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Massachusetts

Gov. Healey’s southern border trip cost taxpayers $6,800, according to new data

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Gov. Healey’s southern border trip cost taxpayers ,800, according to new data


The Healey administration shelled out more than $6,800 to send a five-person team to the southern border in Texas to “educate” people of a shelter shortage here, according to her office.

The trip was pitched as another attempt to curtail the number of migrants arriving in Massachusetts and make connections with federal immigration officials who were dealing with a surge in border crossings down south.

A spokesperson for the governor said Friday the group spent a total of $6,804 on the four-day trip this week, including $2,028 on hotels, $3,903 on flights, and $872 on ground transportation.

Scott Rice, a retired National Guard general who oversees the state-run shelter system, said the trip was an “important opportunity to meet with families arriving in the U.S. and the organizations that work with them at the border to make sure they have accurate information about the lack of shelter space in Massachusetts.”

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“It is essential that we get the word out that our shelters are full so that families can plan accordingly to make sure they have a safe place to go,” he said in a statement earlier this week.

The group visited locations in San Antonio, McAllen, Hidalgo, and Brownsville, the most common points of entry for migrant families that later arrive in Massachusetts, according to the Healey administration.

Healey said earlier this week that the trip was “successful” even as conservatives criticized the move as a “publicity stunt.”

“We don’t have housing available right now, and we wanted to be really clear. It’s something I’ve been saying for a long time, but I think it was important that we be able to communicate directly with folks on the ground,” she said. “I think it’s successful. I think it’s important that we be out there with that message.”

Details on how much the trip cost were released only hours after Gov. Maura Healey banned migrants from sleeping at Logan Airport, where large groups have gathered for months to stay overnight.

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The directive takes effect July 9 and the state plans to offer people at the airport transportation to overflow shelter sites, including one that opened this week at a former prison in Norfolk.

Healey did not say if police would arrest those that violate the order.

“We’re going to take it as it comes. My hope is through the work that we’re doing and the extensive communication that we’re doing right now with folks, not just at the border, but folks who are in our service provider community, that we’re going to get people relocated,” she said Friday, “and also be clear to people who might think about coming here that this really is an option.”



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Massachusetts

Search underway for missing woman Owen Kasozi in Beverly, last seen walking dog on Christmas Eve

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Search underway for missing woman Owen Kasozi in Beverly, last seen walking dog on Christmas Eve



CBS News Boston

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BEVERLY – A search is underway in Massachusetts for missing woman Owen Kasozi, who police say is “possibly endangered.” Police said she was last seen on Tuesday at about 3 p.m. near the JC Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly.

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Her family tells WBZ-TV she was walking her dog at the time. 

I-Team sources say police are looking into reports that Kasozi was walking or running after her dog when she went missing. A dog believed to be Kasozi’s was found wet in Topsfield, and her car was found nearby.

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Missing woman Owen Kasozi

Photos provided by family


A Massachusetts State Police helicopter was helping to search the area around 801 Cabot St. in Beverly on Wednesday. Anyone who has seen Kasozi or has information is asked to call Beverly police at 978-922-1212. 

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Massachusetts

What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?

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What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?


It’s Christmas Day! Time to open presents, be with loved ones and celebrate the beauty of giving. Even on Christmas, there are still a few places you can go for last-minute provisions. But can you go to the bank or post office or catch a bus?

Here’s what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2024.

Government

City and town offices: Closed

State offices: Closed

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Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed

State and local courts: Closed

Federal courts: Closed

Finance

Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open.

Stock market: Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed.

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Alcohol and recreational drugs

Liquor stores: Open

Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Christmas Day.

Convenience stores and gas stations

Gas stations are allowed to be open on holidays, according to Massachusetts labor laws.

The following gas stations and adjoining convenience stores should be open on Christmas:

  • BP 
  • Citgo
  • Circle K
  • Cumberland Farms 
  • Exxon Mobil 
  • Gulf
  • Irving Oil 
  • Neon Marketplace 
  • Season’s Corner Market
  • Sunoco
  • Shell
  • Speedway 
  • 7-Eleven

Shopping

Auburn Mall: Closed

Holyoke Mall: Closed

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Hampshire Mall: Closed

Eastfield Mall: Closed

Natick Mall: Closed

Big Y: Closed

Stop & Shop: Closed

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Market Basket: Closed

Price Rite: Closed

Star Market: Closed

Walmart: Closed

Target: Closed

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Wegmans: Closed

Safeway: Open

Costco: Closed

CVS: Open

Walgreens: Closed

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Aldi: Closed

Whole Foods: Closed

Trader Joe’s: Closed

Parcel services

Post offices: Closed

FedEx: Closed

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UPS: Closed

Transportation

Lowell RTA: Lowell RTA will be closed

MBTA: Subway, bus and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. Meanwhile, the Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.

Merrimack Valley RTA: Buses won’t be running

MetroWest RTA: Buses won’t be running

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Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Buses won’t be running

Worcester RTA: Buses won’t be running



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Massachusetts suspect in

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Massachusetts suspect in


Massachusetts suspect in “Grinch” pajamas wanted for multiple car break-ins, thefts – CBS Boston

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Police are seeking a man seen on surveillance cameras wearing “Grinch” pajamas.

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