THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION is now trying to juggle the reopening of the state’s economy while formulating a legislative response to the George Floyd protests over policing. At a State House […]
COVID-19
Posted inUncategorized
Federal immigration office reopens
THE BOSTON OFFICE of the federal immigration agency that deals with the country’s naturalization process reopened today, 11 weeks after shutting down most in-person services due to the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson said that USCIS is […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
SJC refuses to order release of convicted prisoners
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT refused to issue a preliminary injunction that would have released convicted prisoners to house arrest on Tuesday, holding that their continued incarceration increased their odds of […]
Posted inHealth Care, State House News Service
Outdoor visits OK’d for nursing home residents
STARTING WEDNESDAY, Massachusetts state officials will allow residents of nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living facilities to receive guests during pre-scheduled outdoor visits. Long-term care facilities have been walloped […]
Posted inUncategorized
Providers question feasibility of childcare guidelines
CHILDREN RETURNING to daycare will no longer be encouraged to play together. Caregivers will wear face coverings. Public playgrounds will be off limits. Class sizes will be smaller. Gov. Charlie […]
Posted inUncategorized
Baker slams Trump’s lack of leadership
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER missed the call the nation’s governors had with President Trump on Monday, but that didn’t stop him from criticizing the president in what were harsh terms for […]
Posted inUncategorized
Libraries, youth sports, driving schools to reopen soon
IF YOU’VE LONG AGO finished the stack of books on your nightstand, or if you’re waiting anxiously to finish your driver training, or if your windows need washing, Gov. Charlie […]
Posted inOpinion
Baker’s reopening board tilts corporate
DURING THE COVID-19 pandemic, we often hear the phrase “We’re all in this together.” But actually there are deep inequalities in who faces the most risk — and who is […]
Posted inUncategorized
Two landlords challenge eviction moratorium law
TWO LANDLORDS have filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Judicial Court challenging the state’s temporary moratorium on eviction foreclosures. In April, the Legislature passed and Gov. Charlie Baker signed […]
Posted inUncategorized
Lawsuit challenges Baker’s emergency declaration
A SMALL GROUP of business owners and pastors filed suit against Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday, alleging he exceeded his authority by using the Civil Defense Act of 1950 to […]
Posted inOpinion
Baker usurping the role of Legislature
THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER shutting down “non-essential” businesses and organizations has been in place since March 24. While Gov. Charlie Baker has modified the order and eased some of his restrictions, […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Time of reckoning for New England Aquarium, Museum of Science
THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM and the Museum of Science are back on their heels right now, but the leaders of the two institutions say they hope to reopen in July with […]
Posted inThe Download
Time of reckoning for New England Aquarium, Museum of Science
The New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science are back on their heels right now, but the leaders of the two institutions say they hope to reopen in July […]
Posted inOpinion
Economists debate need to raise taxes
The following is a letter sent May 26 by 91 economists to Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Karen Spilka, followed by a response from David […]
Posted inPolitics
Pandemic turns Markey-Kennedy race into virtual showdown
THE US SENATE race between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy, which was shaping up to be one of the most closely watched congressional primary contests in the country, now faces […]
Posted inOpinion
Here’s what I believe
The following is an email sent by Harvard president Lawrence Bacow to the university community on Saturday. THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS have been disorienting for all of us. COVID-19 has […]
Posted inOpinion
Major public funding needed for child care
MONTHS BEFORE the first documented case of coronavirus became public, an owner of a Connecticut-based child care center suggested a way to demonstrate child care’s critical role in the economy. […]
Posted inOpinion
Direct care workers deserve more than recognition
FOR MANY, the COVID-19 crisis has shone light on the key role that human service workers play in protecting and caring for our communities. In the private sector, direct care […]
Posted inUncategorized
Food stamp recipients can now order online
MASSACHUSETTS FOOD STAMP recipients can now purchase groceries online through Amazon and Walmart as part of a US Department of Agriculture pilot program. The program went live Friday, allowing participants […]
Posted inUncategorized
Phase two goes into prep mode
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said the state currently remains on track for its phased reopening, and he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito outlined steps that restaurants, hotels, and professional sports franchises […]
Posted inUncategorized
Mail-in voting debate heats up with help from Trump
AS MORE STATES consider mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic, the issue was thrust into the national spotlight when President Trump took to Twitter earlier this week to warn of widespread […]
Posted inThe Download
Mail-in voting debate heats up with help from Trump
As more states consider mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic, the issue was thrust into the national spotlight when President Trump took to Twitter earlier this week to warn of […]
Posted inEconomy
Life sciences manufacturing can be an economic lifeline
ALREADY, THE ECONOMIC damage done to Massachusetts by the COVID-19 recession is rivaling the Great Depression. Unemployment rates and tax revenue shortfalls are expected to be three times worse than […]
Posted inHealth Care
COVID-19 poses unnecessary risk for people with disabilities
NEVER IN OUR lifetime have we witnessed a disease that has devastated lives across the globe the way COVID-19 has. No family, no individual has been left untouched. But, we […]