Fog 56°
News
Twitter Blues: Mass Celebs Lose Verification Checkmarks — Well, Most Of Them Twitter Blues: Mass Celebs Lose Verification Checkmarks — Well, Most Of Them
Twitter Blues: Mass Celebs Lose Verification Checkmarks — Well, Most Of Them As promised, Elon Musk purged celebrities of their legacy blue check marks from Twitter, leaving notables and politicians unwilling to shell out $8 a month to mingle with the rest of the hoi polloi.  Instead of ponying up, many of the country's most famous — many from Massachusetts — decided to forego another subscription fee and lose their vaunted verified status.  Most of them that is.  Widespread verification will democratize journalism & empower the voice of the people — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2022 Of the 20 most searched Massachusetts-born celebrities — according t…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement
How To Get Your Share: Facebook Users Can Now Apply For Part Of $725M Settlement Many Facebook users may soon have some money headed their way. Those who had an active account on Facebook anytime between May 2007 and December 2022 can now apply to receive a share of parent company Meta's $725 million settlement. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook permitted the former United Kingdom-based political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to access about 87 million users' personal information during the 2016 presidential campaign. Facebook users during that time frame can apply for the funds online now or by mailing their forms by Friday, Aug. 25. The claim form and general …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds
Salem Social Media Star Ernest Johnson Gets 3 Years Prison Time: Feds A viral social media icon who promoted violence and "flaunted" his arsenal of drugs and guns was sentenced to over three years of prison time, officials say.  Ernest Johnson, who often went by "Yo Pesci" or "Mr. Live Mr. Drive," was involved in a "prolific and violent" North Shore drug trafficking ring that distributed over 500,000 deadly fentanyl pills designed to look like Percocet tablets, according to the District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office. Johnson, 34, received a sentence of 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release on Monday, Feb. 27, after pleading guilt…

SHARE

by Morgan Gonzales
Police & Fire
'Sexual Predator' Gets 12 Years For Blackmailing Massachusetts Teen Into Send Nudes: Feds 'Sexual Predator' Gets 12 Years For Blackmailing Massachusetts Teen Into Send Nudes: Feds
'Sexual Predator' Gets 12 Years For Blackmailing Massachusetts Teen Into Send Nudes: Feds A 33-year-old Chicago man who bullied a 16-year-old Massachusetts girl into sending him nude photos and then threatened to release them to her friends and family if she didn't give him more will spend more than a decade behind bars, federal authorities said.  Ernesto Herrera, who pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor in August, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Friday, Fed. 24, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Herrera reached out to the victim from an anonymous phone number through a social media app in June 2020 and manipulate…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Most Loving Person': Friends Shocked, Angry Over Death Of Woman Killed In CT Crash 'Most Loving Person': Friends Shocked, Angry Over Death Of Woman Killed In CT Crash
'Most Loving Person': Friends Shocked, Angry Over Death Of Woman Killed In CT Crash Friends and family of a 20-year-old Massachusetts woman who died in a hit-and-run crash in Connecticut were stunned and horrified as news of the weekend wreck spread through social media. But there was a common thread amongst most of the posts: they want justice.  Hampden County resident Yaseri Cortes, of Springfield, was killed just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, in Enfield. Connecticut State Police said she was standing in the center southbound lane of I-91 when she was hit. The driver sped away after the crash. No one has been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon.  Related: Police Id…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
News
University Of Hartford Student Charged With Making 'Concerning" Social Media Post, Police Say University Of Hartford Student Charged With Making 'Concerning" Social Media Post, Police Say
University Of Hartford Student Charged With Making 'Concerning" Social Media Post, Police Say A Connecticut university student has been charged after allegedly making a threatening social media post on YikYak. The incident took place at the University of Hartford around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, said the Hartford Police. Hartford Police Officers responded to the university after receiving a complaint from UHART school safety officials, said Sgt. Chris Mastroianni, of the Hartford Police. The complaint was regarding threatening posts made on social media that referred to shooting a dorm and other firearm references, Mastroianni said. Patrol and Capitol City Command Ce…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Central Mass Man Charged With Sending 14-Year-Old Boy Nudes, Requesting Theirs: Feds Central Mass Man Charged With Sending 14-Year-Old Boy Nudes, Requesting Theirs: Feds
Central Mass Man Charged With Sending 14-Year-Old Boy Nudes, Requesting Theirs: Feds Police arrested a 28-year-old Worcester man earlier this week after he allegedly sent nude photos of himself to an underage boy and asked if they could meet in person, authorities said.  Andrew James Gallagher was charged on Wednesday, Dec. 7, with one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Gallagher contacted the child through a social media platform and specifically asked if they were underage. When the boy admitted he was only 14 years old, Gallagher allegedly sent the offending photos, requested a vide…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Politics
NY Post Fires Employee For False, Racist, Violent Content Targeting Politicians NY Post Fires Employee For False, Racist, Violent Content Targeting Politicians
NY Post Fires Employee For False, Racist, Violent Content Targeting Politicians A series of racist, violent headlines that were posted on the website and Twitter account of the New York Post on Thursday, Oct. 27, were carried out by an employee, Variety reports.  In a statement to the outlet, a spokesperson for the Post said an investigation had revealed that the “unauthorized conduct” was an inside job and the employee responsible has been fired. “This morning, we immediately removed the vile and reprehensible content from our website and social media accounts,” the spokesperson said. The news organization did not reveal the employee’s name. The New York Post ha…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
McGimmick? McDonald's Elusive McRib Returns For Final ‘Farewell Tour’ (Maybe) McGimmick? McDonald's Elusive McRib Returns For Final ‘Farewell Tour’ (Maybe)
McGimmick? McDonald's Elusive McRib Returns For Final ‘Farewell Tour’ (Maybe) Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the McDonald’s McRib sandwich has taken on a life all its own. Now, that life may be coming to an end after the Golden Arches announced that the notoriously elusive yet ever popular saucy sandwich will embark on a “Farewell Tour” beginning on Monday, Oct. 31. the mcrib is coming back 10.31 but this is its farewell tour — McDonald's (@McDonalds) October 24, 2022 However, McDonald’s was quick to add that this may not be the last of the iconic sandwich. “Like any true farewell tour, we’re hoping this isn’t a ‘goodbye’ but a ‘see you later,’” th…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Investigation Underway At CT University Following TikTok Accusations Of Rape Investigation Underway At CT University Following TikTok Accusations Of Rape
Investigation Underway At CT University Following TikTok Accusations Of Rape A student rally was planned for Friday, Sept. 16, and school officials are investigating after allegations of a sexual assault surfaced on TikTok at a state university in Connecticut. Although no formal complaint against the accused student has been filed, Central Connecticut State University in New Britain is investigating allegations of sexual assault against a student, according to Janice Palmer, a CCSU spokesperson. CCSU president Zulma R. Toro issued a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 14, to the school’s social media about its investigation: "Late today, allegations came to lig…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Bomb Threat Under Investigation At Western Mass High School: Police Bomb Threat Under Investigation At Western Mass High School: Police
Bomb Threat Under Investigation At Western Mass High School: Police Northampton Police are investigating after a bomb threat was made against Northampton High School on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 13, the department said. Police said the threat was made on social media around 2 p.m. Officers arrived on the scene to investigate and later determined the school to be safe, police said.  RIGHT NOW: Multiple police cruisers are around Northampton High School as students are being dismissed. Northampton PD said it will give us more information soon @WWLP22News pic.twitter.com/5ORFxmKjnA — Kate Wilkinson (@Kate_mwilkinson) September 13, 2022 Students were…

SHARE

by David Cifarelli
News
Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman
Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman A 31-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to threatening, harassing, and intimidating a Massachusetts woman through email and social media.  Marshall Nicholas Fain, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Aug. 31, to one count of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting threats through interstate commerce, United States Attorney Rachael Rollins announced on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Fain was arrested and charged on Feb. 2, the US Attorney's Office said. According to the report, Fain was in a relationship with the victim for about two years, and the relationship ended in August 2…

SHARE

by Nicole Valinote