Amazon-Sold Crib Poses Deadly Risks To Babies, CPSC Warns Amazon-Sold Crib Poses Deadly Risks To Babies, CPSC Warns
Amazon-Sold Crib Poses Deadly Risks To Babies, Cpsc Warns Federal regulators are warning that a convertible crib sold on Amazon has several serious safety risks to babies, officials said. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that the Hermixa 6-in-1 Convertible Crib violates multiple federal safety standards, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 30. The product was sold by Zhang Jun of China and manufactured by Shucheng Aidou Trading Co. The crib was available on Amazon from February to August 2024 for about $250. The CPSC said the crib has potential dangers that could lead to entrapment, fal…
Boston Skater Killed In DC Plane Crash Shared Photo From Inside Aircraft Boston Skater Killed In DC Plane Crash Shared Photo From Inside Aircraft
Boston Skater Killed In DC Plane Crash Shared Photo From Inside Aircraft Fourteen figure skaters including two athletes from Boston, their mothers, and coaches, were among the 60 people killed in a devastating mid-air plane crash over Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, officials confirmed. The group was returning home from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas, when their plane collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in the skies above the nation’s capital Among the victims were six members of the Skating Club of Boston, including two teenage athletes, their mothers, and two coaches, according to Doug Zeghibe, the club’s CEO. Maxim Nau…
Helicopter Crashes Into Small Plane Mid-Air Over DC: Officials Helicopter Crashes Into Small Plane Mid-Air Over DC: Officials
Helicopter Crashes Into Small Plane Mid-Air Over DC: Officials A helicopter and small plane crashed mid-air, sending the plane into the Potomac River Wednesday night, Jan. 29 in Washington DC, officials confirmed. UPDATE: U.S. Figure Skaters Among Dozens Believed Dead In DC Black Hawk, Plane Crash: Reports American Airlines confirmed the 60-person plane was their flight from Wichita, Kansas. It was reportedly minutes from touching down at Reagan National Airport when the crash happened at 8:53 p.m., officials said. Breaking news: A military helicopter and a regional aircraft from Kansas collided near Reagan National Airport, drawing a large em…
Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction
Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate in place, pausing further cuts and ignoring a demand by President Donald Trump to immediately drop rates. After three months of reductions, the Fed decided to keep the key interest rate target at 4.25 to 4.5 percent. The Fed announced the decision on Wednesday, Jan. 29, after its first meeting since President Trump returned to the White House. Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed is monitoring inflation and economic stability under the Trump administration. "We remain committed to supporting maximum employment, bringing inflation sustain…
Newly Minted Millionaire: Chicopee Man Plans To Raise The Roof — Literally — With Cash Newly Minted Millionaire: Chicopee Man Plans To Raise The Roof — Literally — With Cash
Newly Minted Millionaire: Chicopee Man Plans To Raise The Roof — Literally — With Cash A Western Massachusetts man is the fourth $1 million winner in the state lottery's new ticket honoring the Celtics' 18 championships.  Charles Clemons, of Chicopee, won the seven-figure sum playing the "Celtics Banner 18" game, a $10 scratch-off ticket.  He chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity. His wife Sara joined him to collect the check.  Clemons already has a plan for the money. He said he would buy a motorcycle, invest and save some of the cash, and remodel his home's roof.  He bought the ticket at Racing Mart,…
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed The detection of a different more rare strain of avian influenza is raising alarm as record egg prices soar to new highs. A farm in California where the new H5N9 strain was detected had to kill 119,000 birds after the more common H5N1 strain had been detected earlier. In New York, a farm on Long Island culled 100,000 ducks after a bird flu outbreak. “Whether this novel H5N9 virus will cause human infections from its avian host and become a pandemic subtype is not known yet,” the US National Library of Medicine said. “It is therefore imperative to assess the risk of emergence of t…
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu activity remains high and is increasing across many parts of the country.  For the week ending Saturday, Jan. 18, 25 percent of tests returned positive for flu, up from 19 percent the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than five percent of emergency-room visits were flu-related, with notable increases among infants, older children, and teens, nearing pre-holiday surge levels.
 "The country is still experiencing elevated influenza activity and that is expected to continue for several more weeks," the CDC said. Elev…
$1M Central Mass Lottery Winner Plans To Work On His Golf Game In Retirement $1M Central Mass Lottery Winner Plans To Work On His Golf Game In Retirement
$1M Central Mass Lottery Winner Plans To Work On His Golf Game In Retirement A Central Massachusetts man already knows exactly how he plans to spend the $1 million he won in a lottery jackpot: hitting the links. Thomas Daige, of Leicester, won the seven-figure sum in the Dec. 14 multiple-state Powerball drawing. Someone in Ohio won $47.9 million in the same drawing.  Daige correctly guessed the first five numbers in the drawing on his Quic Pic ticket. Related: Woman Plans To Build Her Future With $1 Million Lottery Payday Daige claimed his prize — worth $1 million before taxes — on Friday, Jan. 24, in Dorchester. He said he plans to put the winnings toward …
3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Massachusetts, Multiple Other States 3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Massachusetts, Multiple Other States
3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Massachusetts, Multiple Other States The US Geological Survey said a 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook much of the Northeast on Monday, Jan. 27. The quake occurred at 10:45 a.m. and was initially reported as a 4.1 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was located near York Harbor, approximately seven miles off the coast of Maine and about 13 miles underground. The tremors were felt across Massachusetts and reached as far as Upstate New York, parts of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey.  In all, residents in nine states felt the tremors.  According to the Maine Earthquake Database, this was the third-strongest eart…
Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump
Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump A man accused of threatening to kill President Trump has been apprehended following a tip to federal authorities. The investigation began on Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20, after a tip to the FBI National Threat Operations Center reported violent online posts targeting the former president.  Federal agents traced the posts to Shannon Depararro Atkins, age 46, of West Palm Beach, Florida, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Atkins was arrested just before 7:30 p.m.  Friday, Jan. 24 near his home after being pulled over in a white 2013 BMW 750Li, said Public Informat…
East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts? East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts?
East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts? Newlywed couples in Northeast and mid-Atlantic states expect some of the most generous wedding gifts in the country, a new study said. Couples in New York expect the most expensive gifts in the U.S. at an average of $204.60 per guest, according to the study by fine jewelry brand Shane Co. The survey, based on responses from more than 3,000 Americans, also highlights regional trends in gift expectations, budgets, and wedding traditions. Connecticut newlyweds had the nation's second-highest expectations of $202.40 per gift, while New Jersey ranked fourth at $172.30. Pennsylvani…
Westfield Man Killed In Workplace Accident In Greenfield For Chicopee Company Westfield Man Killed In Workplace Accident In Greenfield For Chicopee Company
Westfield Man Killed In Workplace Accident In Greenfield For Chicopee Company A workplace accident in Western Massachusetts has likely claimed the life of a 66-year-old Westfield man, authorities say.  The Northwestern District Attorney's Office said at 5 p.m. that crews had recovered the body after hours of work at the Cleveland Street worksite in Greenfield. The man, whose name has not been released, reportedly fell into a silo used by a Chicopee-based concrete company to mix dry ingredients for cement. Co-workers noticed his absence after he climbed to the top of a tower after he failed to respond to radio calls. Emergency crews from Greenfield Police a…
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get? Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get?
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get? Purdue Pharma will pay more than $7 billion for the corporation's role in fueling the opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma reached a $7.4 billion settlement with attorneys general from 15 states on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Sacklers have owned the company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, for decades. The settlement includes $6.5 billion from the Sackler family, with $1.5 billion to be paid immediately, and nearly $900 million from Purdue Pharma. Funds will be distributed to states, local governments, and victims ov…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When Travelers and those accessing federal facilities will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved form of identification under new security requirements. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, requires stricter security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards.  These credentials will be essential for boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the importance of compliance, …
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use The Food and Drug Administration has approved Johnson & Johnson's nasal spray as a standalone treatment for severe forms of depression, officials said. The FDA granted approval to Spravato (esketamine) as the first monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression, J&J said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The decision came after a priority review of clinical data showing significant improvements in depression symptoms as early as 24 hours and sustained progress through four weeks. According to J&J, treatment-resistant depression affects about one-t…
How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Hampden County How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Hampden County
How Much Snow Did You Get? Here's Rundown Of Totals From Hampden County A quick-moving Nor'easter brought accumulating snowfall throughout the region Sunday night, Jan. 19 into Monday morning, Jan 20. Here's a rundown of totals from the National Weather Service. New York Nassau County 2 ENE Roosevelt 4.1 inches 1018 PM 01/19 Public Syosset 4.0 inches 1000 PM 01/19 Trained Spotter East Williston 3.9 inches 1015 PM 01/19 Public 1 W Plainview 3.9 inches 1250 AM 01/20 Public 1 ESE East Meadow 3.8 inches 1117 PM 01/19 Trained Spotter 1 ENE Glen Cove 3.8 inches 0817 AM 01/20 Public  Sea Cliff 3.6 inches 1042 PM 01/19 Public Plainview 3.2 inches 081…
Earn Your Scroll: Walking Unlocks Social Media With Boston Entrepreneur's New App Earn Your Scroll: Walking Unlocks Social Media With Boston Entrepreneur's New App
Earn Your Scroll: Walking Unlocks Social Media With Boston Entrepreneur's New App A new app is fighting against doomscrolling and helping users get active by turning steps into screen time. Steppin' blocks you from using certain apps unless you walk a certain number of daily steps. The app was founded by Boston entrepreneur Paul English, who's also a co-founder of travel search engine Kayak.com. Steppin' rewards physical activity by tying screen time to movement. For every 100 steps, users earn one minute of access to restricted apps, including social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, as well as other platforms like Netflix. The app's settings are fully …
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About Hmpv A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is sparking concerns five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, drawing attention to another respiratory virus circulating in the population. HMPV, a known virus, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.  The new rise in cases, particularly among children under 14 in northern China, has officials urging caution as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, a time when travel and gatherings often lead to spikes in illness. Data from China’s state news agency, Xinhua, shows …
MA Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says MA Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says
MA Among Five Most-Expensive States For Smokers, New Study Says Northeast and mid-Atlantic states are among the most expensive in the U.S. for smoking tobacco, according to a new study. New York topped the 2025 list from WalletHub called "The Real Cost of Smoking by State", with residents losing an estimated $5.4 million over their lifetime. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were also ranked in the top five. The study calculated smoking-related costs by combining out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, increased insurance premiums, and missed financial opportunities, such as investing in the stock market instead of …
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S.
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. The Supreme Court has upheld a new law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company divests from the very popular video-sharing social media app. The justices said the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" doesn't violate the First Amendment, according to the court's decision on Friday, Jan. 17. The ruling allows for TikTok to potentially be banned in the U.S. as early as Sunday, Jan. 19. TikTok, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S., has come under scrutiny over fears that ByteDance could allow the Chinese gov…
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign $400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign In an escalating legal battle featuring Hollywood heavyweights, actor Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin his career. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Lively and Reynolds used their influence to seize control of Baldoni's film "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.  Baldoni directed, co-starred in, and co-financed the production through his company, Wayfarer Studios. “This is not a case about celebrities sniping at each …
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sales of 20 types of ZYN nicotine pouches amid concerns about children and teens using the products. The decision allows ZYN nicotine pouches to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults aged 21 and older, the FDA said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 6. The small natural fiber pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip. The FDA said the pouches contain substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes and most smokeless tobacco products, reducing risks of cancer and other serious …
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, Harvard Study Says Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, Harvard Study Says
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, Harvard Study Says A rise in dementia cases could be linked to Americans' appetite for one of its favorite foods.  Findings suggest that rising dementia cases in the US may be linked to a preference for meats.  A study in Neurology by researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard indicates that diets high in processed red meats — like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage — were associated with a 13 percent increased risk of developing dementia. The research analyzed data from 133,771 participants, averaging 49 years old, over a follow-up period of up to 43 years.  Among them, 11,173 developed dem…
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal after 15 months of war, according to multiple reports, citing senior sources in the White House. Around 30 hostages are expected to be released in the initial phase of the agreement, according to CNN.  There are seven Americans being held, two of whom are expected to be free in the first phase, according to Axios. Hundreds of incarcerated Palestinians being held by Israel are expected to be released in the initial phase, CNN reports. It's unclear when the ceasefire will start. The agreement, reached on Wednes…
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods The Food and Drug Administration has officially banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives certain foods their vivid cherry-red hue, due to cancer concerns in lab animals. The FDA revoked the authorization for the coloring's use in food products, oral drugs, and dietary supplements, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Manufacturers have until Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, to remove Red Dye 3 from food products and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2028, for drugs. Products made before these deadlines may still appear on shelves if they were manufactured before …
Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know
Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know A highly contagious strain of norovirus, GII.17, is rapidly spreading across the United States, fueling an unusually high number of outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts Record Outbreaks: The CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in the first week of December, the highest for this time of year in recent history. Dominant Strain: GII.17 accounts for nearly 70 percent of US cases and has driven a similar surge in Britain. Foodborne Threats: Contaminated oysters from a Los Angeles event sickened at least 80 people. Recall…
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible Around $2.4 billion in automatic payments will be issued to nearly one million taxpayers, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency said they will go to those who missed out on claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.  These payments, with a maximum of $1,400 per individual, aim to ensure eligible Americans receive money they may have overlooked when filing their tax returns. Automatic Payments, Eligibility No action is required for eligible taxpayers to receive the payments, which will be issued automatically.  The funds, based on IRS data, will be sent via …
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday A Massachusetts man said he plans to travel and buy a new car after he won a $2.5 million jackpot in the state lottery.  Kirk Phinney, of Leominster, won the seven-figure sum playing the “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright,” a  $10 holiday-themed scratch-off game. Related: Holbrook Woman Plans To Live Out Lottery Winners' Dream Phinney elected to take the annuity payments of $125,000 (before taxes) a year for 20 years.  He bought the ticket at Quick Stop Liquor, 531 N Main St. in Leominster. The store will receive a $25,000 bonus for the sale. 
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease The Food and Drug Administration has proposed moving nutrition labels to the front of most packaged foods, aiming to help consumers make healthier choices, officials said. The FDA officially unveiled its proposal requiring front-of-package nutrition labels, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. This effort is part of a broader strategy to combat chronic diseases, which affect about 60 percent of Americans and account for $4.5 trillion in annual health care costs. The proposed "nutrition info box" would display saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content i…
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, are surging across the United States, with healthcare systems feeling the strain as more people seek care for these conditions.  The CDC reported on Monday, Jan. 13 that the nation is experiencing high levels of acute respiratory illnesses, with young children and older adults particularly affected. COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas, fueled by rising emergency department visits, elevated lab test positivity, and high levels of virus detected in wastewater.  Influenza remains widespread, while RSV activity …