It’s painfully obvious to anyone responsible for a family’s supermarket shopping that grocery bills in Massachusetts, especially the Boston area, have been rising at a faster clip than in most of the country, even as overall inflation has abated somewhat. Consumers who live in cities with higher costs of living tend to pay more for groceries. But over the past 15 months, shoppers in Boston and elsewhere in this state have seen their grocery bills increase higher than overall inflation compared to other metro areas across America. According to a recent study by Consumer Affairs, grocery prices ..read more

Brazil continues to be one of the countries with the highest number of LGBTQ+ deaths, the majority of them being transgender individuals. In 2023, more than 250 Brazilians that identify as members of the LGBTQ+ were violently killed, according to Bahia Gay Group. The Bahia Gay Group is the oldest LGBT non-governmental organization in Latin America. Why is there such a high rate of LGBTQ+ deaths in Brazil? One of the reasons is the prevailing influence of traditional and conservative religious beliefs. Roughly 50% of the Brazilian population are Catholic believers and roughly 30% are Evangelica ..read more

It was a tough fight in the Lone Star State for the Pirates. Quarterback TJ Edwards threw three touchdown passes, while rushing for two more, including three during a game-shifting fourth quarter, as the Frisco Fighters defeated the Massachusetts Pirates, 52-48, Saturday night at Comerica Center. A meeting between two of the top teams in the Indoor Football League’s Eastern Conference, the Pirates (6-4) held a 19-17 lead at halftime, before first-place Frisco (8-2) fought back with a solid second half surge, capped by a strong 21-point purge in the fourth quarter. Jimmie Robinson struck it big ..read more

The following arrests were made recently by local police departments. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Massachusetts’ privacy law prevents police from releasing information involving domestic and sexual violence arrests with the goal to protect the alleged victims. BEDFORD • Justin Thibodeau, 21, Nashua, N.H.; operating under influence of alcohol. BILLERICA • Natasha Jose, 29, 145 Beacon Drive, Palmer; warrant. • Gerson Samuel Melchor Ramos, 21, 12 Fisher Terrace, Woburn; operation of motor vehicle with license suspended/revoked, failure to wear seatbelt, window obstru ..read more

It wasn’t easy, but the Westford Academy baseball team has advanced in the state tournament. The No. 12 Ghosts held off visiting King Philip in a 4-3 thriller during a Div. 1 round of 32 battle in Westford on Saturday. Donny Metznik (5-0) earned the win despite allowing two earned runs in two innings of work in relief of Jake Cullen, who struck out six and allowed four hits while walking five. Driving in a run each were James McDermott and Ryan Snow. Collecting a hit each were Tyler Frazee, Cullen, McDermott, Metznik, Evan Pasters and Justin Davighi. Westford (19-2) is now 39-3 over the last t ..read more

Members of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School’s Class of 2024 turned the tassel in a ceremony held at Groton Hill Music Center on Friday ..read more

TYNGSBORO — Seamus Scott had nine pitches to work with. After being taken out of the game following the sixth inning in a round of 32 matchup against No. 14 Greater Lowell Tech, the Lowell Catholic baseball team found itself in a pickle. The bases were loaded with two down as the Gryphons’ dangerous Brendan Arseneault strolled to the batter’s box. Lowell Catholic head coach Matt Stone knew exactly what to do. Stone gave the nod back to Scott, forcing a line drive out to right field to secure the save — and the win — in a thrilling 3-1 victory on Saturday. The No. 19 Crusaders (14-7) advance to ..read more

BOSTON — The remaining two suspects from Lawrence involved in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl within several communities in the region, including Wilmington, were sentenced in federal court last week, bringing the case to a close. A judge sentenced Manuel Fredis Gerrero Guzman, 28, described by his attorney as a once-promising baseball prospect, to 21 months in prison on Thursday. The next day, Fraily Rodriguez Morillo, 27, received 46 months behind bars. Following their prison time, both men will serve two years of supervised release. These two, along with fellow Lawrence resident, Melvin An ..read more

Chelmsford native Marlee Berg is a member of this year’s MASCAC Hall of Fame class. Berg, a 2009 Westfield State graduate, is one of  just four Westfield athletes to win an individual NCAA championship, earning the 2009 NCAA Division III indoor high jump crown. She was a four-time qualifier for the NCAA Division III National Championships, three times for the indoor and outdoor high jump in 2008 and 2009, and for the first-ever NCAA Division III women’s pentathlon event in 2009. Berg’s accomplishments spanned multiple track and field events. She held the school record in four events ..read more

TYNGSBORO — Kiley Hogan brought the heat, while her teammates brought the bats. The sophomore pitcher tossed a one-hitter through five innings, walking two while fanning 12, as No. 2 Tyngsboro bested No. 31 Bellingham, 14-1, in a Div. 4 Round of 32 state softball contest Saturday at Tyngsboro Middle School. The Tigers (19-2) advance to play either No. 15 Lynnfield (8-12) or No. 18 Millbury (13-7) early next week. “It feels great,” said Tyngsboro coach April Eringis-Leonard. “We had a pretty successful regular season, but you never know what the state tournament brings. Every game is a fresh st ..read more