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MassDOT's I-90 Construction in Becket, West & Stockbridge

2024-11-29

From Monday, December 2, through Friday, December 6, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will be carrying out crucial construction activities on I-90 in Becket, West Stockbridge, and Stockbridge. These operations involve bridge painting, bridge repair work, and guardrail work, which will impact traffic during specific scheduled hours.

Stay Informed and Navigate I-90's Construction Zone

Becket's Bridge Painting

On I-90 westbound at mile marker 18.4, bridge painting will commence on Monday night, December 2, and continue through Thursday night, December 5. The work will end on Friday morning, December 6, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Lane closures will be in place to ensure the safety and efficiency of the painting process. This is a significant undertaking that requires careful coordination to ensure a smooth operation. The bridge painting is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the highway. It helps to prevent corrosion and extend the lifespan of the bridge, which in turn benefits the traveling public.During this time, drivers should be prepared for delays and reduce their speed. Appropriate signage and messaging will be provided to guide them through the work area. It is important for drivers to follow these instructions carefully to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road.

West Stockbridge and Stockbridge's Bridge Repair Work

Bridge repair work will take place on I-90 eastbound from mile marker 3.9 to mile marker 6.5. This work will start on Monday night, December 2, and end on Tuesday morning, December 3, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Lane closures will be utilized to carry out the necessary repairs. Bridge repair is crucial for addressing any structural issues and ensuring the safety of the traveling public. It helps to prevent potential accidents and delays caused by faulty bridges.During this period, drivers should expect some disruptions to their travel. It is advisable to plan their routes in advance and allow for extra time to reach their destinations. By following the instructions and staying alert, drivers can navigate through the work area safely.

Guardrail Work in Becket and West Stockbridge

Guardrail work will be conducted on I-90 westbound from mile marker 1.0 to mile marker 3.0 and on I-90 eastbound from mile marker 0.8 to mile marker 3.0. The work will start on Monday night, December 2, and end on Thursday night, December 5, with the same time frame of 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Lane closures will be implemented to carry out the guardrail repairs. Guardrails play a vital role in ensuring the safety of drivers by providing a barrier in case of an accident. Regular maintenance and repair of guardrails are necessary to keep them in good condition and provide maximum protection.During the guardrail work, drivers should be cautious and reduce their speed. The presence of construction crews and equipment in the work area requires extra attention. By following the traffic signs and instructions, drivers can help to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions;Visit the Mass511 website, which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information; orFollow MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MassDOT for regular updates on road and traffic conditions.These measures will help travelers stay informed and make informed decisions about their travel plans. It is important to stay updated on the latest traffic conditions to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a safe journey.

Canadian news and media companies have taken a significant step by filing a lawsuit against OpenAI. This legal action alleges that the ChatGPT maker has violated their copyrights and reaped unjust benefits at their expense. The companies involved, such as the Toronto Star, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the Globe and Mail, are seeking monetary compensation and a ban on OpenAI's further use of their work.

News Media Fights Back Against OpenAI's Copyright Misuse

Alleged Infringement and Unfair Enrichment

A group of Canadian news and media companies have come forward with a serious claim. They assert that OpenAI has been scraping content from their websites to train the large language models powering ChatGPT. This content represents the outcome of substantial time, effort, and financial investment by the News Media Companies and their dedicated journalists, editors, and staff. Instead of obtaining the information through legal channels, OpenAI has boldly appropriated their valuable intellectual property and converted it for its own commercial uses without obtaining consent or providing any form of consideration. This blatant act of copyright infringement has sparked a legal battle that could have significant implications for both the news industry and the future of artificial intelligence.

OpenAI is not alone in facing copyright lawsuits. The New York Times, New York Daily News, YouTube creators, and authors like comedian Sarah Silverman have also taken legal action against the company. While OpenAI has signed licensing deals with some publishers, the companies behind this new suit claim that they have never received any form of compensation in exchange for OpenAI's use of their works.

OpenAI's Response and Collaboration Efforts

An OpenAI spokesperson has issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. They claim that ChatGPT is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide to enhance their daily lives, inspire creativity, and solve complex problems. Their models are trained on publicly available data and are based on fair use and international copyright principles that are beneficial for creators and support innovation. The spokesperson also emphasizes that OpenAI collaborates closely with news publishers, including displaying, attributing, and providing links to their content in ChatGPT search. They offer publishers an easy way to opt-out if they so desire.

This lawsuit comes at a time when Columbia University's Tow Center for Digital Journalism published a study revealing that no publisher, regardless of its affiliation with OpenAI, was spared from inaccurate representations of its content in ChatGPT. This highlights the need for greater transparency and accuracy in the use of news media content by artificial intelligence systems.

The lawsuit filed by Canadian news and media companies against OpenAI is a significant development in the ongoing debate about copyright and the use of news content in artificial intelligence. It raises important questions about the balance between innovation and the protection of intellectual property. As the legal battle unfolds, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the future of both the news industry and the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

Law & Order: SVU Season 26 has come to an end in the 2024 TV schedule. Fans now face a choice - either indulge in a classic cable TV marathon or subscribe to Peacock to get their fix of Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) investigating those especially heinous sexually-based offenses for the rest of the year. The fall finale stands out as a memorable episode, yet it also left a lasting impact on Carisi (Peter Scanavino).

Unraveling the Impact of Law & Order: SVU's Fall Finale

Details of the Fall Finale

In the fall finale of Law & Order: SVU Season 26, a significant event took place. Carisi found himself trapped in a deli along with several hostages and two armed criminals. As the police presence grew outside, the situation became increasingly tense. Carisi did his best to maintain control, but things took a turn for the worse. He was revealed to have been an NYPD officer, one of the hostages was shot, and another was dragged into a back room to be assaulted. Carisi had to bear witness to this horrifying scene while remaining just on the other side of the room. Peter Scanavino delivered one of his finest performances in the series, and Kelli Giddish's return as Rollins added to the emotional stakes. This was a standout episode that left a deep impression.

It was a harrowing experience for Carisi, and the final credits rolled with a sense of unease. The episode's real-time setting and the intense drama made it a memorable one, but it also made viewers think about the wait for Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5.

How the Fall Finale Led to Missing Organized Crime

Although Law & Order: Organized Crime is a spinoff of SVU, the two shows have distinct differences. In the fall finale of SVU, the format deviated from the usual, taking place mostly in real-time during Carisi's hostage situation and lacking the usual courtroom drama. This format felt more like Organized Crime than SVU.

What's more, the focus on the hostage situation overshadowed the "sexually-based offenses" that the series is known for. It was as if the essence of SVU was temporarily forgotten. This made viewers realize how much they missed the non-sexually-based offenses that used to air regularly on Thursday nights with a different format. As a result, the longing for Law & Order: Organized Crime grew stronger.

Alas, there is still no definite word on when Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 will premiere. Production started in August, but there have been setbacks. If Peacock waits until all episodes are ready before releasing the first one, it could be a while before we continue Stabler's story. In the meantime, viewers can look forward to the returns of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU on Thursday, January 16 at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET respectively on NBC. The first four seasons of Organized Crime are available on Peacock as we wait for the next season.