Lowell, MA
Schools
Haverhill Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA Haverhill Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA
Haverhill Teacher Lied About Having Purple Heart, College Degrees: DA A Massachusetts teacher was arrested after police said she lied about her college education and military past for years to get a job in public schools, authorities said.  Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested Friday, June 6, and faces 21 charges linked to her work in Haverhill schools, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said. She was being held on a $25,000 bond.  Prosecutors say Lagasse falsely claimed she had both undergraduate and graduate degrees. She also allegedly told employers that she was a decorated US military veteran and Purple Heart recipient — none of w…

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by Josh Lanier
Arlington, VA
Business
New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout
New Jobless Claims Climb To Eight-Month High Amid Trump Tariff Fallout Unemployment claims rose to their highest level in eight months, with more workers across the Northeast filing for benefits as President Donald Trump's tariffs fuel economic uncertainty. The number of new application filings for unemployment benefits jumped to 247,000 in the week ending Saturday, May 31, according to Labor Department data released on Thursday, June 5. That's the largest number of new claims since early October 2024 and above the 237,000 forecasted by analysts, the Associated Press reported. Initial claims increased by 8,000 from the week ending Saturday, May 24. The fo…

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by Chris Spiker
Hartford, CT
Business
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark A private equity giant is buying a hot chicken restaurant chain that grew from a parking lot to an international brand that's very popular on TikTok. Roark Capital has purchased a majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken, the restaurant said in a news release on Monday, June 2. Dave's said the sale will help the Los Angeles-based chain grow to more than 400 restaurants worldwide by the end of 2025. The company said it'll remain committed to delivering an "exceptional experience" for customers, employees, and franchise partners. "This is one of the great entrepreneurial journeys …

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by Chris Spiker
Albany, NY
Business
45 Sickened, 16 Hospitalized As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States 45 Sickened, 16 Hospitalized As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States
45 Sickened, 16 Hospitalized As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States A Salmonella outbreak linked to a cucumber producer has now expanded to 18 states with 45 illnesses and 16 hospitalizations now reported. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new recall for Bedner Growers cucumbers on Friday, May 30.  The recalled cucumbers, grown in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, were shipped to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service dealers from Tuesday, April 29, to Monday, May 19. The products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains." Target had issued…

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by Joe Lombardi
Hartford, CT
Business
Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List
Big Lots Reopening 78 Stores As Retailer Finishes Bankruptcy Comeback: See The Full List Dozens of more Big Lots stores will reopen, finishing a nationwide comeback months after the discount chain filed for bankruptcy. Big Lots will open 78 stores on Wednesday, June 5, the company said in a news release on Friday, May 30. The chain began reopening locations in April after it was purchased by Variety Wholesalers in December 2024. After this wave of reopenings, Big Lots will have 219 stores back in business in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South. Nine stores were the first to open on Thursday, April 10, and 132 locations joined in May. Big Lots said its reop…

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by Chris Spiker
Bedford, MA
Police & Fire
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ A doctor at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center is facing federal charges after investigators say they found child sexual abuse material on his personal devices, including a phone inside his VA office, authorities said.  Dr. Sven Knudsen Ljaamo, 70, has been indicted on two federal charges: one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Authorities say they were tipped off when over 100 files of suspected child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Ljaamo’s Google account. During questio…

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by Josh Lanier
Newton, MA
Sports
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi'
David Ortiz Launches New Rum Available In MA: See What Inspired 'Big Papi' "Big Papi" is taking a big swing with a new spirit that has deep roots in his native Dominican Republic. Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz officially launched Ozama Rum, according to a news release on Wednesday, May 28. The Baseball Hall-of-Famer also hosted pre-launch parties with distributors and influencers in Boston, Miami, New York City, and Santo Domingo. The premium liquor is made entirely in the Dominican Republic using 100% local sugarcane. The rum is aged for at least one year in oak barrels before being bottled locally and labeled with the official "Ron Dominicano" label. The th…

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by Chris Spiker
Cambridge, MA
Business
J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Bank In Cambridge To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (PHOTOS) J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Bank In Cambridge To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (PHOTOS)
J.P. Morgan Opening Luxury Bank In Cambridge To Attract Wealthy Clients: Look Inside (Photos) JPMorganChase is catering to wealthier clients with more than a dozen high-end financial centers, including some in the Northeast. The banking giant will open 14 new J.P. Morgan Financial Centers throughout the last week of May, according to a news release on Tuesday, May 27. The luxury banks will be in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Florida. JPMorgan opened two locations in 2024 and plans to reach a total of 31 by the end of 2026. "Through these financial centers, we are redefining how affluent clients are served, offering a highly personalized level of service that is back…

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by Chris Spiker
Montgomery Village, MD
Schools
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department In a decisive legal ruling, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education, mandating the reinstatement of employees who were terminated.  US District Judge Myong Joun of Massachusetts said the department cannot be shut down without Congressional approval. In his injunction, Joun also told the administration to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced on Tuesday, March 11, "to restore the Department to the status quo." President Trump issued an executive order on Thursda…

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by Joe Lombardi
Amherst, MA
Lifestyle
These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals
These Are Top 10 Most, Least Obese States, Study Reveals A new nationwide analysis is shedding light on how states compare when it comes to a major public health challenge, and the results show striking geographic patterns. The report from U.S. News reveals which states are most affected by obesity and which are faring better — a factor that plays a critical role in overall health rankings. The data is part of the 2025 Best States rankings. It is based on self-reported obesity rates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments. Obesi…

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by Joe Lombardi
Foxborough, MA
Lifestyle
See How Much Each Song Really Costs At 2025's Biggest Concerts, According To Study See How Much Each Song Really Costs At 2025's Biggest Concerts, According To Study
See How Much Each Song Really Costs At 2025's Biggest Concerts, According To Study If you're heading to a summer concert, you might be paying more than ever – not just for the ticket, but for each song you hear. GigaCalculator released a new study about the economics of 2025's biggest tours. The mathematics website tried to find out what fans are actually paying per song and per minute. Concert ticket prices have jumped 45% over the past five years, causing the value of each minute and song to rise. "While fans debate whether concerts are worth the splurge, the numbers expose exactly what you're getting for your hard-earned cash – and it's not a great look for some …

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by Chris Spiker
New Haven, CT
Business
Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Closures, Including In New Haven County Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Closures, Including In New Haven County
Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Closures, Including In New Haven County Walgreens announced this past fall that it will close about 1,200 stores over three years amid a decline in prescription drug payments and a rise in online competition. About 500 of those closures will be in 2025. Now, the locations of some of the specific stores slated to go out of business are emerging and being posted at walgreens.com. Connecticut East Hartford, 922 Silver Lane: Permanently closing on Tuesday, May 20. East Haven, 157 Main Street: Permanently closing on Thursday, May 22. New Britain, 1350 Stanley Street: Permanently closing on Monday, May 19. New Milford, 173 Danbury R…

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by Joe Lombardi