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Brush fire danger remains high in New England Wednesday with another day of high temperatures and no rain in the forecast. Several fires burned in the Georgetown-Rowley State Forest Tuesday, though they were contained as of Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a “red flag warning” for Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut through 6 p.m., meaning there is elevated fire risk in the region. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor burning or activities – like using a lawnmower or leaf-blower – that could cause sparks to set off a larger fire. The public is also urged to be careful with smoking materials and to properly dispose of any coals or ashes by dousing them with water and storing them in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for MA, RI, and CT through 6 pm this evening. 🔥Please avoid outdoor burning 🔥 Avoid activities that may produce a spark#MAwx #CTwx #RIwx pic.twitter.com/ERxkfTKLZY— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) November 6, 2024 In Massachusetts, open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round. Some towns have taken steps to ban all outdoor burning for the time being. In Groveland, the fire department has banned all outdoor burning, including in fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, and cooking and heating equipment unless it’s covered under open burning regulations. Propane grills are still allowed, though fire officials urge caution. In October there were about 200 wildfires reported, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS). The average is 15. More on brush fires Massachusetts Nov 4 Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across state Massachusetts Nov 2 Boston man arrested, accused of starting brush fire in Milford Wildfires Nov 1 Mass. had more than 10 times as many brush fires than usual this October

Donald Trump is set to become the second U.S. president to make a comeback to Washington after losing the title of commander in chief — and the verdict of U.S. voters was more decisive than most pundits and analysts had predicted. Trump secured victory early Wednesday after surpassing the 270 electoral college votes needed to win, picking up the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — with possibly more to come. Political expert Tom Whalen, associate professor of social sciences at Boston University, tells NBC10 Boston that this was a seismic election. “This is one of the biggest surprises of the last 20 years,” Whalen said. “I think [Trump] could still win the popular vote. No Republican has done that since George W. Bush in 2004…who knows, I mean, if you’re looking at the numbers, maybe this is a trend to come in the future, you know, Republican presidents.” It appears that Trump was able to win the majority of the Latino vote, which has never happened before, Whalen said. “If that is going to hold up, I mean that’s never happened before,” he said. For Whalen, he believes these results really come down to the economy, noting that people are very concerned with inflation and the border, something that seems to resonate with all social groups in society. “I think a lot of analysts overestimated the importance of the abortion issue because it really came down to the economy in the end,” Whalen said. So where did Vice President Kamala Harris go wrong with her campaign in the presidential race? “It’s hard to say because it was a 100-day campaign,” Whalen said. “When you look at it on one hand, it was a remarkable performance by Harris to get this close given the fact that she started at ground zero. So it’s hard to say but she seemed to have the headwinds going into October. The problem is that you know Trump was able to pull out an astonishing comeback right at the finish line.” “You look at the analysis, rural voters came out in unprecedented numbers. [Trump] was able to build upon his already strong rural support, and the Democrats did not have enough suburban votes to counter that,” Whalen continued. Was the polling wrong? That depends, according to Whalen. “If you look at the margins, they’re so thin that it’s within the margin of error for most of them. On the one hand, you could say yeah maybe they got it wrong but not according to their own criteria. Three or four percent, that’s all it took. But again it shows just how divided our country is right now that even within the margin of error, that’s everything in this winner-take-all system of ours.” In a victory speech before it was officially projected that he would serve as 47th president of the United States, Trump vowed to “put our country first” and bring about a “golden age” for America. Decision 2024 coverage Decision 2024 9 hours ago Live updates: Trump wins White House, NBC News projects; Harris to address nation Decision 2024 9 hours ago Live updates: Election results in New England Decision 2024 6 hours ago How Donald Trump won, according to the NBC News Exit Poll

Kamala Harris won Massachusetts and New Hampshire in Tuesday’s election, NBC News projected, but the vote totals show some areas where the overall victor, Donald Trump, won in each state. With votes still being counted Tuesday morning, Trump was ahead in Bristol County, Massachusetts — In 2016, when Trump last won the presidency, Hillary Clinton won every county. Massachusetts overall was not competitive, with Harris running up large margins in Boston’s Suffolk County and other places. The states’ five ballot questions were the more competitive races. In New Hampshire, which had tallied most votes by 7:30 a.m., Trump won a handful of counties, but the vote was fairly close across all of them. Use the map below to explore how your county voted. Click on it to reveal its individual vote totals and how much of the total vote has been counted. var pymParent = new pym.Parent('result-map-ma', 'https://media.nbcnewyork.com/assets/editorial/national/2024/decision-2024/election-maps/index.html?market=MA', {title: '', parenturlparam: '', parenturlvalue: ''}); Trump’s best performance in Massachusetts was in Acushnet as of 7:30 a.m., according to NBC News, with more than 70% of the vote. He also pulled in more than 60% of the vote in another Bristol County town, Berkley, as well as Blandford in Hampden County. More on Election Night 2024 Massachusetts 16 hours ago 2024 Mass. ballot question results: MCAS, minimum wage and more Decision 2024 Nov 5 Live updates: Ayotte declares victory in NH, Harris wins Mass., RI, CT & Vermont Decision 2024 18 hours ago NBC News Exit Poll: Voters express deep concern about America's democracy and economy

Massachusetts voters rejected a measure to legalize some psychedelics, but said yes to dropping comprehensive tests as a requirement for getting a high school diploma. The issues were among five measures put to voters on Tuesday’s ballot. Voters also said yes to auditing the Legislature and no to increasing the minimum hourly wage for workers who collect tips. A fifth ballot measure was too early to call. If approved, it would give union rights to drivers for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft. Here’s a look at the results for the 2024 Massachusetts ballot questions APPROVED: Mass. Ballot Question 1 — Allow audit of the state Legislature Voters gave the state auditor the power to audit the Legislature. The ballot measure had been spearheaded by state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who formerly served in both the state House and Senate. She said the passage of the measure is a victory for those who want a more open state government. “The people of Massachusetts want the equity, transparency and accountability that a legislative audit would bring,” she said. Critics had said the question would violate the separation of powers outlined in the Massachusetts Constitution. Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano released a statement saying they will consider “how to best respect the Question 1 election results in a manner that aligns with the fundamental principles of the Massachusetts Constitution, including separation of powers.” APPROVED: Mass. Ballot Question 2 — Drop MCAS as a graduation requirement Until now, Massachusetts students were required to pass comprehensive tests to receive a high school diploma. The ballot issue doesn’t get rid of the tests, but stipulates that passing them will no longer be required for graduation. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests are given in mathematics, science and technology, and English. Instead of passing the tests, students will be required to finish coursework certified by the local school district and achieve state academic standards in the subjects. Teachers unions have been among the strongest critics of using the tests as a graduation requirement, saying that “teaching to the test” limits their ability to give students a fuller education. Supporters of the tests argued that without the requirement, school districts will adopt lower standards so students can graduate. They said it’s unfair to grant diplomas to students who aren’t ready. TOO CLOSE TO CALL: Mass. Ballot Question 3 — Allow Uber, Lyft drivers to unionize Drivers for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft are considered independent contractors who don’t have the right to unionize under federal law. The proposal would allow them to unionize in the state. Drivers wouldn’t be required to participate. Individual companies could team up to form associations to represent their interests in negotiations. As part of the measure, the state would have the right to approve negotiated contracts. The proposal would also create a hearing process when a company or union is charged with an unfair work practice. Unions pushed for the change despite a settlement announced in June by the state attorney general’s office guaranteeing Uber and Lyft drivers earn a minimum pay standard of $32.50 per hour. Opponents said the measure will raise prices for riders without directly benefitting drivers. Critics also argued that the question would create what they call “a new radical labor category” that is inconsistent with federal labor laws and say the drivers already enjoy benefits including the higher hourly rate and paid sick and family medical leave. DEFEATED: Mass. Ballot Question 4 — legalize psychedelic substances The ballot issue would have allowed residents 21 and older to grow and use plant-based psychedelics in certain circumstances. Two other states have legalized some mind-altering drugs that are considered illegal by the federal government. The psychedelics in question included psilocybin and psilocyn, both found in so-called “magic mushrooms;” and mescaline, dimethyltryptamine and ibogaine from plants. Critics of the proposal warned it could lead to a black market. They also argued the centers selling the drugs would not be prevented from giving psychedelics to people considered high risk, like those with schizophrenia, bipolar illness or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. DEFEATED: Mass. Ballot Question 5 — raise minimum wage for tipped workers Voters defeated a proposal to gradually increase how much employers must pay workers who collect tips, like servers in restaurants. The state’s wage for tipped workers is now $6.75 an hour, while the minimum hourly wage for most other workers is $15. Now, if a worker doesn’t earn enough in tips to bring them up to $15 an hour, the employer must make up the difference. Under the proposal, employers would have been required to pay tipped workers $9.60 on Jan. 1, and match the state’s full minimum wage at the start of 2029. Supporters argued tips should be a reward for good service, not a subsidy for low wages. Critics said the proposal would have reduced overall wages for servers, increase costs for restaurants and patrons and could force some neighborhood eateries to close. Explore all the top election results around Massachusetts and the country here. Decision 2024 coverage Decision 2024 9 hours ago Live updates: Election results in New England Decision 2024 9 hours ago Live updates: Trump wins White House, NBC News projects; Harris to address nation

What to KnowKaren Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV during a snowstorm in Canton in January 2022A mistrial was declared in her case in July, and the prosecution had vowed to retry herThe defense claims that several jurors revealed to them that the jury was in agreement that she was not guilty on the charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death; they now want those charges dismissedBoth sides are appearing Wednesday before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to make their arguments The latest chapter in the Karen Read saga moved to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Wednesday, where Read’s attorneys argued that two of the three charges against her should be dismissed, citing evidence that the jury had unanimously voted to acquit her on the charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene in the January 2022 death of her police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe. Read was seated in the courtroom alongside her parents Wednesday, as Martin G. Weinberg, an appellate lawyer for Read, told the state’s highest court that the values at stake here are too important. Weinberg told the court that Read is entitled to a post-trial jury voir dire by the trial court. He said today’s appeal speaks to the core issues “regarding double jeopardy, protections that safeguard defendants, in this case Ms. Read, from re-prosecution for the very same offenses from which a prior jury was discharged without manifest necessity, without her consent, and we now know based on the representations of four jurors, indirectly a fifth, no contradiction from any of the seven or eight other jurors, that there is a trustworthy, corroborated, and, we contest, uncontradicted showing that the prior jury reached a unanimous decision to acquit Ms. Read of two of the three charges in a multiple-count indict that she was tried on in Norfolk County.” According to Read’s defense, after a mistrial was declared in June, five jurors came forward to say that they were deadlocked only on a manslaughter count and had agreed that she wasn’t guilty on the other counts. But they hadn’t told Judge Beverly Cannone, who ruled in August that Read can be retried on all charges because there was no verdict announced in open court. The defense has argued that affidavits from the jurors “reflect a clear and unambiguous decision that Ms. Read is not guilty” and support their request for a evidentiary hearing on whether the jurors found her not guilty on the two charges. Read’s defense also argued Wednesday that Judge Cannone abruptly announced the mistrial in court without first asking each juror to confirm their conclusions about each count. “There is no indication that the court gave any consideration to alternatives, most notably inquiry regarding partial verdicts,” according to the defense brief. “And counsel was not given a full opportunity to be heard. The court never asked for counsel’s views, or even mentioned the word mistrial.” The justices pushed back with questions Wednesday, asking if Read’s attorneys had an opportunity in court when the jury sent multiple notes about impasse, and when the mistrial was declared to talk about what should happen next. Weinberg contended that there was an opportunity but not a responsibility because the law places the burden on the Commonwealth. Prosecutors have said that there’s no basis for dismissing the charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of the accident. They noted in their brief to the court that the jury said three times that it was deadlocked before a mistrial was declared. Prosecutors said the “defendant was afforded a meaningful opportunity to be heard on any purported alternative.” “The defendant was not acquitted of any charge because the jury did not return, announce, and affirm any open and public verdicts of acquittal,” they wrote. “That requirement is not a mere formalism, ministerial act, or empty technicality. It is a fundamental safeguard that ensures no juror’s position is mistaken, misrepresented, or coerced by other jurors.” A retrial on the charges is currently set to begin in January, though both sides asked Monday for it to be delayed until April 1. It could take months for the Supreme Judicial Court to issue a ruling following Wednesday’s oral arguments. More on the case against Karen Read Canton Nov 4 Firm that will audit Canton Police Department selected, to start work soon Karen Read Nov 1 Karen Read will not be deposed in civil case until criminal trial concludes Karen Read Nov 4 Prosecutors, defense ask to delay start of Karen Read's second criminal trial