WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Boston Weather BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a Story Idea RSS Feeds Podcasts Valentine's Day for Guard Family By Monica Brady-Myerov Listen to story (Real Audio) WALTHAM, Mass. - February 14, 2007 - Sending a gift for Valentine's day can be challenging, even when you're in the same place as the object of your affection. There are the choices, the crowds...and today, a snowstorm. But sending a valentine to someone who's in a war zone thousands of miles away is much more difficult. One Waltham family has found a solution and today, somewhere in Iraq, the National Guardsman in their life is enjoying chocolate-covered cashews. WBUR's Monica Brady-Myerov visits the Scanlons in the latest installment of our occasional series on how the family is dealing with deployment.    From The WBUR Newsroom Expert: Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Could Rise To 8.1 Percent By 2010 BOSTON (November 20, 2008) A UMass Boston public-policy professor says Massachusetts could see its jobless rate rise to 8.1 percent in the next two years. Mass. Umemployment Rate Rises To 5.5 Percent BOSTON (November 20, 2008) The Massachusetts unemployment rate climbed to 5.5 percent last month, up from 5.3 percent in September. DiMasi Wants Fresh Consideration For Gas Tax Hike BOSTON (November 19, 2008) House Speaker Sal DiMasi on Wednesday made the clearest statement yet by a top Beacon Hill official that raising the state's 23.5-cents-per-gallon gas tax could be a good idea, releasing a statement suggesting the levy as an alternative to doubling tolls. Romney Adamantly Opposes Auto Industry Bailout WASHINGTON (November 20, 2008) Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is standing steadfastly behind the forces opposing a $25 billion "bridge loan" for struggling Detroit auto manufacturers.