In Massachusetts, the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, has been detected in several areas including Springfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Chicopee, Holyoke, and parts of Mount Tom State Reservation near South Hadley and Easthampton. This pest, which feeds on over 100 plant species by piercing and sucking out the sap, poses a threat to agriculture and native trees. Originating from Vietnam and China, it was first identified in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since been confirmed in 16 states.
UMass Extension Entomologist Tawny Simisky highlighted the minimal current impact on Hampshire County’s agricultural sector but emphasized vigilance due to the potential threat to breweries, wineries, and orchards. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has been monitoring the spread, encouraging residents to report sightings to aid in tracking and management efforts.
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The invasive species is known for its preference for the tree of heaven, another invasive plant, although it can complete its life cycle without it. The spotted lanternfly breeds in late summer, leaving egg masses on various surfaces. Residents are urged to report sightings to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and can employ nonchemical methods like sticky traps for control, reserving chemical treatments for severe infestations.
The U.S. Coast Guard is frantically searching Massachusetts waters for survivors after a commercial fishing boat with seven people on board, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) observer, sank Friday 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann.
Coast Guard watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon (EPIRB) alert at about 6:50 a.m. registered to the 72-foot commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean.
USCG crews attempted to contact the boat, and after getting no response, issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB), according to officials.
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USCG Northeast District launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester to search the area.
A USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod is searching for survivors after a commercial fishing boat sank off Cape Ann, Mass.(Getty Images)
COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR SURVIVORS AFTER US STRIKES SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORIST VESSELS IN EASTERN PACIFIC
The Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay was also diverted to assist the search.
Rescue crews found debris near the location where the EPIRB was activated, along with a body and an unoccupied life raft.
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The Coast Guard said crews will continue with the search and rescue response.
EIGHT PEOPLE RESCUED FROM SINKING BOAT AFTER RUNNING LOW ON FUEL IN ROUGH MIAMI WATERS
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the state has offered its full support.
“I’m heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean and have offered our full support to Mayor Lundberg, Harbormaster Lucido and the Coast Guard,” Healey wrote in a statement. “I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time.
“Fishermen and fishing vessels are core to the history, economy and culture of Gloucester and Cape Ann, and this tragedy is felt all across the state.”
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Commercial fishing boats docked in Gloucester Harbor, Mass. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR 77-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO WENT OVERBOARD ON HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE SHIP
The boat’s captain, Gus Sanfilippo, and his crew were featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men,” highlighting a fishing expedition in dangerous weather conditions, according to a report from The Associated Press.
Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman, angled for haddock, lobster and flounder, according to the report.
State Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, told the outlet he was friends with the missing captain.
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It is unclear if there are any survivors.(Google Maps)
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“He’s a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you,” Tarr told the AP. “He is very, very skilled at what he does. … I’m going to make a prediction. Tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow, you’re going to see strength. The strength that has made this the most historic fishing port in the United States of America.”
Gloucester, Massachusetts, is a coastal city about 30 miles north of Boston, on Cape Ann.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.
Louis Divito, of Westminster, was named Panini America’s 2026 Super Bowl Kid Reporter, and is headed to California.
Louis Divito, 9, was named Panini America’s 2026 Super Bowl Kid Reporter, earning him an all-access pass to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif. (Photo courtesy of John Divito)
By Annie Jonas
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3 minutes to read
It’s not every day that a third-grader earns media credentials for the biggest game in American sports, but for one Massachusetts student, the Super Bowl is about to become his next big story.
Nine-year-old Louis Divito, of Westminster, was named Panini America’s 2026 Super Bowl Kid Reporter, landing an all-access pass to Super Bowl LX.
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Check out the Patriots’ uniforms for Super Bowl LX
Selected from more than 187,000 applicants nationwide, Divito will spend Super Bowl week covering the NFL’s biggest stage not just as a fan, but as a working reporter.
As part of Panini America’s annual sweepstakes, Divito will interview NFL players from the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks and take part in opening night festivities alongside former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer. He’ll also attend exclusive Panini events, open trading card packs with current and former players, and soak in game day experience at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8.
A lifelong New England fan, the trip carries extra meaning — he’ll be accompanied by his father, John Divito, also a Patriots diehard. Between school, sports, and a fast-growing trading card collection, his enthusiasm for the game has already set him apart. Now, he’s ready to bring that energy to the national stage — one question at a time.
We caught up with Louis ahead of his Super Bowl correspondent debut.
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Interview edited for length and clarity.
Boston.com: Louis, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Louis: My name is Louis. I’m nine years old. I play football, I play baseball, I play basketball. I play hockey, swim, and ski. I like doing Legos. And I have three sisters and two parents.
Louis Divito, of Westminster, at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough. (Photo courtesy of John Divito)
What do you like about being a Patriots fan?
I like that the team’s in the Super Bowl. I also like that the Patriots are a really good team, and it’s my home team. I also like that I get to go to the Super Bowl. They’re really good. And I love blue and red … and white, but white’s not my favorite.
What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to the Super Bowl?
Screaming and not much sleep. Thinking and thinking and questions. A hundred billion questions — like, a lot of questions.
You’re going to get to interview the players at the Super Bowl. How are you feeling about that?
I’m nervous for the part where I have to ask questions. But I’m also really excited to go to the Super Bowl, and California, and spend time with my dad, and the hot weather, and meeting my favorite players.
Who are you most excited to talk to?
I have five players in mind: Drake Maye, Stefon Diggs, Will Campbell, Christian Gonzalez, and Mack Hollins.
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Louis Divito is a football diehard. (Photo courtesy of John Divito)
How do you feel about getting to talk to the Seahawks?
I feel good, I think it’s just fun to talk to any NFL player, even if I’m not rooting for them. But I’d definitely choose talking to the Patriots over the Seahawks.
What do the Patriots have to do to win?
Play really good defense. And pass the ball and catch the ball and not slip and fall on the ground, and score touch downs, and really tackle people hard. And we want to sack the [Seahawks] quarterback really hard, and don’t let him score anything.
If the Patriots do win the Super Bowl, how will you celebrate?
We’ll go to the hotel and celebrate and do so much stuff. We’ll go to dinner … and open the car windows, and we’ll dance, probably play karaoke on TV in our room. And we’ll go to the beach and scream at the sea lions.
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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Cruiser Care Packs are back to provide winter help for the homeless population across Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Bob Charland, a veteran of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, began the Cruiser Care Pack initiative 10 years ago. “Cruiser Care Packs are a tool for officers to help the homeless community during these tough winter times,” Charland said.
