Quite a few storms (and pitch-black skies) rolled through in the afternoon Thursday. Swirling winds, heavy rain and a bit of hail. That’s all in the rear view Friday, and for the weekend to come.
Our focus will be on the smoke, the haze,…
Massachusetts
Search and rescue operation underway along Charles River in Cambridge
A search and rescue operation is in progress along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The water rescue started just after 4 a.m. Friday near Memorial Drive, according to the Cambridge Fire Department.
It’s unclear at this time who they’re looking for.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
‘He needs to go’: Karen Read supporters protest Norfolk County DA’s fundraiser
Karen Read supporters are calling on Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey to step down.
Dozens protested Thursday outside of his fundraising event in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Morrissey’s office is prosecuting Read, who’s accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, by hitting him with her SUV. Read’s defense argued that she was framed in a wide-ranging coverup.
A hung jury resulted in a mistrial, and prosecutors have vowed to retry the case. The defense has motioned for two charges — second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death — should be dropped amid claims that jurors were unanimous in rejecting both counts and were only deadlocked on manslaughter.
The case’s lead investigator, Trooper Michael Proctor, has been suspended by the Massachusetts State Police amid an internal investigation. His testimony about the texts he sent while investigating the case raised serious questions about his credibility.
Morrissey’s office, where Proctor had been assigned, was forced to send a Brady letter to 13 criminal defense attorneys notifying them that the suspended trooper had been involved in investigating their cases.
“He needs to go,” said protester Margie Gaul of Middleborough.
“We need justice. We’ve got to find out the truth,” added Rene Rosie Miller of Plymouth, who also attended the protest. “What is he hiding?”
One man at the protest was wearing a prison jumpsuit costume with “state penitentiary” written on the back.
“I came dressed as Proctor’s cellmate, because I feel what he did, he needs to go to prison for.”
Testifying at her trial, Proctor came under fire for texts he sent family, friends, colleagues and superiors with the Massachusetts State Police.
“She’s a whack job … c***,” Proctor said while reading the texts while on the witness stand.
In the texts, he made disparaging remarks about medical conditions, and said he had found “no nudes so far” when going through Read’s phone.
O’Keefe was found in the snow outside the Canton home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer with the Boston Police Department. When a friend said they were “sure the owner of the house will receive some s***,” Proctor replied, “Nope, homeowner is a Boston cop, too.”
Proctor became the lead investigator after state police were called in because Albert has a brother with the Canton Police Department. But Proctor’s own connection with other witnesses were called into question at the trial. Proctor acknowledged that he is close with his sister, Courtney, who is friends with Julie Albert, the homeowner’s sister-in-law.
In one text to his sister, Proctor said of Read, “Hopefully she kills herself.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Morrissey has been in office since 2010, with his last election in 2022. His term is four years.
“He’s up for reelection, and if he goes unopposed this time, shame on us,” said Paul Cristoforo, who organized the protest.
NBC10 Boston reached out to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office for comment about the protest, but has not heard back.
NBA player Terance Mann is back, and giving back, in his adopted Mass. home
Without his adopted hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts, NBA player Terrance Mann’s life might have looked very different.
The L.A. Clippers guard moved to Lowell at 10 years old, and the community became a special part of his life. He now hopes to give back and offer kids the same opportunities he had growing up through a week’s worth of charity events.
“The community of Lowell really built me up into who I am today,” said Mann, explaining that while his mom traveled —she was a Northeastern University women’s basketball coach — it was his neighbors who made sure he got to his practices and games.
The fundraising and fun began on Thursday with a fashion show and continues into next week with a basketball camp.
The week of activities, dubbed the Terance Mann Takeover, began with the No Limits Fashion Event at Lowell Auditorium. The fashion show showcased student designs from Lassell University’s fashion program — one lucky winner receiving cash and the right to dress the player for the NBA’s now closely watched tunnel walks.
On Friday, a three-day basketball tournament begins, followed by a free backpack giveaway for students on Sunday and the Complete Player basketball camp starting Monday in Westford. The camp will also include an academic fair and basketball showcase.
Mann began his foundation in hopes of providing access to sports and academics while inspiring young people.
“It’s just not fun to me to enjoy it by myself,” said Mann when asked what made him want to give his heart. “I feel like, my rookie year, I realized that I was just like, I have so much. I have a huge opportunity to do something big.”
Worcester police seek 15-year-old Fitchburg girl missing since last week
Police in Worcester, Massachusetts, are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 15-year-old girl from Fitchburg.
Ana Diaz was last seen Friday, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said in a poster shared Thurs…
Baby found unresponsive in Lexington was likely in car for ‘extended period of time,’ DA says
A baby boy who died after he was found unresponsive inside a vehicle in a Lexington, Massachusetts, parking lot was likely in the car for “an extended period of time,” the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said Thursday.
Police were first called to the parking lot of a day care on Massachusetts Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after the child was found unresponsive in his mother’s vehicle. The boy was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said it seems the child never made it inside the day care on the day of his death and was likely inside the car for “an extended period of time.” The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.
The Department of Children and Families released a brief statement Thursday afternoon.
“The Department of Children and Families received a report and is investigating. It is important to remember, especially during the hot summer months, that cars can become unsafe for children in a matter of minutes.”
They declined to comment further on the specific case, citing federal privacy requirements.
