Local
By Anum Hussain -- August 25, 2010 Massachusetts is expecting $250 million for rising as a successor in the Obama Administration's education program, representing the state as a national education leader. The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that Massachusetts would be among nine states to receive grants in the second round of the 'Race to the Top' competition.
By Cat Viglienzoni -- August 18, 2010 A new study shows hearing loss is increasing among teenagers compared to the 1980s and 90s, despite better medical care and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of loud noise.
By Cat Viglienzoni -- August 13, 2010 There's no sales tax this weekend in Massachusetts on most products, and retailers hope the incentive will encourage consumers to step into stores. But while Massachusetts numbers may get a boost this weekend, the national market has been slower than expected.
By Wynn Harrison -- August 12, 2010 The federal government is taking charge in the large amount of attempted suicides being committed by Massachusetts inmates. Yesterday a federal judge ordered the state prison system to provide the psychiatric treatment records of the 25 inmates who committed or attempted to commit suicide from 2005 to 2007.
By Cat Viglienzoni -- August 6, 2010 It's been a shark summer in the Bay State, and some state beaches have reopened to swimming after reported sightings earlier this week. But officials still caution bathers to refrain from going further than waist-deep.
By Cat Viglienzoni Massachusetts health officials have delayed aerial spraying to combat mosquitoes infected with eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, because of strong winds. The sprays in the southeastern part of the state aim to reduce the risk of the virus. They have tentatively rescheduled the spraying for tomorrow night. Health officials decided to use insecticide to counter the mosquitoes after testing revealed unprecedented levels of virus-infected mosquitoes last month in Plymouth and Bristol counties.
By Stephanie Miceli -- August 4, 2010 . When it comes to taxes, New England is engaged in a series of border wars. State borders are closely knit, but the tax systems within them? Not so much. For example, New Hampshire's tax free liquor sales attract bordering out-of-state consumers, resulting in $276,422,332 in revenue as of March 31, 2010.
By Cat Viglienzoni -- August 2, 2010 It could be the last chance for a long-debated gambling bill that now includes three casinos but no slot parlors. Governor Deval Patrick nixed the slot parlors included in the legislature's bill, retracting his earlier offer to allow one at a state racetrack. Patrick said he opposed the legislature's compromise because it would lead to no-bid contracts.
By Stephanie Miceli -- August 2, 2010 . Farmland is scarce in Massachusetts, but a new crop of people are taking up the profession. Among them are fresh college graduates, immigrants with farming backgrounds, and even former engineers.
By Cat Viglienzoni -- July 30, 2010 Hot weather and above-normal water temperatures have seen beachgoers flocking to the shores. But they aren't the only ones in the water. This summer has also seen numerous reports of great white shark sightings off the Bay State's coast.
By Wynn Harrison -- July 29, 2010The Peabody Essex Museum is bringing Beijing's Forbidden City to Salem, Massachusetts. This exhibit is attributed to an international partnership between The Peabody Essex Museum, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the World Monuments Fund.
By Stephanie Miceli -- July 28, 2010 . "All men are created equal," and all votes are, too, as reflected by the Bay State's most recent political move. The Massachusetts Legislature has passed a bill intended to uproot the Electoral College system in favor of a national popular vote.
By Stephanie Miceli -- July 28, 2010 . On Sunday, Wikileaks disclosed nearly 92,000 leaked Afghan war documents, including incidents of civilian killings and covert operations. Though this raised questions about America's policy toward Afghanistan, yesterday the House approved $37 billion in new spending.
