State Region

Senate leaders unveil welfare reform plan

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

BOSTON — Senate Democratic leaders unveiled a plan Monday to overhaul the state’s welfare system by moving more recipients off public benefits and into the workforce while reducing the potential for fraud and waste. The proposal, touted by its supporters as one of the most comprehensive attempts at welfare reform in the country and the most sweeping in Massachusetts in nearly 20 years, was scheduled for debate by the full … 0

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2008 file photo, John Martorano is questioned about his plea agreement in exchange for testifying against former FBI agent John Connolly, in the Miami Courthouse. Connolly is accused of helping the Boston mob murder Miami gambling executive John Callahan in 1982, at Miami International Airport. Martorano, who served 12 years in prison after a plea deal, and who has admitted killing 20 people, is expected to testify at the trial of James "Whitey" Bulger, Monday, June 17, 2013 in federal court in Boston. (AP Photo/Marice Cohn Band, Pool, File)

Hitman: Bulger as informant was a shock

Monday, June 17, 2013

BOSTON — Confessed 20-time killer John Martorano left no doubt during his testimony Monday against James “Whitey” Bulger that he was settling a score for the decision made decades ago by Bulger and another former partner, Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, to become secret FBI informants for the FBI. Minutes into his testimony, mostly … 0

Miss Connecticut Erin Brady reacts after winning the Miss USA 2013 pageant, Sunday, June 16, 2013, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)

Miss Connecticut wins Miss USA contest in Vegas

Monday, June 17, 2013

LAS VEGAS — A 25-year-old accountant from Connecticut with a secret glamorous side is the new Miss USA. Erin Brady of South Glastonbury, Conn., won the beauty pageant Sunday night after strutting in a white sparkly gown and answering a question about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding widespread DNA tests. She beat … 0