New York hospital ship set to return to Virginia on Thursday

By The Associated Press
April 29, 2020 | 8:21 AM

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Navy has announced that the hospital ship sent to relieve stressed New York City hospitals as coronavirus cases surged will leave this week and return to its homeport in Virginia.

Officials said in a statement Tuesday that the USNS Comfort will set sail for Norfolk on Thursday.

The ship docked in Manhattan on March 30.

It was originally deployed to care for non-coronavirus patients, but soon began accepting those with the virus as the city’s hospitals continued to crowd.

Officials say the ship will now restock and remain ready for possible future deployments.

Union for Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians authorizes first strike in ensemble’s 145-year history

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2026 | 8:58 AM

LENOX, Mass. (AP) — The union for Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians authorized the first strike in the ensemble's 145-year history on Saturday. The Boston Musicians' Association issued a statement ahead of the expiration of the union's three-year contract at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The orchestra and management have had strained relations since BSO decided in March to force out music director Andris Nelsons next summer after 13 seasons. “In spite of the turmoil of the last six months caused by BSO’s leadership decision to terminate the orchestra’s musical director, Andris Nelsons, they have failed to agree to a collective bargaining agreement that would begin to restore the trust that they have destroyed and offer a fair contract to the musicians who are at the heart and soul of the BSO,” the union said in a statement.

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