After all these days of rain, the message has become a little stale. Thankfully, we’re focused on terms like drying, brightening and warming in the days ahead.
That said, Friday’s a struggle for the last two items. Rain will shut off qu…
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6 hospitalized after SUV rolls over on I-95 in Wakefield
A crash on Interstate 95 in Wakefield injured six people Thursday night, Massachusetts State Police said.
An SUV rolled over near Exit 59, according to police, who were called to the scene around 10:20. All six patients were in the vehicle.
Ther…
Mass. launches youth sports betting safety coalition
With college sports tournaments taking place at both ends of Massachusetts this week, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on Thursday announced the launch of a public-private partnership to focus on the risks of sports betting and gambling among young people.
The Youth Sports Betting Safety Coalition is meant to raise awareness of the laws, risks, and public health harms associated with gambling, and will develop an evidence-based education, training and health curriculum intended for people ages 12 through 20 — roughly from middle school into college and up to the state’s minimum sports betting and casino gambling age of 21.
“Because Massachusetts has entered a new era with sports betting now literally available at your fingertips, it is critical that we raise awareness of the public health risks associated with this activity, particularly for young people,” Campbell said. “This coalition brings together the business, professional sports, nonprofit and responsible gaming communities to best achieve one common goal: better protect and educate young adults across the Commonwealth.”
The group’s founding members are Campbell’s office, the Mass. Gaming Commission, the NCAA, Mass. Council on Gaming and Health, Civic Action Project, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots and New England Revolution. Campbell announced the coalition Thursday at TD Garden, where the NCAA men’s basketball tournament plays Sweet 16 games Thursday night. On Thursday afternoon, Springfield’s MassMutual Center hosted the NCAA men’s hockey tournament (including the University of Massachusetts against Denver University).
“The NCAA is committed to protecting the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of collegiate competition from the harms of sports betting,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker, Massachusetts’ former governor. “The Association is proud to work with Attorney General Campbell and the Gaming Commission, and Boston’s pro teams to extend our reach and educate more young people about sports betting risks. I am thankful the Attorney General is bringing the right people to the table to work on this issue.”
Campbell’s office pointed to national data from the NCAA, which shows that 58% of 18- to 22-year-olds have engaged in at least one sports betting activity. The 2023 NCAA survey also found that print, radio and television advertisements influence, and often reinforce, betting activity, the AG’s office said. About 63% of young people surveyed recalled recently seeing or hearing ads that encourage sports betting and 58% said they are more likely to bet after seeing such ads.
Parents want answers after armed man arrested at Stoneham elementary school
Concerned parents are meeting at a Stoneham elementary school Thursday night after police caught an armed man who was previously registered as a sex offender on school grounds.
Parents say they weren’t notified about the incident until days after w…
MBTA approves low-income fare program, slashing prices for thousands of riders
A big moment at the MBTA on Thursday as a plan for reduced fares for low-income riders was given unanimous approval from the control board.
The action makes it so anyone earning 200% or less of the federal poverty level could see their price for riding the T slashed in half by summer.
“It just means so much to me that we came together for a good cause,” said Malden resident Debra Allen.
“This is everything for me, for my community,” said Roxbury resident Mela Bush.
The move was made possible by $45 million set aside in Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget.
“It really goes to show that this is about equity, about access and about options for everyone in our community,” said Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
But there are still a few hoops to jump through, including passage of a final budget keeping those dollars intact and making sure that money is available for years to come.
MBTA officials have estimated the program could cost roughly $25 million in fiscal 2025, then rise to between $52 million and $62 million per year once fully implemented by fiscal 2029. Once demand ramps all the way up, the T projects about 62,000 train, bus and ferry riders will take advantage, plus 28,000 people who use the RIDE paratransit service.
“We look to Beacon Hill to ensure ongoing, consistent revenue support for the low-income fares program through the coming years,” said Transportation 4 Massachusetts spokesperson Reggie Ramos.
Even if all that falls into place, the push for completely free transit fares is unlikely to lose steam.
“We’re really focused on finding revenue streams before talking about any additional services,” Tibbits-Nutt said.
Caveats aside, advocates are calling this a victory and hoping the impact will quell any concern.
“Any little bit of help is really important,” said Lynn resident Kathy Paul.
The program includes all forms of MBTA transit including the RIDE, which allows seniors and those with ADA needs to schedule trips.
State House News Service contributed to this report.
Harvard removes human skin from binding of old book
Harvard University says it has removed human skin from the binding of a particularly rare book that has been in its library for about 90 years.
In a statement posted online, Harvard Library said it pulled the morbid binding from its copy of “…
