Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts lawmakers push “ghost gun” crackdown bill
Massachusetts state lawmakers on Wednesday filed joint legislation to amend state gun laws by cracking down on “ghost guns,” expanding the state’s red flag law and limiting dangerous individuals’ access to firearms.
The new bill, a compromise between the pending State House and State Senate bills, is likely to be approved by both chambers in a vote tomorrow. After that, it will appear on Democratic Governor Maura Healy’s desk to be signed into law.
The initial impetus for the legislation was the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, a case that expanded gun rights. The majority ruling in the case stated that both the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect an individual’s right to carry a gun for self-defense outside the home.
A joint collaboration between Massachusetts’ House and Senate was led by State Representative Michael Day and State Senator Cynthia Creem.
According to NBC Boston, Day and Creem said in a joint statement that the bill “delivers meaningfully on our promise to align our statutes with the challenges gun violence poses to our communities today and incorporates the perspectives of firearm owners, law enforcement, community leaders and those impacted directly by gun violence.”
AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Newsweek reached out to Day and Creem for comment via email on Wednesday.
The proposed bill is hard on “ghost guns,” which are largely untraceable, privately made firearms from different non-serialized and often mixed and matched parts. These weapons pose a significant safety concern, with nearly 38,000 ghost guns recovered since 2017, although that number is likely an underestimate given their untraceable nature.
A summary of the legislation obtained by NBC shows that the bill would require all firearms to be serialized and would impose new penalties for the possession, creation and transfer of the so-called “ghost guns.”
House Speaker Ronald Marino issued a statement ahead of Thursday’s vote, saying: “While the Commonwealth’s existing gun laws have proven to be effective in preventing gun violence compared to other states, relative success is never a cause for complacency.”
Newsweek reached out to Mariano for comment via email on Wednesday. Newsweek also reached out to Senate President Karen Spilka for comment via email on Wednesday.
Additionally, the bill is set to expand the state’s red flag law by authorizing health care professionals and others to petition a court to suspend an individual’s right to firearm possession.
The legislation also forbids carrying firearms in public spaces like government buildings, polling places and schools, with exemptions for law enforcement members. It would also require people applying for a firearm license to pass a basic safety exam and live fire training.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Massachusetts
The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25
No other city in the country boasts more championships than Boston, giving Massachusetts a sporting pedigree unlike any other.
What’s unique about many of the state is that several of the stars from those championship-winning teams were Massachusetts natives.
Before they were winning the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, World Series or a gold medal, those athletes were high school standouts.
Which high schools in Massachusetts are considered the best for athletes today?
According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for “reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school”—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.
25. Hanover High School
Total number of sports: 29
24. Tewksbury Memorial High School
Total number of sports: 24
23. Medfield Senior High School
Total number of sports: 27
22. North Reading High School
Total number of sports: 26
21. Cushing Academy (Ashburnham)
Total number of sports: 20
20. Minnechaug Regional High School (Wilbraham)
Total number of sports: 30
19. Franklin High School
Total number of sports: 20
18. Shrewsbury Senior High School
Total number of sports: 34
17. Longmeadow High School
Total number of sports: 28
16. Bishop Feehan High School (Attleboro)
Total number of sports: 27
15. Wellesley Senior High School
Total number of sports: 36
14. Mansfield High School
Total number of sports: 22
13. Billerica Memorial High School
Total number of sports: 23
12. St. Sebastian’s School (Needham)
Total number of sports: 13
11. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
Total number of sports: 32
10. Deerfield Academy
Total number of sports: 37
9. Nashoba Regional High School (Bolton)
Total number of sports: 30
8. Belmont Hill School
Total number of sports: 16
7. Duxbury High School
Total number of sports: 30
6. Notre Dame Academy (Hingham)
Total number of sports: 19
5. Central Catholic High School (Lawrence)
Total number of sports: 30
4. Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury)
Total number of sports: 15
3. Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood)
Total number of sports: 17
2. Boston College High School
Total number of sports: 17
1. St. John’s Prep (Danvers)
Total number of sports: 22
Massachusetts
Family of fallen Massachusetts State Trooper attends ceremony remembering those killed in the line of duty – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
BOSTON (WHDH) – It was a powerful moment on Friday during the annual Law-Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the State House, as the ceremony remembered those lost in the line of duty, including State Trooper Kevin Trainor.
Trainor was killed in a wrong-way crash this week. Trainor’s family was in attendance.
“We’re here today with the Trainor family as another tragedy and agonizing time in policing has found us,” Larry Calderone, Boston Police Union President, said.
The day brought a moment to pause and remember the 30-year-old who is being hailed a hero after he was struck and killed Wednesday morning on Route 1 in Lynnfield.
“We’ve lost a brother,” Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said.
The fallen trooper’s fiancée spoke out for the first time since losing the love of her life. She posted to social media, “I am beyond proud of the amount of love you have been given by those who loved and cared about you shows us who you really were, a friend, a partner, a brother, a son, and a hero. You weren’t just a hero to me but a hero to all.”
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Massachusetts
Globe Top 20 baseball poll: BC High bounces back amid a flurry of movement – The Boston Globe
Bishop Feehan moves up to the No. 2 spot — the Shamrocks have won eight straight against in-state competition, and ace Brody Bumila continues to look unbeatable. Natick enters the top five for the first time at No. 4 — the Redhawks are 12-1 with a 9-0 mark in Bay State play.
In the back half, Reading rises to No. 13 after getting some revenge on No. 19 Arlington. Also rising are No. 12 Plymouth North and No. 16 Canton, each up two spots.
New entrants are No. 18 Winchester, which returns to the rankings, and No. 20 Hopkinton, in for the first time this year on the back of four straight wins.
Records based on scores reported to the Globe.
The Globe’s Top 20 baseball poll
The Globe poll as of May 8, 2026. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.
Mike Puzzanghera can be reached at michael.puzzanghera@globe.com. Follow him on X @mpuzzanghera.
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