More than 1,300 employees were forced out of the State Department on Friday, taking with them decades of specialized skills and on-the-job training.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plan to downsize a “bloated” department had been on hold after a court ruling.

A rally is expected, with supporters “clapping out” departing State Department employees and protesting the layoffs at 4 p.m. Friday.

According to Massachusetts State Police, the car caught fire just after 7 a.m. on the westbound side of the Pike beyond the Prudential Tunnel. Making matters worse, several cars also hit debris on the road in that area. The westbound side of the Pike was shut down and traffic has backed up all the way to Logan Airport.

The Mass Pike westbound was shut down during the morning rush due to a car fire. WBZ-TV's Kristina Rex reports.

The Mass Pike westbound in downtown Boston is locked down due to a fire in an electric vehicle. MassDOT reports I-90 westbound is close at mile marker 133 “due to a vehicle fire.” The State Police add: “This morning shortly after 7 a.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is working with Baltimore Police to find the source of Thursday’s mass overdose in West Baltimore.

Police and fire responded to a neighborhood "in reference to multiple individuals experiencing overdose symptoms".

At least 27 people were hospitalized after a mass overdose in West Baltimore. Seven of the patients were in critical condition, but no deaths were reported, city officials said Friday.

An arrest has been made in connection with a mass shooting at a South Philadelphia bar last weekend. Advertisement. About Our Ads

An arrest was made in a mass shooting at a South Philadelphia restaurant and bar earlier in July that injured eight people. Michael Welton, 43, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with attempted murder,