Greater Worcester

The Massachusetts smoking age would rise to 21 and pharmacies would be banned from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products under a new bill.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is calling for greater investments in its area's Internet infrastructure, during a time where the city of Worcester is expanding its own broadband network.

The owner of 398 Belmont St. in Worcester has sold the 5,100 square-foot property for $825,000.

Michael Montuori has been named chairman of the board at Rollstone Bank & Trust.

The rate of spending on research and development in Massachusetts outpaced that of its peer states with vibrant technology sectors as the innovation economy grew by more than $25 billion from 2009 to 2014.

Worcester has been ranked 65th in the nation in a new list of the best places to live compiled by U.S. News & World Report, beating cities such as Philadelphia and Providence.

Worcester's Fallon Health has posted a net loss of $6.8 million for fiscal 2015, citing continued pressures on the industry and rising drug prices.

On Wednesday, employees of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center will hold a rally that they hope will push the nonprofit's administration towards allowing them to unionize.

Foreclosure petitions continued to increase in the Bay State, posting the 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year double-digit increases in petitions filings as lenders continue to process long-delinquent mortgages.

Secretary of Economic Development Jay Ash has improvements for the entire state in his sights.