BOSTON - The state Senate has approved a bill designed to ban the sale of high-calorie sodas and salty and sugary snacks in elementary and high schools.

WORCESTER - State Division of Capital Management Project Manager Charles E. Willse escorts Gov. Deval L. Patrick through the construction site of the 320-bed psychiatric hospital scheduled to open in March 2012 near the existing Worcester State Hospital on Belmont Street. As many as 400 workers will be working on the project starting in the summer.

WASHINGTON - House Democratic leaders today worked to rally their rank-and-file members around last-minute agreements on insurance taxes and prescription drug coverage that could move President Barack Obama's overhaul of the nation's health care system a step closer to reality.

SPRINGFIELD - A Massachusetts sporting club has settled charges in the accidental death of an 8-year-old Connecticut boy who shot himself with an Uzi during a 2008 gun fair at the club.

WORCESTER - Luis Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison today for the fatal stabbing of Jennifer Morales in 2005. Earlier this week, a jury found Mr. Gonzalez guilty of first-degree murder.

SANTIAGO, Chile - A series of strong aftershocks from last month's devastating quake rocked Chile this morning as a new president was sworn into office and immediately urged coastal residents to move to higher ground in case of a tsunami.

WORCESTER - The ongoing battle between taxicab and livery operators has heated up once again, with a renewed call for "fair and open competition" between the two services.

WORCESTER - The Planning Board last night voted unanimously against recommending a change to the city's zoning ordinance that would have allowed wind turbines to be up to 450 feet in height in all zoning districts.

WORCESTER - School officials yesterday defended their decision to give Brian E. Allen, the chief financial and operations officer for the public school system, a $12,000 increase in pay and benefits.

WORCESTER - A stroller sat this week in front of the Spauldingsand#8217; Coventry Road home. Earlier, the children took a ride through the neighborhood, donning hats to shield themselves from the sun.

Negar Neheshti used to get teased when she was growing up in Minnesota by blond girls who made fun of her brunette hair. She said she ended up befriending more boys than girls after she got sick of the teasing.

BOSTON - The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that requires gun owners to lock weapons in their homes, in a ruling applauded by gun-control advocates.

WORCESTER - A stroller sat this week in front of the Spauldingsand#8217; Coventry Road home. Earlier, the children took a ride through the neighborhood, donning hats to shield themselves from the sun.

BOSTON - The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that requires gun owners to lock weapons in their homes, in a ruling applauded by gun-control advocates.

WASHINGTON - They just don't get it in Washington.

Negar Neheshti used to get teased when she was growing up in Minnesota by blond girls who made fun of her brunette hair. She said she ended up befriending more boys than girls after she got sick of the teasing.

LEOMINSTER - Two Shirley residents are being held after being arraigned today for robbing the TD Bank branch in Water Tower Plaza and leading police on a chase into Lancaster, where they were arrested.

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted today to extend a host of soon-to-expire elements of last year's economic stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor.

GARDNER - State Rep. Robert L. Rice Jr., D-Gardner, said today he will not be seeking re-election.

AUBURN - Police are looking for a Dudley man who allegedly left behind his wallet and identification during an unarmed robbery of the 1 Stop Convenience Store.