Newton

Alleged threat probed at Brown Middle School

Newton police will be stationed at Brown Middle School Thursday after officials learned of a possible threat to the school, officials said. School Principal John Jordan sent a letter to parents Wednesday informing them that officials are investigating an “alleged threat.’’ “This afternoon, staff received a report of what was believed to be threatening behavior earlier in the school day,’’ Jordan wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to the Boston Globe by School Superintendent David Fleishman. “We take any threat to school safety extraordinarily seriously. Therefore, an investigation began immediately.’’ Jordan said Newton police were contacted, and law enforcement is investigating. “Our strong partnership with the police department gives us confidence in our decision to hold school. As part of our ongoing response, there will be a police presence in the building tomorrow as well as support staff available to address student concerns.’’ Jordan did not disclose the nature of the possible threat, and neither he nor Fleishman could be reached for further comment. Newton police declined to comment.

Boston

Winship student fails in final spelling bee round

Farah Raslan Haniff, a fourth grader from the Winship Elementary School in Brighton, made it to the third round in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Wednesday afternoon, before being eliminated. In March, she won Boston’s citywide spelling bee by spelling “cacophony’’ correctly. The 10-year-old traveled to Washington, D.C., where she vied for the $40,000 grand prize. Haniff correctly spelled words in the second and third rounds. But she was eliminated because she did not get the required 29 points to advance to Thursday’s final round, according to her mother, Azna Zaini. “They only chose 40, so unfortunately, she did not make it,’’ Zaini said. “But this was her first year and she enjoyed the experience.’’

Danville, N.H.

Police say vandals targeting US flags

Police are searching for suspects in a series of incidents where American flags have been torn up by unknown vandals. At least three homes have been targeted, sometimes more than once, police said. WMUR-TV reports resident Joyce Gonthier says she’s had three flags torn up this month. Gonthier says a ‘‘thin blue line’’ American flag, which indicates support for law enforcement, was also ripped up shortly after she put it up for display to replace another torn-up American flag. Danville Police Chief Wade Parsons says it’s of concern that the vandalism is happening so close to Memorial Day. Police are asking for the public’s assistance to determine who is vandalizing flags in the neighborhood. (AP)

Augusta

Lawmakers consider copyrighting recordings

A little-known group of legislators in Maine is fearful of political groups twisting statements that lawmakers and the public make in committee hearings. The lawmakers have spent the last year mulling what to do with mounting requests for audio recordings of such hearings. Republican Senator Garrett Mason says it’s not appropriate for members of the public to have their testimony recorded forever. A Legislative Council committee is currently considering adding a copyright or disclaimer to the recordings to keep them from being used out of context. But critics called the idea self-serving . (AP)

Newton

Police investigate threat at middle school

Newton police will be stationed at Brown Middle School Thursday after officials learned of a possible threat to the school, officials said. School Principal John Jordan sent a letter to parents Wednesday informing them that officials are investigating an “alleged threat.’’ “This afternoon, staff received a report of what was believed to be threatening behavior earlier in the school day,’’ Jordan wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to the Boston Globe by School Superintendent David Fleishman.. “We take any threat to school safety extraordinarily seriously. Therefore, an investigation began immediately.’’ Jordan said Newton police were contacted, and law enforcement is investigating. “Our strong partnership with the police department gives us confidence in our decision to hold school. As part of our ongoing response, there will be a police presence in the building tomorrow as well as support staff available to address student concerns.’’ Jordan did not disclose the nature of the possible threat, and neither he nor Fleishman could be reached for further comment. Newton police declined to comment.

Kathy McCabe can be reached at Katherine.McCabe@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKMcCabe.