Thursday, February 16, 2023

Revealed: the hacking and disinformation team meddling in elections | Technology | The Guardian

"A team of Israeli contractors who claim to have manipulated more than 30 elections around the world using hacking, sabotage and automated disinformation on social media has been exposed in a new investigation.

The unit is run by Tal Hanan, a 50-year-old former Israeli special forces operative who now works privately using the pseudonym “Jorge”, and appears to have been working under the radar in elections in various countries for more than two decades.

He is being unmasked by an international consortium of journalists. Hanan and his unit, which uses the codename “Team Jorge”, have been exposed by undercover footage and documents leaked to the Guardian."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/15/revealed-disinformation-team-jorge-claim-meddling-elections-tal-hanan

Tal Hanan and his colleagues met reporters at an office in Modi’in, about 20 miles outside Tel Aviv. Photograph: Haaretz/TheMarker/Radio France

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Feb 16, 2023

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Veterans' Call: PACT Act

9:00 am Riffing with the President Ep 1

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Sandya: Pasta

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Oral Health

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 show 4

3:00 pm Joe Landry: Grocery Stores

4:30 pm Frank Presents: Chris Woolf

6:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Ep 1

7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 1 - Tweed funk

8:00 pm Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

8:30 am Tri County Vaping Forum

10:30 am Public School Concert: Sullivan Winter Music 2019

2:00 pm Public School Event: FHS Winter Jazz Night '22

4:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

5:00 pm Hockomock League Swimming Championship 2023 Day 2

8:00 pm Hockomock League Swimming Championship 2023 Day 1

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 02-09-23

11:30 am Open Space and Recreation Planning: 02-09-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 02-09-23

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: LIVE, Remote, 837 9713 9953

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Franklin Cultural District: Black history month events, fund raisers, book/bag sale, & more leading to the Presidents' Day holiday #artshappenhere

Wednesday, February 15

11:00am - Franklin Q&A (virtual only with Senior Center closed)

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (virtual only with Senior Center closed)

6:00pm - Evening Salon to Celebrate the Legacy of Bayard Rustin (Dean College)

6:30pm - Senator Edward M. Brooke (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, February 16

6:00pm - Art Association Gallery - Reception (Escape Into Fiction)

Escape Into Fiction

6:00pm - Pours for the Pantry (Food Pantry fund raiser at Pour Richard’s)

7:00pm - Wine Barre 02038 (21+ event) (Intermission Café)

67 Degrees Brewing

Friday, February 17

1:00pm - Library Book Sale (books for $1) (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm - The Caribbean Press (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Black History Month Bingo (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, February 18

9:00am - Library Book Sale (books for $1) (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Library book & bag sale, silent movie, etc.

11:00am - Silent Saturday: Safety Last! (free silent movie) (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm - Library Bag Sale (books by the bag for $5/bag) (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm - Joey D's Wingz & Thingz (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - The Elastic Five (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, February 19

7:30am - All you can eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, February 20 - Presidents' Day

Tuesday, February 21

10:30am - Ed Popielarczyk Magic Show (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm - Jewelry Making with PT color Market (grades 3-5) (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Dean Neighborhood Alliance (Dean College)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin Art Association Art Gallery

Visit the Cultural District page -> https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Town of Franklin: The 2023 OSRP Survey is Now Open for your input!

Good Morning Neighbors,

It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the 2023 OSRP survey is now LIVE!

We welcome your participation in this survey to help the Town draft an OSRP inclusive of your priorities for our Open Space and Recreation areas. Can't remember what the OSRP is or why it's important? No problem! In its basic form, the OSRP is a "plan for plans"; it is a guiding path and checklist the Town can utilize to improve Open Space and Recreation areas and receive funding through grants from various organizations. The last OSRP was finalized in 2016 and can be read here. To learn more about the 2023 OSRP process, feel free to watch this brief video.

By participating in this survey, you are helping the Town prioritize Open Space and Recreation projects reflective of what you think is most important for your home. The survey is available digitally and physically between February 13 and April 16 at various location around Town, and at the first and second OSRP public hearings. You can also access the survey by visiting the QR code below or by visiting https://forms.gle/a8YoZpXbg5jbGYVD7. Hardcopy surveys are available upon request to bgoodlander@franklinma.gov.

To further follow the OSRP process, please subscribe to Conservation News Alerts by visiting https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe and selecting "Conservation" under "News or Announcement". We can't wait to see your responses and we thank you for helping recreate the future vision of Franklin!

Town of Franklin: The 2023 OSRP Survey is Now Open for your input!

Breeka LÍ Goodlander, CWS, PWS, CERPIT

Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager

Town of Franklin

Office: 508.520.4929

bgoodlander@franklinma.gov

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, February 16, 7:00 PM

Hello once again from the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Our meeting this week (third Thursday of the month) will be on Zoom, this Thursday, February 16, starting at 7:00 PM.

Zoom link for the meeting, Thursday, February 16, 7:00-8:30 PM.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

At this week's meeting—in addition to our usual agenda items about local, regional, statewide and national developments—we will review 350 Mass' Campaign proposals for 2023-24. We will consider which of the seven proposals our Node would recommend to the full organization, based on criteria such as their impact and likelihood of success. If you plan to attend the meeting and would like to review the proposals in advance, please reply to ralph.halpern@comcast.net to receive materials.

Here's an opportunity to learn about heat pumps. Tomorrow evening, Wednesday, February 15, 7:00-8:30 PM, another 350 Mass Node is sponsoring a webinar to learn how to navigate the often bewildering process of installing heat pumps and maximizing your rebate. Learn more and register here.

If you have an announcement or a topic for discussion, we can add it to the agenda. Let us know by contacting ralph.halpern@comcast.net.

We hope you receive 350 Mass' Climate Weekly email. It's a good way to keep up with key issues and actions on their behalf. You can sign up here.

We will send a reminder about the Node's meeting on Thursday.

Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017

FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Attleboro on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 41 @ Attleboro, 36 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap ->

For three and a half quarters, Attleboro controlled the tempo of the game and had visiting Franklin right where they wanted them.

The Bombardiers slowed the game down in an effort to limit how many possessions the Panthers had, and it was working as sophomore Hayden Crowley’s third three-pointer of the game had Attleboro up 30-25 with just six minutes to go.

But in crunch time, Franklin junior Sean O’Leary showed why he’s been the best player in the Hockomock League this season.

The Panthers rattled off a 12-0 run in a three-minute span, and O’Leary was directly involved in each bucket. He had a pair of traditional three-point plays, assisted on a three from senior Justin Allen after Attleboro brought a double team, and then drained a corner three off a tremendous effort play from senior Ben Harvey for a 37-30 lead.

Continue reading the recap ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-claw-past-attleboro-with-strong-finish/

Franklin junior Sean O’Leary celebrates with teammates after hitting a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter at Attleboro. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

– For Photo Gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2022-2023/Winter-2022-2023/Attleboro-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-02-14-23/

Girls Basketball = Attleboro, 51 @ Franklin, 61 – Final

Josh Perry, the Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap ->

Kayla Goldrick grabbed a tough offensive rebound and scored in traffic to put Attleboro up 47-40 early in the fourth quarter. It was the largest lead of the game for the Bombardiers and they were fired up on the visiting bench. A win would move Attleboro level with Franklin atop the Kelley-Rex division with one league game remaining. The program’s first league title seemed possible.

But, the Panthers have faced their share of tough games before. With four seniors on the floor, who had each been part of three league championship-winning seasons already, Franklin leaned on its experience down the stretch, finding a second gear that would take it to the final whistle.

Franklin put together a 16-2 run to grab control of the game, outscored the Bombardiers 21-6 in the fourth quarter, and rallied for a 61-51 victory that sealed a fifth straight outright league title. The Panthers are only the second girls basketball team to win five titles in a row, joining Oliver Ames, which won from 2009-13.

Senior point guard Bridget Leo explained, “We’re such a tight group of girls. We get along so well. Coach Leighton is awesome. We just have an amazing support system really, so it just means a lot. We worked really hard for it.”

Continue reading the game recap ->

https://hockomocksports.com/late-run-lifts-franklin-girls-basketball-past-attleboro-in-title-showdown/

Franklin players celebrated on the court after their fourth quarter rally to sweep Attleboro and secure the program’s fifth straight league title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

– For a Photo Gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2022-2023/Winter-2022-2023/Franklin-Attleboro-Girls-Basketball-2-14-23

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-14-23/

Congressman Auchincloss: Update from the last 2 weeks

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW

I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed.

On the Hill

State of the Union: I attended the President's State of the Union address on Tuesday night, where he spoke of the progress we've made, from infrastructure to gun safety, and of the work still ahead. He proclaimed that our democracy, though bruised, remains unbowed and unbroken. Now, we must finish the job and deliver results for the American people.

I was joined by Dr. Xiaoyan Qin, an independent pharmacist, as my guest of honor. I recently visited Union Pharmacy and spoke to Dr. Qin about being a small business owner and how rising healthcare costs affect Americans every day. She has made a name for herself with top-notch patient service in our district. We also discussed her experiences as an immigrant from China who has witnessed the opportunities America provides firsthand. As a small business owner and advocate for better drug-pricing policy, she represents how immigrants enrich our communities.

China: I was honored to be appointed as a Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. This committee will assess the myriad military, economic, and technological challenges posed by China. As underscored by China's recent surveillance of U.S. sites, the relationship between the two greatest powers in the world is deteriorating.

This Congress, and my generation, have an opportunity to rise above politics to chart a course for sound strategy. Americans' own cultivation of freedom, democracy, and science will be the hallmarks of a winning strategy. If Americans allow this heritage to wither, then no plan can save us. If we re-invigorate these strengths, then no nation can outcompete us. I am ready to chart that course.

Regulating Social Media: We must bring social media companies before Congress and hold them accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit. As a father of two, I am deeply concerned about the impact social media has on children's mental health. It is unacceptable that these companies are targeting children as young as 8 years old. By setting a verifiable age of at least 16 for social media, Congress could empower parents as the gatekeepers of healthy online experiences for their children. I am committed to supporting legislation that will keep our children safe online.

Make your voice heard → Are you concerned about the impact of social media on our children?

Do you support setting an age limit for social media?

Around the Fourth

WinterFEST: I went to the Hyde Community Center in Newton for the second annual WinterFEST, hosted by Newton Community Pride. I enjoyed the hot soup and great company with my friends and neighbors.

New Additions to the District: In the first month of the 118th Congress, I've been traveling to the towns added to the Massachusetts Fourth as part of redistricting. Recently, I had terrific conversations with officials and residents in Millville and Sherborn. I heard about issues ranging from water to housing to internet access. I am committed to advocating for these communities in Congress.

Onwards,