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Over 100 students without bus service as Massachusetts funds buses for migrants

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Over 100 students without bus service as Massachusetts funds buses for migrants

Parents and students of a school district outside of Boston were informed last week that they would be without school bus service, citing a lack of funding and a shortage of buses. 

The 150 students at Stoughton Public Schools will have to find a new way to get to school ahead of the academic year’s September 4 start date, the Boston Herald first reported. The news comes at the same time that the state has started paying for buses for the migrant students of the more than 200 migrant families that recently moved into their community. 

“Unfortunately, for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, 150 secondary students who signed up to ride a bus were not able to be placed on a bus,” a letter sent to parents from Superintendent of Schools Joseph Baeta read. “Those families not receiving bus transportation were notified this week. Those receiving bus transportation will receive their bus postcards the week of August 19.”

School buses lined up in a parking lot. (jhorrocks/iStock)

“We understand the feelings of disappointment and frustration this caused for the families who did not receive bus transportation,” the letter added. “We feel it is important to explain this situation to all of our families to allow you to better understand how we arrived at this point.”

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Over 160 more students applied for bus transportation compared to the year before, the letter said. Because of budget restraints, the district has one less bus than the year before. The superintendent also said there is a shortage of bus drivers. 

There is no requirement in the state of Massachusetts to provide transportation for students in grades 7-12, but the district is required to provide busing to students living in hotels and shelters, the letter said. However, according to the superintendent, the arrival of migrant families in Stoughton is not the reason for the shortage of buses.

MIGRANTS SLEEPING AT BOSTON AIRPORT TO BE REMOVED AS BAN GOES INTO EFFECT

“We are utilizing funding the state provides to the district to bus the students living in hotels/shelters,” the letter said. “The funding for these two buses does not come from our operational budget. It is inaccurate to suggest that these children receiving busing is the reason yours did not. If we were not receiving the funding from the state for the students living in hotels/shelters, we would not be able to have these two additional buses.”

The district indicated there wasn’t much it could do to provide additional busing, but announced there would be a virtual forum on Monday night where families could express concern or ask questions. 

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In a March letter issued by the Stoughton Superintendent, he recognized the uptick in migrants as a contributor to “financial pressures.”

(Young boy waiting for school bus.)

“The district is seeing an increase in PreK-12 enrollment, including in our migrant student population, and unprecedented pressures in special education, transportation, and services for English Learners,” he wrote. “Our main priorities have been retaining teaching staff and supporting the large influx of students we received this year, including providing the English Learner services they require.”

“In order to accommodate this increase in our student population, we have had to make adjustments throughout the budget,” he added. “The situation remains fluid as we get more information and advocate for additional funding from the state.”

BOSTON MAYOR SILENT ON SANCTUARY CITY POLICIES AMID MIGRANT CRIME REPORTS 

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Some parents took to Facebook to express their dismay at the news. 

“So how are 150 Stoughton students supposed to get to school now? Just got the word YESTERDAY that our son, along with 149 other students, lost their seat on the bus…. talk about Stoughton Pride,” one parent said. “They didn’t even offer an alternative option like maybe paying for a ride which we would do because otherwise we have ZERO way of getting our son to school. This town is disgusting me. So my kid is supposed to walk 3 miles to and from school straight up route 138!?! We live basically in North Easton. What are all these families supposed to do!? Unbelievable.”

“Stoughton, MA has cut bus service for students, just last week,” another parent said. “They are telling parents to arrange transportation. Town has 237 migrant families, they are all guaranteed bus service. So the cuts to bus service for students is for legal Stoughton residents only. Schools requested a 7.1% increase of funding for this year & got it. Migrants are causing financial strain says Town Manager. 2 busses will be dedicated to migrants only.”

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When reached for comment, Stoughton Public Schools directed Fox News Digital to its statement issued to families. 

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Stoughton Town Manager Thomas Calter wrote a letter to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey in February, which stated that at least 237 migrant families had moved into their community, which is having an “adverse impact” related to the budget, economic development and the safety of our community. 

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Boston, MA

Shay Maloney’s overtime goal lifts Boston Fleet to road victory

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Shay Maloney’s overtime goal lifts Boston Fleet to road victory


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Shay Maloney scored 41 seconds into overtime and the Boston Fleet edged the Vancouver Goldeneyes 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Much of the game was a goalie duel, with neither side scoring until the third period.

Haley Winn was first to strike, getting the Fleet on the board early in the final frame with her second goal of the year.

Hannah Miller responded for the Goldeneyes with 3:26 remaining, blasting a one-timer past Boston goalie Aerin Frankel from just inside the blue line. Frankel stopped 25 of the 26 shots she faced, and the Fleet won its sixth straight game.

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Kristen Campbell made 25 saves in the Vancouver net.

The win moved the Fleet back into sole possession of first place in the league standings, two points ahead of the Montreal Victoire.

Vancouver was without goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, who is listed as day to day with an upper-body injury. Kimberly Newell served as Campbell’s backup.



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Pittsburg, PA

How Pittsburgh area drivers can save money on gas as prices rise during the war with Iran

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How Pittsburgh area drivers can save money on gas as prices rise during the war with Iran


Until the prices at the gas pump start to come down, we’re all looking for a way to trim our spending on fuel. The good news is that there are a number of ways to do that, and they just might be in your wallet or on your phone right now. 

Whether it’s credit card reward programs or brand loyalty programs, finding a discount at the gas station is easier than you might think. 

Most major gas stations either have loyalty programs or memberships that can save you money. There’s also the option of using AAA to find some savings.   

On your phone, there are several apps and options that can save you money, like GasBuddy or Waze. 

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“The Auto Club app, which is our app, it actually will guide you toward the least expensive fuel in the area near you,” explained Jim Garrity of AAA East Central.

Both AAA and AARP have deals with Shell, where members can get five cents off a gallon. 

Meanwhile, if you’re getting your shopping done at one of the warehouse, wholesale stores such as Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Costco, part of your membership is a gas discount, which is usually at least 10 cents cheaper. 

Even if you aren’t a member of one of these wholesale stores, many grocery stores have rewards programs that can get you a discount at gas stations. 

Garrity said there are also things you can do behind the wheel that can save you money on gas, starting with slowing down. 

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“Essentially, for every five miles over 50 miles an hour you’re driving, we found that you’re decreasing your fuel economy exponentially,” he explained. 

He also said that drivers should avoid jack rabbit starts – basically pushing down on the gas pedal instead of easing off the brake and putting slight pressure on the gas pedal. Drivers also should make sure that they’re keeping up with regular maintenance. 

“They save up pennies that over time really add up,” he said. 

Obviously, changing your driving habits is hard, especially because you don’t see immediate results, and that can lead to frustration. 

Using those memberships, rewards programs, and discount resources, that’s real money and more immediate. 

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Connecticut

Study: Late-Night Gamers in Connecticut Are Dragging Down Productivity

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Study: Late-Night Gamers in Connecticut Are Dragging Down Productivity


According to a study published by Win.gg, all those late-night gaming sessions aren’t just wrecking your sleep—they’re wrecking Connecticut’s bottom line. Yeah, apparently your midnight raid or Fortnite grind comes with a side of lost productivity, and it adds up fast.

Win.gg surveyed 2,000 working gamers across the U.S., then crunched the numbers with data from the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The results? Roughly 47% of employed gamers in Connecticut admit they’re dragging the next day after a late-night session. On average, that translates to about 2.6 hours of work that… well, never really happens. If you put a dollar figure on it, that’s about $104 lost per worker in a single day. Multiply that by the state, and we’re looking at a staggering $74 million in lost productivity. Yup, you read that right—$74 million just because people stayed up too late chasing loot or finishing that last level.

Read More: Three Arrested for Burglary in New Fairfield 

It’s not just your career that’s taking a hit, either. Gamers in the state report cutting their sleep by an average of 1.8 hours to fit in those extra hours of gaming. And we all know what happens when you skimp on sleep: coffee consumption goes up, focus goes down, and suddenly responding to emails feels like decoding hieroglyphics.

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So, what does this mean for Connecticut? Employers are essentially paying for productivity that doesn’t happen, and the state as a whole is bleeding money. But let’s be real—nobody’s about to stop gaming. If anything, this is a reminder that maybe those late-night raids are best saved for the weekend, or at least capped so the Monday grind doesn’t feel like a marathon through molasses.

If you want to dive into all the numbers and methodology, Win.gg has the full breakdown here. But the takeaway is clear: your gaming habit might be costing more than you think—both in sleep and in dollars.

Exploring Beyond the Rusty Gates of Danbury’s Oldest Cemetery on Wooster Street

I live just down the block from the Wooster Street Cemetery and whenever I pass, I am always struck at how odd it is. You have this quiet, beautiful place that is dedicated to the people who were buried there, in the middle of a busy city and almost no one ever goes there. I decided to go take a deeper look around and see what was beyond the iron gates and stone walls. 

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

7 of the Most Beautiful Towns in the State of Connecticut

Connecticut is overflowing with both manmade and natural beauty. In some places, the two intersect to create a magical, almost fictional feel. Here are 7 Connecticut Towns that look like they came straight from a storybook.

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Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

Top 10 Chain Restaurants with the Most Locations in Connecticut

The other day the boys and I were talking about KFC’s new “gravy flights,” and it got me wondering—do you know which fast-food chain has the most locations in Connecticut? None of us did, so I looked it up.

The top of the list is mostly what you’d expect, but there are a few surprises. Here’s a look at the Top 10 Chain Restaurants with the Most Locations in Connecticut according to Stacker

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano





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