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Massachusetts House approves bill to boost renewable energy efforts
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House on Wednesday approved a bill that would help boost the state’s reliance on renewable energy, in part by streamlining the state and local permitting process for projects that shift the state away from using fossil fuels. The bill’s approval comes just weeks after the Massachusetts Senate approved its own bill to help the state meet its climate goals, including reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Democratic Speaker Ronald Mariano said the House bill aims to increase the supply of clean energy through new renewable energy projects, more storage capacity and streamlined permitting. The House measure would consolidate both state and local permitting and set 12- to 15-month limits for considering all final permitting decisions, echoing language in the Senate bill.
Blade collapse, New York launch and New Jersey research show uneven progress of offshore wind
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Three events Wednesday highlighted the uneven progress of the offshore wind industry in the Northeast, including the start of a major project in New York, research aimed at preventing environmental damage in New Jersey, and a temporary shutdown of a wind farm in Massachusetts after a broken turbine blade washed ashore on a famous beach. The federal government ordered a wind farm operator off the coast of Nantucket in Massachusetts to suspend operations while cleanup continues after a wind turbine blade fell into the water, broke apart, and washed up on beaches at the popular vacation spot. Vineyard Wind said Wednesday that it has removed 17 cubic yards of debris, enough to fill more than six truckloads, along with several larger pieces that washed ashore. The debris was mostly non-toxic fiberglass fragments ranging in size from small pieces to larger sections, typically green or white. Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, bolstered its beach patrols to 35 people looking for and removing debris.
State funding sought for life sciences training in Roxbury
$50 million in state funding for life sciences training in Nubian Square hangs in the balance of legislative negotiations on an economic development bill. The partial funding for a $200 million development on the Blair parking lot was in the Massachusetts House version of the bill approved last month. The amendment was sponsored by Representatives John Moran of the South End and Chynah Tyler of Roxbury, who each represent sections of the square.
MSPCA running fare-free dog “adoptathon” this week
Want a free furry friend? You're in luck. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is running a statewide dog adoption event from July 15 to 21. This event will be “fare free,” meaning it will cost nothing to adopt a new four-legged friend.
Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Teams with Othram to Identify a 2020 John Doe
In April 2020, the remains of an unidentified individual were found on the shoreline of Revere Beach in Revere, Massachusetts. Revere is located 5 miles northeast of Boston. Investigators responded to the scene where they determined that the remains were that of a male. The man was between the ages of 50 and 70 years old, stood approximately 5’11” tall, and weighed 182 pounds. At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a black sweatshirt, a red and blue shirt, denim pants, and a pair of blue socks and white socks. No other identifying clues were available.
17 Local Firefighters Graduate from Firefighting Academy
Springfield— State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership today announced the graduation of 17 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. “Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State...
Massachusetts certifies four ballot questions on standardized testing, state legislature audits, transportation network drivers, and psychedelic substances
Secretary of State William Galvin (D) announced that four of the five initiatives that submitted verified signatures on July 3 had qualified for the ballot. The initiatives address standardized testing for graduate high school; auditing the state legislature; unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers; and providing regulated access to certain psychedelic substances.
How the mission-driven Gran Cocina is cultivating culinary aspirations in Holyoke
HOLYOKE — The Gran Cocina, at 112 High St. in Holyoke, is a space where people get cooking — and not just on today’s meals. The nonprofit is an incubator where emerging food businesses can cultivate their culinary aspirations. Gran Cocina provides an affordable and accessible cooking...
NEML welcomes new director of youth services
The NorthEast-Millerton Library bid a fond farewell on Tuesday, July 9 to Youth Services Director Lynn Buckley while welcoming her replacement, Naomi Schmidt. No stranger to the world of young ones enjoying their library time, Schmidt spent five years as the director of children’s programming at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.
VIDEO: Social Media Destroyed Former NBA Star Sam Cassell For Getting Extra Handsy With Angel Reese At NBA Summer League Game
Angel Reese was third-wheeling on Monday night, having attended an NBA Summer League fixture between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics on Monday night. The former LSU star was pulled up with former Chicago Sky teammate Kysre Gondrezick and Celtics superstar guard Jaylen Brown and, at several points, was the center of attention. It’s why her interaction with former NBA point guard and current Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell wasn’t missed.
Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative Awarded Cultural Facilities Grant
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative (BFMC) has been awarded a $200,000 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) Capital Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and Mass Development. BFMC will use this grant to begin build drawings for the new international film education center proposed for the north...
Motorcycle crash leaves 75-year-old seriously injured
LUDLOW, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Mass State Police are investigating a major crash that took place on Wednesday afternoon involving a 75-year-old motorcycle driver on Route 90 westbound in Ludlow. Due to the severity of the injuries, the Massachusetts State Police Crash Reconstruction and Crime Scene Services Units responded to the...
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