News Update 11/20/07

National News

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is suing nearly two-dozen companies for manufacturing and selling toys that contain lead. The suit would force the companies, including Mattel and Toys R Us, to change the way the products are inspected. Michael Green with the Center for Environmental Health says he applauds the state for doing what the federal government won't. Some of the other toy sellers named in the suit include Wal-Mart, Target, Sears and Costco.

Nearly ten-thousand people in the U.S. were targets of hate crimes last year. FBI statistics show the number of hate crimes reported to law enforcement agencies rose eight percent, after hitting a decade low in 2005. ABC News cites the statistics as showing that more than half the reported hate crimes were motivated by a racial bias. Statistics also show that almost 20 percent of hate crimes showed a religious bias, 15-and-a-half percent involved a sexual orientation bias and 12 percent demonstrated bias based on ethnicity or national origin.

State News

Sixteen years, six governors, and 15-billion-dollars later the Big Big project is finally coming to an end. The "Boston Globe" reports the Big Dig office will officially close on December 31st. The largest public works project in the nation's history has brought years of detours,161 new highway lanes, tunnel leaks, lawsuits and a skyrocketing price tag that started out at under three-billion-dollars. At the height of the project the staff numbered eleven-hundred, in addition to five-thousand construction workers. By the end of the year just 38 people will remain on the project. Officials say it could take up to three years to wrap up all the financial and legal details.

Governor Patrick's life science bill has hit a roadblock on Beacon Hill. Despite a push by the administration, the legislature is not likely to act on it before they adjourn for the year tomorrow. Patrick wants the state to invest a billion-dollars in the biotechnology industry over ten years. The governor argues if the state doesn't make the commitment life science companies could decide not to expand in Massachusetts.

Sports

Around the majors, Mike Lowell is reportedly returning to the Red Sox with a new three-year deal, Tom Glavine agreed to a one-year pact with Atlanta, Mariano Rivera accepted the Yankees' three-year contract, and Greg Maddux agreed to a one-year pact with the Padres.

The Boston Bruins face off in Toronto tonight against the Maple Leafs. Game starts at 7pm.

UML Field Hockey Players; Michelle Harrington, Missy Seeley, and Jayne Vagenas, were named to the 2007 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II All-American First Team. while Jaci Moulton was named to the All-American Second Team. The River Hawks finished the season 19-3 and made their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, including winning the NCAA championship in 2005. UML captured the 2007 Northeast-10 regular season with a 15-1 regular season conference record. The River Hawks won the NE-10 tournament title for the fifth straight year.

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!