A GROUP OF Boston Public Schools parents who say the district is falling short when it comes to educating special needs students want to see Charlestown High School remade into […]
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 inTransportation
Wu finds a high price to being nice
EVERYONE IS TALKING about how no one is talking to Michelle Wu. Never mind the controversy over her proposal to house homeless people in a vacant hotel near the troubled […]
Posted inPolitics
Edwards beats D’Ambrosio in special election primary for state Senate
BOSTON CITY COUNCILOR Lydia Edwards rode a wave of progressive support – and high-profile endorsements that included both of the state’s US senators and Boston’s new mayor – to defeat […]
Posted inHealth Care
State to distribute 2.1 million rapid COVID tests to hard-hit communities
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said the state will make 2.1 million rapid COVID tests available to more than 100 lower-income communities as part of the effort to curb the spread of […]
Posted inPolitics
‘Latinx’ not the language of election victory
IT’S BECOME a popular new substitute, in some circles, for the term Latino, a gender-neutral word that is increasingly embraced in academia and among some progressive activists. But in the brass-tacks […]
Posted inPolitics
Senate showdown pits family roots against Boston councilor
ANTHONY D’AMBROSIO SAYS he’s the “anti-establishment” candidate for state Senate, calling out the failures of Beacon Hill leadership to which he says his opponent, Lydia Edwards, is tied. Edwards scoffs […]
Posted inPolitics
What does Baker’s exit mean for Mass. politics?
THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY Gov. Charlie Baker that he won’t seek a third term shakes up the Massachusetts political landscape in a way that few decisions by a single officeholder could […]
Posted inPolitics
A hole in the middle
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S announcement that he won’t seek a third term – and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito’s decision not to try to succeed him – not only creates a void […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker, Polito say they won’t seek re-election
IT’S THE NEWS all of the Massachusetts political world has waited for, and now that it’s here, it will set off a flurry of activity on the state’s political landscape. […]
Posted inEconomy
What if we didn’t shop till we drop?
YES, THERE’S THAT big meal, with all the talk of gratitude and fellowship, as people gather tomorrow with family and friends. But for many, it also serves as the pregame, […]
Posted inPolitics
Wu holds forth on policing, vaccine passports, and Walsh documentary
FOR MICHELLE WU, when it comes to making room amid her bold plans for the often more prosaic daily grind of city government, it’s time to make the donuts. When […]
Posted inPolitics
Wu endorses Edwards in special election for state Senate
IN HER FIRST MOVE to exert political muscle following her landslide victory, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is throwing her support behind Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards, who is competing in […]
Posted inTransportation
Wu proposes expanded free MBTA bus service
BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU, who has faced a steady stream of doubters wondering how she would make good on a campaign vow to bring about fare-free MBTA service, used her […]
Posted inHealth Care
Rocky road continues at Biogen
FOR CAMBRIDGE-BASED Biogen, it’s been the best of times and the worst of times. The biotech powerhouse saw its Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm approved in June by the Food and Drug […]
Posted inEducation
Poll finds parents bullish on return to in-person learning
AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF of unprecedented disruption of daily life, parents of K-12 students in Massachusetts are very optimistic about what the return to in-person classes will bring, […]
Posted inPolitics
Marking historic firsts, Wu sworn in as Boston mayor
REACHING BACK TO Boston’s revolutionary roots, Michelle Wu took office on Tuesday as the city’s new mayor, saying bold action that challenges the status quo is at the heart of […]
Posted inTransportation
Could infrastructure bill put East-West rail on track?
“IT’S A REALLY big deal,” said Eric Lesser. The Longmeadow state senator seemed to be channeling Joe Biden’s famous line whispered to Barack Obama at the signing of the Affordable […]
Posted inPolitics
What will Boston’s new Wuniverse bring?
IN HER VICTORY speech after cruising to a landslide win in the Boston mayor’s race, Michelle Wu spoke of the urgency of “bold” change to “meet the moment” the city […]
Posted inPolitics
Wu replicates exact Menino margin and map
IN THE CLOSING weeks of the Boston mayor’s race, Michelle Wu was name-checking her one-time boss, Tom Menino, a lot more than her former law professor, Elizabeth Warren. It was […]
Posted inPolitics
Who were the winners and losers (besides the candidates)?
WHO WON AND who lost yesterday? Of course, there are the candidates who put themselves and their ideas out there for voters. They all were winners for democracy, though the […]
Posted inPolitics
Wu wins in a romp
MICHELLE WU, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who promised Boston residents bold change and an inclusive city government, rode a progressive wave to a resounding victory in the race for […]
Posted inEducation
Joseph Feaster, who led campaign for appointed Boston School Committee, has changed his mind
JOSEPH FEASTER SAYS he was wrong about an appointed School Committee in Boston. The one-time president of the Boston NAACP didn’t just support the earlier move to mayoral control of […]
Posted inNews Analysis
In Boston mayor’s race, newspaper endorsements a faint voice
“THE PAST ISN’T what it used to be; then again, it never was.” So goes an old saying, and perhaps the same is true for newspaper endorsements in elections. We […]
Posted inEducation
Boston mayoral candidates steer clear of firm goals for students
WHEN IT COMES to electing a mayor willing to take on the huge challenges facing the long-struggling Boston Public Schools, it seemed like this was the year that the stars […]