Fall River

Investigators have ruled out all but two possible causes of the July 13 fire at a Fall River assisted living facility that killed 10 residents and injured nearly three dozen residents and firefighters.

Fall River's fire department doesn't meet national staffing standards, and union officials say more firefighters could have saved lives, but the city's mayor said it's too soon for the debate.

Several firefighters and union leaders said the city's fire companies were understaffed, hampering their ability to save more people.

On the platform in Fall River, Ollie Couto said he remembers trains in the city during his childhood in the 1950s, and he’s glad they’re back after all these years.

The region hasn’t had a train to Boston since the 1950s, when highways became king. Now, after more than three decades of political promises and $1 billion spent, South Coast Rail is scheduled to open Monday.

An official at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority tells CAI the Federal Railroad Administration gave the OK today.

Once open, South Coast Rail will extend Boston commuter rail from its current terminus in Middleborough to New Bedford and Fall River, fulfilling a decades-old promise by state officials.

This week, the House and Senate passed a bill that says come January 1, 2027, no firefighting turnout gear can be sold if it’s made with “intentionally added” PFAS.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is suing the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a Quincy-based group that guides national standards for firefighters’ protective gear, alleging that the NFPA is colluding with gear manufacturers and profiting from the standards that effectively require PFAS to be included in firefighters’ protective suits.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks a step forward in the decades-long effort to bring commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River.