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NY Gov. Hochul to sign bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide: ‘Who am I to deny you?’

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NY Gov. Hochul to sign bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide: ‘Who am I to deny you?’

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to sign a measure to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients under a deal reached with state legislative leaders.

The governor intends to sign the bill next year after working to add a series of “guardrails,” she wrote in an op-ed in the Albany Times Union announcing her plans. The measure, approved by state lawmakers during their regulation session earlier this year, will go into effect six months after it is signed.

Hochul, who is Catholic, said she listened to New Yorkers in the “throes of pain and suffering,” as well as their children, while also hearing out “individuals of many faiths who believe that deliberately shortening one’s life violates the sanctity of life.”

“I was taught that God is merciful and compassionate, and so must we be,” she wrote. “This includes permitting a merciful option to those facing the unimaginable and searching for comfort in their final months in this life.”

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NEW JERSEY’S MEDICALLY-ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW ONLY COVERS STATE RESIDENTS, APPEALS COURT RULES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to sign a measure to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. (Julia Nikhinson, File/AP Photo)

New York will join a dozen other states and Washington, D.C., in adopting laws allowing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, including Delaware and Illinois, which each approved legislation this year that will go into effect in 2026.

Several other countries, including Canada, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia and Colombia, have also legalized so-called death with dignity.

New York’s bill, dubbed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, requires a terminally ill person who is expected to die within six months to make a written request for life-ending drugs. Two witnesses must sign the request to ensure the patient is not being coerced, and the request would need to be approved by the patient’s attending physician and a consulting physician.

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The bill’s sponsors and legislative leaders have agreed to add provisions to mandate that a medical doctor affirms that the person “truly had less than six months to live,” along with confirmation from a psychologist or psychiatrist that the patient is capable of making the decision without being under duress.

“The Medical Aid in Dying Act will afford terminally ill New Yorkers the right to spend their final days not under sterile hospital lights but with sunlight streaming through their bedroom window,” Hochul wrote.

“The right to spend their final days not hearing the droning hum of hospital machines but instead the laughter of their grandkids echoing in the next room. The right to tell their family they love them and be able to hear those precious words in return,” she added.

The measure will go into effect six months after it is signed. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)

Hochul said the bill will include a mandatory five-day waiting period in addition to a written and recorded oral request to “confirm free will is present.” Outpatient facilities linked to religious hospitals may choose not to offer medically-assisted suicide.

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The governor also said she wants the bill to only apply to New York residents. 

Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled that a similar law in New Jersey only covers state residents and that people from other jurisdictions cannot seek medical aid-in dying in the Garden State.

“Death brings good things to an end, but rarely neatly,” U.S. Circuit Court Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote in the opinion. “Many terminally ill patients face a grim reality: imminent, painful death. Some may want to avert that suffering by enlisting a doctor’s help to end their own lives. New Jersey lets its residents make that choice—but only its residents.”

Hochul said on Wednesday that supporting the New York bill was one of the toughest decisions she has made as governor.

DELAWARE’S ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW, MAKING IT THE 11TH STATE WITH SUCH A STATUTE

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The governor said she wants the bill to only apply to New York residents. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

“Who am I to deny you or your loved one what they’re begging for at the end of their life?” she said. “I couldn’t do that any longer.”

The legislation was first introduced in 2016 but failed to receive approval for years as religious groups such as the New York State Catholic Conference sought to block the measure, arguing that it would devalue human life and undermine the physician’s role as a healer.

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Cardinal Timothy Dolan and New York’s bishops said in a statement after Hochul’s announcement that her support for the bill “signals our government’s abandonment of its most vulnerable citizens, telling people who are sick or disabled that suicide in their case is not only acceptable, but is encouraged by our elected leaders.”

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But supporters of the legislation contended that it would reduce suffering for terminally ill people and allow them to die on their own terms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Boston, MA

Visiting Boston this summer? Here are 8 navigation tips you need to know.

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Visiting Boston this summer? Here are 8 navigation tips you need to know.


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Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Downtown Boston with a view of Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff)

Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Millions of visitors are expected to pass through the city, many of them navigating Boston for the first time. Here are answers to some of the most common questions visitors may have before they arrive.

Passengers using a rideshare app can only be picked up in designated areas for ride app vehicles (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff) – Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Where is rideshare pick up at Logan Airport?

Passengers using a rideshare app can only be picked up in designated areas for ride app vehicles. Look for signs to your terminal’s designated Ride App pickup area before requesting your ride. 

Taxis are available at designated stands on the Arrivals level at Terminals A, B, C and E. Taxi dispatchers are located in all terminals to help you. Taxis are priced per mile, according to the Boston Police Department: for the first ⅛ of a mile, you pay $3.80, then, for each ⅛ mile after, you pay $0.40. Passengers also pay a $2.75 toll for all trips from Boston proper to Logan Airport and communities on the North Shore. However, passengers don’t have to pay a toll from Boston proper to East Boston (not including the airport).

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Do I need a CharlieCard to ride the T?

No, you don’t need a CharlieCard to ride the train (the T). Most MBTA subway and bus riders can pay directly with a credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smart watch. If you’re riding the Commuter Rail, you’ll need to download the MBTA mTicket app before your trip to purchase and scan Commuter Rail tickets directly from your phone.

However, if you’d like to purchase a CharlieCard, you most certainly can. In fact, the MBTA launched a special edition collectable CharlieCards featuring iconic Boston landmarks to celebrate the summer’s slew of major events. As of Tuesday, cards are available at fare kiosks at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, and Forest Hills stations. Cards will be rolled out at over a dozen more stations throughout the subway system this week.


  • Wickedpedia: Why is it called a CharlieCard?

A general view of the preparations outside of Gillette Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

How do I get to Boston Stadium?

Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) is located in the town of Foxborough, which is about 22 miles (35 km) south of Boston.

The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 suggests fans leave plenty of time to travel to the stadium. If you’re driving from Boston, allocate between 60 to 90 minutes to get to the stadium, and 45 to 50 minutes if you’re driving from Providence. 

If you’re taking the Commuter Rail to the stadium, you must buy a Boston Stadium train ticket in advance ($80 roundtrip) from the MBTA mTicket app. The train will take you directly to and from each World Cup match. Arrive at South Station at the time shown for your boarding group (you can see all Boston Stadium train ticket schedules here). The train ride is about an hour long. All Boston Stadium train tickets include a return trip after the match, with trains starting to leave Foxboro Station 30 minutes after the final whistle and roughly every 15 minutes until all trains have departed.

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If you’re taking the Boston Stadium express bus ($95 roundtrip), you must buy tickets in advance. Bus service starts three to four-and-a-half hours before kickoff. Arrive at your bus pickup (there are over 90 locations across Greater Boston plus from the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence) no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. After the match buses will start leaving 30 minutes after the final whistle. 

Boston Stadium’s gates open three hours before kickoff. Parking (which must be booked in advance) will be open to fans fours hours before kickoff. FIFA encourages fans to arrive early for security screening, ticket scanning, and entry before kickoff. For more information on getting to and from the stadium, see the Boston Host Committee’s fan travel guide.

Where can I watch the World Cup, Sail Boston, and Fourth of July fireworks in Boston?

There are plenty of World Cup watch parties hosted at local bars and restaurants across Boston’s neighborhoods. Standout spots include Boston’s only Scottish bar, The Haven, which is the de facto home base for Scottish fans; and The Lansdowne Pub in Fenway, which will offer World Cup-themed cocktails and food tied to specific games. There will also be a FIFA Fan Festival at Boston’s City Hall Plaza from June 12 through 27 featuring live match broadcasts and a cultural showcase highlighting local artists, musicians, and performers.


  • Where to watch the World Cup in Boston

From July 11 through 16, a fleet of tall ships will sail into Boston as part of Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Most Sail Boston activities are expected to be concentrated along Boston’s waterfront. If you’re coming from outside of Boston, take the Commuter Rail into South Station. From there, take the Silver Line to the Seaport District and Boston Waterfront, where you can visit the Tall Ships. If you’re coming from North Station, it’s about a 0.6-mile walk to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in the North End, where you can enjoy a great view of the ships. Other spots to see the Tall Ships include Castle Island, East Boston and Charlestown. You can find a schedule of free events here, and can use Sail Boston’s interactive harbor map to see the Parade of Sail route through Boston Harbor, recommended viewing locations along the waterfront, and public access to piers and Tall Ship berthing areas.

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The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will take place on Saturday, July 4 at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event features the Boston Pops led by Keith Lockhart, guest performances by Lainey Wilson and Chance The Rapper, and a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m. There are several places to watch the fireworks, including the Charles River Esplanade near the Hatch Memorial Shell; Castle Island Beach in South Boston; and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. The Hatch Shell is accessible via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. The Esplanade is accessible via a footbridge at the intersection of Silber Way and Back Street near Boston University’s campus; a footbridge at the intersection of Fairfield and Back Streets in Back Bay; a pedestrian ramp where the Harvard Bridge goes over Storrow Drive; the Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge in Beacon Hill; and from the Charles River/MGH T stop on the Red Line.

What should I do if the T is crowded after a major event?

Walk. Boston was ranked as the second-most walkable city in the world, according to a 2025 Time Out survey. Downtown Boston is approximately 1.5 square miles, making it easy to access many points of interest in a short amount of time. 

Where can I find public restrooms in Boston? 

There are many public restrooms hidden in plain sight in Boston. From libraries and to firehouses, here’s a running list of public restrooms.

Can I get anywhere interesting by water? 

Yes. In addition to subway and bus service, the MBTA also operates ferry service from Boston to several coastal neighborhoods, islands, and even Logan airport.

In Boston, the main ferry terminals are located along Atlantic Ave, just outside of the Aquarium Station on the Blue Line. Each MBTA ferry terminal is marked with a T sign. Fares depend on the route you take, but range from $2.40 to $9.75 each way. Ferries operate year-round and include both indoor and outdoor seating. They also offer a fantastic view of Boston and the Boston Harbor Islands. You can find schedules and maps here as well as a beginner’s guide here.

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What’s parking like in Boston?

If you see a “Resident Parking Only” sign in a neighborhood, it means you need a resident parking permit sticker for that space. However, metered parking and garage parking is available throughout the city. 

Most meters operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday (on Sundays and City holidays you can park for free). You can generally only park in a metered spot for two hours before needing to move your car. You can pay your meter with quarters, credit cards, and by using the ParkBoston app (if a ParkBoston decal is on the meter where you parked). Metered parking ranges between $2.50 and $3.75 per hour, depending on the neighborhood. 

Downtown Boston has more than 6,300 parking spaces in thirteen public parking garages, according to the Downtown Boston Alliance, with most garages offering discounted parking rates on nights and weekends. Garage parking typically ranges from $10 to $20 for the first hour, with daily maximums up to $75.

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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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Pittsburg, PA

About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts

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About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts


Acrisure Stadium is buzzing with excitement ahead of the back-to-back Morgan Wallen concerts. Except it’s not the fans generating all the excitement — it’s about 5 pounds of honeybees. 

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The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela said it was contacted on Wednesday about a swarm of bees clustered on the stage scaffolding. The apiary put the swarm in a “nuc box” and took them home before moving the bees into full-size equipment.

Owner Al Fine estimates the swarm weighed about 4 to 5 pounds and consisted of 12,000 to 15,000 bees. All said, it took less than two hours to get the job done. 

The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela removed about 12,000 to 15,000 bees from Acrisure Stadium. 

(Photo: The Fine Family Apiary/Facebook)

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Why do bees swarm? 

Swarming is how honeybees propagate, Fine explained. According to Penn State Extension, during swarming, the queen and about half the workers leave their home to establish a new nest. The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home

Swarms can stick around for several hours or days until they’re ready to move, Penn State Extension says. Meanwhile, the colony left behind is temporarily without a leader until a new queen is established. 

With the swarm at Acrisure Stadium removed, Morgan Wallen’s show is ready to go on. The country music megastar will bring his I’m The Problem Tour to Pittsburgh on June 5 and June 6, along with multiple acts like Brooks & Dunn and Ella Langley. 



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Connecticut

Afternoon forecast for June 3

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Afternoon forecast for June 3



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