Published March 24, 2011

Embroiled in a scandal over faulty light fixtures in Big Dig tunnels, the state’s top transportation official admitted that he didn’t know about the issue for a month.

State Transportation Secretary Jeffrey B. Mullan says that he was not informed until March 8, a week before he informed the governor, about the 110-pound light fixture that fell from a tunnel ceiling onto a roadway in early February.

The tables were turned yesterday on a prominent Boston criminal defense attorney when he was arrested on federal money laundering charges. Robert George was released on $50,000 bond after an initial court appearance. George’s arrest shocked many in the city’s legal community.

After two years without maintenance, veterans worry that the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans memorial in Worcester could fall into disrepair. State budget cuts last year eliminated the memorial’s $25,000 in funding.

The Boston School Committee unanimously approved a budget last night that closes a projected $63 million shortfall by cutting over 200 positions, closes nine schools and merges eight others. The plan does not include any teacher layoffs.

Conceived at Harvard, Facebook jetted Boston for the open arms of Silicon Valley before hitting it big. As WBUR’s Curt Nickisch reports, Boston has lost another burgeoning online social network — this time for scientists.

Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez will be in Washington today for the unveiling of his portrait at Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The former Sox ace, and eight-time All-Star, won the World Series with the team in 2004.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on the Big Dig tunnel lighting controversy and developments in the Robert George case. Radio Boston will speak to experts on hospice care, including a state lawmaker that wants to help fund end-of-life health care with public money.