Fourth of July

COVID-19 cases are rising again in Massachusetts, which has some health professionals expressing concern. State health officials reported another 236 confirmed coronavirus cases — the most cases in a single day since early June — and four new deaths on Thursday. The last time Massachusetts reported more than 236 new cases in one day was on June 3. The state’s COVID…

As the “hypertransmissable” Delta variant surges in communities across the U.S., CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky issued a stark warning to those who remain unvaccinated against the coronavirus, saying, “Our biggest concern is that we’re going to see preventable cases, hospitalizations and sadly, deaths among the unvaccinated.”

Leave it to a bear cub on the Fourth of July to remind us we share this land.

A teenage lifeguard was doing his job at a pond in Worcester, Massachusetts, when he was stabbed on the Fourth of July. Worcester police responded to Bell Pond around 6:30 p.m. Sunday for a report of several males attacking a lifeguard on duty, police said in a statement. The suspects were gone, but responding officers found a 17-year-old had been…

Some off-duty firefighters rescued a parade float driver after they suffered a medical episode. Diane Cho has the latest.

A group of off-duty Massachusetts firefighters in a bagpipe and drum band participating in a Fourth of July parade jumped into action when the driver of a parade float went into cardiac arrest. The members of the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums were behind a school near the end of Sunday’s parade in Quincy when they heard a...

After downpours ruined weekend plans and left many spending July Fourth indoors, sunny weather on Monday gave everyone another chance to enjoy the long holiday weekend.  For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic triggered a lockdown and put most Independence Day traditions on hiatus, people once again gathered for town parades in both Needham and Chelmsford.  “The fact...

Fourth of July Fireworks return in Plymouth this year. Last year, the Independence Day festivities were canceled due to COVID-19.

Communities across Massachusetts are celebrating the Independence Day holiday. Mike Manzoni reports from Lexington.

A 17-year-old lifeguard was attacked and stabbed by several men in Worcester. Brian Burnell has the latest details.

A 17-year-old lifeguard was hospitalized following the incident at Bell Pond.

All fireworks shows in Ocean City have been canceled “due to an abundance of caution” after the fire department and Maryland State Police responded to a fireworks explosion on the city’s beach. Firefighters treated firework handlers for minor injuries, and no beachgoers were hurt, according to officials. Firefighters were called to a section of the beach near Dorchester Street...

Independence Day celebrations are back in Boston after the city missed out last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Independence Day festivities kick off with a July 4th commemoration and a parade at Boston City Hall Plaza, where Mayor Kim Janey will give her remarks.

The one-two punch of the coronavirus pandemic that shuttered the Capitol’s doors in the spring of 2020 and the deadly January riot by Donald Trump’s supporters has left the icon of American democracy closed to all but a select few.

Some fireworks were seen Friday night despite the dry conditions and risk of starting a wildfire.

Traveling for the Fourth of July? Well, buckle up and brace yourself for traffic of pre-pandemic proportions.  According to an AAA report, Boston will see the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, trailing only 2019. Drivers in the Boston area are expected to experience nearly three times the delays when compared with typical drive times. The report projected that...

Traveling for the Fourth of July? Making dinner plans? Here are some important tips to know before you hit the road. Traffic levels are expected to reach pre-pandemic proportions.  According to an AAA report, Boston will see the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, trailing only 2019. Drivers in the Boston area are expected to experience nearly three times...

The figure marks a 40-percent jump from last year, when the coronavirus pandemic kept many people home.

It’s light rain, luckily. But people traveling Friday for the Fourth of July have a wet commute.