Should anyone cry a river for the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad? The long-time operator of the MBTA’s commuter rail network has objected to the process that appears to have put Keolis, […]
Clash of the commuter rail titans
Posted inPolitics
Globe owner talks
John Henry told a business group on Wednesday that his job as owner of the Boston Globe is similar in some ways to his job as the principal owner of […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Marty’s moment
Vowing to listen, learn, and lead, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh puts his humility front and center in an inaugural address that comes more from the heart than the head, CommonWealth […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Gubernatorial candidates scramble for money
Very real differences are emerging between the candidates for governor in terms of their ability to raise money from voters in Massachusetts who could actually vote for them in November. […]
Posted inPolitics
Linehan the kingmaker exits the volunteer ranks
The woman who gained a reputation as a behind-the-scenes kingmaker in Massachusetts politics is now getting into the game of governing herself. Joyce Linehan, the Dorchester activist who CommonWealth has […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Dell dating Middlebrooks
Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks tweeted a photo of himself and NESN reporter Jenny Dell celebrating together on New Year’s Eve. The happy couple looked like they were having […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Small donors: nice sound bite, not much money
It has become something of a cliché for political campaigns to tout, when announcing the month or quarter or year’s fundraising totals, the large percentage of donations from small donors […]
Posted inPolitics
The Walsh era begins
Boston turned to the future – and to the past – as Marty Walsh became the city’s first new mayor in 20 years, a fresh, young leader, who also returns […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Rivera in; Lantigua gone missing
**A correction has been made to the Reinstein item in the Beacon Hill section. Daniel Rivera took over as mayor of Lawrence in a private swearing-in ceremony at City Hall […]
Posted inHealth Care, Politics, The Download
The dawn of Obamacare
Now, the rubber hits the road. As of today, millions of Americans will begin getting health coverage under the Affordable Care Act and over the next few months, we’ll find out which […]
Posted inPolitics, The Back Story
Public Records Law changes likely
The Massachusetts House seems poised to make some changes to the state’s Public Records Law, and will even explore bringing Beacon Hill lawmakers under the law’s purview. A bill drafted […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Rep. Reinstein resigning to take beer firm job
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICEAfter 15 years in the House, Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein plans to resign from the Legislature this month to take a job with the Boston Beer Company, a […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
The authority to make changes on the way out
As Mayor Thomas Menino prepares for life after the throne, his crown could become somewhat tarnished as the piñata that is the Boston Redevelopment Authority continues to take a near-daily […]
Posted inEnvironment
Cape Wind expects to receive tax credit
Cape Wind on Monday announced it has signed a contract to purchase an unspecified number of wind turbines and other equipment from the German company Siemens, and both firms said […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, The Download
Obama’s crack commutations
President Obama commuted the federal crack cocaine sentencesof eight inmates, including the first cousin of Gov. Deval Patrick. The New York Times described the commutations as a bid to curb […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
Getting to yes, turning to no
Yes, yes, and yes. Those are the answers developers give communities when they want to get approval for their projects. But once those projects are underway, it seems, the deals […]
Posted inThe Back Story, Uncategorized
Wynn: Gambling law changes needed
Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn is urging Massachusetts lawmakers to make changes to the state’s gaming law, something they are reluctant to do for fear of reopening the debate […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Target: Data breach could affect 40 million
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Target, the major retailer with locations throughout Massachusetts, confirmed Thursday “unauthorized access to payment card data” that may have impacted 40 million credit and debit card […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, The Download
Scott Brown’s northern exposure
Conservatives may be cheering on former Massachusetts senator Scott Brown’s likely New Hampshire US Senate run next year. But the inevitability of Brown is getting a little old for our […]
Posted inEnvironment, The Download
A win for Cape Wind?
Cape Wind has been beset by legal delays and questions over its finances . But the offshore wind power project looks like it may be ramping up just in time […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
South Coast Rail not the way to go
Residents of Massachusetts’ South Coast believe their region hasn’t received the state investment it deserves. They’re right. The Big Dig vacuumed money away from transportation projects across Massachusetts. More recently, […]
Posted inEducation, The Download
Golden days for college presidents
High school seniors and their families are excitedly beginning to hear from colleges they have applied to for admission next fall. An acceptance notification is generally grounds for applicant glee […]
Posted inThe Download, Uncategorized
UMass football losing more than games
A new report says the cost of the UMass Amherst football program keeps growing, and so does the support required from students and taxpayers. The Boston Globe reports that students […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Murray campaign pays out nearly $200,000
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICEFormer Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray’s once robust campaign account has been spent down to just $34,620 after the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce executive shelled out nearly […]