⚽ Get the latest World Cup news
Receive updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Massachusetts
Seven Saturday high school sports takeaways, including a 350th win, a 1,000th point, and a goal record – The Boston Globe
Roundups: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey
Top 20 rankings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey
League standings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey
▪ Tewksbury’s Tyler Bourgea made significant history in the second period of an 8-0 win over East Catholic (Conn.) when he potted his second goal of the game and 66th of his career, surpassing Ryan Petty’s program record of 65, which had stood since 2015.
Bourgea, a senior captain, owns a career line of 66-77—143, 4 points shy of Petty’s school record of 147.
“He’s a very humble kid,” Tewksbury coach Derek Doherty said. “He just wants to win. He was happy he broke the record, but he said it’s more important we win hockey games. It’s a sign of a good person and a good player.”
▪ Blue Hills senior Tyler Anderson entered Saturday’s game against Blackstone-Millville needing 9 points to reach 1,000 for his career. It took him just one quarter; he finished with 18 points to secure a 74-57 first-round win in the Spartan Holiday Classic.
▪ At the MSTCA Boston Winter Challenge, junior Amar Skeete broke the Catholic Memorial school record in the long jump, leaping 23 feet, 10.5 inches, besting both the indoor and outdoor marks and surpassing his previous career best by a full foot. He is among the top 10 in the nation for the event.
▪ With a 9-0 victory over Westwood, Canton boys’ hockey coach Brian Shuman won his 350th career game behind the bench. Shuman, a Catholic Memorial graduate who played at Bowdoin, is in his 21st season and has led Canton to four state titles (’10, ‘19, ‘20, ‘23), plus two more final appearances, including a loss to Billerica last March.
Cam Dematos, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake — The junior peppered the net with three goals and an assist in an 11-1 boys’ hockey victory over Nantucket.
Caleb Haynes, Brookline — The junior went full beast mode, piling up 38 points, 10 assists, and 7 steals in an 87-56 win over Portsmouth (N.H.) in the BABC Holiday Classic.
Kingston Maxwell, Abington — The senior powered a 91-67 boys’ basketball win over Nantucket with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Thomas Fish, Danvers — A hat trick and an assist from the senior powered a 9-0 boys’ hockey win over Triton.
Lucey Jean, Hopkinton — The day’s lone four-goal performance belonged to the senior, who was the engine of a 5-1 girls’ hockey win over Wellesley/Lincoln-Sudbury.
▪ Sophomore Aniyjha Morales sank the winning shot at the buzzer as Assabet Valley topped Tahanto, 54-52, to repeat as Assabet Holiday Classic champions in Marlborough.
▪ Third-ranked Methuen/Tewksbury girls’ hockey trailed, 1-0, in the third period before sisters Sammy and Lauren Ryan each delivered a goal and a 2-1 win over Winchester at O’Brien Arena.
▪ Concord-Carlisle emerged from a shootout with Acton-Boxborough to advance to the final of the Battle Road Classic at Hayden Rink.
▪ Hanover rode three goals from MVP Ryan Kisiel, a junior, to the Michael Giordano Christmas Classic title at Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston. It’s the second tournament win for Hanover this season, following the Jim Gormley Cup at Gallo Arena on Dec. 13.
▪ Senior Jacoby Patterson collected MVP honors with two goals and an assist as Shawsheen won the Lions Tournament with a 3-2 victory over host Chelmsford.
▪ Brothers Luke and Matt Dickson teamed up to give Medfield a championship at the Cape Ann Savings Bank Tournament with a 2-1 win over Gloucester. Both brothers had a goal and an assist, and Luke was named MVP.
▪ St. John’s Prep won the Pete Frates Winter Classic with a clinching goal from senior Christian Coleman, giving the second-ranked Eagles a 3-2 win over No. 3 Pope Francis at Essex Sports Center.
“We play in honor of Pete and Pete’s family, it’s important for us to give our best effort,” St. John’s Prep coach Kristian Hanson said after his team captured its third title in the event, which dates to 2015.
▪ It took a shootout, but Hudson claimed the Mark Bushnoe Tournament title after tying Lunenburg/Ayer Shirley, 4-4. Junior Timmy O’Malley earned MVP honors with a goal and two assists. at the Wallace Civic Center.
▪ Boston Latin left no doubt in the final of the Michael Giordano Christmas Classic, besting Westford 5-0 after junior Angela Wells got things going with two goals and an assist.
Wellesley has a new boys’ lacrosse coach and he’s no stranger to the Raiders’ sidelines. Dave Wainwright, the school’s girls’ soccer coach, will also take over the boys’ lacrosse program from Jim Connolly, who stepped down after eight seasons.
Wainwright began coaching Wellesley girls’ soccer in 2024, a year after winning a second state title with Natick. He also coached boys’ lacrosse at Needham since 2003, winning a state title in his first season. Wainwright is an elementary teacher in the Needham district.
Wellesley went 11-10 last season, falling in the second round of the Division 1 tournament to eventual champion St. John’s Prep.
Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 38
Rolky Brea-Arias, St. Mary’s, 28
Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan, 28
Yhan Medina, Quincy, 28
Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 27
Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 25
Jacob Klass, Beverly, 25
Burke Lombardi, Nantucket, 25
Grant Neal, Lynnfield, 25
Charlie Poehler, Burlington, 25
Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 24
Tyler Staiti, Abington, 23
Abby Broderick, Medfield, 22
Matty Gray, Burlington, 21
Gabe Keskinides, Tewksbury, 21
Julian Ortega, Southeastern, 21
Sofia Wightman Kraus, Hopkinton, 21
Cason Faulk, Bridgewater-Raynham, 20
Jiai Gonzalez, Blue Hills, 20
Gwen Jones, Beverly, 20
Rolky Brea-Arias, St. Mary’s, 23
Katie McMahon, Natick, 16
Colin Cyr, Apponequet, 13
Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 11
Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 11
Andrew Braganca, Beverly, 8
Sophie Gallivan, North Reading, 8
Henry Svirutnas, Apponequet, 8
Elyza Wagner, Apponequet, 8
Dom Torres, Beverly, 6
Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 10
Duke Cherry, Malden Catholic, 7
Henry Svirutnas, Apponequet, 6
Dom Torres, Beverly, 6
Abby Broderick, Medfield, 5
Ryan Levesque, Apponequet, 5
Cece Levrault, Apponequet, 5
Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 5
Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 4
Colin McKay, Apponequet, 4
Elyza Wagner, Apponequet, 4
Denai Williams, Natick, 4
Naya Annigeri, Medfield, 8
Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 7
Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 5
Denai Williams, Natick, 5
Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 4
Dom Torres, Beverly, 4
Lucey Jean, Hopkinton/Dover-Sherborn, 4
Leah Carlson, Medfield, 3
Michael Cortis, Medway, 3
Jason Drake, Medway, 3
Thomas Fish, Danvers, 3
Ryan Kisiel, Hanover, 3
Matthew McGinty, St. John’s (S), 3
Kody Pokraka, Falmouth, 3
Jackson Ballard, BC High, 2
Nick Beltramini, Whitman-Hanson, 2
Tyler Bourgea, Tewksbury, 2
Matthew Breda, Nauset, 2
Mia Cataruzolo, Milton, 2
Garrett Consigli, Medway, 2
Cam Dematos, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 2
Emma Doucette, St. Mary’s, 2
Ryan Elrick, Canton, 2
Hunter Fucci, Waltham, 2
Brooke Hanley, Duxbury, 2
Chase Harmon, Notre Dame (Hingham), 2
Sean Keenan, BC High, 2
Adam Kornbau, Framingham, 2
Brogan Laverdiere, Norton, 2
Bryan Li, Acton-Boxborough, 2
Cam McKenna, Hingham, 2
Brendan McCarthy, Hingham, 2
Addison Nee, Pembroke, 2
Emma Nee, Pembroke, 2
Jacoby Patterson, Shawsheen, 2
Colin Rogers, Latin Academy, 2
Zoe Sullivan, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 2
Gabby Sundstrom, Duxbury, 2
Maeve Turner, Falmouth, 2
Colin Walsh, Framingham, 2
Angela Wells, Boston Latin, 2
Charlotte Woodford, HPNA, 2
Teddy Shuman, Canton, 4
Max Ryan, BC High, 3
Aoife Bourke, Boston Latin, 2
Michael Conners, Walpole, 2
Coleman Donovan, Latin Academy, 2
Emma Doucette, St. Mary’s, 2
James Gordon, Burlington, 2
Mia Kmiec, HPNA, 2
Adam Kornbau, Framingham, 2
Tyler McHugh, Essex Tech, 2
Phoebe Niese, Boston Latin, 2
Timmy O’Malley, Hudson, 2
Joe Pumphret, Winthrop, 2
Caroline Shearer, Falmouth, 2
Jamie Vallarelli, Taunton, 2
Colin Walsh, Framingham, 2
Nick Denino, Lynn, 52
Jakob Johed, Newton South, 33
Nico Santosuosso, Masconomet, 33
Sydney Foster, Central Catholic, 32
Axel Rydberg, Marlborough, 32
Sophia Luoni, Natick, 28
Ryan Christensen, Whitman-Hanson, 26
Garo Gebeyan, Waltham, 25
Tenley Simmons, Bishop Stang, 19
Luke Pellerin, Taunton, 18
Evan Morey, Danvers, 16
Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.
Continue Reading
Massachusetts
Massachusetts high school under investigation after teachers diagnosed with breast cancer
A Massachusetts high school is under investigation after “several” teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions.
The state Department of Public Health is set to visit Uxbridge High School on Thursday to “conduct a series of air quality tests,” to determine whether the multiple cases are potentially connected.
Superintendent David Ljungberg and Principal Michael Rubin alerted families and district staff on Monday of the “sombering news,” after Uxbridge High School’s graduation over the weekend.
“We are writing to inform you about a concern we are investigating at Uxbridge High School,” Ljungberg and Rubin stated in the letter. “Several female teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions over the past few years.”
“It is, of course, possible that these multiple cases are not connected to one another,” the leaders added, “but out of abundance of caution, we are looking into any environmental factors at the school that may be a factor in their diagnoses.”
The 123,000-square-foot school, with an enrollment of roughly 600, was constructed in 2012 at a cost of $45 million, including a $22-million state reimbursement.
Uxbridge school leaders say they notified the state Department of Health and local health board as soon as they became aware of the cases, seeking “counsel about how best to proceed.”
“Massachusetts DPH officials have indicated that there is no evidence of immediate danger in the building and no reason to limit access to or use of the facility at this time,” they wrote in their letter. “In fact, the public health officials have commended our decision to approach them with these concerns, our readiness to partner with them in support of the evaluation process.”
Health officials are assessing the school’s interior and exterior to “ensure there are no issues with the infrastructure that would present risks (including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and other systems)” and the indoor and outdoor air quality on campus.
The superintendent and principal said that state officials have ruled out water supply as a “risk factor” after “thorough testing.”
“The team has reached out to the women who have been diagnosed, requesting data to evaluate whether there may be a connection among their cases,” Ljungberg and Rubin wrote. “We are grateful for their cooperation.”
They added that the state has said discovering an environmental “smoking gun” is “rare” in workplace investigations.
“However, even if a direct causal link is not established,” the leaders wrote, “the administration is utilizing this process to rigorously test the building and guarantee that it meets all safety standards moving forward.”
Local News
The legislation would allow licensed establishments to sell alcohol one hour later than their normal closing time, up to 3 a.m., between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2026.
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow cities and towns to temporarily extend bar and restaurant hours during the summer, as the state prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The legislation (H.5465) filed by state Rep. Carole Fiola, would allow licensed establishments to sell alcohol one hour later than their normal closing time, up to 3 a.m., between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. The bill would also allow communities to establish designated public consumption districts where alcohol could be consumed in approved public spaces.
In a press release announcing the bill, Fiola said the summer’s threefold events lineup — the World Cup, Tall Ships, and July 4th — is an economically significant moment that the state should take advantage of.
“We should capitalize on these events that will generate economic benefits for small businesses and the state as a whole. It’s a local opt-in idea worth exploring that’s being done in other states,” Fiola said.
The proposal has received support from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and most recently Gov. Maura Healey, who submitted written testimony Monday to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies urging lawmakers to advance the measure.
“Massachusetts is planning for a once-in-a-generation summer,” Healey wrote, according to the Boston Globe. “In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, welcome tall ships from around the world to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston, and host seven FIFA World Cup matches in Foxborough, along with watch parties across the Commonwealth.”
The governor argued that the added flexibility could help local economies benefit from an influx of visitors.
“That flexibility can help communities capture more visitor spending, support jobs, keep downtowns active, and strengthen Massachusetts’ image as a dynamic destination ready to host the world and a place our residents, including our young professionals, are proud to call home,” Healey wrote.
She also urged lawmakers to move the legislation forward, saying it will “help Massachusetts meet the full economic and cultural opportunities for the summer ahead.”
-
Rhode Island bill proposes 24-hour bar hours during World Cup
In Rhode Island, a similar bill to allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup was signed into law on Friday.
Fiola’s bill remains before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Any final version would require approval from both the House and Senate before reaching Healey’s desk.
The meteor responsible for a loud boom heard in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Saturday afternoon was approximately 5 feet in diameter and weighed more than 12,000 pounds, according to NASA.
The object entered Earth’s atmosphere at roughly 42,000 mph, a NASA spokesperson said. It then traveled through the atmosphere from northwest to southeast for 26 miles before breaking up and producing a meteorite fall into Cape Cod Bay.
The energy released when the object broke up at an altitude of 31 miles is estimated to be equivalent to about 230 tons of TNT, according to NASA.
Professor Ralph Milliken of the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University spoke with NBC 10’s Mike Cerullo. (WJAR)
While it’s not very common to experience a 5-foot-wide meteorite, there is a significant amount of debris from space that reaches Earth.
“The estimates are that we probably have about 5,000 tons of cosmic dust and material and meteorites landing on Earth. The vast majority of that is super tiny stuff, we’re talking things that are smaller than a grain of sand, or the thickness of a human hair,” said Professor Ralph Milliken of the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University. “For something of this size a few feet across, it’s not that common, but a few a year. Most of these would occur over uninhabited areas, over the ocean, and we wouldn’t be able to see them, but they are detected.”
Because of its size, a meteorite with a 5-foot diameter is difficult to track before it enter Earth’s atmosphere.
“It’s virtually impossible to kind of know in advance of this size object coming,” Milliken said.
The area where a meteorite crashed in Cape Cod Bay. (WJAR)
Scientists are, however, able to track much larger space objects. NASA has been developing technology to try to deflect larger objects if needed.
Events like what occurred in New England over the weekend are recorded. Although other fireballs enter Earth’s atmosphere throughout the year, many of them materialize over water and uninhabited areas.
-
Technology43 seconds agoCould your Samsung phone replace your passport?
-
Business6 minutes agoRent-hike ban to protect fire victims ends despite gouging concerns
-
Entertainment13 minutes agoTwo of music’s most powerful executives maxed out donations to Spencer Pratt
-
Lifestyle16 minutes agoVintage-obsessed millennial parents are driving L.A.’s booming kids’ clothing resale market
-
Politics21 minutes agoEarly returns indicate L.A. County voters have doubts about healthcare sales tax measure
-
Sports31 minutes agoNelly Korda, Michelle Wie West and more: Who to watch at U.S. Women’s Open
-
World43 minutes agoEU launches major tech push to break US and China dependence
-
News1 hour agoCalifornia’s primary for governor is undecided as candidates vie to be in the top two
