This is a story tailor-made for the Herald: The Mass Pike has changed a long-standing but secretive policy that allowed toll collectors to carry .38-caliber handguns. The union that represents these workers plans to oppose the rule change, saying they need the weapons for protection when transporting toll money away from the booths. State Senator Steve Baddour told the Herald: “It’s absurd. The last time I saw a toll taker carrying a gun was when......

--Note to European officials: Next time you think you've got Whitey Bulger on your hands, make sure it's really him. Two people from Germany just announced that they're the people in the video circulated the FBI, which has led to the frequent hassling of innocent tourists. [Boston Globe] --A Green Line train with 70 passengers derailed at Reservoir last night. Of course, all you could hear if you were waiting for a Green Line......

Panel Discussion on the Gas Tank Saturday, October 27, 7:00 pm Savin Hill Yacht Club Free Part of the Dorchester Open Studios More info about the studios If you have lived in Boston for a long time, you are aware of the area's most prominent landmark next to the Citgo sign--the gas tank on I-93. If you haven't lived in Boston for long, you're probably wondering what's going on with the gas tank with the......

What the Fluff? A Celebration of Union Square Invention Saturday, Sept. 29, 4:00 to 7:00 pm (rain date Sept. 30) Union Square, Somerville More info This year marks the second annual festival for Marshmallow Fluff, along with the 90th anniversary of the treat invented by the culinary genius Archibald Query in Somerville's Union Square. Query whipped up the treat in his own kitchen and ended up selling it to the Durkee-Mower company, which carefully guards......

State legislators are debating whether or not to ban the use of cell phones while driving. Last Tuesday, the Transportation Committee discussed a bill that would ban the use of all handheld phones in cars while permitting hands-free phones for grownups. Anyone under 18 caught with a cell phone, handheld or otherwise, would have his or her permit or license suspended for a year. State Senator Steven Baddour opposes the ban for adults, but he......

WGBH held a ribbon-cutting yesterday morning to commemorate its new studio space in Brighton. After president Henry Becton cut a bright orange ribbon in front of a stage inside the complex, a digital mural along the side of the building facing the pike made its debut. The gigantic, 30-by-45-foot mural might outdo the Citgo sign, which can be always seen looming over the city. Anyone driving east on the Pike will be able to see......

Today, some Massachusetts residents will be voting on a replacement for State Senator Jarrett Barrios, who left the Senate to make some bucks working for Blue Cross. The following candidates for his position are all Democrats: Timothy Flaherty - Former assistant DA and son of Charlie Flaherty, who used to be speaker of the Massachusetts House. Definitely has the most badass campaign photo. Also has the most endorsements (Globe, Cambridge Chronicle, Blue Mass Group). Anthony......

Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, former mayor of Providence who is currently in the federal pokey for conspiracy, is coming to Boston, and Boston is welcoming him with open arms. Cianci's life story has spawned the rebirth of Providence, a documentary movie, a musical, the christening of a junior-high school on Family Guy, and a pasta sauce. To call him "colorful" would be an understatement. He's going into the boutique hotel business at Fifteen Beacon on May......

The Globe reported in yesterday's edition that State Senator Dianne Wilkerson had filed 26 of her 27 bills for this year's legislative session after the January 10th deadline. We had a post all set to go yesterday – but why would we file it on time? Better to wait a day to bring you the news, it's only fitting. Senator Wilkerson squeaked into office after missing the deadline to collect signatures for her re-election bid,......

In what could be the biggest news to hit school lunch since Reagan attempted to classify ketchup as a vegetable, State Senator Jarrett Barrios is set to introduce legislation to outlaw the Fluffernutter on school lunch trays around the state. After Barrios' son was served a Marshmallow Fluff and Peanut Butter sandwich at his elementary school, the Senator took up the fight against the gooey, delicious sandwich. On the heels of the vending machine battle......

State Senator Jarrett Barrios seems to have some magic political mojo that makes things go his way. As though it weren’t enough that Tom Reilly’s shot at governor will allow Middlesex DA Martha Coakley to run for Attorney General, which will, in turn, allow Barrios a chance to run for DA in his home county, Barrios, being gay, married, and eloquent, has obtained quite a high profile as the (oh-so-handsome) face of gay marriage in......

If you've had the desire to get your groove on with such Cambridge notables as Mayor Mike Sullivan, State Senator Jarrett Barrios, or former Labor Secretary and erstwhile Gubernatorial contender Robert Reich, has the City of Cambridge got an event for you! At 7:00 on Friday, July 29th, the City will be hosting its annual (rescheduled)Dance Party. This is a chance for you to get down with hundreds of other area residents right smack-dab......

Despite a busy last few weeks with the death of State Senator Charlie Shannon and the political jockeying to replace him, a major drug bust on the Tufts campus and the long-anticipated beginning of reconstruction on the Lowell Street bridge, the major news in Somerville this week really doesn't hold water...in fact, it floats on water. The Somerville Journal reported last Thursday that a mysterious boat has been found in the Homan's Building, an......

With hardly a wasted day after the sad and unexpected death of State Senator Charlie Shannon (D-Winchester) earlier this week, the political rat-race to replace him has begun. Already some local politicians have been working phones trying to feel out their chances for that seat. Interestingly, though the 2nd Middlesex District includes parts of the late Senator's hometown of Winchester, as well as Woburn, Medford, and Somerville, most of the people around whom speculation is......

Rumor on the street today is that Charles Shannon, State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex District (Winchester - Medford - Somerville - Woburn) has died. For years, Shannon has battled leukemia and suffered a relapse shortly after his re-election last November which led to his swearing in at a private ceremony in the Governor's office. He was 61 years-old. Bostonist's thoughts are with the Senator's family.......

Though politics in our fair city are often quite divisive, what better way is there to get political enemies to the same table than the St. Paddy's day holiday? Every year, South Boston State Senator Jack Hart sponsors a brunch on the Sunday following the holiday, which rather than bringing true unity, often takes the tone of a Friar's Club Roast. Headlined by such political notables as the sitting Governor, Attorney General, and Boston......