COVID-19-related deaths top 6,600; jobless claims still high

BOSTON (AP) — The overall number of confirmed COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic climbed to 6,640 on Thursday as another 93 deaths were reported. The number of individuals in Massachusetts diagnosed with confirmed cases of COVID-19 closed in on 95,000 with 675 new cases...

Boston Marathon canceled for 1st time in 124-year history

BOSTON (AP) — Organizers canceled the Boston Marathon on Thursday for the first time in its history, bowing to the social distancing requirements of the coronavirus outbreak and ending a 124-year run that had persisted through two World Wars, a volcanic eruption and even another pandemic. The race, which...

Boston Marathon canceled; race had been postponed from April to Sept. 14 because of coronavirus pandemic

Buzz kill: Pot shops reopen, but some fear another shutdown

BOSTON (AP) — Marijuana shops in many states have enjoyed brisk business during the coronavirus pandemic. In New England? Not so much. Recreational shops reopened this week in Massachusetts with strict regulations after being ordered shut down the past two months. Now, some worry that state officials could...

Lawyer: Virus is halting progress in Boston kidnapping case

BOSTON (AP) — The case against a Rhode Island man accused of kidnapping and killing a Boston woman has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to his defense. Louis Coleman's public defenders requested for the case to return in 45 days during a teleconference with a federal judge Tuesday. ...

COVID-19 deaths top 6,500: Drop in ridership speeds repairs

BOSTON (AP) — COVID-19-related deaths at long-term care facilities in Massachusetts topped 4,000 on Wednesday, highlighting the terrible toll the virus has taken on the elderly and vulnerable. The overall number of confirmed COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic climbed to...

53-year-old tortoise left homeless by COVID-19 gets new home

A 53-year-old tortoise left homeless when its owner died of COVID-19 has been adopted by a loving new family. The tortoise, known as Ms. Jennifer, was put up for adoption last week by MSPCA-Angell, a Boston animal welfare organization. After widespread media coverage of her plight, the organization received more...

Field hospital suspends admissions; New COVID-19 cases fall

BOSTON (AP) — In another sign of progress in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus in Massachsuetts, a field hospital set up inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is suspending the admission of new patients. The field hospital, dubbed “Boston Hope,” was one a handful...

Virtual 7th-inning stretch brings ballpark feeling home

BOSTON (AP) — It’s 3 o’clock, about the time they'd be getting ready for the seventh-inning stretch at an afternoon Red Sox game. Josh Kantor settles onto the bench of the Yamaha Electone organ in his living room and clicks on his wife's iPhone to begin another show. Each afternoon since what...

Seniors awarded scholarships in honor of fallen officer

WEYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Two high school seniors in Massachusetts were awarded $10,000 scholarships on Memorial Day in honor of a police officer who was killed by a gunman in 2018. Matt Fuller, a senior at Weymouth High School, and Hanover High School senior Ronan Henderson received the scholarships during...