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Connecticut resident Alex Noel set a new Topsfield Fair record on Friday after his giant pumpkin weighed in at a whopping 2,507 pounds. This may be Noel's third time winning the contest, but never has the fair seen a pumpkin so hefty.
Now, let's get to the news:
Unsettled entrepreneurs: Despite marked economic growth and a resilient job market in Massachusetts, business owners in the state are still pessimistic about the local and national economy. According to a new report from Associated Industries of Massachusetts, September was the seventh month in a row that employers have reported low business confidence. AIM's business confidence index slipped to 47.5 on its 100 point scale last month. (An index below 50 indicates pessimism.) Chris Geehern, executive vice president of AIM, told WBUR's Fausto Menard there might be a disconnect between what's happening economically and how employers are feeling.
Over the weekend: Police are investigating what they describe as "vehicle takeovers" in Boston and Randolph yesterday. That's the term for when large groups shut down a street so drivers can do stunts or race illegally. WBUR's Paul Connearney reports that Boston police say officers were responding to a call about drag racing in the South End, when a group of about 100 people converged on the intersection and pelted the police cruiser with objects and fireworks, which set it on fire. Meanwhile, WCVB reports that a similarly sized crowd surrounded several marked police cruisers in Randolph early Sunday, striking the cars with their fists and other objects.
ICYMI: Last week, the Trump administration canceled nearly $8 billion in grants meant for clean energy projects in 16 states, including Massachusetts. According to Gov. Maura Healey's office, $466 million in grants to support more than two dozen projects in Massachusetts are being rescinded. It's not clear how the states were selected, but all 16 voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
P.S. -- Come to CitySpace tonight at 7 p.m. for a sneak peek of some of the new musicals and stage performances that will be tumbling through Boston this year. Broadway legend Liz Callaway will emcee. You can get your tickets here.