GateHouse News Service New England Budget • November 20, 2007

Staff Writer

Mount Shasta Herald

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly. Questions?

Note: Chris Biondi is off until Friday.

Contacts: Jean Hodges, (630) 348-3350, (630) 956-8834, jhodges@gatehousemedia.com

Michael Toeset, (630) 348-3356, (630) 835-8870, mtoeset@gatehousemedia.com

--News--

NOTE: Other stories will move in the Mass. and Mass. News categories as warranted. So keep an eye on the GHNS site throughout the evening.

SLEDGEHAMMER ATTACK: 73-yr-old man in Framingham charged with A&B and attempted murder for beating a 20-something pregnant woman with a sledgehammer. She's in surgery and might not make it. MILLER, MetroWest, 6 p.m.

DECLARATION SOLD: Shrewsbury Historical Society sold one of the rare printed copies of the Declaration of Independence this week through an auction house for $700,000. MetroWest, 6 p.m.

VEHICULAR MURDER: Closing arguments on Tuesday, in which a man is charged with second degree murder for driving the wrong way on Rte. 3 and killing a Weymouth woman. / Ledger, Lightman, with pics, 15", 8pm

CAMERON DIAZ: Two days before Thanksgiving, Cameron Diaz was living it up -- and filming a movie -- in Milton. This comes after several days of filming in Boston. / Ledger, Campanella, 12-15", with pics (though not of Diaz), 8pm

SPECIAL ED: Lawmakers react to the Special Ed series. Refer to full special, possibly specific elements, on the Web. / Ledger, Mann, 15", 8pm

DECORATED SOLDIER DIES: Well-known local WWII vet Edward Parks dies at 83. The decorated veteran was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star and was a prisoner of war in the Nazi camp Stalag IV after he was captured during the Battle of the Bulge./ Alice, Enterprise, good file art. 17 inches. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x895209971

THEFT FOLO: 20 catalytic converters cut off SUVs at a dealership in Easton over the weekend. The Enterprise reported Monday that there were at least four previous thefts locally - three in Brockton and one in Raynham - in the past month. Thieves have been either stealing loose devices from auto parts shops or sawing them off vehicles. Kyle, Enterprise, 13 inches. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x224441588

WRAPUP: Lawmakers scramble to wrap up work in last last full formal session of the year, debating bills including the national popular vote bill, and moving the presidential primary from March to Feb, safe alternatives to toxic chemicals. PARIETTI MetroWest, evening.

with GREYHOUNDS: Group pushing for ballot question to a greyhound racing turns in more than 100,000 petition signatures to town clerks. PARIETTI MetroWest. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x852313813

--Business--

SHOPPERS: Massachusetts merchants expect cautious holiday shoppers.

http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/news/x187558807

RETAIL RUSH: How to survive one of the most popular shopping days of the year. Patriot Ledger, with local breakout. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/news/x1846403365

--Opinions--

EDITORIAL: Bloated budgets and the problems they cause. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x449721955

EDITORIAL: Reinvesting in housing. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x852313147

EDITORIAL: Add Mike Lowell's signing to the long list of things New England sports fans have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. MetroWest, evening

EDITORIAL: The first round of auto insurance rates under Gov. Deval Patrick's new rules had to be disappointing for advocates of reform. MetroWest, evening

--Sports--

A PRO SPORTS BUDGET will be e-mailed this afternoon

INSTANT REPLAY: MLB umpire notes disadvantages of adding instant replay. “Hey, I like human error,” he said. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/sports/x224440985

--Lifestyles--

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Weekly food rail, with several Thanksgiving-themed items, including lead item on turkeys served Coors beer to moisten them up. (Note: Beer turkeys were sold to a Boston restaurant; rail also includes promo to Beer Nut’s blog). http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/x1846403510

HOLIDAY HARMONY: We talk with family counselors, clergy members for advice on how to keep the peace at the Thanksgiving table on Thursday. How should the still-single offspring respond to `why aren't you married yet?' questions, etc. REUELL, MetroWest, evening

BEER NUT: On Arcadia Brewing Co. /MILLER/PIX, MetroWest. Will be posted late afternoon/early evening in Food and Beverages

TRAVEL:

- Getaway: Foodies find paradise on New Zealand’s North Island. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1944245094

- In New England: New Spa Oasis on Cape. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x895209918