There is nothing subtle about the website Ashley Madison, which acts as a hook-up site for married consenting adults whose trademark motto is, “Life’s short. Have an affair.” And the Impact […]
Out and about in the Ashley Madison hack
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Back Story
Probation juror: Patronage ‘disgusting’ but not illegal
A LITTLE MOREÂ than a year after the guilty verdicts came down in the Probation Department hiring scandal and with the appeals process inching along, a former juror in the widely […]
Posted inEconomy, Environment, The Download
Lobsters not on a roll
National Lobster Day is set for September 25 thanks to a group of New England senators who banded together to a co-sponsor the Senate-only resolution introduced by Sen. Angus King, the Maine […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
Funds are there for North-South Rail Link
THE NEXT TIME you decide to write about a major transportation project that two former governors strongly support and in which they were deeply involved during their terms in the corner […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Farmers: Animal Welfare Ballot Initiative Would Mean Higher Food Prices
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE The ballot initiative seeking to eliminate the “extreme confinement” and “lifelong immobilization” of farm animals is unnecessary and would lead to a sharp rise in food […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion
In medtech, Massachusetts needs to play catch-up
THE MEDICAL DEVICEÂ manufacturing sector in Massachusetts, by any measure, is doing well. From employment rates and wage growth to innovation and venture opportunities, medical device manufacturing is moving forward. Looking […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download, Transportation
North-South Rail Link rides again
The dynamic duo of  Michael Dukakis and William Weld have teamed up to seize the headlines in the dog days of summer with a surefire conversation starter: building the North-South […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion
Using incentives and disincentives in health care
THE SUPREME COURTÂ decision in King v. Burwell resolved another legal challenge to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and cited the success of the 2006 Massachusetts health insurance […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download
Baker owns the DCF mess
There’s no set timetable for when the other guy’s problems become your baggage but one thing is certain: Gov. Charlie Baker now owns the mess that is the Department of Children […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
To be Frank
BARNEY FRANK IS passing time with a newspaper crossword puzzle before our interview. When I arrive at the West Newton video studio where he does live shots for CNBC, Frank […]
Posted inEconomy, The Download
The high cost of sharing
In this emerging “sharing economy” – i.e., I got something I can make a few bucks off – much of the focus has been on so-called transportation network companies such as […]
Posted inThe Download
Globe price hike not for everyone
The Boston Globe raised its digital subscription price 74 percent last month, but not for everyone. David Rosen, a Boston resident and long-time Globe subscriber, said he canceled his subscription […]
Posted inGambling, Transportation
Boston attends meeting with Wynn officials
OFFICIALS FROM BOSTON AND WYNN RESORTS, whose bosses have been publicly feuding and battling each other in court, sat down together with state Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack on Thursday […]
Posted inThe Back Story, Transportation
Trying to saddle the runaway Uber horse
Third in a series In May, the members of the Braintree Licensing Board took a step that no other community in the state has been willing or able to do: […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Bloody night in Greater Boston
Gun violence has become the Muzak soundtrack to life in urban America: It’s always there, it’s bothersome, and it’s barely noticed after a while. At least by those outside its […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Criminal justice initiative overdue
ONE COULD ALMOST hear a collective sigh of relief emanating from the Massachusetts criminal justice reform community at the announcement last week that the state would—finally—begin a long-overdue Justice Reinvestment effort. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion, Politics
Rivera explains stance on Lawrence Trust Act
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera issued the following statement on Wednesday, a day after the City Council voted 7-2 in favor of a measure that bars police from detaining anyone for […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston’s data plan
Mayor Marty Walsh is determined to go boldly into the 21st century. Or at least make sure Boston arrives, even if a little late, at the end of the 20th. […]
Posted inBallot Questions, Gambling
Mystery ballot question could add 2nd slots parlor
A MYSTERY BALLOT QUESTION submitted to the state attorney general’s office would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to award a second slots parlor license as long as the facility is […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
There’s a new driver in town
LAWMAKERS ON BEACON HILL may be debating how and whether to regulate ride-sharing services such as Uber, but as far as I’m concerned the debate is over. Let’s move on. […]
Posted inGambling
Walsh offers to keep talking with Wynn
BOSTON MAYOR MARTY WALSH acknowledged on Tuesday that he may have misunderstood a Steve Wynn comment about money during a set of phone calls, but he said there was no […]
Posted inGambling, The Download
Wynn calls Walsh ‘irresponsible’
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has been taking a lot of shots lately. His indecision about hosting the Olympic Games in 2024 prompted the US Olympic Committee to abandon Boston and […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Solar power’s benefits outweigh its costs
MASSACHUSETTS IS A LEADER in solar power and most experts will tell you that has been a good thing for homeowners, businesses, low income communities, and everyone else who pays […]
Posted inOpinion
Remembering Alec Gray
A LOT CAN HAPPEN in 10 years. Ten years go by, enough time for the world to change irrevocably. In 10 years a job can be outsourced, or made obsolete […]