Challenge to child support rules denied

A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit that sought to stop Massachusetts from imposing new child support guidelines. Fathers and Families, a Boston-based group that advocates changing child custody and support policies, last month sued Judge Robert Mulligan, the state's chief administrative judge, over guidelines that went into effect Jan. 1. The group says the new guidelines are unfair and do not take into account the costs of raising children. Judge Douglas Woodlock yesterday denied the group's request for an injunction to stop the guidelines from being used in family court. The judge said it would be inappropriate for the federal courts to get involved in a battle over state regulations. Group members said the lawsuit will probably be refiled in state court. (AP)

The federal government has agreed to provide disaster aid for Massachusetts communities hardest hit by the Dec. 11 ice storm. Governor Deval Patrick requested the disaster relief, saying some families and businesses had been without power for almost two weeks. The assistance was authorized by President Bush after a review of Patrick's request by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The aid will be made available to Worcester, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Berkshire counties. Cities and towns, state agencies, and nonprofit groups can apply to be reimbursed for 75 percent of the cost of cleanup and emergency services related to the disaster. (AP)

An independent team is expected to review scientific and commercial data to determine whether to grant federal protection for the Atlantic wolffish. The Conservation Law Foundation says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration review could lead to the first listing of a New England ocean fish species as endangered. The Atlantic wolffish lives along the ocean bottom in deep waters off New England. The conservation group says NOAA found information from a petition filed by the nonprofit group in October indicating that an endangered species listing may be warranted. (AP)

President-elect Barack Obama has tapped a Massachusetts native and Boston University alumnus to be the next official White House photographer. Pete Souza, a former Chicago Tribune photographer, will be in charge of visually documenting Obama's administration. Souza most recently has been teaching photojournalism at Ohio University's School of Visual Communication. His latest book, "The Rise of Barack Obama," was published in July. Souza extensively documented Obama's first year in the Senate and accompanied the Democrat to seven countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Russia. The native of South Dartmouth also served as Ronald Reagan's photographer. (AP)

Two violent interactions in Dorchester yesterday left four men injured, police said. In one case, three men were found suffering from gunshot wounds on Washington Street, police spokesman James Kenneally said. He said police believe the shootings occurred on Torrey Street at about 8:45 p.m., approximately three blocks from where the men were found. None of the wounds were considered life-threatening and the victims were transported to Boston Medical Center, Kenneally said. In the second attack, an 18-year-old male was stabbed in the abdomen at about 3 p.m. near a bus stop across from the Jeremiah Burke High School. He was taken to Boston Medical Center and was expected to survive, police spokesman David Estrada said. It was not clear whether the teen was a student at the school.

New Bedford police said they have filed charges against four women accused of embezzling a total of more than $55,000 from parent-teacher organization funds at four different schools. Police said last night that three of the women worked in the school system and one was a parent. The alleged embezzlements ranged from $1,800 to more than $38,000 and began in 2003. The women face charges of larceny by embezzlement of over $250, which carries a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $25,000. (AP)