, executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative regional think-tank. "He let his supporters face their own fate." Reuters was unable to contact Assad in Moscow, where he has been granted political asylum. Interviews with 14 people familiar with his final days and hours in power paint a picture of a leader casting around for outside help to extend his 24-year rule before leaning on deception and stealth to plot his exit from Syria in the early hours of Sunday. Most of the sources, who include aides in the former president's inner circle, regional diplomats and security sources and senior Iranian officials, asked for their names to be withheld to freely discuss sensitive matters. A man tears photo of Syrian President Bashar Assad in front of the Syrian embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) Assad didn't even inform his younger brother, Maher, commander of the Army's elite 4th Armoured Division, about his exit plan, according to three aides. Maher flew a helicopter to Iraq and then to Russia, one of the people said. Assad's maternal cousins, Ehab and Eyad Makhlouf, were similarly left behind as Damascus fell to the rebels, according to a Syrian aide and Lebanese security official. The pair tried to flee by car to Lebanon but were ambushed on the way by rebels who shot Ehab dead and wounded Eyad, they said. There was no official confirmation of the death and Reuters was unable to independently verify the incident. Assad himself fled Damascus by plane on Sunday, Dec. 8, flying under the radar with the aircraft's transponder switched off, two regional diplomats said, escaping the clutches of rebels storming the capital. The dramatic exit ended his 24 years of rule and his family's half a century of unbroken power, and brought the 13-year civil war to an abrupt halt. He flew to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, and from there on to Moscow. Assad's immediate family, wife Asma and their three children, were already waiting for him in the Russian capital, according to three former close aides and a senior regional official. Videos of Assad's home, taken by rebels and citizens who thronged the presidential complex following his flight and posted on social media, suggest he made a hasty exit, showing cooked food left on the stove and several personal belongings left behind, such as family photo albums. Two men, one carrying a weapon, arrive at the Umayyad mosque for Friday prayers in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Russia and Iran: No military rescue There would be no military rescue from Russia, whose intervention in 2015 had helped turn the tide of the civil war in favor of Assad, or from his other staunch ally Iran. This had been made clear to the Syrian leader in the days leading up to his exit, when he sought aid from various quarters in a desperate race to cling to power and secure his safety, according to the people interviewed by Reuters. Assad visited Moscow on Nov. 28, a day after Syrian rebel forces attacked the northern province of Aleppo and lightning drive across the country, but his pleas for military intervention fell on deaf ears in the Kremlin which was unwilling to intervene, three regional diplomats said. Hadi al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition abroad, said that Assad didn't convey the reality of the situation to aides back home, citing a source within Assad's close circle and a regional official. "He told his commanders and associates after his Moscow trip that military support was coming," Bahra added. "He was lying to them. The message he received from Moscow was negative." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Russia had spent a lot of effort in helping stabilize Syria in the past but its priority now was the conflict in Ukraine. Four days after that trip, on Dec. 2, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Assad in Damascus. By that time, the rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist group had taken control of Syria's second-largest city Aleppo and were sweeping southwards as government forces crumbled. Assad was visibly distressed during the meeting, and conceded that his army was too weakened to mount an effective resistance, a senior Iranian diplomat told Reuters. Assad never requested that Tehran deploy forces in Syria though, according to two senior Iranian officials who said he understood that Israel could use any such intervention as a reason to target Iranian forces in Syria or even Iran itself. The Kremlin and Russian foreign ministry declined to comment for this article, while the Iranian foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment. Syrians wave 'revolutionary' Syrian flags during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Leo Correa / AP Photo) Assad confronts own downfall After exhausting his options, Assad finally accepted the inevitability of his downfall and resolved to leave the country, ending his family's dynastic rule which dates back to 1971. Three members of Assad's inner circle said he initially wanted to seek refuge in the United Arab Emirates, as rebels seized Aleppo and Homs and were advancing towards Damascus. They said he was rebuffed by the Emiratis who feared an international backlash for harboring a figure subject to U.S. and European sanctions for allegedly using chemical weapons in a crackdown on insurgents, accusations that Assad has rejected as a fabrication. The UAE government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A Syrian opposition fighter sits inside an office in the Presidential Palace after the Syrian government collapses in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Yet Moscow, while unwilling to intervene militarily, was not prepared to abandon Assad, according to a Russian diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, attending the Doha forum in Qatar on Saturday and Sunday, spearheaded the diplomatic effort to secure the safety of Assad, engaging Turkey and Qatar to leverage their connections to HTS to secure Assad's safe exit to Russia, two regional officials said. One Western security source said that Lavrov did "whatever he could" to secure Assad's safe departure. Qatar and Turkey made arrangements with HTS to facilitate Assad's exit, three of the sources said, despite official claim by both countries that they had no contacts with HTS, which is designated by the U.S. and the U.N. as a terrorist organization. Moscow also coordinated with neighboring states to ensure that a Russian plane leaving Syrian airspace with Assad on board would not be intercepted or targeted, three of the sources said. A man waves a flare during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Bashar Assad's ouster, in Damascus' central square, Syria, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Qatar's foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to queries about Assad's exit, while Reuters was unable to reach HTS for comment. A Turkish government official said there was no Russian request to use Turkish airspace for Assad's flight, though didn't address whether Ankara worked with HTS to facilitate the escape. Assad's last prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, said he spoke to his then-president on the phone on Saturday night at 10.30 pm. "In our last call, I told him how difficult the situation was and that there was huge displacement (of people) from Homs toward Latakia ... that there was panic and horror in the streets," he told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV this week. "He replied: 'Tomorrow, we will see'," Jalali added. "'Tomorrow, tomorrow', was the last thing he told me." Jalali said he tried to call Assad again as dawn broke on Sunday, but there was no response. (Additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, Jonathan Saul in London, Maha El Dahan and Nadine Awadalla in Dubai, Laila Bassam in Beirut, Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara, Andrew Mills in Doha and Timour Azhari in Damascus; Writing by Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Pravin Char)Mumbai, Nov 24 (PTI) Anti-corruption activist and former AAP leader Anjali Damania announced on Sunday the formation of a political party with an aim to "transform" Maharashtra's politics. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Damania said the name and the symbol of the party would be declared after it was registered. "It is time to conduct politics on principles and ethics and raise issues for the welfare of the people and the state. "When we step out of the house, we should keep our caste and religion inside and be an Indian citizen," Damania said and called for people's support to bring a "revolution". Damania said technology and social media would be used to reach out to all sections of society. The former convener of the Maharashtra state unit of Aam Admi Party, Damania had filed PILs against state politicians Chhagan Bhujbal and Eknath Khadse. Maharashtra politics has been in flux since 2022 when Shiv Sena headed by Uddhav Thackeray split, leading to the collapse of the state government. In July 2023, NCP headed by Sharad Pawar imploded with his nephew Ajit Pawar joining the Mahayuti government. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

Live-service gaming is in a difficult, transitional moment. Even as the sector consumes more and more millions of player hours, successful new launches are few and far between, and the frequency of shutdowns has increased . Franchises like Destiny and Overwatch have pivoted to free-to-play models in an attempt to keep their player numbers buoyant, and premium live-service games — that is, games with a full purchase price, as well as some intention to monetize players over the long term — are a dying breed. 2024 saw two dramatic, high-profile failures in premium live service. Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League flopped to a $200 million loss for WB Games, while Sony’s even more expensive Concord so failed to strike a chord with players that it was unceremoniously turned off after just a few weeks. (Sony did have a live-service hit in the form of Helldivers 2 , but judging from the publisher’s marketing efforts on the two games, Helldivers was seemingly not one that Sony higher-ups expected — or maybe even wanted — to take off.) Yet Blizzard’s 2023 release Diablo 4 is a certified hit, with big sales, a strong expansion in 2024, and apparently an avid audience. How did it buck the trend? For Rod Fergusson — the famed Gears of War producer turned general manager of the Diablo franchise — it’s because Blizzard didn’t set out to make a live-service game. The studio simply set out to make a Diablo game, but Diablo’s breed of action role-playing game essentially demands that it be a live-service game. An ARPG is inherently a live service. The question is what you do about it “I go back to the genre,” Fergusson told Polygon in an interview conducted in November. “Early on, there were these conversations. [...] Is Diablo 4 a live-service game, or should we roll credits and call it? And I was like, look, when you look at Diablo 3 and the millions of people that showed up every season, whether you want it or not, an ARPG is inherently a live service. The question is what you do about it.” For Fergusson, live service is an opportunity to constantly refine and rebuild a game, but only if the audience demand to keep playing emerges naturally from the game design. “To me, when you’re a Diablo-like, [...] people are going to look to play through the campaign, but then they’re going to look to play what I call the hundred- or the thousand-hour game. They want to be able to continue this progression, they want to have the power fantasy, they want to go back to it over and over again.” This is what creates the space for the developers to keep feeding new ideas in the game to keep it fresh. “That was one of the things that was great,” Fergusson said. “It wasn’t this sort of fait accompli where we’re like, ‘It’s in the box and we’re done.’ We’re going to have the ability to improve Helltide. We’re going to have the ability to add the Pit, we’re going to have the ability to try the Gauntlet.” There’s a simple lesson here for game publishers: Don’t force it. When Suicide Squad was previewed, players commented immediately that the game seemed an odd fit for a live-service framework; it didn’t flow naturally from the game’s storyline or genre. Concord belonged to a suitable genre — it was a hero shooter — but it appeared to have been made to satisfy a publisher’s demand for a live-service game, rather than players’ demand for an alternative to Overwatch. The game concept hadn’t come first. Conversely, Diablo 4 worked because people wanted a new Diablo game, and they wanted to play it for hundreds of hours. It’s like a reversal of the classic line from Field of Dreams : not “If you build it, they will come,” but “They will come... so you’d better build it.” Diablo Gaming PC PlayStation Xbox Diablo 4Special to the Gazette The City of Boston has announced a new program to support Boston homeowners in building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property. This initiative, administered by the Boston Home Center (BHC), a division of the Mayor’s Office of Housing, offers a new bank loan option alongside grants and other financial assistance to help cover costs related to designing, permitting, and building an ADU. Additionally, the Planning Department is releasing an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guidebook, an illustrated manual that will help property owners in Boston who may want to build an ADU on their property. This book is available online, and in all Boston Public Library branches. Building on the Mayor’s leadership to make Boston a home for everyone, these steps are important to increasing the City’s multigenerational housing stock, keeping families together and building wealth. “Accessory Dwelling Units are a powerful tool in our efforts to address the housing crisis in Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By creating more flexible and affordable living options, ADUs allow homeowners to maximize their property while contributing to the availability of housing in our neighborhoods. This initiative not only supports families looking to generate extra income or house loved ones but also strengthens our communities with more diverse and accessible housing choices.” Through the loan programs, the BHC provides income-eligible owners of 1-3 unit homes who plan to add an ADU with a Technical Assistant Grant of up to $7,500. This grant provides eligible homeowners with targeted funding and staff guidance throughout the pre-construction phases of researching, designing, and permitting their ADU. Additionally, homeowners can apply for an ADU Loan from the City of up to $50,000 to support construction costs. The ADU Loan carries 0% interest and is deferred, meaning there are no monthly payments. Homeowners approved for this program are paired with a BHC Construction Specialist who monitors progress throughout the building process. Eligible homeowners who receive an ADU Loan may also explore additional financing opportunities with participating lenders. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet specific income and asset limits. “Accessory Dwelling Units are an important part of our strategy to expand housing options in Boston,” said Sheila A. Dillon, Chief of Housing. “ADUs give homeowners a way to create additional living spaces that can serve as a source of income, provide housing for family members, and help address the city’s housing needs. By making it easier to build ADUs, we are supporting residents, increasing housing supply, and strengthening neighborhoods.” As part of this effort, the City is also piloting a new ADU Bank Loan in partnership with local banks, Leader Bank, Dedham/Southshore Bank, Needham Bank, and the Cooperative Bank. Recognizing the challenges posed by construction expenses, the Boston Home Center and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics initiated a collaboration with Harvard’s Laboratory for Values in the Built Environment and local lending institutions to develop innovative solutions that ensure low- and moderate- income homeowners can access the unique benefits ADUs provide. This resulting loan fills a gap in the market, providing affordable financing to cover construction costs associated with building ADUs. Our research shows that homeowners need new loan products to meet the unique opportunity that rental ADUs can offer homeowners, and provide equitable access to ADU financing,” said Charu Singh, Research Associate at the Laboratory for Values in the Built Environment at Harvard GSD. “I’m proud of the groundbreaking work our group has done to equitably expand the lending toolbox, especially during this time when Boston is struggling with too few housing options and high costs.” Building on Mayor Wu’s commitment to remove barriers to building ADUs across Boston’s neighborhoods, the ADU Guidebook is designed to provide homeowners with practical guidance and inspiration for adding an ADU to their property, whether it is for additional living space, rental income, or housing family members. The ADU Guidebook features realistic, buildable designs tailored to Boston’s neighborhoods. Although the designs will still require permits and may need review by the Zoning Board of Appeal, they offer a clear starting point to help residents more easily move forward with their ADU. It will be available online and at all Boston Public Library branches. “This Guidebook is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to add another unit to their home, and we hope it will inspire people to see ADUs as an expedient and unique way to add to our housing stock,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I look forward to working with the community on new complementary zoning that will make the process of adding an ADU more flexible and affordable.” These initiatives align with the City’s broader zoning reform efforts to enable more housing options across Boston. By updating zoning regulations, the City aims to break down barriers and foster flexible housing solutions. ADUs not only help increase the housing stock but also offer residents opportunities to age in place, provide extra space for growing families, or generate rental income. ADUs can help residents stay in their neighborhoods, adapt their homes, and address their evolving needs. By allowing various forms of ADUs, the City aims to help homeowners fully utilize their properties, create more space, or unlock new income opportunities. Founded in 2010 as one of the first municipal innovation offices in the world, the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics serves as the City’s civic research and design team, building partnerships between internal and external agencies to pilot projects that increase the quality of life for all of Boston’s residents and visitors. The City of Boston’s Planning Department shapes growth that serves Boston’s residents and centers their needs. Our mission is to address our City’s greatest challenges: resilience, affordability, and equity, and to take real estate actions and prioritize planning, development, and urban design solutions that further these priorities. We seek to build trust with communities through transparent processes that embrace predictable growth and shape a more inclusive city for all.

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Tenant, Inc. and Storelocal Storage Team Up with OC Rescue Mission for Holiday Donation DriveFOX 11's Elex Michaelson explains the controversial Prop. 36 that would increase the punishment for certain theft and drug crimes. Three alleged shoplifters were taken into custody in Seal Beach recently - with one of them surprised about a new California law. Proposition 36, which increases punishments for some retail theft and drug possession offenses, went into effect Wednesday. Proponents said the initiative is necessary to close legal loopholes that have made it challenging for law enforcement to punish shoplifters and drug dealers. SEAL BEACH, Calif. - An alleged shoplifter got quite the surprise when she found out some shoplifting offenses are now considered a felony in California. "It's a felony?" video shows one of the women saying. "B*tch new laws!" the suspect next to her replies as they sit handcuffed in the back of a patrol car. "Stealing is a felony and this Orange County b*tch. They don’t play." Surveillance video shared Sunday by the Seal Beach Police Department shows three women walking into an Ulta Beauty store, perusing the shelves, then nonchalantly leaving with around $648 worth of stolen merchandise. SUGGESTED: Business owners support Prop 36 amid lootings Another video allegedly shows the same three women going inside a Kohl's store where they allegedly left with around $1,000 worth of merchandise. Surveillance video shared Sunday by the Seal Beach Police Department shows three women walking into an Ulta Beauty store, perusing the shelves, then nonchalantly leaving with around $648 worth of stolen merchandise. Bodycam video shows police officers chasing the women and ultimately arresting them. "A friendly reminder that Proposition 36, which increases punishments for some retail theft and drug possession offenses, went into effect Wednesday morning in California," the Seal Beach PD wrote on Instagram. "Don't steal in Seal!" SUGGESTED: The debate over Prop 36 in California Prop. 36 was a rightward swing of the California political pendulum – a decade ago, voters eased criminal penalties for certain crimes under 2014’s Proposition 47, which was pitched as both a cost-saving measure and a more effective way to combat crime by focusing dollars on treatment instead of incarceration. Then, during the pandemic, the rate of shoplifting and commercial burglaries skyrocketed, especially in Los Angeles, Alameda, San Mateo and Sacramento counties. Statewide, reported shoplifting of merchandise worth up to $950 soared 28% over the past five years , according to the Public Policy Institute of California. That’s the highest observed level since 2000. SUGGESTED: Explaining California's Prop. 36 Combining shoplifting with commercial burglaries, the institute’s researchers found that total reported thefts were 18% higher than in 2019. Now, certain drug offenses and thefts under $950 can be classified as felonies rather than misdemeanors if the suspected perpetrator has two or more past convictions for theft crimes. SUGGESTED: California Prop 36 explained: Increasing penalties for theft and drug trafficking Proponents said the initiative is necessary to close legal loopholes that have made it challenging for law enforcement to punish shoplifters and drug dealers. Opponents, including Democratic state leaders and social justice groups, said it will disproportionately imprison poor people and those with substance-use issues rather than target ringleaders who hire large groups of people to steal goods for resale online. The initiative will also take away drug and mental health funding that comes from savings from incarcerating fewer people. Californians for Safety and Justice, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce prison and jail spending, estimated that Prop. 36 will add 130,000 more people to California jails each year, about 100,000 of them held in jail before trial and about 30,000 serving one-year sentences after their convictions. The Source: This story was reported with information from the Seal Beach Police Department and the Associated Press.