(NECN: Jennifer Eagan, Worcester, Mass.) - A Worcester funeral home is among dozens across the state facing a fine. A state investigation found those homes were violating the law.

It's a time when many people are the most vulnerable, just after the loss of a loved one.

That's why there are state and federal laws in place to make sure anyone dealing with a funeral home isn't taken advantage of.

But during a recent sweep, dozens of funeral homes in the state including one in Worcester, allegedly violated those laws.

(NECN: Kenneth Craig, Worcester, Mass.) - It's been seven months in the making.

A report by an independent task force created to evaluate the Worcester pubic schools' human resources department.

One thing that was helpful is that they clarified the waiver system - and some misunderstandings that happened last year.

The task force was created just weeks after the hiring and firing of Donna Byrnes.

The former Superintendent's office manager turned special education teacher -- a 70 thousand dollar position for which she had no known qualifications.

(NECN: Katie Daly, Worcester, Mass.) - There were plenty of smiles inside Worcester trial court today, as dozens of families adopted children from the state's foster care system.

With a little help, 9-month-old Grace English signed her very first document.

And just like that it was complete. Anne English went from being Grace's Foster parent to official mother. Its something they have been waiting to hear for months.

While Anne admits being a single mother will be difficult, she felt that adopting was the right thing to do.

(NECN) - In today's Talk Around the Globe, the story of an owl who has set up shop in Boston's Faneuil Hall. He's been there for about month, and is attracting quite the crowds.

Globe reporter Jack Nicas joins NECN with more on the bird who feels right at home among the shoppers and tourists.

(NECN: John Moroney, Plymouth, Mass.) - A final salute to a Massachusetts soldier who sacrificed his life for a fellow service member.

A funeral was held this morning in Plymouth for 21-year-old Army Sergeant Benjamin Sherman. Family members say he died in Afghanistan this month, after jumping into a river to try and save the life of a soldier.

Despite torrential rains, the funeral service attracted hundreds of family, friends and total strangers.

Sherman was a paratrooper with the 182nd Airborne Division. Sherman's wife Patricia is expecting the couple's first wife in March.

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Medford, Mass.) - State Senator Anthony Galluccio showed up in Medford District Court for the first time Friday as his hit and run case moves forward. Cambridge police revealed this week they had given Galluccio a ride home 13 hours before the accident because he was allegedly too drunk to drive.

State Senator Anthony Galluccio: "We've concluded the session. And I am focused on a number of life issues and personal issues and I am committed to doing that I can't a whole lot more right now."

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Lowell, Mass.) - The single misdemeanor charge against 17-year-old Michelle Medieros carries a fine or a maximum two years in prison. "In addition to that the investigation is not complete and is ongoing," says Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan.

More charges are expected to be filed, which the victim's family hopes will happen soon.

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - State police say a high-speed chase on the Maine Turnpike ended when the car they were chasing crashed and burst into flames, killing the driver.

On Friday, the Maine State Police identified the driver as Luis Andrades-Garcia of Portland. His age was not provided.

According to police, a trooper began chasing the car that belonged to a friend of Andrades-Garcia at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday after getting reports of an erratic driver on the turnpike. They say the car was speeding over 100 mph, and crashed

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) - Waterbury authorities say lightning apparently struck a house during an early morning storm that drenched Connecticut, but no one was seriously injured.

Homeowner Bill Junga and his neighbors say they were awoken shortly after 4:30 a.m. Friday by what sounded like an explosion. The bolt appeared to have hit the side of the house on Grassy Hill Road, damaging a wall and blowing out some windows.

Junga's mother, 81-year-old Bernice Junga, and his girlfriend, Kim Marcinczyk, were taken to a hospital as a precaution and are expected to be fine.