“First and foremost, I want to express my sincere and continued concern for Wrentham resident Michael C. Barry, whom I accidentally struck on the evening of February 16th, 2024, as I was driving to my home in my town issued vehicle through the Town of Wrentham.

As the report filed by the Wrentham Police states: I was driving on South St. toward the center and came to the intersection of Creek St. where I needed to make a left-hand turn.  As I proceeded to make the left turn onto Creek St., the vehicle lights caught the reflective vest of a person in the crosswalk. I immediately applied my brakes, but unfortunately, the car made contact with him, knocking him to the ground. I immediately exited my vehicle to render first aid and called 911.  I remained on scene with Mr. Barry until the Wrentham Police and Fire Departments responded. At that time, I answered questions, and upon my request took a breathalyzer test which read 0.0% blood alcohol content.

Upon the arrival of first responders, Mr. Barry was alert and conscious, and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. I stayed on scene until the scene was cleared.

The investigating officer issued a Massachusetts Civil Citation for Chapter 89 Section 11, Marked Crosswalks/Yielding the right of way to pedestrians, which I have paid.

My vehicle sustained no damage, with the exception of a scuff mark on the right front corner, therefore no tow was necessary. Upon clearing the scene, I immediately notified Canton officials as to what happened.

This was an unfortunate accident. Upon further reflection and considering the amount of attention that has been focused on Canton, I should have issued a statement sooner.”

The Huskies’ unstoppable NCAA hoop run continued with their most dominant performance, a 77-52 bashing of Illinois, as the Herald’s Steve Hewitt writes.

Larry David, Seinfeld co-creator and star of his own hit series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” seemed annoyed (but when doesn’t he seem so) at photo requests while watching the game. Did he realize he’s in Boston?

“Groundhog Day” star Bill Murray was also in the stands. He’s a Chicago native but his son, Luke Murray, is a UConn men’s basketball assistant coach.

Shaw died on March 21. A lifelong Bostonian, Shaw worked for WBZ-TV from 1969-2000, according to the city.

Joining Mayor Michelle Wu at Monday’s ceremony were, Shaw’s daughter, Klare Shaw, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space; Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO, Embrace Boston, and other community leaders.

Edwards made it clear in two separate posts on X this month that she prefers Cartwright, an attorney with 30 years of legal experience, over Murphy, an at-large councilor and former Boston school teacher, for the Suffolk County seat that opened up when longtime SJC Clerk Maura Doyle opted not to run for re-election.

Quoting a post shared by Cartwright, Edwards wrote on X, “Exciting to see such a qualified and professional candidate running for this position,” a statement that perhaps could be seen as a dig at Murphy’s lack of legal experience.

The outgoing clerk, Doyle, has been a member of the bar since 1981. She was a civil litigator in the state and federal courts for 11 years and an adjunct professor at Suffolk University Law School before joining the SJC clerk’s office as an assistant clerk in 1992. She became the court’s first female clerk four years later. Doyle earned $189,324 in 2023, Herald payroll records show.

Edwards, who sat alongside Murphy for a time on the City Council, later posted that she was out campaigning for Cartwright, who, according to her campaign announcement, is “currently serving as managing director of the public defender office for Suffolk and Norfolk Counties.”

Murphy is likely not deterred, however, particularly after picking up a big-name endorsement this week from U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, who cited her “record of providing constituent services across all neighborhoods, her successful efforts to uphold the voting rights of all Boston residents, and her commitment to helping those less fortunate,” her newsletter states. – Gayla Cawley

Ron DeSantis floats migrants on the Vineyard … again

Ears pricked up — and some eyes definitely rolled — this week when failed presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis floated sending more migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.

Lest we forget, DeSantis last year shipped dozens of Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, with a quick pitstop in Florida. It was a move that was derided as a political stunt and spurred a federal lawsuit by a pair of legal advocacy groups.

So where is the legal challenge?

It has been mostly dormant since August 2023, when the groups representing some of the migrants who landed on the wealthy enclave petitioned a judge not to dismiss the case or move it out of Massachusetts and to Florida.

“Defendants induced 49 destitute immigrants to fly across the country through fraud and misrepresentation and, after using them as unwitting props in a stunt devised for the personal political gain of defendant DeSantis, abandoned them on an island,” Attorneys with Alianza Americas and Lawyers for Civil Rights wrote in the latest court filing.

The lawsuit accused DeSantis and others of violating the migrants’ Constitutional rights and federal rights by luring them onto a plane in Texas and crossing state lines. But DeSantis and his officials have pushed back, arguing the legal groups “obviously disagree with Florida’s policies and political leaders.”– Chris Van Buskirk

Another ‘nationwide search’ for a Massachusetts judge

There’s been yet another “nationwide search” for a Massachusetts judge, in addition to Gov. Maura Healey handing her ex-romantic partner a $226,187-a-year spot on the Supreme Judicial Court.

On the same day the Governor’s Council confirmed that pick earlier this month, they also okayed for the District Court Marjorie Tynes.

In an amazing coincidence, the new Judge Tynes is the wife of Dorchester District Court Judge Jonathan Tynes, who is an appointee of ex-Gov. Deval Patrick and a proud graduate of the now-defunct Mount Ida College.

Mrs. Tynes returned to the public service after a 10-year hiatus as soon as the Democrats regained control of state government last year. Healey made her a $156,000-a-year “deputy executive director” of the Executive Office of Public Safety.

But that was obviously only a holding pen until the ultimate hack appointment opened up – a judgeship.

Mr. and Mrs. Tynes will now each be making $207,855 a year. Total hack family annual take: $415,710. – Howie Carr

MassGOP election loser update

The month of March just keeps getting worse for the faction of the state GOP led by perennial election losers Jim Lyons and Geoff Diehl.

After losing a slew of seats in the state committee races March 5, two days later another of their stalwarts was sentenced to a month in federal prison for income-tax evasion.

This time it was Christianne Mylott-Coleman, a former chief of staff for ex-Sen. Dean Tran of Fitchburg, another of the Lyons-Diehl cult’s serial election losers.

Mylott-Coleman made $52,489 on the state payroll working for Tran at the State House in 2019 before he was ousted from office in 2020, two years after Lyons and Diehl got the boot. He was then crushed for Congress in 2022, but still got a higher percentage of votes than Diehl did in his sad bid for governor.

In Springfield federal court, Tran’s aide Mylott-Coleman was found guilty of evading $269,209 in income taxes while she was running a home-services business.

Meanwhile, her old boss, Tran, is still awaiting his own day(s) in court. He’s been indicted on both state and federal charges, including COVID welfare fraud and theft of a firearm.

Prior to being lugged by both state and federal cops, Tran was ticketed to run on the Lyons-Diehl slate for GOP state committee. According to the federal indictment, at the time of his alleged welfare fraud, Tran was employed by another GOP election loser, Rick Green, who owns 1A Auto Parts in Pepperell. – Howie Carr

City Council avoiding a New Year’s Day hangover

The Boston City Council, in seeking to avoid a repeat of their New Year’s Day hangovers this past inauguration, voted in favor of a home rule petition that, if passed at the state level, would change the date of future inaugural ceremonies.

The petition, put forward by Councilor Brian Worrell and approved via an 11-2 vote last Wednesday, seeks to amend the city charter in a way that would prevent mayoral and city council inaugurations from falling on a federal holiday like what occurred with this year’s New Year’s Day ceremony.

If signed by Mayor Michelle Wu, the petition would be sent to Beacon Hill, where state lawmakers would have to approve two city charter changes — by moving the inauguration and end-of-term dates for the mayor and city council from the first Monday of January to the first weekday after Jan. 2.

Worrell pointed to the strain he felt the requirement placed on first responders, who “had to staff our inauguration 10 hours after First Night and New Year’s Eve.”

Not everyone was on board. City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy both voted against the “unnecessary” change, speaking to the honor that they and their colleagues should feel in serving on the City Council, and the lack of frequency in which an inauguration falls on a federal holiday. – Gayla Cawley

The five-time Grammy Award winner surprised the Bruins locker room with two of her sons and a sweet rendition of the starting lineup. She was also spotted playing air guitar during the game.

She’s clearly not letting her stiff person syndrome diagnosis stop her from having fun!

The Bruins did fall to the Rangers 5-2, but at least she brought some star power to the Garden.

Now, THAT'S a legendary lineup read @celinedion | #BehindTheB pic.twitter.com/xCqj0pAWRv

— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 22, 2024

But two third-period penalties proved costly, as host Toronto scored a pair of power-play goals in the final period to capture a 2-1 win over Boston during Professional Women’s Hockey League action Wednesday before a crowd of 2,525 at the Mattamy Athletic Center in Toronto.

Sidney Morin gave Boston a 1-0 lead with a power-play strike at 11:21 of the opening period. Assists were collected by Jamie Lee Rattray, her eighth of the season, and Jessica Digirolamo.

But penalties to Lexie Adzija (tripping) and Sophie Shirley (hit to head) put Toronto on the power play twice in the third and the hosts capitalized both times.

Renata Fast tallied at 2:14 and Natalie Spooner scored at 7:05 for the game-winning goal. It was Spooner’s 13th of the season. Erica Howe was strong between the pipes for Toronto. Emma Soderberg made 19 saves for Boston.

The popular crafting store has 21 outlets in Massachusetts. The Ohio-based chain said it will not close down but could emerge from bankruptcy in about a month privately held.

“Over the past several months, Joann has made meaningful business improvements through the execution of our Focus, Simplify and Grow cost reduction initiative,” said Chris DiTullio, Chief Customer Officer and co-lead of the Interim Office of the CEO.

He added “customers, vendors, landlords, and other trade creditors will not see any disruption in services” during Chapter 11 filing. The company’s stock was initially down with the news as it struggles to recover from a reported $1 billion in debt.

Bay State gas prices jump 6 cents

Rising gasoline demand, lower inventories and ongoing geopolitical tensions are pushing pump prices higher, AAA reported Monday.

The average gas price in Massachusetts is up six cents over last week ($3.19), averaging $3.25 per gallon. Today’s price is 6 cents higher than a month ago ($3.19), and 3 cents lower than March 18, 2023 ($3.28). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 21 cents lower than the national average.

“As oil prices rise, gasoline demand is back to pre-pandemic levels, which means higher prices as inventories tighten,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

Her annual rate is $96,000 for a part-time gig — making her the highest paid half-time employee on the books, according to state payroll records. A call seeking more to the college president’s office, that’s Jackie Jenkins-Scott who makes $220,000 as interim head of the school, was still pending as of Friday.

But back to Rollins. She last left the public sector last May after two scathing DOJ reports for attending a Democratic fundraiser while being the state’s top prosecutor and for meddling in the Suffolk DA’s race. That’s old news, now she’s back on the taxpayers’ dime at Roxbury CC.

The community college says Rollins was hired “in accordance with section 3.02 F of the BHE MA Community College Non-Unit Professionals Handbook.” We were asking if anybody else applied for the job and that was our answer. – Joe Dwinell 

‘Zip’ Connolly’s moment of schadenfreude

John “Zip” Connolly, the 83-year-old disgraced ex-FBI agent and convicted mob hitman, may be enjoying a moment of schadenfreude this St. Patrick’s Day, as one of his prosecutors in Florida just went down in flames.

Michael Von Zamft prosecuted Zip during his 2007 trial for the mob murder of a Boston businessman in South Florida back in 1983. Von Zamft was assisted by Boston Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak.

Von Zamft has been involved in multiple high-profile criminal prosecutions in Miami for decades. But last week, he was forced to resign in disgrace after what a state judge described as “severe recklessness.”

A headline from Miami said Von Zamft was accused of having “manipulated witnesses, including possibly providing conjugal visits to jailhouse informants.”

Connolly is still appealing his 2007 second-degree murder conviction in the gangland hit, and the circumstances of Von Zamft’s abrupt departure may figure in his next filing.

Zip was freed from prison in Florida in early 2021 after doctors said he would likely be dead within a year of cancer. Obviously, he isn’t. – Howie Carr

House-Senate feud over committee power simmering

Not-so-subtle barb-throwing between Beacon Hill committee chairs had a mild flare up this week after it had mostly subsided since last summer.

Sen. Marc Pacheco, a 16-term Democrat from Taunton, briefly revived the issue during a Senate session Thursday when he alluded to difficulties pushing a handful of bills through the Emergency Preparedness and Management Committee that he helps run.

“I’ve got a call into the House chair on this because as you know, across the Legislature, sometimes working and getting agreement on some of these things can be a little trying today as opposed to what they were just a few years ago,” Pacheco said.

At issue was an order to give the committee one more day to review seven bills dealing with varying subjects — student and teacher safety to creating a disaster relief fund and diagnostic testing to the threat of nuclear weapons.

Rep. Bill Driscoll, the House chair of the committee, said he has a “good working relationship” with Pacheco and said the comments were likely a reference to a well-publicized feud from last summer between two Democratic chairs of a climate-focused committee.

The frustration might also have stemmed from being “up against a deadline and trying to get everything filed,” Driscoll told the Herald Friday.

Pacheco said there are not a lot of bills that come into the committee so “it shouldn’t be that difficult to resolve but there’s a bit of resistance to move too quickly on some of these bills.”

“With all committees, the joint committees, the senators sitting on those committees have the minority vote and you know very well what it’s like to be on the minority side of voting issues. So we’re trying to resolve that by employing other strategies to get to agreement,” Pacheco told Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. – Chris Van Buskirk

Lyons looks to new enterprises in pivot away from MassGOP

After their latest defeats in the MassGOP state committee races last week, ex-chairman Jim Lyons and his hapless crew are moving on to new, uh, enterprises.

Lyons has apparently finally realized he’s washed up in GOP politics. He is trying to organize something called “Mass. Freedom Fighters,” which is about “giving ordinary Americans a voice again.”

Oddly, Lyons announced his new plan a mere three days after “ordinary Americans” used an election to voice their opinion that they didn’t want Lyons et al. back in power at the state committee.

Meanwhile, perennial loser Geoff Diehl, a loyal Lyons minion, retained his committee seat. He is now concentrating on his next doomed mission, running for the same state Senate seat he lost in a landslide in 2015.

According to state campaign finance records, Diehl’s campaign has raised $23,000 since December, $21,000 of which came from people at his home address named “Diehl,” including $18,000 in “candidate loans.” Another $2,600 came from members of the Orlando family from Gloucester.

Amanda Orlando was the manager of Diehl’s latest sad race, running for governor in 2022. Another $100 was donated by a friend of Amanda’s named Russell Morris, also of Gloucester. Morris is currently under indictment in Essex County, charged with violent rape of a child. – Howie Carr

The public is invited to tour the Truxtun from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, immersing themselves in its maritime history and heritage. She was named for Commodore Thomas Truxtun, one of the first six Navy commanders appointed by George Washington, and was an active participant in the Mexican–American War.

Get an Exclusive Look at Baseball’s Brightest Future Stars!

Major League Baseball is giving fans an incredible sneak peek at the next generation of diamond greats during the inaugural 2024 Spring Breakout.

As part of this year’s Spring Training, each MLB club will showcase its most promising prospects going head-to-head in exhibition matchups against the top young talent from rival teams. It’s your chance to be among the first to see these rising phenoms before they become household names!

The Livestream Lineup

Thursday, March 14 Pirates vs Orioles 7:05 PM ET

Friday, March 15 Cardinals vs Marlins 2:05 PM ET

Mariners vs Padres 4:10 PM ET

Mets vs Nationals 3:10 PM ET

Cubs vs White Sox 5:05 PM ET

A’s vs Giants 7:05 PM ET

Saturday, March 16 Red Sox vs Braves 1:05 PM ET

Tigers vs Phillies 1:05 PM ET

Twins vs Rays 4:05 PM ET

Yankees vs Blue Jays 4:05 PM ET

Rockies vs Diamondbacks 7:10 PM ET

Angels vs Dodgers 7:10 PM ET

DIVISION 1

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at Taunton

Franklin 66, Catholic Memorial 52

SEMIFINAL – Wednesday at UMass-Boston

No. 1 Worcester North (22-0) vs. No. 5 Xaverian (17-6), 6:30 p.m.

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 3 Franklin (25-1) vs. Worcester North/Xaverian, TBA

DIVISION 2

SEMIFINAL – Monday at UMass-Boston

Malden Catholic 50, Somerset Berkley 48

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at UMass-Boston

Sharon 64, Bedford 63

FINAL – Friday at Tsongas Center

No. 1 Malden Catholic (15-9) vs. No. 7 Sharon (17-7), 6

DIVISION 3

SEMIFINAL – Monday at Worcester State

Old Rochester 82, Pittsfield 72

SEMIFINAL – Wednesday at Worcester State

No. 1 Charlestown (21-2) vs. No. 4 Taconic (17-6), 7 p.m.

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 2 Old Rochester (21-4) vs. Charlestown/Taconic, TBA

DIVISION 4

SEMIFINALS – Tuesday

Bourne 71, Burke 60

Wareham 67, Millbury 65 (ot)

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 1 Wareham (22-3) vs. No. 2 Bourne (23-1), TBA

DIVISION 5

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday

Hoosac Valley 76, Mahar 44

SEMIFINAL – Wednesday at Worcester State

No. 3 Pioneer Valley (18-5) vs. No. 2 New Mission (17-6), 5 p.m.

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

Pioneer Valley/New Mission vs. No. 1 Hoosac Valley (22-2), TBA

GIRLS BASKETBALL

DIVISION 1

SEMIFINAL – Monday at UMass-Boston

Bishop Feehan 61, Woburn 38

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at Worcester State

Wachusett 57, Springfield Central 50

FINAL – Friday at Tsongas Center

No. 1 Bishop Feehan (20-4) vs. No. 2 Wachusett (24-0), 7:45

DIVISION 2

SEMIFINAL – Monday at Taunton

Medfield 60, Oliver Ames 46

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at Chicopee Comp.

South 59, Northampton 45

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 1 Medfield (22-2) vs. No. 6 South (23-1)

DIVISION 3

SEMIFINAL – Monday at Taunton

Norwell 52, Medway 39

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at UMass-Boston

Foxboro 65, St. Mary’s (Lynn) 34

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 2 Norwell (23-1) vs. No. 1 Foxboro (23-2)

DIVISION 4

SEMIFINALS – Tuesday

Cathedral 68, Millis 37

South Hadley 53, Tyngsboro 43

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 1 Cathedral (18-5) vs. No. 3 South Hadley (21-3)

DIVISION 5

SEMIFINAL – Monday at Worcester State

West Boylston 58, Palmer 57 (ot)

SEMIFINAL – Tuesday at West Springfield

Hoosac Valley 57, Renaissance 49

FINAL – At Tsongas Center

No. 2 West Boylston (21-3) vs. No. 1 Hoosac Valley (21-3)

BOYS HOCKEY

DIVISION 1

STATE SEMIFINALS

St. John’s Prep 4, Xaverian 0

Winchester 3, Arlington Catholic 2 (ot)

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 11 Winchester (16-9-1) vs. No. 1 St. John’s Prep (21-3-0), 5:30 p.m.

DIVISION 2

STATE SEMIFINALS

Boston Latin 2, Duxbury 0

Tewksbury 6, Woburn 4

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 1 Tewksbury (21-3-0) vs. No. 11 Boston Latin (16-8-0), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 3

STATE SEMIFINALS

Marblehead 2, Shawsheen 1

Nauset 6, Somerset Berkley 0

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 6 Marblehead (16-9-1) vs. No. 1 Nauset (22-1-1), 3 p.m.

DIVISION 4

STATE SEMIFINALS

Dover-Sherborn/Weston 2, Winthrop 1 (so)

Hanover 4, Stoneham 3 (2 ot)

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 5 Dover-Sherborn/Weston (19-4-0) vs. No. 6 Hanover (15-9-0), 11 a.m.

GIRLS HOCKEY

DIVISION 1

STATE SEMIFINALS

Notre Dame (Hingham) 4, Malden Catholic 0

St. Mary’s (Lynn) 2, Archbishop Williams 1 (ot)

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 1 Notre Dame (Hingham) (18-4-2) vs. No. 2 St. Mary’s (Lynn) (22-3-1), 9 a.m.

DIVISION 2

STATE SEMIFINALS

Duxbury 3, Algonquin/Hudson 1

Falmouth 2, Marshfield 0

STATE FINAL – Sunday at TD Garden

No. 1 Duxbury (23-3-0) vs. No. 2 Falmouth (23-2-1), 1 p.m.

The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate, Olympic, or other similar elite level in the United States. In addition to athletic excellence, the award recognizes the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship on and off the playing surface.

Richard is a breakout gymnast with the University of Michigan and Team USA. Richard’s year included winning three NCAA titles, one U.S. title, and claiming two bronze medals at the FIG World Gymnastics Championships.

He became the youngest-ever U.S. men’s medalist at the World Championships and the first American man since 2010 to win an all-around medal. When not in the gym, he also created his own “Frederick Flips” brand, producing apparel that complements his social media following of nearly one million.

Scaramucci said this week he would host a fundraiser for Deaton, though the event has not been scheduled, according to Deaton’s campaign manager, Michael Gorecki, who said the Senate candidate has formally accepted Scaramucci’s offer.

“We’re grateful for the support,” Gorecki told the Herald.

Scaramucci was fired from his job in the Trump administration after an on-the-record, curse-laden conversation —  in which he criticized multiple Trump staffers — leaked. He previously said he would back President Joe Biden if Trump won the Republican nomination this year. – Chris Van Buskirk

Hot Mic: Massachusetts shelter system is in a ‘gas-up moment’

A few chuckles were heard around the House Chamber Wednesday afternoon when Rep. Carlos González said the state’s overburdened shelter system is in a “gas up moment.”

The Springfield Democrat was speaking during debate on legislation that would pump an additional $245 million into the state-run shelter system and put in place a nine-month time limit of families’ stay in temporary housing. The bill eventually cleared the House on a 121-33 vote.

“No airplane flight is sustainable. It has to stop at some point to gas right up. So this is a gas-up moment. We’re gassing up the plane and putting the best pilots back on track to our destination, which is Massachusetts delivering a sense and a path forward for America,” he said. – Chris Van Buskirk

MassGOP maneuverings

Before the decisive pounding of the Jim Lyons-Geoff Diehl slate in races for GOP state committee Tuesday, topless booze cruise impresario Alexander “Sandy” Tennant was tirelessly lobbying uncommitted committee members whom the Kult believed might be persuaded to restore their hapless crew to power.

We’ve already reported how Tennant, a failed GOP consultant whose 1999 booze cruise destroyed ex-Cong. Peter Blute’s political career, campaigned for a North Shore candidate who was buried in a landslide by incumbent chairman Amy Carnevale.

Tennant also reached out to Nicky Miceli, a 20-year-old who ran unopposed for a seat in Natick. Sandy treated Miceli to the Celtics home game against the Timberwolves in January.

“It was overtime, a great game,” Miceli said. But he added that Sandy had made no direct pitch to woo him towards the party also-rans.

“I’m meeting with Amy next week,” he said. “I think she’s great.”

Tennant also tried to talk to Julie Hall of Attleboro, who was elected Tuesday.

“I did get a call but it was short,” she texted. “I did not meet. He did not pitch anyone to me and I have not heard from him again.”

Nor is she likely to, given the fact that the number of committed Kultists on the new committee now seems closer to 20 than 30 of the 77 members. Roll call votes will be futile, but then, abject futility is part of the Lyons-Diehl brand. – Howie Carr

Super Tuesday hits

Massachusetts Republicans turned out in droves on Super Tuesday when former President Donald Trump handily won the Bay State over opponent Nikki Haley.

Secretary of State William Galvin said the Republican presidential primary had the second-most ballots cast, at 567,000, in Massachusetts history. This year’s contest was beaten only by the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said the “impressive” Republican turnout signals conservative issues are resonating with voters “across party lines.”

“Additionally, the noteworthy number of Democrats opting for Republican ballots during this primary reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the policies of the Biden and Healey-Driscoll Administration. Moving forward, we will continue to engage with non-affiliated voters and Democrats,” she said in a statement.

More than 1.2 million registered voters participated in the state’s Super Tuesday contests, the first such election since the no-excuse mail-in voting program started in Massachusetts. Only half of ballots cast in the Democratic and Republican primaries were done in-person on Election day.

“There is little doubt that the availability of vote by mail ballots helped drive turnout in this primary,” Galvin said in a statement. “It is a testament to the success of our vote by mail program that nearly half of those who voted did so with a mail-in ballot.” – Chris Van Buskirk

Shooting hoops with Ray

Former mayor and ambassador to the Vatican Ray Flynn put his collegiate hoop prowess to work for Southie kids.

It’s all part of helping youngsters compete in the South Boston Citizens’ Association annual free-throw contest, which is part of the organization’s 248th Annual Evacuation Day events.

Flynn played for Providence College graduating in 1963 and is in the school’s sports Hall of Fame. He was an Academic All-American and MVP of the NIT tournament. The Friars won that tournament in 1963 with Flynn as the star shooting guard.

He’s still has the touch. – Joe Dwinell 

Meanwhile…

The top budget writer in the House criticized Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation for the lack of help from Washington on migrant-related issues.

House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz pointed to Congress’ inability to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would have shuttled aide to states dealing with an influx of migrants.

“It’s fallen on deaf ears, it seems like, whether it’s from the administration down in Washington, from Congress. Our own delegation has not necessarily been particularly helpful on this conversation,” Michlewitz told reporters Wednesday. “There was a vote on the Senate floor. Our Senate colleagues did not vote for it.”

Michlewitz’s comments come about a week after House Speaker Ron Mariano also called out Warren and Markey last week. – Chris Van Buskirk

Rain could be heavy overnight with the National Weather Service warning to be prepared for “minor flooding” depending on where you live. Here is the live radar…

Romeo Waldemar Gabriel Lopez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to time served — six months — and one year of supervised release, the feds said Tuesday.

Gabriel Lopez was first deported in April 2016 after his first drunken driving conviction. His second deportation was in October 2016, after he was apprehended illegally crossing the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, prosecutors said.

He crossed the border in Texas again in late 2016 and another time in 2020, the feds add. In July 2022, he pleaded guilty to the second, pending OUI charge and was sentenced to probation.

Now he’s heading back, presumably, to Guatemala.

“We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 (of the Fourteenth Amendment) with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency.”

“Such power over governance, however, does not extend to federal officeholders and candidates. Because federal officers ‘owe their existence and functions to the united voice
of the whole, not of a portion, of the people.'”

“Such a power would flout the principle that ‘the Constitution guarantees the entire independence of the General Government from any control by the respective States.'”

Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment “likewise restricts state autonomy, but through different means. It was designed to help ensure an enduring Union by preventing former Confederates from returning to power in the aftermath of the Civil War.”

“The relevant provision is Section 5, which enables Congress, subject of course to judicial review, to pass ‘appropriate legislation’ to ‘enforce’ the Fourteenth Amendment.”

“All nine Members of the Court agree.”

“The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court is reversed. The mandate shall issue forthwith.”

You can read the Supreme Court decision here.

A failed deal on immigration reform that lost steam in the U.S. Senate earlier this month was still fresh on Beacon Hill’s mind this week — but the willingness to throw shade at fellow D.C. Democrats depended on who spoke.

House Speaker Ron Mariano did not mince words when he called out U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey for opposing a bill that could have sent crucial aid to Massachusetts as the state deals with a costly shelter system.

“The inability to pass even the border bill, that most of our delegation supported, except for our Senate delegation, would make this a purely political issue. When a former Republican president has influence over the process, we’re in a difficult place as a country,” Mariano said.

Gov. Maura Healey went after Republicans. Conservatives did tank the deal after former President Donald Trump said it was flawed.

“The blame right now is with Congress, and particularly with Republicans in Congress who killed the deal. And it’s a shame there was a bipartisan border deal that President Biden was prepared to sign,” Healey said. – Chris Van Buskirk

Shame to leave the flag in tatters

Someone over at the mayor’s Parkman House needs to brush up on American flag etiquette.

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, states: “The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.” That’s not the case outside the city-owned Parkman House.

A Herald reader, aghast at the poor treatment of the Stars and Stripes, called out this blatant disrespect for Old Glory. Stay tuned for a follow-up. – Joe Dwinell

Do you want a lottery ticket with that blunt?

Bay State weed regulators began a discussion this week around allowing marijuana dispensaries to sell state lottery products alongside their pot.

While some Cannabis Control Commissioners seemed hesitant to broach the subject without more information, Acting Chair Ava Concepcion said she understood that sentiment, but “wanted to make sure we at least began that conversation and sort of started to consider the next steps.” It’s not just scratch tickets, Concepcion said, the real issue is whether dispensaries could sell a broad range of non-cannabis products.

Talks are in early stages, so there are no scratchers to be had with any pre-rolled doobie  — yet — but if things go as commissioners suggested they could, you could soon buy a blunt, a Powerball ticket, and bag of Funyuns, all in one stop. – Matthew Medsger

My way or the highway

You could hear the gasps when General Scott Lee, Gov. Maura Healey’s emergency assistance shelter director, told a Seaport audience this past week that they were going to accept migrant families at a Fort Point office building whether they liked it or not,

“This is going to happen,” the general declared. To which at least one protestor replied, “Bullshit.” – Peter Lucas

Super Tuesday challenge

Don’t expect much in the way of surprises in Massachusetts when voters in 16 states and one U.S. territory head to the polls Tuesday for the presidential primaries.

President Biden is expected to easily carry the Democratic contest in the Bay State. Former President Donald Trump is poised to take Massachusetts as well, further solidifying his grip on the Republican Party.

Even if Nikki Haley pulls off a victory here, it likely won’t mean much for her campaign after she has consistently lost nominating contests to Trump this year.

But what will be worth watching is the strange battle playing out over control of the MassGOP, where thrice-failed candidate Geoff Diehl is pushing a slate of candidates to wrest control of the state committee away from those backing current chair Amy Carnevale.

Carnevale argues she has overseen a small renaissance, paying down debts incurred under former chair Jim Lyons and even flipping a Senate seat once held by Democrats.

Diehl’s camp argues Carnevale and crew are really just RINOs who don’t represent the real conservatives in Massachusetts. Diehl also wants to debate Herald columnist Howie Carr, who is not running for anything, over the so-called “Massachusetts Freedom Slate.” – Chris Van Buskirk

Send us your ideas to newstips@bostonherald.com

Boston police said the Drug Unit “witnessed a drug exchange involving” three suspects and moved in to break it up.

Keith Curtis, 38, of Athol, Katherine Isaacs, 33, of Weymouth, and Michael Groden, 44, of Needham, were all arrested on charges related to firearms and narcotics, police said.

Curtis faces charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, trafficking class A and B substances, distribution of a class A substance, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Isaacs was arrested for trafficking class A and B substances, distribution of a class A substance, possession of a class B substance, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Groden was arrested for trafficking class A and possession of a class B substance. All three suspects are scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court for arraignment.

Discovery Adventure campers participated in three- or five-day programs at Old Sturbridge Village, a living and vibrant outdoor history museum in Sturbridge that depicts what life in a rural New England town was like in the early 19th century.

They learned not only the art of syrup making, but took in other classes and demonstrations like pottery making.

Quincy held its Presidents Day Winterfest on Monday, featuring live entertainment and family friendly activities on the Hancock-Adams Common.

Entertainers dressed up as presidents for the celebration. John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, hailed from Quincy.

Lund most recently served as president and general manager of WBZ-TV/CBS Boston for nearly a decade.

“We are thrilled to add Mark to our exceptional team,” said George K. Regan, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Regan Communications Group.

“It’s an honor to join this great team and help lead our region’s most iconic communications company,” said Lund.

Wall Street slips from all-time high as cuts to rates look further off

Stocks slipped Monday following the latest signal that the economy remains strong, which could delay the cuts to interest rates that Wall Street wants.

The S&P 500 fell 15.80 points, or 0.3%, to 4,942.81 from the all-time high set Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 274.30, or 0.7%, to 38,380.12, and the Nasdaq composite edged down by 31.28, or 0.2%, to 15,597.68.

Earnings season is near its midpoint, and roughly half the companies in the S&P 500 have reported their latest results, including many of the market’s most influential. Estee Lauder jumped 12% after it reported better revenue and profit than analysts expected. McDonald’s, meanwhile, fell 3.7% despite reporting stronger profit than expected. Its revenue for the latest quarter fell just short of forecasts.

Companies that have been missing analysts’ estimates for earnings this reporting season have been seeing their stocks get punished even more than usual, according to strategists at Bank of America.

The team captain netted the game-winning goal 52 seconds into sudden death overtime as Boston defeated Minnesota, 4-3, in the fourth week of Professional Women’s Hockey League action. It marked Boston’s first win on home ice in front of a capacity crowd at Tsongas Center.

After losing its inaugural opener to Minnesota, 3-2, on Jan. 3, Boston was looking for a little retribution and found it in its rematch, taking a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Minnesota mounted a valiant comeback by tying it in the final seconds of regulation, to force the overtime.

But in the end, it was Knight that ended it potting scoring off a shot from the left hash for the game winner, bringing the large crowd to its feet Saturday.

Also netting goals for Boston were Kaleigh Fratkin, Taylor Girard and Alina Müller.

Boston (3-2) took a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Alina Muller and Jamie Lee Rattray. Megan Keller set up Muller’s goal, while Sophie Shirley and Sidney Morin assisted on Rattray’s tally.

But Ottawa rallied to tie the game on a second-period goal and then one in the third period to set the stage for Schafzahl’s heroics.

Former Northeastern University star goaltender Aerin Frankel stood tall in net, stopping 37 of 39 shots. Boston is now 3-0 on the road.

Hallie will be remembered for her bravery, strength, and resilience, receiving five rounds of chemotherapy, in addition to radiation treatment and countless arduous procedures before undergoing a bone marrow transplant in September 2023 followed by additional treatment after a relapse in November, and she did it all with a smile on her face with her loving parents by her side every step of the way.

Hallie was a spirited, feisty, spunky, beautiful baby. She made everyone smile, and she touched everyone she ever met. She was the girliest girl, who loved to play dress up, take baths, and dance, especially with her big sister, Olivia. For the past year, she wore princess dresses nearly every day, sometimes changing up to 20 times a day, and loved to strut and collect compliments.

She had so much life in her little body. Before she was diagnosed, she always woke up so excited for the day, going straight to the closet and drawers to get herself ready, saying “jacket, boots, hat, car!” Throughout her battle with leukemia, she always got up. She demanded to go on 800 walks in her stroller in her final week. She passed away with paint on her hands and sparkles in her hair from doing crafts.

She loved painting, LOL dolls, her pink Hallie blanket, boots, going on car rides, using sign language for “more,” having an assortment of chips, her cat Rambe, puppies and her family.

She is survived by her parents, Jennifer Crosby-Kyed and Douglas M. Kyed, her beloved sister Olivia S. Kyed, her grandmothers Donna M. Kyed of Franklin and Jeanne Crosby, aunts and uncles Jessica and Jesse Bottoms, Aidan Crosby, Brian Crosby and Amanda and Jeff Kyed-Callahan, her cousins Norah and Maggie “Megan” Bottoms.

A wake for Hallie will be held Friday January 26th, in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin, Mass., from 4-7 p.m, relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be sent to The Jimmy Fund, where Hallie received outpatient care for her AML.

Her funeral service and interment will be held privately.

Hilary Knight of Boston led all players in shots on goal with seven. Boston was 0-for-2 on the power play, while New York did not have an advantage in the game. Boston is the first team this season to play a penalty-free game.

It was Boston’s second home game in franchise history. Boston fell despite holding a commanding 33-19 shots advantage.