MASSACHUSETTS STATE GOVERNMENT will get an unprecedented influx of $5.3 billion in federal money from the American Rescue Plan to spend over the next five years, $800 million more than […]
Rules of the road for billions in federal aid
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Unless you’re selling, hot housing market is concerning
Many publications have written a version of the same story. The Cape Cod Times reports that home sales on the Cape keep breaking records, making it the “best time ever […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Unless you’re selling, hot housing market is concerning
MANY PUBLICATIONS have written a version of the same story. The Cape Cod Times reports that home sales on the Cape keep breaking records, making it the “best time ever […]
Posted inEducation
How New Bedford boosted its graduation rate
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013, two months after her arrival as the district’s new school superintendent, Pia Durkin paid a visit to New Bedford High School one morning not long after […]
Posted inTransportation
WRTA votes to continue fare-free operations
THE ADVISORY BOARD of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority voted on Thursday to extend fare-free operations at least another six months until early next year. The vote was unanimous, although […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics
Judge sounds skeptical of call to block Boston police commissioner firing
EMBATTLED BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER Dennis White went to court on Thursday seeking to block his dismissal by Acting Mayor Kim Janey, but a Suffolk Superior Court judge indicated she was wary […]
Posted inUncategorized
ICE terminates detention contract with Bristol sheriff
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION has terminated its contract with Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson to run an immigration detention center, citing the facility’s “unacceptable” conditions for detainees. US Secretary of Homeland […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download
Berkshire DA under fire for dangerousness hearings
Two years ago, shortly after she was elected district attorney in Berkshire County, Andrea Harrington said she was going to sharply curtail the use of cash bail. “A cash bail […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Berkshire DA under fire for dangerousness hearings
TWO YEARS AGO, shortly after she was elected district attorney in Berkshire County, Andrea Harrington said she was going to sharply curtail the use of cash bail. “A cash bail […]
Posted inOpinion
Cape Cod is cleaning up its act
WHAT HAS LONG LOOMED as an existential threat to the economy and vibrancy of Cape Cod—septic-system pollution and runoff that ruins our bays, rivers, and lakes—is a challenge Cape communities […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Baker proposes overhaul of licensing
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GOV.CHARLIE BAKER filed legislation Wednesday to overhaul the state’s professional licensing operations, proposing to transfer 13 boards to the Department of Public Health and to give […]
Posted inTransportation
What’s next for controversial Northampton roundabout?
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT of Transportation has terminated a construction contract for a controversial roundabout in Northampton, after neighbors and some Native American tribal representatives raised concerns that the project would […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
SJC to correction officials: Act faster on medical parole
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT on Wednesday made two rulings that will require the Department of Correction to act more quickly on medical parole cases under certain circumstances. The court invalidated […]
Posted inThe Download
Janey decried ‘blue wall of silence’ — while accepting it
THE MESS THAT is the leadership of the Boston Police Department was not of Kim Janey’s making. But it now falls squarely in her lap — right as the mayoral […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Janey decried ‘blue wall of silence’ — while accepting it
THE MESS THAT is the leadership of the Boston Police Department was not of Kim Janey’s making. But it now falls squarely in her lap — right as the mayoral […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
House gives businesses unemployment insurance relief
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE HOUSE APPROVED a proposal Tuesday that aims to relieve employers this spring from major unexpected unemployment system costs, while punting the decision on whether to […]
Posted inOpinion
Behold the power of invention
THE EFFECTS of the pandemic experienced this past year remind us that scientific and technological progress is essential to our greater public good. Both are now front and center in […]
Posted inTransportation
MassDOT to spend $75m shoring up elevated Turnpike
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT of Transportation issued an unusual press release Tuesday evening indicating the agency is preparing to spend $75 million shoring up the crumbling elevated section of the Turnpike […]
Posted inThe Download
Should state parks be funded with user fees or tax dollars?
State funding for the agency that oversees parks fell by $4.5 million over the last 12 years, even as expenses kept growing. To make ends meet, the Department of Conservation […]
Posted inUncategorized
Should state parks be funded with user fees or tax dollars?
STATE FUNDING for the agency that oversees parks fell by $4.5 million over the last 12 years, even as expenses kept growing. To make ends meet, the Department of Conservation […]
Posted inOpinion
Without grid investments, clean power goals may not be met
AT A TIME our nation and the New England area faces the challenge of fostering economic recovery in the wake of a global pandemic, investment in our electricity transmission system […]
Posted inGambling
Casino revenues continue to make gains
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AFTER POSTING THEIR best month since before the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the casinos and slots parlor in Massachusetts reported similarly positive revenue figures for the […]
Posted inHealth Care
A rush to judgment on Alzheimer’s drug
THE BOSTON-BASED Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) sells itself as an independent source of information on the value of pharmaceuticals. But earlier this month, their bias was again […]
Posted inUncategorized
Baker ending nearly all COVID restrictions May 29
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER moved up the state’s return to what many are calling the new normal by two months, setting May 29 as the day nearly all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will […]