Beacon Hill Patch

The Charles River is only a few inches deep in the worst spots, some of the lowest levels seen in years. trib.al/QXO0uKM

James “Whitey” Bulger was beaten to death in a West Virginia prison in 2018. trib.al/zMNJeQ0

The trooper crashed while leaning in for a kiss, and while under the influence of alcohol, prosecutors said. trib.al/UMuGEzV

The annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began Wednesday and will last through the ceremonial end of summer. trib.al/c2lkTA8

There will be "moving closures" along the multi-use path for about two weeks. The Southwest Corridor path traces the Orange Line route. trib.al/uSOWWE6

People with mild to moderate hearing loss will soon be able to buy hearing aids at pharmacies and retail stores without a prescription. trib.al/98Lbodc

Students entering 9th grade this school year will face higher MCAS scores when they graduate in four years. trib.al/72aQKXm

With the region in a severe drought, this week may bring the first real chance of sustained rainfall in a long time. trib.al/0BgN2Pe

Parts of Massachusetts are in extreme drought, putting stress on the state's whole ecosystem — including typical bear food sources. trib.al/XFoQFeB

You'll get a 6.25% discount on most smaller purchases this weekend, just in time for back-to-school season. trib.al/cuZIHOv

Baker said this week he had problems with one part of the bill allowing some cities to restrict fossil fuels in new developments. trib.al/QFC0tks

Another spotted lanternfly infestation has been confirmed in a Massachusetts city, the third one after Shrewsbury and Fitchburg. trib.al/DMZH6IS

Mail voting is permanent in Massachusetts following an experiment during the pandemic. Here's where to drop off your ballot in Boston. trib.al/ygab3H1

Another temperature record has fallen in Boston during a long stretch of heat. trib.al/uH5oQPy

Here's when to see the Perseids pass over Massachusetts, and why it might be a little more difficult to see. trib.al/niNX8W5

The 22-year-old was struck by lightning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. trib.al/HRekag2

The average rent paid in Boston was $4,878 this past June, compared with $4,164 in June 2021, according to the report. trib.al/Zd3Xk3n

A U.S. Census and Harvard University study shows how young adults migrated. Here are the top destinations for Boston-area millennials. trib.al/Uhr0P8F

Your neighbor may have forgotten about borrowing a weed trimmer — or may have broken it. In any case, it can be awkward to ask for it back. trib.al/36jxm5u

From notebooks to pencils to iPads, snag the best back-to-school deals at these stores in Massachusetts. trib.al/XBVP0kB