Massachusetts
Massachusetts police officer charged with child pornography: ‘Possessing images of children being sexually abused’

A local police officer has been busted for allegedly receiving child sexual abuse material.
Alexander Aiello, 24, a cop with the Gloucester Police Department, has been charged by the feds with one count of possession of child pornography.
Aiello was allegedly identified by the feds as a user of dark website, which provided a platform for users to download, view, advertise and distribute child pornography.
“As a law enforcement officer, Mr. Aiello was entrusted with safeguarding the community – and that includes protecting children from exploitation and abuse. Instead, he allegedly participated in one of the most reprehensible forms of exploitation,” said Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley.
“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to combating child exploitation in all its forms,” Foley added. “Whether the offender is a private citizen or a public official, our mission remains the same: to protect children and pursue justice for victims.”
Law enforcement seized his phone and laptop, as well as a USB thumb drive, which was found in Aiello’s nightstand in his bedroom.
The feds allegedly found on his laptop an application that provides anonymous web access and access to dark web hidden services.
“As a police officer, Alexander Aiello was sworn to protect and serve, but today, the FBI arrested him for possessing images of children being sexually abused,” said James Crowley, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
“Those who seek out this despicable material are perpetuating the victimization of innocent children,” Crowley added. “That’s why the FBI’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force diligently pursues these cases. Protecting kids from this physical and emotional trauma is our priority.”
The charge of receipt of child pornography can lead to a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
Originally Published:

Massachusetts
Mass. Dems sound alarm over Medicaid cuts in major US budget bill

As House lawmakers review a massive budget bill that seeks to find $1.5 trillion in cuts, the process is setting off alarm bells among Massachusetts congressional delegation that Medicaid will be caught in the crosshairs.
“This bill, as currently proposed, will cut health care for 14 million members of the American family,” Rep. Richard Neal said Tuesday.
“Republicans are passing this policy in the middle of the night and they’re cutting in this way to create tax cuts for people who don’t need tax cuts,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson insists federally paid Medicaid expansion costs won’t be touched, but those assurances seem to fall flat with Bay State leaders and medical providers.
“It’s almost like revenue death by a thousand cuts,” said Dr. Lisa Jones of Health First Family Care Center.
“No state in the country can make up for the kind of cuts that are being talked about,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
That’s not the only health care-related concern in Massachusetts. State lawmakers are discussing the availability and affordability of personal care physicians.
“We have a health care system where patients go into debt to get medical care, where health care workers don’t have the resources they need,” Massachusetts State Sen. Cindy Friedman said.
“Support for community health organizations is needed now more than ever,” Massachusetts State Sen. John Keenan said.
Healey says the issue remains a top priority for her administration.
“That includes paying them more,” Healey said.
Massachusetts
Man dies in Marlborough house fire

One person has died after being pulled from a burning home in Marlborough, Massachusetts on Monday.
Firefighters first responded to the home on Hanlon Drive after multiple 911 calls around 4:30 a.m., the Marlborough Fire Department said. When they arrived, the house was well involved in flames. Witnesses warned them the owner was likely still inside.
Fighting heavy flames and smoke, firefighters searched the home and found the occupant unconscious and unresponsive in a bathroom. Two firefighters pulled the man from the home through a bedroom window to an awaiting ambulance.
Fire officials noted that shortly after they found the man, the roof and portions of a wall collapsed, and all firefighters were ordered out.
Despite the efforts of the crews on scene, the man did not survive. He has not been publicly identified.
The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Marlborough Fire Department, Marlborough Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Middlesex DA’s office. Investigators believe it started in an upstairs living area of the home.
The Southborough Fire Department assisted on the scene, and the Northborough and Hudson Fire Departments responded to provide station coverage.
Massachusetts
Waymo, the self-driving robotaxi service, is checking out Boston streets and Massachusetts highways

Waymo, the ride-hailing service that uses self-driving robotaxis, will soon have its cars explore Boston streets and Massachusetts highways. But at least for now, humans will be behind the wheel.
A Waymo spokesperson tells WBZ-TV that the “road trip to Boston” is scheduled for later this month.
“We’ll begin with manual driving in a range of neighborhoods, from Mission Hill and East Boston to Cambridge, Somerville, and Southie,” the company said in a statement. “Folks will also see our vehicles on I-90 and I-93.”
Waymo in Boston
Waymo currently offers fully autonomous rides in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin, Texas. The company was just featured on CBS Sunday Morning as it plans to expand to a dozen more cities.
Waymo says before it starts operating in a new city, “we first map the territory with incredible detail, from lane markers to stop signs to curbs and crosswalks.” There are 29 cameras that give the system a 360-degree view around the car.
One Reddit user commented that Boston is “the final boss as far as self driving is concerned.” Boston traffic is consistently rated as some of the worst in the country, and urban legend claims the winding city streets are really just paved-over cow paths.
“Like other visitors to Boston, we can’t wait to take in the sights, immerse ourselves in the city’s distinct driving culture, and meet with locals,” Waymo says. “We’re also committed to being good neighbors while we’re in town – we collaborate closely with the communities and policymakers across all the cities where we drive.”
Self-driving cars
Back in 2016, former Gov. Charlie Baker and then-Boston Mayor Marty Walsh laid the groundwork for testing self-driving cars.
Any company that wants to put self-driving cars on the road needs to get the green light from MassDOT. The agency requires applicants to document “prior testing experience, a safety assessment, training and operations protocols, and a first responder interaction plan,” according to the MassDOT website.
Waymo has informed MassDOT that it’s making a preliminary assessment in the state.
“MassDOT’s highest priority remains the safety of all road users,” the agency said in a statement. “MassDOT maintains a strong interest in the evolving landscape of transportation innovation, and we continue to monitor developments involving automated vehicle technologies across the Commonwealth.”
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