WEATHER ALERT
Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across state
Read full article: Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across stateFirefighters in Massachusetts are continuing to battle stubborn brush fires across the state with officials urging residents to take precautions to help avoid sparking new blazes.
Nibi the 'diva' beaver to stay at rescue center, Massachusetts governor decides
Read full article: Nibi the 'diva' beaver to stay at rescue center, Massachusetts governor decidesThe question of whether a 2-year-old beaver named Nibi can stay with the rescuers she has known since she was a baby or must be released into the wild as winter approaches was resolved when the Massachusetts governor stepped in to protect Nibi.
Nibi the beaver's fate lands in court as rescuers try to stop her release into the wild
Read full article: Nibi the beaver's fate lands in court as rescuers try to stop her release into the wildWhether a 2-year-old beaver named Nibi gets to stay with the rescuers she has known since she was a baby or must be released into the wild as winter approaches in Massachusetts has ended up in court — and caused such an uproar that even the governor has weighed in.
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he is set to pursue contempt charges against Steward CEO
Read full article: Sen. Bernie Sanders said he is set to pursue contempt charges against Steward CEOVermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has said he is prepared to pursue contempt charges against Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre if he fails to show up at a hearing Thursday despite being issued a subpoena.
Rare but deadly mosquito disease has New England hotspots warning against going out at night
Read full article: Rare but deadly mosquito disease has New England hotspots warning against going out at nightHealth officials warn that a rare but deadly mosquito-spread disease is posing a serious threat in parts of New England, prompting the cancellation of some events and changes to sports schedules to avoid bites by infected bugs.
Markey and Warren condemn Steward's CEO for refusing to comply with a Senate subpoena
Read full article: Markey and Warren condemn Steward's CEO for refusing to comply with a Senate subpoenaMassachusetts U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren are among several political leaders who are attacking the leader of a troubled health care system for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear before a Senate committee.
A Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly killing his girlfriend has been extradited
Read full article: A Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly killing his girlfriend has been extraditedAuthorities say a Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts to face murder charges has been extradited nearly a year after he fled the United States.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Massachusetts state primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Massachusetts state primariesMassachusetts Republicans will choose candidates to challenge U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch in state primaries on Tuesday.
Massachusetts health officials report second case of potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus
Read full article: Massachusetts health officials report second case of potentially deadly mosquito-borne virusMassachusetts health officials have announced a second confirmed case of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus in the state.
Gun rights activists target new Massachusetts law with lawsuit and repeal effort
Read full article: Gun rights activists target new Massachusetts law with lawsuit and repeal effortMassachusetts gun rights activists are vowing to pursue repealing a gun bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey.
Massachusetts governor signs law phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighters' gear
Read full article: Massachusetts governor signs law phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighters' gearMassachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has signed into law a bill that would phase out the use of PFAS in firefighters’ protective gear.
Trucking company owner pleads guilty to charges related to crash that killed 7 bikers
Read full article: Trucking company owner pleads guilty to charges related to crash that killed 7 bikersAn owner of a now defunct trucking company has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a deadly crash in New Hampshire that killed seven motorcyclists.
Massachusetts governor says Steward Health Care must give 120-day notice before closing hospitals
Read full article: Massachusetts governor says Steward Health Care must give 120-day notice before closing hospitalsGov. Maura Healey says she is pressing Steward Health Care to adhere to a state Department of Public Health regulation that hospital owners must give 120 days notice before any medical facility can close in Massachusetts.
Senate committee votes to investigate Steward Health Care bankruptcy and subpoena its CEO
Read full article: Senate committee votes to investigate Steward Health Care bankruptcy and subpoena its CEOA Senate committee has voted to authorize an investigation into the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care and to subpoena the company’s CEO.
Woman gets probation for calling in hoax bomb threat at Boston Children's Hospital
Read full article: Woman gets probation for calling in hoax bomb threat at Boston Children's HospitalA Massachusetts woman has been sentenced to three years of probation for calling in a fake bomb threat at Boston Children’s Hospital as it faced a barrage of harassment over its surgical program for transgender youths.
Archeologists find musket balls fired during 1 of the first battles in the Revolutionary War
Read full article: Archeologists find musket balls fired during 1 of the first battles in the Revolutionary WarArcheologists with the National Park Service say they have found musket balls that date back nearly 250 years and were fired during one of the first battles in the Revolutionary War.
Barstool owner rescued by Coast Guard after losing control of boat off Nantucket
Read full article: Barstool owner rescued by Coast Guard after losing control of boat off NantucketThe owner and founder of the website Barstool Sports lost control of a boat off Nantucket before being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Massachusetts ballot question would give Uber and Lyft drivers right to form a union
Read full article: Massachusetts ballot question would give Uber and Lyft drivers right to form a unionDrivers for ride-hailing companies in Massachusetts are pushing ahead with what they describe as a first-of-its-kind ballot question that could win them union rights if approved by voters.
Animal rescuers try to keep dozens of dolphins away from Cape Cod shallows after mass stranding
Read full article: Animal rescuers try to keep dozens of dolphins away from Cape Cod shallows after mass strandingAnimal rescuers were trying to keep dozens of dolphins away from shallow waters around Cape Cod after 125 of the creatures earlier stranded themselves.
Karen Read, a 'convenient outsider' accused of killing her Boston police boyfriend
Read full article: Karen Read, a 'convenient outsider' accused of killing her Boston police boyfriendThe woman charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend had dated him briefly when they were in their 20s, and they reconnected during the pandemic.
Uber and Lyft agree to pay drivers $32.50 per hour in Massachusetts settlement
Read full article: Uber and Lyft agree to pay drivers $32.50 per hour in Massachusetts settlementMassachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell says drivers for Uber and Lyft will earn a minimum pay standard of $32.50 per hour under a settlement.
On wealthy Martha's Vineyard, costly housing is forcing workers out and threatening public safety
Read full article: On wealthy Martha's Vineyard, costly housing is forcing workers out and threatening public safetyHigh housing costs on Martha’s Vineyard are forcing many regular workers to leave and threatening public safety.
7 shot when gunfire erupts at a pop-up party in Massachusetts
Read full article: 7 shot when gunfire erupts at a pop-up party in MassachusettsMassachusetts authorities say seven people were shot and wounded and an eighth was hurt while running away when gunfire erupted at a large gathering of young people in Methuen.
Double take: 23 sets of twins graduate from a single Massachusetts middle school
Read full article: Double take: 23 sets of twins graduate from a single Massachusetts middle schoolTwenty-three sets of twins have graduated from a Massachusetts middle school, making up about 10% of the eighth-grade class.
Massachusetts fugitive dubbed the 'bad breath rapist' captured in California after 16 years at large
Read full article: Massachusetts fugitive dubbed the 'bad breath rapist' captured in California after 16 years at largeAuthorities say a fugitive dubbed the “bad breath rapist” has been arrested in the San Francisco Bay Area more than 16 years after he fled following a conviction for sexually assaulting a coworker in Massachusetts.
Evaluation requested for suspect charged in stabbings at Massachusetts movie theater, McDonald's
Read full article: Evaluation requested for suspect charged in stabbings at Massachusetts movie theater, McDonald'sA Massachusetts individual has been arraigned on charges including assault with the intent to murder after six people were stabbed in separate attacks.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
Read full article: Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity lead venue to apologizeA venue has issued an apology after actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a “Jaws”-themed event and made comments that were demeaning to women and LGBTQ+ people.
Steward Health Care says it is selling the 30+ hospitals it operates nationwide
Read full article: Steward Health Care says it is selling the 30+ hospitals it operates nationwideSteward Health Care says it plans to sell off all its hospitals after announcing this week that it filed for bankruptcy protection.
Biden administration approves the nation's eighth large offshore wind project
Read full article: Biden administration approves the nation's eighth large offshore wind projectThe Biden administration approved a new wind project off the Massachusetts coast Tuesday that is large enough it will provide more electricity than the state’s former coal-fired generating station.
College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it's OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock
Read full article: College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it's OK, financial aid can numb sticker shockAs more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs that can be as much as $95,000.
Massachusetts joins with NCAA, sports teams to tackle gambling among young people
Read full article: Massachusetts joins with NCAA, sports teams to tackle gambling among young peopleTop Massachusetts officials joined with NCAA President and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday to announce a new initiative aimed at tackling the public health harms associated with sports gambling among young people.
Steward Health Care strikes deal to sell its nationwide physician network to Optum
Read full article: Steward Health Care strikes deal to sell its nationwide physician network to OptumFinancially embattled hospital operator Steward Health Care has struck a deal to sell its nationwide physician network to Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, as it works to stabilize its finances.
Massachusetts governor to pardon those convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession
Read full article: Massachusetts governor to pardon those convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possessionMassachusetts Gov. Maura Healey says she'll issue pardons for tens of thousands of people convicted of misdemeanor marijuana charges going back decades in the latest example of a state ambitiously seeking to forgive low-level drug offenders.
What is a whale native to the North Pacific doing off New England? Climate change could be the key
Read full article: What is a whale native to the North Pacific doing off New England? Climate change could be the keyScientists have confirmed the presence of a whale off New England that went extinct in the Atlantic Ocean two centuries ago.
Police search a car and find cocaine -- and a US Army rocket launcher
Read full article: Police search a car and find cocaine -- and a US Army rocket launcherA police detective says he was unnerved to find a U.S. Army rocket launcher when searching a suspicious truck for drugs in central Massachusetts.
With 7 matches for the 2026 World Cup, Boston expecting huge economic boost
Read full article: With 7 matches for the 2026 World Cup, Boston expecting huge economic boostOfficials in Boston acknowledged getting seven matches for the 2026 World Cup was more than they expected and offers a much-needed shot in the arm to the city's economy.
A first-ever experiment shows how pigs might one day help people who have liver failure
Read full article: A first-ever experiment shows how pigs might one day help people who have liver failureResearchers at the University of Pennsylvania have externally attached a pig liver to a brain-dead human body and watched it successfully filter blood.
Feds charge eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to couple; company to pay $3M
Read full article: Feds charge eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to couple; company to pay $3MOnline retailer eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million fine to resolve criminal charges over employees who harassed a Massachusetts couple by sending live spiders, cockroaches and other disturbing items to their home.
Massachusetts voters become latest to try and keep Trump off ballot over Jan. 6 attack
Read full article: Massachusetts voters become latest to try and keep Trump off ballot over Jan. 6 attackFive voters in Massachusetts have become the latest to challenge former President Donald Trump's eligibility to appear on Republican primary election ballot in March, claiming he is ineligible to hold office because he encouraged and did little to stop the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Two large offshore wind sites are sending power to the US grid for the first time
Read full article: Two large offshore wind sites are sending power to the US grid for the first timeFor the first time in the United States, turbines are sending electricity to the grid from the sites of two large offshore wind farms.
Workers in New England states looking forward to a bump up in minimum wages in 2024
Read full article: Workers in New England states looking forward to a bump up in minimum wages in 2024Workers in several New England states are looking forward to a bump up in the minimum wage in 2024 while advocates in Massachusetts are pushing a ballot question aimed at phasing out the state’s subminimum wage for tipped workers.
13 cold, stunned sea turtles from New England given holiday names as they rehab in Florida
Read full article: 13 cold, stunned sea turtles from New England given holiday names as they rehab in FloridaThis Rudolph won't be leading his pals Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, Comet and Cupid through the Christmas Eve sky.
Massachusetts attorney general files civil rights lawsuit against white nationalist group
Read full article: Massachusetts attorney general files civil rights lawsuit against white nationalist groupMassachusetts’ attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing a white nationalist group of civil rights violations, saying it repeatedly subjected LGBTQ+ events and facilities sheltering migrant families to intimidation and harassment.
Pressley, Welch introduce legislation to guarantee right to vote for people with felonies on record
Read full article: Pressley, Welch introduce legislation to guarantee right to vote for people with felonies on recordDemocratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont have introduced legislation that would guarantee the right to vote in federal elections for all citizens convicted of a felony.
Logan Airport 'not an appropriate place' for migrants arriving daily, Massport CEO says
Read full article: Logan Airport 'not an appropriate place' for migrants arriving daily, Massport CEO saysAbout 20 to 25 migrants are arriving daily at Boston’s Logan Airport, the head of the airport operator says, and some have been camping out temporarily in baggage claim and elsewhere before trying to find a spot in the state’s overburdened shelter system.
Advocates scramble to aid homeless migrant families after Massachusetts caps emergency shelter slots
Read full article: Advocates scramble to aid homeless migrant families after Massachusetts caps emergency shelter slotsAdvocates scrambling to find shelter for homeless migrant families newly arrived in Massachusetts say families are relying on a patchwork of airport lounges, Uber rides, hospital waiting rooms and walk-in church shelters after the state capped the number of family shelter spots and created a wait list.
EPA proposes banning cancer-causing chemical TCE used in automotive care and other products
Read full article: EPA proposes banning cancer-causing chemical TCE used in automotive care and other productsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to ban the cancer-causing chemical trichloroethylene.
Massachusetts shooting claims life of baby delivered after mother was one of several hit by gunfire
Read full article: Massachusetts shooting claims life of baby delivered after mother was one of several hit by gunfireAuthorities say the baby of a pregnant woman who was shot in the western Massachusetts city of Holyoke following a fight on a downtown street was delivered at a hospital and died.
The Supreme Court seems likely to side with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Read full article: The Supreme Court seems likely to side with the Consumer Financial Protection BureauThe Supreme Court seems likely to preserve the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau against a conservative-led challenge.
Massachusetts man stabs five officers after crashing into home following chase, police say
Read full article: Massachusetts man stabs five officers after crashing into home following chase, police sayAuthorities say a Massachusetts man who sped away during a traffic stop led police on a chase that ended with him crashing into a home and then stabbing five officers, including the local police chief, before he was arrested.
Autopsy finds man who was punched at New England Patriots game before he died had medical issue
Read full article: Autopsy finds man who was punched at New England Patriots game before he died had medical issueAuthorities in Massachusetts announced that a man who died at a New England Patriots home game last weekend after he was punched twice in the head did not suffer a “traumatic injury” in the stands but had a medical issue.
World War I-era plane flips onto roof trying to land near Massachusetts museum; pilot unhurt
Read full article: World War I-era plane flips onto roof trying to land near Massachusetts museum; pilot unhurtMassachusetts authorities say a World War I-era plane crashed and flipped over onto its roof as the pilot tried to land outside of a military history museum.
How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England? The cold North Atlantic may decide that
Read full article: How hard will Hurricane Lee hit New England? The cold North Atlantic may decide thatNew England will feel some effects from Hurricane Lee but is usually protected from the worst of a hurricane’s wrath by the cold waters of the North Atlantic.
After days of heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes in New England, Hurricane Lee up next
Read full article: After days of heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes in New England, Hurricane Lee up nextAfter several days of torrential rain, flooding, sinkholes and tornadoes, New England is preparing for something more dangerous lurking offshore — Hurricane Lee.
Hurricane watch issued for parts of Maine as already rain-soaked New England braces for Lee
Read full article: Hurricane watch issued for parts of Maine as already rain-soaked New England braces for LeeThe National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for portions of Maine and a tropical storm watch for a large area of coastal New England as Hurricane Lee heads to the region.
Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours, flooding homes and eroding dams
Read full article: Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours, flooding homes and eroding damsHeavy rainfall has flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with two communities declaring a state of emergency as water poured into homes, creating moats around their foundations and leading to boat rescues of residents.
Company pulls spicy One Chip Challenge from store shelves as Massachusetts investigates teen's death
Read full article: Company pulls spicy One Chip Challenge from store shelves as Massachusetts investigates teen's deathAuthorities are raising the alarm about a social media challenge in which people eat extremely spicy chips and attempt to avoid eating or drinking anything for as long as possible.
Governor activates Massachusetts National Guard to help with migrant crisis
Read full article: Governor activates Massachusetts National Guard to help with migrant crisisDemocratic Gov. Maura Healey is activating members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist at shelters and hotels as the state struggles with an influx of migrants.
New gas pipeline rules floated following 2018 blasts in Massachusetts
Read full article: New gas pipeline rules floated following 2018 blasts in MassachusettsFederal regulators are proposing a series of rules changes aimed at toughening safety requirements for millions of miles of gas distribution pipelines nationwide following a string of gas explosions in Massachusetts in 2018.
Rare New England tornado lifts car from a highway as strong storms damage homes and flood roads
Read full article: Rare New England tornado lifts car from a highway as strong storms damage homes and flood roadsStorm-weary New Englanders are cleaning up after tornadoes caused damage and lifted a car off a highway in Rhode Island.
Massachusetts governor declares state of emergency amid influx of migrants seeking shelter
Read full article: Massachusetts governor declares state of emergency amid influx of migrants seeking shelterMassachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Tuesday, citing an influx of migrants seeking shelter at a time when the cost of housing continues to rise.
Federal court sides with lobster fishers in whale protection case anchored off New England
Read full article: Federal court sides with lobster fishers in whale protection case anchored off New EnglandA federal appeals court has blocked proposed restrictions aimed at saving a vanishing species of whale, saying they could put thousands of commercial fishermen out of work.
'Smartphones' for sharks: Scientists upgrade sensors to keep track of Cape Cod's white sharks
Read full article: 'Smartphones' for sharks: Scientists upgrade sensors to keep track of Cape Cod's white sharksScientists monitoring the white shark population in the waters off Cape Cod are attaching better sensors to the predators, including cameras.
When should social workers separate families? A federal lawsuit raises thorny questions
Read full article: When should social workers separate families? A federal lawsuit raises thorny questionsA couple whose young children were taken by social workers and police in the middle of the night are suing, arguing they were unconstitutionally removed without a warrant or court order.
Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins formally resigns in wake of ethics probes
Read full article: Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins formally resigns in wake of ethics probesMassachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins has formally resigned after wide-ranging investigations by two federal watchdog agencies found she sought to use her position to influence a local election and lied to investigators.
Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits, labor market still showing strength
Read full article: Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits, labor market still showing strengthFewer Americans applied for jobless benefits last week following a previous spike that many analysts took as a sign that higher interest rates were finally cooling the labor market.
First pill for fecal transplants wins FDA approval
Read full article: First pill for fecal transplants wins FDA approvalU.S. health officials have approved the first pill that uses healthy bacteria from human waste to prevent dangerous gut infections — an easier way of performing so-called fecal transplants.
Future of Pride event in Massachusetts town still uncertain
Read full article: Future of Pride event in Massachusetts town still uncertainThe future of a Pride event that included a drag show in a small Massachusetts town remains up in the air after town officials held another vote on whether to allow the event.
Suspect in leak probe talked about God, guns and war secrets
Read full article: Suspect in leak probe talked about God, guns and war secretsIn trying to identify who was behind a major breach of classified U.S. documents, federal agents and journalists had access to online clues that led to a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman with interests in gaming, guns and religion.
Some US states stock abortion medications after court ruling
Read full article: Some US states stock abortion medications after court rulingA handful of states led by Democratic governors are stockpiling doses of drugs used in medication abortions amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S. Massachusetts has purchased enough doses of the drug mifepristone to last for more than a year.
Massachusetts governor: Pharmacies must stock abortion pills
Read full article: Massachusetts governor: Pharmacies must stock abortion pillsThe governor of Massachusetts is reminding pharmacies that they are required to stock a key abortion pill, despite a nationwide effort by anti-abortion activists to ban the medication.
Northeast digs out from winter storm, faces power outages
Read full article: Northeast digs out from winter storm, faces power outagesParts of New England and New York are digging out of a nor’easter that caused tens of thousands of power outages, numerous school cancellations and whiteout conditions on the roads.
Online betting begins in sports-crazed Massachusetts
Read full article: Online betting begins in sports-crazed MassachusettsMassachusetts sports fans raced to their cell phones Friday to begin placing bets as the state allowed online sports wagering just days ahead of tipoff of the NCAA Tournament next week.
China blasts Pentagon official's Taiwan visit, military ties
Read full article: China blasts Pentagon official's Taiwan visit, military tiesChina has sharply criticized a visit to Taiwan by a senior Pentagon official and reaffirmed sanctions against Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying military equipment to the self-governing island.
Organs in exchange for freedom? Bill raises ethical concerns
Read full article: Organs in exchange for freedom? Bill raises ethical concernsA proposal to let prisoners in Massachusetts donate organs and bone marrow to shave time off their sentence is raising profound ethical and legal questions about putting undue pressure on people behind bars who are desperate for freedom.
US company gets $120 million boost to make 'green steel'
Read full article: US company gets $120 million boost to make 'green steel'The manufacture of “green steel” moved a step closer Friday as Massachusetts-based Boston Metal announced a $120 million investment to help it produce steel that is far less damaging to the climate than traditional steel.
Feds deny emergency call to slow ships, ease whale strikes
Read full article: Feds deny emergency call to slow ships, ease whale strikesThe U.S. government has denied a request from a group of environmental organizations to immediately apply proposed ship-speed restrictions in an effort to save a vanishing species of whale.
Rep. Katherine Clark's daughter is charged in police assault
Read full article: Rep. Katherine Clark's daughter is charged in police assaultThe daughter of Massachusetts Democratic congresswoman Katherine Clark was arrested during a protest on Boston Common and later charged with assault after a police officer was injured.
Serbia: Ana Walshe's mother seeks official info about case
Read full article: Serbia: Ana Walshe's mother seeks official info about caseThe Serbian mother of a Massachusetts woman who has been missing since New Year’s Day and whose husband is charged with murder will ask the United States for official information about her daughter’s disappearance.
Tradition of hiking in the new year reaches all 50 US states
Read full article: Tradition of hiking in the new year reaches all 50 US statesA simple plan to get more people enjoying the outdoors on New Year’s Day has become a nationwide movement after a hike at a Massachusetts park more than three decades ago.