PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, more than 120,000 children in Massachusetts didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. Since COVID-19 arrived in the US, food insecurity rates in our […]
Mass. should retain free meals for all at schools
Posted inTransportation
Poftak confirms FTA safety investigation at MBTA
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE FEDERAL TRANSIT officials will meet with T leaders this week to kick off a safety investigation into the agency, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Tuesday, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Legislature preparing for post-Roe v Wade world
THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE is starting to prepare for a post-Roe v Wade world, providing state tax dollars to organizations that help women pay for abortions and investing in security and […]
Posted inUncategorized
Senate budget focuses on early education, mental health, local aid
THE STATE budget proposal released by the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday largely hews to the same ideology as the plan adopted by House budget writers: Avoid tax […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
In Suffolk DA’s race, the gloves come off
IT SEEMED INEVITABLE that it would emerge one of the main fault lines in the race for Suffolk County district attorney: Kevin Hayden, appointed to the post in January by […]
Posted inThe Download
In Suffolk DA’s race, the gloves come off
IT SEEMED INEVITABLE that it would emerge one of the main fault lines in the race for Suffolk County district attorney: Kevin Hayden, appointed to the post in January by […]
Posted inEducation
UMass Lowell promotes Chen from within
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE CONCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE search process that floated dozens of candidates and two finalists from other states, University of Massachusetts Lowell overseers decided once again Monday that […]
Posted inOpinion, Race/Racism
Zoning has played a major role in racial segregation
IN RESPONSE TO decades of rising housing costs across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts recently amended the state zoning act to require local governments to reform their zoning laws. The amendments are […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA is extending Blue Line shutdown 5 more days
The MBTA is extending the shutdown of a portion of the Blue Line for another five days to make sure the track being installed is safe.
The T announced on Sunday that it was extending the original 14-day shutdown until Friday “to complete additional work and finish scheduled work.” On Monday, asked about reports that the project had encountered difficulties, a T spokeswoman acknowledged in an email that the work was proving challenging.
Posted inUncategorized
Baker, Polito press hard for economic development bill
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito made a strong political push on Monday for their administration’s $3.5 billion economic development bill, warning that time is running short to […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Massachusetts exceptionalism: Reputation meets reality
CommonWealth Magazine · Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation meets Reality
Posted inThe Download
Aren’t we special? Dissecting Massachusetts exceptionalism
When it comes to our place in the American political order, Massachusetts exhibits no small amount of self-regard. We regularly tick off our long list of firsts – reaching back […]
Posted inPolitics
Aren’t we special? Dissecting Massachusetts exceptionalism
The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality takes on everything from the state’s political culture to the workings of its three branches of government and its place on the national stage, providing one-stop shopping for an understanding of Massachusetts politics.
Posted inEducation
DeLeo feels ‘right at home’ in new academic life
WHEN ROBERT DELEO resigned as speaker of the Massachusetts House a year and a half ago and took an academic position at Northeastern University, his life changed dramatically. At the […]
Posted inOpinion
Bringing common sense to assisted living
PEACE OF MIND for assisted living residents and their families – that’s what a bill before the Massachusetts Legislature would deliver. What small changes could make such a big difference? […]
Posted inOpinion
Right to counsel needed on housing issues
WHEN A DISABLED VETERAN with diabetes fell behind on his rent in 2020, his landlord illegally denied him heat during the winter, forcing him to reside in inhumane and unlivable […]
Posted inOpinion
A strategy for tackling housing, climate crises simultaneously
TWO CRISES are bearing down on our state. There’s the critical shortage of affordable housing, which leaves ever more of our neighbors unable to keep a roof over their heads. […]
Posted inOpinion
Waterfront is one of Boston’s most alluring assets
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY to set a bold vision for our waterfront. A vision that enhances our status as an iconic coastal city that attracts tourists and meetings from across […]
Posted inUncategorized
Theoharides takes US offshore wind job for German company
KATHLEEN THEOHARIDES, who oversaw offshore wind development for the Baker administration, is now taking a job as the head of US offshore wind development for a German company that is […]
Posted inUncategorized
NE power grid demand falls to its lowest level ever
DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY from the New England power grid fell to an all-time low on Sunday, a reflection of the weather and the region’s embrace of solar power. Sunday was […]
Posted inDrug Addiction
Meth use poses rising threat in Massachusetts
THE SCOURGE of opioid addiction has made headlines for years, as state policymakers aim to reduce the epidemic of overdose deaths. Less noticed – but still highly dangerous – is […]
Posted inOpinion
Finding teachers of color starts with mentoring
THE PANDEMIC has taken a terrible toll on school children, costing them not just in lost time learning, but in the socialization skills necessary to succeed. For students of color, […]
Posted inOpinion
I assume my patients have been sexually assaulted
I AM A FORMER captain in the US Air Force, where I worked as both a research physicist and as an advocate for sexual assault victims in the military. Today, […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Senate passes license bill with veto-proof majority
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A LONG-DEBATED PROPOSAL to expand driver’s license access to undocumented immigrants took a major step toward becoming law on Thursday, clearing the Senate with a strong […]