Students of St. Michael's School will walk out of school early on Friday to join parents and parishioners in a demonstration outside the Diocese of Fall River’s offices, seeking answers into the sexual misconduct investigation of the Rev. Jay Mello. 

According to a press release, the demonstrators will stand outside the residence of Bishop Edgar da Cunha and the diocese chancery on Highland Avenue, calling “for clarity from church leadership.” 

Mello has been on administrative leave and barred from all priestly duties since June, when the diocese launched an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct lodged against him.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

 A Somerset woman driving a van with school bus plates was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly driving under the influence with four children and a young adult in the vehicle.

In court, a prosecutor said Shing’s passengers ranged in age from 1 to 18, and a breathalyzer test showed she had a BAC of 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit.

Her attorney revealed that Shing lost her job as a result of the arrest and her license was suspended.

Shing’s bail was set at $1,000 with conditions that she remain alcohol-free with SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) and she’s not allowed to drive.

Massachusetts State Police said they pulled over 34-year-old Rebecca Shing around 2:30 p.m. after a 911 caller reported seeing the van being driven erratically on Route 140 South in New Bedford.

A group of Massachusetts doctors and advocates is urging approval of a ballot question on psychedelics. 

Question Four seeks to allow adults to grow, possess and use natural psychedelic substances in certain situations as treatment. 

Actress Eliza Dushku Palandjian was among the supporters speaking outside the State House Tuesday.  She says approval of the ballot question would bring more treatment options to people with mental health issues.

Nearly seven in ten Americans say the upcoming presidential election is stressing them out. That's according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association.   

The possibilities for political violence and the economy were among the top worries on Americans' minds, with nearly three in four saying they're stressed about each topic. Women are more likely to be stressed over men about how the election will impact their lives. 

Experts advise focusing on the positive, look at people and their political views separately, be respectful, and set boundaries. 

Something wicked this way drives.

Route 44 in Rehoboth, a location well known to readers familiar with the Bridgewater Triangle, was named Massachusetts' Scariest Road, according to a national survey of drivers.

That stretch of road is said to harbor "the red-headed Hitchhiker." Previously, the Gazette sent a reporter to drive along Route 44 to look for the elusive hitchhiker, but he was no where to be found.

A car dealership in Florida conducted a national survey of 3,000 Americans to determine which roads were the spookiest. Route 44 came in at #76, and beat out other spooky roads in Massachusetts, such as Dudley Road in Billerica (#116) and Wolf Island Road in Mattapoisett (#139).

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The Town Hall Annex is about to get a new look.

Resident votes exceeded the two-thirds majority needed to approve the $16 million project that seeks to preserve the historic building at 68 Stevens Road, consolidate municipal offices, and build an accessible, safe building to support Swansea’s administrative needs and provide confidential services. 

“The time is right,” said Marc Lapointe, chair of the Capital Building Committee. “We have available funds to finance the majority of the project and the financial health to eliminate tax impacts."

The upcoming construction is an alternative to the $53 million "municipal complex," struck down in a major landslide last November. This new annex proposal fared better in the Monday, Oct. 28, poll, where residents voted 408-141 in favor.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Three months after Massachusetts made tuition free at Bristol Community College, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is joining the trend of offering debt-free college degrees. 

The UMass Dartmouth Deal, available starting the fall 2025 semester, will give free tuition to in-state undergraduate students with an annual household income of $75,000 or less. 

At a press conference held at B.M.C. Durfee High School on Tuesday, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller called it “a great day for working-class families in Massachusetts.” 

Fall River Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Curley applauded the move, saying she was once a Durfee student, like many who will make the move to UMass Dartmouth. “I’m somebody who would have benefited from a program like this,” she said.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Attorneys for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira say he should spend eleven years in prison for leaking classified documents. 

Teixeira's lawyers say the 22-year-old Dighton resident is still essentially a child in requesting the eleven year term. 

Prosecutors say this was a major violation of the Espionage Act, and he should receive 16 and a half years behind bars for his guilty pleas. 

He will be sentenced November 11th for posting classified military documents to an Internet group.

The former Somerset man accused of killing a family of three during a head-on car crash on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Christmas night may be considering a plea deal. 

Adam Gauthier of Manhattan, formerly of Somerset, appeared in Bristol County Superior Court on Monday where defense attorney Kevin Reddington said he and prosecutors were discussing “hopeful resolution of this tragic matter.” 

Gauthier faces three counts of manslaughter while under the influence and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, all felonies. He is accused of driving a Range Rover SUV drunk the wrong way on Veterans Memorial on Christmas night in 2023 and crashing into a vehicle carrying three members of a Seekonk family.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Chris Fennelly lives in Swansea and is a teacher by day. But for the past five years, he has converted his personal vehicle into an Uber on most evenings, on weekends and during the summer.

“That’s the fun thing,” he said.

It’s rare, but sometimes Fennelly welcomes another Uber driver into his car for a ride, where they can share best practices and “talk business.”

In June, a lawsuit between the state and rideshare companies settled for $175 million in violations of wage and hour laws, bringing a minimum hourly rate of $32.50 for active time, paid sick time and family leave, and a stipend to access to healthcare for drivers. But it remains unresolved if rideshare drivers like Fennelly are "employees" rather than "independent contractors," leaving drivers like him unrecognized under the National Labor Relations Board’s standard protections for workers.

As rideshare drivers enjoy mobility and flexibility, and regulated yellow taxis making the rounds in the suburbs are fewer, with no common workplace, rideshare working conditions have eluded regulatory action, leaving the issue up to voters.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A second bar has joined Karen Read in seeking a delay in the civil lawsuit filed over the 2022 death of Boston Police officer John O'Keefe. 

The O'Keefe family has filed the wrongful death lawsuit against Read, naming the Canton bars CF McCarthy's and the Waterfall as co-defendants.  The bars and Read are asking a judge to halt the civil proceedings until her criminal case related to O'Keefe's death is resolved. 

Read is accused of hitting O'Keefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in Canton, but the defense says she's being framed by corrupt law enforcement officers.  

Massachusetts voters will be deciding multiple controversial ballot questions this general election cycle, including one involving the MCAS test. 

Question two asks residents whether the state should eliminate the requirement that high school students pass the MCAS test by tenth grade in order to graduate.  If approved, students would still take the MCAS test but local school districts would set their own graduation standards. 

The state's largest teachers union is supporting the change, while business groups oppose the switch on the grounds it undermines the high education standards in the commonwealth.

 The city of New Bedford held a ceremony rededicating Saulnier Square on Sunday afternoon.

The rededication was done in honor of Roland Saulnier, a World War II veteran and New Bedford native who died during his service in the Pacific.

“Roland Saulnier’s legacy is that of undaunted courage under unimaginably dire circumstances,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “He fought with distinction in the defense of the Philippines after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March, two years of captivity, and the depravity of a Japanese ‘hell ship.'”

Members of Saulnier’s family were also present.

A plaque was unveiled to commemorate Saulnier Square, which is located at the corner of Ruth Street and Brock Avenue.

From wpri.com.

Firefighters knocked down a brush fire that broke out in Rehoboth Sunday afternoon.

Crews responded to the area of Old Reynolds Road and Reynolds Avenue around 12:45 p.m. and found heavy fire and smoke coming from power lines.

According to Fire Chief Frank Barresi, crews used more than 6,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire and put out hotspots in the ground to prevent the fire from reigniting.

One firefighter was brought to the hospital due to the heat, but is expected to be okay. Crews were able to prevent the fire from reaching any homes in the area.

There is an elevated risk of brush fires throughout the week as dry weather conditions persist with little rain in sight.

“Don’t burn anything outside, nothing.” Barresi said. “We’re in deep trouble as far as the dryness out here.”

Read moe at wpri.com.

Door-to-door commercial solicitation receives numerous annual complaints. Now, the Somerset Police Department, headed by Police Chief William Tedford, is championing a new “no knock registry” that allows homeowners to register their addresses into a database that bars solicitors from ringing the bell.

The “no knock registry” is but a stopover to assuage solicitors, and in a post on Facebook, Tedford is encouraging the public to comment their position on the matter. Furthermore, he’s seeking a total ban on soliciting in Somerset, though this may meet roadblocks involving infringements to First Amendment rights.

Solicitation presents myriad concerns from residents, especially seniors and retirees, whose notable presence and vulnerability makes them a particular target for “high-pressure sales tactics and crime such as fraud, identity theft, and larceny,” stated a Facebook post on behalf of Tedford. Unplanned visitors are both “annoying” and “intrusive,” stated the message, and many residents question the legitimacy of solicitors’ permits when it comes to cold callers stating their causes in return for signatures, subscriptions, or donations. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey says he will be seeking a third term in office in 2026. 

The Democratic senator will be 80-years-old when the election is held in two years. 

Markey says he remains energized, and cites his work on the Green New Deal and renewable energy as a sign of his continued relevance. 

Markey was elected to the Senate in a 2013 special election after serving over two decades in the U.S. House, and has been reelected twice.  

Once again, the danger from wildfires is very high to extreme today in Massachusetts. 

Dry weather with low humidity continues with no significant rain expected over the next 10 days.  That means conditions are favorable for brush fires to spread rapidly. 

The public is urged to use caution when handling and disposing of ignition sources outdoors.

 Hasbro, the toymaking and entertainment giant that’s called Rhode Island home for more than a century, could move out of Pawtucket by mid-2026, 12 News has learned.

This comes less than a day after Hasbro confirmed it will be cutting fewer than 100 jobs, roughly half of which are based in Rhode Island, to streamline operations.

The impending layoffs were announced in a memo sent to employees Wednesday by Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks, made public by The Toy Book.

See more at wpri.com.

The sun was starting to dip low on the horizon off Nantucket island when fishing buddies Nicholas Whitbeck and Joe Tormay spotted what they thought was a dead whale.

Squinting closer, they noticed what appeared to be a man perched on top of the “whale,” waving his hat.

The whale turned out to be a capsized fishing boat that the man — who had lost his cell phone when his boat tipped over — had been using to stay above the water as he tried to attract attention from passing vessels.

If nobody responded, the man faced a long and chilly Saturday night on water about 55 degrees F to 58 degrees F (12.8 degrees C to 14.4 degrees C) — cold enough for hypothermia to set in quickly.

Whitbeck said they’d just relocated to an area with fewer fishing vessels when they spotted the object in the distance.

“Joe initially pointed it out, thinking that there was possibly a dead whale on the horizon a couple miles from us or less,” Whitbeck said. “It ended up looking a lot more like a boat that had capsized.”

See more at wpri.com.

Three people were hurt in a crash involving three motorcycles on Interstate 195 that briefly shut down all westbound traffic lanes on Saturday afternoon. 

Massachusetts State Police said shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, cruisers from the Dartmouth State Police barracks responded to reports of a crash where three motorcycles were involved, near Exit 8 in Swansea. 

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said Thursday that three people were seriously injured: a 36-year-old man, a 53-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. They were transported to an area hospital and remain in critical condition, the DA's office said. 

Troopers initially shut down all westbound lanes on I-195 as they processed the crash scene. 

Police have not yet determined the cause of the crash.

Read more at heraldnews.com. 

The Florence Cook Brigham Award, named for the Fall River Historical Society’s third curator and noted local historian, will soon be awarded to two more recipients.

This year’s award recipients are state Rep. Carole Fiola and Douglas Hill Borden Jr., who will be honored at a ceremony at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea.

The Historical Society has given out the awards since 2016; other recipients include the late Al Lima, historian and city planner for whom the Quequechan River Rail Trail is named; Philip T. Silvia Jr., a Fall River historian and professor emeritus of history at Bridgewater State University; and museum benefactor and philanthropist Tom Cottrell.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The decrepit former Frank M. Silvia School and public school administration complex on Hartwell Street could face the wrecking ball and become “a donation” of open space, if the city accepts a proposal from former mayor Will Flanagan. 

The attorney and cannabis businessman posted on social media Thursday that he intends to bid for the old abandoned Silvia School at 138 Hartwell St., with the intent “to completely demolish the existing structure and transform the site into a vibrant green space.” 

“I envision the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston,” Flanagan said in an interview Thursday. 

The idea received pushback from Alexander Silva of the Preservation Society of Fall River, which has noted the building’s historical significance and which guided the city to retake the building after a previous development plan failed.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

Flags are flying at half-staff across the commonwealth following the death of Republican State Representative Susan Gifford. The House minority whip died of cancer Tuesday at her Wareham home surrounded by family members. 

Gifford was first elected to the 2nd Plymouth House seat in `02 and has been representing the district ever since. 

She had been trying to battle through her illness but lost in September's primary, so her time on Beacon Hill was soon coming to a close. 

Gifford was 64.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

 An investigation is underway into a shooting that happened at a North Attleboro hotel Monday night.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said officers were called to the Hampton Inn & Suites after a 911 caller reported that a person had been shot.

First responders found the victim, a 61-year-old man, suffering from a gunshot wound to the face in the hotel lobby. He was brought to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, according to Quinn.

Quinn said it appears the victim was not the shooter’s intended target. It’s unclear whether anyone is in custody at this time.

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores from Spring 2024, released last month, show mixed results from district to district around the SouthCoast. As voters prepare to decide on Question 2 on Nov. 5 — which, if passed, would end the MCAS graduation requirement — let's take a look around our local districts to see how high schoolers fared in the most recent round of testing.

According to current MCAS scoring guidelines, students' scores are categorized as "Not meeting expectations," "Partially meeting expectations," "Meeting expectations," or "Exceeding expectations." The thresholds for passing (486 for math and English language arts, 470 for science) fall within the "Partially meeting expectations" category, which encompasses scores of 470 to 499.

Students' Grade 10 MCAS scores are those that determine whether they can graduate a public high school or not.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

There's a second arrest in connection with a shooting last month in New Bedford. 

Police announced yesterday that 20-year-old Daziere Colton was taken into custody on multiple charges last Thursday. 

Two people were injured in the September 24th incident.  Police said more arrests are expected.  

Vineyard Wind has announced plans to remove some blades from existing turbines in response to a mid-July breakdown that sent debris into the ocean.

The company also says it will strengthen other blades out of an abundance of caution.

In July, GE Vernova pointed to insufficient bonding during the manufacturing of the blades as the likely cause of the damage and they do not believe there was an engineering design flaw.

Vineyard Wind has not given a timeline for the project.

Forbes is out with a list of the best Halloween vacation destinations in the U.S. 

At the top of the list is Salem, Massachusetts, site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. 

Next up is Sleepy Hollow, New York, setting of the famous Washington Irving tale about the Headless Horseman.  Then there's the Big Easy.  New Orleans gets a top spot on the list for turning its Halloween celebrations up to 11. 

Anoka, Minnesota gets a spot on the list for its family friendly celebrations including numerous parades.  It's back to the South for the fifth spot, Savannah, Georgia, considered one of the "most haunted" cities in America.

Ruth, one of Buttonwood Park Zoo’s two beloved Asian elephants, is nearing the end of her long life. 

The zoo announced on Tuesday that Ruth has entered hospice care, citing her advanced age and chronic medical conditions. 

Ruth is 66 years old, making her one of the oldest elephants in professional care. According to BPZoo, the median life expectancy for female Asian elephants is 47. 

The zoo said in a statement that based on her age and health, along with discussions with elephant veterinarians and large animal specialists, a decision was made to focus on end-of-life care for Ruth. 

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fire crews spent hours battling a house fire off Beth Road in Tiverton on Tuesday.

The homeowner reported heavy flames in the garage when calling 911. When firefighters arrived, they were met with thick smoke and fire spreading through the front of the home.

According to Tiverton Fire Chief William Bailey, it took about two hours to get the fire under control.

“Being a hot weather October day, it required a lot of mutual aid to get manpower here,” Bailey said, noting the challenges of Tuesday’s heat and humidity.

See more at wpri.com.

With two public information sessions held earlier this month, the decision to renovate the historic Town Hall Annex at 68 Stevens Road will come to a vote on Monday, Oct. 28, at a Special Town Meeting in the Joseph Case High School auditorium at 70 School St. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

Talk of renovating and adding an addition to the Town Hall Annex has revved up recently due to project’s proposed price tag of nearly $16 million. Additionally, an architectural firm and a consulting firm have been selected to oversee renovations, providing solutions to a variety of shortcomings and challenges the current building faces, including air quality concerns.

This latest renovation proposal and renderings is an alternative to the proposed "municipal complex" that was vetoed by a landslide last November. 

“We heard what people wanted,” Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein said. “We’re ready to move forward.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The Boston Celtics are giving themselves one more chance to celebrate their latest NBA championship before they turn their attention to a repeat.

The league’s most decorated franchise will raise its 18th banner to the TD Garden rafters Tuesday night before the season opener against the New York Knicks. Players will also receive their championship rings in the pregame ceremony.

“This is a great accomplishment, that we get to do this. Be one hell of a night,” guard Payton Pritchard said after practice Monday. “But then again, we talked about we’ve got to do it again. We’ve got to reset that focus.

See more at wpri.com.

A man wanted on child pornography charges in New Bedford and Franklin has been found living in a remote campsite in northeastern Connecticut. 

Federal marshals arrested 40-year-old Steven Labrecque yesterday at the secluded campsite near the Massachusetts border in Woodstock. 

Police believe Labrecque had been staying at the campsite for months. He's being held in Connecticut as a fugitive from justice while awaiting extradition to Massachusetts to face charges.

An Attleboro District Court judge has rejected a request by Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell to drop the charges against her. 

O'Connell is facing charges that include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly hitting her husband with a crowbar type tool in July. 

O'Connell submitted an affidavit with her husband Edward indicating they had reconciled and were seeking dismissal of the case.  The judge instead set a trial date of December 12th. 

Edward O'Connell says he will not testify against his wife and regrets calling the police.

Police are investigating a shooting and assault that took place early Wednesday morning on Dickinson Street that left one victim dead and the other seriously injured.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney's office, Fall River Police responded to 490 Dickinson St. around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, for reports of two people who were injured.

A 55-year-old man was found with multiple stab wounds. A woman, identified as Remy Aull, 42, suffered a single gunshot wound, states a press release from the DA.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

With the bounty of the sea lapping at Massachusetts shores on full display in the State House Great Hall for the annual Seafood Day celebration, Gov. Maura Healey announced state grants totaling $5.2 million to more than a dozen coastal communities to plan for and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The state Office of Coastal Zone Management announced 16 grants that will be used to plan shoreline management, erosion control and funds to build resilience and sustainability along the state’s coast.

“Climate change is not only an environmental threat to our coastline, it’s an economic threat to our state,” said Healey. “The recent hurricanes have underscored the urgency of this issue, reminding us that we must be proactive in safeguarding our communities. These Coastal Resilience Grants are part of our defense, protecting our shores from sea-level rise and erosion, while strengthening coastal communities and preventing future damage.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Many people may still not believe that South Coast Rail will ever get rolling, but all the signs are there. 

Literally — the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has installed new highway signs on Interstate 195 directing drivers to Fall River’s new MBTA station.  

They’re still under wraps, but on both I-195 east- and westbound, the new signs will point commuters to Fall River Depot.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

For the second time, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and John Deaton met Thursday night in Springfield on the debate stage.

Deaton, 57, is looking to unseat the incumbent Democratic senator, 75, who is seeking her third term.

After a tense meeting earlier this week, the two battled over issues like abortion, the war in Ukraine, the Supreme Court and housing.

See more at wpri.com.

Early voting for the 2024 general election in Massachusetts gets under way tomorrow. 

Any registered voter in the commonwealth can vote early in person until November first, and no excuses are needed. 

All cities and towns are required to offer early voting in at least one location, and there must be some weekend availability.   

Residents can visit VoteInMA.com for more information about early voting in their city or town.

The Salvation Army at 290 Bedford St. is poised to feed and aid families in need in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, holidays that often signal a time for reflection and generosity. This season they are responding with awareness to the needs of the city’s multicultural community with options beyond the typical American turkey.  

“Come and join us in this effort,” Major Alex Castillo of the Fall River Salvation Army said.

He and his wife, Major Lorena Castillo, encourage anyone to get involved — and there are numerous ways to give. Currently, they're accepting donations of $10 gift cards to grocery stores in the area, including Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Walmart and Market Basket, whose entrances will host the Salvation Army's traditional red kettle campaign beginning closer to Thanksgiving week.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Community members will gather at New Bedford Country Club Thursday night for the Southcoast Health Ambassadors “Harvest for Hope” fundraiser.

Thursday’s fundraiser will raise money to support Southcoast Health Cancer centers with a primary focus on early detection of breast and colon cancer.

There are more than 300 ambassadors whose mission is to make patients as comfortable as possible.

They raise funds for care kits, baby baskets, and even thousands in scholarships for students planning to study medicine in college.

“Imagine you’re in the hospital, you’re scared, you’re frightened. You don’t have family members around for various reasons and Southcoast Health comes in holding a birthday cake for you wishing you a happy birthday. it brings our patients to tears. Literally. It makes them feel we truly care.”

Anyone interested in the event or who wants to buy tickets can do so online.

From wpri.com.

 New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore took to social media Tuesday morning after a traffic stop in Providence.

According to a police report obtained by 12 News, the 25-year-old was pulled over just before 1 a.m. in the area of Elmwood Avenue.

When officers explained why Barmore was stopped, they said he had an “attitude towards police” and handed over the paperwork for his Jeep in an “aggressive manner.”

Police learned that the registration expired last week and asked for any updated registration, which Barmore did not provide.

Body-worn camera (BWC) footage provided to 12 News by Providence police shows more than half a dozen officers surrounding Barmore’s vehicle throughout the interaction.

See more at wpri.com.

 The 2024 presidential campaign is ramping up with less than three weeks until Election Day.

Security experts are urging voters to be aware of potential scams on social media including fake polling locations and deepfakes — artificial intelligence-generated images, videos, or sounds meant to appear identical to real media.

“I think the biggest thing with artificial intelligence scams and misinformation going around is the validation and verification to make sure you were getting it from a source that you can trust,” said cyber security expert Patrick Laverty. “One that you know is going to be that source themselves, not something that could possibly be made up like a little video you see on social media.”

See more at wpri.com.

Educators across the public school district have been working for over 31 days without a new contract. Now they’re taking a stand: on sidewalks, at Government Center and during City Council meetings. 

A compilation of signatures has graced Mayor Paul Coogan’s and city councilors’ desks, demanding fair compensation, an inclusive parental leave policy and “language that respects the expert judgment of Fall River public school educators,” reads a statement in a Fall River Educators’ Association press release. 

Troubled by a lack of urgency, FREA President Keith Michon said, “Fall River educators are among the lowest-paid in the region, and every year we lose great teachers and paraeducators to other districts.” FREA represents approximately 850 educators.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

 Gov. Dan McKee announced Tuesday that the state is pushing back its target date to finish demolition of the old westbound Washington Bridge until the end of 2025, as state leaders shed light on just how much longer the entire project may take.

But at a State House news conference, officials had no answers about when a new bridge might open or how much it might cost. The heavily trafficked span abruptly closed to traffic last December, and public frustration has grown in the 10 months since after a series of missteps, delays and setbacks. It had carried about 90,000 vehicles a day before closing.

McKee told reporters that concrete dollar figures and timelines will become clear once the state finishes a newly announced process for finding a contractor to build the new bridge, as well as a revised contract for the expanded demolition project.

See more at wpri.com.

The first of two debates between Senator Elizabeth Warren and her Republican challenger John Deaton was held last night. 

Deaton attacked Warren on immigration and says she supports an open border, with Warren saying Republicans offer no border plan because it works for them as an election issue. 

The candidates also sparred with each other on issues that include abortion, Israel and education during the televised studio debate. 

Warren is seeking a third term in the Senate, and she will square off against Deaton again tomorrow in Springfield. 

A memorial service for Kennedy family matriarch Ethel Kennedy will be held in Washington, DC today.  The 96-year-old died last week after suffering a stroke days earlier.  Her funeral was held in Massachusetts on Monday. 

According to the White House, President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy at today's service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.  Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are also expected to be in attendance. 

Ethel Kennedy's late husband, former U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy, was assassinated in California in 1968 while running for President. 

She leaves behind nine children, including Robert F. Kennedy, Junior who dropped out of the presidential race recently, throwing his support to Donald Trump.  

City councilors are grappling with the issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing before temperatures drop below freezing and wintertime resources become scarce. With their passage of an ordinance barring homeless encampments coupled with particularly combative public comments heard during a three-hour City Council meeting on Sept. 10, attempts are being made to take corrective action.

“What are we going to do as a legislative body to try to work on this?” asked City Councilor Cliff Ponte.

It’s a question that echoes the rhetoric of public interrogation at a time when the issue of homelessness grows more fraught. People living in tents, or in their cars, or sheltering where infrastructure allows make up a vulnerable population whose visibility and welfare is gaining traction as a full-blown crisis.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Five candidates are running to replace seven-term incumbent Democrat Paul A. Schmid III as the state representative from the 8th Bristol District.

Schmid announced in February that he wouldn't be seeking re-election.

The candidates are Democrat Steven J. Ouellette, Republican Christopher Thrasher, and Independents Laura A. Hadley, Manuel Soares Jr., and Jesse W. St. Gelais.

The 8th Bristol includes Precincts 2 and 3 in Acushnet; Ward 1 Precinct A and Ward 6 Precincts A and B in Fall River; Precincts 2 and 3 in Freetown; Ward 1 Precinct B1 and C in New Bedford, and all of Westport.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Thrillist just released their 2024 list of the most haunted places in every state, and their pick for Massachusetts is infamous.

A travel publication, Thrillist focuses on inspiring travel plans where exploration meets culture. With disturbing hotels, abandoned hospitals and horror movie sets, their list of America's most haunted places gives suggestions for the best year-round haunt in each state.

This year's list names the most haunted place in Massachusetts as the Lizzie Borden House, the former house of the primary yet acquitted suspect in the unsolved axe murders of her father Andrew Borden and stepmother Abby Gray in 1892.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The first of two debates in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate campaign is being held tonight. 

Incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican businessman John Deaton will be participating in the televised debate on WBZ-TV that will also stream online. 

The second and final debate between the candidates will be Thursday in Springfield. 

Recent polls have shown Warren with a large lead over Deaton as she seeks a third term in the Senate.

State gas prices fell for the second consecutive week at an average of $3.01 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, down from last week's price of $3.02 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in state has fallen about 21 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $3.01 on Oct. 7, 2024, and as high as $3.76 on Aug. 7, 2023.

A year ago, the average gas price in Massachusetts was 17% higher at $3.65 per gallon.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

“Whenever I first talk about giving chemotherapy to a patient, the very first question they ask is, ‘I know this sounds silly, but am I going to lose my hair?’”

Dr. Susan Kim of Southcoast Health, a specialist in oncology and hematology, said when she discusses treatment options and chemotherapy, hair loss is a delicate topic. Hair is a symbolic outward marker of identity, especially for patients identifying as women.

Southcoast Health, longtime provider of specialty care and advanced medical practices serving a diverse patient population, has begun offering a companion treatment to oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Cold capping has been around for a long time, Kim said.

“It gained more momentum in the past 10 years due to the technology they've developed for it,” Kim said.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Four people were forced from their home Sunday morning after a fire tore through their New Bedford home.

Crews responding to the scene on Humphrey Street around 2:30 a.m. found smoke coming from the second floor.

No one was injured. All four residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

From wpri.com.

Demolition will resume Tuesday on the westbound side of the Washington Bridge.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) hosted a virtual community meeting Friday night, presenting progress on the demolition work and what people can expect in the weeks ahead.

The meeting was about nine minutes long and RIDOT tried to address concerns they’d heard from neighbors — including noise, dust, and traffic impacts.

Project managers did not take any questions, instead, they offered residents the option to write in questions to their project website.

“It is an understatement to say that l am disappointed in how the community meeting was managed last night,” McKee said in a statement Saturday.

RIDOT said questions can be submitted until Oct. 18, and they will respond by Nov. 1 on the project website.

See more at wpri.com.

Those who have stopped by the New Bedford Whaling Museum have more than likely marveled over the 66-foot whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.

Robert Rocha, the museum’s associate curator of science and research, told 12 News he has a silly, yet strange warning he gives visitors caught staring in awe at the whale, whose name is KOBO.

“I like to joke with visitors that are standing underneath the skeleton that this is a good reminder to not look up with your mouth open,” he said.

That’s because Rocha said the rare blue whale skeleton is actually leaking oil.

See more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Employees had to evacuate the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Fall River on Friday following after a lithium ion battery overheated within the building, according to police.

Fall River District Chief Sean Flannery told 12 News the malfunctioning battery sent toxic fumes into the air.

“Amazon staff shut the power off to [the battery] and minimized the off-gassing taking place,” Flannery explained. “There were aight banks of batteries and they isolated it to one bank, so it could have been a lot worse.”

See more at wpri.com.

SWANSEA — Robert Johnstone and his neighbor, Brian Avellar, say they've always had a penchant for spooky season. The past couple of Octobers their yards transformed into gnarly graveyards and terrifying clown covens.

Many houses sport stunning Halloween decorations, but the Johnstone’s and Avellar’s have taken it a step further, and for the second time, they’re inviting the public to take part in the thrill of walking through their homemade haunted “house” for free. 

Johnstone said his daughter, Trisha Bardsley, and her husband, Kyle Bardsley, thought of the idea a couple of years ago. “This year we went a little bit bigger and beat last year's display,” Johnstone said. 

A 27-year-old Fall River man was arraigned Friday in Taunton District Court on motor vehicle homicide and OUI charges in connection with the Sept. 15 crash that claimed the life of a 24-year-old Taunton nurse.

Andrew Sousa has been charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a written statement Friday.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, at approximately 1:24 a.m., the defendant was driving a gray 2015 Infiniti eastbound in the area of 608 Winthrop St. (Route 44) in Taunton when he rear-ended a tractor trailer that was also being driven eastbound, the DA's office said.

Mallory Humphreys, 24, of Taunton, who was a passenger is Sousa's car, died as a result of the crash, the DA's office said.

See more at heraldneews.com.

Eight former Hilltopper high school greats will take their rightful spot in the upcoming Durfee Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 26 at White's of Westport.

Cocktails from 5-6 p.m and dinner at 6 p.m. with the inductions to follow.

Tickets for the event are $60 and may only be purchased through this link at https://square.link/u/zV2DaGJt. Deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, Oct. 14th.

Click here for a brief look at the newest member of the Durfee Hall of Fame at heraldnews.com.

SOMERSET — Somerset Berkley's Brendan McDonald and Old Rochester's Gavin Martin became good friends while playing basketball on the same travel team.

On Friday night, two of the top quarterbacks in the South Coast Conference were enemies for 48 minutes. In the end, Martin and the Bulldogs had the last laugh.

"I know (Brendan) personally and he's my best friend from basketball," said Martin after ORR won a shootout on the road, 49-35. "I think he's a hell of a player. We knew they were going to score but we stopped them more."

Throughout the evening, both McDonald and Martin displayed their skills in front of a large crowd gathering for Senior Night at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. Each possession, both teams went up and down the field that resulted in over 600 yards of combined offense.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

Former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia II will remain in prison for his full sentence after a federal judge denied his bid for early release. 

Correia, 32, is serving what Judge Allison Burroughs called a “generous” six-year sentence after being convicted of wire fraud and extortion worth more than $800,000. Before and during his time as mayor, Correia ran multiple schemes to fund a lifestyle of buying luxury clothing, cars, adult items, expensive trips to restaurants and vacations, repaying student debt and more. 

In May, the former mayor petitioned for early release, claiming defense attorney Kevin Reddington had been ineffective and had extorted him. Federal prosecutors opposed the motion, saying Correia "was and remains unrepentant of his crimes."

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

The New England Patriots are turning things over to Drake Maye, and his first shot will come against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans.

The first-round draft pick is replacing Jacoby Brissett as the starter in the hopes that he can snap the Patriots’ four-game losing streak. But he’ll have to do it against one of the NFL’s toughest defenses.

“There’s never a perfect time to make a change,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said this week after announcing the swap. “Every defense that we play … they all have the ability to rush and get after the quarterback. So, I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time.”

See more at wpri.com.

The northern lights put on a show in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Thursday night, filling the sky with an array of vibrant colors.

Check out the gallery of photos at wpri.com.

Ethel Kennedy has passed away at the age of 96. 

Robert F. Kennedy's widow and the Kennedy family matriarch suffered a stroke in her sleep last week and died in a Massachusetts hospital Thursday, surrounded by family. 

White roses were delivered to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum on Thursday afternoon.  The museum's executive director Wendy Northcross tells the Cape Cod Times that white roses were Ethel's favorite, and they are on display in the lobby along with a condolences book.

New England Patriots safety and team captain Jabrill Peppers on has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, days after the team captain was charged with assault, strangulation and drug possession following an incident at his Braintree home early Saturday morning.

The girlfriend of Peppers has accused him of choking her, hitting her head against a wall and pushing her down a flight of stairs during a domestic dispute at Peppers' Braintree apartment in the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 5, the day after Peppers turned 29.

Peppers was charged with assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Quincy District Court on Monday and was released on $2,500 cash bail.

Read more at heraldnews.com..

Former Fall River grocer and Swansea resident Michael St. Pierre has been found guilty on four counts related to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. 

St. Pierre waived his right to a jury trial and was tried in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Judge Jia M. Cobb. 

Cobb on Wednesday found St. Pierre guilty of civil disorder, destruction of government property, disorderly conduct in the Capitol building and committing an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or building. The civil disorder conviction is a felony. 

He was found not guilty of three other counts, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct and engaging in physical violence on a restricted building. 

St. Pierre was released on his own recognizance.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Donations are piling up at Hassenegk Acres in Westport, hundreds of miles away from where Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night.

Vanessa Small, who owns the farm with her husband, told 12 News her family knew they had to do what they could to help those affected by the storm’s devastation.

Small requested the following essentials be dropped off at Hassenegk Acres:

• Water
• Tarps
• Non-perishable food
• Trash bags
• Cleaning Supplies
• Toiletries
• Wipes
• Gas cans
• Pet food
• Tools
• Diapers, formula and bottles
• Clothing
• Blankets

The first round of supplies is being driven down south in a truck by Kyle Vieira, who runs Southwest Florida Excavation. He plans on not only delivering the goods, but also assisting with cleanup efforts in the weeks following the storm.

See more at wpri.com.

Hurricane Milton plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, bringing misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene, pounding cities with winds of over 100 mph (160 kph) after producing a barrage of tornadoes, but sparing Tampa a direct hit.

The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall Wednesday night in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding there as well as other parts of western and central Florida.

Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, appeared badly damaged. The fabric that serves as the domed stadium’s roof was ripped to shreds by the fierce winds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside. Multiple cranes were also toppled in the storm, the weather service said.

See more at wpri.com.

Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell’s lawyer has asked a judge to dismiss the assault charges lodged against her earlier this year.

James McMahon, who’s representing O’Connell, wrote in his request that her husband refuses to testify against her because the two have personally and legally reconciled.

“The husband will exercise his marital privledge, and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,” McMahon explained in his motion to dismiss.

O’Connell was arrested over the summer after her husband told officers she bit him, hit him with a gasket scraper and jumped on the hood of his car as he tried to leave during a heated argument at their home.

See more at wpri.com.

For more than a decade, the Gates of Hope in Fall River has served residents in need.

But now, the food pantry is searching for a new home.

Faith Bon Jovi, president of Gates of Hope, told 12 News the city recently took control of the building that her nonprofit operates out of.

“We’re really hoping something works out soon because we don’t want to remain closed,” she said, adding that the nonprofit helps roughly 400 families each month. “It hurts us and we know it hurts them.”

Bon Jovi said the Flint Neighborhood Association offered the old Davol School building to Gates of Hope as a headquarters.

See more at wpri.com.

The association’s goal was to refurbish the building, but it did not meet the city’s 10-year deadline to do so.

Top Massachusetts officials have been meeting with Hasbro executives about potentially relocating their Pawtucket headquarters to Boston since at least April, according to newly released emails.

The emails — first reported by the Boston Business Journal — show Gov. Maura Healey’s economic development team has been aggressively trying to convince Hasbro to make the move.

Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao met with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks for dinner in early April. She provided his team with a list of incentive programs and even sent a photo of her team playing Scrabble, one of Hasbro’s most iconic games.

See more at wpri.com.

Ethel Kennedy is hospitalized after suffering a stroke. 

The 96-year-old widow of Robert F Kennedy suffered a stroke in her sleep last Thursday.  Her grandson and former Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy says she's comfortable and is surrounded by family. 

Ethel Kennedy is the mother of eleven children, and the Kennedy family is asking for privacy at this time.

Mayor Paul Coogan has named Capt. Kelly Furtado as interim chief of the Fall River Police Department. 

Furtado has been with the department for nearly 37 years, joining in 1988. She has previously served as a school resource officer and a detective in the Major Crimes Division. She currently commands the Special Operations Division, which has six units: Street Crimes, Housing, School Resource Officers, Environmental Police, Motor Vehicle and Harbor Patrol. 

Furtado was promoted to captain in 2022.  

She takes the department’s reins after the reassignment of Capt. Paul Gauvin, who led the FRPD as chief from May 2022 until Sept. 27.  

Read more at heraldnews.com.

With statewide elections fast approaching, the race for the Fifth Bristol District state representative between incumbent Patricia Haddad and returning challenger Justin Thurber is well underway.

The fifth district in Bristol County in Massachusetts includes the communities of Swansea, Somerset, Dighton, and Taunton, where a number of issues are front-of-mind: housing shortages, inflated costs of living, offshore energy concerns at the former Brayton Point energy plant, plus initial effects of incoming migrants. 

Voting will take place in-person on Nov. 5 at five different precincts throughout the district from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots for early voting are not available until Oct. 19. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 26. 

Read more on their positions at heraldnews.com.

 How foolish of us to assume they’d stop at Halloween.

Spencer’s Spirit Holdings, the parent company of Spirit Halloween, has announced plans to open 10 of its seasonal Spirit Christmas shops, including Dartmouth, which will sell gifts and decorations ahead of the holidays.

Each of the shops also plan to offer photos and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, who doubles as the brand’s mascot.

“Discover thousands of stocking stuffers, holiday apparel, fun gifts, unique décor, plus all the special trimmings for creating an unforgettable Christmas,” reads a brief description of Spirit Christmas on its official website.

Read more at wpri.com.

The cost of buying a Mega Millions jackpot dream will soon more than double, but lottery officials said they’re confident players won’t mind paying more after changes that will lead to larger prizes and more frequent winners.

Lottery officials announced Monday that it will cost $5 to play Mega Millions, beginning in April, up from the current $2 per ticket. The price increase will be one of many changes to Mega Millions that officials said will result in improved jackpot odds, more frequent giant prizes and even larger payouts.

“Spending 5 bucks to become a millionaire or billionaire, that’s pretty good,” said Joshua Johnston, director of the Washington Lottery and lead director of the group that oversees Mega Millions.

Mega Millions and its lottery compatriot Powerball are sold in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.

Powerball officials said they have no plans to change that game’s odds or the $2 price for most tickets.

See more at wpri.com.

The girlfriend of New England Patriots safety and team captain Jabrill Peppers has accused him of choking her, hitting her head against a wall and pushing her down a flight of stairs during a domestic dispute at Peppers' Braintree apartment in the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 5, the day after Peppers turned 29.

Peppers was charged with assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Quincy District Court on Monday and was released on $2,500 cash bail.

Peppers told Braintree police that he and his girlfriend were arguing, and he was trying to get her to leave his apartment. He denied putting his hands on her, according to the police report.

"He said that she was making those allegations to destroy his career," the report reads.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The push to replace the Cape Cod bridges is taking another step in the right direction. 

Governor Healey's office Friday announced that it secured 350-million-dollars in federal funding after signing a memorandum of agreement with the Department of the Army and Federal Highway Administration to rebuild the Sagamore Bridge. 

Senator Warren and Congressman Keating both said the news is huge for the Cape's lifelines. 

The state has secured more than one-point-seven-billion-dollars in federal funds for the replacement project so far.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 4,864 in the week ending September 28, up from 4,776 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 225,000 last week, up 6,000 claims from 219,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Iowa saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 41.8%. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 61.3%.

From the heraldnews.com.

A house fire that broke out in New Bedford on Sunday morning has been determined to be accidental, according to a social media post by the city’s fire department.

Around 10 a.m., crews were called to a home on Ludlow St. for a report of fire coming from the building.

When firefighters got to the scene, they found heavy fire coming from the home.

Right now, the house is unlivable, but not a total loss. The garage of the home was destroyed.

District Fire Chief Dave Cooper said the cause may have been from a propane tank explosion.

A man inside the home was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with what is believed to be minor burns. There were no injuries to any firefighters.

From wpri.com.

October is Fire Prevention Month, the time of year when many local fire departments opt to open their doors to the public for a day of fun, demonstrations, activities and, of course, fire prevention education.

Among SouthCoast departments there will be several opportunities for residents to check out their local fire houses throughout the month. 

Click here for heraldnews.com to see what's scheduled. 

Geoffrey Noble will be sworn in today as the next colonel of the Massachusetts State Police. 

Noble will receive the oath of office this morning in a ceremony at the State House, taking over a department that has been without a permanent leader for over a year. 

Noble arrived from New Jersey with a 30 year law enforcement resume, including 13 years of command level experience.  He was with the New Jersey State Police from 1995 until 2022.

Attorneys for Karen Read are seeking to delay a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of John O'Keefe. 

Read is accused of hitting her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow in Canton in 2022. 

O'Keefe's family recently filed the lawsuit against Read over his death, but she says the case should be paused until her second criminal trial scheduled for January is over. 

Read's first trial ended with a hung jury in July, and she claims corrupt law enforcement officials are trying to frame her.

As healthcare costs surge across Massachusetts, Fall River's most vulnerable residents are feeling the strain.

With a median household income of $53,000, less than half the state average according to 2023 U.S. Census data, Fall River is facing widening disparities in access to medical care, leaving many struggling to afford basic services.  

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission board meeting last month painted a grim picture of the state’s current conditions. During the virtual gathering, the commission unveiled a draft of its 2024 Health Care Cost Trends Report which came with an increased focus on affordability. The full draft along with policy recommendations for the year will not be released until Oct. 10, the next time the board meets publicly. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A former Dartmouth police officer has been convicted of child rape, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Shawn Souza was found guilty following a three-day jury trial Wednesday of two counts of aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child by force and indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14.

Souza was arrested back in April 2019 following a lengthy investigation conducted by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit. The specifics of that investigation are being withheld to protect the victims’ identities.

See more at wpri.com.

Police have arrested a man accused of breaking into several Fall River businesses late last month.

Alexander Botelho, 41, was taken into custody Tuesday by officers who responded to a Stafford Road home for reports of an unwanted man.

Police said the officers were forced to break up a fight between Botelho and another man inside the residence. Botelho suffered a cut to the bridge of his nose as a result of the altercation.

The officers wound up arresting Botelho after they were shown proof that he whipped a dog with a leash, according to police.

An investigation revealed that Botelho broke into three businesses between Sept. 20 and Sept. 25: the Dunkin’ on Rhode Island Avenue, the Dunkin’ on Brayton Avenue and the Golden Food Mart on Rodman Street.

See more at wpri.com.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren says she's concerned about the U.S. getting pulled into a larger military conflict in the Middle East.   

The American military helped Israel deflect yesterday's Iranian missile attack. 

Warren told MassLive.com that Israel has a right to defend itself but that it doesn't have the right to get the U.S. into a war.

She has repeated previous calls for de-escalation as the first anniversary of the October 7th, Hamas attack approaches.  

Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton are now part of Lifespan, with the Rhode Island health care provider finalizing its $175 million purchase of the two hospitals' operations and their buildings on Tuesday.

Both hospitals had previously been part of Steward Health Care, a for-profit health care provider that went bankrupt in May, leaving their hospitals nationwide on unsure footing. Morton and Saint Anne's are now being operated by Lifespan of Massachusetts, a nonprofit subsidiary of Lifespan.

The hospitals employ more than 3,500 people. Lifespan CEO John Fernandez reiterated on Tuesday that there are currently no plans for layoffs of staff at either facility.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts lawmakers are demanding information from Stop & Shop’s parent company on reports of price-gouging concerns.

A letter was sent to CEO Frans Muller of Ahold Delhaize, the parent company of Stop & Shop, concerning higher prices in minority and working-class communities in Massachusetts. “These types of price discrepancies place significant burdens on already-struggling consumers,” wrote U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, and Ed Markey, along with Representatives Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley.

See more at wpri.com.

The McKee administration is hoping to release a second solicitation for bids to build the new westbound Washington Bridge by the end of this week, R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti told 12 News on Tuesday.

The new timeline for moving forward comes nearly three months after no contractors bid on RIDOT’s first solicitation for the bridge project, and more than nine months after the agency abruptly closed the heavily trafficked span on I-195 West due to structural failures.

During his monthly interview on 12 News at 4, Alviti said he is excited about the new request for proposals and expects companies to be interested in building the bridge.

See more at wpri.com.

Governor Maura Healey is planning to use executive powers to immediately put a new gun law passed by the legislature into effect. 

Healey is expected to sign an emergency order putting the law into effect today instead of its planned date of October 23rd. 

The move stops opponents from trying to suspend the law from taking effect with a petition drive, which is underway. 

Gun rights supporters say Healey is circumventing the will of the people by imposing the unconstitutional law before it could be suspended.

The Port of Boston was closed yesterday as the largest longshoreman's strike in decades began along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 

Around 300 unionized workers at the Port of Boston walked off the job as the strike began. 

Massachusetts businesses are concerned that the shutdown of ports could lead to shortages of products and higher prices. 

Conley Container Terminal in Boston handled around 145 thousand shipping containers in the fiscal year that ended June 30th.

Blighted properties are now a violation under a new ordinance to keep these and other “nuisance” properties throughout the city in check. 

Owners, or a financial institution like banks or credit unions who have control of a property, “are now more accountable,” Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway said.

“It’ll help deal with anything that comes up efficiently and effectively,” he added.

With increased clarity around timelines for registering a vacant or foreclosed property, and penalties for allowing a property to go unmaintained, which could pose a threat to public safety, Hathaway said the hope is that regulation will eliminate absentee landlords and owner abandonment cases.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents about 85,000 members, is poised to go on strike Tuesday at 36 East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.

Labor talks have stalled with the United States Maritime Alliance over wage increases, and the union's current six-year contract expires at midnight tonight, according to USA Today. Workers would go out Tuesday after the contract elapses.

The contract covers approximately 25,000 port workers responsible for the transportation and handling of cargo shipped to and from the United States, according to the United States Maritime Alliance.

Kevin Rose, president of Local 1413 of the International Longshoremen's Association in New Bedford, declined to comment when asked if its 45 members would be going out on strike if no settlement is reached by midnight.

A Providence man has been charged in connection with a head-on crash that critically wounded another man earlier this year.

Anthony Flores, 26, has been charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Investigators believe Flores crossed over the center line at a high rate of speed and slammed into another car near the Stop & Shop Distribution Center in Freetown back in April.

The other driver, identified by police as a 68-year-old man, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries, including several fractures and internal trauma. He is expected to survive, however, police said he faces a long road to recovery.

Flores was also injured and brought to the hospital for treatment, according to police. His next court appearance is scheduled for November.

See more at wpri.com.

Detectives are still working to track down a man accused of selling numerous vehicles he did not own to unsuspecting customers at his used car business in Swansea.

An investigation revealed that at least 25 customers fell victim were defrauded while attempting to purchase a car at Bristol County Auto Exchange.

Edward Cicciu, 46, of Attleboro, is accused of receiving cars on loan from local auctions but not obtaining the titles. Cicciu then reportedly sold those cars at his Swansea dealership with fake or forged license plates affixed to them.

He promised his victims he would mail the titles and registrations to his customers, but never followed through, according to authorities.

Ethan Bergantim told 12 News he bought a 2011 BMW from Cicciu back in June and spent months waiting for the title to come in the mail.

He knew something was wrong when Cicciu stopped responding to his inquiries about the title.

See more at wpri.com.