New England News

A new Quinnipiac University Poll shows Connecticut's U.S. Senate race remains a dead heat.

Forty-eight percent support Republican Linda McMahon while 47 percent back Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, according to the telephone survey of 1,696 likely voters released Thursday.

Poll Director Douglas Schwartz said both candidates have taken hits from the recent barrage of negative TV ads.

Police have made an arrest in the mysterious disappearance of burls from trees in Boston parks.

Burls are the giant knots on the trunks of most tree species prized by woodworkers for their intricate grain.

Police went to a Dorchester apartment on Wednesday after a witness reported seeing the man shaving scrap pieces off a burl in a park, then leaving with a chainsaw and entering an apartment building.

The Boston Globe reports that 44-year-old Michael Scanlan is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on a charge of willful and malicious destruction of property.

Workers at Connecticut's largest utility may inch closer to a strike when they vote today and Friday on a contract offer that the union's leadership has recommended be rejected.

Union negotiators say workers and Connecticut Light & Power are still far apart on staffing and overtime issues.

If workers reject the proposed four-year contract, they will automatically authorize a strike. A work stoppage is by no means certain.

Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources is helping cities and towns control stormwater runoff.

Environmental Conservation Commissioner David Mears says the state will invest federal money to help communities.

He said in Northfield, for example, officials are considering a proposed biomass plant and a plan to treat resulting wastewater. In Isle La Motte, officials are seeking money for engineering services that might improve stormwater runoff.

The  Massachusetts School Building Authority board voted Wednesday to approve funding for a new school in Springfield to replace one that was severely damaged  by the June 2011 tornado.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

   The board voted to approve a grant  totaling $17.5 million for a new  Ellias Brookings Elementary school in Springfield.  During an earlier visit to Springfield, Massachusetts State  Treasurer  Steven  Grossman, who chairs the school building authority board pledged state money to rebuild the damaged school