Northeast
Massachusetts resident condemns right-to-shelter law turning Bay State into 'destination for migrants'
Massachusetts residents are up in arms over the effect a unique state law has had on the burgeoning migrant crisis there, one Bay Stater told Fox News on Wednesday.
The resident, Paul Diego Craney, said the law has turned Massachusetts into a beacon for those flooding across the Mexican border thousands of miles away.
“In Massachusetts, anyone that steps foot here, if you’ve been here for 20 years or for 20 minutes, you do have some benefits. And one of them is called a right-to-shelter,” he said. ” And what that basically means is the taxpayers are mandated to pay for your shelter.”
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Migrants are being sheltered at Logan Airport Terminal E overnight. (David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty )
That fact has led to the migrant influx “exploding,” he said, noting that illegal immigrats who were housed at Edward Logan International Airport are now being moved to a recreation center in Boston’s Roxbury section – to the chagrin of some local residents.
“We are becoming a destination for migrants,” he said. “And as a result, our shelter system; our welfare system is stretched beyond thin. And it’s becoming pretty much a disaster,” Craney added.
Craney said the state government has announced it is spending about $1 billion per year on the migrant crisis alone, in part due to the law.
Since its passage in 1983 as a high-profile campaign promise of then-Gov. Michael Dukakis, Massachusetts’ right-to-shelter law remains the only one at the state level in the nation. New York City has a similar statute; only confined to the five boroughs.
Craney said MassFiscal Alliance, for which he is a spokesman, polled Bay Staters and found many oppose how the right-to-shelter law is exacerbating the migrant situation, and additionally that a plurality do not support the Healey administration’s suggestion that residents consider taking migrants in as wards of their homes.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said last August that if people “have an extra room or suite in your home, please consider hosting a family,” according to Boston’s FOX affiliate.
During last month’s inauguration of local officials in Pittsfield, three hours west of Boston, Gov. Maura Healey further admitted the state may have to look to the far-flung Berkshires to house migrants seeking emergency shelter in other areas, according to local reports.
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On “America Reports,” Craney said 53% of those his group polled said taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for migrant shelter in that regard, and that the crisis is a “big problem” for Healey.
Last year, then-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized Healey’s erstwhile support for sanctuary city-type policy while serving as state attorney general in 2017, after she eventually declared a state of emergency regarding the migrant crisis in the fall as governor.
“Now, the donor class that pulls the strings in both parties has decided it’s now inside the Overton Window to actually complain about the southern border,” he told Fox News in August.
Craney said it seems too much cash is being spent on the problem without proper reforms being addressed, adding most people are compassionate to migrants’ hardships, but that such emotion can’t itself address the “unsustainable” crisis.
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For her part, Healey wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas following her emergency declaration, saying migrants had been drawn to the state because of its position as a “beacon to those in need,” and urged reforms to “punitive immigration laws” and work authorization policies as well as a call for more financial assistance for states.
Meanwhile, a local Roxbury resident condemned the use of the neighborhood rec center as a migrant shelter for those being moved from Logan, telling Fox News earlier this year that the largely minority community has called for proper resources and upgrades to public property and has now only seen action on behalf of the migrants.
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A bird that most people never see outside of pictures was found under a car in Pennsylvania, animal experts said.
The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County said in a Facebook post on Friday that an albino cardinal was found under a car.
The nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington Borough said it received a call from a woman who found a white bird under her car that appeared to be injured. The bird was also trying to drink water from beneath the vehicle. The post said that due to the dangerous heat wave, it has been admitting any distressed or unusually behaving animals for examinations.
When Raven Ridge Wildlife Center’s team arrived at the scene, they said they were “instantly taken aback.”
“Our eyes widened and our jaws dropped as we realized we were witnessing a rare occurrence that most people never see outside of pictures. This was a fledgling albino cardinal,” the Facebook post said.
The chances of seeing an albino cardinal are “extremely low,” the center said, adding that albino cardinals are considered one of the rarest bird sightings. Estimates suggest that seeing any cardinal displaying white feathers is about 1 in 30,000, the center said.
“True albino cardinals, which lack all pigmentation, are even rarer,” the center said.
What is the albino cardinal?
The albino cardinal’s rarity is due to a genetic mutation that causes a lack of melanin, resulting in its distinctive white plumage and reddish-pink eyes, officials said.
According to the center’s Facebook post, albino cardinals face “significant” survival challenges due to their “conspicuous coloration,” which makes it difficult to evade predators. The animal’s lack of melanin can also lead to poor vision.
Raven Ridge Wildlife Center rescued the bird, which will remain in captivity because its chances of surviving in the wild are “slim.”
“What an amazing opportunity for our team to see and care for this beautiful Cardinal,” the Facebook post concluded with.
The state is in a drought watch for the first time since 2002
Americans face dangerous heat wave ahead of July 4 weekend
A dangerous heat wave is sweeping over the East Coast, with the worst conditions coming as millions prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July outdoors.
Concerns about the supply of fresh water are growing as Governor Dan McKee declared a drought watch on Wednesday and outdoor water use has been banned in some communities.
Westerly announced a ban on Friday, July 3, a few days after bans were implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.
On Wednesday, July 1, McKee issued a statewide drought watch on the recommendation of the state’s Drought Steering Committee, his office announced. It is the first drought watch for the state since 2002.
The watch followed an advisory last month, his office said. According to McKee’s office, a watch is the second of the following four progressive drought declarations: advisory, watch, warning and emergency.
According to McKee’s office, the committee recommended the watch based on “prolonged precipitation deficits extending back to June 2025, record-breaking low and steadily worsening stream flows, and rapidly declining groundwater levels across the state, with increasing dry conditions heading into the months of highest water demand.”
Summer brings highest demand for water
McKee said, “While our water supply is designed to withstand some level of drought, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the current conditions. As we head into the summer, which is the highest-demand season for water use, we strongly encourage residents and businesses to implement conservation measures now.”
Meredith Brady, chair of the Drought Steering Committee, said, “Rhode Island has received 13 inches less precipitation over the past 12 months than expected in an average year, which is having a profound impact on our groundwater aquifers.”
She said groundwater reservoir and streamflow patterns are at levels typically seen in August, not June.
Rhode Island is in its first heat wave of the season and under an extreme heat warning until 8 p.m. July 4. The Providence area had just 2.38 inches of rain in June, well below the normal of 3.81 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain is possible late Sunday into Tuesday
The heat wave should end Sunday, and the region could see some “much needed rain” late Sunday through Tuesday, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
Westerly enacted an emergency water ban on the use of all residential outdoor water use because of drought conditions and increased water use because of the heat, the town said.
“Prohibited activities include the watering of lawns, filling of pools, and washing of vehicles, homes or decks,” the town said in announcing the ban on Friday, July 3.
The ban is in effect until further notice, the town said.
Westerly is asking for cooperation but will watch for violators
The town said it’s “asking all residents and visitors for their cooperation in this effort to restore critical water levels within our system.”
But it added that town staff will monitor all parts of town for violations, and those who violate that ban will be subject to penalties and fines.
The Westerly restriction comes three days after a ban was implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water system customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.
“A mandatory ban is currently in effect on all outdoor water use until further notice,” the water company said. “This watering ban is being enacted in response to current drought conditions in Rhode Island, and to protect our aquifer from depletion. The ban will help ensure sufficient water reserves remain available for fire protection and essential customer needs. We ask our customers to please use water wisely.”
On Thursday, July 2, the day before implementing the ban, Westerly said it had been “aware of some concerns over low water pressure in some areas of town.”
At that point, it said town officials were “evaluating the potential need to initiate an odd/even water ban.”
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Four Burlington beaches are temporarily closed to swimmers because of cyanobacteria.
North, Texaco, Blodgett and Blanchard beaches are affected.
The beaches themselves remain open, but swimming is prohibited until cyanobacteria levels drop.
Click here for the latest updates on Burlington’s Beach Closure Tracker.
You can also check the state’s Cyanobacteria Tracker for reported conditions along Lake Champlain and various inland lakes in Vermont. The map shows where cyanobacteria blooms have been reported recently, but it can’t tell you the current conditions at your favorite swimming area.
Blue-green algae has frequently foiled swimmers in our region in recent years, repeatedly forcing officials to temporarily close beaches.
The blooms are typically blue-green in color, and can make water look like pea soup or spilled paint. They feed off nutrients in the lake and can produce harmful toxins.
Exposure can pose serious health risks like skin rashes, sore throats and stomach problems. They can also be toxic to dogs and other animals.
Copyright 2026 WCAX. All rights reserved.
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