Your trusted source for local Boston, MA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Mayoral candidate Josh Kraft accused Boston Mayor Michelle Wu of inflating commercial property values, resulting in higher taxes for property owners. Kraft demands evidence to back Wu's dismissal of these claims, which allege Boston over-valued buildings by $545 million, generating $13.3 million in extra tax revenue.
An experienced kite surfer, Faraz Firoozabadi, was rescued in Boston Harbor after being disoriented by Hurricane Erin's swells. He used his Apple Watch to call for help, leading to his rescue by Captain Matt Cooney and his crew. Firoozabadi expressed gratitude for the timely assistance, stating, "It's good to be alive."
Hurricane Erin continues to disrupt ferry services in the Boston area, with several routes canceled and delays expected. The MBTA reported cancellations for the Lynn, Quincy, and Winthrop ferries, while the Steamship Authority diverted some trips due to rough waters. Travelers can change or cancel their plans without fees due to the adverse weather conditions.
Massachusetts' Leo J. Martin Golf Course has been named the worst in the United States by MyGolfSpy. The state-operated course received a low Google rating of 2.7, prompting the Department of Conservation and Recreation to announce plans for significant improvements.
Emerson College laid off 30 staff members last month, marking a 5% reduction in its workforce due to declining enrollment and revenue. This follows last year’s layoffs and program suspensions attributed to negative press and social media perceptions. Union leaders expressed concerns over the impact on student services and transparency in financial decisions.
The Asian longhorn tick, first identified in New Jersey in 2017, has spread to 24 states and now carries the bacteria causing Ehrlichiosis. Researchers warn that these ticks pose a significant public health threat due to their ability to clone themselves and their year-round presence. Massachusetts has not yet reported ticks carrying the bacteria, but the risk remains high.
Rhode Island prosecutor Devon Flanagan will begin unpaid leave after being arrested for willful trespassing outside a Newport restaurant. Body-cam footage shows her invoking her title and warning a police officer he would "regret this" during the incident, which involved alcohol. Flanagan faces a misdemeanor charge and is scheduled for arraignment later this month.
A Marlborough dentist, Dr. Patrick Tu Huynh, faces seven counts of photographing individuals in a state of nudity without consent after allegedly placing a hidden camera in a staff bathroom. Huynh, 35, was arraigned and held on $10,000 bail, with a court date set for September. The investigation revealed he recorded multiple individuals and himself adjusting the camera.
A Madbury, New Hampshire, mother fatally shot her husband and two children before taking her own life, according to Attorney General John Formella. The tragic incident occurred early Monday morning, while a toddler was found alive and unharmed in the home. Autopsies confirmed all four family members died from gunshot wounds.
A 60,000-pound front-end loader crashed into traffic in Milford, Massachusetts, after its brakes failed, narrowly avoiding serious injuries. The loader barreled down a hill, clipping an SUV and crashing into a traffic pole, prompting police to call it a "miracle" that no one was killed. Police reported the incident occurred around 1:38 p.m. on Cedar Street.