Neal said he will not vote for the TPP as it stands today.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal anticipates playing an "important role" in Congress opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, should it come to a vote before the end of the year.

The free trade deal between the U.S. and Pacific Rim nations is a major potential legacy of President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

But both Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton oppose it. Some advocates of the deal have suggested that a lame-duck session of Congress could vote before Obama leaves office in January.

Neal, a senior member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has been telling constituents he plans to vote against the Trans-Pacific Partnership and could play an important role in Congress when the issue comes up.

"Congressman Neal strongly agrees with Secretary Clinton that any new trade deals must create good American jobs, raise wages, and advance our national security," said William Tranghese, a spokesman for Neal, D-Springfield. "As a result, he will not vote in favor of TPP as it stands today. Given his leadership role on the House Ways and Means Committee, he will play an important role in Congress when this critical issue comes up for a vote later this year."

In a July letter to Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman asking for Tolman's endorsement and support for Neal's reelection bid, Neal voiced the same sentiments opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Neal said he would continue to work with the Ways and Means Committee to shape the agreement, as he has with other trade agreements in the past.

The trade deal would phase out tariffs and open up markets. It imposes new environmental and labor standards on nations that include Japan, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico and others.

The Obama administration says the deal will make it easier for Americans to sell their products abroad by eliminating taxes and other trade barriers. It also sets standards in areas such as workers' rights, child labor and corruption.

 Opponents of the deal worry that it would make it easier to move U.S. jobs overseas, would eliminate the ability of governments to give preference in buying American-made goods and would not impose high enough standards relating to human rights and the environment. Unions and environmental advocates have driven the opposition to the deal.

Suit says Col. Richard D. McKeon unfairly denied State Trooper Michael Cutone's request to market the C3 Policing program for a fee

SPRINGFIELD -- State Police Trooper Michael Cutone has sued the head of State Police in Massachusetts, saying he was denied the opportunity to market C3 Policing while off duty.

The Hampden Superior Court civil suit filed July 27 is against State Police Superintendent Col. Richard D. McKeon and the Massachusetts Department of State Police.

The C3 policing program in Springfield's North End has garnered positive feedback here and gained national media attention from "60 Minutes" on CBS to the New York Times.

State Police spokesman David Procopio said the department is aware of the suit, but because the case is pending in court, there will be no comment.

The suit itself does not use a name other than C3 Policing, but previously it has been said the title refers to Counter Criminal Continuum.

Cutone, a trooper since 1999, is asking the court to order he be allowed to market the C3 Policing program while off-duty.

The suit states Cutone has served with the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) since 1986 and that in the special forces community, "Trooper Cutone is recognized as an expert on counterinsurgency operations, having served in that capacity on active duty in Haiti, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan."

Springfield police unveil expanded C-3 policing

The suit says, "Based on Trooper Cutone's knowledge and experience in both military counterinsurgency and civil law enforcement, he created C3 Policing which is a program civil law enforcement agencies can use to effectively combat crime in high crime areas. The program is based upon principles, strategies and tactics from counterinsurgency methods used by the U.S. Army Special Forces."

Cutone protected the C3 Policing program with two U.S. copyright registrations and the brand name, C3 Policing, is protected with a trademark issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to the suit.

Cutone, according to the suit, believes C3 Policing would benefit law enforcement in high crime areas throughout the country. He wants to market the program in his off-duty hours to law enforcement agencies while continuing to be a Massachusetts State Police trooper.

Cutone obtained a written opinion from the state Ethics Commission that he would not violate the state conflict of interest law by providing training in the C3 Policing program to law enforcement or other governmental agencies in the U.S. (excluding agencies and departments in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) for a fee.

He said in his request to the State Police for permission to engage in off-duty employment to provide training in C3 Policing that he would provide training while on duty as part of his State Police duties without additional compensation. He said he would continue to let the State Police and any other state law enforcement agency use his C3 Policing program without compensating him.

Cutone said he would prominently state in his written materials (for his off-duty C3 training programs) that his C3 Policing program is not sponsored or endorsed by the Massachusetts State Police in any manner and he is not acting as a representative of the MSP in training and instructing anyone in the C3 Policing program.

Infographic: How has C3 Policing affected crime in Springfield's North End?

The suit states that on Jan. 21, McKeon denied Cutone's request to engage in outside employment. Cutone appealed McKeon's order. State law requires a hearing on an appeal request, the suit says.

McKeon appointed Major James A. Jones II, a deputy division commander of the State Police, to conduct the hearing. Jones issued a decision that there was no basis for denying Cutone's request for off-duty employment, according to the suit.

The suit contends McKeon rejected Jones' decision and again denied Cutone's request.

Cutone wants the court to annul McKeon's order and issue a declaration ordering McKeon and the State Police to grant him permission to engage in off-duty employment as stated in his request in October 2015.

He also asks the court to "grant him such other relief as the court determines is just and reasonable, plus award him his costs."

State Trooper Michael Cutone civil lawsuit

Court documents reveal that Justin Germaine has a juvenile criminal history of charges such as child rape and assault on a police officer.

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- A West Springfield man facing federal child pornography charges involving a 5-year-old girl has been charged with sex crimes before and presents "a clear danger to the community," prosecutors said in court documents asking that he remain in custody.

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson ordered Justin Germaine held until trial, with the possibility of bail review at a future date. He is due in U.S. District Court in Springfield on Sept. 27 for a procedural hearing.

Court documents reveal that Germaine has a juvenile criminal history of charges such as rape of a child under 16, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, violation of an abuse prevention order and assault and battery on a police officer. Prosecutors with U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office did not disclose details of any of those cases or their outcomes.

Germaine was arrested at his home at 119 South Blvd. on July 29 during a raid by numerous law enforcement agencies, including the federal Department of Homeland Security.

The raid was connected to an investigation of a New Hampshire man suspected of child exploitation who allegedly exchanged several emails and child pornography images with Germaine, according to court documents.

Court documents contain graphic descriptions of numerous illegal photos and at least six videos, along with portions of sexually explicit emails detailing Germaine's alleged abuse of a 5-year-old girl. One message sent by Germaine refers to an unidentified friend who also abused the victim.

The relationship between Germaine and the victim is not clear.

A Level 3 sex offender, Alexander Germaine, also lives at 119 South Blvd., but court documents make no reference to him and he does not appear to be a target of the investigation.

Justin Germaine faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Prosecutors argued he is a flight risk because of the severity of the punishment.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Monday that she is seeing a "groundswell" of support for her move to crack down on "copycat" assault weapons, adding that often a "vocal minority" dominates gun debates.

BOSTON - Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Monday she is seeing a "groundswell" of support for her move to crack down on "copycat" assault weapons. A "vocal minority" dominates gun policy debates, she added.

"We saw a lot of blowback and that was not unexpected," Healey said in a phone interview with MassLive.com.

The Charlestown Democrat was unapologetic about her stance that the attorney general's office is basically enforcing the Massachusetts ban on assault weapons, which was first passed in 1998. On July 20, she announced a crackdown on what her office termed "copycat" weapons through an enforcement notice to gun sellers and manufacturers, citing 10,000 sold in Massachusetts in 2015.

"The important thing here is people now know from this point forward the law is going to be enforced to the fullest extent," Healey said. "We worked hard to give notice. Frankly, there's been notice of this law for 18 years."

Gun owners and activists have decried her move, saying she's gone "rogue" and arguing her interpretation turns them into "felons in waiting."

"The questions are all over the map from every angle of the gun owner community. The answer to all of these questions is simple - we don't know," the Gun Owners Action League said in a recent blog post. "The action that the attorney general released is so incredibly vague that any attempt to provide legal interpretation could be disastrous."

But Healey said her office has been on the phone with gun dealers since the announcement, and they are coming into compliance.

"We wanted to make sure we were absolutely clear about that, about the existence of this law and we were going to take seriously the enforcement of the law," she said. "We worked to provide notice. I said from the outset my goal is not to take away guns from lawful gun owners at all."

Asked about whether her enforcement notice included pistols, Healey said her office is talking about military style assault rifles in its stepped up enforcement, not pistols.

Gov. Charlie Baker's administration and several Massachusetts legislators have written to her asking questions about the enforcement notice. Healey said questions are "entirely appropriate."

"We'll continue to work hard to get them answers to those questions," she said.

Sen. Rosenberg says Healey should've engaged public more before crackdown

Her office made the move weeks after the mass shooting inside a gay nightclub in Orlando.

"In the face of atrocities like that, I think the public demands action and at a bare minimum we should be enforcing laws on the books," Healey said. "I think this is where so many people really, really want to be in terms of common sense measures out there that are going to be about taking steps to save lives, save lives of residents and save lives of law enforcement."

US Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords have voiced support for Healey, joined by five former Massachusetts attorneys general, including Martha Coakley, Thomas Reilly, Scott Harshbarger, James Shannon and Frank Bellotti.

Sen. Warren backs Healey in 'copycat' weapons crackdown

Separately, ten members of the clergy sent a letter to Gov. Baker on July 30 backing Healey's move.

But the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group, has said it plans to challenge her crackdown in court, and one petition opposing her move gathered over 28,000 signatures on Change.org.

Asked about other loopholes her office might be looking to close, Healey said they're focused on enforcing the current law. They're reviewing and monitoring gun sales data after her announcement, and they're "pleased" with what they're seeing, she added.

"We'll stand ready to defend our law," she said.

National gun group plans to sue Healey

At a State House rally on July 23, some brought signs comparing Healey to Hitler. One sign showed her face with a Hitler mustache. Anti-gay slurs have also cropped up on some websites in response to her actions.

"Unfortunately, it's something that we anticipated," Healey, the first openly gay attorney general in the United States, said. "Nevertheless, it's sad and distressing. It's a free country and we can engage in all sorts of debate and discussion, but there's a lot of bile and invective directed at our office."

"It bothers me, yes, but we're just going to do our job and I'm going to do my job," she said.

The Friday night fire tore through a historic building that was once part of the Clarke School.

NORTHAMPTON -- While investigators work to determine the cause of a massive Friday night blaze that tore through a historic Round Hill Road building, those behind a plan to build luxury apartments there are working to move the project forward in the wake of the destruction.

"We are evaluating the structural condition of the building with the hope that we can follow through to restore it as soon as possible," said Michael Siddall, one of the three principals of Historic Round Hill Summit LLC, which owns the property.

The blaze broke out at Rogers Hall, 49 Round Hill Road, shortly before 11 p.m. Siddall said he was on the scene within about 30 minutes, watching in horror as a nearly $4 million construction project that's been years in the making went up in flames.

"It was just terrible to see all the hard work destroyed," said Siddall, of Springfield-based Sidall & Sidall PC. "It's just hard to understand because so much work has gone into the project. So many people have brought so much to bring it along."

The project is insured, he said.

Rogers Hall was formerly owned by Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, which sold the former dormitory to Historic Round Hill Summit in 2013 as part of a deal involving 11.2 acres and 11 buildings.

Since the sale, Clarke has remained on Round Hill Road, continuing to operate its programs teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen and talk.

Clarke Northampton preschool, early intervention and mainstream programs operate from two facilities on Round Hill Road, and one of its K-8 programs is co-located at Leeds Elementary School, said Doug DeLeo, interim chief operating officer.

"Neither of Clarke's current buildings were touched at all by the fire and all of our programs are operating without interruption," DeLeo said in a statement Monday.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Northampton Fire Department and the state Fire Marshal's office.

"With the ongoing construction work there are many interviews to conduct," Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office, said Monday.

Water damage from the firefighting effort displaced a number of residents from neighboring Hubbard Hall, where units have already been completed.

Siddall said Historic Round Hill Summit has offered relocation assistance to all those displaced.

Northampton firefighters battle the blaze at Round Hill Road Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. Dave Molnar / The Republican 

"Most of the people have taken advantage of the furnished apartments that we have offered them," he said, adding that residents of 11 of the units in Hubbard Hall were displaced and that residents of eight of those units are moving into the furnished apartments.

At the time of the blaze, Siddall said, work was well underway to build 15 residential units within Rogers Hall.

"We were within days, if not weeks, of sheet-rocking," Siddall said. The units were scheduled to be done by November or December.

"Some of the floors were further along than others but I would say (the construction work) was well over 60 percent," Siddall said.

Siddall stressed, however, that he and co-owners James Hebert, the president of Checkwriters Inc., and Peter Picknelly, of Peter Pan Bus Lines, want to thank the firefighters from Northampton and surrounding communities, as well as the personnel from a number of city departments for the effort to save the building.

"It was unbelievable to see how they managed a pretty significant fire," Siddall said. "It was just really positive to see how they mobilized and coordinated their attack on the fire."

All of the project's many subcontractors, meanwhile, have stepped up to offer help and support. Many of those subcontractors lost tools in the fire, Siddall said.

A contractor, meanwhile, was working Monday to try to contain the water damage in Hubbard Hall, according to Siddall.

Water ran from Rogers Hall to Hubbard Hall through a connector building, he said.

Siddall said that to his untrained eye the fire appears to have been contained to the upper floor or attic of Rogers Hall. The lower floors sustained smoke and water damage, he said.

"The structure is still there," he said. "It's not all destroyed on the first and second floors."

Uncertainties for the road ahead include the status of historic tax credits the project has received.

"There is a lot to try to understand in a short period of time," Siddall said. "There is a lot that needs to be done."

Sarah LaValley, Northampton's conservation, preservation and land use planner, said the property is subject to a historic preservation restriction -- required by the Planning Board and held by the city's Historical Commission -- that governs some work at the site.

"Beyond any emergency shoring up of the building, anything additional will require review by the city," LaValley said. "We could potentially require a report done by a restoration architect or engineer to estimate the extent of the damage and the feasibility of restoration. Then we would reevaluate how the preservation restriction would apply."

The property also falls under an extension to the Elm Street Historic District, LaValley said.

DeLeo described Rogers Hall as being "extremely close to the heart" of the school.

"During a time when Clarke was a residential program, it was considered a second home to scores of children, many of whom would arrive as youngsters and leave as teens," DeLeo said. 

Over the years the building, which was renovated in the early 1980s, served as a dormitory -- and also was home to classrooms and science labs, a professional and children's library, business offices, and staff apartments.

DeLeo said the school community was "extremely saddened" to hear the news of the fire, and relieved there were no injuries. 

"We join with our neighbors and community in sending the families who were displaced our best wishes, and have reached out to the Historic Round Hill to offer assistance in any way we can," he said.

A new GenForward poll of Americans age 18-30 shows widespread anxiety among young people about attacks from both inside and outside the United States.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- The threat of violence by people inspired by foreign extremists invokes fear in a majority of young Americans across racial groups. But for young people of color, particularly African-Americans, that fear is matched or surpassed by worries about violence from white extremists.

A new GenForward poll of Americans age 18-30 shows widespread anxiety among young people about attacks from both inside and outside the United States.

Sixty-two percent of young African-Americans and 55 percent of Hispanics surveyed said they were very concerned about the threat of violence committed by white extremists, compared to one-third of whites and 41 percent of Asian-Americans.

GenForward is a survey by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll is designed to pay special attention to the voices of young adults of color, highlighting how race and ethnicity shape the opinions of a new generation.

Gregg Higgins, 27, was one of the whites who said he was very worried about violence by extremists in his own race. In fact, he said he was more concerned about "the homegrown white extremists" than the threat of violence from people outside the United States or people inspired by foreign extremists.

A social worker in Pittsburgh, Higgins said the growing political tension during the current election cycle has "shown a really ugly part of our past coming through and being more heard." He described it as "white males who are angry and who aren't now afraid to show that anger."

"That fear of loss of control and loss of privilege is what's inspiring this vitriol and this hate," Higgins said.

Worry about attacks from people currently living in the U.S. who are motivated by foreign extremists spreads more evenly across racial groups, with at least half of whites, blacks, Asians and Hispanics describing themselves as very concerned about that threat.

Violence committed by people from outside the country also caused unease, especially among Hispanic young adults. Fifty-six percent of Hispanics polled said they were very concerned, compared to 49 percent of African-Americans, 40 percent of Asian-Americans and 41 percent of whites.

The angst comes after a spate of mass shootings. Nine black people were shot and killed last year at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white man who officials say talked of starting a race war. In June, a gunman born in the U.S. to Afghan immigrants opened fire in a crowded gay dance club in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. An autopsy report identified him as a white male.

Last month, five police officers in Dallas were killed by a black gunman during a protest against police shootings of black men, and three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge were shot and killed by a black man who authorities said appeared to be targeting people wearing a badge.

Darsi Vazquez, a 25-year-old Hispanic college student from Huntsville, Alabama, described herself as very concerned about the threat of violence from foreign and domestic extremists alike, but she thinks the fear is exacerbated by news coverage of mass shootings around the country and the types of overt racism that appear in social media.

"A few years back technology wasn't where it's at it now, so you couldn't see things like this happening like you see it now," Vazquez said. "I don't know if it's necessarily getting worse, but we're seeing it more now. We don't just see what's happening outside our window, we also see what's going on outside other people's window."

Most young adults in the poll labeled as hate crimes both the shooting deaths at the Charleston church and the Orlando night club, against African-Americans and against LGBT people, respectively.

But the poll shows people view the Orlando shooting differently, depending on their race.

Among young whites, most also described the Orlando shooting as a terrorist attack. Fifty-eight percent of whites considered it that, compared to only 32 percent of African-Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics and 44 percent of Asian-Americans. Gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during a call with police dispatchers during a standoff before he was shot and killed.

A third or less of young people of each racial and ethnic group called the Charleston attack terrorism.

Terrorism concerns have young Americans across racial groups largely in agreement that some rights and freedoms should be sacrificed in efforts to prevent an attack. Eleven percent of all young adults polled said they believe such sacrifices are always necessary, while 54 percent said they're at least sometimes necessary.

But most young people said Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's calls to temporarily ban Muslims from coming to the U.S. goes too far.

More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they oppose a temporary prohibition on any Muslim who isn't a U.S. citizen from entering the country: 64 percent of whites, 66 percent of Hispanics and 79 percent of African-Americans and Asian-Americans.

___

The poll of 1,940 adults age 18-30 was conducted July 9-20 using a sample drawn from the probability-based GenForward panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. young adult population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

The survey was paid for by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago using grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods, and later interviewed online or by phone.

Is a vote for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, the Libertarian presidential ticket, a wasted vote? Watch video

BOSTON - Is a vote for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, the Libertarian presidential ticket, a wasted vote?

Bill Galvin, the Massachusetts elections chief and a Democrat supporting Hillary Clinton, recently claimed to POLITICO Massachusetts it is.

"Well, everybody's entitled to their view," Weld responded on Monday before heading up to the state's Elections Division to deliver the signatures needed to place his party on the Bay State's 2016 ballot.

"We have a path to run right up the middle and win the whole thing here," Weld told reporters.

Polls show voters widely dislike both Clinton, the Democratic nominee, and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Of course, Libertarians are loath to tell others what to do, he noted. "So if anyone in the Commonwealth [of Massachusetts] wants to waste their vote on casting it for Trump or Clinton, it's OK with us."

Weld said he has spoken to a few Republican members of Congress who are interested in re-assessing their endorsements. "The ice is cracking," he said.

Weld, who recently has worked as a lobbyist for people like casino mogul Steve Wynn, said he is focused on the fundraising side of the campaign and it's picked up "dramatically."

The goal now is to do well enough in polling to qualify for the presidential debates, and then entering October with 25 percent in the polls, he said.

Weld stressed that both he and Johnson were Republican governors in blue states who cut taxes and balanced the budget. "That is not done in Washington," Weld said.

Weld added that if he and Johnson win the White House, voters will be getting "two for the price of one," since Weld would pass on having his own staff as vice president. They would govern as a team, Weld said, similar to the approach he and the late lieutenant governor Paul Cellucci took when they occupied the State House's executive offices in the 1990s.

"I personally have never seen a layer of government that I didn't think could be shrunk ten or twenty percent by judicious analysis. And what Charlie Baker and I did back in the 90s was zero-based budgeting," Weld said, mentioning the man he mentored.

What is Bill Weld thinking joining the Libertarian ticket?

Baker, who served as Weld's budget chief, is now the Republican governor of Massachusetts. A moderate Republican, Baker has said he believes Trump doesn't have the temperament to be president, while Clinton has a trust gap.

But Baker reiterated on Monday that he isn't interested in voting for the Libertarian ticket either, given the party's position on the legalization of hard drugs.

Baker said he plans to focus on downballot races.

"Bill Weld is nothing if not an unpredictable and iconoclastic guy, and having had a chance to hear a little bit of back and forth that's gone on since he's gotten into the race, he sounds as articulate and as genuine as ever," Baker told reporters after signing an energy bill outside the Massachusetts State House.

Minutes later and around the corner, Weld was asked how would he pitch Baker on the Libertarian ticket.

"I'm not pitching Charlie 'cause I think he's very smart to stay out of the national campaign," Weld said. "As soon as he sticks a finger in it, everyone's going to come to him every morning and say 'Well, you're a gladiator in this contest now, what do you think about this sub-issue?' And he wouldn't have time to govern here. I think he's doing just the right thing."

In conjunction with the United Way of Pioneer Valley's Day of Caring, Dress for Success volunteers will host the tag sale from Sept. 9 to Sept. 11.

SPRINGFIELD -- In keeping with its mission to empower women to be more confident in their personal and professional lives, Dress for Success is hosting a tag sale  in Springfield to raise funds and awareness, while also working to meet the needs of women throughout the community, according to a news release.

In conjunction with the United Way of Pioneer Valley's Day of Caring, Dress for Success volunteers will host the tag sale from Sept. 9 to Sept. 11.

The tag sale at the Eastfield Mall, 1655 Boston Road, will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 11. 

The tag sale is in a temporary location two doors down from Western MA Dress for Success Boutique in the mall.

Customers may peruse through the racks of new and gently used donated items, including suits, dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, shoes, accessories and more. Items may be purchased individually, or by filling a shopping bag for only $25. 

All proceeds will benefit Dress for Success. Volunteers are needed to staff the event. If interested, contact: dressforsuccessspringfield@gmail.com.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb.

DALLAS (AP) -- The family of a Muslim boy who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying the incident violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights, prompted death threats and forced them to leave the United States.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested at his suburban Dallas high school in September and charged with having a hoax bomb. He says he brought the homemade digital clock to school to show his English teacher.

Ahmed showed off the clock, made out of a plastic pencil box and electrical wire and other hardware salvaged from his parents' garage, on Monday during a news conference with his parents and attorneys.

The lawsuit names Irving Independent School District, the city of Irving and the school's principal, and asks a jury to determine the damages. In November, the family asked the district and city to pay $15 million or else face a suit. District spokeswoman Lesley Weaver said in a statement Monday that attorneys for the district will review the suit and determine a course of action.

"Irving ISD continues to deny violating the student's rights and will respond to claims in accordance with court rules," she said, adding that school officials for now will have no further comment.

The Mohamed family questioned whether the boy was mistreated due to his religion but the district has denied the claim.

The family has since moved to Qatar, citing threats and a scholarship offered to Ahmed in the Persian Gulf country. Ahmed moved back to the U.S. last month for the summer to visit family and friends, and will do some traveling around the country, but will return to Qatar next month to start 10th grade at Qatar Academy, a private school in Doha.

Ahmed Mohamed speaks about receiving death threats in Dallas, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The family of Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested after bringing the homemade clock to school, and charged with having a hoax bomb, filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Texas school officials and others, saying they violated the 14-year-old boy's civil rights. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

"For the safety of my family, I have to go back to Qatar, because right now it's not very safe for my family or for anyone who's a minority," Ahmed said during Monday's news conference.

While in Texas, Ahmed said, he has to wear a hat, sunglasses and a hoody. "I can't walk out of the house without being covered up because I might get shot because that happens here," he said.

The teen's parents, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed and Muna Ibrahim, have not found work yet in Qatar, so the family of eight is living in government housing and on food vouchers, Mohamed told The Associated Press on Monday.

Among the claims made in the suit, which was brought by the teen's father, is that the boy's right to equal protection under the law was violated and that officers arrested him without probable cause.

Ahmed was a victim of systemic discrimination by the school district and state Board of Education that has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups, the suit claims.

"History tells us that when we have stood tall and proud for equality and freedom, we have grown as a nation," the suit says. "When we have given in to fear and hate, we flounder."

The suit adds, "In the case of Ahmed Mohamed, we have the opportunity to take a stand for equality and for justice, two things that should prevail above all else."

The Irving school district is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice over an alleged pattern of discrimination against minority students, according to Justice spokeswoman Rebecca Stewart.

The district in February sued the Texas Attorney General to keep the justice department's investigation private, said Ahmed's attorney, Susan Hutchison.

Ahmed's story brought an outpouring of support from President Barack Obama, other political leaders, corporate executives and NASA scientists.

"When I went to the new school, they asked me, 'are you that clock kid?' I told them yeah, I was. My identity was stripped," Ahmed said.

Patrolwoman Jessica Rondinelli was just out of the academy and still in field training. The missing piece of her ear could not be reattached.

SALEM - A woman accused of biting off part of a rookie police officer's ear has been ordered held without bail.

Emma Wiley, 19, of Marblehead, was being arrested in connection to a fight outside Tavern in the Square early Sunday morning when police say she attacked the officer.

The injured officer, identified by The Salem News as Patrolwoman Jessica Rondinelli, was just out of the academy and still in field training. The missing piece of her ear was found on the floor of a cruiser, but it could not be reattached.

Wiley also threatened to kill the arresting officers, according to The Salem News.

She faces numerous charges including mayhem and assault and battery on a police officer, along with using a fake Rhode Island ID to buy alcohol on the night of her arrest.

The ratepayer subsidies will support carbon-free generation from 3 upstate reactors.

While nuclear power is left to sink or swim in New England's competitive power market, New York last week approved a clean energy standard that calls for 50 percent renewables by 2030 and financial subsidies to keep three Upstate nuclear power plants in business.

The standard would guarantee the nuclear plants hundreds of millions in additional revenue over 12 years in an effort to keep the lights on while meeting the state's climate goals.

Facing sustained low natural gas prices and flat electricity demand, the plants have been struggling financially. But New York's Public Service Commission determined their operation is necessary to meet Gov. Andrew Cuomo's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, and 80 percent by 2050.

It's not feasible to meet such an aggressive climate goal in the short term through energy efficiency and renewables, commissioners wrote.

"It is not realistic to assume that sufficient additional renewable resources at a reasonable price or perhaps any price could be identified and implemented in sufficient time," the order stated.

In the meantime, the commission will continue to solicit bids from renewable power suppliers, awarding 20-year contracts to the winners, with a goal of 29.2 million megawatt-hours per year by 2030.

The James A. FitzPatrick, R.E. Ginna and Nine Mile Point nuclear plants are expected to produce 27.6 million megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity per year. Replacing the three nukes with renewables would require 9,000 megawatts of onshore wind or 22,000 megawatts of solar, a magnitude described as "virtually impossible" in the short-term.

Power marketers and fossil fuel generators have argued that subsidizing nuclear power would harm New York's wholesale electricity markets by artificially suppressing capacity prices. Regulators hope the financial support mechanism, based upon Zero Emission Credits, will survive the anticipated legal challenges.

A number of environmental, public health and climate groups were opposed to any support for the plants, arguing that nuclear power is not safe, clean, or carbon-free.

Exelon operates the three plants, and said it would invest about $200 million in the Ginna and Nine Mile Point facilities. Entergy has been in talks with Exelon to buy the FitzPatrick generator, which had been scheduled to shut down this year.

The Clean Energy Standard will cost less than $2 a month to the average residential customer's bill, said Cuomo in a statement. The Democratic governor said the standard would "more than double renewable resources, slash carbon emissions, protect the environment and grow the clean energy economy."

In New England, the 620-megawatt Vermont Yankee closed at the end of 2014 and the 680-megawatt Pilgrim Nuclear Station is due to close on May 31, 2019. That leaves the 1,244-megawatt Seabrook Station in New Hampshire and the 2,020-megawatt Millstone Station in Connecticut.

Pilgrim last year was designated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as one of the nation's least-safe reactors. America gets 20 percent of its electricity from its 61 nuclear power plants, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The U.S. Department of Energy is currently trying to solve the nation's nuclear waste problem, hoping that a consent-based model will lead to the siting of one or more long-term storage facilities.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

NBC says Jones will attend Olympic events, meet athletes and talk about the Games on the air and online.

NEW YORK (AP) -- "Ghostbusters" star and "Saturday Night Live" cast member Leslie Jones is bringing her enthusiasm for the Olympic games to Rio itself.

NBC said Monday that Jones will join the networks' Olympic coverage team on Friday. After seeing a series of tweets the comic had sent about the Olympics, including a video where she was wrapped in an American flag and wearing plastic gold medals, NBC Olympics Executive Producer Jim Bell invited her to join the team.

Wow ping pong is serious pic.twitter.com/4CPk7Ie56O

-- Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 7, 2016

I mean how much rhythm you have to have to do this OMG!! pic.twitter.com/ypGiwcvVZb

-- Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 9, 2016

Sugar and spice?....not what these girls are made of....it's all toughness lol pic.twitter.com/aoBSp3xIsn

-- Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

NBC says Jones will attend Olympic events, meet athletes and talk about the Games on the air and online.

Jones has moved up fast at NBC, joining "SNL" as a writer two years ago and becoming a cast member last year. She starred with Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon in "Ghostbusters."

WEEEEEERK!! OLYMPIAN!! pic.twitter.com/SU8L7oVQaP

-- Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

We gonna win everything I'm telling you!! I AM AMERICAN SPIRIT!! USA!! USA!! pic.twitter.com/RGAAKrnsga

-- Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) August 8, 2016

John "Jack" St. Clair, a lawyer whose clients have included State Rep. Thomas Petrolati and former Springfield city councilor and ex-homeless shelter director Frank Keough, was released from custody after being held on domestic assault charges.

PALMER -- A prosecutor on Tuesday said a prominent Western Massachusetts attorney habitually beat his wife before his arrest on domestic assault charges last month, while the defendant said the charges against him were based on false statements by a drunk woman.

John "Jack" St. Clair had been held in Hampden County Correctional Center since his arraignment in Palmer District Court last Wednesday, when he was charged with assault and battery on a family member, witness intimidation and strangulation -- a felony. At a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday, Judge Michael Mulcahy released St. Clair on personal recognizance, but stipulated he must stay away from his wife, undergo evaluations for substance abuse and mental health and remain alcohol free, among other conditions.

Charges stem from a July 29 incident during which police were called to St. Clair's home in East Longmeadow at about 9:15 p.m. Police arrived to find blood spattered around the house and St. Clair's wife with bruising on her face and arms, court records show. The alleged victim said St. Clair, whom she said was drunk, grabbed her face, slapped her and choked her.

St. Clair's wife told police that he brandished a knife and followed her around while trying to stab himself, police reports say.

Jack St. Clair again facing domestic assault charges

Speaking at length during Tuesday's hearing, St. Clair denied his wife's version of events, telling the court that she is a heavy drinker who was heavily intoxicated since 3 p.m. on the day he was arrested.

"The last two years the ingestion of alcohol has caused a lot of problems," St. Clair said.

On the night of the alleged assault, St. Clair said in court, he had accidentally cut his finger on a steak knife, which caused severe bleeding because of a prescription blood-thinning medication he takes.

As he bled, St. Clair said, his wife made a "ridiculing" remark about the defendant not being able to see his grandson from a previous marriage. The comment about his grandson, whom he described as special needs, struck an emotional chord.

"When she said that about my grandson, I put my hand on her face," St. Clair said. "I said, 'Tonight's the night I'll probably die ... my blood will be on your hands when I die,' and I put my hand on her face and her hair and I said, 'This blood is on you.'"

St. Clair said he drank just two glasses of wine the night of his arrest, but had taken sleeping medication and anti-anxiety medication after the incident, which is why he appeared disoriented when police arrived, as detailed in a police report filed in court.

But St. Clair's version of events failed to explain bruises on his wife's face and arms, Assistant District Attorney Michael Wallace said in court. When he spoke with the alleged victim, Wallace said, she said St. Clair regularly struck her strategically on parts of her body so that no visible bruises resulted.

Wallace also said that St. Clair has acted in a cavalier manner, including asking police to drive him home after he received bail the day after his arrest and failing to appear in court until two days after his scheduled arraignment.

St. Clair held without bail pending dangerousness hearing

"The arrogance throughout the process is what bothers the commonwealth," Wallace said.

At one point, St. Clair cited his experience in the courtroom after Wallace suggested that his wife's drinking is not a crime, while domestic assault is.

"I understand the courtroom, counsel," St. Clair said. "I've been in it a lot longer than you have."

St. Clair is scheduled to appear in court again Sept. 21 for a pretrial conference.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday that while nothing can be done about whom Hillary Clinton would nominate to the U.S. Supreme Court, backers of the Second Amendment could offer a potential solution.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday that while nothing can be done about whom Hillary Clinton would nominate to the U.S. Supreme Court, backers of the Second Amendment could offer a potential solution.

The remarks, which sparked criticism, came as the GOP nominee addressed supporters during a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina.

"Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish, the Second Amendment...By the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks," he said, according to ABC News.

"Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know. But I'll tell you what, that will be a horrible day."

Trump's campaign immediately sought to clarify the remarks and push back against accusations that the GOP nominee was jokingly suggesting Clinton be assassinated.

Arguing that the candidate's words were inaccurately portrayed by the "dishonest media," campaign officials said Trump simply sought to highlight the support he has received from Second Amendment supporters.

"It's called the power of unification - Second Amendment people have amazing spirit and are tremendously unified, which gives them great political power," said campaign spokesman Jason Miller in a statement. "And this year, they will be voting in record numbers, and it won't be for Hillary Clinton, it will be for Donald Trump."

Clinton's campaign, however, offered a different take on Trump's comments.

"This is simple--what Trump is saying is dangerous," said Hillary for America Campaign Manager Robby Mook. "A person seeking to be the president of the United States should not suggest violence in any way."

There will be several competitive primaries among Democrats in Western Massachusetts, including the Hampden County Sheriff's race, and races for open seats in the state Senate and House.

A Berkshire region state Senate seat. A Springfield race for state representative. An Amherst state House seat. The Hampden County sheriff's race.

Several elections in Western Massachusetts will feature competitive primaries on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The deadline to register to vote in those primaries is Friday, Aug. 19.

Anyone who has a signature on file with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and who has a valid driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver ID, can register to vote through the state's online voter registration system.

Anyone not registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or who does not want to submit a form online, can print a form through that website, then mail it to a local election official. A list of every city and town's local election officials can be found at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm.

You can register to vote in person with a local election official or at the secretary of state's office. Voter registration can also be done through the Registry of Motor Vehicles or at some public assistance offices.

To be eligible to vote in Massachusetts, a person must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and cannot be incarcerated for a felony conviction. You must update your voter registration any time you move. If you fail to re-register in time, you may vote from your old address for up to six months after a move.

Voters wanting to switch political parties must do so by the Aug. 19 deadline. In Massachusetts, you may vote in a primary if you belong to that party or if you are unenrolled in any political party. A Republican cannot vote in the Democratic primary, and a Democrat cannot vote in the Republican primary.

There is only one competitive primary for U.S. Congress this year on either side of the aisle, with two Republicans -- Mark Alliegro and Thomas O'Malley -- vying to challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Keating in the 9th District, which covers southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

On the Republican side, there are no contested primaries in Western Massachusetts. Statewide, there are only two state Senate seats and one state House seat with contested GOP primaries. Republicans also have competitive races for Essex County sheriff and for commissioners in Barnstable and Plymouth counties.

Democrats do have some heavily contested races in Western Massachusetts.

Mary Hurley and Jeffrey Morneau are vying to replace Governor's Councilor Michael Albano for the Governor's Council seat from the Eighth District.

Albano is leaving the Governor's Council to run for Hampden County sheriff to replace retiring Sheriff Mike Ashe. Albano will face off in the Democratic primary against Thomas Ashe and Nick Cocchi. Jack Griffin, who has dropped out of the race, will still appear on the ballot.

Hampshire County Sheriff Robert Garvey is also retiring. Democrats Patrick Cahillane, Kavern Lewis and Melissa Perry all hope to replace him.

In the state Senate, Democrats Rinaldo Del Gallo, Andrea Harrington and Adam Hinds are competing for the seat formerly held by State Sen. Ben Downing, D-Pittsfield, representing Berkshire County and parts of Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.

In the House, four Democrats are hoping to win the 11th Hampden seat held by State Rep. Benjamin Swan, D-Springfield, who is retiring. These include Swan's son, Benjamin Swan Jr., as well as Ken Barnett, Larry Lawson and Bud Williams.

In the 3rd Hampshire District, six Democrats are vying to replace retiring State Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst. These include Viraphanh Cage, Solomon Goldstein-Rose, Sarah LaCour, Bonnie MacCracken, Eric Nakajima and Lawrence O'Brien.

Michael Bloomberg is challenging incumbent State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield.

Statewide, there are many more competitive races among Democrats than among Republicans, including races for four seats on the Governor's Council, seven Senate seats, 29 House seats, six sheriff positions, five county commissioners and two registers of deeds.

Massachusetts residents have until Wednesday, Oct. 19 to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election, which will include the presidential election.

Catherine Sabol is charged in an Agawam crash that seriously injured pedestrian Paul Bachini of Agawam

SPRINGFIELD -- A trial date of Aug. 29 has been set for the woman charged in the crash that seriously injured pedestrian Paul Bachini in Agawam more than two years ago.

Catherine Sabol, 43, of Agawam is charged with operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury. She is also charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and one count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident. 

She has been free on bail since being charged.

Sabol had a change in lawyers last November when Stephen L. Jones took over the defense. 

Two motions to suppress evidence have been denied in the case. The most recent motion to suppress evidence was denied by Hampden Superior Court Judge Mark D. Mason on June 22.

Sabol had tried to suppress evidence and her statements from when police talked to her at her brother's house right after the crash, saying the police entry into the house was a warrantless search.

Pedestrian seriously injured in Agawam accident

The crash occurred April 17, 2014 at about 12:15 p.m. when Bachini, 61 at the time, was walking along South West Street in Agawam with his wife.

Bachini suffered severe head trauma and other injuries, according to police. He was initially hospitalized in critical condition.

Police said that Sabol, after hitting Bachini, struck several other objects along the side of the road but continued driving away from the scene. Her car was found about a half-mile down the road.

In Mason's written decision denying the defense motion to dismiss, he ruled Sabol's brother, who was outside his South West Street home, verbally indicated Sabol was inside and gestured Agawam Police Sgt. Mark Pfau was welcome to enter.

Mason said the brother did the same with Lt. Edward McGovern.

The defense argued Sabol's statements to police at that house must be suppressed because she did not receive Miranda warnings. Mason ruled Sabol was not yet in custody at the time she made her statements and was not subject to interrogation that would have required Miranda warnings.

Paul Bachini remains in critical but stable condition

According to the "Findings of Fact" written by Mason in his decision, Pfau said Sabol's brother said his "sister is in the house and s---faced."

Mason said Sabol was sitting at the kitchen table crying and she asked Pfau if "she had hit anything." Pfau asked if she was all right and she said she was all right. She said she had just had four or five glasses of wine and the last glass was at noon that day, Mason wrote.

An officer on-scene said the 5 p.m. crash did not cause any apparent injuries, but the vehicle occupants are "shaken up."

SPRINGFIELD - A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of W. Columbus Ave. and Main St. knocked down a light pole and caused slight delays for drivers.

An officer on-scene said the 5 p.m. crash did not cause any apparent injuries, but the vehicle occupants are "shaken up."

At around 5:45 p.m., crews were sweeping debris out of the roadway and preparing to remove the light pole from the road.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Leslie Odom, Jr., who shot to stardom in his role as Vice President Aaron Burr in the award-winning Broadway show “Hamilton,” plans to perform at a fundraising gala for the Edward Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.

BOSTON - Leslie Odom, Jr., who shot to stardom in his role as Vice President Aaron Burr in the award-winning Broadway show "Hamilton," plans to perform at a fundraising gala for the Edward Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.

He will be offering up songs from "Hamilton" and his new jazz album, according to the institute.

The gala is set for Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. The institute is located in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

The institute opened in 2015 and features a full-scale high-tech replica of the U.S. Senate chamber.

Odom, 35, left "Hamilton" on July 9, the same night as Phillipa Soo and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the show.

"There is a chance that this is the greatest role I might ever have in my life," Odom told the New York Times earlier this year. "And that's O.K. If this is the greatest role I ever have in my life, thank God I got to do it."

Odom has also appeared on the CBS show "Person of Interest" and NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit."

Hamilton wrote this letter just before he died, called democracy a 'disease'

The two men reportedly work for All States Asphalt in Sunderland.

FRAMINGHAM - Two workers suffered major burns when they were accidentally sprayed with liquid asphalt at the Department of Public Works yard on Henry Street on Tuesday afternoon.

One man, 56, was sprayed in the face, hands, arms and upper body by 400-degree wet tar, while the second man, 31, suffered burns on his hands and arms, according to The Metrowest Daily News.

The two men reportedly work for All States Asphalt in Sunderland.

The man who was sprayed in the face was airlifted to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, while the other man was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Federal, state and local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Investigators said that at around 6 p.m. on Saturday, the man asked the girls to get into his van and play the smartphone game "Pokemon Go." They refused and ran away.

BRIDGEWATER - Police have released a sketch of a man who approached three 11-year-old girls on Lady Slipper Road and tried to lure them into his van.

Courtesy: Bridgewater Police Dept. 

Investigators said that at around 6 p.m. on Saturday, the man asked the girls to get into his black minivan and play the smartphone game "Pokemon Go." They refused and ran away.

Police are referring to the man in the sketch as a person of interest.

He is described as a slim, well-built, dark-skinned male in his 20s with tattoos on both of his arms and chest. He was not wearing a shirt at the time of the incident.

Officers are knocking on doors in the area in search of witnesses.

Anyone with information about the incident, the person of interest or his vehicle is urged to call the Bridgewater Police Department Detective Division at 508-697-6118.