Latest news with #BlueLaws
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are liquor stores open Memorial Day in MA? State law says they must have these altered hours
When it comes to blue laws, Massachusetts has had its share on the books - particularly when it comes to alcohol. For example, up until 2004, shoppers were banned from selling alcohols on Sunday. And to this day, there are still restrictions for both package stores, bars and restaurants. There are currently rules on when they can sell, with retailers limited to between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. (11:30 p.m. on a day before a legal holiday). Similarly, there are restrictions on when people can buy alcohol on Memorial Day. Under state law, liquor stores can't open before noon on Memorial Day. So if you're hoping to have an alcoholic beverage as part of your day, you'll need to go to the store either the day before or in the afternoon. Memorial Day isn't the only day holiday with restrictions on alcohol sales. Liquor stores must be closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day in Massachusetts, under state law. Massachusetts' "Blue Laws" were meant to enforce the Puritan ideas of a "moral" society. To sure people went to church, laws were passed to prohibit work and business on Sunday, or the "Sabbath." They also covered holidays and the sale of alcohol. There are still some Blue Laws on the books. The most well-known is that Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that still prohibits most stores from opening on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Veer Mudambi contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Are liquor stores open Memorial Day in MA? What to know
CBS News
20-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
On Easter Sunday, here's which stores are open and what's closed in Massachusetts
Need to do some last-minute shopping on Easter Sunday? In Massachusetts, some supermarkets and retail stores will be closed today in observance of the holiday. Framingham-based corporation TJX will again close its TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and Homesense stores on Sunday. "We consider ourselves an Associate-friendly company and we are pleased to give Associates the time to enjoy Easter with family and friends," TJX told WBZ-TV last year. Market Basket , headquartered in Tewksbury, says all of its stores will be closed on Easter. Springfield-based Big Y is also closing all stores on Sunday. "We will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20th, so that our employees may spend time with loved ones," the supermarket says on its website. Roche Bros., with more than a dozen stores in Massachusetts, told WBZ-TV its stores will be closed all day to let associates spend time with their families. Unlike the Thanksgiving holiday, "Blue Laws" in Massachusetts do not force stores to close on Easter Sunday. Stop & Shop stores will be open, but with special hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and store pharmacies will be closed. All Shaw's and Star Market stores will be open regular business hours, but pharmacy departments will be closed. BJ's Wholesale Club will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Some club hours may vary slightly; members can check with their local store.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Laughlin re-introduces bill to end PA's ban on Sunday hunting
(WJET/WFXP)– Pennsylvania State Senator Dan Laughlin is making another push to end the Commonwealth's prohibition on Sunday hunting, this time with the backing of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Senator Laughlin announced this week he has reintroduced legislation to repeal the hunting ban along with transferring authority on wildlife management over to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Expanded Sunday hunting days added: PA Game Commission Currently, Pennsylvanians are only allowed to hunt on three Sundays per year when not hunting animals like foxes, crows and coyotes with the original ban dating back to at least 1873 with Pennsylvania's Blue Laws. Laughlin said the bill would address agricultural concerns like mitigating crop damage caused by wildlife and called PA Farm Bureau's (PFB) support a significant milestone to modernize the Commonwealth's hunting laws. 'For eight years, I have fought to remove this outdated prohibition and expand opportunities for hunters,' Laughlin said. 'Through open dialogue and collaboration, we've built a consensus. I am pleased that the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau now fully supports this effort and is calling for its passage.' Erie County Sheriff's Office making huge tech upgrades in dispatch system 'Pennsylvania Farm Bureau proudly supports Laughlin's bill, a key piece of legislation developed in collaboration between wildlife groups and the agricultural community to improve wildlife management and address deer overpopulation,' said Chris Hoffman, President of the PFB. 'These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops, and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state.' Additionally, he said the end to the ban would also expand access for people with disabilities who require help to go hunting or trapping that's usually only available on Sundays. 'I want to give the needed latitude to the Game Commission to increase hunting and trapping opportunities and rebuild interest in hunting, which will benefit all Pennsylvanians,' Laughlin said. 'This is about modernizing our laws, supporting conservation, and ensuring hunting remains a strong tradition for future generations.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Should the bill pass and be signed into law, Pennsylvania would join 39 other states that have no restrictions on Sunday hunting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PENNSYLVANIA ROUNDUP: Sen. Laughlin reintroduces legislation to repeal Sunday hunting ban
Mar. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, this week introduced Senate Bill 67 to fully repeal Pennsylvania's prohibition on Sunday hunting, transferring full authority over wildlife management decisions to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) has now joined in supporting the effort, provided agricultural concerns are addressed in the bill. "For eight years, I have fought to remove this outdated prohibition and expand opportunities for hunters," Laughlin said. "Through open dialogue and collaboration, we've built a consensus. I am pleased that the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau now fully supports this effort and is calling for its passage." Chris Hoffman, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau proudly supports Laughlin's bill — calling it a key piece of legislation developed in collaboration between wildlife groups and the agricultural community to improve wildlife management and address deer overpopulation. "These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops, and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state," Hoffman said. Laughlin's bill would have Pennsylvania join the 39 states that have no limits on Sunday hunting. While Act 107 of 2019 permitted hunting on three Sundays, a full repeal is necessary to provide greater access for sportsmen and women, align Pennsylvania with neighboring states, and support conservation efforts. "The Sunday hunting prohibition is one of the last remnants of our commonwealth's antiquated 'Blue Laws,'" Laughlin said. "Hunting is a longstanding tradition, a vital conservation tool, and an economic driver for rural communities. It's time we fully eliminate this restriction." Laughlin emphasized that the bill's support is tied directly to measures addressing agricultural concerns, including solutions to mitigate wildlife-related crop damage. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau's endorsement of this legislation marks a significant milestone in the effort to modernize Pennsylvania's hunting laws. "The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has been a key partner in ensuring that this legislation addresses the concerns of our agricultural community," Laughlin said. "Their willingness to collaborate and seek balanced solutions has helped shape this bill into a policy that benefits both farmers and hunters." Andy Bater, PFB state board director and chairman of PFB's Wildlife and Fisheries Committee, said delegates representing Pennsylvania Farm Bureau members voted to remove their opposition to Sunday hunting, contingent upon the implementation of significant statutory and regulatory changes addressing crop damage from wildlife and hunting management on farmland. Additionally, expanding Sunday hunting opportunities would provide greater access for individuals with disabilities who rely on companions to assist them in the field. For many, Sunday is the only available day to participate in the sport. Commonwealth Financing Authority seeks feedback on new program Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger this week announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) is seeking public input for the new Mixed-Use Revitalization Program, which will provide grants and loans to boost mixed-use development across Pennsylvania. The CFA is seeking feedback on the program's draft guidelines from commercial or mixed-use developers. The public comment form and draft guidelines are available now through March 5. "Strong communities mean a strong economy, and we welcome feedback for the Mixed-Use Revitalization Program," said Secretary Siger. "Economic development is a team sport, and input from the public will ensure this program has meaningful impact across our Commonwealth." Feedback submitted by community members will help DCED focus and finalize the development of the Mixed-Used Revitalization Program, which was established under Act No. 54 of 2024 and is administered through the CFA. The program provides grants and loans to assist with increasing mixed-use development across the Commonwealth, leveraging private and public resources, and fostering sustainable partnerships committed to addressing community needs. When the program is finalized, developers will be able to apply for either a grant or a loan for eligible projects. Mixed-Use Redevelopment Projects are community revitalization projects that promote economic growth and include commercial assets. Projects may also include residential development opportunities. Examples include but are not limited to existing and former malls and similar commercial properties. Eligible projects must: —Be situated on at least 15 acres of land. —Contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of July 11, 2024. —Be zoned for the planned end use. AG Sunday celebrates National Consumer Protection Week During National Consumer Protection Week, March 3-7, the Office of Attorney General will highlight and share information about their year-round efforts to protect consumer rights, and help people learn to detect, report, and avoid scams. The AG will also share consumer protection tips on social media throughout the week, including overviews of the Bureau of Consumer Protection's work this past year, information about the office's Civil Rights Enforcement Section and Health Care Section, and tips on purchasing a used car, how to identify and prevent scams. "One of the core functions of the Office of Attorney General is to protect consumers," Ag Sunday said. "During National Consumer Protection Week, I want all Pennsylvanians to understand the resources available to them if they believe they may be a victim of fraud. Last year, our office directly helped consumers save and recover more than $16 million, and we will continue to fight for Pennsylvanians." In 2024, the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection saved consumers more than $11.8 million through mediation efforts and secured $4.8 million in restitution through legal actions. Attorney General Sunday highlighted a few of the consumer protection actions taken in the past year: —Distributed more than $800,000 to victims of Vision Property Management after consumers were unlawfully evicted from their homes or vacated them after unlawful "rent-to-own" contracts were not upheld. —Returned nearly $3 million to consumers through settlements with Community Loans of America and Progressive Leasing following earlier settlement agreements. —Data breaches continue to become more common so the Office of Attorney General launched an online portal for companies to report data breaches that impact Pennsylvanians. —$35,000 was returned to victims of the alleged unlawful billing, leasing, and debt collection practices of A.R. Building Company, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that A.R. Building arbitrarily inflated repair costs that the company billed to tenants for alleged damage to apartments. —A settlement with SoLo Funds, Inc., a California based-lending platform that solicited tips and donations from potential borrowers, resulted in $158,000 in restitution to be distributed to consumers. Other consumers also received a write off of their total debt to SoLo funds. —A settlement with Equifax over a coding error that lowered many consumers' credit score netted Pennsylvania $470,000 after impacting more than 51,000 Pennsylvania borrowers. If you believe you were harmed by a business, you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in a variety of ways, go to: Or call the hotline: 1-800-441-2555 Or email: scams@ Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Slap in the face:' Paramus mayor threatens to sue American Dream mall over Sunday sales
Paramus officials say they're exploring a lawsuit against American Dream, after learning that retail shops at the Meadowlands megamall are open for business on Sundays in defiance of Bergen County's Blue Laws. The stores at American Dream have been operating in violation of those laws for nearly a year, The Record and reported last week, despite the county's longstanding prohibitions against the sale of nonessential items such as furniture, appliances and clothing. The restrictions, in place since the 17th century, exempt some services, including groceries and drugstores. Paramus residents in particular have been proponents of the Blue Laws over the years. Supporters say they grant them a day of reprieve from heavy traffic that plagues the town the rest of the week due to the borough's four malls. Mayor Chris DiPiazza said Thursday that he, the borough council, local businesses and residents are all 'very upset' about American Dream's Sunday sales.'The businesses in town are now at a disadvantage and unlevel playing field which had been level for decades,' said DiPiazza, a Republican. Town officials have been meeting with a lawyer to investigate legal options, the mayor said. He said Paramus has also turned to state representatives and county government for help, though DiPiazza declined to identify them before they officially announced their support. 'Being mayor of Paramus, I know how important the Blue Laws are to our way of life and the peacefulness of Sundays,' he said in an interview. '[It gives us] the ability to move around town, the ability for our emergency services to have less calls and regroup. As mayor, I'm going to fight like heck for Paramus and the county as a whole.' DiPiazza said when he hears executives at American Dream are 'flaunting that they are open on Sundays,' it's a 'slap in the face to the resident of Paramus and Bergen County as a whole.' County officials have also vowed to fight to make the mall comply. More: When will Garden State Plaza redevelopment break ground? Timeline comes into focus Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus' biggest mall, didn't respond to a message asking how it might respond to American Dream's Sunday activity. Instead, Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development at owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said that the shopping center "continues to only operate its entertainment and dining options on Sundays in accordance with both Bergen County and Paramus blue laws." "Our guests can enjoy their favorite restaurants, the Food Court District, and our premier entertainment concepts like Planet Playskool, Pinstripes and AMC Theatres year-round on Sundays," Fluhr said in a statement. A spokesperson for American Dream declined to comment on Friday. In a statement last week, Don Ghermezian, CEO of Triple Five, the Canadian company that owns the mall, said the business was "ecstatic that our extensive list of offerings operates on Sundays, allowing everyone to enjoy the very best of American Dream whenever they want." Spokespeople for two other major Paramus malls, Bergen Town Center and Paramus Park, also declined to comment when reached Friday. Staff Writer Daniel Munoz contributed to this article. Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: noda@ X: @snoda11 This article originally appeared on Paramus threatens to sue American Dream mall over Sunday sales
