Massachusetts
More than 50 beaches closed across Massachusetts Friday
(*This story was updated at 11:14 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 to reflect the most current beach closing data.)
Bay Staters looking for a place to cool off this weekend may have to travel a few extra miles since more than 50 beaches across the state are closed Friday, Aug. 16.
In all, 55 beaches from as far west as North Hampton and as far east as Barnstable, will not be open to the public primarily due to bacteria in the water, according to the state’s publicly available water quality dashboard.
While a majority were closed due to an excess of bacteria, the remaining closures were attributed to harmful cyanobacteria blooms and “other” reasons.
Cyanobacteria blooms, also known as blue-green algae, can be harmful to people and animals, according to Mass.gov.
Naturally occurring in fresh water, cyanobacteria blooms can multiple quickly under certain conditions and breed toxins. According to Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, blue-green algae poisoning can be fatal for pets, potentially causing shock, liver failure and respiratory arrest.
In humans, WebMD reports side effects like nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, headache and diarrhea. In more extreme cases when blue-green algae is contaminated, responses can be more intense with rapid heartbeat, shock, and death, according to WebMD.
Some beaches closed as a result of cyanobacteria blooms include Springfield’s Bass Pond, Worcester’s Shore Park and Barnstable’s Wequaquet Lake Town and Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club.
The dashboard warns that “if a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness.”
Full list of beach closures:
Massachusetts
Near-record Megabucks drawing has Massachusetts residents $earching for good luck
Feeling down on your luck as you returned to work on a beautiful summery day after a miserable Memorial Day Weekend?
It could be time to chance your luck to win big.
Wednesday’s drawing will be the third-largest ever in Megabucks history, at an estimated $18.85 million, the game’s largest jackpot since 1986.
But a word of caution: A Megabucks ticket has not hit a jackpot in over a year. The last winning came on April 21, 2025, with a $1.97 million jackpot on a ticket sold in Hyde Park.
“The game was redesigned in 2023 to bring more value to players,” the Massachusetts State Lottery said Tuesday, “including better odds of winning, higher average jackpots, bigger payouts for all non-jackpot prizes, as well as the addition of a third weekly drawing.”
“In conjunction with these changes, the game returned to its original name, Megabucks,” the lottery added. “The game first launched in 1982.”
The cash option for Wednesday’s drawing is a nifty $12.62 million.
Before the game returned to its original name, a ticket sold in Ware on Sept. 10, 2022, hit on a $16.35 million jackpot, the largest winnings on a single ticket in Megabucks history.
Those looking to score big can purchase Megabucks tickets for $2 each at over 7,500 authorized Massachusetts State Lottery retailers – convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets across the Bay State.
Tickets can be bought until 9 p.m. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Massachusetts
2 People Transported To Hospital After Early Morning Melrose House Fire
MELROSE, MA — Two people have been transported to the hospital in the aftermath of a house fire early Tuesday morning, according to the Melrose Fire Department.
Crews responded to the scene on 65 Heywood Ave. at approximately 2:25 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames emanating from the single-floor, single family residence. According to Fire Chief John White, the two residents were awoken by alarms in their home and have been hospitalized for smoke inhalation treatment. No other injuries have been reported.
The nine firefighters who responded to the two-alarm blaze had the flames knocked down by 4:40 a.m. The Saugus, Wakefield, Stoneham, and Malden Fire Departments provided mutual aid assistance on scene. The cause of the fire is now being investigated by Melrose Fire Prevention as well as the state fire marshal’s office.
Massachusetts
Memorial Day ceremonies across Mass. honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Massachusetts paused Monday to mark Memorial Day.
Somber remembrances and celebrations of servicemembers took place across the Bay State.
“Our great nation is made possible by their sacrifice,” said Gov. Maura Healey.
From the Tewksbury Memorial Day Parade to the Puerto Rican Veterans’ Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts paid tribute to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
“I hear the stories of our residents who have served. Their names are on our heroes’ squares, they’re also etched in our hearts,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
A solemn tribute was made Friday to Massachusetts servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“All that we cherish, all that we hold dear,” said Healey. “Our freedoms, our rights, our property, our dreams, they gave their lives for it.”
Congressman Seth Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran, shared who he thinks about when Memorial Day comes around.
“There’s not just one, unfortunately. There’s a number that I served with that didn’t come home, and there are others who have died from their wounds since coming back,” he said.
While reflection remains the focus, Memorial Day also serves as a reminder of the life that we get to enjoy as Americans — taking pleasure in the little things and thanking those that make it possible in the first place.
“My dad was in the military for 30 years, so it’s a great way to celebrate those that have served,” said Tewksbury resident Laura Clymer.
“Everything, that’s our freedom,” said Tewksbury resident Ellen Naughton.
“It’s why we’re here, and we can enjoy the things we have,” said Tewksbury resident Mike Chapman.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll also spoke at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Monday. The Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne held a ceremony, as well.
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