Fall River is the focus of a new blog on the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism's website, according to a community announcement.

The blog, titled "History, Mystery, and the Sea: Discover Fall River," highlights the city's historic attractions, public art, diverse cuisine and cultural experiences. It emphasizes the ease of reaching Fall River via the new South Coast Rail service and suggests five must-see attractions: Battleship Cove, Maritime Museum, Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River, Fall River Historical Society and The Lizzie Borden House.

Seven local eateries are also recommended: Leddy’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, Tony’s Bakery, Sagres Restaurant, Caravela Family Restaurant, T.A. Restaurant, Al Mac’s Diner and Portugalia Marketplace. The blog's cover image features an aerial view of Battleship Cove.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The St. Lawrence Martyr Church continues to undergo an extensive interior restoration, and the Rev. Michael Racine will miss being on hand to see the project through to completion.

"I'm proud of what we've done, and it's because of the people," he said. "I'm sad that I'm leaving, obviously, but I leave it in good hands."

Racine learned a few months ago that he is being moved from New Bedford to serve as pastor of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Assonet and St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown. This will be a reunion of sorts for Racine as he previously served as pastor at St. Bernard's Church in Assonet. This move is effective July 1.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Cape Air has announced a new twice-daily, year-round passenger service between New Bedford Regional Airport and Logan International Airport in Boston.

The 35-minute gate-to-gate flights from New Bedford to Boston are scheduled to depart daily at 8:15 a.m. and 2 p.m., with return flights from Boston scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6:40 p.m., according to a press release.

The new flights are scheduled to begin on Sept. 29 and passengers can purchase tickets starting today on Cape Air’s website, www.CapeAir.com. A check of the website shows one-way tickets for sale at $94.50.

Find more at heraldnews.com.

After more than a year of grueling litigation, the criminal lawsuit between the Somerset Board of Selectmen and St. Louis-based Brayton Point LLC has come to an end — somewhat. 

The legal case, in which Somerset attempted to recoup $3.5 million in outstanding fines, was officially closed after the town dropped two misdemeanor charges of zoning bylaw violation, and charges of municipal bylaw violation or ordinance violation in a “nolle prosequi” motion on April 28 in Fall River District Court. 

Since Brayton Point LLC first stepped into court for arraignment on Jan. 4, 2024, there has been a string of rescheduled pretrial hearings, with only a number of them occurring before Judge Paul G. Pino.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

In his own words, Dr. Tommy Martin’s social media channel was created in 2014 “to encourage, and motivate, and inspire as many people as possible,” he said. “It’s a little bit of everything.” 

If you haven’t seen him biking around Swansea, occasionally filming his rides with the help of a magnetic, waterproof Insta360 camera perched on the handlebars, a simple scroll through his channel is proof of his passion.

In one video, he shares what he packs for his son’s lunch; in another, he vouches for eliminating gendered discrimination in the medical field. Many of his videos react to media or debunk viral trends.

See more at heraldnews.com.

What to do with the old Bank Street Armory is once again top of mind for city officials, while the castle-like structure continues to idle in disrepair, but a new feasibility study may help Fall River find a use for it.

In December 2024, the New York City-based American Numismatic Society had been considering the armory at 72 Bank St. with a vision to restore and preserve the interior, outfitting the building into a museum dedicated to rare coins, currency, medals and other related artifacts.

Now that offer has just about slipped away. In an interview, Mayor Paul Coogan revealed that the ANS settled on Toledo, Ohio, citing significantly lower costs when deciding where to relocate their expansive 800,000-piece collection and educational programming. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A gun is off the streets as the result of a traffic stop in New Bedford. 

Police said 22-year-old Gennys Silverio was pulled over yesterday for allegedly speeding and running a red light on County Street.  After trying to flee, officers found a loaded handgun in the vehicle. 

Silverio faces charges including carrying a loaded firearm without a license, failure to stop for police and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  

When it comes to food, few dishes encapsulate Fall River more than its signature chow mein sandwich — a Spindle City invention now famous far and wide.

A Fall River without Hoo-Mee Chow Mein — produced for decades in the city by the legendary Oriental Chow Mein Co. — is like the waterfront without the Big Mamie.

So a recent disruption in operations at Oriental’s 42 Eighth St. facility has caused a bit of a noodle panic at area restaurants who rely on the business for their chow mein noodle supply.

According to Nelson Wong, whose family has owned Oriental Chow Mein Co. for generations, one of their machines — specifically a roller that rolls out the noodle dough — is down and in the process of getting repaired.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Market Basket’s Board of Directors has placed CEO Arthur T. Demoulas on paid administrative leave amid claims that he was in the process of orchestrating a companywide work stoppage, 12 News has learned.

The board’s executive committee accused Demoulas Wednesday afternoon of “improper retaliation” against them for requesting “the most basic corporate oversight” and access to key employees.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty for many households, such work stoppages would significantly harm and broadly disrupt Market Basket’s stores and operations across New England, as well as its valued customers, associates and vendors,” the executive committee explained in a memo.

See more at wpri.com.

A Fall River police officer was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after he drunkenly forced his way into a stranger’s home, according to authorities.

The investigation began after the Fall River Police Department received a call from a resident who claimed a man was banging on the front door asking for a woman by name.

Police said the man eventually barged into the home and continued his search for the woman.

See more at wpri.com.

Five parishes in the Diocese of Fall River will close by the end of June. 

Bishop Edgar de Cunha said the closings are necessary to provide relief to priests who have too many assignments.  Declining Mass attendance and fewer priests are cited as reasons for closing parishes. 

The churches being shuttered include St. Francis of Assisi in New Bedford, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Attleboro and three in Westport, Our Lady of Grace, St. George and St. John the Baptist.    

A trip to Fall River’s waterfront this weekend will be a voyage back in time as dozens of re-enactors make camp in Heritage State Park and welcome visitors to see what life was like in Colonial times — but with the modern benefit of taco trucks.

The Battle of Fall River Re-enactment Weekend is taking place May 31 and June 1, two days of living history open to the public for free. Visitors can wander the grounds, meet historians, see craftspeople working with metal and lace, maybe take in a musket battle or two.

Dave Jennings of the Lafayette-Durfee Historical Foundation organized the weekend, with a lot of local support.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A 63-year-old Dartmouth man is charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and a lane violation. 

Philip Morris reportedly crossed a double yellow line on Old Westport Road late Sunday morning and collided head-on with another vehicle. 

The victims are identified as 76-year-old Jeffrey Moniz and his wife, 76-year-old Diane Moniz, both of Westport.    

Two people are dead and a man has been arrested after a head-on crash in Dartmouth Sunday morning, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

Quinn said around 10:30 a.m., a vehicle driving on Old Westport Road was hit by another driver accused of crossing the double yellow line.

The driver in the vehicle that was hit was Jeffrey Moniz, 76, and his wife, Diane Moniz, 76, both of Westport. Both were brought to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

See more at wpri.com.

 A homicide investigation is underway in New Bedford, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers responding to the area of Bedford and South Seventh streets around 9:10 p.m. Monday found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, identified as 21-year-old Kimberl Gedeon, was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries, the DA’s office said.

See more at wpri.com.

The former postmaster in Seekonk is charged with theft of government money. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Bethany LeBlanc is accused of stealing nearly twenty-thousand-dollars through a scheme using no-fee money orders.  Those money orders are generated by the U.S. Postal Service as an alternative to sending cash or a check through the mail. 

LeBlanc served as the postmaster in Seekonk from November 2023, to February of this year.    

A federal judge quickly issued a temporary restraining order yesterday that stops the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students. 

Harvard filed a lawsuit Friday morning after the administration announced the ban.  Harvard called it unconstitutional arguing it is retaliation for rejecting the government's political demands. 

Harvard has about 68-hundred international students from over 100 countries. 

On Memorial Day, Jackie Francisco will run 31 miles solo from Bourne to Freetown to honor Tyler Trahan, 22, who lost his life April 30, 2009, while conducting combat operations serving in Iraq in the U.S. Navy in support of operation Iraqi Freedom.

Francisco, the principal at Freetown Lakeville Middle School since last September and former Fall River K through 12 director of fine arts, lives in Freetown, the same town where Trahan attended middle school. As a runner she often runs by the Tyler J. Trahan Memorial Rotary in East Freetown and thinks of him and his sacrifice.

He died two days short of his 23rd birthday.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Months have passed since former City Administrator Seth Aitken resigned amid claims of a perceived conflict of interest, yet the position, one that entails several obligations, is still vacant.

Mayor Paul Coogan admitted there have been “a few applicants,” but that they simply weren’t “up to standard.” The search for an adequate candidate would need to consider “someone in-house,” potentially, he said, and that person “should know the inner workings of the city.”

Currently, members of his administration have picked up the duties of the role as the search for the right fit continues, if only for a little while longer. 

Coogan said he plans to “make a decision” in the next couple of weeks, and that an announcement may be made “very soon.” 

See more at heraldnews.com.

The New Bedford Health Department and Animal Control is warning residents that a bat recently found in the city has tested positive for rabies.

The bat was discovered near Fire Station 8 on Acushnet Avenue.

Anyone who may have interacted with the bat is urged to reach out to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617) 983-6800 for a risk assessment.

From wpri.com.

Memorial Day is the one day of the year set aside to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. This solemn day became a federal holiday in 1971, and This solemn day became a federal holiday in 1971, and it is observed on the last Monday of May each year.

Although Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial start of summer, it is a day that holds great significance in honoring those who have given their lives in service to their country.

Across the U.S., it is marked by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades to remember men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Greater Fall River events can be found at heraldnews.com.

The May 19 annual and special Town Meeting was met with lower-than-average voter turnout, with items such as beach management, budget talks, and zoning amendments drawing discussion out of handful of residents who took turns at the mic.

During the two-and-a-half hour meeting in the Joseph Case High School auditorium that attracted 199 voters and coupled the special Town Meeting back-to-back with the annual Town Meeting, all of the special meeting’s warrant’s eight articles passed unanimously or by majority with a voice vote. The annual Town Meeting included a warrant containing 29 articles, and all of the articles passed, with the exception of Article 29, which was postponed. 

In a letter to residents that topped the meeting agenda, Swansea’s Finance and Advisory Board admitted that an “uncertainty” pertaining to federal grants and funding may make budgeting more difficult in 2027.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

In an emotional ceremony attended by members of the city’s Emergency Medical Services, family, friends, and first responders, Mayor Paul Coogan swore in Bethann Faunce, the first female chief of the Fall River EMS.

The May 20 swearing in resumed later in the afternoon to celebrate 14 inter-departmental pinnings and promotions, nine EMS school completion certificates, and to award the first-ever paramedic scholarship.

After taking an official oath of office to “faithfully” serve the Fall River community, Faunce remarked on the 50years EMS has provided intensive ambulatory and home-care services to city residents. Faunce, who has enjoyed a 30-year tenure with EMS, bore witness to the department’s growth and sustainability, she said.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A dilapidated property considered one of the most at-risk buildings in the city is up for sale with a hefty price tag.

HomeSmart First Class Realty has listed the former William Connell Elementary School, 650 Plymouth Ave. The asking price is $1.55 million.

According to property records, the historic building, finished in 1893, is currently owned by Assembly of God Action Inc. It’s also potentially contaminated with asbestos and lead, and currently open to the elements. Nevertheless, “the structure itself is good,” said Ryan Cook of HomeSmart.

“Just like the old Durfee High School, it’s gorgeous inside,” Cook said. “I don’t know how they were able to afford to do this stuff.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Diman girls outdoor track and field team completes historic season.

The undefeated Bengals placed first overall against 10 teams, scoring 129 points during Monday's Mayflower Athletic Conference championships.

For Diman head coach Aaron Soares, it was more than just winning a league event.

“This was an incredibly special team, led by an amazing group of seniors," Soares said. "This group was resilient, trusting in our coaching without a track to practice on. These kids put the work in on sidewalks, in hallways, making lemonade out of lemons.

"To have the season they did, set countless school records, and go undefeated in the winter and then again in the spring is a monumental achievement.” 

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts high school graduation requirements are changing after a vote by the state’s elementary and secondary education board on Tuesday.

This comes after Massachusetts voters decided last November that MCAS will no longer be used to fulfill that requirement.

What will decide how students get their diplomas now?

Starting with the class of 2026, students will earn the requirement of the state’s “competency determination” by completing coursework equivalent to:

• 2 years of high school English language arts courses
• One year of both algebra 1 and geometry courses, or one year of both integrated math 1 and integrated math 2
• One year of biology, physics, chemistry, technology, or engineering
• And starting with the class of 2027, one year in U.S. history

See more at wpri.com.

The Massachusetts legislature is expected to begin debating the budget for the upcoming fiscal year today. 

Lawmakers yesterday expressed concerns about possible reductions in federal funding as they prepared for the final budget discussions. 

Republicans in the minority in both chambers are also expressing concerns about a possible economic downturn heading into the budget debate and vote.

Voters at annual Town Meeting on May 19 widely rejected an expansion of the Board of Selectmen from three to five members, and approved an article asking to remove fluoride from its drinking water supply — a victory for activists who have put forth nearly identical anti-fluoridation articles in five consecutive meetings.

Somerset’s drinking water was the subject of impassioned argument at multiple points in the Town Meeting, with citizens calling the water supply “contaminated” and the head of the water board "a fool" for drinking it.

Citizens also agreed to ban unauthorized outdoor camping, outlawing homeless encampments in town, and voiced strong opinions on increases in school funding.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Dartmouth Animal Control is warning residents that a feral cat has tested positive for rabies Monday.

The feral cat, which had black fur and a white spot on its face, was spotted wandering around near Oliver Street on May 16. It was wearing a flea collar.

Anyone who may have interacted with the cat between May 8-16 is urged to reach out to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617) 983-6800 for a risk assessment.

See more at wpri.com.

Hundreds of Butler Hospital staffers are set to lose their health insurance benefits as tensions flare in an ongoing contract dispute, according to the New England Health Care Employees Union (SEIU 1199NE).

SEIU 1199NE, which represents more than 800 frontline staffers at Butler Hospital, started an indefinite strike Thursday morning after negotiations with management stalled last week.

The open-ended strike comes nearly two months after SEIU 1199NE entered into contract negotiations with Butler Hospital’s parent company, Care New England.

See more at wpri.com.

State gas prices last week and reached an average of $2.92 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, , according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in state rose about 3 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $2.88 on April 14, 2025, and as high as $3.60 on April 29, 2024.

A year ago, the average gas price in Massachusetts was 9% higher at $3.22 per gallon.

See more at heraldnews.com.

It takes only two minutes in the CNC — a computerized and numerically controlled lathing machine — to cut, chisel, and reveal one of Axis Bats’ nationally renowned wooden baseball bats from an ordinary maple, ash, or birch millets. 

In front of the computer screen, owner and operator Lou Ledoux stretched the slope of the bat’s handle on the design, able to saved and stored for mass production. The change may have been incremental, but for a batter, “he’ll feel it,” said Ledoux, who spoke passionately about math and physics involved in playing a game of baseball.

Axis Bats has been in business for 18 years, though for the past six years they’ve filled the 28 Anawan St. manufacturing warehouse with sawdust and racks of customized special-order bats, for Major League Baseball teams like the Seattle Mariners, to local ballplayers with a thirst for the sport.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection to a shooting that happened in Fall River Saturday.

Police said they were called to South Main and Slade Streets for reports of that a woman was shot. When officers got there, the suspect had already fled, according to police.

The suspect was found later on, police said, and is considered a person of interest in other shootings that happened in the city.

See more at wpri.com.

Residents who have been unsatisfied with the MBTA’s South Coast Rail service can take their complaints right to the top when MBTA General Manager Phil Eng hosts a meeting in Fall River on May 22.

Eng and representatives from the MBTA and Keolis, the company contracted to run commuter rail service, will host the meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. at Morton Middle School, 1135 N. Main St.

According to the MBTA, the meeting will address “concerns occurring since service began on March 24, including noise, weekend service cancellations, Keolis staffing, and other service challenges.”

The meeting is open the public.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Things are about to get a lot merrier by the waterfront at Battleship Cove.

The much-anticipated transformation of Fall River's historic carousel and pavilion is almost complete, and it won't be long before it begins spinning new memories for city residents and visitors.

Chariots and beautifully hand-carved horses await their first riders of the season at the unveiling of Heritage State Park’s newly reinvigorated Fall River Carousel on May 24.

"This isn’t just a ribbon cutting — it’s a revival," states Fall River Carousel’s Facebook page touting opening weekend events, presented by Red Oak Hospitality.  

Read more at  heraldnews.com.

A jury has convicted a man of firing the shots that killed a teenager and paralyzed another in New Bedford more than five years ago, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III announced Thursday.

Kevin Edwards, of Fall River, was found guilty of murder, assault and battery, and gun-related charges in the death of 17-year-old Paul Callazo-Ruiz.

On Oct. 19, 2019, Callazo-Ruiz was shot in the back while walking along Ashley Boulevard with a 19-year-old friend. Callazo-Ruiz was pronounced dead in a backyard nearby, while the friend was left paralyzed by two bullets.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Lewis Pugh has followed an unspoken rule during his career as one of the world’s most daring endurance swimmers: Don’t talk about sharks. But he plans to break that this week on a swim around Martha’s Vineyard, where “Jaws” was filmed 50 years ago.

The British-South African was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world — and has taken on extreme conditions everywhere from Mount Everest to the Arctic.

A 67-year-old man faces lewdness and other charges for allegedly exposing himself at a park in Dartmouth. 

Police said Joao Ladino exposed himself to police detectives on a walking trail in Reynolds Park last Saturday afternoon. 

The arrest was the result of an investigation into complaints of people exposing themselves on the trails. 

Investigators discovered people would meet on a social app and plan to meet in the park to engage in sexual activity.  

A 70-year-old Westport man suffered life-threatening injuries following a motorcycle crash with a car on May 13 in Dartmouth.

According to the Dartmouth Police Department, the crash occurred just before noon on May 13, in the area of 415 Division Road.

The motorcycle operator, a Westport man, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford with suspected life-threatening injuries.

The second vehicle involved in the crash was a Chevrolet Cobalt being operated by a 19-year-old man, also from Westport. The driver of the car remained on scene and cooperated with the police investigation, the DPD press release states.

The crash is being investigated by the Dartmouth Police Department Crash Reconstruction Unit.

No further information regarding the extent of the motorcyclist’s injuries was available as of mid-day May 14.

From heraldnews.com.

A 45-year-old Fall River woman was sentenced May 12 in federal court in Boston for stealing nearly $90,000 of her child’s Social Security benefits over the course of six years.

Nancy Taylor was sentenced Monday to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $86,994 in restitution, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024, and pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money in February 2025.

According to the release, Taylor embezzled approximately $86,994 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her minor child from May 2016 through May 2022.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Firefighters spent hours battling a fire that broke out inside a New Bedford waste transfer station Wednesday evening.

New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger told 12 News firefighters were initially called to the Shawmut Avenue facility to investigate a fire alarm activation.

Kruger said firefighters picked up the pace upon spotting plumes of thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.

See more at wpri.com.

The 26-year-old woman accused of ramming her SUV into a federal building in New Bedford on Monday is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. 

Jennifer Padilla allegedly poured gasoline on an American flag and tried to set it on fire inside the building before a security guard intervened.

Police said she then rammed the building. A not guilty plea on several charges was entered in court yesterday on Padilla's behalf. 

The city’s interim Police Chief Kelly Furtado has been appointed as permanent chief with a one-year contract, following a 5-4 vote from city councilors taken at the May 13 City Council meeting. 

She is Fall River's first female police chief.

In a third attempt by Mayor Paul Coogan to ask the City Council to approve Furtado as permanent chief, councilors voting in favor of her appointment won by a slim majority. At an April 22 City Council meeting, two councilors objected to her appointment, expressing their concerns about the transparency of city official appointments.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Voters will determine the outcome of several agenda items — from the duties of the town tree warden, hotel tax rates, public housing property improvements and the incorporation of accessory dwelling units into local zoning bylaws — at the annual and special Town Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to take place May 19 in the Joseph Case High School auditorium, 70 School St. 

The special Town Meeting will invite voters to weigh in on the warrant’s eight articles, and is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. The annual Town Meeting boasts a warrant containing 29 articles, the first of which are scheduled to be heard at 7:30 p.m.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Between 15 and 20 families of Azorean Portuguese descent have gotten their paperwork together, purchased a plane ticket, and flown back to the Azores, according to Helena da Silva Hughes, president of the nonprofit Immigrants’ Assistance Center at 58 Crapo St. in New Bedford. 

Hughes said about 1,000 undocumented families living in Greater Fall River who visited the United States and overstayed their tourist visas — while putting down roots deep enough to run businesses, purchase homes and start families — are now planning to return to Western Portugal and the Azores Islands, where they still have family and community connections. 

See more at heraldnews.com.

“Families sold everything to come here,” Hughes said. Now, she said, they’re selling homes and businesses “to go back.”

Pharmacy chain Walgreens is shuttering two stores in Greater Fall River in June, leaving customers with a few weeks to arrange transfers if necessary.

According to Walgreens’ website, the store at 510 Wilbur Ave. in Swansea is permanently closing on June 23; the store at 1512 S. Main St. in Fall River is permanently closing on June 26.

In October 2024, the company announced it planned to close about 1,200 underperforming stores across the United States over the next three years to offset declining profits resulting from low drug reimbursement rates and sluggish retail sales.

About 450 of those closures are expected to take place by the end of 2025.

See more at heraldnews.com.

With the House Committee on Energy and Commerce poised to cut $880 billion out of the federal budget, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is sounding the alarm, saying cuts largely affect the low-income health insurance program Medicaid.

Auchincloss said cutting Medicaid would leave millions of Americans without coverage, increase costs for those with private health care, and affect community health centers including HealthFirst, which serves patients from Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Freetown and Westport.

“In the middle of the night, Republicans are going to cut health care for people who need health care, in order to pay for tax cuts for people who don’t need tax cuts,” Auchincloss said in a Herald News interview May 13.

See more at heraldnews.com.

U.S. retail egg prices fell in April from the record-high prices they hit earlier this year, according to government data released Tuesday.

The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 last month after reaching a record $6.23 in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was the first month-to-month drop in egg prices since October 2024.

Overall, the average price of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, the steepest monthly decline since March 1984.

See more at wpri.com.

Governor Maura Healey has filed legislation she says will save residents and businesses ten-billion-dollars on their energy bills. 

Healey says the proposal will remove charges from utility customer bills, and take steps to bring more energy into Massachusetts. 

The governor says her plan also would create accountability among utility companies, and provide customers with tools to manage power use and lower their bills.  

A woman was arrested Monday morning after she allegedly tried to drive through a federal building in New Bedford.

Jennifer Judith Padilla, 26, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property, and attempted arson.

Police said Padilla was carrying an American flag and a container of gasoline when officers arrived. She allegedly poured gasoline on the flag and tried to set it on fire.

See more at wpri.com.

Water rescue crews responded to Turner Reservoir Monday morning after reports of an overturned canoe near the Seekonk-East Providence line.

Seekonk Fire Chief Shaun Whalen said two 20-year-old men were clinging to the side of the canoe, without life vests, and yelling for help when crews arrived. Both were rescued and declined medical care.

Whalen said East Providence fire crews had responded to a similar incident in the same area about 30 minutes earlier. It’s unclear what caused the canoe to flip.

See more at wpri.com.

Should video related to Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell's arrest be made public? The city's legal department and the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office disagree.

When Shaunna O'Connell was arrested on July 19, 2024, for allegedly assaulting her husband, the police department recorded body camera footage from the arrest as well as footage from the police department's booking room.

Multiple news outlets — including the Taunton Daily Gazette, WCVB, WPRI, Channel 7 News, and WJAR/NBC 10 — filed public records requests for various videos associated with O'Connell's arrest, according to communications obtained through a public records request by the Gazette.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Fall River man pleaded guilty May 9 in federal court in Boston to a drug trafficking charge after shipping cocaine through the U.S. mail from California to Fall River, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts.

Justin Dupras, 42, who was charged by criminal complaint in January 2025, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, states a press release from the DOJ.

His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2025.

According to the charging document, Dupras mailed a package containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine from a U.S. Post Office in Los Angeles to Fall River on Dec. 17, 2024, the release states.

See more at heraldnews.com.

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

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 4,187 in the week ending May 3, down from 8,179 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 228,000 last week, down 13,000 claims from 241,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Michigan saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 128.3%. Delaware, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 61.7%.

From heraldnews.com.

Fall River police are investigating after they say a man was shot several times Friday night.

Investigators say around 9:45 p.m., they were called to Orange Street for a report of a shooting.

When they arrived on scene, officer found a man that was shot several times in the leg and shoulder.

He was taken to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Investigators found a firearm, a magazine, and multiple shell casings found at the scene.

No arrests have been made, however police believe this is an isolated incident.

From wpri.com.

Prosecutors in Karen Read’s second murder case spent Thursday quizzing a key investigator about how he gathered information surrounding the death of the defendant’s Boston police officer boyfriend.

Prosecutors say Read, 45, backed her SUV into John O’Keefe, 46, and left him to die after dropping him off at a party hosted by a fellow officer. Her lawyers say she was framed in a police conspiracy and that someone inside the home that night in January 2022 must have killed him.

A mistrial was declared last year. Read’s second trial on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene has appeared to be similar so far.

See more at wpri.com.

Stoughton police responded to the Sharon Street business Sunday, April 20, after receiving a report of the crime.

Surveillance footage showed a suspect, later identified as Mark Smith, 40, inside the restaurant around 3:30 a.m. that day, according to police.

A store credit card was stolen during the break-in.

Smith allegedly used the card seven times at ATMs in Fall River, Seekonk, Swansea, East Providence, and Tiverton, with transactions ranging from $32 to more than $500.

See more at wpri.com.

After nearly a month in federal custody following a controversial arrest by immigration agents, a New Bedford man is set to be released, 12 News has confirmed.

Judge Donald Ostrom agreed Thursday morning to dismiss the case against 29-year-old Juan Francisco Méndez, who’s being held at a detention facility in New Hampshire.

Méndez was taken into custody on April 14 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers pulled him over on Tallman Street and shattered his car window.

See more at wpri.com.

Sixteen people are facing drug charges after a major bust in Southeastern Massachusetts resulted in the seizure of several pounds of cocaine and fentanyl, 33 firearms and nearly $110,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

According to Massachusetts State Police, on April 15 and 16, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in 20 different locations throughout Fall River, Taunton, Raynham, Norton, Pembroke and Falmouth in a yearlong investigation they termed “Operation No Love.”

The sting was led by the State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, Homeland Security Investigations and the Raynham Police Department.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of a Fall River man charged in the deadly 2019 shooting of a teenager in New Bedford.

Kevin Edwards is accused of firing the shots that killed 17-year-old Paul Callazo-Ruiz and paralyzed a then 19-year-old on Oct. 19, 2019.

A 37-year-old New Bedford man is facing charges in Tiverton, Rhode Island. 

Jesse Dossantos is accused of breaking into houses and parked cars at the Bally's casino last month.  He was arrested yesterday when he tried to flee on foot when approached by Tiverton police. 

Dossantos is also charged as a fugitive from justice on a warrant for his arrest in Fairhaven.  

According to US News & World Report, Massachusetts is the tenth best state to live in. 

The rankings are based on several factors including the economy, education, health care and crime. 

Other New England states in the top ten include New Hampshire in second place and Vermont is ranked seventh.  

Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School students are looking forward to the fanfare of graduation, and a select few eagerly anticipate starting a new full-time job once they cross the stage.

On May 6, Diman hosted its first ever “student signing day” to feature and “lift up” 32 seniors enrolled in the school’s cooperative education program — commonly known as a co-op, that allows students to earn money while gaining practical knowledge in their field of study — across several vocational shops.

These students, who sat on stage in the school auditorium and whose names and companies were announced during the ceremony, officially committed to full-time jobs with 16 of Diman’s local industry partners.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Janice Miranda-Boulay’s life changed forever on April 27, 2021.

Miranda-Boulay and her husband Robert were walking through a parking lot near Battleship Cove when she was hit by a car.

“I [saw] the car coming right at me,” Miranda-Boulay recalled. “I tried to jump out of the way and I yelled, ‘Stop!’ But she didn’t stop. She just hit me and I flew.”

Robert said the woman behind the wheel, later identified as Jade Stanton, drove through two parking spaces before slamming into his wife.

Stanton then drove off — running over Janice’s foot in the process, according to Robert.

“She drove right by me,” Robert recalled, referring to Stanton. “It was horrific.”

The Fall River Public School Committee has changed its mind about a unanimous vote to formally petition the Legislature for an increase in net school spending to cover transportation costs that are reported on the “school side” of a dual ledger between the city and its public schools.

At an April 29 meeting, School Committee members decided to reverse its previous vote, taken in coordination with the City Council on April 8 during a joint meeting that discussed rising transportation costs. That line item has the transportation budget at $13,118,324, with additional costs pushing the total to $15,876,000, set aside to solve busing problems. 

Transportation costs are reported on the “school side” of a dual ledger between the city and school budgets, but the city remains responsible for most of it.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The final round of finalist interviews for the next superintendent of Westport Community Schools resulted in Dr. Fran Roy, currently a professor at Stonehill College, as the School Committee's pick.

The interviews and selection occurred at the April 30 School Committee meeting, where Roy shared some insight about herself and what she hopes to bring to Westport schools.

"When I look at the alignment between what I value and the work I was trying to do and the work that you've begun around those core tenants, I saw an opportunity here," Roy said of her pursuit of the Westport job. "I would hope to be able to continue to contribute to that work, to expand on that work and in essence what that work needs to be in service of real outcomes for kids and families."

While School Committee members expressed being impressed with the other finalist to be interviewed that evening, Maine Indian Educational District Superintendent Dr. Reza Namin, the vote to select Roy was unanimous.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The Seekonk man accused of attacking an Uber driver during a ride last weekend is being held without bail following a hearing on Monday.

James D. Oakes, 25, is charged with strangulation or suffocation, kidnapping, unarmed robbery, and assault with intent to rape, among other offenses.

Prosecutors allege Oakes assaulted the driver after she picked him up early on the morning of April 26 and forced her down a dark, secluded driveway before threatening to kill her.

See more at wpri.com.

The recent Board of Selectmen election may have been decided earlier this month, but the campaign is not quite over.

About a dozen people belonging to a group calling itself the Somerset Integrity Coalition stood outside Somerset town offices on Wood Street before the April 30 Board of Selectmen meeting, holding signs decrying what they say is “abuse of power,” “dirty politics” and a “cover up” in town regarding the recent election of Selectman Todd Costa.

On April 14, Costa defeated Thomas Mello for an open selectmen’s seat. Costa won with 1,174 to 1,157 votes, a difference of 17 votes.

There won’t be a recount, said Holly McNamara, a former selectman and part of a group calling itself the Somerset Integrity Coalition. But they’ve decided to challenge the election nonetheless.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Graduates of the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) got to hear words of wisdom from NCAA president and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Sunday afternoon.

“If you treat people as you would like to be treated, if you prove to be a reliable, dependable, steady force for good — and you listen and learn — trust me, the rest will take care of itself,” Baker said to the graduates.

Baker, a Republican, served two terms as governor after he was first elected in 2014. He decided not to seek a third term in 2022 and was announced as the NCAA’s president before leaving office. While in office, Baker had high approval ratings, sometimes polling as the country’s most popular governor.

See more at wpri.com.

After a five-year suspension that began in March 2020, the Trump administration is turning the student loan default collections machine back on. Millions of borrowers with defaulted loans are poised to face severe consequences starting on Monday, May 5.

“Resuming collections protects taxpayers from shouldering the cost of federal student loans that borrowers willingly undertook to finance their postsecondary education,” the Education Department said in a press release.

The far-reaching consequences of student loan default can hit a borrower all at once. The government can withhold portions of Social Security checks, take tax refunds and garnish paychecks. Credit scores plummet, making it difficult to buy a house, rent an apartment or get a job. Borrowers can’t get more student loans to go back to school or access loan relief options. Potential costs include court and collections fees.

See more at wpri.com.

Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River has earned its 27th consecutive 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, according to a community announcement. The hospital has maintained this distinction since the program began in 2012, reflecting its commitment to patient safety and efforts to prevent medical errors and avoidable harm.

Three other hospitals within the Brown University Health system also received an 'A' grade: Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., and Newport Hospital in Newport, R.I.

“Maintaining an ‘A’ for patient safety for 27 cycles over 13 years is a direct testament to our employees’ and providers’ collective commitment to our culture of safety,” said Carole Billington, president and chief nursing officer at Saint Anne’s Hospital. “This means that everyone, every day, practices behaviors, individually and collaboratively, that result in safe, reliable care. As one of just 11 hospitals in the country to have earned the ‘Straight A’ designation 27 times, we are honored to provide this high level of care to our patients.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The city has 108 new high school graduates.

Superintendent Tracy Curley told the School Committee during its April 29 meeting that those 108 people were students between 2003 and 2024, but their MCAS scores prevented them from graduating.

Now that MCAS scores are no longer a graduation requirement, the Fall River Public Schools has encouraged alumni of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy, or Stone Day School who earned a certificate of completion rather than a diploma to apply to have their transcript reviewed to see if they're eligible for a high school diploma instead. 

Because MCAS test scores may have kept students from crossing the stage, the school district will give diplomas to students who met all other graduation requirements, after a full transcript review is conducted.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A former Massachusetts state police sergeant was found guilty Friday of taking part in a scheme to take bribes, including a new snowblower and a driveway, in exchange for giving passing scores on commercial driving tests.

Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was convicted of nearly 50 charges, including two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of extortion and six counts of honest services mail fraud.

Cederquist was one of three troopers along with two civilians accused of falsifying records and giving preferential treatment to at least 17 drivers from May 2019 to January 2023, who were taking their commercial driver’s license test.

See more at wpri.com.

Justin Sullivan and his family were vacationing in Ireland when the unthinkable happened.

“We got a call from the smoke alarm company telling us our smoke alarm was going off,” Sullivan recalled. “Our first thought was something tripped it, but then reality hits you … and seconds later your neighbor is calling you frantically telling you your house is on fire.”

“When somebody tells you your house is on fire, you’re just thinking it’s just going to be small and the fire department is going to get there and take care of it,” he continued. “But that’s not what happened.”

See more at wpri.com.

The internal wireless network used by the Fall River Public Schools has been fully restored after a “cybersecurity incident” discovered on April 7 left students and staff without access to the internet.

At an April 29 meeting of the School Committee, Superintendent Tracy Curley said printers and student Chromebooks were back in service; staff had regained access to their email.

Educators, she said, had been printing handouts for their classes while they could not access digital lesson materials.

“We are getting back to business as usual,” Curley told members of the school board. “What we saw in schools was the instruction continuing. We saw people using the same resources, but planning for lessons that were not internet-based.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police continue to investigate a shooting that claimed the life of a New Bedford man earlier this week.

The victim was identified Thursday as Jordan Roman, 19.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Roman was shot to death Tuesday night while sitting in the driver’s seat of a car parked on Acushnet Avenue.

See more at wpri.com.

Lafrance Hospitality is looking to build a brand new hotel in downtown New Bedford.

The proposed hotel would be located off of Pearl Street at the current site of a tire recycling facility. Lafrance Hospitality’s proposal calls for an “architecturally appealing five-story building and comprehensive landscaping design,” according to the city.

“We are thrilled at the prospect of expanding our presence in New Bedford,” Lafrance Hospitality Chairman Richard Lafrance said. “This project is not just about building a hotel; it’s about contributing to the city and supporting local businesses. We believe this development will be a valuable addition to New Bedford.”

See more at wpri.com.

Dozens of firefighters spent hours battling a massive brush fire that broke out within Joint Base Cape Cod.

The Massachusetts Army National Guard told 12 News the brush fire started as a planned controlled burn at Camp Edwards Thursday afternoon.

The flames wound up migrating outside of Camp Edwards, prompting the Massachusetts Army National Guard to request assistance from surrounding fire departments.

The Bourne Fire Department alerted residents on social media that smoke from the brush fire was drifting into town and may be visible or detectable.

“Please do not call 911 or the business phone line to report smoke odor or haze,” the fire department wrote. “We ask that the public only call 911 if you see visible flames or signs of an active fire in your immediate area.”

See more at wpri.com.

A twenty-five year-old local resident is accused of filming a 17-year-old girl Monday while she was changing in a dressing room at the Target store in Swansea. 

John Michael Williams was arrested yesterday on multiple charges including photographing sexual or intimate parts of a child. 

Police said they were able to identify Williams with the help of the public after they posted screenshots of him on social media.  

A 19-year-old man who was shot in New Bedford is dead. 

Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert Sunday night in the vicinity of Acushnet Avenue and Griffin Court. The victim was found in a parked car with a gunshot wound to the head and pronounced dead at Saint Luke's Hospital. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Let the countdown begin.

Those hungry for their first taste of summer fun, as well as a smorgasbord of delicious fare, won't have to wait much longer.

Foodchella, one of SouthCoast's biggest food truck, artisan, and music festivals, will be rolling into Slades Ferry Park next month with a "flavor-packed" community celebration.

"Good vibes, great bites, and unforgettable times" are on the menu for this eighth iteration of the popular Somerset event slated for May 10, from 3 to 8 p.m., at 100 Slades Ferry Ave.

"The purpose and mission behind Foodchella is to highlight the great eateries and food and brews and breweries that we have and to expand the music part," founder Allison Faunce said.

And this year marks the launch of a "new, elevated experience" at Foodchella, according to Faunce, who also heads the long-running Southcoast Open Air Markets (SOAM) in Somerset.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A homicide investigation is underway after a Falmouth man’s body was found near Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School on Wednesday, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Quinn said the body 39-year-old Stephen Myers was discovered in a construction area behind the school. Myers died as a result of a single gunshot wound, he added.

Foul play is suspected, but there is no known threat to the public, according to Quinn. He also noted there is no known connection between the victim and the school.

See more at wpri.com.