Flu hits Valley schools: Closings eyed as cases mount

A bug suspected to be the H1N1 virus is whipping through schools in the Valley, bringing the closure of one middle school and seriously diminishing attendance at others.

UConn mourns slain football player

STORRS, Conn. - A Connecticut football player who was an expectant father was stabbed to death early Sunday after an on-campus dance, just hours after helping his team to a homecoming victory.

Springfield police continue murder probe

Springfield police continue murder probe

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Springfield police are continuing to investigate the shooting death of a man found in the driver's seat of a Lexus.

Carmelo Adorno Jr., 24, of Springfield, was found by police early Saturday morning with a gunshot wounds to his head and lower back. He died from his injuries later on Saturday.

Mass. Senate hopefuls declare no reason for Afghan buildup

NORTH ANDOVER - All four Democratic candidates vying for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward Kennedy said Sunday that they're leery of the escalation of troops in Afghanistan being weighed by President Barack Obama.

Struggling states face ever deeper budget cuts

BOSTON - In Massachusetts, free-falling tax revenue will mean no more dental and hospice care for legal immigrants. Maryland is closing a mental health center. And Illinois has $2.9 billion in unpaid bills.

Secret Service probes swastika, Obama name carved on golf green

LAKEVILLE (AP) - The Secret Service and local police are investigating after a swastika was found carved into the green on a Massachusetts golf course, next to President Barack Obama's name.

Extortion charge added to former speaker's slate

BOSTON - Federal prosecutors added extortion to the list of charges facing former state House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and gave details on what they said was another scheme to enlist DiMasi's help securing management contracts for public buildings.