Massachusetts

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker went out on a political limb Monday, blasting President Donald Trump’s handling of the nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd. Trump on Monday derided many governors as “weak” and demanded tougher crackdowns on burning and stealing among some demonstrations in the aftermath of violent protests in dozens of American cities. “I heard what...

Gov. Charlie Baker lashed out against the President Donald Trump for his response to the events shaking up the country the past few weeks.

The new coronavirus has claimed another 78 lives in Massachusetts, health officials said Sunday, as the death toll rose to 6,846. Another 664 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, bringing the total to 96,965, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The pace of new fatalities and cases has slowed enough for the…

The number of bald eagles in Massachusetts continues to grow, with nine new nests confirmed in the state this year, including the first on Cape Cod in more than a century. The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife said more than 70 active eagles’ nests have been documented around the state in 2020, including new nests in Fitchburg, Wenham, Concord,…

A statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, is set to take effect on Monday. Massachusetts became the first state to approve such a ban when Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill in November. The law applies to the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts retail stores and online. The new law…

Restaurants across Massachusetts will finally be allowed to offer outdoor dining as early as June 8, nearly two months after the coronavirus lockdown began, but the experience will feel a bit different from what it once was. Gov. Charlie Baker has said he’ll issue an order on Monday allowing restaurants and other reopening Phase 2 businesses to bring staff in…

The new coronavirus has claimed another 50 lives in Massachusetts, health officials said Saturday, as the death toll rose to 6,768. Another 789 people have tested positive for the disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, bringing the total to 96,301, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The agency’s daily coronavirus report on Saturday shows the three-day average of…

As President Donald Trump promises a quick comeback from the coronavirus pandemic and the country tentatively starts to reopen, many are hoping for what some are calling a V-shaped recovery. That’s where the economic uptick happens as quickly as the downturn. But Financial and economic analyst Jim Lowell doesn’t think that outcome is very likely. He subscribes to another prediction:...

Two people have been arrested and police are searching for a third suspect after a Methuen man was robbed and kidnapped at gunpoint Thursday night from his Massachusetts home, officials say. Eric Deugarte, 25, and Meghan Wood, 24, were both charged with armed robbery and kidnapping, Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said in a statement. Deugarte was also charged with…

A peaceful Boston protest over the death of George Floyd Friday turned violent, with demonstrators and police clashing and several people arrested. The protest in the South End, which initially drew about a thousand people, resulted in 10 arrests, the Boston Police Department said. But it didn’t result in the fiery property damage seen elsewhere around the country Friday night…

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he will issue an executive order Monday allowing restaurants and other businesses scheduled to reopen in Phase 2 to begin bringing back employees in preparation for reopening. He said the order will also allow the state’s professional sports teams to begin practicing at their facilities. “The leagues are obviously working hard to host games again…

Gov. Charlie Baker is outlining a plan for restaurants to reopen.

People are protesting across the U.S., including in Boston, after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

As businesses across Massachusetts prepare to reopen, schools are still far away from holding in-person classes. But many teachers are already anxious about returning. “I’m definitely nervous about going back,” said Sturbridge special education teacher Lisa Connolly. “When we start school again, we have to have a reentry plan,” said another teacher. Teachers throughout the commonwealth are torn. While...

Police in Boxborough, Massachusetts, are looking for a missing 11-year-old girl. Rachel Wang of Meadow Lane is riding a bicycle and has camping equipment with her, police said Friday evening. Wang has long, black hair; she was wearing black pants and possibly a purple shirt, police said. Anyone who sees her is asked to call 978-264-1740.

Those looking for a change of scenery after being cooped up at home will soon be able to check into hotels. But your next stay will look a lot different. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced new guidelines for the lodging industry on Friday. The rules for when they are allowed to reopen in phase two will include social distancing and…

Budget watchdogs and local economists say it will likely take a while for the Massachusetts economy to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

We’re a long way from going back to school, but teachers are already anxious about being in the classroom.

Massachusetts has announced new rules for hotels as they prepare to reopen in phase 2.

Gov. Charlie Baker has outlined a plan to allow restaurants to reopen in Massachusetts.