NEWS
CommonWealth Beacon cracks open the stories, personalities, and political machinations that impact residents across the state.
Explore sharp, thoughtful reporting that explores local dust-ups, statewide legislative trends, transformative court rulings, and policies that shape life in Massachusetts.
Eversource CEO tells industry conference he expects Healey to turn down the ‘volume’ on utility criticism post-election
Nolan’s comments that Healey will tone down her rhetoric after the election stand in stark contrast to Healey’s pitch to voters that Massachusetts will take on utility profits and go to bat for ratepayers.
Chelsea considering eliminating parking minimums to promote housing production
Across the country, cities are abandoning their parking minimums and hoping to end up with fewer parking lots and walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods. The local rules have been used to ensure new developments can accommodate residents with cars and do not overwhelm on-street public parking. But urbanists have argued that the requirements gobble up land that could be used for more housing and drive up construction costs.
Health Connector expects another ‘unique’ sign-up period amid federal cuts
Nearly 350,000 Bay Staters are currently enrolled in individual Connector coverage. People will need to navigate double-digit premium hikes and some discontinued plans, particularly among Tufts Direct and Fallon Health enrollees.
Future of Mass Save in limbo as Legislature stalls on energy bill
A political backlash to Mass Save, amid a rising tide of angst over soaring utility bills, has taken root in the Bay State.
Gov. Healey steps in again as Brigham nurses near an indefinite strike
Nurses authorized an indefinite strike last week, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said it submitted the required 10-day notice for an “unfair labor practice” strike to Mass General Brigham.
Three criminal cases involving ICE hit the Supreme Judicial Court
“You have to try,” said Justice Dalila Wendlandt of the Suffolk judge’s refusal to submit a corrected writ to ICE. “I’m not just making that up. I think it’s the case law.”
Baker joins Patrick in bipartisan all-party primary support
The Massachusetts Democratic Party and the Massachusetts Republican Party both oppose Question 3, which has drawn support from former Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and former MassGOP Chair Jennifer Nassour as well as Democrat Auditor Diana DiZoglio, former State Treasurer and MassDems Chair Steve Grossman and former US Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a Democrat.
Mike Minogue talks Medicaid cuts, primary care spending, and immigration impacts on the health care workforce
Minogue, who spent 19 years as CEO of Abiomed, the Danvers-based heart pump company, joined hosts John McDonough of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute on this month’s Health or Consequences podcast.
Brigham and Women’s nurses set October 14 strike date
The nurses overwhelmingly authorized an indefinite strike last week, after their five-day work stoppage in July failed to break the contract negotiation stalemate.
Healey touts Wu endorsement to start October push
The governor and mayor, both Democrats and each the first woman elected to the chief executive positions in the state and city, are not known to have a close political connection.
Healey asks Trump administration to speed up review of planned gas expansion in latest sign of shifting energy politics
As Healey hunts for ways to bring down soaring costs and campaigns for reelection in a race defined by the affordability crisis gripping the state, the governor sees an opportunity to appeal to the Trump administration to bring more gas into the state.
Republican voters split with party on gun law; Dems want more access to public records from Democrat-dominated offices
“It’s a very difficult sell to make to anybody that the Legislature and governor shouldn’t be subject to the public records law,” said Jonathan Cohn, policy director of Progressive Massachusetts. “Straightforward good government questions will always resonate with voters.”
AG report details decades of abuse at Fall River, Springfield, Worcester dioceses
The attorney general called for the Legislature to strengthen remedies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and revealed that she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
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