By Tiffany Williams –
Fire crews were still battling a stubborn three-alarm blaze early Tuesday after flames ripped through a Worcester strip mall, gutting several businesses and forcing firefighters to evacuate. The fire broke out around 8 p.m. Monday at 821 Main Street, sending thick smoke pouring from the basement before part of the floor collapsed, fire officials said. Firefighters inside were ordered out as conditions worsened. Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche said the fire appeared to have started in a vacant business under construction and spread quickly through a shared attic that connects multiple storefronts. Crews worked through the night to contain the flames. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
In Boston, police are investigating a rash of high-end thefts across the city’s Back Bay that have cost retailers tens of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise. Surveillance footage shows groups of thieves sprinting out of Lululemon with armfuls of clothing — more than $6,000 worth in one incident last week. At the Alo store in the Prudential Center, police say five women made off with piles of apparel. When an employee tried to stop them, one suspect kicked the worker before escaping. Investigators say the same women are repeat offenders. Another suspect is accused of pulling off two massive heists at Sunglass Hut locations — first taking $40,000 worth of merchandise from Newbury Street, then hitting the Prudential Center store days later for another $30,000 haul. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Police data show larcenies in Boston’s D-4 District, which includes the Back Bay, South End, and Fenway, are up compared to 2024 and significantly higher than the five-year average.
In Fall River, former mayor Will Flanagan was stabbed Monday evening in what police are calling a targeted attack. Officers responding to multiple 911 calls around 5 p.m. found Flanagan bleeding on Hartwell Street near the Cosmopolitan Dispensary, a marijuana shop he owns. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in serious but stable condition. The Fall River Herald News reported that Flanagan suffered stab wounds to the neck. Flanagan, 43, served as mayor from 2010 to 2014 and has remained active in local business and civic circles. Police said they are investigating and have not yet announced any arrests.
A federal appeals court on Monday temporarily lifted part of a lower court’s order blocking President Donald Trump from taking command of Oregon’s National Guard troops, though the president still can’t deploy them yet. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut — herself a Trump appointee — issued two restraining orders. One barred the president from calling up 200 Oregon National Guard members for deployment to Portland. The second blocked him from sending any National Guard units to the state after he tried to sidestep the first order by using California troops instead. The Justice Department appealed the first ruling, arguing that Immergut’s decision interfered with the president’s constitutional role as commander in chief. On Monday, a 2-1 panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, finding that Trump was likely to prevail on the argument that he could federalize troops to enforce the law. The second restraining order, however, remains in effect, preventing any immediate deployment. The appeals panel noted that both orders “rise or fall together,” signaling the legal fight is far from over.
In Maine, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner faced backlash after old online comments surfaced showing him appearing to condone political violence, dismiss rape in the military, and mock both police officers and rural Americans. National Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison condemned the remarks as “wrong” but said they were not disqualifying. Platner is competing for the Democratic nomination against Maine Governor Janet Mills, who announced her bid last week, and several other candidates. The winner will challenge longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held her seat since 1997.
In Massachusetts, former State Trooper Michael Proctor — once the lead investigator in the high-profile Karen Read case — has dropped his effort to be reinstated to the Massachusetts State Police. Proctor, fired earlier this year, had been fighting his dismissal through the state’s Civil Service Commission. His attorney, Brian Moynihan, said Monday that the appeal was withdrawn after a “recent disclosure” from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, though he declined to elaborate. Proctor filed the withdrawal Saturday. The commission is expected to formally dismiss the case in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Worcester police cruisers now feature steady blue lights as part of a new visibility initiative aimed at deterring crime and increasing officer presence. The city launched the program this week after months of testing. Marked cruisers will display a solid blue light during regular patrols, while sirens and flashing lights will still be used for emergencies. City officials say the goal is to create a visible, reassuring presence in neighborhoods and make officers easier to spot at night.
And in sports, Celtics star Jaylen Brown said his status for Wednesday’s season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a hamstring issue. “We’ll see,” Brown told reporters. “We’ll take it one day at a time, but as of now, I feel great.” The Celtics tip off at TD Garden, looking to build on last season’s Finals run.