Dozens of residents in Lawrence, Massachusetts, are without power Thursday morning after a crash knocked down utility poles.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Myrtle Street, where utility crews were seen in bucket trucks working to res…
Massachusetts
Fire breaks out in Norwell home
A fire broke out in a home in Norwell, Massachusetts, early Thursday morning.
The fire occurred on Upper Ferry Lane.
It’s unclear what caused the fire or if any injuries were reported.
This story will be updated once more information becomes available.
Widespread cuts in newly approved Boston Public Schools budget: ‘This is how we repay them?’
Changes are on the way to Boston Public Schools after leaders approved a new budget for the city’s school system — and now, 70% of those schools are facing cuts.
The cuts will be spread out across the district, but some schools will feel those cuts more than others.
Superintendent Mary Skipper said the cuts are being done strategically and decisions are student-centered.
This $1.5 billion budget passed in a 5 to 2 vote at Wednesday night’s school committee meeting, with a lot of parents, teachers and paraprofessionals raising concerns about what it will mean to the district.
The city promised $81 million of this budget — $30 million going directly to schools, including $20 million for inclusive education.
The end of ESSER funding – or those post-pandemic dollars meant to help fund education over the past few years – creates large holes in the budget.
To try to reduce impacts, the district identified $17 million in efficiencies in its operations, and $10 million in classroom consolidation savings.
But parents and teachers who spoke out before the budget vote Wednesday night are very concerned about the impact of cuts to staffing levels at 70% of the schools in the district.
“It’s feels like the district doesn’t see the value in funding my position,” said Bonnie McBride, teacher librarian.
“I’m now in a school with 500 students or more and my position is still being cut on budgetary reasons,” said Tracey Billy, library paraprofessional.
“Cutting the budget is a major slap in the face to our teachers, who have been our superheroes for our children during the pandemic. This is how we repay them? By telling them they can lose their jobs?” said parent Cheryl Buckman.
The school committee will receive quarterly updates on the budget, so they can be kept up to date with how these decisions are impacting students.
First Alert: Heavy rain impacts Thursday morning, evening commutes
It’s rain. Again.
Some of it will be heavy at times. Other times, it will be misty or light. But the day is awash in wet weather and cool temperatures.
Flood Watches are up across the area. Beware of ponding water in both commutes and some…
Boston City Council strikes a blow to the BPDA in combative vote
The Boston City Council has approved the creation of a city planning department to replace many of the functions of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, in a contentious vote that some members derided as rushed and undemocratic.
The approva…
Prosecutors ask judge to keep protesters, ‘Free Karen Read’ clothing away from courthouse
With the high-profile murder trial against Karen Read just weeks away, Massachusetts prosecutors are asking the judge to keep protesters away from the courthouse and prohibit certain articles of clothing.
Read is accused of killing John O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2022. Her lawyers have alleged that she is being framed amid a massive coverup, which the prosecution has denied.
The trial is set to begin April 16.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion this week asking that demonstrations be moved back 500 feet, creating a “buffer zone” around Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham.
The motion also asks for shirts and other objects displaying “Free Karen Read” and other messages to be banned in the vicinity of jurors.
“There is a substantial risk to both the defendant and Commonwealth’s rights to a fair trial that would be jeopardized if prospectives [sic] jurors are exposed to the messages contained in the demonstrations, especially before this Court has had the opportunity to instruct trial jurors about their obligations to remain fair and unbiased,” prosecutors wrote in the motion. “Further picketing and demonstrating at the courthouse during the pendency of the case would expose jurors to extraneous matter that could prejudice both parties.”
“The Commonwealth also moves for an order prohibiting anywhere where prospective jurors gather or walk to the courtroom, the wearing or carrying of papers, water bottles, tote bags, signs, buttons, pins, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, or any other attire or item that contains any images or writing that suggests a favorable or unfavorable opinion of either party,” prosecutors went on to say.
Paul Cristoforo, who helps organize rallies in support of Read, believes the move would be an abuse of power in defiance of his First Amendment rights.
“My first reaction was literally, ‘What?’” Cristoforo said. “The commonwealth is calling it a ‘buffer zone,’ but they might as well call it a restraining order against the citizens of Massachusetts, because that’s exactly what it is.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this, and it kind of goes against everything that the First Amendment stands for,” said Benjamin Urbelis, a criminal defense attorney who is not involved in this case.
Urbelis says he’s seen regulations inside of courtrooms, but nothing like this outside — particularly when it comes to attire.
“If you’re getting a coffee or you’re walking down the street, not actually doing anything other than wearing a pin, this motion kind of suggests that you’re committing a crime,” he said.
The judge is now left to decide whether to approve or deny the motion.
“We’ll see how this turns out, because I think it is ripe for a challenge,” Urbelis said.
A protest is scheduled at 3 p.m. Monday outside the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office in opposition to the motion.
More on the Karen Read case
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