Massachusetts
Majority of illegal guns in Massachusetts coming from out of state, Suffolk DA says
The town rang in Independence Day with an onslaught of shootings and bloodshed, largely on account of “a deadly river of metal flowing” from exterior states, in response to Suffolk County’s prime prosecutor.
“The chilly reality is that greater than 75% of unlawful firearms utilized in Boston-area crimes originated in one other state,” Suffolk District Legal professional Kevin Hayden stated Thursday. “There’s a deadly river of metal flowing from northern and southern states onto the streets of Boston, and our neighborhoods are affected by it.
“When one state’s excessive interpretation of Second Modification rights causes excessive struggling in one other state it turns into an issue for all Individuals,” he continued.
Boston Police responded to seven shootings late Sunday evening and into Monday morning — the Fourth of July. All through the complete county, which incorporates Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop together with Boston, there have been greater than a dozen shootings, in response to the district legal professional’s workplace, leaving 10 individuals injured.
The violence continued into Tuesday when rival teams of males lit up the streets of Chelsea in broad daylight, with at the least one errant bullet placing the window of a McDonald’s the place clients had been consuming.
Hayden, who has repeatedly sounded the alarm on illegally obtained weapons flooding the streets of Boston in statements following shootings, had his workplace be part of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Boston Police Division to create Boston FIRST, which makes use of federal databases to trace weapons from their origins.
The latest knowledge — which was not out there for impartial Herald perusal on Thursday — exhibits that of 441 traceable weapons seized in Boston final yr, solely 23%, or 103 of them, originated within the Bay State.
That signifies that that “deadly river of metal” has many far-flung mouths, with weapons primarily discovering their solution to the Boston space from origins in Maine, New Hampshire, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Weapons have additionally been traced to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, in response to the district legal professional’s workplace. These states account for 61%, or 271, of these weapons, however with all different states factored in, weapons originate from out of state at a fair greater stage.
“When greater than three out of 4 weapons seized in Boston come from out of state it tells me three issues,” Hayden wrote. “First, gun legal guidelines in Massachusetts work nicely. Second, gun legal guidelines in lots of different states don’t. And third, gun traffickers know which states are best for them to amass their murderous stock and which states are finest to promote that stock.”
That also means the Bay State is accountable for extra weapons than in 2019, the newest yr the Herald has reviewed, the place 315 — or 16% — of the 1,933 weapons seized by the ATF in Massachusetts originated right here. New Hampshire was by far the largest contributor to weapons in Massachusetts with 214 being traced there, adopted by the one different triple-digit contributor Maine, with 114 traces.
That yr, weapons spent a median of 10.58 years in Massachusetts earlier than being utilized in a criminal offense, in response to the ATF, which is best than the nationwide common of 8.29 years earlier than being utilized in a criminal offense. However the common Bay State unlawful gun possessor was youthful than the nationwide common of 35 years outdated by two years.
The race for state representative in Massachusetts’ 13th Norfolk District, representing parts of Needham, Medfield and Dover, comes with a political novelty attached.
Josh Tarsky won the Democratic primary in September against three other candidates, but will still face a challenger, after Bill Dermody made it to the general election ballot as an unenrolled candidate.
“When I decided to get in the race, it was past the primary time where I had to sign up with one of the parties to run in the primaries,” explained Dermody. “So I found out you could run as unenrolled so I moved forward with that path.”
Asked if that was savvy political posturing, Dermody replied, “No! I wish I was that smart! I would’ve run in the Democratic primary, it was just timing.”
But Tarsky isn’t upset about the late entry, seeing it as part of the democratic process.
“I’ve taken it in stride,” he said.
On the issues themselves, the pair share similarities and differences.
Ballot Question 2 brings out different opinions. Dermody thinks the MCAS should stay, as a “benchmark,” while Tarsky said the test “needs improvement. I just don’t think we should do it the way we are.”
Ballot Question 1, which would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature, also drew a contrast.
“It makes me have to defend my decisions, which I think actually helps refine my decisions. I would support that,” Tarsky said.
“The Legislature has to be held accountable,” Dermody said, but he’s “not sure on the constitutionality” of the proposal.
Other issues, like the MBTA Communities Law and housing needs, bring forward agreement.
“We need more housing, and even if you rezone, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen,” Dermody said.
“Just because zoning is passed in these areas, doesn’t mean we get the type of building we want. Locally I want to empower local leaders,” Tarsky said.
Those are priorities they hope to champion on Beacon Hill.
“I feel I have Democratic values but an independent voice,” Dermody said.
“As a Democrat, if elected, that will allow me to caucus with leadership,” Tarsky said.
Massachusetts
Fall drought in Massachusetts worsens, expanding to communities where wildfire threat is high
Severe fall drought conditions in Massachusetts have worsened, expanding across communities that have been stricken by stubborn wildfires in recent days, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
An updated map released on Thursday morning showed at least 56 percent of the state in a moderate drought, and 13.6 percent of the state suffering from a severe drought, a drastic jump from last week.
Parts of Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties are in severe drought, while nearly all of central and western Massachusetts is seeing moderate drought conditions.
Northern Bristol and Northern Plymouth counties are experiencing an abnormally dry season, while southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands aren’t impacted, the map showed.
This weekly update comes as firefighters continue to monitor dozens of wildfires across the state that have burned up hundreds of acres of land in recent days.
A big problem spot for brush fires has been the North Shore, which is now experiencing severe drought. Crews in Salem remain on high alert for brush fires as holiday revelers flock to the city to celebrate Halloween.
Smoke is still lingering in Salem from two brush fires that were knocked down on Wednesday, causing air quality concerns and the smell of smoke in the air.
Warmer temperatures on Thursday, and the possibility of gusty wind, could cause flare-ups to these brush fires, officials warned.
“The air drying, the wind picking up, and not to mention the drought worsening this week, it’s a day to be vigilant in terms of that wildfire threat,” Boston 25 Meteorologist Tucker Antico said.
Earlier this week, the state Department of Fire Services said nearly 50 brush fires were burning statewide.
Total rainfall in the Boston area is down more than 5 inches below where we should be since the start of the season, while the Worcester area is down 7 inches, Antico said.
The latest forecast from the Boston 25 Weather team shows very little to no rainfall in the extended forecast, with more warmth ahead.
In Massachusetts, 70% of the state is now experiencing moderate drought conditions, and severe drought conditions have developed across the North Shore and Boston metro pic.twitter.com/EExu9moITy
— Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) October 31, 2024
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After Thursday, hundreds of Stop & Shop customers will have to find a brand new place to get their groceries. The supermarket chain is closing several stores in Massachusetts.
This will impact a number of communities. Seven stores in all are closing Thursday in Massachusetts, including the following locations:
- 932 North Montello St., Brockton
- 36 New State Highway, Raynham
- 341 Plymouth St., Halifax
- 539-571 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury
- 415 Cooley St., Springfield
- 545 Lincoln St. Worcester
- 24 Mattakeesett St., Pembroke
That’s on top of the store on Needham Street in Newton that already closed in August.
Over the summer, the Quincy-based chain announced it would close underperforming stores. It’s part of a broader shift by Stop & Shop’s parent company to focus on improving performance and lowering costs.
Workers at the impacted stores will be offered jobs at other locations.
In a statement, the president of Stop & Shop said, “We remain committed to nourishing our associates, customers and communities.”
In all, 32 stores are shutting down across the Northeaster, including stores in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
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