MA Police Reform Efforts Stall On Beacon Hill: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Friday, Sept. 25. Here's what Patch has been covering across Massachusetts today:

The issue of police reform is still hot in Massachusetts months after the killing of George Floyd sparked local and nationwide protests, but a police reform bill — which lawmakers wrote in response to the protests — is still stuck on Beacon Hill.

This week, the Massachusetts American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) launched a campaign to raise awareness about police violence and misconduct to renew interest in the reform bill. Both the state House and Senate approved versions of the bill in July, but it's been waylaid in a conference committee since August.

Just this week, a mother filed a lawsuit against Worcester police over the violent restraint of her 10-year-old autistic son, a Reading officer was indicted on manslaughter charges and Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard in preparation for protests over the decision not to charge officers in the killing of Breonna Taylor.

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Some MA Towns Opt To Keep Tighter Restaurant Rules In Place

While Gov. Baker on Wednesday announced eased restaurant restrictions in the state that include increasing the maximum at a table increasing from six to 10 people, and allowing bar seating for customers ordering food, some towns and cities — including Boston — are opting to keep the tighter restrictions in place.

Worcester, one of 15 red high-risk communities in the state for coronavirus, will stay at the current seating threshold of six people per table in an effort to push cases down. And in Salem, the board of health will vote Tuesday on whether to keep the current restrictions in place. Officials are worried about Halloween, which draws thousands of visitors to the Witch City each October, and a recent history of high coronavirus test rates.

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Merrimack College Coronavirus Outbreak Grows To 65 Cases

North Andover officials say 65 of the town's 76 coronavirus cases stem from an outbreak at Merrimack College. The college reported a 17-case outbreak Tuesday and sent all residents of the dormitory into quarantine. Testing of those residents on their way into quarantine revealed another 47 cases, the college reported Thursday night.

Needham Schools Grapple With Zoom-Bombing And Racist Incidents

The unique new school year is off to rocky start in Needham. Classes on Zoom at Pollard Middle School were disrupted by "racist, ugly, and hurtful language and taunts," and a student directed a racial slur to another student during an online class at Sunita L. Williams Elementary School.

School officials said Needham police were notified about the Zoom-bombing and are investigating. The person who disrupted the class is not known but Pollard Middle School staff were given additional directions on how to use the permissions and preferences on Zoom to keep another unwanted caller from entering a class.

Ex-Cop To Plead Guilty In Natick eBay Cyberstalking Case

A former California police officer charged in connection to a cyberstalking campaign mounted by former eBay employees to intimidate a Natick couple will plead guilty in federal court next month, prosecutors announced this week.

Philip Cooke, 55, of San Jose, Calif., has been charged with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. His is the second guilty plea in the eBay case announced this week by federal prosecutors.

Also Today

• Survey: Massachusetts Parents Feel Their Students Are Safe In School
• Criminal Charges In Holyoke Soldiers Home Coronavirus Disaster
• Falmouth Select Board Has Concerns For Proposed Machine Gun Range
• Supporters Rally To Support Waltham's 52-Year-Old Theater Company

And, finally today: The Peabody Education Foundation will honor former Superintendent Cara Murtagh, who died unexpectedly at 44 in November, as the lone recipient of this year's George Peabody Legacy Award. "While Cara's untimely passing took her away from us too soon, her dedication and commitment to education will remain with us forever," the Peabody Education Foundation said.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).