New Images Of Stranded Massachusetts Astronaut Spark Concerns New Images Of Stranded Massachusetts Astronaut Spark Concerns
New Images Of Stranded Massachusetts Astronaut Spark Concerns NASA is assuring the public that a Massachusetts astronaut is in good health after recent photos of the woman sparked concerns to the contrary. Pilot Suni Williams, from the town of Needham in Norfolk County, has been stuck aboard the International Space Station since early June after NASA discovered multiple problems with the Boeing-built Starliner spacecraft. The 59-year-old retired Navy officer, along with her colleague Butch Wilmore, were originally scheduled to return home after eight days. They’ll now hitch a ride back to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025. Earlier …
FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says
FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says An Iranian operative and two associates living in America have been charged in a murder-for-hire plot targeting United States citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump. Federal authorities have charged Farhad Shakeri, an alleged operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with two New York City associates in a plot to assassinate a US citizen critical of the Iranian government.  The case highlights the continued threat posed by Iran’s attempts to silence dissidents and even target top US. officials. According to the Department of Justice criminal complai…
No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies
No, The FBI Says It Isn't Investigating 301 Election Bribery Claims Or Other Lies The Federal Bureau of Investigations said it has seen a rise in fake stories using the agency's name and insignia being shared online in an attempt to undermine the recent presidential election.  The FBI cited four fake stories being shared on social media trading on the agency's reputation to give credence to lies.  Those included a video stating that “at least 301 electors reported attempted bribery and blackmail" from a political party, the agency said in a news release. Another claimed that agents had tried to cover up the bribery scheme by pressuring news media outl…
These Over-The-Counter Decongestants Don't Work, FDA Says These Over-The-Counter Decongestants Don't Work, FDA Says
These Over-The-Counter Decongestants Don't Work, FDA Says A common ingredient found in most oral over-the-counter cold medicines should be removed from the market because it doesn’t work, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says. This follows an extensive review that found the drug ineffective for treating nasal congestion. Oral phenylephrine, widely marketed in cold and allergy medications, has been in use for decades as a go-to nasal decongestant.  However, an FDA review, backed by last year’s unanimous recommendation from the Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee, found that phenylephrine in oral form does not deliver effective conge…
Wanted Man Crashes Into Pole, Knocks Out Power In Western Mass, Sparks Car Fire: Police Wanted Man Crashes Into Pole, Knocks Out Power In Western Mass, Sparks Car Fire: Police
Wanted Man Crashes Into Pole, Knocks Out Power In Western Mass, Sparks Car Fire: Police A routine traffic stop was anything but routine after the driver tried to escape, crashing into a utility pole, and starting a car fire in Berkshire County, authorities said.  Anthony Winters, age 27, of Pittsfield, was charged with several motor vehicle offenses and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Pittsfield police said.  It all began around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, when police went to pull over Winters' car in the area of West and Edwin Streets. He stopped momentarily but then floored it, hitting an officer as he tried to make his getaway.  He led police o…
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Has Newly Minted Millionaire $1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Has Newly Minted Millionaire
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Has Newly Minted Millionaire This squeaky wheel is well-greased.  The Squeaky Wheel Trust has claimed a $1 million lottery jackpot. A trust allows the winner to remain anonymous.  Related: East Boston Woman Knows How She'll Spend Her $1 Million Jackpot The winner collected the payout by playing the Massachusetts State Lottery's “Lifetime Millions" game, a $50 scratch-off ticket.  They chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Honey Farms at 487 Princeton Road in Fitchburg sold the ticket. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
Suspect In Murder At Posh NY Hamptons Spa Found Dead 200 Miles Away Suspect In Murder At Posh NY Hamptons Spa Found Dead 200 Miles Away
Suspect In Murder At Posh NY Hamptons Spa Found Dead 200 Miles Away A Pennsylvania man suspected of murdering a woman at a high-end resort in the Hamptons was found dead hundreds of miles from the crime scene in New York. Thomas Gannon, age 56, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, according to Suffolk County Police. Gannon was considered the prime suspect in the killing of 33-year-old Sabina Rosas at the posh Shou Sugi Ban House, located in the Long Island hamlet of Water Mill, on Monday, Oct. 28. Earlier Report: Update: Woman Murdered At Water Mill Resort ID'd Rosas, a Brooklyn artist who also went by th…
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders
McDonald's IDs Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Quarter Pounders Health officials have pinpointed the specific ingredient that triggered an E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s that killed one person and sickened dozens more across several states. Testing done by the Colorado Department of Agriculture eliminated Quarter Pounder beef patties as the source of the outbreak, McDonald’s confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 27. That leaves the restaurant’s slivered onions, which are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers, as the likely source of contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Earlier Report: E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald'…
Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends
Here's When You'll Need To Change Your Clocks As Daylight Saving Time Ends Get ready to kiss that sweet sunlight goodbye, as Daylight saving time will soon be coming to an end. For Eastern Standard Time, the big change will happen on the first Sunday of November. Specifically, EDT will be observed until 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, when we will gain an hour of sleep but push the time back on the clock by one hour. Daylight saving time, sometimes referred to as daylight saving time or Eastern Daylight Time, is the practice of advancing the clocks four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. That's the change that happens in the spring and summer Eastern Standard …
Newly Minted Millionaire: Western Mass Man Has Wholesome Plans For His Big Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Western Mass Man Has Wholesome Plans For His Big Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Western Mass Man Has Wholesome Plans For His Big Payday A Chicopee man is the latest gambler to collect a massive jackpot by playing the Massachusetts State Lottery's new Christmas-themed scratch-off games.  Timothy Mortell won $1 million in the “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright," a $10 scratch-off game. Related: Taunton Man Lands $1 Million Payday On New Scratch-Off Game Mortell chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  He said he plans to share the winnings with his mom and invest the rest.  Mortell bought the winning ticket at Yazzy’s Market at 810 Meadow St. in Chicopee. The…
DA Recommends Menendez Brothers Be Resentenced DA Recommends Menendez Brothers Be Resentenced
DA Recommends Menendez Brothers Be Resentenced Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has recommended brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, who spent their childhoods in New Jersey and New York, be resentenced after spending decades in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers, now in their 50s, should be freed and placed on parole for the murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in August 1989, Gascón said at a news conference Thursday, Oct. 24, that comes amid worldwide viewership of a series on their story on Netflix. The case now moves forward to a Los A…
Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days
Yale Grad, CNN War Reporter Held Hostage In Sudan By Warlord For Days Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent and 2002 Yale University graduate, released a story on Wednesday, Oct. 23 detailing her capture by a Sudanese warlord who held her and her crew hostage for days.  In a post on CNN, Ward details how she was on her way to Tawila, a town in Darfur, earlier this month to report on the ongoing humanitarian crisis. But as they arrived, she and her crew weren't welcomed by their host but confronted by heavily armed militia members, who believed they were spies.  Two weeks ago, our team was held captive by a militia in Darfur. As a…
$1M Lottery Payday: Springfield Man Lands Major Jackpot Playing New Game $1M Lottery Payday: Springfield Man Lands Major Jackpot Playing New Game
$1M Lottery Payday: Springfield Man Lands Major Jackpot Playing New Game A new game from the Massachusetts State Lottery helped make a Springfield man a millionaire.  William Carpenter won $1 million this week playing the “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright,” a $10 scratch-off ticket.  Related: Taunton Man Is A Newly Minted Millionaire After Big Lottery Win Carpenter chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity. He said he plans to put the money into his savings.  Carpenter bought the winning ticket at Sunoco at 336 Centre St. in Abington. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 
E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald's Hamburgers Yet To Be Confirmed In Northeast E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald's Hamburgers Yet To Be Confirmed In Northeast
E. Coli Outbreak Tied To McDonald's Hamburgers Yet To Be Confirmed In Northeast Dozens of people across ten states have been sickened in connection with an E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald’s hamburgers. At least 49 people reported falling ill, including ten who were hospitalized and one who died, after eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an alert issued Tuesday, Oct. 22. Authorities have not yet identified which specific ingredient is contaminated, prompting McDonald’s to halt sales of Quarter Pounders as well as fresh slivered onions in several states. The 49 people sickened by the E. coli outbre…
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries preyed on aspiring models and coerced them into prostitution in order to satisfy his and others’ sexual desires, prosecutors alleged. The 80-year-old Jeffries – along with his life partner Matthew Smith and a third defendant, James Jacobson – are named in a 16-count sex trafficking indictment unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Prosecutors said the trio relied on Jeffries’ wealth and status, along with a network of employees, contractors, and security professionals, to victimize dozens of men over a seven year peri…
Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms
Mass. Eatery Reopens After Receiving Threats For Serving Couple Wearing Nazi Uniforms A Massachusetts restaurant thanked its customers for their support during an "emotional week" after the owners received threats for serving World War II re-enactors wearing Nazi uniforms.  In a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 18, the owners of Kith And Kin in Hudson, Massachusetts, said they were flooded with positive messages from customers and community members.  As you can imagine, it has been an emotional week for us. We have been greatly uplifted by the outpouring of love and support from the Hudson and surrounding communities. Our family and our staff cannot thank you enough f…
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Western Mass Woman Lands Big Payday $1M Lottery Jackpot: Western Mass Woman Lands Big Payday
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Western Mass Woman Lands Big Payday A Berkshire County woman pulled off a magic trick this week that would make David Blaine jealous. She turned $5 into a $1 million check.  Colleen Robitaille, of Pittsfield, won the seven-figure payday playing the $5 “Electric 7s” scratch-off lottery ticket. It was the final grand prize for that game.  Related: Central Mass Woman Has Big Plans For Her $4 Million Lottery Win Robitaille took the lump-sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  She bought the ticket at Kwik Mart at 1245 West Housatonic St. in Pittsfield. The store will get a $10,000 bonus…
'Once In Lifetime' Comet Will Be Visible To Naked Eye In Night Sky: Here's When To Watch 'Once In Lifetime' Comet Will Be Visible To Naked Eye In Night Sky: Here's When To Watch
'Once In Lifetime' Comet Will Be Visible To Naked Eye In Night Sky: Here's When To Watch You'll want to keep an eye on the sky in the coming days and weeks. A newly discovered comet is about to make its closest pass by Earth later in the week and is expected to be visible through the end of October. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or C/2023 A3, which was first identified last year, is expected to be especially vivid, and its brightness could even compare to Jupiter, according to The New York Times. The comet will be closest to earth -- about 44 million miles, mind you -- on Saturday, Oct. 12, according to NASA. “This one is, I would say, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said astro…
Newly Minted Multi-Millionaire: Central Mass. Woman Lands Massive Payday Newly Minted Multi-Millionaire: Central Mass. Woman Lands Massive Payday
Newly Minted Multi-Millionaire: Central Mass. Woman Lands Massive Payday A Worcester woman said she has big plans for her and her family after winning a $4 million jackpot in the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Laura Capalbo won the massive payout playing the $10 scratch-off game “100X Cash." Related: Mass. Chef Lands $10 Million Payday She chose to take the lump sum payment of $2.6 million (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  She said she wants to use the money to travel and help her family.  She bought the ticket at Family Farms at 98 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury. The store will receive a $40,000 bonus for the sale. 
Police Searching For Answers After Family Of 4 Found Brutally Murdered At Home In Region Police Searching For Answers After Family Of 4 Found Brutally Murdered At Home In Region
Police Searching For Answers After Family Of 4 Found Brutally Murdered At Home In Region New York State Police are asking the public's help in their investigation of a cold-case murder mystery of a family of four at their suburban upstate New York home. Tuesday, Oct. 8 marks the 10-year anniversary of the crime. On that Wednesday in 2014, troopers and multiple other law enforcement agencies responded to the Albany County home on Western Avenue in the town of Guilderland. Inside the home, police located 7-year-old Eddy Chen, 10-year-old Anthony Chen, and their parents, Hai Yan Li and Jin Feng Chen, brutally murdered. "The State Police Troop G Major Crimes Unit and SP New …
Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Film Sets Premiere Date 3 Years After Fatal On-Set Shooting Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Film Sets Premiere Date 3 Years After Fatal On-Set Shooting
Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Film Sets Premiere Date 3 Years After Fatal On-Set Shooting Three years after a cinematographer was shot and killed during the making of Alec Baldwin’s next movie, the film has finally set a release date. “Rust,” a Western drama that Baldwin wrote, directed, and stars in, will premiere at the Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland on Saturday, Nov. 16, according to its IMDB page. It comes just months after a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against the 66-year-old Baldwin stemming from the death of Halyna Hutchins. Earlier Report - Courtroom Stunner: Judge Tosses Manslaughter Case Against Alec Baldwin In On-Se…
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Man Has Sensible Plan For His $1M Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Man Has Sensible Plan For His $1M Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Man Has Sensible Plan For His $1M Payday While some lottery winners buy fancy cars or lavish homes with their jackpots, a recent Worcester winner has a much more reasonable approach.  Jose Tejada Grullon won $1 million in the Massachusetts State Lottery playing the “Bonus 100X" $10 scratch-off game.  He chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Grullon says he is going to invest the money.  He bought the ticket at O’Hara’s Wine & Liquors at 402 W. Boylston St. in Worcester. The store will get $10,000 for the sale.
$10M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass. Chef Cooking Up Something Special With His Massive Win $10M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass. Chef Cooking Up Something Special With His Massive Win
$10M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass. Chef Cooking Up Something Special With His Massive Win Leave it to a chef to know when the temperature is just right.  A Worcester County chef landed a $10 million lottery jackpot this week after noticing that many of the biggest prizes in several games hadn't been found. Michael Fitzgerald, of Boylston, chose to play the $20 scratch-off game “$10,000,000 Cash Blast” and walked away with the grand prize. Two $10 million prizes remain in that game. Fitzgerald chose to take the lump sum payment of $6.5 million (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  He bought the ticket at Star Liquor at 507 Boston Turnpike (Route 9) in Shr…
COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe
Covid-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe. It is not causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, but it is causing concern. “The rate of infections from XEC they're seeing in some countries rose pretty quickly compared to previous variants in those same places," Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist said in YaleMedicine.…
John Gotti Jr's Wife, Daughter Dodge Assault Charges After HS Basketball Brawl In NY John Gotti Jr's Wife, Daughter Dodge Assault Charges After HS Basketball Brawl In NY
John Gotti Jr's Wife, Daughter Dodge Assault Charges After HS Basketball Brawl In NY John Gotti Jr.’s wife and daughter will avoid criminal charges in connection with a fight at a youth basketball game on Long Island. A Nassau County judge cited “procedural grounds” for dismissing the misdemeanor assault charges against Kimberly Gotti, age 55, and Gianna Gotti, age 23, on Tuesday, Oct. 1. “We await the judge’s written decision and will review our options,” a spokesperson for the DA’s office told Daily Voice. The fight broke out in the Oyster Bay village of Lattingtown, during a basketball game at Locust Valley High School against visiting Oyster Bay High School, on Thursd…
Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services
Disney+ To Raise Prices Along With Several Other Major Streaming Services Another year, another streaming service price hike.  Disney+, the streaming video platform that boasts more than 150 million users, is raising the price of its monthly subscriptions beginning Thursday, Oct. 17, the company said. The spike comes as Disney said it will crack down on password-sharing, Variety reported.  The House of the Mouse announced earlier this year that prices for its most basic package with advertisements will climb from $8 to $10 monthly. Disney+ Premium will also rise by $2 to $16 monthly. Yearly plans will jump up $20 to $160 a year, the company said. Hulu,…
COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms A highly contagious COVID-19 variant known as KP.3.1.1 now accounts for nearly 60 percent of infections in the United States. Data from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in a two-week period ending Saturday, Sept. 28, the strain made up 58.7 percent of cases nationally, with the KP.2.3 variant second at 9.4 percent. Both KP.3 and KP.2 are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant and are members of a newly identified group of variants known as  “FLiRT.” Neither is causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, according to experts.…
COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last
Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last Free rapid tests for COVID-19 are now available to order online. As of Friday, Sept. 27, every American household may order four nasal swab tests through the Department of Health and Human Services program by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov while supplies last. After orders are placed, a confirmation email will be sent to the household, with free shipping scheduled to start the week of Monday, Sept. 30, and email delivery updates available if requested. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula…