North County

The Chinese company that's embroiled in a legal dispute with Devens-based AMSC is now facing a federal indictment, accused of stealing trade secrets that caused AMSC to lose more than $800 million.

Beginning in the fall, Fitchburg State University will offer one free college course to parents of children who are first-generation college students at the school.

Worcester County was among the majority of areas in the state that saw their unemployment rate tick up slightly in May, rising to 7.5 percent, up 0.5 of a percentage point from April, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Cains Foods of Ayer, a long-time Massachusetts manufacturer of food products such as potato chips, salad dressings and mayonnaise, is being sold to an Illinois-based food manufacturer in a $35-million cash deal.

Zachariah Combs has been named director of the Gallery of African Art in Clinton, gallery founder Gordon B. Lankton announced. Combs is the first director for the gallery, which is owned by the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton.

Heywood Hospital in Gardner will shut down its inpatient pediatrics and transitional care services units by the end of September, citing federal budget cuts, low patient volume and high-quality alternatives at nearby health care facilities.

The Holden Area Chamber of Commerce is hoping to attract new member businesses from neighboring towns through a name change its board of directors approved last week.

Devens-based Bionostics Inc. has agreed to be acquired for $104 million in cash, according to Minnesota-based Techne Corp.

Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, which closed in 2011 after losing its accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, took a step Tuesday toward winning accreditation from another group when the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted to approve two bachelor's degree programs, which will help it pursue accreditation.

The Fitchburg City Council unanimously approved a special permit authorizing an expansion at Fitchburg's Holiday Inn and...