SALEM, Mass. (WWLP) – A woman from Salem has become the winner of a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$4,000,000 Monopoly Doubler” $10 instant ticket game.

Francisca Uceta De Placencio of Salem chose to receive her prize in cash and received a one-time payment of $650,000, before taxes. De Placencio told the Massachusetts Lottery that she plans on investing and helping her family with her winnings.

The winning ticket was purchased at Armas Convenience Store on Jefferson Avenue in Salem. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus for the sale of the winning ticket.

It’s quite clear that folks from different walks of life enjoy visiting and moving to Massachusetts. If you’re looking for a top state to raise a family, Massachusetts checks that box. If you are looking for a state with a sound education, Massachusetts checks that box. If you are looking for a state that has areas of beautiful mountains and wide open spaces along with the downtown hustle and bustle spotlighting live music, art, and high-tech jobs, Massachusetts checks those boxes as well.

Where are the Most Adorable Places to Live in Massachusetts? 

If you’re thinking of moving to Massachusetts but are looking for some of the most affordable towns and cities to live in (and who isn’t), you’ve come to the right place. Houzeo.com recently released a study analyzing the 7 Cheapest Places to Live in Massachusetts in 2024  According to the site, the analysis weighed several factors, including median household income, median home value, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate.  Below are the top three most affordable places to live in Massachusetts according to Houzeo.com.

The City of Pittsfield comes in at the number three position

• Cost of Living Compared to National Average: 4.1%
• Median Home Price: $280,035
• Median Rent: $1,454
• Known For: The Colonial Theater

Houzeo Says:

With rental costs below the national average, Pittsfield stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Massachusetts. The house rent price is between $700 – $2,400.

The City of Springfield comes in at the number two position

• Cost of Living Compared to National Average: 3.8%
• Median Home Price: $260,848
• Median Rent: $1,600
• Known For: Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Houzeo Says:

Springfield is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in Massachusetts with an average home rent ranging from $905 – $5,000. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 8.7% lower than the national average.

The City of North Adams takes the top spot in the site’s study.

• Cost of Living Compared to National Average: 4.1%
• Median Home Price: $228,540
• Median Rent: $1,400
• Known For: Natural Bridge State Park

Houzeo Says:

North Adams is an affordable place to live in Massachusetts. Its median house rent ranges from $850 – $1,690. It also offers very affordable transportation which is 27.4% lower than the national average.

You can review the remaining areas that made the list by going here.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts house and senate reached a deal on the latest firearm law reforms this week.

A bill now in the hands of Governor Healey is set to tackle untraceable ghost guns, firearms in public places like schools and governmenet buildings and remove guns from anyone considered a threat.

State officials are reacting from both sides of the aisle, State Representative Kelly Pease telling 22News in a statement, “Although the gun bill addresses kit/ghost guns, which is a good thing. The bill goes too far, by restricting legal gun owners. Every gun crime that happens has a law to prosecute the offender. There is no need to have new laws, except for ghost guns.”

Other officials shared that those accessing firearms without proper identification are that ones at the root of the issue.

“We hear over and over again that more and more of gun violence typically in some of the urban areas are seeing an uptick in glock switches which turns a semi-automatic into a fully-automatic and ghost guns to make so you can’t trace a crime and they have really serious problems, said State Senator John Velis.

An extensive process is required to access a firearm legally in Massachusetts. You must be 18 years of age or 14-17 years old with parental consent. Every person is required to take a firearm permit course followed by a federal and state background check.

Kendall Knapik, Owner of Pioneer Valley Arms discussed the extensive process, “Once you submit the federal background the government will notify us to proceed, deny or delay with your firearm purchase. If you get a proceed, we then move on to the state section which is then basically registering your firearm with the state of Massachusetts and connecting it to your LTC number so the state now knows that you own that gun and you’re responsible for that serial number.”

The entire process can take anywhere from two to three months for first time gun buyers.

With the bill now at Governor Healy’s desk, officials hope it will tackle the one’s taking the loopholes within the law and instill accountability.