3 Different Protests Clash In Front Of State House: Patch PM

Today is Thursday, July 16. Here are some of the stories we are covering around Massachusetts.

At least three different groups of protesters took to the streets outside the State House Thursday to rally for different causes. Native American groups called for Massachusetts to change the state flag and seal, "Back the Blue" protesters opposed a police reform bill, and a group of landlords spoke out against two bills that would enact rent control for the first time since 1994.

Read the full story here

Also Across Massachusetts

House Ethics Committee Clears Trahan In Campaign Finance Review

The U.S. House Ethics Committee cleared Rep. Lori Trahan in its review of her 2018 campaign finances, it said in a report adopted Wednesday.

The committee voted unanimously that the first-term congresswoman did not violate laws, regulations, U.S. House rules or other standards in her campaign and closed the matter.

Congressional ethics investigators had alleged that Trahan's campaign accepted contributions beyond legal limits, in the form of $300,000 in contributions from Trahan's husband, David Trahan. The investigators wrote that the contributions violated the $2,700 individual limit and were disguised as personal loans from the candidate.

Gloucester Says Enough Is Enough After Out-Of-Towners Swarm Beaches

After handing out a record number of parking tickets this summer, Gloucester is saying enough's enough.

WCVB reported the city is closing the parking lots at its popular beaches to nonresidents this weekend, when temperatures are expected to hit 90 degrees both days. The move comes after complaints and what The Gloucester Times reported was an unprecedented number of parking tickets in recent weeks.

Just last weekend alone, the police department wrote 478 parking tickets worth $31,000 in fines, according to the Times. That was 300 more tickets than the same weekend last year.

The Times also said the beaches will be closed to nonresidents between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Also

Somerville Man Robbed Arlington Bank At Knifepoint: Police

Michael Moran, 40, is already in custody for an unrelated incident in Tewksbury.

Black Lives Matter Lawn Signs Go Missing In Newton

A sign that read "change" and a sign that represented fallen firefighters also went missing, according to Newton police.

MA Courthouses Begin To Reopen: What To Know

After suspending in-person court proceedings across the commonwealth, courthouses are slowly reopening.

Growling Man With Knife Threatened Marlborough Residents: Police

The Worcester man showed up at a home with a knife in his mouth. He went back hours later to make more threats, police said.

Star Comedian Doing Drive-In Set On Cape Cod

Iliza Shlesinger, the star of five Netlfix comedy specials and a co-star in two Mark Wahlberg films, will hold a drive-in set on the Cape.

Runner Laces Up For A Very Different Boston Marathon

Here's how one Boston Marathon runner plans to run her 26.2 miles for Boston Children's Hospital.