Massachusetts
2026 World Cup, America250 & more: Busy summer is a stress test and an opportunity
Massachusetts tourism and political leaders have plenty to cheer about in 2026.
“This year for tourism is going to be huge,” said Marykay Wydra with Explore Western Mass.
“It’s going to be an incredible summer,” said Martha Sheridan with MeetBoston.
Millions of visitors are expected over the next few months as the Bay State prepares to host seven 2026 World Cup matches, America 250 celebrations and normal summer tourism.
But while Boston and Foxborough will be the epicenters of activity, Gov. Maura Healey says it’s critical that the rest of the state is able to reap some of the economic benefits.
“The state is going to help, private organizations are going to help, companies are going to help,” said Gov. Healey.
The statewide push is aided in part by $10 million in state grants.
“We wanted to make sure there was money there for communities to host watch parties during the World Cup event,” Healey said.
“With more we can do more,” said Wydra.
“Any funding where we can help add a special angle to that, this being the World Cup, is helpful,” said Jessye Deane with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond those broader goals, Massachusetts will get a preview of how the World Cup matches will play out this week as France and Brazil play an international friendly match at Gillette Stadium.
“From an operational perspective, from a security and transportation perspective. It does give us a good opportunity to test some things out,” said Healey.
“It’s a 4 p.m. match so it mirrors time slots for the World Cup, we’ll test out train routes on Thursday,” said Sheridan.
It’s an early challenge for the Commonwealth as it looks to come away with an economic win.
As a reminder, the first World Cup match will be held on June 13 between Haiti and Scotland.
Massachusetts
Man arrested after injuring Massachusetts State trooper, K-9 in wrong-way crash in Chicopee
A man has been arrested after injuring a Massachusetts State trooper and a K-9 in a wrong-way crash in Chicopee Saturday morning.
It happened around 4 a.m. on Interstate-91. State Police said they received a report that someone was driving very fast heading south on the north side of I-91. Officers began a “rolling roadblock” in the area “with emergency lights activated, in an effort to safely stop the vehicle and protect other motorists.”
The driver swerved and struck the rear driver’s side of a K-9 cruiser. He then hit another car head-on, according to state police.
The trooper and his K-9 were taken to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car that was hit head-on also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a hospital.
“I want to commend the bravery and quick actions of our Troopers, whose efforts to stop this wrong-way driver likely prevented further injuries and potentially saved lives,” State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said in a statement. “These incidents demonstrate the risks our Troopers and all of law enforcement face every day on our roadways. The Massachusetts State Police remain committed to enforcing impaired driving laws and holding accountable those whose dangerous decisions put lives at risk.”
The driver, identified as 28-year-old Jose Santiago from Holyoke, Masaschusetts had minor injuries. He has been charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and other charges.
Chicopee, Massachusetts, is around five miles from Springfield and 90 miles from Boston.
An Acushnet man and a New Bedford woman are dead, and two others are injured after a crash in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, that left Route 6 completely impassable for a period of time Friday evening.
Police from Dartmouth and Westport responded just after 7:30 p.m. to 911 calls about a crash on Route 6 near the Dartmouth/Westport line, and arrived to find two vehicles were involved, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said.
A blue Toyota Camry sustained catastrophic damage in the collision, officials said. The male driver, identified as 34-year-old Tristan Bedient, and his female passenger, 51-year-old Kate Aldrich, were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead shortly after.
Two people in the SAAB suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials added.
Route 6 was closed westbound at Route 177 and eastbound at Highland Avenue. Police warned drivers to avoid the area, seek alternate routes, and expect significant traffic delays.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by Dartmouth police, Westport police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the district attorney’s office. Further information was not immediately available.
GLENS FALLS, NY (WRGB) — A Massachusetts man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he robbed two banks in separate states and tried to evade investigators by switching license plates—before evidence gathered in New York’s Capital Region helped lead authorities to him.
Joseph Sawyer is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from St. Mary’s Bank in New Hampshire and a Chase Bank in New Jersey last month. In both robberies, prosecutors say Sawyer fled in a Honda Odyssey minivan.
Prosecutors say the minivan originally had Massachusetts license plates, but Sawyer swapped them out with stolen New Jersey plates in an attempt to cover his tracks.
After the second robbery, highway cameras in Albany County captured the minivan as it tried to flee the tri-state area, prosecutors said. The FBI later tracked the vehicle to a motel near Glens Falls, where Sawyer was staying.
Prosecutors also say Sawyer’s own family helped identify him through surveillance photos, linking him to the robberies.
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