Fall River Reporter

A Massachusetts Police Department has charged 17 people from across New England following a comprehensive investigation into a coordinated street takeover that endangered motorists and responding officers in October 2025. The incident occurred early Sunday, October 5th, 2025, when large crowds gathered at the intersection of North Main and Oak streets in Randolph. Vehicles performed drifting maneuvers and donuts in the roadway while participants blocked intersections to allow the stunts. Spectators surrounded the area, many recording videos for social media. When the first officer arrived, his cruiser was quickly surrounded by the crowd, preventing him from entering the intersection. Individuals swarmed the vehicle, striking it and blocking its path. Fireworks were ignited both on top of the cruiser and nearby in the street. Officers estimated nearly 100 people were in the roadway at the intersection.

@WallStreetApes 🤔

This is Fall River Massachusetts, this city has one of the highest crime rates in Massachusetts Average in 2019 was roughly $1,000. Now it’s climbed to roughly $2,000 per month Rent almost doubled in a short time but the crime stayed the same. Rent is so out of control even when you pay the national average, you still have to live in high crime areas

"If anyone knows these kids alert the police. They have been kicking doors and egging houses in the area between Central St and Nash Road in New Bedford, Massachusetts. My house is on Brook St." - Nate Brier

Details: fallriverreporter.com/massachusetts-…

Massachusetts Senate will unveil its FY2027 budget on Tuesday following the House’s $63.4 billion plan that included $81 million in earmarks.

Gov. @maura_healey is making it clear how she'll attack either of her two remaining Republican opponents in this year's governor's race. "The Republicans are moving forward with the two most extreme candidates," the incumbent Democrat said Tuesday on "Boston Public Radio" of @MikeMinogueABMD and @ShortsleeveMA, the two @massgop gubernatorial candidates who are now on track to duke it out in the September primary. "They are MAGA candidates. They support @DonaldTrump ," Healey said. "This election is going to present a really clear contrast. Whoever emerges from the Republican Party, I don't know who that will be, but you cannot stand with Donald Trump and stand for the people of Massachusetts, period." Massachusetts Democrats announced a post-convention $100,000 digital ad buy portraying Minogue and Shortsleeve as "MAGA millionaires" who support President Trump's priorities. The 15- and 30-second spots will appear on online video and social media platforms, including Hulu, Roku, Peacock, Sling, Discovery, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. @MassGovernor

Massachusetts Democrats announced a post- @massgop convention $100,000 digital ad buy portraying @MikeMinogueABMD and @ShortsleeveMA as "MAGA millionaires" who support President Trump's priorities. The 15- and 30-second spots will appear on online video and social media platforms, including Hulu, Roku, Peacock, Sling, Discovery, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. @DonaldTrump @POTUS

All three Fall River State Reps, Antonio F. D. Cabral, Christopher Hendricks, Mark Sylvia and Chris Markey, this week voted against an amendment to lower the Massachusetts income tax from 5% to 4%. There is a ballot question that will be voted on this November with the same language, but the Massachusetts legislator can pass legislation instead. The vote failed 25 to 132 along party lines with Republicans voting yes with Democrats voting no thus killing the amendment. All three State reps also voted this week against reducing the State sales tax from 6.25% to 5%.

Somerset State Rep. Justin Thurber was one of the few yes votes yesterday to lower the Massachusetts sales tax. All three Fall River area State Reps Carole Fiola, Alan Silvia, and Steve Ouellette voted against it. House Democrats rejected a Republican-proposed amendment aimed at providing tax relief by lowering Massachusetts' sales tax rate from 6.25% to 5%. The amendment failed on a 25-130 party-line vote.

After a White House post about changing the name of ICE to NICE, Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey again called for ICE to be abolished. @EdMarkey @SenMarkey @WhiteHouse

House Democrats rejected a Republican-proposed amendment aimed at providing tax relief by lowering Massachusetts' sales tax rate (currently 6.25%)—likely to 5%, based on related proposals. The amendment failed on a 25-118 party-line vote, with most Democrats opposing it. Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-East Boston), chairman of the House Revenue Committee, opposed the cut. He argued it was "fiscally irresponsible" due to an estimated $2 billion revenue loss to the state. This fits into a broader debate: Republicans are pushing for relief (including sales tax, income tax, and other cuts) to help working families and stem "shopping leakage" to lower-tax states like New Hampshire. Democrats warned of impacts on state services, especially with uncertain federal funding.

Statement by WAYNE OLIVEIRA Voc Tech School Committee Member on the Massachusetts Voc-Tech Admissions Lottery The implementation of a lottery-based admissions system for Massachusetts vocational-technical schools in 2026 has left many students and families deeply disappointed and disillusioned. While the intention behind this shift—to promote equity and expand access—may be well-meaning, the reality is that it has replaced a system based on effort, interest, and demonstrated commitment with one largely dependent on chance and luck. For years, students worked hard to earn their place in these highly sought-after programs by maintaining strong attendance, showing dedication, and actively preparing for a future in the trades. Today, many of those same students find themselves waitlisted or denied admission, not because they lacked motivation or ability, but simply because their name was not drawn. Families have described this transition as a “drastic jump from one extreme to the other,” moving away from merit entirely toward random choice. At the same time, the core issue remains unresolved: there are far more qualified applicants than available seats. Tens of thousands of students apply for just over ten thousand openings each year, meaning that regardless of the admissions method, many will be left out. Instead of addressing this shortage through expansion and investment, the state has chosen to redistribute opportunity through a system that many perceive as arbitrary and discouraging. This approach risks sending a troubling message to students—that hard work, consistency, and passion may not matter when pursuing certain educational paths. It also raises concerns about long-term impacts on student motivation and the development of a skilled workforce. A fair system should strive for both equity and recognition of effort. Massachusetts must re-evaluate this policy and consider solutions that balance opportunity with accountability—while also addressing the fundamental issue of limited access by expanding vocational education capacity. Students deserve more than a lottery. They deserve a system that reflects both fairness and the value of their hard work. If you feel this same way you need to make some noise! Reach out to the State Department of Education and your State Senator and Representative. Tell them this broken system needs to be fixed immediately.

Full details with photos: fallriverreporter.com/meet-scout-fal…

After a challenging year, Fall River, Massachusetts EMS Chief Beth Faunce introduces Scout—a 12-week-old Golden Retriever training as a comfort (and future search-and-rescue) dog—to boost mental health and bring smiles citywide.

The scheduled arraignment of Special Prosecutor Ken Mello on the charge of a Threat to Committ a crime has been canceled. @FallRiverReport originally reported that Mello was facing an arraignment after threatening a hospital worker last month. But since then, the docket was removed from the Mass Courts website. Today, I learned that Mello was originally served with a notice to appear at a magistrate hearing for probable cause back on April 16th and failed to appear. After his no-show, the court defaulted to an arraignment, which was scheduled for June 3rd at 9 AM. Since the publication of the story, somehow, Mello or his attorney has convinced the court to reschedule the original magistrate hearing and his arraignment and charges have been removed. Mello is now scheduled for a new magistrate hearing on June 25th at 10 AM. This will be a closed to the public hearing. I will update you as I learn more.

MassGOP delegates unanimously nominated @JohnEDeaton1 for U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Dionne for Treasurer, and Michael Walsh for Attorney General at today’s convention, as the party vows to rebuild and challenge one-party Democratic rule in Massachusetts. @massgop

All three Fall River area State Reps Carole Fiola, Alan Silvia, and Steve Ouellette yesterday voted against lowering the Massachusetts sales tax. House Democrats rejected a Republican-proposed amendment aimed at providing tax relief by lowering Massachusetts' sales tax rate from 6.25% to 5%. The amendment failed on a 25-130 party-line vote.

All four New Bedford area State Reps Antonio F. D. Cabral, Christopher Hendricks, Mark Sylvia and Chris Markey yesterday voted against lowering the Massachusetts sales tax. House Democrats rejected a Republican-proposed amendment aimed at providing tax relief by lowering Massachusetts' sales tax rate (currently 6.25%)—likely to 5%, based on related proposals. The amendment failed on a 25-130 party-line vote.

A recent study by the Fiscal Alliance Foundation highlights significant challenges in Massachusetts' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Over the past decade, SNAP enrollment in the state surged by approximately 40%, climbing from roughly 785,000 recipients in 2015 to more than 1.1 million in 2024. According to the report, Massachusetts recorded over $1 billion in SNAP improper payments between 2022 and 2024 alone. In fiscal year 2024, the state's error rate reached 14.1% on about $2.62 billion in benefits, resulting in roughly $364 million in inaccuracies—predominantly overpayments. Massachusetts maintained broad waivers from work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), covering a substantial portion of the caseload, while data suggest that 65–75% of such recipients do not work. The error rate, which includes administrative mistakes, reporting inaccuracies, and eligibility issues rather than solely intentional fraud, climbed from around 5% pre-pandemic to 14.1% in FY2024—among the highest in the nation and exceeding every other New England state.

What drove the man accused of trying to turn a gala into a bloodbath? Peter Savodnik answers. thefp.com/p/the-disappoi…

A Brazilian national living illegally in Massachusetts was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for selling illegal firearms and fentanyl in 2024, followed by deportation.