BOSTON — Massachusetts will award over $70 million in grants to Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the state, creating up to 2,500 new vocational education seats, Gov. Maura Healey announced Thursday.

“Today, $70 million is going out to 28 schools,” said Healey. “With these funds our great, regional career-focused high ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia school board Thursday night adopted a sweeping $3 billion facilities plan that would close 17 schools and renovate 169 over the next decade, reshaping the system for years to come.

The vote came amid intense opposition and over the objections of hundreds of students, parents, and teachers who begged the board ...Read more

BOSTON — A tattoo artist convicted of assaulting a female client argued that the victim had consented to sexual touching based on where she wanted her tattoo — an argument the Massachusetts Appeals Court doesn’t buy.

A Leominster District Court jury in 2023 convicted Jose Benevides of indecent assault and battery based on a complaint by a...Read more

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed a bill that would impose a 2% tax on high-ticket real estate transactions worth more than $2 million, and was immediately criticized for looking to “increase the cost of doing business” in the city.

Wu signed a home rule petition Thursday that will now be sent up to Beacon Hill for consideration by...Read more

The Florida Supreme Court will allow further analysis of DNA testing results in the case of James Duckett, a former police officer who came close to being executed in March for a 1987 child murder.

In an opinion issued Thursday, the state’s highest court reversed a trial judge’s denial of Duckett’s request to obtain DNA testing data that ...Read more

SEATTLE — Thousands of May Day protesters are expected to rally and march Friday in cities across Washington state, including Seattle, Vancouver and Yakima, in support of worker rights and to protest the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

More than 1,000 Seattle demonstrators participated in last year’s celebration of ...Read more

Shares in spirits companies rose on Thursday after President Donald Trump announced he is lifting the 10% tariffs on alcohol sales between the United Kingdom and the U.S.

The move came at the behest of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, according to Trump’s post on Truth Social.

“In honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who ...Read more

DENVER — Colorado’s dry winter and abnormally warm spring will translate to high risk for a difficult fire season, state leaders warned Thursday.

“We are facing a very challenging fire year where our resources will be tested, across not only Colorado but across the West,” said Mike Morgan, the director of the Colorado Division of Fire ...Read more

BOSTON — Longtime Massachusetts congressman and perhaps the most notable gay U.S. politician of his time, Barney Frank, has entered hospice care, according to a report by Politico, and the state’s Democratic Party is reacting to the news of the liberal icon’s failing health.

“As Congressman, Barney Frank left an indelible mark on public...Read more

SEATTLE — Four Tacoma high school students, a security guard and a suspect were injured in a stabbing during a Thursday afternoon “altercation” at Foss High School, police said.

The four students were seriously injured and taken to nearby hospitals, according to Tacoma police spokesperson Officer Shelbie Boyd.

The suspect was taken to a ...Read more

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he was sticking with a naval blockade of Iranian ports even as oil prices hit a wartime high amid concerns the vital Strait of Hormuz would not reopen anytime soon.

“Their economy is crashing, the blockade is incredible,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Their economy is a disaster. So ...Read more

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate approved an $88 billion budget plan this week, seeking investments in education and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, while also making a withdrawal from the state's rainy day fund.

The Democrat-led Senate voted, along party lines, 19-18 in favor of two budget bills on Thursday. The Republican-controlled ...Read more

It's a sight to behold — the 1-ton sea lion peeking his head out of the water in San Francisco Bay and triggering a panic as other sea lions hustle to get out of the way.

There's a lot of barking, and suddenly the big fella hops onto the wood platform, sending the other pinnipeds jostling for a new spot in the sun or diving back into the ...Read more

The U.S. Air Force agreed to buy an undisclosed number of interceptor drones from a company backed by President Donald Trump’s sons, according to the firm, deepening the military’s ties to defense contractors linked to the first family as the U.S. war with Iran enters its third month.

The West Palm Beach, Florida-based company, Powerus, ...Read more

BOISE, Idaho — A Canyon County woman with young kids was the victim in a recent alleged attempted murder case. But she didn’t have access to the Idaho Crime Victims Compensation Program, a state resource that can pay for help like counseling, because of her legal status, Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue said.

Instead, the Canyon County ...Read more

A new congressional map drawn by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to create four more Republican-leaning seats, and three of them will be whiter.

Staff for the governor repeatedly said they did not consider race when drawing the map, which legislators approved Wednesday. Officials said they did, however, consider partisan data.

The new ...Read more

CHICAGO — The man accused of fatally shooting a Chicago Police officer and critically wounding his partner concealed a gun through at least one search before he allegedly fired on the officers while inside Endeavor Swedish Hospital over the weekend, prosecutors said Thursday.

Cook County Judge D’Anthony Thedford ordered 26-year-old Alphanso...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — There was a swanky dinner in the basement of a Center City sushi restaurant, a parade with Mummers, a secret party with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and hundreds of cheering union members lined up at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philly’s stadium complex.

And it was all, basically, for one person.

Ken Martin, the chair of the ...Read more