News Update 11/14/07

National News

As Americans get ready for a big day of Thanksgiving feasting and football, the University of Illinois Extention Program at Urbana has some interesting information regarding turkeys. Americans will put away quite a bit of the bird over the upcoming holiday, on average, 675-million pounds of turkey are consumed every Thanksgiving. That translates to 45-million turkeys each Thanksgiving, while 22-million turkeys are eaten each Christmas. In 2005 the average American ate 16-point-seven-pounds of turkey. And for the record, male turkeys gobble, hens do not. They make a clicking noise.

State News

Already short of cash, the state is in for more problems. According to House Speaker Sal DiMasi the Lottery's revenue shortfall could top 200-million-dollars, or twice what was previously thought. Soon after DiMasi made those remarks in a speech, Lottery spokesman Dan Rosenfeld said the gap could be as much as 252-million-dollars. He says the Lottery is having near-record sales, but the executive branch has issued overly optimistic revenue projections for the last two years. Rosenfield says "there's no shortfall, just differing revenue projections." Proceeds from the Lottery go to the state's cities and towns.

More parents in Massachusetts are sending their children to school without the state's required vaccinations. The reason is they're afraid the various shots could have dangerous health consequences, including autism. However doctors say not getting those shots poses a greater danger. Legally, parents in Massachusetts can opt out of the shots for their kids two ways, through a health exemption or a religious exemption. Despite the growing trend, Massachusetts has one of the highest immunization rates in the nation.

Somerville Police are looking for a 13-year-old boy who didn't return home after school yesterday. Jack Shay is a student at the Kennedy School in Somerville. His parents say he has a slight learning disability and often likes to walk around sections of Somerville and Cambridge. Friends say they saw him leave school. He has no history of running away.

Sports

Paul Pierce led the way with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as the Celtics stayed unbeaten with a 101-86 win over the Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Celtics are back on the court tonight. They host New Jersey at the TD Banknorth Garden at 7:30 p.m.

The UMass Lowell Riverhawks take the ice twice this upcoming weekend! The puck drops at 7, Friday Night (away) against the Friars at Providence College and again on Saturday Night at 7 (away) against Northeastern University.

UMass Lowell head coach Shannon Hlebichuk was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association North Region Coach of the Year for 2007. In six seasons at the helm of the River Hawk field hockey program, Hlebichuk has compiled 100 wins, five Northeast-10 tournament titles and the 2005 Division II National Championship. In addition to being named the NFHCA North Region Coach of the Year, Hlebichuk was also tabbed as the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive year after guiding UML to an 19-3 season and its fifth straight NE-10 tournament title.

Freshman Jillian Hadder earned second team honors while Sophmore Elsa LeGrand was named to third team as the Northeast-10 All-Conference Volleyball Team was announced Saturday. The honor marked the second straight year for LeGrand, who was named to the second team in 2006, while Hadder enjoyed her first appearance on the teams.The River Hawks capped the season with a 12-22 record, including a 7-7 to clip the NE-10, good for sixth place. Hadder and LeGrand are two of 11 players returning next season for UML.

For all of UMass Lowell’s sports details and schedules, visit goriverhawks.com.

That's the latest in weather, news, and sports on WUML Lowell 91.5 fm!