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Local students and National STEM champs show off award-winning experiment

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Local students and National STEM champs show off award-winning experiment

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BOSTON – Massachusetts can once again claim the title of the “most educated” state in the country, according to a new report from WalletHub.

The personal finance website said Massachusetts topped all other states in two key categories: educational attainment and quality of education. The factors considered by WalletHub to come up with the ranking include the number of residents with diplomas and degrees, school system quality, graduation rates and test scores. 

All New England states appeared in the Top 20. Vermont comes in second, followed by Connecticut at No. 4, New Hampshire eighth, Rhode Island 16th and Maine is No. 19. 

Massachusetts has the highest percentage of bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree holders among all states, and the quality of universities in the state is second only to Connecticut, WalletHub says.

Another factor in the ranking was the availability of free community college education. The “Millionaire’s Tax” in Massachusetts is covering tuition for about 25,000 students at state universities and community colleges. 

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Ranking at the bottom were Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia at No. 50.

Earlier this year, WalletHub declared Massachusetts to be the best state to raise a family in. And a report last summer said Massachusetts public schools are America’s best.  



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Mass. weather: Snowy weekend forecast ahead of warm temps across state

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Mass. weather: Snowy weekend forecast ahead of warm temps across state


Some parts of Massachusetts could see snow over the weekend, but that won’t stop the state’s string of above-freezing days from continuing into next week.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for possible snow showers on Sunday night into Monday morning, but there is only a 20% chance of precipitation in most areas. Central and Western Massachusetts have a better chance to see snow, but it will likely present as light flurries with little to no accumulation.

At most, the National Weather Service predicts any accumulation to be less than a half-inch.

Daytime conditions on Saturday will once again be dry and sunny, with afternoon highs approaching 30 degrees across much of the state. Boston will see a high temp of 38 degrees, while Worcester will check in at 37 degrees and Springfield will hit 39 degrees. Pittsfield will be slightly cooler at 34 degrees, while Cape Cod & the Islands will top out at 35 degrees.

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Temperatures will drop to the low 20s and mid teens overnight with Boston going as low as 22 degrees and Central and Western Massachusetts hitting 17 degrees.

Conditions will be dry and sunny again Sunday, with temperatures in the mid 30s for most of the state before the overnight flurries move in.

Next week will be seasonably warm, with Monday temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s, and Tuesday and Wednesday forecasts calling for afternoon temperatures in the mid to high 40s across the state.



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Friday night’s 10 high school sports takeaways, from triple OT to Shine retirement to Case football coach – The Boston Globe

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Friday night’s 10 high school sports takeaways, from triple OT to Shine retirement to Case football coach – The Boston Globe


We dive into it all, but first check out our new sport-specific scoreboards: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey. Or find every score here.

Roundups: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

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Top 20 rankings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

League standings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

Not seeing your team’s highlights in Takeaways? Here are all the ways to submit scores and stats to Globe Schools via phone, email, and social media.

▪ Andover junior Josh Roux needed just 4 points to reach 1,000 for his career and he got there early in a narrow 55-50 loss to top-ranked Central Catholic. He finished with 30 points in a battle.

▪ Taunton senior Dray Thielker sank a free throw with 21.6 seconds left in a 69-62 win over Milford to reach 1,000 for his career. He finished with 22, including 11 in the fourth quarter, becoming the 13th member of the program’s 1,000 point club, which also includes his father (Matt, 1995).

▪ Bishop Fenwick senior captain Caitlin Boyle, who is committed to Stonehill, eclipsed 1,000 career points during a 14-point, 10-rebound senior night effort to beat Shrewsbury, 63-30.

▪ West/East Bridgewater senior goalie Brayden Bates recorded his 3,000th career save in a 4-2 boys’ hockey loss to Stoughton/Brockton.

▪ Medfield sophomore Luke Dickson raced past 100 career points with a 6-point night featuring three goals and three assists in an 8-1 drubbing of Norton. His older brother, Matt, a senior, added two goals and two assists.

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▪ Medway boys’ hockey senior captain Jason Drake reached 100 career points during a 3-2 loss to Hudson.

▪ In Tuesday’s 66-61 loss to Walpole, Needham senior captain Hannah Levine surpassed 100 career 3-pointers, the most of any player in the program in the past decade. The achievement was celebrated Thursday after beating Cathedral, 39-38.

▪ Lowell girls’ basketball pulled off a two-for-one, capturing both the Merrimack Valley Conference Division II Cup, and the Division 2 regular-season title outright with a 47-33 victory over Dracut. Deb Kisekka sparked the offense with 13 points and Quinn McDonald and Jeneasia Richardson both had 10.

▪ Oliver Ames boys’ basketball clinched the Hockomock League Davenport Division crown with a 70-51 win over Stoughton powered by 20 points from Zaire Maddox and 19 from Josiah Marshall.

▪ Durfee girls’ basketball earned a share of the Big Three crown with New Bedford by beating the Whalers, 51-42, and splitting the season series. Jasiya Norwood led the charge with 15 points.

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▪ The Lynn Tech boys rode 30 points from Andy Batista to an 83-53 win over Lowell Catholic and Greater Lowell defeated Whittier Tech, 78-28, to share the Commonwealth Conference title.

▪ Duxbury senior captain Hailey Flynn connected on a midrange jumper at the buzzer to lift the Dragons to a 48-46 overtime triumph over Silver Lake. Flynn breezed past a defender, dribbled behind her back from right to left, and calmly stuck the shot with a hand in her face.

“It was just crazy,” Flynn said. “Everybody worked so hard the whole game, and getting to win in front of the crowd was super awesome. Celebrating together at the end was huge.”

▪ It took three extra sessions for Lawrence and Methuen to determine a boys’ basketball winner, with Jaydace Ferrer finally putting the Lancers ahead, 70-69, with an and-one with 1.2 seconds remaining in the third overtime. Aiden Torres paced Lawrence with 23 points, while Niles Scott produced 28 points and 11 rebounds for Methuen.

▪ The night also saw a double-overtime battle, as North Quincy’s Logan Le made a shot with 20 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, which led to a second extra period before Scituate pulled out a 75-72 win.

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▪ North Andover boys’ basketball went to overtime to defeat Billerica, 52-51, supported by 14 points from senior Angel Sanchez.

▪ Quincy boys’ basketball erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter and Jaethan Pinet drained a buzzer-beater to produce a 49-46 win over Pembroke. Yhan Medina had 15 points and Malcolm McMorrow grabbed 13 rebounds.

Joe Baraky, Duxbury — The senior captain exploded for a career-high 34 points to power a 65-61 win over Silver Lake.

Thad Broughton and Mark Mendonca, Peabody — It’s hard to produce more identical statistical lines, with Broughton, a sophomore, finishing with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Mendonca, a junior, nearly matching that with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists.

Brooke Fisher, Somerset Berkley — The senior was a pest defensively, nabbing eight steals to go with 24 points in a 48-21 win over Joseph Case.

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Jahmari Harrell, Cathedral — The freshman — and younger brother of Providence freshman Jaylen Harrell, the two-time Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year — erupted for 33 points, knocking down 10 3-pointers and hauling in five rebounds.

Leila Kennedy, Cardinal Spellman — The freshman went for a career-high 22 points, adding 10 rebounds in a 46-16 rout of Randolph.

Burke Lombardi, Nantucket — The sophomore continued his season-long scoring surge, dropping 38 points in an 80-53 chomping of Sandwich.

John Milne, Plymouth North — The senior’s first hat trick came in a 7-4 victory over Nantucket.

Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams — The senior forward produced on both ends, scoring 18 points and dominating defensively with six blocks and 10 rebounds.

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Elkin Pena, Central Catholic — The sophomore forward controlled the glass to the tune of 19 points and 18 rebounds in a 55-50 win over Andover.

Ladainian Rodrigues, Attleboro — The senior put up 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, igniting a 93-44 destruction of King Philip.

Four years after retiring as boys’ hockey coach, Dan Shine is retiring as athletic director at Arlington Catholic after 49 years, effective at the end of this school year.

Shine, class of ’72, will be succeeded by Rob Sarmiento, the school’s boys’ basketball coach and associate athletic director. Shine transitions to athletic director emeritus, a role which he will contribute to special projects and “represent AC at all MIAA meetings and events and will also serve as the liaison to the Town of Arlington.”

“Mr. Shine’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping a strong, values-based athletic program rooted in sportsmanship, teamwork, and excellence both on and off the field,” the school wrote in a statement. “Throughout his remarkable 49-year tenure, Dan has guided our athletic department from humble beginnings into one of the most recognized and respected programs.”

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Sarmiento is social studies chairperson and has taught at Arlington Catholic for 16 years.

“We are confident that Rob Sarmiento will build upon the strong foundation Dan has established,” said Father Marc J. Bishop in a statement. “His leadership, vision, and enthusiasm will serve our students and athletic community well.”

Shine went 575-303-83 in 43 seasons as boys’ hockey coach, reaching 12 Super 8 tournaments and winning three state championships.

Wayland senior captain Nathan Hartunian announced he will wrestle at Wesleyan. The heavyweight won the Anthony Lisitano Memorial Tournament in Wakefield earlier this season and was the Division 3 Central champ at 285 pounds last year.

Seekonk has promoted offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brendan Costa to head football coach.

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Costa has been on the Warriors staff since 2023, delivering an offense that produced 27 points per game and set a program record on Thanksgiving in 2024. He also served as defensive backs coach for the Warriors.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our student-athletes and continue building on the work we have started,” Costa said in a statement. “My philosophy centers on discipline, communication and effort — controlling the things we can control and striving to improve every day. We will adapt our schemes to fit our players’ strengths, keep our systems clear and effective, and emphasize a team culture of accountability, positivity and shared achievement.”

Costa previously coached at Williams after playing quarterback at Bates. He won the starting QB job at New Bedford High as a freshman, then transferred to Joseph Case in neighboring Swansea where he threw for 4,095 yards and 45 touchdowns and ran for 3,121 yards and 47 touchdowns over three seasons, winning the Otto Graham award his senior year. A three-year captain for the Cardinals, he graduated with all season and career records for completions, passing yardage, and passing touchdowns, plus the single-game mark for rushing yards (328).

“We are very excited to see Brendan step into the head coaching role,” athletic director Kathryn Manigan said. “His familiarity with our students, his knowledge of the game and his dedication to building a positive team culture made him stand out throughout a highly competitive hiring process.”

Costa succeeds interim coach Matt Brown, who followed Jason Azulay, who coached from 2021-24, following former Patriots linebacker Vernon Crawford’s 10-year stint from 2012-21.

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Some upcoming tournament schedules:

The 15th Larry McIntire IAABO Board 130 Classic will be played Sunday and Monday at Marblehead High. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Sunday, Feb. 15

1 p.m. — North Andover vs. Reading girls

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2:30 p.m. — Gloucester vs. Cathedral boys

4:15 p.m. — Marblehead vs. Peabody girls

6 p.m.. — Marblehead vs. Bedford boys

Monday, Feb. 16

1 p.m. — Girls consolation

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2:30 p.m. — Boys consolation

4:15 p.m. — Girls championship

6 p.m. — Boys championship

Luke Dickson, Medfield, 3

John Milne, Plymouth North, 3

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Matt Dickson, Medfield, 2

Cooper Dunham, Danvers, 2

Jason Gillis, Norwood, 2

Canton Jenkinson, Nantucket, 2

Jake McSweeney, Stoughton/Brockton, 2

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Timmy O’Malley, Hudson, 2

Mark Trahon, Norwood, 2

Luke Dickson, Medfield, 3

Jordan Sousa, Hudson, 3

Matt Dickson, Medfield, 2

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10. Basketball leaderboard

Burke Lombardi, Nantucket, 38

Joe Baraky, Duxbury, 34

Jahmari Harrell, Cathedral, 33

Andy Batista, Lynn Tech, 30

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Huey Josama, Saugus, 30

Josh Roux, Andover, 30

Jake Lofstrom, Silver Lake, 29

Ella Getz, Worcester Academy, 28

Niles Scott, Methuen, 28

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Rolky Brea-Arias, St. Mary’s, 27

Nate Helms, Carver, 25

Brooke Fisher, Somerset Berkley, 24

Layla Rivera, Brockton, 24

Ladainian Rodrigues, Attleboro, 24

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Oisin Faherty, North Quincy, 23

Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames, 23

Aiden Torres, Lawrence, 23

Thad Broughton, Peabody, 22

Hezaki Brown, Doherty, 22

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Leila Kennedy, Cardinal Spellman, 22

Mark Mendonca, Peabody, 22

Ryan Shean, Saugus, 22

Camden Hill, New Bedford, 21

Tyler Johnson, Old Colony, 21

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Reagan Maniscalco, Tewksbury, 21

Tabby McDonough, North Quincy, 21

Alana McNamara, Archbishop Williams, 21

Elian Rodriguez, Salem, 21

Brandon Antwine, Lynn Tech, 20

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Jackson Fournier, St. John’s (S), 20

Matt Lennox, Carver, 20

Zaire Maddox, Oliver Ames, 20

Dom Taylor, Somerset Berkley, 20

Elkin Pena, Central Catholic, 18

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Victoria Colombo, Brockton, 14

Krem Amparo, Latin Academy, 13

Tyler Johnson, Old Colony, 13

Malcolm McMorrow, Quincy, 13

Ulices Diaz, Lynn Tech, 12

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Cleto Deng, Salem, 11

Zade Garron-Ciberay, Plymouth South, 11

Cece Gilbert, Central Catholic, 11

Ella Riley, Pembroke, 11

Niles Scott, Methuen, 11

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Tia Williamson, Attleboro, 11

Colin Cyr, Apponequet, 10

Aidan Dookhran, Somerset Berkley, 10

Maeve Horsman, Oliver Ames, 10

Leila Kennedy, Cardinal Spellman, 10

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Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams, 10

Aymma Semedo, Brockton, 10

Ryan Crook, Somerset Berkley, 7

Aiden Deree, Old Colony, 7

Lilly Phillips, Central Catholic, 7

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Thad Broughton, Peabody, 6

Connor Houle, Attleboro, 6

Dimitri Mendes, Cathedral, 6

Mark Mendonca, Peabody, 6

Giovanni Jean, Lynn Tech, 5

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Celia Neilson, Bishop Fenwick, 5

Layla Rivera, Brockton, 5

Ladainian Rodrigues, Attleboro, 5

Brooke Fisher, Somerset Berkley, 8

Cece Levrault, Apponequet, 6

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Brandon Antwine, Lynn Tech, 5

Lauren Carr, Somerset Berkley, 4

Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames, 3

Hannah Kuriscak, Apponequet, 3

Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams, 6

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Natalie Sanborn, Nashoba, 6

Victoria Colombo, Brockton, 5

Layla Rivera, Brockton, 3


Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.





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National Grid asking for a rate increase in Massachusetts: How much would my bill go up

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National Grid asking for a rate increase in Massachusetts: How much would my bill go up


Massachusetts residents’ gas bills could increase by nearly 10% if a petition from the National Grid is approved.

On Jan. 16, the National Grid filed a petition to increase its gas distribution rates so that it can generate $342 million in additional revenues. 

The request comes as affordability is a major issue in the state, with energy prices being one of the main drivers: in November, 21% of Massachusetts voters said that utilities were the single biggest strain on their household budget in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll. At the State of the Commonwealth in January, Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state would temporarily lower electricity and gas bills in February and March.

But if the National Grid’s request is approved by the state Department of Public Utilities, customers will see monthly bill increases in December.

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How much could my utility bill go up?

According to the National Grid and the Department of Public Utilities, a typical residential heating customer of the Boston Gas Company – which services greater Boston and central Massachusetts – will see their monthly bill increase by $23.66, or 8.4%, during the winter season. 

A typical customer of the Colonial Gas Company – which services some communities on the Cape and in Merrimack Valley – will see their monthly bill increase $24.76, or 9.4%.

Slightly different rate increases will apply to low-income heating and non-heating customers and typical non-heating customers, as well as commercial and industrial customers.

Why does the National Grid want to raise prices?

The DPU said that utilities can file petitions to “recover reasonable and prudent costs that have been incurred to provide safe and reliable service to its customers and have the opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable rate of return on prudently invested capital.”

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The National Grid is hoping to use the increase in revenue to pay costs including for new gas pipes, to recover charges from billing errors last year and to address gas safety regulations and compliance.

When would my utility bill go up?

According to DPU, if the petition is approved, customers can expect rate increases effective Dec. 1, 2026.

Do I have a say?

If you want to comment on the petition, you can submit emailed written comments to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, DPU2650.GridRateCase@mass.gov and rhumm@keeganwerlin.com by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026.

There will also be seven public hearings:

  • March 18 in Lowell
  • March 23 in North Quincy
  • March 26 in South Yarmouth
  • March 31 in Haverhill
  • April 6 in Lynn
  • April 9 in Acton
  • April 15 in Boston



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