Local GOP Leader Gets COVID After White House Visit: Patch PM

NEWTON, MA — It's Monday, Dec. 28. Three more days left of 2020. Here's what Patch has been covering in greater Boston and across Massachusetts today.

The vice chair of the state Republican Party, who also is chair of the Newton Republican Committee traveled to Washington this Hannukah to celebrate at the White House, and 48 hours later felt under the weather. Days later he tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and had to be admitted to the hospital. He said he's pretty sure he knows where he got infected. Read the rest of the story: Newton GOP Leader Got COVID After White House Hanukkah

Elsewhere in greater Boston

Waltham Mom, MA Grad Student Sue State Over Flu Vaccination Rules: The lawsuit argues the state Department of Public Health doesn't have the power to create a mandate.

South Boston Stabbing Victim Believes Attack Had To Do With 'Gay Hate'

Anthony Crumbley was walking home from a South Boston bar when he was jumped and left to bleed out.

NETA Eyes Opening Marijuana Dispensary In Chestnut Hill: If all goes to plan, New England Treatment Access will open its second Brookline medical dispensary by the end of next year, just down the road from the one it opened in 2016.

Newton Pharmaceutical Company Gets FDA Approval For Cancer Drug: The FDA approved the use of a drug treatment for patients with one of the most prevalent blood cancers in the U.S.

Brookline Schools To Offer Free COVID-19 Surveillance Testing: Brookline is the latest to commit to a weekly free coronavirus testing program for its district in an effort to keep track of the spread of the coronavirus.

Also: Belmont Firefighters Called To School To Investigate Heavy Smoke

• Water Main Break In Needham

Across Massachusetts

Comcast To Unveil Data Cap Overage Charges, Increases In 2021: If you use Comcast as your internet provider, and use a lot of data, you could get charged an additional $10 or a monthly $30 unlimited service charge.

Eurie Stamps Family Preps For 10th Anniversary Of Killing: Stamps was shot and killed by a Framingham SWAT officer on Jan. 5, 2011.

4 Teens Charged After Throwing Bricks At Cars In Worcester: The teens threw bricks at more than a dozen cars over the weekend, sending at least one person to the hospital with serious injuries.

And finally today:

About 173,000 seniors across some 2,000 long-term care facilities began receiving coronavirus vaccinations Monday, marking a major pivot in the fight against COVID-19, even as the state hit record breaking month when it comes to infections. Read more: MA's Long-Term Care Residents Begin Vaccinations This Week

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.