Massachusetts

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Employer Bails Out Madoff-Hit Employees

Mass. businessman donates $5M for workers' retirement

(Newser) - A Massachusetts businessman has ponied up $5 million of his own money to replace his employees’ retirement savings, which were wiped out by the collapse of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the Boston Globe reports. Robert I. Lappin, who made his money in vacuum cleaners, knows their pain because he,...

Obama Brings Pope Letter From Ailing Kennedy

President asks Benedict to pray for ill senator

(Newser) - President Obama delivered a letter from Ted Kennedy to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican today, CNN reports. Obama met with the pontiff for about a half hour before leaving Rome for Ghana. The contents of Kennedy’s letter were personal, an Obama aide said, and “not known to...

'Hope' Artist Cops Plea in Vandalism Case

(Newser) - Street artist Shephard Fairey plead guilty today to three counts of vandalism for displaying stickers and posters around Boston without permission, the Globe reports. He must pay a fine and is prohibited from carrying the tools of his trade—like wheat paste and brushes—in the county for 2 years....

Kerry Plans 'Hard Look at Afghanistan'

Foreign Relations Committee must ensure effort is 'Afghan, not American'

(Newser) - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will “take a hard look at Afghanistan” in the coming months, John Kerry tells GlobalPost. The committee hasn’t yet publicly scrutinized the administration’s effort in the country, but “we are not going to abrogate our responsibility,” says the senator, who...

Mass. Sues US Over Definition of Marriage

(Newser) - Massachusetts has challenged the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, saying it interferes with a state's right to define and regulate marriage, the Boston Globe reports. “In enacting DOMA,” the lawsuit reads, “Congress...

Obamas to Hit Vineyard for August Vacation

(Newser) - The president's first summer vacation is to a classified destination, but on the streets and beaches of Martha's Vineyard, it's no secret that Barack, Michelle, and their daughters are spending August on the island. The first family is expected to stay in Oak Bluffs, a longtime vacation spot for the...

After 24 Years, Kerry Comes Into His Own

No longer aloof, he's interested in local issues, collaboration

(Newser) - John Kerry is a changed man, his colleagues tell the Boston Globe. Gone is the seemingly aloof Kerry known for his solo speeches and patrician habits. These days Kerry is a consensus builder, holding weekly strategy sessions of the kind his state's senior senator is known for. Kerry’s also...

Cash-Strapped Cities Ditch Fireworks

(Newser) - Some 50 US cities are so strapped for money that they're ditching their July 4th fireworks displays, reports the Los Angeles Times. "It came down to this: Did we want to spend $150,000 on something that would be over in a few hours?" asked the mayor of a...

DA's 'Smear' Should Nix Conviction: 'Rockefeller'

(Newser) - Lawyers for Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter—aka Clark Rockefeller—want his conviction overturned because the jury was unfairly prejudiced against their client, the Boston Globe reports. Rockefeller was found guilty of kidnapping his daughter. The lawyers say the prosecution “eviscerated” their insanity defense during closing arguments by calling an unqualified...

'Rockefeller' Guilty of Kidnapping, Faces 15 Years

(Newser) - A Boston jury found the con man known as Clark Rockefeller guilty of kidnapping and assault today in the abduction of his young daughter last year, the Boston Herald reports. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he's sentenced this afternoon. The jury found him not guilty of...

Lobster 'Fiona' Is 1-in 30-Million Phenomenon

Fiona is a 1-in-30-million genetic mutation

(Newser) - The one-in-30-million special at one Boston eatery isn’t on the menu. Caught off the Canadian coast, “Fiona” is believed to be a rare yellow lobster. The spotted 7-year-old (the coloring is actually closer to orange) is fed sushi-quality tuna and will eventually be sent to live at a...

Would-Be Car-Battery Kings Jostle Over $2.4B From Feds

States seek to become lithium-ion capital of US

(Newser) - Some 165 companies and states are battling for a $2.4 billion Obama administration grant aimed at making the US a leader in electric-car batteries, the Wall Street Journal reports. General Motors, Dow Chemical, and General Electric are among the firms vying for the money; states like Michigan, Kentucky, and...

Mass. Man Held in Rape of 2-Year-Old

Was supposed to be babysitting girlfriend's toddler

(Newser) - Massachusetts police have charged a 22-year-old man with raping his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter, setting fire to her blanket, violently resisting arrest, marijuana possession, and a litany of other charges, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports. Christopher C. Mundell was supposed to be babysitting the toddler, and was highly intoxicated...

Effects of Gay Marriage in the Bay State

'Sky hasn't fallen' after 5 years, but opponents still simmer

(Newser) - Five years after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, most of the furor has fizzled and day-to-day consequences have settled in, the AP reports. Now long-time partners are recognized as family during hospital stays; they can also explain family ties and deal with state adoption officials more easily. And then there's "...

Texting Driver Causes Boston Subway Crash

Collision in tunnel injures 49, including tech-addled conductor

(Newser) - A subway conductor distracted by the text message he was sending his girlfriend caused a collision in a tunnel beneath downtown Boston last night, the Globe reports. One two-car Green Line trolley rear-ended another at the Government Center station, injuring 49. The victims included the 24-year-old texting driver, who will...

Gun, Restraints Found in Craigslist Suspect's Home

(Newser) - A search of the home of alleged Craigslist killer Philip Markoff turned up a handgun, ammunition, and plastic restraints, the New York Times reports. Boston police believe the ties are identical to ones used in two hotel robbery/assaults that left one woman dead by gunshot last week. Markoff pleaded not...

Mass. Mom Kills Child, Unborn Baby: Cops

Woman was 7½ months pregnant, stabbed herself

(Newser) - A pregnant woman killed her 9-year-old daughter and stabbed herself in the stomach to kill her unborn child, authorities in the Boston suburb of Quincy said today. Fang Chi Xue, 38, was treated for self-inflicted stab wounds to the arms and abdomen and is expected to be arraigned on two...

Kennedy Throws First Pitch at Fenway

(Newser) - Sen. Ted Kennedy earned a rousing ovation from the Red Sox faithful today as he threw out the first pitch at Fenway, the Boston Globe reports from Opening Day. Kennedy, battling brain cancer, rode in from the outfield on a cart driven by team legend Jim Rice. Kennedy’s first...

Mass. Seeks New Way to Pay for Health Plan

Most insured state in nation burdened by priciest care

(Newser) - Three years ago, Massachusetts politicians began what may be the gutsiest health care experiment the country has ever seen, bringing near-universal coverage to the state in record time. There’s just one problem: they put off any attempt to control costs, the New York Times reports. Massachusetts’ health care is...

Mass. Earmarks Have Familiar Theme: Kennedys

(Newser) - More than one out of every five dollars of the $126 million Massachusetts is receiving in earmarks from a $410 billion federal spending package is going to help preserve the legacy of the Kennedys. The bill includes $5.8 million for the planning and design of a building to house...

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