BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued the following news on Dec. 13, 2023: Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor's Office of Housing, and the Boston Public Library (BPL) announced that the City of Boston's Public Facilities Commission has tentatively designated the development team of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Caste Capital to redevelop the West End branch of the Boston Public Library on Cambridge Street. The renovation will include a new two-story branch   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued the following news on Dec. 12, 2023: Mayor Michelle Wu last Friday joined Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Administrator Kenzie Bok, former Administrator Kate Bennett, and members of BHA's South Street community to mark the opening of a new BHA Police headquarters at the agency's South Street public housing community in Jamaica Plain. Mayor Wu also announced the appointment of Shumeane Benford as Chief of the BHA Police Department,  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued the following news on Dec. 13, 2023: The Mayor's Office of Black Male Advancement today announced applications are now open for their annual 2024 Community Empowerment grants. The Community Empowerment grants, a $500,000 investment that aims to support non-profit organizations that are committed to empowering and improving outcomes for men and boys in Boston. These grants will help organizations scale up their work and deepen the  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued the following news on Dec. 12, 2023: The Mayor's Office of Black Male Advancement today announced applications are now open for their annual 2024 Community Empowerment grants. The Community Empowerment grants, a $500,000 investment that aims to support non-profit organizations that are committed to empowering and improving outcomes for men and boys in Boston. These grants will help organizations scale up their work and deepen the  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued the following news: In March 2023, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Worker Empowerment Cabinet announced a $4 million investment to expand the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan (https://www.boston.gov/news/4-million-investment-expand-bostons-tuition-free-community-college-program), a City initiative that pays for up to three years of community college for Boston residents. Funding for this investment comprises $3 million from t  more

OAKLAND, California, Dec. 14 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led 20 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, urging the court to affirm a district court ruling granting a permanent injunction against an Arkansas law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Plaintiffs in Brandt et al. v. Griffin are suing to block Arkansas' A  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: HOUSTON - A medical clinic office manager has been sentenced for operating a pill mill clinic that unlawfully distributed over 600,000 opioid pills, announced Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury convicted Andres Martinez,   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provided vital nutrition assistance to nearly 6.7 million pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children across the country in September of this year (see table). For the past 25 years, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, has committed to fully funding WIC to serve every eligible pregnant woman, infant, mother, and c  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: BOSTON -- On Dec. 5, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an unlawfully present citizen of El Salvador recently convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material in Everett. "ERO Boston will arrest convicted sex offenders, like this individual, who are not lawfully present in this country," said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: ORLANDO, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger sentenced Anna Parsons (38, Poinciana) to 15 years in federal prison for fentanyl distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Parsons had pleaded guilty on August 29, 2023. According to court documents, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on March 15, 2022, Parsons arrived at a  more

HUDSON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: The Healey-Driscoll Administration joined state and local officials in Hudson last week to celebrate awards through the state's Community One Stop for Growth, including 22 grants totaling $550,000 through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative. In October, the Administration announced $164 million for 338 grant awards through the One Stop to support lo  more

FITCHBURG, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration joined state and local officials in Fitchburg to celebrate awards through the state's Community One Stop for Growth, including $950,000 in grants from the Collaborative Workspace Program. In October, the Administration announced $164 million for 338 grant awards through the One Stop to support local economi  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced that Johntavis Matlock, 31, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. In September 2023, a federal jury found Matloc  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C.- A 19-count indictment charges eight men from the metropolitan Washington D.C. area with participating in an interstate fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy believed responsible for distributing multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics in the region. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Ag  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: SEATTLE- A top leader of a violent international drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Puget Sound region, was sentenced today U.S. District Court in Seattle to 17 years in prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Luis Arturo Magana-Ramirez, 35, of Fife, Washington, was arre  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority issued the following news on Dec. 13, 2023: The MBTA Board of Directors today approved a new four-year contract between the MBTA and the Machinists Union Lodge 264, which aims to improve retention and support MBTA machinists through expanded benefits and increased wages. The contract is part of increased efforts by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure the Authority retains experienced and trained staff wit  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- The Massachusetts Court System issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke today announced the appointment of Judge Michael D. Ricciuti as Chief Justice of the Superior Court for a five-year term in accordance with G.L. c.211B, Sec.5, effective December 22, 2023. "I am pleased to appoint Judge Ricciuti to lead the Superior Court for the next five years," said Chief Justice Locke. "He has the leadership and man  more

WORCESTER, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: Today, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education presented a first look at the state's fall '23 public undergraduate enrollment data estimates to the Board of Higher Education during its meeting at Quinsigamond Community College, showing the first boost to undergraduate enrollment numbers after nearly a decade of enrollment declines. Most of the growth   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the advancement of dam removal preliminary design studies for seven municipalities by the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). These studies, funded and managed by DER, help owners of significant hazard dams assess risks and opportunities associated   more

SALEM, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: Two Massachusetts communities have achieved compliance with the MBTA Communities Law, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced on Tuesday at a press conference held at BRIX Condominiums in Salem. The city of Salem and the town of Lexington are the first two communities to be determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in compliance with the law,  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $20 million to farms impacted by several severe weather events this year. The Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program for Agriculture provides immediate assistance to 347 farmers in Western and Central Massachusetts who experienced significant crop losses due to a deep February freeze, a late May frost event, and catastrophi  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation issued the following news release: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that up to $500,000 has been awarded to the Rail and Transit Division through the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID) to support planning for additional train service connecting Boston and Albany, New York through Springfield. This corridor would  more

WEST POINT, New York, Dec. 14 -- The U.S. Military Academy issued the following news: By Eric S. Bartelt PV Managing Editor The 124th annual Army-Navy Game ended in epic fashion as the Black Knights' defense thwarted the Midshipmen push toward the end zone. A decisive goal-line stand on fourth down, stopping them at the one-yard line with three seconds remaining, cemented the game, enabling the gridiron cadets to leave Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a 17-11 victory on Dec.  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: HOUSTON - A 40-year-old Mexican citizen has been sentenced for international drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, operating on behalf of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ezequiel Alani  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 13 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release: Attorney General Josh Stein and a coalition of 11 attorneys general released the following statement after the Texas Supreme Court denied abortion access to Kate Cox, a pregnant woman whose health and life were at risk as a result of a lethal fetal diagnosis. Ms. Cox was forced to travel out of state to receive abortion care. "No one should be forced to fight in court and leave the  more

CONCORD, New Hampshire, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, Jane E. Young, issued the following news release: A Boston, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Victor Cuevas Romero, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely, fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing   more

BETHESDA, Maryland, Dec. 14 (TNSres) -- The National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute issued the following news release: Hadi Nia, Ph.D. wanted to learn about the inner workings of the lung in a way nobody had, but he knew he'd need something close to a crystal ball to see what was really happening. That idea, it turns out, wasn't exactly far-fetched. Nia, an assistant professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Boston University, already knew a thing o  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 -- The National Park Service National Historic Landmarks issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today designated 16 new National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) and two new National Natural Landmarks (NNLs). The designations reflect the importance of the sites in sharing America's rich history and extraordinary natural features. "The new National Historic and Natural Landmarks designated today further the Interior Department's vi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (TNSres) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Habitat Conservation issued the following feature story on Dec. 13, 2023: * * * With $2.5 million in funding through NOAA, the Ipswich River Watershed Association and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries will address dams blocking fish passage and posing flood risks to towns. * * * Historic mill dams, often featuring picturesque waterfalls and duck-filled impoundment ponds, are a common sigh  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: LITTLE ROCK-- Eighteen individuals from Texas who are accused of stealing more than $1.5 million worth of narcotics from numerous pharmacies in Arkansas were arrested in Houston on November 28, 2023, following an indictment returned in the Eastern District of Arkansas. Seven defendants appeared on charges Tuesday before United States Magistra  more

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, Zachary A. Cunha, issued the following news release: A 31-year-old Providence man was sentenced today to five years and 1 day in federal prison for possessing more than 40 grams of fentanyl and a firearm less than a week after he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. According to charging documents, Mason A. Nieves  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 13 -- The Massachusetts Court System issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2023: The Hon. Kimberly S. Budd presented her third annual address on the state of the judiciary to the legal community at the Massachusetts Bar Association's Bench-Bar Symposium today. The event was streamed live from the Seven Justice Courtroom of the John Adams Courthouse. Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Budd opened her remarks discussing leadership transitions in the court sy  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: The former operator of two municipal golf courses in Western Massachusetts has been convicted by a federal jury in Springfield of conspiring to defraud the United States and making a false statement. Kevin M. Kennedy, 45, of East Longmeadow was convicted on Dec. 11, 2023 of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making a false Statement to a federally ins  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: An Ayer man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to committing a cyberattack against the computer network of his former employer, an Essex County public high school. Conor LaHiff, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized damage to protected computers. U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for  more