Why is the realization of this dream of equitable healthcare in Boston so urgent? Because the epidemiological landscape demands it.
Carney should reopen as a full-service hospital
Posted inOpinion
Why I switched on MCAS
MCAS is the only measure we currently have to ensure all students in the Commonwealth are being taught the same content and skills, no matter their zip code.
Posted inHousing
75 municipalities now on board with MBTA Communities law
The event came after the town of Southborough, a Worcester County community that has a stop on the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, narrowly voted to approve its multifamily zoning plan, making it a total of 75 communities “acting in good faith to follow the law,” according to Campbell.
Posted inHousing
Milton developing contingency MBTA rezoning plans
According to scenarios outlined in the slides, the primary goal of the new rezoning effort is to reduce the impact on East Milton and an adjacent area bordering Granite Avenue and increase the number of housing units that could be built in the area of Eliot Street, which borders the trolley line.
Posted inTransportation
Post-Covid, 2019 traffic congestion study required reading again
“This year, traffic levels will exceed 2019 levels,” said Jonathan Gulliver, the state’s highway commissioner. He said congestion is worst on Wednesdays, Thursday mornings, and Friday afternoons, and notes Mondays and Tuesdays are hit or miss.
Posted inHealth
Brookline generational tobacco ban catching on in Mass.
Rather than setting a minimum age to buy tobacco and nicotine products, generational bans bar anyone born after a certain date from purchasing the products. As the name implies, the generational ban means tobacco and nicotine products will be off-limits forever to a younger generation within the geographical area covered by the ban.
Posted inMedia
Colarusso taking over as CommonWealth Beacon editor
A graduate of Columbia University and Columbia’s graduate school of journalism, Colarusso has also worked as digital managing editor at WGBH and digital opinion editor at the Boston Globe.
Posted inHealth Care
Lawrence General chief outlines vision for new hospital system
“So just watching it and say, ‘well, it’s not my problem, it’s Steward’s problem,’ was absolutely not an option from every perspective. If there was an abrupt reduction or discontinuation of services, there [would] be tremendous challenges in access to care and…we [would] have significant overcrowding and adverse impact to us as well.”
Posted inThe Codcast
A new leader is changing Merrimack Valley health care
This week on The Codcast, John McDonough of the T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute are joined by Dr. Abha Agrawal, CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. They discuss her vision for a community-based health system, barriers to advancing equity in Merrimack Valley health care, and the hospital ‘safety net’ amidst a transition to 3 hospitals.
Posted inOpinion
We need more stories like Bobby’s
As we have shown with cystic fibrosis here in Massachusetts, when the patients, families, scientists, academics, political leaders, and life science companies come together as one, there is no cure that is beyond our reach. Just ask Bobby.
Posted inState Government
Ware Police chief crossed fuzzy ethical line on new gun bill
The State Ethics Commission issued a public education letter – but no fine – to Ware Police Chief Shawn Crevier late last week, it said in a statement, “because the conflict of interest law’s application to political activity by public employees is complex, easily misunderstood, and in need of further public clarification.”
Posted inOpinion
We need answers on Mass. hospital finances
The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association reports a $220 million Healthy Safety Net deficit for fiscal year 2025, following $380 million deficits in FY 2023 and 2024, totaling $600 million. It raises the question how exactly are hospitals burning through so much cash?
Posted inState Government
Mass. begins eminent domain taking of St. Elizabeth’s
“Taking the property for a fraction of the assessed value is theft and everyone in Massachusetts–every business owner and homeowner–should be concerned about this threat,” said an attorney for the landowner.,
Posted inOpinion
Commuter rail employees getting suicide prevention training
Through this partnership, Samaritans will provide mental health and suicide prevention training to nearly 1,000 frontline commuter rail personnel.
Posted inPolitics
Political Notebook: Ron Mariano, media critic | First lady or first partner?
“I mean, you guys have an obligation to write what’s really gonna happen,” House Speaker Ron Mariano huffed.
Posted inTransportation
Arlington official tells MBTA board town deserves better
“Here’s the bottom line. For $3.4 million a year, we shouldn’t be ignored. We deserve a seat at the table,” Paul Schlichtman said. “If we don’t get adequate transit, we’re just going to suffer from a horrible case of car constipation, so let’s get started on a Red Line extension.”
Posted inState Government
Spilka hosts opposing camps on Wu’s property tax shift proposal
The meeting in Spilka’s office, which lasted about an hour, included Wu as well as her chief financial officer and assessing commissioner, and business community leaders, such as Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Jim Rooney and the Boston Municipal Research Bureau’s Marty Walz, a former House lawmaker, who have said there could be alternative approaches to Wu’s proposal, such as budget belt-tightening.
Posted inState Government
Deputy sheriff breaks law, but comes out ahead financially
Floyd Teague, a deputy sheriff whose duties included holding public auctions of seized boats, cars, trucks, and homes, got caught illegally steering a modular home to his wife for $20,000. His wife then invested $45,000 in the property and sold it five months later for $309,900, a gain of nearly $245,000.
Posted inOpinion
As a teacher, I know MCAS is crucial to ensuring we help all students succeed
Maintaining the statewide MCAS graduation standard for all kids, whether they live in Newton or New Bedford, means all districts will have to educate their students to the same minimum standard.
Posted inEnvironment
With flood season approaching, it’s ‘deployables day’ in Boston
Most cities now lean away from single-use barriers like sandbags and toward reusable laminate or metal panels that can be brought to the site on short notice or raised from a hidden flat position at sidewalk-level when flooding is expected.