Greater Boston buyers are favoring smaller mortgages and monthly predictability as data and agents show housing costs remain among the highest in the nation.

Mayor Wu signed a home‑rule petition to let Boston levy a 2% transfer fee on sales above $2M to fund affordable housing; the measure now heads to the statehouse.

Federal marshals and Lowell police are searching for Paul Lowe, wanted for escape and believed to be in the Merrimack Valley. Authorities warn not to approach; tips: 1-877-WANTED2.

A crash on Washington Street in Wellesley’s Lower Falls closed a stretch of road Thursday afternoon and prompted an ongoing police investigation.

Commune All Day Cafe plans to open in Billerica in early June with specialty coffee, cloud drinks and an all‑day menu from toasts to gelato.

A new industry report shows memory care in Massachusetts has a median monthly price of $9,840, with assisted living and in‑home care also carrying steep costs.

A former DCF caseworker was arraigned after a Boston mother accused him of rape during a home visit; the agency says he was fired and a hearing is set for May 27.

A Brookline dog walker was circled by three coyotes Tuesday night; neighbors and police helped and no injuries were reported.

A three‑alarm fire gutted a long‑vacant Haverhill mill on Stevens Street early Tuesday; officials say no one was hurt and investigators are on scene.

A Lynn man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a North Shore drug conspiracy and a 2023 armed robbery that netted roughly $24,000.

A traffic stop in Lowell on Monday ended with a firearm seizure and multiple weapons charges, police say. The suspect's name was not released.

South Boston police arrested a Roslindale man after seizing fentanyl and other drugs; he faces trafficking charges.

A tractor-trailer rollover on I-95 northbound near Danvers left one person dead and shut multiple lanes at Exit 70 while crews cleaned up the spilled load.