Northeast
Karen Read defense floats theory that ‘jealous’ Brian Higgins fought John O’Keefe before death
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Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe’s 2022 death could have been the result of a violent love triangle involving an ATF agent and his girlfriend, suspected killer Karen Read, who began texting each other just weeks before he was last seen alive, her defense posited on Monday inside a courtroom in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Read, now 45, is accused of killing her 46-year-old boyfriend, a Boston police officer, on Jan. 29, 2022. Police allege she hit him with the rear end of her Lexus SUV and drove off, incapacitating him and leaving him to die during a blizzard.
Read has pleaded not guilty and denied striking O’Keefe at all through her attorneys.
“You were just asked about your opinion whether or not there was a motive that you found for Brian Higgins to want to murder John O’Keefe,” defense attorney Alan Jackson asked Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik of the Massachusetts State Police. “I’m asking you a different question. Did you, in your mind, in your opinion, after having read those texts, find a motive for Brian Higgins, perhaps want to confront John O’Keefe because of jealousy?”
KAREN READ TRIAL REVEALS FLIRTY TEXT MESSAGES WITH ATF AGENT BEHIND BOYFRIEND’S BACK
Judge Beverly J. Cannone listens to the testimony of Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik of the Massachusetts State Police during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, May 12, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe via AP/Pool)
“If you’re asking for my opinion, my opinion is that he wouldn’t need to confront Mr. O’Keefe,” Bukhenik said. “Mr. O’Keefe was not the one pursuing Mr. Higgins. It was your client that was pursuing Mr. Higgins.”
On Friday, Jackson had Bukhenik read through a lengthy string of texts between Read and Higgins exchanged in the weeks before O’Keefe’s death, where they flirted, invited one another over, discussed a kiss outside O’Keefe’s house and frequently brought up heavy drinking.
Read began the conversation, and Higgins’ response was to ask how she got his number and why she was reaching out to him. Read stopped responding a few days before O’Keefe’s death. Higgins, Read and O’Keefe were all present at the Waterfall Bar and Grille on Jan. 28, 2022, and Jackson asked Bukhenik whether surveillance video showed Higgins being aggressive toward O’Keefe.
STATE TROOPER POINTS TO POSSIBLE WEAPON IN JOHN O’KEEFE DEATH – AND IT’S NOT KAREN READ’S CAR
Karen Read’s attorney, Alan Jackson during Read’s trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald via AP/Pool)
That same night, Higgins sent two unanswered texts to Read.
“After weeks of communicating with Miss Read in a romantic manner, and then … seeing her walk in the door with John O’Keefe and sending the text message, ‘Umm. Well,’ after having been intoxicated, do you see that, detective, as an investigator, as a reasonable, objective investigator, as a possible scenario for Brian Higgins to be jealous about John O’Keefe?”
“There’s a possibility there, but I didn’t see it,” Bukhenik said.
“Did you explore that possibility?” Jackson said.
KAREN READ’S GOOGLE TIMELINE DERAILED AGAIN AS 2ND EXPERT DISPUTES DEFENSE CLAIMS
A video frame shows murder victim John O’Keefe, top center, at the Waterfall Bar and Grille in Canton, Mass., on Jan 29, 2022. The video was shown as evidence during the Karen Read murder trial on May 9, 2025. (Mark Stockwell/Sun Chronicle via AP/Pool)
Bukhenik testified that he did not but said he relied on the “totality of the investigation,” which led to charges against Read.
Bukhenik returned to the stand for his third day of testimony and spent hours answering questions. His testimony concluded at the end of the day and Judge Beverly Cannone told him he would not have to return on Tuesday.
Under re-direct examination from special prosecutor Hank Brennan, Bukhenik testified that green marks on the back of O’Keefe’s jeans looked like grass stains that he surmised had been sustained when O’Keefe fell to the ground after being struck.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Alan Jackson asked if grass stains could come from someone being dragged.
GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik holds up pants worn by John O’Keefe during testimony in the trial of Karen Read on May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa/Pool)
“My common sense dictates that it was not a drag mark because it would have linear characterizations, and it would be both buttocks that are engaged in contact with the ground while being dragged,” Bukhenik said.
Earlier in the day, Bukhenik read text messages from former state Trooper Michael Proctor, who has since been fired over his off-duty behavior during the initial investigation.
During questioning by Jackson, Bukhenik confirmed that Proctor called Read “retarded,” said he hated her other defense attorney, David Yannetti, and wrote about searching her phone for nude selfies.
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John O’Keefe (Boston Police Department)
Jackson also played video that appears to show Brian Higgins at the Canton Police Department headquarters about an hour after prosecutors say O’Keefe died.
Higgins was seen on surveillance video among a group of people at the Waterfall Bar and Grille along with Read and O’Keefe on Jan. 28. He also went to an after-party at 34 Fairview Road, a home owned by another Boston cop, Brian Albert.
O’Keefe was discovered dead outside the following morning.
Multiple witnesses have testified that they heard Read repeatedly saying, “I hit him,” the morning Read and two former friends found O’Keefe dead under a mound of snow on Albert’s lawn.
Karen Read sits with her defense team during her trial, May 8, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Charles Krupa/AP Pool)
After sending jurors to lunch Monday, Cannone held a quick voir dire hearing and ultimately said she would not allow Jackson to question Bukhenik about what he knew about the relationship between Proctor and relatives of Albert, including one of his brothers, Chris, who was also at the Waterfall on Jan. 28.
Read could face up to life in prison if convicted of the top charge, second-degree murder. She is also accused of manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
Police have not accused Higgins of a crime, and prosecutors say Read is the only suspect in O’Keefe’s death.
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Boston, MA
Inside Britten’s Record-Breaking Boston Waterfront Activation
Britten partnered with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to bring an ambitious public-facing installation to life, celebrating Boston’s role in the global excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Massport envisioned a bold experiential marketing activation at Piers Park II in East Boston, centered around a Guinness World Record attempt for the world’s largest soccer ball. The nearly 50-foot structure needed to become a highly visible waterfront landmark while meeting strict engineering, safety, and verification requirements. The challenge extended far beyond fabrication. The installation needed to withstand unpredictable coastal conditions, operate safely in a public environment, and be completed on a fixed timeline tied to FIFA fan programming.
Massport needed an experienced event production partner capable of transforming a large-scale concept into a fully engineered, installed, and record-breaking experience. Britten served as the central event fabrication partner, managing production coordination, logistics, and on-site execution from concept through completion. Working alongside Massport and engineering partners, Britten helped translate the creative vision into a buildable solution capable of meeting Guinness World Records standards. Every detail, from material selection and structural integrity to panel alignment and inflation systems, required precision to support a nearly 50-foot inflatable structure.
After off-site fabrication, Britten coordinated transportation, staging, and installation at Piers Park II. The waterfront location introduced additional challenges, including wind exposure, tidal conditions, limited staging space, and public access. Britten oversaw anchoring systems, inflation sequencing, and installation operations to ensure the soccer ball was safely deployed and successfully verified. Through close collaboration with stakeholders, engineers, and Guinness World Records officials, Britten delivered a seamless execution where creative vision, engineering expertise, and experiential marketing came together.
The completed installation achieved official Guinness World Records recognition as the world’s largest soccer ball, measuring approximately 47.9 feet in diameter. The record-breaking brand activation transformed Piers Park II into a must-visit destination along Boston’s waterfront, creating a memorable community experience connected to the FIFA World Cup. Visible across Boston Harbor and from approaching aircraft, the installation generated widespread attention and became a recognizable symbol of Boston’s tournament celebrations.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh horror film history honored with new award
Pittsburgh voted best Fourth of July celebration in America
In 2026, Pittsburgh gets the bragging rights for the nation’s Best Fourth of July Celebration, as determined by voters in USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
Pittsburgh has long been known for its connections to horror films starting with George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead in 1968.
Now, in honor of that designation and the legacy of Romero, who died in 2016, the Pittsburgh Film Festival has announced it is introducing a new award this year.
The inaugural Romero Awardfor Best Horror Feature will be presented at the 45th annual Three Rivers Film Festival, scheduled to run from Nov. 4-15, according to the group’s website. Presented with support from the George A. Romero Foundation, the award will be selected by a panel of industry judges.
Named in honor of Romero, the award celebrates bold, visionary work in the horror genre. As the birthplace of Night of the Living Dead, Pittsburgh remains a vital home for horror storytelling, making the Romero Award a natural addition to the festival’s juried honors, the group said.
“The GARF is devoted to preserving Romero’s legacy and continues to support creatives and independent filmmaking in genres and horror spaces,” Suzanne Romero, George’s widow and founder and president of the George A. Romero Foundation, said recently. She died June 24 at her home in Toronto after a long illness.
Film Pittsburgh’s executive director, Shanna Carrick, added, “We are proud to partner with the GARF to introduce an international competition for best independent horror film. Pittsburgh has a deep love of horror films and we believe that our audiences will be thrilled to experience new voices in the genre.”
The festival is currently accepting submissions, with the full lineup to be announced in October.
The festival will also continue to celebrate its horror offerings with its beloved Chiller Theater, named in honor of the late Pittsburgh horror show host Chilly Billy Cardille. The spooky showcase features the best new independent horror shorts from around the globe and Allegheny County.
Connecticut
CT Lottery Cash 5, Play3 winning numbers for June 28, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Millionaire for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at Sunday, June 28, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 28 drawing
03-09-10-28-35
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 2-9-9, WB: 8
Night: 4-1-0, WB: 1
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 2-7-6-6, WB: 9
Night: 1-9-7-4, WB: 4
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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