AP STATE NEWS 7-30-19

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts House leaders are calling for passage of legislation that would improve access to critical health care services for children. The bill's key provisions include creation of three regional centers where a parent can receive help in finding treatment for their child's mental and behavioral health issues. It is expected to be debated later this week. Lawmakers say parents seeking such treatment are often left confused and frustrated.

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) - The utility blamed for a series of gas explosions in Massachusetts has settled all class action lawsuits resulting from the disaster for $143 million. Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent, NiSource Inc., announced the settlement Monday. The agreement is subject to court approval. The series of explosions last Sept. 13 in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover killed one, injured two dozen and left thousands of homes and businesses without natural gas service for weeks.

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts gas prices are holding steady and remain unchanged from a week ago. AAA Northeast reports that a gallon of self-serve regular is still selling for an average of $2.70. The Massachusetts price is 3 cents lower than the national average for regular of $2.73, and also 12 cents lower than the local price a year ago.

BOSTON (AP) - Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he is glad to be home with his family after a botched assassination attempt in his native Dominican Republic. More than seven weeks after he was shot, Ortiz said on Instagram that watching his family celebrate that he is home and safe is "priceless." These are his first public comments since the attack by a hit man who police say was supposed to be targeting someone else.