Women from across Massachusetts are being recognized for their contributions to their communities.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women celebrated its 2026 class of Commonwealth Heroines. The annual program celebrates women who make a difference through leadership, advocacy and service, according to a community announcement.

This year’s class includes 147 honorees — the largest in the program’s history.

Honorees include eight from the Greater Fall River and New Bedford area.

The program is a partnership between the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and state legislators. Each lawmaker is invited to nominate one woman from their district who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership.

The list includes:

• Denise Barbosa Lane, North Easton, nominated by state Sen. William Driscoll.
• Rosemary Gill, Dartmouth, nominated by state Rep. Antonio Cabral.
• Michelle Hamilton, Foxboro, nominated by state Rep. Michael Chaisson.
• Cynthia “Cindy” Brogan, Taunton, nominated by state Rep. Lisa Field.
• Rebecca Frias, Assonet, nominated by state Rep. Carole Fiola.
• Leslie Kola, Raynham, nominated by state Rep. Dennis Gallagher.
• Joanne Roche, Mansfield, nominated by state Rep. James K. Hawkins.
• Keyanna Jones, New Bedford, nominated by state Rep. Christopher Hendricks.
• Frances Kelley, Swansea, nominated by state Rep. Steven Howitt.
• Wendy Morill, New Bedford, nominated by state Rep. Christopher Markey.
• Lisa Feitelberg-Costa, Westport, nominated by state Rep. Steven Ouellette.
• Jenny Mello Reis, Somerset, nominated by state Rep. Justin Thurber.
• Rachel Resendes, Fall River, nominated by state Rep. John R. Gaskey.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is joining attorneys general from 48 other states in urging the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on scam robocalls. 

The group wants tougher rules to make it harder for scammers to buy and use real phone numbers to trick consumers. 

Officials say Americans received nearly 30-billion scam calls and texts last year, costing victims almost two-billion dollars.

Marcel Riley has a vision for the empty greenspace off King Philip Street in Fall River.

He is the force behind an effort to transform the park into Mae’s Playground, a sensory-friendly facility where kids of all abilities can interact and have fun, including his daughter Mae, who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum.

The roughly $1 million playground would have been fully funded with a requested $100,000 earmark in the Massachusetts state budget, but a few weeks ago, Riley learned they would only be getting $10,000.

“Those are our most vulnerable,” Riley told 12 News on Thursday. “If they’re not worth fully funding or meeting halfway, what is?”

See more at wpri.com.

The identities of the two people killed in a serious crash on Route 6 near the Westport-Dartmouth line Friday evening have been released.

The two that died are 34-year-old Tristan Bedient of Acushnet and 51-year-old Kate Aldrich of New Bedford, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office says Dartmouth and Westport police responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving two sedans, one with “catastrophic” damage. The male driver of a Toyota Camry, Bedient, and female passenger, Aldrich, were taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The driver and passenger of the second car, a SAAB, had non-life-threatening injuries.

Dartmouth police said Route 6 between Highland Avenue and Route 177 will be completely impassable for a significant amount of time as Dartmouth, Westport, and Massachusetts State Police continue their investigation.

See more at wpri.com.

Monday, July 13, marks one year since a devastating fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility shook the city of Fall River, killing 10 residents and injuring dozens of others.

Fall River’s police chaplain, Fr. Rob Nemkovich, was there that night and spent time with survivors and first responders in the days that followed, listening to their stories. He tells 12 News that experience was behind his decision to help the city organize an evening of reflection and prayer outside the Oliver Street building this coming Monday. 

“We’re going to honor the lives lost,” Nemkovich said. “Then we’re going to hear from survivors, from our first responders and then from those who helped them at the Timao Center.”

He said the idea is to bring some peace to those who lived through the tragedy and are now scattered throughout the area, which is why he’s organizing transportation for the former Gabriel House residents who want to attend.

See more at wpri.com.

Swansea is sounding its sirens about an event 100 years in the making (well, sort of).

A "massive" weekend-long celebration will be descending on Swansea Veterans Memorial Park starting Friday, July 10, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Swansea Fire Department.

“Our department is proud to invite our community and all those who have volunteered as firefighters during our 100 years of service to celebrate this milestone occasion,” reads a Swansea Fire Department’s Facebook post.

Swansea Fire Department 100 Anniversary Family Fun Weekend will feature three days jam-packed with “great food, music, and memories,” according to the Facebook event page.

The interim superintendent of Fall River Public Schools said she hired Aldo Petronio, the embattled former chief financial officer for Brockton Public Schools, because she's confident in his abilities after their years of close collaboration while she was Brockton's superintendent.

Kathleen Smith said she has direct knowledge of his expertise and stellar reputation among school finance officials. Her experience with him outweighed that he led Brockton Public Schools' finance office at the time of the 2023 budget crisis, she said.

“In the end, to me, that trumped what had happened," she told The Enterprise in a July 7 phone interview.

Since November 2025, Petronio has been embroiled in a federal lawsuit against the city of Brockton, school district and multiple officials, including former Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan. Petronio said he warned Sullivan and other officials of the mounting deficit long before it became public in August of 2023 and proposed solutions that were ignored by the same people who later blamed him for not having taken action. Defendants have pointed out that multiple audits, including one by a state agency, named Petronio as one of the people responsible for the surprise shortfall.

See more at heraldnews.com.

In response to the ongoing housing crisis, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll announced a new round of Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) tax credit awards to support six projects across the state.

The awards, totaling $18.2 million, will be used to expand housing opportunities and transform underutilized properties, which they said will create 662 homes in cities like Taunton and Fall River.

“The Housing Development Incentive Program is a tremendous catalyst for additional housing in the city of Fall River,” Mayor Paul Coogan said Thursday. “As the need for housing continues to grow, this program helps create valuable housing assets that strengthen our community.”

The Durfee Block Apartments in Fall River and the Whittenton Mill Apartments in Taunton were chosen to receive the HDIP funding. Officials said Durfee Block will get $1.5 million for the “adaptive reuse” of the historic building, which will create 22 new rental homes. Whittenton Mill will be demolished and rebuilt into 390 rental homes with $3.8 million in funding.

See more at wpri.com.

Families gathered at the pond behind Bristol Community College on June 28 for the inaugural Casting Futures Youth Fishing Derby, an event focused on outdoor recreation and introducing children to fishing.

The free community event, held in Fall River, brought together anglers of all ages for a morning of fishing, friendly competition, prizes and family fun, according to a community announcement. The derby reflected Rep. Steven J. Ouellette’s commitment to promoting outdoor recreation and creating opportunities for families to spend quality time together.

“Some of my favorite memories have been made outdoors with family and friends. When I found out Resident Harris was a fan of fresh water fishing, I knew this derby had to happen in partnership with BristolCC and the Fall River Delegation" said Ouellette, according to the announcement. “Seeing children experience the excitement of catching their first fish, while families spent the day together enjoying one of Massachusetts’ great outdoor traditions, is exactly what Casting Futures was meant to accomplish. Events like this strengthen our communities and create memories that last a lifetime.”

Participants celebrated their first catches, learned fishing skills and enjoyed an environment designed to encourage a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and conservation.

Ouellette was joined by fellow elected officials and community leaders, including Rep. Carole Fiola, president Sedgwick Harris, Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Alan Silvia, whose support helped make the event a success.

See more at heraldnews.com.

There is an active stolen car investigation in Swansea. 

Police responded to a reported crash on Pearse Road shortly after noon Tuesday.  A vehicle that had been stolen was found submerged in Coles River.  It was determined the driver escaped the vehicle after it went into the water and fled the scene. 

There were no reported injuries.  

U.S. Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Representative Seth Moulton are trading jabs in the first debate for the Massachusetts Senate primary. 

Wednesday, the two Democrats traded sharp attacks at WWLP 22News in Chicopee. 

They sparred over age, health care, transgender athletes and personal finances.  Markey questioned Moulton's ties to military contractors, while Moulton argued Democrats need generational change. 

The September 1st primary is approaching, and two more debates are scheduled.

Monday marks one year since flames ripped through the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, killing 10 residents and injuring dozens of others.

The tragedy shook the city to its core and marked the state’s deadliest fire in more than 40 years.

“That was the toughest day of my life,” Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan recalled.

Three men are facing charges after three officers were hit by fireworks in New Bedford over the weekend.

Officers were called to Monte Park off Acushnet Avenue Sunday night to disperse a crowd that had formed following the city’s Cape Verdean Independence Day festivities.

Police said as officers began dispersing the crowd, someone tossed at least three lit fireworks in their direction.

Though the officers were able to jump out of the way of the first one, police said the second one hit three of them. The third lit firework was thrown into a nearby tree, according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

Alumni of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School who had hoped to bid farewell to the old building one last time are going to be disappointed: the school has announced a final walkthrough is canceled.

A nostalgic walk of their alma mater’s hallways was originally scheduled for Sunday, July 12. The school announced via social media on Tuesday, July 7, that recent flooding “caused a major power outage and a loss of essential building utilities.”

“Because the building currently lacks electrical power, running water, and restroom facilities, it is impossible to safely welcome visitors inside for a final walkthrough before the transition to the new campus this summer,” the school stated.

The school is instead hosting a “yard sale” from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Diman gymnasium.

Diman is making available “surplus items and memorabilia” from the old building for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking is available in the school’s student lot, which currently has a gravel surface.

Though the school was founded in 1912, the old Diman building on Stonehaven Road first opened to students in September 1968. According to The Herald News at the time, more than 700 students were welcomed inside its doors. But as decades passed, the student population outgrew the aging building.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association is initiating the largest nurses strike in state history. 

As of this morning, about four-thousand union nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital are walking out.  This comes after months of failed negotiations between the union and the state's largest health care system.  The strike is only scheduled to last one day, but nurses will be locked out of the hospital for an additional four days, returning on July 13th. 

The union is demanding a three-percent pay raise for the first six months and a four-percent raise for the following 12 months of the contract.

East Providence police are asking for help finding 15-year-old Mackenzie Furtado.

In a social media post Tuesday, police said Furtado was last seen around 8 p.m. Monday wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and plaid pajama bottoms.

“We have no evidence to believe she is in any danger as of this time,” the department wrote.

Anyone with information regarding Mackenzie’s whereabouts is asked to call East Providence police at 401-435-7600.

See more at wpri.com.

The Braga Bridge is now shining brighter than ever.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation officially flipped the switch on the bridge’s new color-changing LEDs Tuesday night, illuminating its entire truss for the first time.

Lt Gov. Kim Driscoll, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan and interim secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Philip Eng were among several city and state leaders to celebrate the milestone in a special ceremony at the Heritage State Park Visitors Center.

“For years the Braga bridge has faithfully served its purpose,” Driscoll said. “It stands as a symbol of the region’s identity, resilience and continued growth.”

MassDOT began replacing the bridge’s decades-old electrical infrastructure three years ago. It cost the state roughly $20 million to replace the lighting on the bridge, which was built back in 1966.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Coogan said, describing the Braga Bridge as being a “gateway to Massachusetts.”

See more at wpri.com.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux said he won’t be intimidated or shamed into breaking the law, in response to an ICE post on the social media network X critical of his release of a man in custody.

On July 2, ICE shared a post on X stating, “ICE Boston arrested Jose Raul Martinez-Alvardo, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, during operations in New Bedford, Mass. Martinez-Alvardo’s criminal history includes pending charges for unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded firearm without a license.”

It also stated, “Bristol County House of Corrections RELEASED Martinez-Alvardo without honoring the ICE detainer. ICE Boston will do what sanctuary politicians will not: keep dangerous criminals off our streets.”

Heroux said it was a routine release on bail, so routine he added that it only came to his attention after the X post was brought to his attention by the media.

Heroux stated in a release that “ICE Boston made a partisan political statement and tried to pressure or intimidate me and my office to break state and federal law.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

With a dozen tall ships arriving in Boston Harbor in a few days, Sail Boston said four-million visitors are expected between July 11th and 16th.

Organizers note there will be street closures for Saturday's Parade of Sail and use of public transportation is strongly advised.  Subway lines will operate at maximum level and there will be shuttle buses between JFK/UMass and Castle Island. 

There will be designated viewing locations in Charlestown, Castle Island, the downtown waterfront, East Boston, and the Seaport District.

Police arrested a man following an incident on the Block Island Ferry over the weekend.

12 News spoke with a bystander who claimed the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the top deck of the ferry.

The bystander explained that the ferry had just left Block Island and was forced to turn around after 10 minutes.

The New Shoreham Police Department confirmed the arrest in a social media post Sunday morning, but did not go into detail about what happened.

The bystander added that the man appeared to be intoxicated and was arrested once the ferry returned to Block Island.

In cell phone footage shared by another bystander, officers could be seen tackling the man to the ground before escorting him off of the ferry in handcuffs.

Four people were arrested downtown throughout the day, according to police, and two others were charged with underage possession of alcohol.

12 News has reached out to the New Shoreham Police Department for more information but has not yet heard back.

See more at wpri.com.

A man is facing charges after three officers were hit by fireworks in New Bedford over the weekend.

Police responded to Monte Park off Acushnet Avenue to help disperse large crowds following Cape Verdean Independence Day festivities on Sunday night.

As officers were escorting and instructing people to leave, police said a lit firework was thrown in their direction and another one struck three officers.

The suspect, identified as Jahn Carlos Baez, fled the scene but was apprehended after a short pursuit, according to police.

Baez, 19, was charged with three counts of assault and battery on an officer, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

In a social media post Monday, police shared body-worn camera footage showing the moments the firework went off, as well as the subsequent chase and arrest.

The Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition is finally ready to spend a $25,000 prestigious national grant the city was awarded nearly three years ago, and they promise the results will be worth the wait.

But of course, $25,000 doesn’t go as far in 2026 as it once did — so FRACC is seeking matching donations to help beautify Fall River’s new waterfront. The result will be a mural celebrating the city’s textile and immigrant history.

"This project has taken years of collaboration, perseverance and community commitment to reach this point," said Tracy Silva Barbosa, FRACC executive director. "The Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative gave Fall River an extraordinary opportunity to create a transformational public artwork. Now we're inviting our community to help us complete that vision.”

In November 2023, the nonprofit Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded Fall River with a $25,000 grant as part of its Asphalt Art program.

Fall River was one of only 25 communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico to receive this grant, putting the city in rare company with places like New Orleans, Mexico City, San Francisco and Honolulu.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Businesses affected by road closures and traffic disruptions due to an Eversource project are hoping the company can make good on pledges to do better.

But they’re also cautious, said William Russell of Buzzards Bay Brewing. “And we’re all looking at our numbers.”

Buzzards Bay Brewing, Pine Hill Convenience, Paradise Hill Farm and Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery estimate they’ve lost more than $100,000 in business since customer access was affected in May.

The respective owners said in a June 24 letter to Eversource and town and state officials, “These are not theoretical losses. They are lost customers, lost sales, lost wages, and lost opportunities during the brief summer season upon which our businesses depend.”

Russell said Eversource representatives said they would address the problems.

They said the company would stop installing large road-closing manhole units until after Labor Day. Roads would be closed to one lane occasionally, and work will end at 3 p.m.

But, Russell said, “That's what they were supposed to do in the first place. It's unfortunate that they did what they weren't supposed to do, which was shut roads down.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

On the final day of Fiscal 2026, the City Council slashed through each line item of a second proposed $483.3 million municipal budget, forcing a month-to-month budget for Fiscal 2027.

A special June 30 meeting that summoned councilors to the City Council Chambers heard raucous debate for more than two hours, and eventually led to councilors taking a 6-3 "no confidence" vote in Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke before rejecting the budget for the second time.

Councilor Shawn Cadime reminded his colleagues that the council "holds the power of the purse-strings," he said, quoting Special Counsel to the city's Finance Department Matthew Thomas.

Budget talks have dragged out for months with the City Council signaling an unwillingness to approve Mayor Paul Coogan's Fiscal 2027 municipal budget.

A shooting incident in Mattapoisett this week is under investigation. 

Officers responded to the Harbor Beach area around three p.m. Tuesday for a report of shots fired. 

A person of interest was taken into custody in neighboring Marion following a pursuit. Police said it was an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety. 

It's unclear if anyone was hurt.  

Beginning this Friday, anyone under the age of 18 will not be allowed in the Dartmouth Mall at certain times without an adult. 

Management announced today the policy will be enforced Fridays and Saturdays starting at five p.m. and may be in effect at other times as well. 

The new restrictions also includes mall parking lots, garages and walkways. 

Details are available on the Dartmouth Mall's website. 

Police are asking for the public’s assistance identifying the owner of a dog that was found abandoned in Tiverton over the weekend.

In a social media post, the Tiverton Police Department said the dog was found Sunday morning off Lake Road near the Weetamoo Woods East lot.

Police said the dog, who’s believed to be an older male schnauzer mixed breed, was wearing a blue and orange collar.

The dog is believed to be abandoned because he was found severely matted and covered in urine and feces, according to police.

Police said the dog was spotted on home security footage wandering around the night before he was found. Neighbors are asked to check their security footage for any sign of where the dog came from or who may have left him there.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Animal Control Officer Victoria Sartini by calling 401-625-6717 ext. 113 or emailing vsartini@tivertonpoliceri.com.

From wpri.com.

An investigation is underway after a 55-year-old man was stabbed by his girlfriend Wednesday morning in Fairhaven, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Quinn said officers were called to Middle Street just before 11 a.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing.

The officers found the victim suffering from several stab wounds, according to Quinn. He was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and is now stable.

Quinn said the man’s girlfriend, identified as 42-year-old Keira Colon, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury.

See more at wpri.com.

Officers responded to a report of a child who fell out of a window Wednesday evening in Fall River.

Police said officers were called to Aetna Street just after 5 p.m. after learning that a 3-year-old had fallen and was crying.

It’s unclear at this time what led up to the incident and whether the child was injured.

Watch for updates at wpri.com.

Fall River is opening cooling centers as temperatures are expected to soar this week.

The Government Center cafeteria will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 2 and 3, according to a community announcement. Residents can access the cooling center through the cafeteria entrance.

A second cooling center will operate at Steppingstone Inc., 134 Durfee St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4, according to the announcement.

The city is urging residents to check on family, friends and neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable to the heat. People are encouraged to drink plenty of water, stay indoors in cool areas when possible and avoid strenuous activity if they have health conditions that could be affected by the heat.

Residents with questions can call the Mayor’s Office at 508-324-2600.

From heraldnews.com.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River has taken the city and the Zoning Board of Appeals to Land Court, saying the ZBA was wrong to prevent a Highlands church from building a parking lot on its land.

In February, the Church of the Holy Name at 709 Hanover St. was denied a special permit to remove some of the property’s landscaping and build an on-site parking lot on its land.

Initial plans would've seen the church build 70 parking spaces on its land between Hanover and Madison streets; that was reduced to about 50 to 55 parking spaces. After a lengthy meeting that saw input from supporters and opponents from the neighborhood, the five-member ZBA rejected the permit, 3-2.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A portion of a street in New Bedford has been closed off to traffic due to a downed wire.

Purchase Street is currently shut down near Minute Man Car Wash, according to police.

In a social media post, the department shared a video showing flames burning where the wire fell down and a police cruiser blocking the roadway.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while utility crews work on repairs. Police said travel delays and temporary power outages are possible.

See more at wpri.com.

A woman’s body was pulled from Long Pond in Lakeville early Wednesday morning.

Police said they responded to the pond in the area of Nelson Island and Big Beach around 6 p.m. Tuesday for reports that a passenger had fallen off a jet ski.

Several agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, helped find the 24-year-old Brockton woman around 12:30 a.m.

Her identity is not being released at this time.

See more at heraldnews.com.