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Dozens of Mass. police officers named in wrongful death suit

NECN - New England — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:18:16 +0000

(NECN: Scot Yount, North Andover, Mass.) - The family of a Massachusetts man who died in police custody takes their claim to federal court. Kenneth Howe died after an arrest at a sobriety checkpoint. His family alleges police beat him to death. Now, dozens of law enforcement officials are named in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The dramatic pictures 43 in all were captured on the cameras of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune that late November night. State and local police had set up a sobriety checkpoint nearby.

Mark Kerrigan sent for psychological evaluation

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:05:20 +0000

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Stoneham, Mass.) - The brother of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan has been sent for a mental evaluation.

Mark Kerrigan was charged yesterday with assaulting his father, who later died.

A day after his arraignment, the district attorney's office confirms Mark Kerrigan has now been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital, apparently for a psychological evaluation. The brother of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, currently faces charges of assaulting his 70-year-father. His father died a short time later.

Randy Chapman

Granite Staters head to Haiti to help quake victims

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:35:41 +0000

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Manchester, NH) - More New Englanders are heading to Haiti to help earthquake victims. A pair of New Hampshire-based groups just left for the island nation to provide much needed medical care.

"The situation seems to be dire down there," says Gaelle Simon who was born and raised in Port-Au-Prince, and now works with the Portsmouth, New Hampshire based Global Relief Technologies.

Brown: ‘I’m trying to be the senator for everybody’

NECN - Politics — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:32:00 +0000

(NECN: Alison King, Roxbury, Mass.) - The political world's newest star is making the rounds.

Massachusetts Senator-Elect Scott Brown is making a few courtesy calls today -- first to the Mayor of Boston and then to a private meeting with African American clerical and community leaders in Roxbury.

It's all part of Brown's effort to reach out to his new, broader constituency, even though these are not necessarily the people who elected him.

"I'm trying to be the senator for everybody," says Brown.

Building collapse in Lowell, Massachusetts; four injured

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:56:27 +0000

(NECN: Lowell, Mass.) - Four construction workers have reportedly been injured in a building collapse in Lowell, Massachusetts.

It happened just after 10:00 this morning at 216 Jackson Street.

The building was already demolished and it appears the workers were injured while working at the site.

The Lowell Fire Department tells NECN that the workers were taken to a nearby hospital and that OSHA is on the scene.

Obama to announce plan to respond to bioterrorism

NECN - Nation — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:19:45 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says President Barack Obama intends to announce a new plan to respond faster and better to bioterrorism attacks and public heath threats.

A White House spokesman said Obama will direct government leaders to rethink plans for medical countermeasures so that quick, reliable and affordable antidotes will be available during a public health emergency.

Obama will announce the plan in his State of the Union address to the nation Wednesday evening.

In November, the Obama administration rolled out a plan to

Yale lab tech pleads not guilty in student killing

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:21:49 +0000

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - An animal research technician charged with killing a Yale graduate student has pleaded not guilty.

Twenty-four-year-old Raymond Clark III appeared in New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday morning.

Clark also waived his right to a probable cause hearing at which prosecutors would have to prove they have enough evidence to justify the murder charge.

Clark is accused of killing 24-year-old Annie Le of Placerville, Calif. Her body was found behind a Yale research lab wall in September. An autopsy determined she was strangled.

NH couple sues McLean Hospital over death of kids

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:23:36 +0000

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - A couple from Brentwood, New Hampshire, is suing a psychiatric hospital in the wake of the deaths of their children.

Ken and Danielle Lambert are reportedly suing McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, for allegedly providing inadequate care for Danielle's mentally ill identical twin.

In 2008, her twin carried the couple's two young children into traffic on I-495. All three of them died. This was just a few months after the twin had been released from McLean.

Boston Globe Deputy City Editor Mike Bello joins NECN for a discussion.

Timberlake wins Harvard’s Hasty Pudding award

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:16:15 +0000

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Justin Timberlake will soon have a new piece of hardware for his trophy case - a pudding pot.

The Grammy and Emmy award winner was named Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year on Tuesday.

Timberlake will receive the award at a roast set for Feb. 5.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe, said in a statement that the singer, songwriter, actor and producer was selected because he's "one of pop culture's most influential entertainers."

His album, "Justified," produced four No. 1 singles, making

Nadal out of Australian Open with injured knee

NECN - Sports — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:49:08 +0000

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Defending champion Rafael Nadal is out of the Australian Open after retiring with an injured knee during his quarterfinal against Andy Murray.

No. 5-seeded Murray became the first British man in 25 years to reach the semifinals in Australia. Murray was leading No. 2-ranked Nadal 6-3, 7-6 (2), 3-0 on Tuesday night when the Spaniard said he could not continue.

Nadal needed a medical timeout during the second game of the third set for treatment on his right knee.

Nadal struggled with knee tendinitis and was unable to defend

Family of Kenneth Howe to file wrongful death lawsuit

NECN - New England — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:21:28 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan - North Andover, MA) - The family of a Massachusetts man who died after his arrest at a police sobriety checkpoint in North Andover is filing a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday.

Kenneth Howe's relatives say the 45-year old Worcester man was murdered.

But police say their use of force was justified.

Kenneth Howe died after police arrested him in North Andover the day before Thanksgiving.

Last week, his death was officially ruled a "homicide," but no criminal charges have been filed yet.

Is “Pregnancy Pact” fact, or fiction?

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:56:12 +0000

(NECN: Greg Wayland, Gloucester, Mass.) - For many, it was a black eye on the community. Now, a recent spike in teenage pregnancies in Gloucester is back in the news.

A made for TV movie has reopened the debate over whether there was a pregnancy pact among high school students.

This weekend the controversial TV drama, "Pregnancy Pact", purported to be based on real events in an unnamed town, aired on Lifetime.

Also, a documentary called "The Gloucester 18" was made by the producer/director team of Kristen Grieco and John Michael Williams.

Ex-boyfriend charged in murder of college student

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:10:52 +0000

(NECN: Ally Donnelly, Shirley, Mass.) - The family of a Fitchburg State College freshman hopes her death sheds new light on abusive relationships. Allison Myrick was found stabbed to death at a home in Shirley, Massachusetts, Saturday night.

Police say 19-year-old Robert Gulla was found with stab and gunshot wounds at the same site. Police believe this was a murder and attempted suicide.

Gulla was arraigned this afternoon from his hospital bed.

Brother of Nancy Kerrigan charged with assaulting father, who later died

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:04:35 +0000

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Stoneham, Mass.) - Prosecutors say Daniel Kerrigan, the father of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, died early Sunday morning at his home in Stoneham, Massachusetts, following a violent argument and struggle with his 45-year-old son, Mark Kerrigan, who now stands accused of assault.

Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan left with her mother from their Stoneham, Massahchusetts family home, a day after Kerrigan's father, 70 year old Daniel Kerrigan died. His death came shortly after an apparent altercation with his son.

Globe: Mass. loses jobs over past decade

NECN - Business — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:43:37 +0000

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts had fewer jobs at the end of the last decade than it had at the beginning, the first time since World War II there has been an overall loss of jobs in the state over a 10-year period.

The Boston Globe, citing figures from the U.S. Labor Department and Northeastern University's Center for Labor Market Studies, reports Monday that in the decade from 1999 through 2009, average employment in the state fell by 55,000 jobs, nearly 2 percent.

There were 3.24 million jobs at the end of 1999 and 3.19 jobs at the end of 2009.

Parents of Fitchburg State College student blame boyfriend in daughter’s death

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:25:55 +0000

(NECN: Ally Donnelly, Fitchburg, Mass.) - The death of a Fitchburg State College student may be a case of domestic violence. 19-year-old Allison Myrick was stabbed to death over the weekend in Shirley, Massachusetts. Her parents say in a statement that she was in an abusive relationship.

Myrick's family describes the college freshman as smart, funny, talented and courageous.

Her family says they warned her time and again to stay away from her boyfriend.

Around 8pm Saturday night, police answered a 911 call to a stabbing.

Nancy Kerrigan’s father dies; brother charged with assault

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:13:45 +0000

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Woburn, Mass.) - Tragedy strikes the family of Olympian Nancy Kerrigan. Police say the figure skater's father was found dead Saturday night at his Stoneham, Massachusetts, home. This morning, Kerrigan's brother was arraigned for assaulting him.

45-year-old Mark Kerrigan has been charged with assaulting their 70-year-old father, Daniel Kerrigan.

Click here to hear more from the Stoneham police chief.

Beau Biden, VP’s son, won’t seek U.S. Senate seat

NECN - Politics — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:39:14 +0000

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Beau Biden announced Monday that he will not seek election to the U.S. Senate seat long held by his father, Vice President Joe Biden, putting another Democratic-held Senate seat in jeopardy and dealing another blow to President Barack Obama's flailing party.

The Delaware attorney general told supporters in an e-mail that he will run for re-election to his state post instead of running against GOP Rep. Mike Castle for the seat the elder Biden held for 36 years. He cited a need to focus on prosecution of high-profile child molestation case.

Nancy Kerrigan’s brother faces criminal charges

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:44:19 +0000

(NECN: Woburn, Mass.) - 45-year-old Mark Kerrigan, the brother of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan, will be arraigned at Woburn District Court today in Massachusetts.

He's charged with assault and battery on an elder person.

The victim is Nancy and Mark Kerrigan's father, 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan, who died after the alleged assault late Saturday night.

The felony charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

Mark Kerrigan was living with his father at 7 Cedar Avenue in Stoneham, Mass.

There is no word on the nature of the assault or the actual cause of death.

WHO slams swine flu critics as ‘irresponsible’

NECN - Health — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:21 +0000

GENEVA (AP) - The World Health Organization has rejected as "irresponsible" allegations that swine flu is a fake pandemic.

WHO also dismissed claims it colluded with drug companies to bring economic benefit to the industry by playing up the danger of the new H1N1 influenza strain.

WHO officials will meet with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday after the watchdog body questioned whether the U.N.'s health agency acted under undue influence.

Spokesman Gregory Hartl says WHO has always been "very measured

Police: Interstate 89 closed between exits 7 and 9

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:32:41 +0000

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont State Police says both lanes of Interstate 89 is closed between the Berlin and Middlesex exits because of a truck accident and fire.

Police say they expect the roadway to be closed for much of the day Monday and they're urging motorists to find alternate routes.

MA police investigate death of Fitchburg State College student

NECN - New England — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:26:27 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan - Shirley, MA) - Massachusetts police are trying to figure out if the death of a Fitchburg State College student is a case of domestic violence.

Police say 19-year old Alison Myrick was stabbed to death Saturday night in Shirley.

Robert Gulla of Shirley was hospitalized after being shot and stabbed.

Myrick's family members say that Gulla was Alison's ex-boyfriend.

They believe her death is case of domestic violence.

Police aren't saying if it was an attempted murder-suicide attempt.

Family members of Lynn U. students arrive at Hotel Montana

NECN - New England — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:20:49 +0000

(NECN/ABC) - A Massachusetts father is not giving up hope in the search for his daughter, who went missing in the Haitian earthquake.

Leonard Gengel of Rutland arrived in Haiti Saturday to search through the rubble of the Hotel Montana.

That's where his 19-year-old daughter Britney was last seen when the quake struck twelve days ago.

Gengel was originally told that Britney was safe.

But then received word she wasn't.

Britney Gengel is one of six people from Florida's Lynn University still missing.

‘Inglourious Basterds’ wins SAG film award

NECN - Arts & Entertainment — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:31:39 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) - While Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock's chances for Academy Award gold were advanced with their trophies at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the blockbuster "Avatar" may have felt a touch blue.

The computer-assisted performances in James Cameron's "Avatar" didn't make the cut for SAG nominations. But the groundbreaking sci-fi film remains a strong best-picture contender for the Oscars in March.

For Bridges of "Crazy Heart," Bullock of "The Blind Side" and for SAG supporting-acting honorees Mo'Nique of "Precious" and

Dodd, Gregg predict Bernanke will win second term

NECN - Politics — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:43:24 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two key senators leaders predict that embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be confirmed for a second term.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said in a statement Saturday that Bernanke is the right person to help guide the economy back from the worst recession since the 1930s.

Bernanke's term expires Jan. 31. A Senate vote hasn't been set on whether to OK a second four-year term.

Already four Senate Democrats have said they would vote against

Nashua Fire investigates explosion at Worthen Industries

NECN - New England — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:34:51 +0000

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo - Nashua, N.H.) - An explosion rocked this Nashua, New Hampshire industrial plant Saturday morning, seriously injuring several workers inside.

"Immediately we did have two people who were injured, possibly seriously," said Deputy Chief Michael O'Brien with the Nashua Fire Department, "They were given immediate medical attention and extricated from the building."

President Obama addresses Supreme Court campaign finance ruling

NECN - Politics — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:44:57 +0000

(NECN) - On Saturday morning in his weekly radio and Internet address, President Barack Obama talked about how it will be the priority of his administration to "repair the damage" done by the Supreme Court decision easing limits on campaign spending by corporations and labor unions.

In this week's 5-4 decision, the high court overturned two earlier rulings and threw out parts of a 63-year-old law.

That law had said companies and unions can be prohibited from using their own money to run campaign ads that urge the election or defeat of particular candidates by name.

Broadside: Inside Scott Brown’s campaign

NECN - Politics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:29:42 +0000

(NECN) - Eric Fehrnstrom made his mark as a political reporter, but for years now he's been a consummate political insider. Now he can claim to be one of the architects of a story that many are calling the political upset of the decade.

Fehrnstrom is Senator-elect Scott Brown's senior strategist, and joins Jim Braude on Broadside to discuss the campaign.

Before Mass. Municipal Association, Gov. Patrick discusses budget

NECN - Politics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:43:07 +0000

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Today, Massachusetts residents are digesting Governor Deval Patrick's "State of the Commonwealth" address. The Democrat had a lot to talk about, including jobs, the economy, health care and of course, Scott Brown's big win.

Click here to watch the full speech.

Today, the Governor delivered another speech. He focused on the budget while speaking to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Vermont family reunites with adopted daughter from Haiti

NECN - Nation — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:22:01 +0000

(NECN: Anya Huneke, Miami, Fla.) - There are tears of joy in Florida today, where a Vermont couple is finally being reunited with the Haitian girl they have been planning to adopt for two years.

Annette and Tim Franklin of Bridgeport, Vermont, headed to Florida yesterday after the necessary adoption paperwork for Gedeleine had been delivered to the U.S. Embassy.

They were among dozens and dozens of families who arrived at Miami International Airport for the reunions.

Brown leaves Capitol Hill to perform fatherly duties

NECN - Politics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:13:54 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan, Wrentham, Mass.) - The senator-elect from Massachusetts is back home this morning after a whirlwind trip to Washington.

Yesterday, Scott Brown made his first visit to Washington, D.C. since winning the special election in the Bay State. He met with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. But, after that, Brown made it back in time to catch a basketball game.

He watched his daughter Ayla play for the Boston College Eagles last night against Virginia.

Vermont couple in Miami to adopt Haitian

NECN - New England — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:02:11 +0000

(NECN: Anya Huneke, Miami, Fla.) - A Vermont couple traveled to Florida to be reunited with a Haitian girl the pair has been planning to adopt for years.

A group of 80 Haitian children traveled on a flight that landed in Miami at 1 a.m. Friday. But the parents had yet to meet with these children as of 8:30 a.m., as they have been going through customs.

The Vermont couple has been trying to adopt Annette for a couple of years. They were in the later stages of the process when the 7.0-magnitude earthquake left much of Haiti in devastation.

Obama heading to Ohio to talk jobs

NECN - Politics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:01:10 +0000

(NECN/ABC) - President Barack Obama will focus his attention Friday on the subject still atop the list of concerns on Main Street -- jobs.

One day after pushing new bank regulations, the president travels to Lorain, Ohio, a city hard-hit by job loss and one he visited two years ago.

The message the president is sending regular Americans worried about the economy: "I get it."

Mr. Obama will be talking about creating jobs when he travels to Lorain. Many say they will believe the economy is recovering when the unemployment rate -- now at ten-percent nationally -- drops.

Toyota recalls 2.3 million over stuck gas pedals

NECN - Business — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:28:28 +0000

(NECN/ABC) - Toyota is recalling over two million vehicles in the United States to fix accelerator pedals that can become stuck -- the latest in a string of quality control problems for the Japanese automaker.

"The credibility of the company is on the line with this and it's a huge problem that must get solved soon," Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies said.

The recalled Toyota models are:

2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry, Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia
2009-2010 Corolla, Matrix, RAV4
2010 Highlander

Brown eyes Senate committee assignments

NECN - Politics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:16:00 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan, Wrentham, Mass.) - Senator-elect Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has traveled to the nation's capital on Thursday to get his feet wet.

Brown made the round with top Republicans and Democrats, and has set his sights on some key committee assignments. According to the Boston Herald, Brown said he would like to be part of the Armed Services, Appropriations or Homeland Security Committee.

Gov. Patrick vows to improve economy, fight for jobs

NECN - New England — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:32:14 +0000

(NECN: Scot Yount, Boston) - In his State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Deval Patrick gave a nod to Senator-elect Scott Brown, and a pledge to work together. Patrick emphasized the importance of making the state better, by "making it personal".

Patrick vowed to improve the economy and fight for more jobs, which he mentioned at least eight times in the speech Thursday. Earlier in the day the state reported a jump in unemployment numbers.

From D.C. to BC: Scott Brown’s busy day

NECN - New England — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:14:55 +0000

(NECN: John Moroney, Chestnut Hill, Mass.) - He may be the incoming Senator, but Scott Brown's number one job is being a father. He was back in Massachusetts tonight attending his daughter's basketball game.

Earlier in the day he was the toast of the town on Capitol Hill. He rushed from meeting to meeting with Congressional heavyweights.

Ayla, 21, is a guard on the women's basketball team at Boston College. Ayla was a finalist on American Idol, and was on stage Tuesday night to announce her father's victory.

Broadside: Focus shifts to Beacon Hill

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:44:45 +0000

(NECN) - The political focus shifts from Scott Brown in Washington D.C. to Massachusetts where Governor Deval Patrick will deliver the State of the State address.

Joining Jim Braude on Broadside to discuss are: Democratic political analyst Michael Goldman, Republican political analyst Dan Winslow and David Paleologos pollster from Suffolk University.

Pelosi: Not enough votes for House to pass Senate version of health bill

NECN - Health — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:38:46 +0000

(NECN: Washington) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., this morning said that she doesn't have enough votes right now for the House to pass the Senate version of the health care bill.

"Everything is on the table. There are certain things that members just cannot support," said Pelosi.

"In its present form without any change, I don't think it's possible to pass the Senate bill in the House," said Pelosi.

"Everybody recognizes that something needs to be done," said Pelosi.

Brown arrives on Capitol Hill, meets with senators

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:29:35 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen.-elect Scott Brown has arrived on Capitol Hill, still basking in the blow of his stunning upset in the Massachusetts special election.

Standing in the bright sunshine outside a Senate office building, Brown told reporters he looks forward to getting to work. He said, "I plan to look at every bill and make a rational decision."

The pickup truck-driving candidate who caught the imagination of Massachusetts voters in upsetting Democrat Martha Coakley called Washington "the best place in the world when it comes to solving

Preview of Brown’s first day in Washington, D.C.

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:26:29 +0000

(NECN: Alison King, Washington) - Senator-Elect Scott Brown is headed to Washington, D.C. to make the rounds this morning.

When Brown arrives, he will be greeted by a pack of cameras and reporters. He is an instant celebrity in Washington after his stunning victory in the Massachusetts special election on Tuesday.

Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley in the race to succeed Ted Kennedy.

Senator-Elect Scott Brown heads to Washington

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:19:15 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan) - The rising star of the Republican Party makes his D.C. debut today. Senator-elect Scott Brown is in Washington this morning to make the rounds, less than 48 hours after his historic victory sent political shock waves across the country.

Brown will meet with political power players on Capitol Hill.

Unofficial results show Brown as the clear winner in the special election. The vote count may need to be certified before he takes office. That means health care would have to wait on Capitol Hill.

Edwards admits to fathering Rielle Hunter’s child

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:27:11 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has finally come forward to admit that he fathered a child with a videographer he hired before his second White House bid. "It was wrong for me to ever deny she was my daughter," he said Thursday.

Edwards confirmed this in a statement released to The Associated Press, after initially denying that he'd fathered a child during an affair with campaign aide Rielle Hunter.

"I am Quinn's father," the former senator declared in his statement, as the second birthday of Frances Quinn Hunter

NBC, O’Brien reach ‘Tonight’ exit deal

NECN - Arts & Entertainment — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:12:42 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) - NBC said Thursday it has reached a $45 million deal with Conan O'Brien for his exit from the "Tonight" show, allowing Jay Leno to return to the late-night program he hosted for 17 years.

Under the deal, which came seven months after O'Brien took the reins from Leno, O'Brien will get more than $33 million, NBC said. The rest will go to his staff in severance, the network said in an announcement on the "Today" show.

His final show will be Friday, and Leno will return to "Tonight" on March 1.

Sen.-elect Brown meeting with senators in D.C.

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:27:05 +0000

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan) - The next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts will make his first visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday, meeting with top Republicans and Democrats two days after his Special Election victory.

Senator-elect Scott Brown (R) will use the day to get his feet wet, but plans on returning to Massachusetts during the evening to attend his daughter Ayla's basketball game at Boston College.

Brown is scheduled to meet with the following senators during his visit:

10:10am - Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.)
10:30am - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.)
read more

QU Poll: Lamont leads Democrats for governor

NECN - Politics — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:27:04 +0000

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A new Quinnipiac University Poll shows Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont having a slight lead among his Democratic rivals in the Connecticut governor's race.

If the Democratic primary were held today, 27 percent of registered Democrats surveyed said they'd pick Lamont, the Democratic candidate in the 2006 U.S. Senate race.

Eleven percent say they'd choose former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, while 44 percent are undecided.

The survey shows another wealthy Greenwich businessman, Tom

For Republicans, Brown’s win is a shot in the arm

NECN - New England — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:30:16 +0000

(NECN: Scot Yount, Boston, Mass.) - For Republicans who are few and far between on Beacon Hill, Scott Brown's victory in blue state Massachusetts is a shot in the arm. Is there a political shift in the Bay State?

Republican Scott Brown’s decisive victory in a race that just a month ago seemed un-winnable has buoyed up the party to no end.

Jennifer Nassour/State Rep Party Chair: “It is a revival for the party. Looking at what Scott did yesterday and what an immense undertaking that he was able to get past.”

What does Brown election mean for health care reform?

NECN - Health — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:13:39 +0000

(NECN: Ally Donnelly, Boston, Mass.) - The election of Scott Brown means that Democrats lose their 60-vote filibuster-proof majority, but they still have control of both the House and Senate. So, where does health care reform go from here?

Ted Kennedy called health care reform the cause of his life; now, the man that will fill his former Senate seat could stop Democrats in their tracks.

Will they compromise? Will they start fresh or abandon health care reform all together?

Brown is packing his bags, heading to Washington

NECN - Politics — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:06:44 +0000

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Boston, Mass.) - Senator-Elect Scott Brown may have been tired, but he tried not to show it. And with a decisive margin of victory, Brown says he hopes to begin his new job immediately.

Scott Brown: "Since the election is not in doubt, I'm hopeful the Senate will seat me on the basis of those unofficial returns just as they did for Ted Kennedy in 1962."

Gov. Patrick on Brown win: ‘Must put party aside,’ ‘concentrate on greater good’

NECN - Politics — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:41:58 +0000

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick this afternoon thanked all of the Massachusetts Senate candidates for running a "spirited" campaign.

Patrick called Scott Brown's victory "decisive" and "well-organized."

Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley in yesterday's special election to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Ted Kennedy.

We must "put the party aside and concentrate on the greater good," said Patrick.