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FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots' healthiest week of the season is leading up to one of their biggest games of the year. New England practiced with its entire 53-man roster and practice squad Friday outside Gillette Stadium. The Pats held a walkthrough for their final session before traveling to Pittsburgh this weekend. Only two players have been on the team's injury report this week: cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tight end Dwayne Allen. Both were full participants Thursday and present Friday. New England has now practiced with its entire 53-man roster for six straight practices and two full weeks. Last week, only practice-squad offensive lineman Cole Croston and defensive lineman Frank Herron missed time. The Patriots and Steelers will kick off Sunday at Heinz Field at 4:25 p.m. … [Read more...] about Patriots practice with every player in attendance Friday before Steelers game

FOXBOROUGH -- Whatever the Steelers defense has thrown at Rob Gronkowski over the years, it hasn't stuck. No matter the defense or season, Gronkowski has terrorized them in games that feel like Christmas come early for the Patriots and Halloween brought to life for Pittsburgh. In six showdowns against the Steelers, he's averaged better than six receptions, 110 yards and a touchdown. Still, they hurl coverage after coverage at him, hoping to find an solution. Gronk doesn't expect them to change plans on Sunday. "I feel like they'll throw a lot of things. I mean I've seen a lot from them before, a lot of coverages," Gronkowski said Thursday. "A lot of split-safety, post safety, man, zone. They switch it up a lot, too. I've had a couple guys before, a linebacker cover me one time, a safety or a corner. "So to tell you the truth, they actually mix it up a lot and you've got to be prepared for it all; whatever guy or whatever coverage … [Read more...] about Rob Gronkowski expects Steelers defense to ‘throw a lot’ at him Sunday

Boston’s ban on single-use plastic bags begins Friday.Retail stores will no longer use plastic bags and require a five-cent fee for compostable bags and bags with handles.The ban, co-sponsored by Councilors Matt O’Malley and Michelle Wu, was passed by the Boston City Council last year and signed into law Dec. 14, 2017.“For a small change, this policy will deliver a great impact. We will begin to see our neighborhoods’ streets, trees and gutters cleaner than ever before. I am thrilled to see the progress made in the year preparing for the implementation,” O’Malley said in a statement.O’Malley has been working to distribute reusable bags across the city and has passed out more than 7,000 bags in the last year, according to a statement from the city council.Boston joins 87 other cities and towns in the commonwealth in regulating single-use plastic bags.Anyone who would like a reusable bag can call O’Malley’s office at 617-635-4220. … [Read more...] about Boston’s ban on single-use plastic bags begins Friday; here’s what you need to know

PALMER - A 62-year-old man suspected of stabbing another man to death at a River Road address Thursday night has been identified as town resident Robert Nompleggi. The Hampden District Attorney released the suspect's name early Friday afternoon. Police were summoned by a 911 caller to 321 River Road in the Thorndike section shortly after 8 p.m. The victim was pronounced dead at Wing Memorial Hospital. Nompleggi has been charged with murder, intimidation of a witness and violating a restraining order. He is slated to be arraigned Friday afternoon in District Court. Investigators have not yet released the victim's name. This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available … [Read more...] about Hampden DA releases name man suspected of stabbing another man to death in Palmer

More than a third of Americans will travel over Christmas and New Year’s in 2018, making it the busiest year on the nation’s roads since AAA started tracking holiday travel in 2001.A record-breaking 112.5 million Americans traveling this year will be a 4.4 percent increase from 2017, according to a AAA survey done by INRIX.AAA predicts travel times in the most congested cities in the U.S. could be as much as four times longer than a normal trip.Massachusetts residents are also expected to travel in record numbers, with 2.45 million traveling from the Bay State, 2.1 million of them by car.One-in-Three Americans Will Travel this Holiday Season, the Most on Record!#AAA spoke with @AMHQ this morning about the busy year-end travel season. @weatherchannel Happy Holidays!!https://t.co/VAbw6U4amF pic.twitter.com/QcVaI8rSvc— AAA (@AAAnews) December 13, 2018 Boston will also see some of the longest peak travel time delays anywhere in the country, AAA said.“’Tis the … [Read more...] about AAA: Christmas 2018 travel will be busiest ever; Boston will see longest peak travel delays