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MA Ranked Best State For Working Dads In New Study: Here's Why MA Ranked Best State For Working Dads In New Study: Here's Why
MA Ranked Best State For Working Dads In New Study: Here's Why This Father's Day, many Northeast states are getting recognized as having some of the best conditions for working dads. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best & Worst States for Working Dads on Tuesday, June 10. The study compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, across 22 metrics tied to economic stability, child care quality, parental leave policies, health care, and overall work-life balance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says 94.3% of married fathers are employed. "Working dads have to worry about much more than just how much income they're bringing home to support th…

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by Chris Spiker
News
MA Among 10 Best States For Environmental Protections, New Study Says: Here's Why MA Among 10 Best States For Environmental Protections, New Study Says: Here's Why
MA Among 10 Best States For Environmental Protections, New Study Says: Here's Why Many Northeast states are among the nation's leaders in protecting the environment, according to a new study. SmileHub released its 2025 list of Best States for Environmental Protection on Tuesday, June 10. The website ranked all 50 states based on environmental protection programs, energy use, waste reduction, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis included whether states have water reuse rules, how many environmental charities they support, and how vulnerable they are to climate shifts like record-breaking heat. "The US produces over 292 million tons of waste per…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Mass College Student Secretly Filmed Semi-Nude Women: DA; Push On For Tougher Punishments Mass College Student Secretly Filmed Semi-Nude Women: DA; Push On For Tougher Punishments
Mass College Student Secretly Filmed Semi-Nude Women: DA; Push On For Tougher Punishments A Williams College student faces multiple charges after investigators said he used a hidden camera to film women without their knowledge, authorities said. Now, the Berkshire County District Attorney is joining an effort for harsher sentences.  Maxwell Hall is accused of using a hidden camera disguised as a USB stick to record 16 people without their knowledge over six hours, the Berkshire DA's office said. Williamstown police are handling the investigation.  Once called "upskirting," the practice is just a misdemeanor in Massachusetts.  Bershire District Attorney Timothy Sh…

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by Josh Lanier
News
MA Among Top 10 In Nation's Highest Income Rankings, Study Says: Here's Why MA Among Top 10 In Nation's Highest Income Rankings, Study Says: Here's Why
MA Among Top 10 In Nation's Highest Income Rankings, Study Says: Here's Why Many Northeast residents are bringing home some of the highest incomes in the country, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of States Where People Have the Highest Income. The study compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, based on the average annual income of the top 5% and bottom 20% of earners, along with the median income for all residents. The report highlights wealthier communities and those facing financial hardship, showing wide wealth gaps in some areas. "The highest-earning 10% of individuals in the United States earn over 12 times more than thos…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
Ex-Worcester Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA Ex-Worcester Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA
Ex-Worcester Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA A Massachusetts teacher was arrested after police said she lied about her college education and military past for years to get a job in public schools, authorities said.  Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested Friday, June 6, and faces 21 charges linked to her work in Haverhill schools, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said. She was being held on a $25,000 bond.  Prosecutors say Lagasse falsely claimed she had both undergraduate and graduate degrees. She also allegedly told employers that she was a decorated US military veteran and Purple Heart recipient — none of w…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout
New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout Unemployment claims rose to their highest level in eight months, with more workers across the Northeast filing for benefits as President Donald Trump's tariffs fuel economic uncertainty. The number of new application filings for unemployment benefits jumped to 247,000 in the week ending Saturday, May 31, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday, June 5. That's the largest number of new claims since early October 2024 and above the 237,000 forecasted by analysts, the Associated Press reported. Initial claims increased by 8,000 from the week ending Saturday, May 24. The fo…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark A private equity giant is buying a hot chicken restaurant chain that grew from a parking lot to an international brand that's very popular on TikTok. Roark Capital has purchased a majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken, the restaurant said in a news release on Monday, June 2. Dave's said the sale will help the Los Angeles-based chain grow to more than 400 restaurants worldwide by the end of 2025. The company said it'll remain committed to delivering an "exceptional experience" for customers, employees, and franchise partners. "This is one of the great entrepreneurial journeys …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
45 Sickened As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States, Including MA 45 Sickened As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States, Including MA
45 Sickened As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States, Including MA A Salmonella outbreak linked to a cucumber producer has now expanded to 18 states with 45 illnesses and 16 hospitalizations now reported. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new recall for Bedner Growers cucumbers on Friday, May 30.  The recalled cucumbers, grown in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, were shipped to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service dealers from Tuesday, April 29, to Monday, May 19. The products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains." Target had issued…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List
Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List Dozens of more Big Lots stores will reopen, finishing a nationwide comeback months after the discount chain filed for bankruptcy. Big Lots will open 78 stores on Wednesday, June 5, the company said in a news release on Friday, May 30. The chain began reopening locations in April after it was purchased by Variety Wholesalers in December 2024. After this wave of reopenings, Big Lots will have 219 stores back in business in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South. Nine stores were the first to open on Thursday, April 10, and 132 locations joined in May. Big Lots said its reop…

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi'
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' "Big Papi" is taking a big swing with a new spirit that has deep roots in his native Dominican Republic. Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz officially launched Ozama Rum, according to a news release on Wednesday, May 28. The Baseball Hall-of-Famer also hosted pre-launch parties with distributors and influencers in Boston, Miami, New York City, and Santo Domingo. The premium liquor is made entirely in the Dominican Republic using 100% local sugarcane. The rum is aged for at least one year in oak barrels before being bottled locally and labeled with the official "Ron Dominicano" label. The th…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Banks In MA To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (PHOTOS) J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Banks In MA To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (PHOTOS)
J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Banks In MA To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (Photos) JPMorganChase is catering to wealthier clients with more than a dozen high-end financial centers, including some in the Northeast. The banking giant will open 14 new J.P. Morgan Financial Centers throughout the last week of May, according to a news release on Tuesday, May 27. The luxury banks will be in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Florida. JPMorgan opened two locations in 2024 and plans to reach a total of 31 by the end of 2026. "Through these financial centers, we are redefining how affluent clients are served, offering a highly personalized level of service that is back…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
Federal Judge From Massachusetts Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department Federal Judge From Massachusetts Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department
Federal Judge From Massachusetts Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department In a decisive legal ruling, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education, mandating the reinstatement of employees who were terminated.  US District Judge Myong Joun of Massachusetts said the department cannot be shut down without Congressional approval. In his injunction, Joun also told the administration to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced on Tuesday, March 11, "to restore the Department to the status quo." President Trump issued an executive order on Thursda…

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by Joe Lombardi