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Disgraced Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who rose to infamy over his handling of the Karen Read murder case, has been fired, the agency announced Wednesday.

State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble terminated Proctor at the recommendation of a trial board, which found him guilty of unsatisfactory performance and consuming alcohol while on duty. Noble’s personnel order specifically points to Proctor’s conduct as lead investigator on Read’s case, particularly the vulgar texts he sent to family, friends, and coworkers about the defendant. 

“My decision to terminate Mr. Proctor follows a thorough, fair, and impartial process,” Noble said in a statement. “I have weighed the nature of the offenses, their impact on our investigative integrity, and the importance of safeguarding the reputations of our dedicated women and men in the State Police. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding our values, enhancing public trust and ensuring the highest standards of service and accountability.”

Five children from Fitchburg who were reported missing March 5 have been found safe in Texas with their mother and her boyfriend, both arrested on kidnapping charges. 

The children, who range in age from 9 months to 10 years, were in the custody of Texas Child Protective Services, according to officials. 

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families are working with authorities in Texas to bring them back to Massachusetts.

Their mother, Ruth Encarnacion, 30, and her boyfriend, Isael Rivera, 31, who is the father of the four youngest children, are facing five counts of custodial kidnapping of a minor by a relative, Fitchburg police said.

Thirteen people are facing charges in connection with incidents at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in South Boston, according to the Boston Police Department.

A federal judge today ordered that federal prosecutors tell him why Customs agents at Logan Airport decided to detain a Providence doctor with an H1-B visa, held her at the airport and then shipped her out of the country on Friday before she could even make the case to stay.

A protest called “Show Your Pride for Democracy” organized by 50501, a political action organization whose name stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” drew crowds to Boston Common to demonstrate their pride for democracy. 

50501 is the organization behind dozens of protests that took place in all 50 states on Feb. 5 against the policies and actions of President Donald Trump’s second administration. There were more than 80 peaceful demonstrations in all that day, and 50501 has continued gathering for protests like these. 

The Boston event, which took place on Boston Common at noon Saturday, was meant to be “a celebration of the diversity and unity that make America strong.” Attendees were encouraged to wear attire that reflects their identity, whether it’s their country of origin, ancestry, military service, LGBTQIA+ pride, or something else.

The geriatric penguins will enjoy peace and quiet on their own private island.

Authorities say David Silva, 35, paid underage girls to send him sexually explicit material via Snapchat over a number of months last year. 

Silva, who lives in Chelmsford, was arrested earlier this week and arraigned in Wrentham District Court. He was charged with possessing child pornography, posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity, and human trafficking, according to court documents.

The move comes amid President Donald Trump’s “assault on democratic norms and global cooperation,” said CIVICUS—a global alliance and network of civil society groups, including Amnesty International, that advocates for greater citizen action in areas where civil liberties are limited—in a press release.

As additional funding and employee cuts loom, many worry about the impacts for the years to come.

Residential electric customers will receive $50 off their bills in April.