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Massachusetts at 8:45 p.m.
The breaking news staffer is Sylvia Lee Wingfield. The New England news editor is Cara Rubinsky. To reach the AP bureau in Boston, call 617-357-8100 or 1-800-882-1407. To reach the photo department, call 617-357-8106. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, can also be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns also are available from customer support at 877-836-9477.
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Please note separate advisory on The Associated Press plans for cross-format coverage for the April 15 anniversary of the attacks and in advance of the 2014 marathon, which is scheduled for April 21.
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Updates BOSTON MARATHON-CONGRESS, NH SENATE-BROWN, for sports HKC--NCAA-BOSTON COLLEGE-UNION
Adds BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING-ACLU, REAL TIME TRAFFIC SIGNS HFR, as briefs BOSTON BROWNSTONE FIRE-DEATH BENEFIT, COMMUTER RAIL, MALAYSIA PLANE-BLUEFIN, WIFE KILLED-SHREWSBURY, TEEN KILLED-RANDOLPH, MINIMUM WAGE, FITCHBURG FIRE-TWO DEAD, for sports BBA--YANKEES-ELLSBURY
TOP STORIES:
BOSTON MARATHON-CONGRESS
WASHINGTON — A yearlong review of information the U.S. intelligence community had prior to the Boston Marathon bombing found that the investigation could have been more thorough, but the intelligence agencies' inspectors general said it is impossible to know whether anything could have been done differently to prevent the attack. The report also said that Russia withheld some information about the bombing suspects until after the attack, but an unclassified version of the report didn't address what difference that might have made. By Eileen Sullivan. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
With:
— BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING-ACLU —BOSTON — The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit Thursday against the FBI and the U.S. Attorney in Boston for failing to provide documents about a joint terrorism unit involved in the Boston Marathon bombing investigation including a Florida man allegedly linked to one of the bombers. SENT: 300 words.
— BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING — BOSTON — A federal judge has granted a request from Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev lawyers giving them more time to prepare challenges to evidence they expect to be brought against him. SENT: 130 words.
HEALTH OVERHAUL-MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON — The board overseeing the state's health care exchange was told Thursday that a long-term fix for the connector's troubled web site was still months away, even while the state reported progress in clearing the backlog of applicants for subsidizes insurance. By Bob Salsberg. SENT: 450 words.
SCHOLAR JESUS WIFE
BOSTON — Scientific tests suggest a controversial fragment of papyrus mentioning Jesus had a wife is more likely an ancient document than a forgery, according to a newly published Harvard Theological Review article. But Karen King, a Harvard professor of divinity, stresses that the text doesn't prove Jesus was actually married: if anything, it provides insight into early Christianity's debates over celibacy and marriage. By Philip Marcelo. SENT: 486 words.
NH SENATE-BROWN
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Announcing his campaign to return to Washington by way of New Hampshire, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown tweaked the state's "Live Free or Die" motto Thursday to bash both President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen's support for it. "It forces us to make a choice: Live free or log on," Brown told supporters gathered in a hotel ballroom. "Guess what? In New Hampshire, we choose freedom." Brown, whose formal campaign announcement comes four months after he moved to New Hampshire, faces several other Republican primary opponents hoping to defeat Shaheen in November. And while recent polls give Shaheen the lead, Brown's strong name recognition and national fundraising network makes him a serious contender, and his candidacy helps the GOP's push to claim the Senate majority. By Holly Ramer. SENT: 600 words, photos.
REAL TIME TRAFFIC SIGNS HFR
BOSTON — Massachusetts drivers should soon have a little extra help navigating the state's traffic hotspots. Transportation officials are preparing to launch a new, $17.5 million project to place 132 automated travel time signs on roadways across the state. The federal government will pick up the bulk of the tab. By Steve LeBlanc. SENT: 450 words. HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL 12:01 A.M. EDT. THIS STORY MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR POSTED ONLINE BEFORE 12:01 A.M. EDT.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-PATRICK
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick has unveiled a $100 million proposal he says will spur economic growth by improving job training, expanding the state's international marketing efforts and ending barriers to high tech workers who want to change jobs. Patrick's plan released Thursday would eliminate so-called "non-compete" agreements designed to discourage workers in high tech companies from quitting and taking their skills to a competing company. By Steve LeBlanc. SENT: 500 words.
ALSO:
WRONGLY ACCUSED
BOSTON — A Boston man cleared of sexual assault charges is demanding an apology from authorities for putting him through an "extremely difficult" ordeal. Citing an airtight alibi and a lack of evidence, prosecutors dropped charges against Ross Currier on Wednesday. SENT: 200 words.
F LEE BAILEY-MAINE
PORTLAND, Maine — Celebrity lawyer F. Lee Bailey was denied the right to practice law in Maine by the state's highest court Thursday, keeping him from restarting his legal career after being barred in other states. SENT: 250 words, photo.
PROFESSOR-FORGED DIPLOMA
NORTH SCITUATE, R.I. — A former instructor at the University of Rhode Island has been charged with forging his credentials to get a consulting deal, then lying under oath about them. State police said Frederick Meli, 64, of Narragansett, misrepresented himself as having a PhD from the University of Massachusetts to get hired by the town of North Smithfield in 2007. SENT: 25o words.
IN BRIEF:
BOSTON BROWNSTONE FIRE-DEATH BENEFIT
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill increasing the state's line-of-duty death benefit for the families of public safety officers. The Massachusetts House and Senate quickly approved the bill after two Boston firefighters Firefighter Michael Kennedy and Lt. Edward Walsh died in a blaze in the city's Back Bay neighborhood March 26.
COMMUTER RAIL
BOSTON — A judge has denied a request by the losing bidder of a contract to operate the state's commuter rail system to block the MBTA from moving forward with a new company.
MALAYSIA PLANE-BLUEFIN
QUINCY — A robotic submarine built at a shipyard facility in Quincy could soon be helping in the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. With AP Photos.
WIFE KILLED-SHREWSBURY
WORCESTER — A Shrewsbury man has been convicted of beating his wife to death in front of their two children. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1mZTne3) jurors deliberated about three hours Thursday before finding 49-year-old Keith Rosiello guilty of first-degree murder.
TEEN KILLED-RANDOLPH
RANDOLPH — Randolph police say a 17-year-old girl has died after she was struck by a truck trailer. The Enterprise of Brockton reports (http://bit.ly/OLIiyo) that Tonnecia Long was struck Thursday and died later at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital. She was a senior at the Russell School in Brockton.
GAS LEAKS
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate has approved a bill that requires natural gas companies to take immediate action to seal dangerous leaks.
MINIMUM WAGE
BOSTON — A group representing clergy from around the state is urging lawmakers to agree on a bill that not only raises the minimum wage but also ties future increases in the wage to inflation.
FITCHBURG FIRE-TWO DEAD
FITCHBURG — Fire officials say improper disposal of smoking materials led to a house fire that that killed two people last month in Fitchburg.
CHAIR THROWN
NEW BEDFORD — A Massachusetts high school teacher who had a chair thrown at her by a student could lose her job because school officials say she didn't report the attack.
APPLE ATTACK
FRAMINGHAM — A Framingham woman is facing charges after prosecutors say she pelted her husband with apples during an argument. Mary Tavarez was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty Wednesday to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
STRUCK BY BUS
NORTH BROOKFIELD — The driver of a small bus has died after being struck by her own vehicle.
SPORTS:
BBA--RED SOX-YANKEES
NEW YORK — The Red Sox and Yankees renew their rivalry, with both teams off to 4-5 starts. Clay Buchholz is on the mound for the World Series champions in the opener of a four-game series. Michael Pineda goes for New York, making his first Yankee Stadium start. By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7:05 p.m.
WITH:
BBA--YANKEES-ELLSBURY
NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury's family changed game attire along with their star son. After nine years in the Red Sox organization, the 30-year-old outfielder left Boston during the offseason to sign a $153 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 525 words, photos.
HKN--BRUINS-JETS
WINNIPEG — The Bruins look to move closer to their first Presidents' Trophy since the 1989-90 season. With 114 points, Boston holds a two-point lead on the Anaheim Ducks for the NHL lead in points. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m. ET
HKC--NCAA-BOSTON COLLEGE-UNION
PHILADELPHIA — Daniel Ciampini broke a third-period tie with the second of his three goals to help Union beat Boston College 5-4 in the NCAA hockey semifinals Thursday night. The Dutchmen (31-6-4) advanced to the final for the first time. They will face the Minnesota-North Dakota winner in the championship game Saturday night. By Mike Wisniewski. SENT: 375 words, photos.
— With: HKC-NCAA-North Dakota-Minnesota. Game starts at 8:30 p.m.
SOC--AS ROMA-ORLANDO CITY
ORLANDO, Fla. — Italian soccer powerhouse AS Roma is returning to Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando for a week of training and a friendly against Orlando City. Roma will be stateside next month, training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from May 22-25, and will play Orlando City on Friday, May 23. Roma, which played summer matches in the United States the last two years, also will face Liverpool FC at Fenway Park (July 23) before competing in the loaded Guinness International Champions Cup. SENT: 300 words, photos.
SOC--MLS-DC UNITED-NEAL SUSPENDED
NEW YORK — D.C. United midfielder Lewis Neal has been suspended for a game by Major League Soccer for dangerous play against the Revolution's Andrew Farrell. SENT: 100 words.
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