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.
A pilot program in Plymouth hopes to crack the code on insurance in coastal communities
The insurance challenge for coastal states like Massachusetts has been a vexing one. Inflation and tariffs are scrambling rebuilding costs, and the rise in climate-driven natural disasters has contributed to a recent increase in private insurers not renewing policies and the state’s insurer-of-last-resort seeing a growth in the number of enrollees.
Deep-pocketed donors flood the ballot-question field with cash
Newly filed financial reports shed light on this election’s battle lines, which will pit business groups against unions, the marijuana industry against an out-of-state opponent, and transparency advocates against Beacon Hill itself.
Senators rally to Brownsberger as recount begins in tight race
The results of this week’s recount will settle who wins the district – a longtime incumbent and the third-most powerful Democrat in the Senate, or a challenger with the backing of political rival Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
For Healey, a delicate dance with the utilities emerges during election season
Healey can cast the utility companies as a critical partner when it’s advantageous for her to do so — or turn them into a political punching bag and convenient foil when it benefits her.
Proposed data centers subjected to local approvals under Healey order
The guardrails, which include expectations for securing tax breaks, stipulate that new data centers should directly procure or develop the energy resources to support their operations — without raising energy costs for ratepayers and straining the electric grid.
Opponents of new abortion law eye 2028 repeal effort
A new coalition filed paperwork seeking to suspend and ultimately repeal the measure in the 2028 election cycle.
Recounts taking shape in two Democratic legislative primaries
Elections have come down to just a few votes in the high-profile showdown between 19-year legislator Sen. William Brownsberger and challenger Daniel Lander.
Let’s say a ballot question passes in November. What happens next?
Nine ballot questions are in the mix for November. Here’s what you need to know about what happens if they win approval from voters.
SJC says Nahant can take Northeastern University land
“In short, the town’s stated purpose for the taking is a proper public purpose” that aligned with past actions by the town indicating interest in preserving the area, and not a bad faith ploy, wrote Justice Elizabeth Dewar for a unanimous court.
Jury clears Suffolk Sheriff Tompkins of extortion charges
Tompkins and his attorneys argued prosecutors had not presented sufficient evidence of a quid pro quo or corrupt intent.
The two years between Early Intervention and kindergarten
For students who exit Early Intervention at 3 and do not meet the bar for an IEP, there exists a two-year period — roughly ages three to five — between Early Intervention services and public kindergarten during which many parents and caregivers are left to figure out how to pay for developmental support options.
LG nominee Oliver quick to jump on Minogue’s team
Shortsleeve and Oliver pitched themselves as the “only unified ticket in the Republican gubernatorial primary,” but Oliver on Tuesday night spoke about aligning with Minogue as as part of the GOP’s larger quest in the general election cycle.
Markey’s unvarnished liberalism ages well
In what became practically his campaign mantra, Markey repeated the line to all who raised the issue: “It’s not your age, it’s the age of your ideas that are important.”
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