VOTERS IN SOMERSET on Monday ousted from the Select Board a leader of the successful effort to shut down a controversial scrap metal export business at Brayton Point, a move […]
Municipal Government
Posted inThe Download
Should remote access to government continue?
Many byproducts of the pandemic cannot disappear too soon – the illness, the social isolation, the toll constant anxiety is taking on our collective mental health. Yet some societal changes […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Should remote access to government continue?
MANY BYPRODUCTS of the pandemic cannot disappear too soon – the illness, the social isolation, the toll constant anxiety is taking on our collective mental health. Yet some societal changes […]
Posted inEconomy
3 Walgreens in Roxbury, Mattapan closed for sanitary violations
THREE WALGREENS stores located in Roxbury and Mattapan were shut down for six days early in March because of extensive and long-running violations of the state sanitary code, but the […]
Posted inUncategorized
Auditor flags 29 bills for impact on local budgets
WHEN THE LEGISLATURE implemented early voting by mail during the pandemic, the state paid for some staff time for local election workers and postage costs. But not all city and […]
Posted inUncategorized
Scrap metal operation shuts down in Somerset
AT AROUND 7 p.m. Monday night, the clanging sound of scrap metal being loaded onto a ship at Brayton Point in Somerset appeared to come to a halt. According to […]
Posted inOpinion
PILOT payments should be standardized statewide
A correction has been added to this commentary, correcting the payment amount of Harvard University. “It’s about fairness. It’s about how do you want to participate in this city that […]
Posted inEnvironment
Brayton Point scrap metal business asks for more time
A clarification has been added to this story. THE BATTLE over the scrap metal heap at Brayton Point in Somerset looks like it’s going to go down to the wire. […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Wu proposes restricting ‘targeted residential picketing’
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE BOSTON MAYOR Michelle Wu, who has regularly encountered protesters outside her home, filed a proposed ordinance Monday to put new rules in place restricting demonstrations that […]
Posted inThe Download
SJC says Springfield mayor’s powers on policing have limits
Springfield may be one of the Massachusetts cities with a “strong mayor” form of government, but the mayor’s extensive powers over city government are not unlimited powers. That was the […]
Posted inPolitics
Auditor says expanded voting hours will cost $2m
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE STATE WILL OWE cities and towns more than $2 million to keep polling places open for additional mandated voting hours during the September 2022 state […]
Posted inUncategorized
Brayton Point finally lands offshore wind supplier
BRAYTON POINT in Somerset is finally getting a piece of the offshore wind industry it has been courting for years, but the industrial prize is apparently not big enough to […]
Posted inPolitics
Meet Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
One in series looking at newly elected mayors across Massachusetts. FORMER SOMERVILLE mayor Joe Curtatone was known statewide for his harsh criticism of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, and his pithy soundbites […]
Posted inArts and Culture
New Bedford arts groups making connections
THE NEW BEDFORD Historical Society, whose focus is the history of people of color in the South Coast city, appears poised for a takeoff. The society is developing a park […]
Posted inUncategorized
2 mayors explain their ARPA spending strategies
IN THE 1970s, the federal government launched the Community Development Block Grant program and funneled $13 million in largely no-strings-attached money to New Bedford. The mayor at the time, Jack […]
Posted inThe Download
2 mayors explain their ARPA spending strategies
In the 1970s, the federal government launched the Community Development Block Grant program and funneled $13 million in largely no-strings-attached money to New Bedford. The mayor at the time, Jack […]
Posted inPolitics
Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga promises reset of City Hall
One in a series looking at newly-elected mayors across the Commonwealth. GLOUCESTER MAYOR Greg Verga was sworn into office on New Year’s Day promising to reset the tone in City Hall after […]
Posted inPolitics
New Lawrence mayor says it’s now the people’s turn
One in a series on newly-elected mayors in the Commonwealth. LAWRENCE MAYOR Brian A. DePeña is a bit of a throwback. He likes to meet one-on-one with his constituents, holding […]
Posted inArts and Culture
High school junior wows Lawrence crowd
ALLISON CASTILLO, a junior at Methuen High School, got the call on New Year’s Eve. The singer that Lawrence City Clerk Diane LeBlanc had lined up to sing “God Bless […]
Posted inHealth Care, State House News Service
Wu eyes Long Island for Mass and Cass help
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE RENOVATING BUILDINGS on Long Island and reintroducing treatment there for people dealing with substance use disorder and homelessness could be part of a medium- to long-term […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Boxborough police chief placed on paid leave
THE BOXBOROUGH SELECT BOARD placed Police Chief Warren Ryder on paid administrative leave Tuesday. No explanation was given, but the board had previously asked the FBI to investigate allegations that […]
Posted inEconomy
Rural towns seek money to repay broadband debt
THE RURAL HAMPSHIRE County town of Goshen is in the middle of installing broadband internet service. Even with state subsidies for the project, town officials estimate that Goshen will have […]
Posted inPolitics
Super PAC looks ahead to 2022
THE CHAIRMAN of the Massachusetts Majority super PAC said on Wednesday that his organization fared well in this week’s elections and, with $600,000 in available cash, is well-positioned to do […]
Posted inPolitics
Super PAC backed by Baker spends $258,936
A SUPER PAC for which Gov. Charlie Baker raises money made its third series of investments on behalf of a total of 19 municipal candidates over the weekend, bringing its […]
