<p>US President Biden's re-election campaign has initiated a $50 million advertising campaign featuring an ad that underscores Trump's felony conviction.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/biden-campaign-launches-50m-advertising-onslaught-targeting-trumps-legal-troubles/">Biden Campaign Launches $50m Advertising Onslaught Targeting Trump’s Legal Troubles</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
US President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is embarking on a $50 million advertising onslaught through the end of June, which includes its first television ad highlighting Donald Trump’s felony conviction.
This move signals that Biden is aiming to spotlight his Republican opponent’s legal issues as a key factor heading into the November election.
With Election Day still more than five months away, Biden’s campaign is eager to define the choice between the candidates ahead of their first debate in Atlanta on June 27. The ad campaign allocates over $1 million to media targeting Black, Hispanic, and Asian American voters, and features a spot that underscores Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in a New York hush money case. This ad will air on general market television, connected TV on streaming devices, and mobile phones in battleground states, as well as on national cable.
The ad, titled “Character Matters,” not only focuses on Trump’s criminal conviction but also highlights his liability for sexual assault and financial fraud in separate cases. Trump faces felony charges in three other criminal cases, none of which are expected to go to trial before the November election.
“This election is between a convicted criminal who’s only out for himself and a president who’s fighting for your family,” the ad’s narrator said, as the ad showed images of a Trump mugshot alongside Biden engaging with supporters.
Biden has consistently criticised Trump’s felony convictions while condemning the former president’s claims that the case against him was politically motivated as he said, “It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”
Meanwhile, Biden’s son Hunter was convicted last week in Delaware on three felony charges related to a 2018 gun purchase. The president has expressed his acceptance of the case’s outcome and emphasised his respect for the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.
A key aspect of Biden’s re-election strategy involves highlighting Trump’s policy proposals for a second term and galvanizing disaffected Democrats and independent voters. The campaign’s decision to produce an ad heavily focused on Trump’s conviction, and to include it in a substantial advertising buy, indicates a renewed effort to make Trump’s legal problems a central election issue.
Biden’s campaign spokesman, Michael Taylor, said, “It’s a stark contrast, and it’s one that matters deeply to the American people, and it’s why we will make sure that every single day we are reminding voters about how Joe Biden is fighting for them, while Donald Trump runs a campaign focused on one man and one man only: himself.”
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed, though without evidence, that Biden or Justice Department officials orchestrated the New York case against him for political reasons. Trump and his allies also suggested prosecuting political opponents in retaliation if he returns to the White House.
Trump’s campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, also accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system against Trump, as she asserted that the contrast between the two candidates “will be very clear on the debate stage.”
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<p> An investigation is ongoing into former Boeing employee Barnett’s fatal "self-inflicted" wound.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/former-boeing-employee-turned-whistleblower-found-dead-in-hotel-room/">Former Boeing Employee Turned Whistleblower Found Dead In Hotel Room</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/flowers-in-front-of-the-montreal-skyline.jpg?id=59911676&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Easter weekend is just around the corner — and if you've been holding off on <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/mapaq-chocolate-recall-montreal" target="_blank">chocolate</a> (or wine) since Lent, the finish line is in sight. But before you dive into holiday mode, keep in mind that Easter also brings closures and schedule changes across Montreal.</p><p>Whether you're planning a Good Friday (April 18) hangout or trying to squeeze in errands on Easter Monday (April 21), it's worth knowing what's open, closed, or operating on reduced hours throughout the weekend.</p><p>Good Friday is a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-stat-holidays-2025-calendar" target="_blank">statutory holiday in every province and territory except Quebec</a>. Here, employers are only required to give either Good Friday or Easter Monday off — not both. So depending on your workplace, you could be off Friday, Monday, or neither.</p><p>From grocery stores and liquor outlets to public transit, government services, and attractions, here's what you need to know about what's open and closed in the city from April 18 and 21 — including the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/saq" target="_blank">SAQ</a>, Maxi, IGA, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/societe-de-transport-de-montreal" target="_blank">the STM</a>, and more.</p><h3>Grocery stores and markets</h3><br/><p><strong>Grocery stores:</strong></p><ul><li>Metro: Stores will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday (regular hours) but only the Metro Plus De La Montagne will be open on Easter Sunday.</li><li><span></span>Super C: Stores will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday (regular hours), however none will be open on Easter Sunday.</li><li>Aisle 24: All locations of this cashierless grocery chain are open 24/7, all year round. You'll just need to download the app and create a profile in order to unlock the door.</li><li>IGA: IGA did not respond to MTL Blog's request for information on the holiday hours and their websites do not have holiday hours posted as of the time of publishing. You may want to call your local store to confirm their hours before heading out.</li><li>Maxi: All Maxi stores in Montreal will maintain regular hours on Friday and Monday, but will be closed on Sunday.</li><li>Walmart: All Walmart stores in Montreal will maintain regular hours on Friday and Monday, but will be closed on Sunday.</li></ul><p><strong>Markets: </strong>All of Montreal's public markets — including Atwater, Jean-Talon, and Maisonneuve — will be open throughout the Easter long weekend, with slightly reduced hours on Sunday. You can find full schedules on the <a href="https://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/" target="_blank">Marchés publics de Montréal website</a>.</p><h3>Pharmacies</h3><br/><p><strong>Pharmacies: </strong>Most major pharmacies (Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, Uniprix, etc.) will be open during their regular hours all weekend.<br/><br/></p><p><strong>Dépanneurs: </strong>Convenience stores and 24-hour dépanneurs remain open throughout the weekend, depending on the owner.</p><h3>SAQ</h3><br><p><strong>SAQ:</strong> If you're planning to pick up a bottle for your Easter weekend celebration you've got a few days to work with — but some locations will be closed depending on the day and store type.</p> <ul> <li> Good Friday (April 18) & Saturday (April 19):<br/> All SAQ locations will be open as usual.</li> <li> Easter Sunday (April 20): <ul> <li> SAQ Express stores will be open.</li> <li> Most SAQ stores (formerly “SAQ Classique”) will also be open.</li> <li> SAQ Sélection locations will mostly be closed.</li> <li> SAQ Dépôt stores will be closed.</li> </ul> </li> <li> Easter Monday (April 21):<br/> Most SAQ stores will be open, except for those inside enclosed malls that don't have exterior access.</li> </ul> <p>To check exact hours for your local branch, visit the "Branches" section on <a href="https://www.saq.com/en/store?srsltid=AfmBOor0ZWcR9zyQEhWzzzE2GYWxfRl_PuxpFPh2Ttc2j1CzssToy4CP" target="_blank">SAQ.com</a>.</p><p><strong>SQDC: </strong>All SQDC stores in Montreal will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.</p><h3>Shopping malls</h3><br><p>In Quebec, Easter Sunday is considered an official retail closing day, meaning most stores — including major shopping malls — must close by law. However, they're open on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday.</p><p>Here's a quick look at Montreal-area malls that will be closed on Easter Sunday (April 20) but open the rest of the weekend:</p> <ul> <li> CF Fairview Pointe Claire</li> <li> Carrefour Laval</li> <li> Centre Rockland</li> <li> Carrefour Angrignon</li> <li> Plaza Côte-des-Neiges</li> <li> Galeries d'Anjou</li> <li> Centre Eaton de Montréal</li></ul><h3>Services</h3><br><p><strong>Garbage collection:</strong> Regular collection schedules (garbage, recycling, compost) will continue across Montreal this weekend. For more info about your specific borough, you can visit <a href="http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/collectes" target="_blank">ville.montreal.qc.ca/collectes</a>.<span></span></p><p><span></span><strong>Canada Post:</strong> Canada Post is closed on national, provincial and territorial <a href="https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/general-information/find-out-operating-hours-on-holidays" target="_blank">holidays</a>. That means there is no collection or delivery of mail happening on Good Friday or Easter Monday, as they are both observed at the federal level. However, post offices operated by private businesses may be open if their host businesses are.</p><p><strong>Banks:</strong> All banks are closed on Good Friday. Some may be open on Easter Monday, despite it being a national holiday — it's best to call your local branch to make sure before heading out.</p><p><strong>Courts: </strong>The municipal court is closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and "only cases of persons in custody will be processed in court during this period at the building on 775 Rue Gosford," according to the <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/articles/open-or-closed-holiday-schedule-offices-facilities-and-services-30540" target="_blank">City of Montreal website</a>.</p><p>If you need to get in touch with the City over the long weekend, you can still <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/contact-city" target="_blank">call 311</a> but hours will be reduced from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Good Friday and Easter Monday.</p><h3>Transportation</h3><br><p><strong>STM: </strong>Good Friday and Easter Monday are recognized holidays by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), so both bus and metro service will follow a holiday schedule. Be sure to check your specific route before heading out.</p><p><strong>Exo: </strong>Exo will also be adjusting its schedules for the long weekend. Regular paratransit schedules are automatically cancelled on legal holidays. Full details are available on the <a href="https://exo.quebec/en/customer-service/statutory-holiday-schedules" target="_blank">Exo website</a>.</p><h3>Things to do</h3><br/><p><strong>Espace pour la Vie museums:</strong> All five sites — the Biodome, Biosphere, Insectarium, Planetarium, and Botanical Garden — will be open all Easter weekend but closed on Monday.</p> <ul> <li> Good Friday, April 18:<br/> All locations open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except the Planetarium, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.</li> <li> Saturday, April 19:<br/> Same hours as Friday — all museums open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Planetarium open until 8:15 p.m.</li> <li> Easter Sunday, April 20:<br/> All sites open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Planetarium closing a bit earlier at 5 p.m.</li></ul><div><strong>Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: </strong>The museum is open all weekend, including Friday and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.</div><p><strong>Cinemas: </strong>Most movie theatres in Montreal — including all Cineplex theatres, Cinema du Parc, Cinéma Moderne Ciné-Starz, and Cinéma Starcité— are open all weekend.</p><p><strong>City-run </strong><strong>sports and cultural centres:</strong> Activities will have hours that vary by borough — call ahead or check your local borough site.</p><p><strong>Libraries:</strong> <span style="">Many public libraries in Montreal will be closed on Good Friday (April 18), Easter Sunday (April 20), and Easter Monday (April 21).</span> <span style="">Some branches may have modified hours on Saturday (April 19).</span> Since schedules can vary by borough, it's advisable to <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/places?mtl_content.lieux.installation.code=BIBL" target="_blank">check with your local library</a> for specific hours.</p><p><strong>Federal election early voting: </strong>Advance voting for the 2025 federal election kicks off this Easter weekend, running from Friday to Tuesday. Polling stations will remain open throughout the long weekend, including on statutory holidays. To find your local advance poll, confirm your registration, and get all the key info you need before heading out, check out <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/election-canada-montreal-voting" target="_blank">our full federal election guide here</a>.</p><div></div></br></br></br></br><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
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