American Scene

Advocates for low-income people and commercial and industrial energy customers were scheduled to meet into the afternoon.

Attorney General Martha Coakley says the summit is designed to bring together ratepayers and their advocates to talk about how the New England states can collaborate to fight rising energy costs.

The group was set to discuss how customers can take advantage of state and regional programs, as well as innovations in managing costs.

MISSISSIPPI

Ex-teacher faces three sex charges

BILOXI — A former Biloxi teacher has been indicted on multiple counts related to allegations she had sex with a 15-year-old male student.

A Harrison County grand jury indicted Rebecca Dawn Bogard on charges of exploitation of a child, touching of a child for lustful purposes and statutory rape. She faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted.

Authorities say Miss Bogard, 28, was a science teacher the Biloxi School District’s alternative school. School district officials say the student attended the alternative school.

Police say the purported sexual activity did not occur on a school campus.

MONTANA

$1 million bail set for murder suspect

BILLINGS — A judge set bail at $1 million Wednesday for a man charged with killing a Billings couple two years ago by tying them with duct tape, wire hangers and telephone cord, then beating and cutting them before setting their bodies afire to cover a robbery.

The bodies of Norman Leighton, 69, and Patti Hubbert, 54, were found by firefighters in their smoldering southside apartment.

Richard Covington, 46, also is charged in the shooting death of Gerald Morris, 43, who lived next door and disappeared about the same time. His remains were found two weeks later, south of Billings.

Charging documents were filed Tuesday against Mr. Covington.

Story Continues →