Massachusetts
New Hampshire joins Massachusetts in filing suit against New England neo-Nazi group
![New Hampshire joins Massachusetts in filing suit against New England neo-Nazi group New Hampshire joins Massachusetts in filing suit against New England neo-Nazi group](https://www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nazinl03.jpg?w=1024&h=765)
New Hampshire has joined Massachusetts in leveling legal action against a New England neo-Nazi group and its leaders for alleged discriminatory actions.
Courtesy
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella (Courtesy / NH Department of Justice)
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has filed a complaint stating that NSC-131, which has been documented by groups including the Anti-Defamation League as spreading Nazi propaganda and imagery, violated the state’s Law Against Discrimination during an action in June that targeted a Concord cafe to try to coerce it to cancel a planned drag queen story hour event.
The complaint also alleges that the group attempted to “terrorize the café into refusing performers access to its venue for no other reason than the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those performers.”
“The Department of Justice will continue to enforce the State’s antidiscrimination laws to the greatest extent possible to ensure that people of all backgrounds can live free from discrimination, fear, and intimidation because of who they are,” Formella said in a statement. “We must and will send a clear message that New Hampshire is not and never will be a safe haven for hate groups that commit illegal acts that harm our citizens.”
In the incident in question, the complaint alleges, NSC-131 leader Christopher Hood led 19 others — all of whom are listed as defendants as “John Does 1-19” — on June 18 to demonstrate at the Teatotaller Cafe in a bid to cancel the event “and to discontinue hosting such events in the future.”
“Defendants did this because the performer at the story hour identified as a male and was dressed in drag and therefore traditionally feminine attire,” prosecutors wrote in the complaint. “Defendants did this because of the cultural connection between drag performances and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The New Hampshire complaint follows one filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell in Suffolk Superior Court on similar grounds.
Campbell’s office said they filed suit due to what they called “an escalating series of unlawful and discriminatory incidents” between July 2022 and January of this year. Those incidents include demonstrations at “Drag queen story hours” and at hotels housing recently arrived migrants to Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts
Sudbury Voters: Who's On Your Ballot?
![Sudbury Voters: Who's On Your Ballot? Sudbury Voters: Who's On Your Ballot?](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/26728787/20240820/080217/styles/patch_image/public/202108-ped-dearborn-detroit-primary-mi-will-01___20080129056.jpg)
The following was submitted by the League of Women Voters of Sudbury
SUDBURY, MA — The Sept. 3 election is a state primary election in which political parties select their candidates for the Nov. 5 general election. For that reason, voters vote using a specific party’s ballot in that election. Voters who are enrolled in a party must take that party’s ballot. Unenrolled voters can choose which ballot they want; selecting a ballot does not change a voter’s unenrolled status.
In Sudbury, there is one contested race on the Democratic party ballot. For the third district Governor’s Council seat, the candidates are Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney, the incumbent, and Mara Dolan.
On the Republican ballot in Sudbury, there is also one contested race. Robert J. Antonellis, Ian Cain and John Deaton are running to be the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in November, to oppose Elizabeth Warren.
There are no candidates on the Libertarian ballot in Sudbury.
The last day to register to vote in the Sept. 3 election is Saturday, Aug. 24. Check your voter registration status or register online at www.VoteInMA.com.
Request a mail ballot now to receive it in time to vote by mail. Check here for information on voting by mail.
In-person early voting will be Aug. 24-30 at Town Hall for all precincts; check hours here. Voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Sept. 3, will be at the Fairbank Community Center for all precincts; polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions about voting here.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts to Phase out Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Gear – EcoWatch
![Massachusetts to Phase out Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Gear – EcoWatch Massachusetts to Phase out Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Gear – EcoWatch](https://www.ecowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/firefighters-ma.jpg)
Firefighters put out a fire in a burning car in Newton, Massachusetts on Aug. 14, 2020. Suzanne Kreiter / The Boston Globe via Getty Images
![](https://www.ecowatch.com/wp-content/themes/ecowatch/assets/img/dist/who-we-are-wrapper-6.webp)
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.
Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey has signed a new law to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the protective gear firefighters wear.
PFAS “forever chemicals” do not break down in the environment and have been associated with serious health problems, including liver and thyroid issues, immune system disruption, cancer and reproductive harm. They are used in nonstick cookware, rain gear and firefighting foam, among other applications.
“It’s one thing to run into a fire, you can see the blaze and feel the heat,” said Healey just before signing the bill, as The Associated Press reported. “These [are] dangerous, dangerous chemicals. They’re in too much of our stuff, but certainly we know they’ve been in protective gear. The devastating impacts are so clear. Today Massachusetts is putting the health and safety of our firefighters first.”
Beginning in January of 2025, sellers and manufacturers of personal protective equipment that contain PFAS will have to give the purchaser written notice that it contains the chemicals, along with a reason why they are being used in the product.
In 2027, sellers and manufacturers of firefighters’ personal protective equipment will no longer be allowed to knowingly sell gear that contains “intentionally-added PFAS.”
For years, PFAS have been used in firefighting equipment because of their ability to repel water and oil and withstand high temperatures, a press release from the Massachusetts governor and lieutenant governor said.
“Firefighters in Massachusetts put their lives on the line every day on behalf of our communities, and yet it is the exposure to the forever chemicals known as PFAS in their turnout gear that pose one of the greatest risks to their health,” said Senator Julian Cyr, Joint Committee on Public Health co-chair, in the press release.
PFAS are highly toxic, even at low levels, before they are even exposed to fire. Firefighters and former firefighters have experienced high rates of cancers associated with PFAS, including kidney, breast and testicular cancer.
“Cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service,” said Terrence Reidy, secretary of public safety and security, in the press release. “This legislation marks a vital first step in phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals in firefighter gear that can contribute to that risk.”
While attorney general, Healey sued PFAS manufacturers for ignoring the risks to the environment, drinking water and public health posed by the toxic chemicals.
“For too long, Massachusetts firefighters have been unnecessarily exposed to high levels of PFAS in their personal protective equipment and they have paid the price, with high levels of occupational cancer, reproductive problems and other illnesses. With this new law, Massachusetts leaders are joining our neighbors in Connecticut as the first two states to restrict toxic PFAS in firefighter personal protective equipment. This is legislation which will save firefighter lives and encourage other states to take similar action,” said Laura Spark, Clean Water Action’s environmental health program director, in the press release.
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Massachusetts
Anheuser-Busch layoffs in Massachusetts affecting nearly 200 jobs
![Anheuser-Busch layoffs in Massachusetts affecting nearly 200 jobs Anheuser-Busch layoffs in Massachusetts affecting nearly 200 jobs](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/08/19/e9fe3bd3-9392-4537-afa5-fdd5d28b56d8/thumbnail/1200x630/ab6c18e1ca9a9f1f279da3634f4e524a/bud-light-beers.jpg?v=fd6e213336f58b575c9e836e95546d26)
MEDFORD – Anheuser-Busch has notified the state that it plans to lay off nearly 200 workers at a Medford facility in the coming months, but some of those employees could find jobs under new ownership.
The Budweiser brewer said last week it would transfer its wholesaler at 440 Riverside Ave. to Quality Beverage.
“We continuously assess our operational footprint to ensure our entire system is set up for long term success, and the transition of these operations will ensure that Anheuser-Busch and our network of independent distributors will continue to drive the growth of our iconic portfolio of brands while providing world-class service to our retail customers across Massachusetts,” Anheuser-Busch chief sales officer Simon Wuestenberg said in a statement.
Anheuser-Busch WARN notice in Massachusetts
Anheuser-Busch filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN notice, with Massachusetts that said 193 employees would be affected by job cuts. The layoffs would take effect in November.
“We are working with Quality Beverage to ensure a smooth transition for our operations, including fully supporting our local teams, and as part of this ongoing transition, we expect that some opportunities will be made available for Boston employees with the Quality Beverage team,” an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson told WBZ-TV.
Quality Beverage, which is owned by Martignetti Companies, has distribution facilities in Taunton, Auburn and Chicopee and bills itself as “a leading distributor of beer and alternative beverages in Massachusetts.”
Last year, Anheuser-Busch laid off hundreds of workers amid slumping Bud Light sales.
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