Those in the cannabis industry are saying that the strict advertising laws on cannabis hurt their businesses while those on the other side say that the laws need to be more stringent.
Mass. lawmakers weigh competing bills on cannabis advertising requirements
Posted inGovernment
The enigma of ‘Opportunity Zones’
“Opportunity Zones” – now a permanent policy – offered major breaks to investors who pursued projects in low-income communities. But in Massachusetts and across the country, whether the program delivered much on its promise is still up for debate.
Posted inTransportation
US Customs detains 8 Red Line subway cars in Philadelphia
MBTA officials said US Customs is trying to verify CRRC, the Chinese rail car manufacturer, is complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
Posted inHealth Care
Insurance regulators OK steep increases, reject two as too large
Two of the largest health insurance carriers must either appeal or go back to the drawing board after state regulators on Monday rejected their proposed rate hikes as excessive.
Posted inEnergy
Could Canadian offshore wind help Mass. meet climate goals?
With federal roadblocks to clean energy, Massachusetts is eyeing Canadian offshore wind to meet climate goals and make the grid more affordable. But the switch could mean fewer local jobs and potential transmission infrastructure hurdles ahead.
Posted inOpinion
A full plate for new education commissioner Pedro Martinez
Martinez arrived with an impressive record of change in Chicago and an opportunity to tackle numerous stubborn issues that have plagued our public education system for decades.
Posted inCourts
Lawyer work stoppage crisis hits the juvenile justice system
As the bar advocate work stoppage crisis ramps up in the courts, public defenders argue say an already “untenable” problem securing counsel for young offenders is hitting a breaking point.
Posted inThe Codcast
Massachusetts leans into artificial intelligence
This week on The Codcast, it’s the state angle on artificial intelligence. CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Sabrina Mansur, director of the Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub. Mansur explains how she uses AI in her daily life and why keeping Massachusetts competitive means a $100 million taxpayer-funded effort to get into the AI race.
Posted inOpinion
In Fall River, our promise to the elderly went up in smoke
The fire that tore through Gabriel House, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 20 others, wasn’t just a tragic accident; it was a catastrophic failure of a system that promised safety and delivered a death trap.
Posted inEducation
Harvard, MIT face steep endowment tax under Trump bill
“We’re witnessing a political broadside, not sensible policymaking,” Wellesley College economics professor Peter Levine wrote of the huge hike in the endowment tax.
Posted inState Government
Mass. lawmakers weigh a statewide age-based nicotine ban
17 communities across Massachusetts have already banned nicotine sales for individuals born after a certain year. Now lawmakers are considering whether to adopt the policy statewide.
Posted inOpinion
Right-wing group’s attacks undermining freedom of inquiry in education
The scope of the far right’s project to abolish our freedoms to inquire and learn is breathtaking.
Posted inEnvironment
‘The ultimate underdog’: Chelsea named 2025 All-America city for sustainability projects
The city of Chelsea was named a 2025 “All-America” city by the National Civic League. The low-income, majority Hispanic city has faced a disproportionate share of environmental hazards and was recognized for three of its community-led environmental projects.
Posted inThe Codcast
Reconsidering school receivership
CommonWealth Beacon executive editor Michael Jonas joins reporter Jennifer Smith to trace the last decade in state takeovers of local school districts. The results, as Jonas has reported, are a far cry from a silver bullet to fix struggling schools.
Posted inOpinion
Beyond the West Wing: The David Gergen most people never knew
David mentored a generation of young leaders, not because it burnished his resume, but because he genuinely believed in public service and in passing the torch.
Posted inEnvironment
Drought management not included in Healey’s $3 billion environmental bond bill
After a period of unprecedented drought and wildfires in Massachusetts last fall and winter, the urgency around addressing drought seems to have dissipated.
Posted inOpinion
With birthright case, class actions emerging as important tool against reckless Trump actions
The question now is how broadly the class action process could be used to address other issues where the government has taken illegal action against large groups of Americans across state lines.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis social equity training program back on after a year-long pause
The Cannabis Control Commission’s training program for those most impacted by the war on drugs is set to resume September 8 after a year-long delay the agency attributes to budget constraints.
Posted inHealth Care
HHS chief Walsh stepping down, Mahaniah named successor
After a more than two-year tenure in which she charted the state’s path through the tumultuous Steward Health Care collapse, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh will step down.