Over 30 Harvard University students have been put on notice that disciplinary action is imminent against pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on Harvard Yard.
Harvard University sent an email asking students to appear before the…
Massachusetts
More communities push back against MBTA zoning law
Towns across Massachusetts are working to come into compliance with the MBTA Communities Law, which requires municipalities to rezone for more housing near transit stops.
Areas like Wakefield and Marshfield have both faced pushback over zoning plans, others like Rockport have seen citizens file lawsuits to block proposed changes.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is spearheading enforcement of the law and touting what this change will do for the Commonwealth in the long term.
“This mandatory tool has the opportunity and possibility to not only create more inclusive communities, but create housing that’s more affordable,” Campbell said.
But some aren’t convinced. Marshfield residents voted down a rezoning plan last week and attorneys for those suing in Rockport say the law deserves to be challenged.
“The people who are most impacted are the abutters who plan to be impacted by this and are very afraid of what it’s going to look like,” said Mike Walsh.
Campbell puts little stock in those examples.
“The majority of communities are either in compliance or working to come into compliance by the end of this year,” she said.
Even so, she’s prepared to take whatever action is necessary to ensure a smooth and complete statewide rollout.
“My job as Attorney General, chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth is to make sure that our people follow the law,” said Attorney General Campbell.
Many of these communities still have months to come into compliance. The attorney general already sued the town of Milton for not meeting its deadline, a case that’s set to go before the Supreme Judicial Court this fall.
Motorcyclist pleads not guilty in deadly Methuen hit-and-run
An Andover, Massachusetts, man faced a judge today, pleading not guilty in the deadly hit-and-run of a 62-year-old Army veteran.
Martin Quinlan pleaded not guilty in the crash that killed 62-year-old Methuen resident Pamela O’Neil on Sunday. The 29…
Lynn father arrested after fentanyl sickens 7-year-old
A father in Lynn, Massachusetts, is facing charges after his 7-year-old ingested fentanyl.
Sources tell The NBC10 Boston Investigators that the child went into cardiac arrest and is currently in rehab.
Court documents identify the father as 33-year-old Kelvin Lazala. He is facing several charges, including assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, drug trafficking and possession of a large-capacity firearm.
The incident occurred on Feb. 29, but Lazala wasn’t arrested until April 10, according to the documents.
Sources say Lazala was trying to flee the country before he was detained.
More Lynn news
NBC10 Boston reached out to Lazala’s defense lawyer, but he said he had no comment on this matter.
We also reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, but have not heard back.
Lazala will be back in Lynn District Court in May.
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Healey signs emergency shelter funding, stay limit bill
Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday signed into law a new nine-month limit on how long families can live in Massachusetts emergency shelters, and stamped her approval on the Legislature’s plan to pull up to $426 million from a savings account to pour into the ongoing migrant housing crisis.
Numerous exemptions will be available to families that bump up against the nine-month cap, under the law crafted by top Senate and House Democrats (H 4582).
Two additional 90-day stays will be available to those who are employed, participating in an approved training program, or meet one of a slew of protected criteria such as: “seeking to avoid educational interruptions for a child or children enrolled in public schools,” those who are pregnant or recently gave birth, people with a diagnosed disability or “documented medical condition,” those to whom domestic violence poses “imminent risk of harm,” or veterans not already enrolled in “services specifically tailored to veterans.”
After imposing her own limits on how long families can remain in overflow shelters, Healey had remained vague on what she thought of legislative proposals to limit a family’s length of stay in the main emergency assistance shelter system.
The governor was noncommittal when asked in March whether nine months was too long or too short for a time limit, saying, “It could be. Again, I want to look at the whole package of what came out and talk some more with my team. But certainly we’ve talked about limits in the past.”
More on Massachusetts’ shelter crisis
The new law steers another $251 million toward the beleaguered shelter system to cover costs through June 30. Current appropriations for the system were set to run out “early this spring,” possibly “as soon as this month,” Administration and Finance spokesman Matt Murphy said earlier in April.
For fiscal 2025, which starts July 1, the Healey administration can pull $175 million more from the same savings account, known as the Transitional Escrow Fund, on top of whatever funding is included in the general budget.
Next fiscal year’s transfer would be triggered if Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz issues a “written determination … that funds are necessary to support the emergency housing assistance program.”
Including Tuesday’s infusion, fiscal 2024 appropriations for the emergency assistance shelter system now total around $826 million.
Here’s how to get tickets to Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The New England Patriots released details Tuesday on how fans can get tickets to Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this June.
The team said tickets will be available for public purchase for $100 through Ticketmaster starting at 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. They did not say exactly how many tickets are being made available to the general public.
The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, inside Gillette Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m. NBC’s Mike Tirico will host the event, which will feature many former teammates and special guests.
Patriots season-ticket holders were reportedly sent information about how to obtain tickets earlier this month. They were given a preferred rate of $36.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss said in his Sunday notes column last month that the event could be similar to “Larry Bird Night” at the Boston Garden in 1993. That event featured many of Bird’s former teammates, as well as friend and longtime on-court nemesis Magic Johnson.
Team executives chose the 12th day of the sixth month as two of the numbers most often associated with Brady’s Patriots career; his six Super Bowl championships and his uniform number, 12. Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft waived the usual four-year waiting period for Brady typically required before inducting players into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
