Worcester closes Coes Reservoir after cyanobacteria exceeds recreational threshold
Worcester closed Coes Reservoir on July 22 after testing found cyanobacteria densities above the state recreational public-health threshold.
Massachusetts
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Boston forecast calls for thunderstorms after July heat reached 100 degrees
Boston’s forecast for Sunday, Aug. 2 called for thunderstorms, with a listed high of 82 degrees, a low of 68 and a 51% late-afternoon precipitation chance.
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Massachusetts sets Aug. 8-9 sales-tax holiday, suspending 6.25% tax for most items under $2,500
Massachusetts’ annual statewide sales-tax holiday is scheduled for Aug. 8-9, 2026, suspending the 6.25% state sales tax for most retail items priced under $2,500.
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Worcester awards $1.35 million to support development of 74 affordable homes
Worcester’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund has awarded $1.35 million to support development of 74 affordable homes, according to a city announcement.
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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces 2026 Civic Summit
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the 2026 Civic Summit, a city-led event focused on civic participation and public engagement.
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Malden Residents’ Electricity Options Change With the August 1 Rate Period
Malden’s August 1, 2026, electricity comparison period began with three municipal supply options listed below National Grid’s residential basic-service rate.
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Methuen’s New Curbside Composting Program Is Taking Preregistrations
Methuen residents can preregister for a paid Black Earth Compost pickup service, but collection will not begin until enough households enroll.
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Springfield opens applications for city lead-hazard program
Springfield homeowners and landlords can apply for help addressing lead hazards in qualifying one-to-four-unit homes built before 1978, with priority for households involving children under 6 or pregnant residents.
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New Bedford Fuel Check: Gas at $3.76, Diesel at $4.99
A New Bedford Cumberland Farms listed regular gas at $3.76 and diesel at $4.99 on Aug. 1, below current AAA Massachusetts and Seekonk comparisons.
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Framingham’s proposed reorganization would put senior center under library division
Framingham’s City Council is reviewing a proposal to place the Callahan Senior Center under a new Library and Community Services Division while combining parks, recreation and facilities management.
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Fields Corner housing proposal faces questions about nearby industrial uses
Boston is reviewing a proposed 108-unit apartment building at 80 Christopher Street in Dorchester near Fields Corner, where residents and nearby businesses raised questions about truck traffic, parking, building height, infrastructure and the future of the surrounding industrial district.
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Belchertown gets $325,000 to design rail-trail segment
Belchertown received a $325,000 MassTrails award for preliminary design and permitting of a proposed 1.2-mile rail-trail segment—not construction.
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Massachusetts Senate Advances Public Records Proposal as Ballot Question Looms
The Massachusetts Senate advanced S.3200 on July 30, but the public-records proposal still needs House action and would not take effect until 2027 if enacted.
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Easthampton Council Resolution Seeks State Investigation of Federal Agents
Easthampton’s July 15 council resolution asks Massachusetts prosecutors to examine alleged violations by federal immigration agents and urges state policy changes.
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Newton-Area Gas and Diesel Both Rise From Last Week
AAA’s July 31 check puts Newton-area regular gas at $4.168 and diesel at $5.529, with both higher than a week earlier but above month-ago levels.
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Springfield Gas Holds Steady as Diesel Rises on July 31
Springfield metro regular gas dipped to $4.048 Friday, while diesel climbed to $5.406, putting more pressure on commercial drivers and local businesses.
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Gloucester adopts FY2027 budget with $55.8M for schools
Gloucester’s FY2027 budget took effect July 1, with $155.3 million in General Fund spending and a sewer-rate increase appearing in quarterly bills.
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Quincy Fuel Check: Regular $4.159, Diesel $5.399 at Hancock St.
A Quincy station listed regular gasoline at $4.159 and diesel at $5.399 on July 31, with each price compared separately with AAA’s current Boston averages.
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Peabody pump prices vary as regular gas nears $4 and diesel tops $5
Peabody station listings show regular gas from $3.769 to $3.999, while diesel ranges from $5.379 to $5.499 at two verified locations.
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Boston Gas Edges Up to $4.142 as Diesel Climbs to $5.453
Boston regular gas reached $4.142 on July 31, while diesel climbed to $5.453. Diesel is rising faster across the latest comparison periods.
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Rowley Shellfish Harvesters May Qualify for Relief After 12-Day Closure
Rowley shellfish harvesters may qualify for Massachusetts relief after a 12-day closure tied to a Haverhill sewer overflow; the affected areas reopened July 21.
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Massachusetts House Rejects Senate Economic Bill Version, Sending Housing and AI Rules to Conference
The Massachusetts House rejected the Senate’s version of a $575.4 million economic-development package on July 30. Conference committees must now negotiate unresolved housing, AI, cryptocurrency-kiosk, micromobility and research-funding provisions.