WHAT IF THEY gave a war and nobody came? That call for peace was invoked during protests against the Vietnam War, but it could also describe the first campaign forum featuring […]
Michael Jonas
Michael Jonas works with Laura in overseeing CommonWealth Beacon coverage and editing the work of reporters. His own reporting has a particular focus on politics, education, and criminal justice reform.
Posted inEconomy
50 years of walking for hunger
This Sunday marks the 50th annual Walk for Hunger, the massive fundraising event put on by Boston-based Project Bread to support food pantries and other programs. The event draws thousands […]
Posted inPolitics
Rosenberg on the outs
He’s already been banished to a basement office. The question now is whether the next move for Sen. Stan Rosenberg will be out the State House door. The long-awaited report […]
Posted inPolitics
Report: Rosenberg failed to protect Senate from his spouse
THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE concluded on Wednesday that Sen. Stanley Rosenberg did not violate any of the chamber’s rules but nevertheless demonstrated a “significant failure of judgment and leadership” when […]
Posted inEducation
The Codcast: Freeland rips UMass Amherst-Mt. Ida deal
Richard Freeland is a man of careful thought and measured words. That made it noteworthy when the former state higher education commissioner and president emeritus of Northeastern University appeared at […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker rolls to GOP endorsement
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER offered up enough red meat to cheer a conservative-leaning crowd of Republican delegates at his party’s state convention — before he heads out on the campaign trail […]
Posted inThe Back Story
Capuano, Pressley tout assets with soft touch
It usually goes without saying that candidates look to play to their strengths and highlight what makes them stand apart from rivals in a race. But sometimes those strengths have […]
Posted inPolitics
Political baby talk
IT BECAME A high-profile debate over open carry. But unlike the matter of openly flashing lethal weaponry while strolling through town, which people in some states regard as much ado […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Warren, Brownsberger go at it on criminal justice bill
The sweeping criminal justice bill that Gov. Charlie Baker signed earlier this month received widespread, but not universal, praise as a welcome turn away from the tough-on-crime policies of the […]
Posted inEconomy
Middle class ‘slowly clawing its way back’
THE AMERICAN DREAM has long been predicated on a strong and growing middle class. That’s why there has been so much talk in recent years about the withering of that […]
Posted inEconomy
Airbnb goes inhospitable
GO ON THE Airbnb website and you feel like you’ve landed in a cool world with interesting people who could become your friends. “Book unique homes and experiences all over […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Criminal justice bill reaches finish line
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER signed sweeping criminal justice legislation on Friday, capping several years of discussion on Beacon Hill and casting Massachusetts squarely in the national wave of rethinking tough-on-crime laws […]
Posted inPolitics
The Ryan reverberations
Wednesday was just another day in the nation’s capital. Which is to say that the president seemed increasingly unhinged and the chaos and fear that he has unleashed within his […]
Posted inUncategorized
Boston Herald editorial page editor riddle answered
THE MYSTERY OF the Boston Herald editorial page editor is over. Tom Shattuck, a former talk radio producer who has run the paper’s online radio station and written op-ed columns, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
House budget proposes new re-entry spending
ONE WEEK AFTER the Legislature passed sweeping new criminal justice reform reforms aimed at turning the system away from incarceration and toward second chances and rehabilitation, the House is proposing […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
A first take from Suffolk DA hopefuls
THE FIRST candidate forum in the race for Suffolk County district attorney gave the five Democrats running a chance to lay out their vision for the office and, in one […]
Posted inThe Back Story
The Herald’s phantom editorial page
BY ALL OUTWARD appearances, the Boston Herald continues to chug along under its new ownership, with its hard-working reporters churning out solid stories amidst the demoralizing departure of co-workers from […]
Posted inGambling
Has Wynn’s luck run out?
It was a good run for Wynn Resorts, the gambling behemoth that landed the big prize in the state’s casino sweepstakes when it was awarded the one license to run […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
With criminal justice bill passed, what about services for ex-inmates?
LAWMAKERS PASSED A long-awaited, comprehensive criminal justice reform bill on Wednesday. But to fully realize its widely touted goal of reducing recidivism they will need to back some of the […]
Posted inPolitics
Police body cameras are coming
It’s been a long march for the Boston Police Camera Action Team, but nearly four years after the community-based group set out to push Boston police to have officers deployed […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Could Boncore become sleeper in crowded DA race?
THE OPEN RACE for Suffolk County district attorney is attracting a crowd, with five Democrats already in the hunt and several others still mulling a run for the post, which […]
Posted inEducation
Student loan agency will quit national trade group
A MASSACHUSETTS STATE AGENCY in charge of making student loans found itself under fire on Wednesday for belonging to a national association that supports a move by the Trump administration […]
Posted inPolitics
Spilka secures votes for Senate president
SENATE WAYS AND MEANS Committee chairwoman Karen Spilka has secured the votes to become the next Senate president, according to State House sources. Spilka, an Ashland Democrat, was one of four […]
Posted inPolitics
Another entry in Suffolk DA’s race
THE RACE FOR Suffolk County district attorney is getting more crowded. Rachael Rollins, an attorney with a broad resume ranging from work as a federal prosecutor to general counsel to Massport […]