Mass. State House

BOSTON (AP) _ The new year brings a resumption of formal Beacon Hill sessions after about as tumultuous a ``recess'' the Legislature has ever seen. Democratic Sen. Stan Rosenberg stepped aside as Senate president after The Boston Globe reported that several men _ some with business before the Legislature _ had accused Rosenberg's husband, Bryon Hefner, of sexual misconduct...

Twelve police officers from six Massachusetts departments have received bravery awards. The annual George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery are named for a state trooper who was shot and killed during a 1983 traffic stop in Auburn. The Medal of Honor, the highest award, was presented to Lowell Officer Patrick Casey during a Statehouse ceremony Tuesday...

Several thousand people rallied peacefully in Boston to protest a grand jury's decision to not charge a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man in New York City. Protesters blocked some city streets Thursday evening while marching to Boston Common, where the city's annual tree lighting ceremony was being held at the same time...

Reaction is pouring in after the state's highest court ruled that a question seeking to repeal the Massachusetts casino gambling law could appear on the November state ballot. Repeal advocates gathered in front of the State House Tuesday afternoon...

A 19-year-old woman has testified at the State House in favor of a bill that would require all high school student-athletes have a baseline test before they are allowed to compete. The test would help doctors diagnose the severity of a concussion...

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray plans to resign after being named to head a private business group.  The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce voted Wednesday to appoint Murray as its President and CEO.  Murray said his resignation would be effective June 2...