HOW SERIOUS ARE local concerns about spread of the coronavirus? Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an annual rite that draws hundreds of thousands of people to South Boston, has been […]
What about riding the T?
Posted inTransportation
T budget raises sustainability questions
A KEY MEMBER of the MBTA’s oversight board raised concerns on Monday that spending at the authority is rising at an unsustainable pace. Brian Shortsleeve, a member of the Fiscal […]
Posted inUncategorized
Markey unveils ‘New Deal’ for immigrants
SEN. EDWARD MARKEY on Monday unveiled what he is calling a New Deal for New Americans Act. In a press conference with immigrant and refugee rights organizations, Markey introduced the four-section Senate bill, which aims to create an executive office in […]
Posted inEconomy
Advocates push for boost in welfare payments
FOR EIGHT YEARS, April Jennison was on and off welfare benefits, receiving a $491 grant each month to sustain herself and her daughter while living in Wareham, a small town […]
Posted inThe Codcast
‘A low point for Republicans in Mass.’
Two Republicans trying to straddle the deep ideological divide in the Massachusetts GOP say the bitter fight that culminated in last week’s state committee election was all about gaining control […]
Posted inThe Download
‘A low point for Republicans in Mass.’
Two Republicans trying to straddle the deep ideological divide in the Massachusetts GOP say the bitter fight that culminated in last week’s state committee election was all about gaining control […]
Posted inPolitics
‘A low point for Republicans in Mass.’
TWO REPUBLICANS trying to straddle the deep ideological divide in the Massachusetts GOP say the bitter fight that culminated in last week’s state committee election was all about gaining control […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Is it time for a percent-for-art reboot?
NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO, when the new Porter Square Station on the MBTA’s Red Line opened, it meant more than just access to rapid transit for thousands of North Cambridge […]
Posted inEducation
Vocational school admission policies failed Ryan
RYAN CAME INTO my office in his 7th grade year. I was a guidance counselor in his Fall River middle school. It was actually his second year in 7th grade, […]
Posted inPolitics
Lyons has votes to remain Mass. GOP chair
THE MASSACHUSETTS GOP released unofficial results on Friday indicating conservative Jim Lyons should have enough support on the 80-member state committee to continue as chairman of the state Republican Party. […]
Posted inThe Download
Should state finance marijuana businesses?
As fantastical as the idea sounds, a bill that would establish a state-backed loan fund to help marijuana businesses was reported favorably out of a legislative policy committee this week. […]
Posted inUncategorized
Should state finance marijuana businesses?
AS FANTASTICAL as the idea sounds, a bill that would establish a state-backed loan fund to help marijuana businesses was reported favorably out of a legislative policy committee this week. […]
Posted inEducation
Boston officials unveil new student privacy policy
BOSTON SCHOOL OFFICIALS are preparing to unveil a new, stricter student privacy plan intending to clarify what information federal immigration officials can access. But at a briefing for reporters on […]
Posted inTransportation
House OKs $18b transportation bond bill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A DAY AFTER VOTING to raise taxes and fees by as much as $600 million per year, the Massachusetts House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a roughly […]
Posted inPolitics
Election highlights deep Mass. GOP divisions
THE MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN PARTY appears to be a mess. The party, which currently claims only about 10 percent of the state’s registered voters, is splintering into pieces. There’s a wing […]
Posted inOpinion
All committee votes should be made public
THERE ARE MANY THINGS current legislators can do to advance the bipartisan value of transparency in government. An increasing number of us are already making progress. As a champion of […]
Posted inEconomy
Let’s make workers’ comp work
FOR MORE THAN 100 years, injured workers in Massachusetts have been parties to the “grand bargain” known as workers’ compensation. On the one hand, employers bear responsibility for providing insurance to […]
Posted inPolitics
Warren ends campaign, declines to endorse for now
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN ended her presidential campaign Thursday, after devastating losses at the ballot box on Super Tuesday, but declined to endorse either of the remaining candidates. Warren, speaking to […]
Posted inThe Download
Arroyo: Racism is public health crisis in Boston
Race has long created a divide between what should be and what is. In Boston, that has translated into a struggle to achieve racial parity in exam schools. It has […]
Posted inUncategorized
Arroyo: Racism is public health crisis in Boston
RACE HAS LONG CREATED a divide between what should be and what is. In Boston, that has translated into a struggle to achieve racial parity in exam schools. It has […]
Posted inTransportation
House passes transportation bill with minor tweaks
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE of Representatives approved a major tax bill Wednesday night that Democratic leaders say will generate more than half a billion dollars for transportation […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker fails to gain ground in state GOP
COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS were still not available last night, but Republican insiders said Gov. Charlie Baker appeared to lose ground Tuesday night in his bid to seize control of the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Ex-Souza prisoner says he was abused
A FORMER PRISONER at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center who was released on February 14 said on Wednesday that he was subjected to abuse by tactical forces in the wake […]
Posted inUncategorized
Farm food benefits program revived
AFTER A NEARLY two-week hiatus, Massachusetts plans to use $2 million in new state funds to restart a program that lets SNAP recipients receive additional money to buy fresh produce. […]