The Saturday Send

reporter Jennifer Smith explains the state’s legal limitations in addressing ICE actions and Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s lawsuit against nine towns for not adhering to the MBTA Communities law. Meanwhile, the Sierra Club calls for the removal of the House energy chair and cold weather throws cold water on Governor Maura Healey’s energy savings efforts.

Plus: the state’s budget significantly increases MassHealth spending, declining immigration threatens the Massachusetts economy, and Everett’s new mayor inherits a slate of major development projects.

Chris Lisinski looks at the national anti-marijuana group financing efforts to ban recreational use in Massachusetts and Jennifer Smith breaks down the state’s $250 million investment in health insurance subsidies. In Springfield, Hallie Claflin speaks with housing housing teams who are facing chaos as the Trump administration seeks to overhaul the federal government’s main homelessness program. Plus: the MBTA (again) faces financial shortfalls and Gov. Maura Healey makes her final State of the Commonwealth address before she’s up for reelection.

Jordan Wolman and Chris Lisinski investigate how Massachusetts became the slowest state in issuing initial unemployment payments in the country between June and October. Plus, Keolis seeks redemption in its bid for a new MBTA contract, the debate over real estate transfer fees polarizes lawmakers, and the Healey administration delays implementing a clean heat program over affordability while House leaders plan closed-door meetings to to discuss the path forward for legislation aimed at lowering energy costs.

Chris Lisinksi takes a look at Beacon Hill’s 2026 priorities — including the Senate’s proposed residential tax relief bill — and explains why campaign finance regulators sanctioned five-term lawmaker Rep. Chynah Tyler.

Plus: Beacon Hill fails to track which communities qualify for Gateway City status, inclusionary zoning faces legal and legislative challenges, and the state’s insurer of last resort weighs rate increases after a surge in enrollment.

Jennifer Smith delves into a bill permitting faith-based groups to construct multi-family housing and the ongoing legal battles over the MBTA Communities Act. Plus: Top Democrats’ raise concerns about tax cut proposals amid economic instability, the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee urges discussions on new transportation funding, and Jordan Wolman explains the Massachusetts FAIR Plan.

A utility company asks for permission to dramatically raise gas rates, and the MBTA’s Phil Eng says he’s open to permanently remaining transportation secretary. Plus: a legislative task force recommends at least a doubling of the share of health care spending on primary care, new data on home insurance in Massachusetts is turning heads across the industry, and the Mass. Municipal Association recommends a gargantuan increase in local aid and reforms to loosen — but not eliminate — Prop 2½.

This week, the MBTA says it’s ready to roll out Green Line cars with anti-collision alerts and Gov. Healey proposes a flood disclosure mandate for home sellers. Plus, Mayor Wu makes a third run at a temporary shift in the city’s tax rate, the Commonwealth’s case against Meta finally heads to court, and the Legislature cuts funding for communities hosting casinos.

This week, Hallie Claflin sits down with Everett’s incoming mayor, Robert Van Campen, following his upset defeat of incumbent Carlo DeMaria. Plus: a state audit zeroes in on the 2023 closure of a Leominster maternity unit and Jennifer Smith breaks down the legal, legislative, and political processes for Massachusetts ballot question campaigns.

Also, Michael Jonas and Jim Peyser discuss restoring civic discourse on The Codcast and Rhode Island Current’s Shauneen Miranda explains the latest developments in the ongoing legal battle against the Education Department’s restructuring plans.

Chris Lisinski and Jennifer Smith delve into politics of the divisive rent control ballot question splitting progressive supporters. Plus: the House presses pause on its contentious energy policy bill, 11 ballot campaigns move ahead, new documents reveal state agencies never followed a 2017 rule to cut emissions, and Chris Lisinski breaks down how lawmakers concluded their final formal sessions for the year.

After breaking the news that the House was considering a sweeping energy bill that would weaken the state’s 2030 climate goals, Jordan Wolman spent much of this week digging into the process and personalities behind this major policy change. Plus: the outlook for the state’s health care system continues to darken, a Springfield medical center announces a temporarily halt in maternity services, and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio donates $150k to the ballot campaign that would subject both the Legislature and the governor’s office to the state public records law.

The Healey administration began buyout talks that could affect thousands of public sector employees while the state’s top court heard arguments about charter school compliance with public records laws. Plus: towns and cities run into state caps on solar energy, incumbent mayors get ousted in Gloucester and Everett, and House leaders consider pulling back on the state’s ambitious climate goals.

We’re taking a deeper dive into health care in Massachusetts, including maternity care deserts, the crisis of primary care, and how immigration policy is affecting health care workers. Plus: new polling shows Mass. residents primarily continue to receive in-person care and expiring federal credits could jack up premiums for 300,000+ Bay Staters.

This week, Jennifer Smith digs into how housing advocates are reckoning with the implementation of MBTA Communities law. Plus: health care lobbying continues to buoy Beacon Hill, Michael Jonas asks why we elect sheriffs, and Senate Democrats propose stricter data privacy laws.

This week, it’s all about polls. Gov. Healey keeps her head above water and Massachusetts residents sound off on health insurance. Plus: A Connecticut lawmaker points the finger at Western Mass. cities after sewage overflows and the Codcast sits down with Massport CEO Rich Davey.

This week, Jennifer Smith explores the gap between Massachusetts’s shining reputation as a great state for health care and the reality on the ground for residents who don’t live within reasonable distance of a medical facility. Plus: wastewater flows into the Charles River and Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, joins the Codcast to talk about the recent court decision that BlueHub violated consumer protection statutes around lending.

This week, CommonWealth Beacon sits down with Bruce Stebbins to discuss his reappointment to the Cannabis Control Commission. Plus: The attorney general’s suit against a Boston-based financial technology company for allegedly predatory loan practices moves forward and Fitchburg opens affordable housing for artists.

This week, Hallie Claflin delves into the redevelopment of Lynn’s South Harbor, which some say doesn’t do enough to address the city’s affordable housing needs.

Plus: Federal solar tax credits that once covered 30 percent of project costs are being phased out. For farmers, that can mean fewer opportunities to use agrivoltaics to offset rising costs and keep farmland in production.

This week, Hallie Claflin delves into how real estate developers in Gateway Cities are grappling with the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Plus: As part of Massachusetts’ push to meet its climate targets, the state’s utilities regulator says new gas customers may soon need to pay the full hookup cost – no more spreading the expense to existing customers.

This week, Jennifer Smith delves into the data on child care deserts, where for every three children there is only one child care slot.

Plus: Gateway Cities in Western Massachusetts struggle to restore blighted buildings, Josh Kraft looks to recharge his struggling mayoral campaign, our reporters break down Trump’s spending and tax bill, and a look back at a 2002 article on ballot initiatives.

This week, Hallie Claflin dives into the ongoing challenges of a pilot program aimed at tackling pollution at a North Shore beach using UV light. Plus: advocates push for access to menstrual products in public spaces, Trump sends mixed messages on affordable housing, Boston struggles to find applicants for its green roofs grant program, and a look back at a Republican gubernatorial campaign from 11 years ago that may have lessons for today’s GOP hopefuls.

This week, Bruce Mohl investigates the detention of 8 Red Line cars by US Customs and potential delays to the MBTA’s long-running effort to replace its aging subway fleet. Plus: Gateway Cities brace for sweeping changes to MassHealth under the Trump administration’s tax bill, the Healey administration eyes Canadian offshore wind, Beacon Hill hears testimony on cannabis advertising, and Jennifer Smith examines whether “Opportunity Zones” have delivered on their promise.