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Mayor Michelle Wu Officially Launches Annual Legacy Business Award Nominations

Mayor Michelle Wu announced the opening of nominations for the fourth annual Legacy Business Awards, encouraging residents to submit long-standing Boston businesses that have contributed to their communities for at least 10 years. The nomination period runs until October 31, 2025, and the city will honor 30 award winners at a public ceremony on June 1, 2026.

North Shore bar offering reward after someone broke in, ransacked it

A Gloucester bar, the Rhumb Line Bar & Restaurant, was ransacked early Sunday morning, leading to a $1,000 reward for information on the suspect. Owner Frank Shrigley reported that several bottles of scotch were stolen, and the establishment was left in disarray. Community members expressed sympathy and outrage following the incident.

RushTok madness hits New England Sorority TikTok craze comes for Massachusetts girls

The rise of #RushTok, a TikTok trend focused on sorority recruitment, has captivated New England girls as they seek opportunities at Southern universities. With the involvement of consultants and significant social media activity, this phenomenon reflects changing aspirations among students. Local sorority rush consultants report an influx of New England girls aiming to adapt to the Southern sorority culture.

N.H. police investigating crash that launched box truck into cluster of trees

A Brockton man sustained minor injuries when his box truck veered off Interstate 93 in New Hampshire and crashed into trees early Saturday morning. The 21-year-old driver, Anilton Resende Barros, failed to navigate a curve, leading to the accident near Exit 23 in New Hampton. State Police are investigating the crash, which temporarily closed both north and southbound lanes for cleanup.

Man falsely confessed to Charlie Kirk shooting to help assassin escape, police say

A 71-year-old man, George Zinn, confessed to the shooting of Charlie Kirk to mislead police and assist the actual perpetrator's escape. Zinn faces felony charges for obstruction of justice after police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the murder suspect. A judge deemed Zinn a "substantial danger" to the community and ordered him held without bail.

Block of Harvard Square will be permanently closed to traffic, European-style

The Cambridge City Council approved a motion to close Lower Bow Street in Harvard Square to vehicle traffic, creating outdoor dining spaces for local restaurants starting in spring. Transportation Commissioner Brooke McKenna noted the successful pedestrianization during construction and COVID-19, advocating for the change. City Councilor Patty Nolan continues to push for the installation of automatic bollards for delivery access, despite city concerns over maintenance and reliability.

Somerville has a new cat mayor Meet Minerva

Minerva, a black cat, won the title of Somerville's new "bike path mayor," defeating the incumbent Berry in a quirky election. With a mysterious campaign slogan of "CRIME," Minerva's appeal captivated the local community, leading to her victory over Berry, who had a more traditional platform. The election, initially a joke, transformed into a beloved community event.

Police respond to pro-Palestine encampment at BU

Police dispersed pro-Palestine demonstrators at Boston University on Monday as they attempted to establish an encampment to protest the war in Gaza. Activists called for the university to divest from Zionist groups and reject ICE agents on campus. The encampment ended after demonstrators faced threats of mass arrest from various police departments.

Norfolk County sheriff spent campaign cash on personal business ventures, state officials say

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott will pay $36,500 after regulators found he misused campaign funds for personal business expenses. The funds included payments for a media relations course and food for real estate meetings. McDermott has not faced criminal charges and will not be referred to other agencies.

MIT investigating messages of hate, violence found on campus over the past week

MIT police investigate multiple incidents of hateful speech on campus, including swastikas and violent graffiti, as reported by President Sally Kornbluth. Kornbluth expressed concern over the rise of such incidents, especially following the recent shooting of activist Charlie Kirk. The university pledges to address these acts through a disciplinary process.

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