Boston

State tax collections exceed Dec. estimates

Tax collections in December left Massachusetts government flush with unbudgeted cash as revenues for the first half of the fiscal year have exceeded estimates by $728 million, shedding light on Governor Charlie Baker’s decision this week to lift the hold he had put on legislative spending earmarks. The Department of Revenue announced Thursday that the more than $3 billion in taxes collected in December exceeded projections by $527 million, or 21.2 percent, and beat last year’s mark by $517 million. (SHNS)

Weymouth

Child hospitalized after ingesting opioid pill

Police say a 2-year-old girl has been hospitalized in Massachusetts for ingesting a synthetic opioid pill. Sergeant Rob Regan tells The Patriot Ledger the Weymouth girl’s parents saw an open pill bottle containing suboxone near the girl around 1 p.m. Wednesday. One pill was missing, and Regan says the girl’s parents called first responders when she started acting lethargic. The child was still breathing normally when paramedics arrived. Police say the girl is in stable condition and she has been taken to Boston Children’s Hospital for observation. Police have ruled the girl’s hospitalization accidental. No arrests have been made. Regan says the Department of Children and Families will be notified. (AP)

Providence

Flu widespread across R.I., health board says

The Rhode Island Department of Health says the flu is now widespread in the state. The agency made the declaration Wednesday. It triggers a requirement that unvaccinated health care workers must wear masks when working with patients. The flu virus is contagious and can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and body aches. The health department recommends yearly vaccination for everyone older than 6 months. Flu shots are available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies across the state. (AP)

Providence

Hospitals diverting patients due to demand

Officials say three hospitals in Providence have started diverting ambulances because they were overcome with patients. The Providence Journal reports Rhode Island Hospital first notified the state Department of Health it was going on diversion around 5 a.m. Wednesday. The Miriam Hospital followed around 6:40 a.m., and Roger Williams Medical Center around 11 a.m. Officials cite the flu and weather woes. (AP)

Brunswick, Maine

Water supply issues at mobile home park

An attorney for the town is demanding the owners of a mobile home park find a solution to their water supply issues, or he will take legal action within 24 hours. In a letter sent to the owners of Bay Bridge Estates, the attorney for Brunswick says the owners’ failure to provide water to their tenants has become a public health issue. (AP)