GLOUCESTER - The greasy pole competition kicks off Friday at St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester.Participants scamper across a greased 45-foot telephone pole that juts out over the ocean, trying to grab a flag at the end."It is not uncommon for these daring individuals to come away with scrapes, bruises or even broken ribs," organizers say.Last year's champion, Colin Sweet, said it was a "dream come true" to conquer the pole. As is tradition, he was paraded around on the shoulders of fellow competitors, waving his victory flag. The contest takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Pavilion Beach. In recent years, videos...

BOSTON -- The Bruins will have their attention on the NHL Draft this weekend, but after all the picks are made, Boston's focus will shift to free agency. With seven unrestricted free agents and roughly $23 million to spend, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney figures to be a busy man this offseason.Sweeney spoke with reporters in Las Vegas on Thursday, and believes that all seven of Boston's UFAs will hit the open market come Monday. He also sounds like he is bracing to lose one of the team's most productive forwards this offseason in Jake DeBrusk.Sweeney said there has been...

DEDHAM - The Karen Read verdict watch took a turn Friday when the jury told the judge they can't agree on a verdict. But Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone told them to go back to their deliberations.Karen Read jury note to judgeJust before noon, the jury sent Judge Cannone a note saying, "Despite our exhaustive review of the evidence and our diligent consideration of all disputed evidence, we have been unable to reach a unanimous verdict."The judge called attorneys for both sides into the courtroom for a brief meeting. "This note arrived with less than three hours of deliberations today," Cannone...

BOSTON - This year, many communities across Massachusetts are holding fireworks displays for July 4.If you know of a confirmed fireworks display in the area that is not listed, please email newstips@cbsboston.com.  Check the latest NEXT Weather forecast here.FraminghamJune 28Farm Pond ParkDuskMashpeeJune 28Mashpee Middle/High SchoolDuskWorcesterJune 28Cristoforo Columbo Park9:30 p.m.BraintreeJune 29Braintree High School9:30 p.m.HalifaxJune 29Halifax Elementary SchoolDuskPepperellJune 29Varnum Brook Elementary SchoolDuskWilmingtonJune 29 and 30Town Common9 p.m. June 29, 9:30 p.m. June 30CantonJune 30Irish Cultural Center9 p.m.EverettJune 30Glendale Park9:30 p.m.CohassetJuly 2Sandy BeachDuskFoxboroJuly 2Patriot Place9:15 p.m.OrleansJuly 2Rock HarborDuskFitchburgJuly 3Rollstone Hill9 p.m.GloucesterJuly 3Stage Fort Park9:30 p.m.LynnJuly 3King's Beach9 p.m.Manchester-by-the-SeaJuly 3Singing BeachDuskNeedhamJuly 3Memorial ParkDuskRutlandJuly 3Memorial Field9:20 p.m.SharonJuly 3Lake Massapoag9:15 p.m.SwampscottJuly 3Swampscott Town HallDuskWalpoleJuly 3Town Center9:30 p.m.WebsterJuly 3Memorial BeachDuskWeymouthJuly 3George Lane Beach9:30 p.m.FreetownJuly 3Hathaway Park9:30 p.m.ActonJuly 4Nara Park9:30 p.m.AmesburyJuly 4Woodsom Farm8:30 p.m.BeverlyJuly 4West Beach9 p.m.BostonJuly 4Charles River Esplanade10:30 p.m.BridgewaterJuly 4Legion Field9:30 p.m.BrooklineJuly 4Charles River Esplanade10:30 p.m.CambridgeJuly 4Charles River Esplanade10:30 p.m.EdgartownJuly 4Edgartown HarborDuskFalmouthJuly 4Falmouth Heights BeachDuskMarbleheadJuly 4Marblehead Harbor9:15 p.m.NantucketJuly 4Jetties Beach9 p.m.NewtonJuly 4Albemarle Field9:10 p.m.PlymouthJuly 4Pilgrim Memorial State Park9:15 p.m.ProvincetownJuly 4Provincetown HarborDuskSalemJuly 4Derby Wharf9:30 p.m.SalisburyJuly 4Salisbury Beach10:15 p.m.WinthropJuly 4Coughlin Park9:15 p.m.LowellJuly 4LeLacheur Park9 p.m.WakefieldJuly 4Lake Quannapowitt9:30 p.m.LexingtonJuly 5Center Field Track9:30 p.m.FranklinJuly 6Franklin High School10 p.m.UxbridgeJuly 6McCloskey Field9 p.m.MarionJuly 6Silvershell BeachDuskOakhamJuly 7Lake DeanDuskGrotonJuly 8Town FieldDusk

BOSTON - In addition to the last weekend of Pride Month, communities in Massachusetts are celebrating Homecoming Day and getting a head start on July 4 with some fireworks!Bellingham PrideFestThe 2024 PrideFest takes place on Saturday in Bellingham. With crafters, vendors, fresh food and lots of activities, it's a day of community everyone can get in on! The fun happens on the town common from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.When: Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Where: Bellingham Town Common, Mendon Street and Thayer Road, BellinghamCost: Items available for purchaseClick here for more information2024 Mashpee Community PicnicMashpee's annual...

The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global.BOSTON - President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump each had an obvious goal coming into Thursday night's debate, their first presidential debate of 2024.For Trump, it was to avoid the clownish behavior and constant interruptions that backfired on him so badly four years ago. And while the fact-checkers will have a field day with his usual parade of boasts and whoppers, for the most part he accomplished his mission. Trump's delivery was crisp and forceful, however dubious the rhetoric.For President Biden, job number...

BOSTON - As the jury in the Karen Read murder trial gathers for its third day of deliberations, we asked the question, "does deliberation time predict a verdict?"Judge Jack Lu retired following nearly two decades on the bench. He's seen a jury or two in his time. "I wouldn't want to be one of the fools to think they know what is going to happen," said Lu. "They have really tight jury security, and nobody knows in Massachusetts, I will only speak of where I am, nobody knows what's going on in that jury room." Lu said you can often...

Washington — In the first moments of Thursday's debate, President Biden stumbled as he flubbed some early lines as his voice appeared ready to give out, while sources said he was suffering from a cold.  Mr. Biden's voice never recovered throughout the 90-minute debate against former President Donald Trump — deflating chances of convincing Americans through his debate performance that at age 81, he's healthy enough to serve another four-year term in the White House. A CBS News poll earlier this month found that only a third of voters think Mr. Biden has the cognitive ability to be president, compared...

Here's the fact check of some of the statements made by President Biden and former President Donald Trump during the first 2024 presidential debate, which took place in Atlanta last night on Thursday, June 27. The two tangled on topics including immigration, the economy, abortion and their respective records. Mr. Biden seemed to ramble during many of his responses.CBS News covered the debate live as it happened. Trump claims "we had the greatest economy in the history of our country": FalseTrump: "We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. And we have never done so well. Every- everybody was...

BOSTON -- The Celtics did not ruin the NBA Draft plans of the Los Angeles Lakers and take Bronny James at No. 54 on Thursday. Boston instead drafted Anton Watson out of Gonzaga with their second-round selection, adding a versatile defensive wing to the mix.As expected, Bronny James was drafted by the Lakers at No. 55. The 6-foot-8 Watson played five seasons at Gonzaga and will likely be a two-way player for the Celtics, potentially spending his rookie season developing in Maine. But he has the defensive versatility to guard NBA bigs and hold his own against guards, so the 23-year-old...

BOSTON - Boston's first Black-owned art gallery has opened in the city's Seaport neighborhood."It really is an effort to have the Seaport reflect the rich cultural background of the city," said Tavares Brewington, the founder of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab Street2Ivy. Brewington, along with creative agency Street Theory Collective, opened Blckchip Gallery on Thursday.Focusing on lesser known artists"It'll be a place where we display artists, focused on lesser known Black and Brown artists," said Brewington.The Seaport is a significant location for the artists and their artwork. Brewington said the paint, color and canvases contribute to the fabric of the neighborhood."It'll...

DEDHAM - Karen Read's supporters have been outside Norfolk Superior Court throughout the entire trial, with many more gathering during deliberations this week. On Thursday, the signs, the pink, and the lawn chairs were still there, but the mood was more mellow from her supporters. The jury has been deliberating since Tuesday afternoon. Many thought a verdict would be in the books by now. "Trying to stay hopeful"   "Anxious," said Kevin Colby, a Read supporter. "We want to see a verdict and like most of us surprised why it's taking so long."Read is charged with second-degree murder in...

DEDHAM - No verdict was reached in the Karen Read murder trial after the second full day of deliberations on Thursday. There were no questions from the jury, as her supporters remained camped outside the courthouse in beach chairs waiting. Read is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe. Her defense attorneys argued she is the victim of an elaborate cover-up. The jury has been deliberating since Tuesday afternoon after closing arguments. The Free Karen Read crowd in pink had hoped for a quick verdict. Legal experts say it's telling...

BOSTON - A new study out of Harvard Business School shows reason for more women managers in the workplace.Lack of communication between managers and their employees can lead to poor productivity and customer dissatisfaction. However, the study found female managers are better equipped to build rapport among mixed-gender teams, leading to better organizational performance and greater employee retention.Researchers at Harvard Business School analyzed data from a fast-food chain in Colombia. They found that cisgender men managed other men well and cisgender women managed other women well, but when the staff was mixed, women "outshined" the men when it came to rapport, by creating optimal schedules, looking out for the workers' interests, and discussing and reaching goals.They say women are poorly represented at the management level in almost every industry, and this study provides additional evidence that giving more women opportunities to lead can improve productivity.

BOSTON - As deliberations continue in the murder trial of Karen Read, a former juror from another high-profile court case in Massachusetts shared with WBZ-TV what the experience was like.The longer jury deliberations go on, the more the crowd of court watchers outside Norfolk County Superior Court wonders what's going on in the jury room."We're just hopeful, it's coming," said Janice Creeden."Just hope that we get a verdict today," said Wendy Brisson."Very, very emotional"Those who've served on juries for high-profile cases understand why jurors are taking their time. "It changed my life, and I think about it often," said Janet...

BOSTON - Suffolk University is buying a downtown building that's home to a popular Boston bar and plans to add housing for nearly 300 students.The school said Wednesday it closed a deal to buy 101 Tremont St along the Freedom Trail. On the ground floor of the 11-story building is the Beantown Pub, which has been in business since 1999.The pub will continue to operate in its current location, Suffolk says.Turning office space into housingThe Boston Globe reported that offices at 101 Tremont have gone mostly unused since the COVID pandemic spurred a shift to remote work. The city has...

NORTH ATTLEBORO - The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down late Wednesday night in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.No one was hurt during the tornado.Where the tornado touched down in New EnglandA tornado-warned system brought damage starting in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The tornado then moved through Cumberland, Rhode Island and ended in North Attleboro. The NWS said the tornado reached a maximum intensity of around 100 mph.The tornado reached a maximum width of about 100 yards.Large trees were uprooted in Rhode Island. As the tornado crossed into Massachusetts, it snapped and uprooted trees and eventually lifted in the...

BOSTON -- Baylor Scheierman worked out with the Boston Celtics two years ago when he was considering going pro, but decided to stay in college and improve his game. He developed into an even better player in his two years at Creighton, and on Wednesday night, his dream of becoming an NBA player became a reality when the Celtics drafted him with the final pick of the first round in the 2024 NBA Draft.Scheierman now gets a chance to join the defending NBA champions, and is excited to bring his energy and shooting touch to Boston. He spoke with the...

Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018, the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday. The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by the ACLU of Vermont on behalf of Gregory Bombard, of St. Albans. It says Bombard's First Amendment rights were violated after an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest in 2018.Trooper Jay Riggen stopped Bombard's vehicle in St. Albans on Feb. 9, 2018, because he believed Bombard had shown him the middle...

When was the last time you did laundry and thought to yourself, "Wouldn't it be great if...?" Well, the folks at LG and other major appliance brands have been thinking the same thing. They've been tweaking the designs of their newest washers to make them more accessible, smarter and more energy efficient. The latest LG washers can even sense the type of fabrics you want to clean and then adjust settings and detergent amounts.Some of the latest machines also offer faster washing times (often under 30 minutes), remote control via your smartphone -- even a new concave front on top-loading...