Mayors team up in ad to fight illegal guns

Mayor Thomas M. Menino is appearing with three other mayors in a TV ad campaign calling for action to close the "gun show loophole." The bipartisan ad, designed to run nationwide, was released this week by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a national coalition chaired by Menino, a Democrat, and independent New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The two are joined by Mayors Sheila Dixon of Baltimore and John Peyton of Jacksonville, Fla., in the 30-second spot. Menino is in Washington for a second day today at the coalition's national summit.

House budget writers are backing a $10 million infusion for a project aimed at virtually eliminating homelessness in Massachusetts, despite a looming $1.3 billion budget shortfall. House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi has said he will balance the House version of the state budget with a mix of cuts, money from the state's "rainy day" account, and tax hikes. But the House version of the budget, to be unveiled tomorrow, will include the homelessness initiative, pushed by Governor Deval Patrick and spearheaded by state Representative Byron Rushing. The program's goal is to move homeless people out of shelters and into permanent housing as quickly as possible. (AP)

The Boston University Board of Trustees has elected Robert A. Knox as its new chairman, the university announced yesterday. Knox, cofounder and senior managing director of Cornerstone Equity Investors, a New York-based private equity firm, served as the vice chairman of the search committee that elected the university's president, and has chaired several board committees. He will replace Alan M. Leventhal, who has been chairman since April 2004. Knox will assume the post in September.

A Milton man died yesterday in a fire that was probably caused by lint in a dryer vent pipe, authorities said. The fire, which started just after noon, killed Richard Shannon, 43, who was alone in the Sheldon Street dwelling. The three-alarm fire took firefighters nearly an hour to extinguish, said Milton Deputy Fire Chief John Foley. It was Milton's second fire-related death this year.

A Wellesley couple who were scheduled to be arraigned yesterday for failing to address alleged lead paint violations in their home have had their case continued. Charles and Jane Ellis are due back in Dedham District Court on April 29, Charles Ellis said last night. The Ellises' 4-year-old daughter, Catie, had lead poisoning that was discovered before the family bought the $1.3 million home last April. The couple believes her illness was caused by an enamel-covered charm necklace and that attempting to remove lead in their new home could create a lead dust problem. Ellis said the family, who had decided last week to follow the state's order to do the work, had been asking for a continuance and received it at "the eleventh hour" yesterday. He said state officials had told him they would continue to prosecute the case until the work was complete, a task he believed would take longer than the two-week continuance. Ellis hopes officials will work with the family on a "proper abatement plan."

Approximately 150 cars burned during a four-alarm fire last night at an auto parts salvage yard. Bridgewater firefighters, with fire apparatus from eight surrounding towns, fought the blaze that broke out about 9 p.m. at Chuckran Auto Parts Inc. on Old Plymouth Street, according to the Bridgewater Fire Department. No one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

New Bedford Regional Airport officials are considering ways to reduce the hazard created when deer run across runways. The steps could include killing the deer with guns or arrows. Authorities also are studying nonlethal options, such as creating a feeding area away from runways. Tower staff must sometimes direct aircraft to avoid deer. The airport commission plans to discuss the issue tomorrow. (AP)