Suit Over Violent Traffic Stop Can Proceed, Court Says: Patch PM

FRAMINGHAM, MA — It's a gray and slightly hazy afternoon in the area, thanks to wildfire smoke drifting into the region from wildfires burning out west.

Sunrises and sunsets have been quite a sight in recent days, but air quality remains good across the state, according to the Department of Environmental Quality — that's because the smoke is staying high up in the atmosphere.

In other news, the state Supreme Court today ruled in a lawsuit against the city of Framingham. A Roxbury man accused police of using excessive force and a racial slur during a 2012 traffic stop. The lawsuit was tossed because of the man's criminal record, but the Supreme Court is allowing it to move forward.

Here's what else is going around the region:

Around MetroWest

Driver In Car That Crashed Into Needham Home Summonsed For OUI

The 21-year-old crashed into a home with a 15-year-old passenger in the car, police said.

Bioscience Company Opens Location In Hopkinton

Lykan Bioscience plans to hire about 125 people between now and 2023.

Wayland Route 27 Bridge Reopens

The first part of a rebuild of a bridge connecting Wayland and Sudbury wrapped up on Wednesday.

Around Worcester

Worcester Denies Street Name Change For 'Motley' Barbershop

Motley Crew barbershop owner Zachery Leighton asked for the change since his is the only business along Oleum Court.

Worcester Now A 'High-Risk' Community For Coronavirus

Worcester was one of five communities in Massachusetts where cases have rise to dangerous levels over the last week, health officials say.

MBTA To Boost Framingham-Worcester Line Service In November

The MBTA says ridership patterns are changing following widespread coronavirus slowdowns last spring.