An inmates stands in a cell inside one of Massachusetts county jails. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
With zero coronavirus cases now reported in Massachusetts prisons, the state s highest court is reviewing whether the virus should still be considered when a prisoner requests release.
The SJC heard arguments Wednesday in a case that asks whether a judge should take into account if a prisoner has had COVID-19 or has been vaccinated.
The case involves 59-year-old William McDermott, who is seeking a stay of his sentence. He s been in prison since his 1982 conviction on murder charges.
Other court rulings suggest that because McDermott had COVID, and has been vaccinated, judges do not have to consider the virus in reviewing requests for a stay of sentence. But McDermott s attorney Hayne Barnwell said there is still uncertainty about the long term benefits of the vaccine and the risks to clients like hers who have underlying health issues.
District 7 Council member Mark Levine (Getty, Facebook via Mark Levine)
When tenants use keyless entry systems, whether returning from work or a walk with Fido, property owners usually get a piece of their data. Nothing stops landlords from using that data however they want, but a bill passed Thursday by the City Council will change that.
The Tenant Data Privacy Act will prevent landlords from harassing or evicting tenants using data obtained through building entry systems.
Property owners of multiple dwellings that use this technology will have to get consent from tenants to use their data, and will be required to remove, anonymize or destroy the information no later than 90 days after a tenant moves out.
Either Way, You’re Toast
There are multiple ways to skin a cat, and at least two ways for the world’s most powerful central bank to paint itself into a corner when it comes to normalizing policy.
The Federal Reserve’s April meeting went according to script: Rates unchanged, asset purchases steady, and while the economy and labor market have “strengthened,” policy makers won’t be pulling back support any time soon. Chairman Jerome Powell had plenty of opportunities to make that clear in the presser, where right off the bat he was asked if it’s time to start talking about tapering. The answer: No.
Last modified on Fri 30 Apr 2021 10.31 EDT
Niko Omilana will not be elected mayor of London next week. But the 23-year-old YouTuber prankster and mayoral candidate, who is polling just behind the Lib Dems and the Greens, is still likely to emerge from the contest as a winner.
“Content is his priority,” said Omilana’s manager, Grace O’Reilly, who happily accepts her client has no chance of beating Labour’s Sadiq Khan. “In terms of the cost of his campaign, it’s an investment for him. There’s no profits to be made off the back of it but with the marketing there’ll be a lot more brands interested in Niko Omilana.”