One year ago in April, the Trump administration abruptly announced its intent to shut down the bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiative that has allocated billions of dollars in federal grants to pre-disaster mitigation efforts in communities across the country since 2020.
President Donald Trump
Posted inEducation
‘Climate of fear’: Student enrollment declining amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
Overall, public schools across Massachusetts — which has become a target of President Trump’s crackdown on immigration — lost over 15,000 students from fall 2024 to fall 2025, according to state data released in January. That brings total enrollment in the state to its lowest level in over three decades.
Posted inPolitics
Healey won’t attend White House events with governors
“‘For years, Governors of both parties met with Presidents of both parties annually,” Healey said in a statement released after 4 p.m. Thursday. ‘This has always been an important opportunity for us to discuss the most pressing issues facing our country and how we can work together on solutions. But it should come as no surprise to anyone that President Trump has completely politicized this.'”
Posted inHousing
Trump administration targets program for chronically homeless residents, sparking fear for vulnerable populations in cities like Springfield
The overhaul has been temporarily and partially blocked by a federal judge, but the move is impacting local administrators of the federal program across Massachusetts and has threatened millions of dollars in funding for permanent housing and thousands of beds for the chronically homeless.
Posted inEducation
Suit to block Education Department closure expanded amid agency transfers plans
In May, a federal judge in Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction in the consolidated case, blocking the administration’s efforts, including a reduction in force effort at the agency.
Posted inGovernment
DTA: Some food aid recipients will see benefits drop to ‘zero’
“I’m trying to do the best I can to manage the situation,” Healey said. She added, “No state can come forward and replace what the federal government has taken away.”
Posted inPolitics
Election result draws tear-filled cheers — and jeers
SHEER ELATION consumed the Boston Common on Saturday afternoon as more than 1,000 people danced and cheered Joe Biden’s election as president. Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman, black, or person of South Asian descent to be elected vice president, […]
Posted inPolitics
In poll, Baker takes backseat to Trump
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER ISÂ increasingly a man without a party. Four years ago Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Massachusetts with 49 percent of the vote. Now his support […]
Posted inThe Download
In poll, Baker takes backseat to Trump
Gov. Charlie Baker is increasingly a man without a party. Four years ago Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Massachusetts with 49 percent of the vote. Now his […]
Posted inThe Download
Impeachment headed for crucible of Senate
Now what? By a margin of just over 30 votes, the US House impeached President Trump last night. For those hoping to hold the Republican president accountable for alleged abuse […]
Posted inUncategorized
Impeachment headed for crucible of Senate
NOW WHAT? By a margin of just over 30 votes, the US House impeached President Trump last night. For those hoping to hold the Republican president accountable for alleged abuse […]
Posted inUncategorized
Over 33,000 immigrants waiting for day in Boston’s immigration court
FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS of New England immigrants, the long wait time for a day before an immigration judge has gone from bad to worse.  For unaccompanied minors, or young immigrants who […]
Posted inUncategorized
ICE blindsided by order ending immigrant protection
TWO ARMS OF the Department of Homeland Security are at odds over who is taking charge of a plan that would deport individuals and children with serious medical conditions. Last week, at least […]
Posted inPolitics
Trump says windmills aren’t working too well
AT THE END of a long press conference after the Group of 7 summit in Biarritz, France, President Trump responded to a question about his climate change skepticism in a […]
Posted inThe Download
Trump says windmills aren’t working too well
At the end of a long press conference after the Group of 7 summit in Biarritz, France, President Trump responded to a question about his climate change skepticism in a […]
Posted inPolitics
New rule could deny more immigrants green cards
AN ESTIMATED 500,000 immigrant households in Massachusetts could see their path to permanent residency cut off by a new immigration policy put forward by the Trump administration.  US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on Monday that […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Michael Cohen in the spotlight
ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC episodes in the entire saga of criminality surrounding President Donald Trump played out before a rapt audience on Wednesday as Michael Cohen described his former […]
Posted inThe Download
Michael Cohen in the spotlight
One of the most dramatic episodes in the entire saga of criminality surrounding President Donald Trump played out before a rapt audience on Wednesday as Michael Cohen described his former […]